Which laptop should you choose for remote working?

A laptop for remote working should run your company’s software smoothly, provide good picture and sound quality during online meetings, and be suitable for your role. When choosing, it’s worth considering the tasks you’ll be carrying out simultaneously: video calls, screen sharing, having a browser open and working on a document. Also consider whether you’ll mainly be using your home monitor or frequently taking your laptop with you. This will determine which features are worth paying extra for.

How can you choose a laptop that suits your working day?

First, work out which applications you run and what you do during the busiest part of your day. Whether you work in an office says little about the strain on your hardware. Editing short documents requires different resources to analysing a large spreadsheet whilst on a video conference.

Before making a purchase, discuss your requirements with the company or the person responsible for IT.

Processor, RAM and SSD – what’s worth paying extra for?

For working with several office applications 16 GB of RAM is a reasonable starting point when comparing configurations. For large datasets, virtual machines or material processing, it is worth considering 32 GB or more, depending on the software requirements. Check whether the system is expandable: you cannot increase the amount of soldered-on memory without an additional slot by adding a module.

Assess the processor based on its performance in tasks similar to yours. The number of cores alone, or the processor’s position in the manufacturer’s range, does not reflect the overall performance of the laptop. Cooling and power settings are also important for longer computations.

Choose an SSD capacity that suits your system, applications and locally stored files. Take into account the volume of documents, materials for working offline and folders synchronised with the cloud. Also check whether the storage medium can be replaced. The stated drive speed has a different significance when transferring large projects than when writing text.

How can you compare laptops for remote working using Von Halski?

Do you already have a monitor, webcam and keyboard? Take these into account when making your purchase. Otherwise, you’ll allocate your budget differently for a computer used mainly with this equipment, compared to a laptop intended for use on its own whilst travelling.

In the InPost Mobile app, you can open the ‘Buy’ section and describe the type of computer you need. By Halsky, a helpful shopping assistant, will help you find and compare offers from partner shops. You don’t need to start with processor names or connector standards; simply state your budget, the software you use, your working methods and the accessories you own.

Tip:

Instead of simply asking for ‘the best laptop for work’, describe the specific tasks you’ll be carrying out. You can ask for a comparison between a cheaper and a more expensive configuration, and for the differences that will actually make a difference to your work to be highlighted. Once you’ve chosen a product, you can complete your purchase without leaving the InPost Mobile app.

Video conferencing – what will the participants hear and see?

If you hold frequent meetings, check the video feed from the camera and the audio recordings from the microphones. The camera’s resolution is not high enough to assess the quality of the call. Other important factors include the image quality in low light, the lens settings and the clarity of the voice.

Pay attention to the noise made by the fans whilst you are on a call with screen sharing enabled. The test results for a laptop under no load are not particularly indicative of this type of use. If you are using headphones with a microphone, check that they are compatible and that they are connected correctly.

The quality of the connection also depends on the network. If the sound or picture cuts out, check the stability of your internet connection at your workplace. A wired connection to the router may help if you’re having Wi-Fi problems; the necessary port may be on your laptop, an adapter or a docking station.

Screen and keyboard – how do you assess comfort when working for hours on end?

If your laptop screen is going to be your main workspace, open a document and a web browser side by side on it. Check whether the text is legible at a comfortable font size. A larger screen size gives you more space, but it also means a bulkier device to carry around. If you’re always working with an external monitor, you can opt for a smaller laptop and assess its screen primarily with travel in mind.

Pay attention to light reflections, brightness and viewing angles. A matt finish helps to reduce glare, but you’ll get the best idea of how comfortable it is in lighting similar to that found at home. If you work with graphics, also check the colour reproduction specifications required for your projects. It’s worth trying out the keyboard on a simple piece of text. Please rate the keyboard layout, the Polish characters, how well the shortcuts work, and the comfort of the touchpad.

Monitor and accessories – will you be connecting the whole workstation?

Make a list of the devices that are to be used simultaneously: monitors, a camera, headphones, a keyboard and, if applicable, an external hard drive. Then check the documentation for your laptop and accessories:

• monitor operation – their number, resolution and refresh rate in the planned configuration;
• integration with the docking station – transmitting images and data, and charging a laptop;
• the number of available ports – even when one is drawing power;
• contents of the set – the necessary cables, adaptors and power supply.

Connecting the workstation with a single cable is convenient provided that the laptop, docking station and cable support the required functions. Please also check the charging power supplied to the computer whilst it is in use. If the power supply is too weak, the battery level may drop even whilst the unit is connected to the charging station.

Battery life and mobility – how much work can you get done without a power socket?

Estimate how long you actually work without the power supply and what tasks you carry out during that time. A few hours of video calls require a different amount of power than reading documents. Look for measurements taken under similar conditions, for a comparable configuration of the screen and components.

Add the weight of the charger and any accessories you’re taking with you to the laptop’s weight. Also check the device’s dimensions when it’s open: on a small table, the space needed to position the screen and type comfortably is important.

How do you work out the cost of purchase and subsequent maintenance?

Compare offers that include the equipment you need to get started. The price may include the operating system, software licences, a docking station, adaptors or an additional power supply. Check the exact configuration, keyboard layout and contents of the package, as offers with similar descriptions may include different components. When it comes to a computer on which your day-to-day work depends, after-sales support is also important — how to report faults, where repairs are carried out and the terms for battery replacement.

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FAQ: Frequently asked questions about laptops for remote working

Does buying a laptop without an operating system reduce the purchase price?

Perhaps, provided you have the appropriate licence and the means to set up the computer for use. Check with the company to find out which operating system is required and who will handle the installation and configuration of security measures. Add these costs to your comparison to assess the savings on a ready-to-use workstation.

What should you check in the first few days after receiving your laptop?

Test a typical working day: launch the applications you use, conduct a call with screen sharing, and connect a monitor and other accessories. Check that the device wakes up, charges, operates quietly and maintains a stable connection. Before transferring all your responsibilities, confirm that you have access to company services and that data backups are working.

How can I find a cheap laptop for work?

Von Halsky, the purchasing assistant at InPost Mobile, can help you find a cost-effective model. Tell him your budget and explain which features you simply cannot do without, such as dual-monitor support. Von Halsky will present the options in a clear carousel and – if you wish – compare their prices and specifications. You can ask which differences between the options will be relevant to your work.