If you’re looking to buy a laptop that works well for personal and business use, know that you’re in the majority. This is a common trend among consumers because, nowadays, there is no real distinction between a home and an office-specific computer. People want a laptop that can handle anything. It’s why so many buyers are faced with deciding between purchasing a business notebook or a consumer laptop.
Is there a difference between the two? Should you buy one over the other if you plan on using it for work, too?
We go over business v consumer laptops here, including general features of both, differences, and certain advantages of each that will help you decide which is right for you.
Business v Consumer Laptops Differences
While it may be true that consumers are looking for a laptop that can handle work and personal usage, there are still some defining distinctions between business and consumer laptops. The two are not the same and are not built or marketed as the same either.
Before we go over the biggest differences, let’s go over a general overview. Essentially, consumer laptops are cheaper and more ‘beautifully’ designed than their business counterparts. You may think that means they are better laptops but what a business notebook lacks in design and price, it makes up for in worthwhile features.
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Let’s discuss some benefits of a business notebook over a consumer laptop.
Build Over Design
A beautiful design is not necessarily the best—not when it is prioritized before the build. What good is a sleek computer if it can easily be damaged? Laptops meant for work are designed with a worker’s serious, all-day usage in mind. Business designs are meant to be durable, handle long commutes in briefcases and bags, and models don’t change often.
Better Connectivity
Since designs stay consistent over longer periods compared to consumer laptops, much of the hardware stays consistent and therefore compatible with other computers and parts. You won’t have problems replacing a battery or charger due to constant design updates. For compatibility and ease of part replacement, choose business laptops.
Longer Warranties
The average personal computer warranty is about one year. This may seem like a great deal but, when compared to the warranty of a business notebook, it really isn’t that impressive. A business notebook is bought by companies and they are bought in large quantities to supply the company’s large staff. These high-paying customers expect high-quality machines with a warranty that will cover any mishaps—for as long as possible. That’s why the average warranty for these laptops is three years.
For consumers who crave extra support, consider business laptops. A longer warranty ensures you will be able to get the technical help you might need for a longer period.
Built with IT Management in Mind
The average person doesn’t consider IT accessibility when choosing a computer but, if they plan on using their devices on a secure network, they should. A business notebook keeps this in mind, just in case you run into technical problems during a work assignment. In a situation like this, where IT is needed, it pays to have an IT compatible device. What’s more, many networking and enterprise-centric features are simply unavailable on consumer machines.
More Security Options
Again, because their laptops are purchased by businesses, manufacturers provide advanced security features. They understand sensitive business data should be secure. For this reason, you can find exceptional security features business notebooks, such as biometric fingerprint scanners, dedicated security chips that will prevent unauthorized and unencrypted hard drive access, and dedicated encryption software.
In the end, the business v consumer laptops breakdown shows that, while personal laptops are trendier and cheaper, they don’t have the same practicality associated with business laptops. So, whether you want to buy a laptop for mostly work or mostly personal usage, the safest bet is a business laptop.
