Only the greatest workstation laptops can process massive amounts of data or edit huge files in 4K video.
Of course, professional users who need to run graphics-intensive applications are the main audience for the finest workstation laptops. The GPU, which is primarily tuned for things like design and 3D rendering rather than just pure gaming performance, is the key distinction between some of the best gaming laptops on the market and a workstation. Moreover, workstations typically have more powerful CPUs than gaming laptops, such as an Intel Core i9 or Intel Xeon processor, in place of the more common Core i7.
Your workstation needs a strong GPU, a brilliant, color-accurate display, and a monstrous processor (like Intel’s Xeon series) to speed up your workload in programs like Adobe Premiere or Blender. See our introduction to Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 series mobile GPUs if you’re looking for a beast with a 30-series GPU.
Which laptops make the greatest workstations?
The MSI WS66 10TMT is the best workplace laptop currently on the market. With a superslim, robust chassis, the WS65 houses a potent 10th-Gen Core i9 processor and Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 Max-Q GPU. Finish it off with a long-lasting battery and a stunning 15.6-inch 4K display. The HP ZBook Studio x360 G5 is also a fantastic option because it is equipped with an Intel Xeon processor and a Quadro P1000 GPU, making it an unstoppable beast. The ZBook Studio is quite excellent all around thanks to its brilliant 4K display, springy keyboard, and long battery life. Not to mention that its chassis is both quite attractive and military-strength.
The Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro W700G3T is an excellent choice for a 17-inch workstation. One of the most beautiful laptop designs I’ve ever seen is the StudioBook Pro. A powerful Intel Xeon E-2276M processor, an Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000 GPU, a vibrant 17-inch, 16:10 display, and a comfortable keyboard are all housed in its stunning, 0.7-inch-thin form.
The Alienware Area-51m is the perfect gaming laptop that can also serve as a workstation. It completely destroyed every test we set in front of it with graceful aplomb thanks to its desktop Intel Core i9 processor and one of Nvidia’s powerful RTX GPUs. It will also put a serious impact on your bank account. Nevertheless, when you consider that this is the first gaming laptop that is future-proof, it seems like a tiny price to pay for a device that is really upgradeable and what Alienware refers to as its first true desktop replacement.
The top laptops for workstations available today
1. ZBook Fury 17 G8 by HP
Is there a better workstation on the market than the HP ZBook Fury 17 G8? That depends on your price and configuration, I suppose, but if you can afford a laptop with an Intel Xeon processor and Nvidia RTX A5000 graphics card (boy howdy! ), this is currently the most future-proof model available.
This notebook has a lot of raw power, and even if the battery dies while you’re on the go, it’s still substantial enough to use in a crime-fighting situation. It’s true that the $6K setup we tested is overkill for the majority of laptop users; but, it would be quite difficult for this kind of mobile power to perform poorly on our regular benchmarks. And in my perspective, that’s partly the point. If you don’t have the appropriate laptop for your particular career, opportunity may very well slip by as the world of mobile technology continues to advance exponentially.
However the ZBook Fury 17 G8’s gorgeous 17.3-inch touchscreen, formidable hardware specifications, and several connections for charging your necessary devices make that scarcely an issue.
2. HP ZBook Create G7,
This workstation is equipped with an Nvidia RTX 2070 Max-Q GPU and an Intel Core i9 processor to take on any opponent. The laptop is attractively wrapped in a slender, streamlined body, but thanks to MIL-SPEC certification, it can withstand the occasional bump. A fascinating 4K OLED touch panel with stunning picture quality is also included.
The HP ZBook Create G7 costs $4,559, but since you get premium performance, it’s money well spent for production professionals. But, I would love a brighter display for all the money you’re spending, and the battery life could be improved.
3. Dell Precision 5470
The Dell Precision 5470 is a high-end laptop that also functions as a casual gaming system. It is marketed as “the world’s smallest, thinnest, and most powerful 14-inch workstation.”
The vibrant WLED 4K touchscreen and the 17-inch Dell Precision 5760’s powerful internal components, including an 11th-Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, Nvidia RTX A3000 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD, really pleased us when we reviewed the device last year. The new Dell Precision 5470 has identical specifications to its larger, elder brother but comes in a 14-inch package that is significantly more portable. Also, this middle child may compete at the upcoming family reunion owing to a 12th-Gen Intel Core i9-12900H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage.
The Dell Precision 5470 is the ideal tool for mobile creatives, workaholics, and multimedia addicts alike and may be the most portable, powerful workstation you can find on the market, pixel for pixel.
4. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo
A 15-inch, 4K OLED display on top and a smaller OLED screen over the keyboard make up the distinctive dual-screen design of the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15. Since the initial Asus ZenBook Duo (UX481), Asus’s approach to dual-screen laptops has changed, with advancements in build quality and ergonomics addressing some of the early issues. Has it developed to the point that people yearn for Asus’s concept of a dual-screen laptop? Yes, in some ways, but it still feels like a specialized tool for a particular group of content producers (who have large budgets).
With excellent specifications for those who need them, the ZenBook Duo Pro 15 UX582L offers a lot, and a second screen not only adds to the wow factor but also utility. The ZenBook Duo Pro 15 should be taken into consideration by content creators who require additional screen space when traveling. Some people might not like where the keyboard and touchpad are located, and the price is a significant deterrent. Although it isn’t exactly a workstation, its usability and performance have allowed it to earn a spot on our list of the best workplace laptops.
5. HP ZBook Studio G8
The HP ZBook Studio G8 from this year maintains the acclaimed G7 series style while boosting the capacity to support content creators with their creative endeavors in the studio or on location. The $4,727 system is one of the greatest laptops available for multimedia creators because it is stunning, powerful, and MIL-SPEC durable. Hey, I almost forgot to highlight the OLED 4K touchscreen’s incredible brightness, vibrancy, and clarity.
With its 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB of Memory, 2TB of SSD storage, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, this opulent attention-getter will more than meet all of your Adobe Creative Suite’s power-hungry needs. Even though it costs a staggering $4,727 as reviewed, it’s unquestionably one of the best professional laptops we’ve tested.
Conclusion
These tests are supplemented by in-depth hands-on testing by our reviewers, who offer feedback on everything from the laptop’s build quality to the way its touchpad feels.
