How to Choose the Right Laptop for Your Business Needs

August 26, 2025

How to Choose the Right Laptop for Your Business Needs

Buying laptops for your business isn’t as simple as clicking “add to cart” on the cheapest model you find online. For small and mid-sized businesses, the wrong choice can mean slower performance, frustrated employees, more downtime, and costly replacements sooner than expected.

The key is to choose laptops based on your team’s actual work needs, not just price tags or flashy features. Here’s a practical guide to help you make the right call.

1. Start with the Workload

Different roles demand different levels of performance:

  • Light Work (email, documents, web apps): An Intel i3 or Ryzen 3 with 8GB RAM and an SSD will handle the basics.
  • Moderate Work (multitasking, video calls, cloud apps, light design): Upgrade to Intel i5 or Ryzen 5 with at least 16GB RAM.
  • Heavy Work (graphics, CAD, software development, data analysis): Look for Intel i7/Ryzen 7 or Apple M-series, with 16–32GB RAM and possibly dedicated graphics.


2. Choose Business-Class, Not Consumer-Grade

Business laptops are built to last and come with features you won’t find in retail models:

  • Battery Life: Aim for 8+ hours for mobile or hybrid workers.
  • Durability: Models like Dell Latitude, Lenovo ThinkPad, and HP EliteBook are built tougher than consumer laptops.
  • Security: TPM chips, biometric logins, and support for drive encryption protect sensitive business data.
  • Support: A 3-year on-site warranty saves time compared to shipping laptops out for repairs.


3. Match the Form Factor to the Role

  • Ultrabooks (thin & light): Perfect for executives or frequent travelers.
  • Standard laptops: A solid fit for most office staff.
  • Mobile workstations: Ideal for designers, developers, or engineers who need extra horsepower.
  • 2-in-1 convertibles: Great for sales and client-facing roles where presentations matter.


4. Invest in Essentials

Don’t cut corners on these must-haves:

  • Solid State Drive (SSD): Faster, more reliable, and much better than old hard drives.
  • At least 16GB RAM: 8GB is the bare minimum; 16GB helps ensure smooth performance long term.
  • Ports & Connectivity: Make sure the laptop works with docking stations, monitors, and accessories your team already uses.


5. Think About Long-Term Value

It’s tempting to save money upfront, but a laptop that’s “just enough” today will often need replacing in two years. Spending a little more now (say $200–$300 per machine) can extend the lifespan by years and reduce IT headaches.


Bottom Line

The right laptop is the one that matches your team’s work, keeps data secure, and stays reliable for the long haul. If you’re unsure which models are best for your business, we can help you evaluate the options, avoid overspending, and set your team up with the right tools to stay productive.

Important Service Update: We're Coming to You

December 1, 2025
We've made an exciting change to how we serve our customers at Top City Tech. We are moving away from walk-in or drop-offs at our shop. Instead, we're bringing our expertise directly to you. We are now picking up devices from you, working on them, and returning them to you! Why This Change Benefits You Your time is valuable. We realized that requiring you to pack up your computer, drive to our shop, wait for service, and make another trip to pick it up was costing you hours of productivity. By coming to you, we're eliminating that hassle entirely. Faster turnaround. Without the overhead of managing a retail storefront, we can focus entirely on solving your technical problems quickly and efficiently. Many issues can be resolved on-site during our first visit, getting you back to work the same day. More personalized service. Seeing your technology in its actual working environment helps us provide better solutions. We can address network issues, printer connectivity, and other problems that only show up in your specific setup. How Our New Process Works 1. We Pick Up . Schedule a convenient time, and we'll come to your location to collect your equipment. No packing, no driving, no waiting in line. 2. We Do the Work . Your device gets our full attention in our workshop. We'll keep you updated on progress and any findings along the way. 3. We Return Everything . Once the work is complete, we deliver your equipment back to you, set it up if needed, and make sure everything is working perfectly before we leave. The Bottom Line This transition allows us to provide you with white-glove service that respects your time and delivers better results. You stay productive while we handle the technical heavy lifting. Ready to schedule a pickup? Send us an email, call, or text to get this started. Note : We no longer offer electronics recycling services. For recycling, please contact Mobile Wave Repair or Shawnee County Hazardous Waste to check on availability and capacity.

How to Update and Manage Your Passwords in Bitwarden

November 20, 2025
You've got Bitwarden set up. Your passwords are saved. Now what? Websites change. You need to update passwords. You want to add new accounts. Here's how to manage everything in Bitwarden.

How to Import Your Passwords Into Bitwarden

November 20, 2025
You've been using your web browser to save passwords—Chrome, Edge, or Firefox has been remembering them for you. Now you want to move all those passwords into Bitwarden so they're more secure and work across all your devices. Good news: you don't have to type them all in manually. Here's how to move them over.