7 of the best laptops from 2017
Here ye, here ye! Following on from our 2016 ‘best of’ laptop review, we’ve rounded up 2017’s best laptops. So whether you need to upgrade computers for your business, or are looking for a Christmas present to yourself as a sole trader, here are some of the hottest laptops on the Australian computer market right now.
Business grade or home grade laptop?
We’ve made no secret that we’re not keen on using home-grade IT equipment for business use. The rule is simple: if you’re using your laptop all day for work, and if you’re connected into a multi-user network, it’s best that you choose business-grade computer equipment.
For our 2017 laptop review, we’ve divided laptops into three camps: best laptops for small business; for designers and creative studios; and for travellers and jetsetters. Plus, just for kicks, we’ve introduced The Mac Mechanic’s favourite, just to show you which computer we love the most.
The competition for laptops was pretty fierce this year, with Apple, Lenovo, Dell and HP all putting out top-notch models for a range of different purposes.Without further ado, here are our recommendations for 2017.
Best laptops for…small business
1. 13-inch MacBook Pro (2.3GHz Processor 256GB Storage, approx $2,199).The 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor in the MacBook Pro makes it a fantastic all-rounder for small businesses. With 8GB of memory, 256GB SSD, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 and Two Thunderbolt 3 ports, this is an affordable, portable, entry level Mac that does the job it needs to.
2. Dell New XPS (13-inch, Silver), approx $2,099)
The Dell XPS is a favourite amongst The Mac Mechanic’s clients. This laptop is a great little workhorse at an affordable price. The screen is fantastic at 5.7 million pixels; it has touch display; and enough grunt to handle large files.
Best laptops for…designers and creative studios
Top of the range in the 13 inch Macbooks, your designers and creatives will rejoice in this laptop’s meaty Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz, 8GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory and four Thunderbolt 3 ports. It’s a strong workhorse that is designed to last, and withstand large files and transfers, with fast graphics processing speeds.
4. iMac Pro (coming in December 2017, price TBC)
Ok, so we’re being a bit cheeky, profiling a Mac that hasn’t come out yet. But seriously, Apple are promising the goods when it comes to the iMac Pro. Designers and creatives in Melbourne’s studios are looking at a fully customisable iMac, with a 5k retina display, up to 128gb RAM, supporting up to 4TB of internal storage. This thing is going to be a beast – worth hanging out till Christmas for.
Best laptops for…travellers and jetsetters
5. HP Spectre x360 (13-inch, 2017, approx $2,249)
The HP Spectre x360 is getting a fantastic rap for being one of the best 2 in 1 (tablet and laptop) around. It’s fully geared for travel at a tiny weight of 1.4kg, with all of the grunt you need for your business. Featuring a crisp 4K screen and display, easy to use keyboard and pretty decent battery life, this is a winner for those that need a portable yet grunty laptop on the go.
6. Dell XPS (13-inch 2-in-1, approx $2,039)
Dell’s XPS 2 in 1 is a super skinny yet powerful 2 in 1 laptop. So many of our clients, particularly travelling Directors and MDs, love the Dell because of its small size and portability. The Dell has a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 4GB of RAM, 128GB SSD and a full HD 10 inch touchscreen.
The Mac Mechanic techie’s choice
7. Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, Touch Bar and Touch ID, 2.9GHz Processor, 512GB Storage, approx $4,099.00)
This badass, big league laptop is the creme de la creme of the Apple suite. Having worked with Macs for over fifteen years, the top of the line Apple MacBook Pro is designed for business-grade use and has all the grunt you’ll ever need. Think fast graphics and power, great battery life and a nice big 15 inch screen.