In terms of workstation laptops, these are the finest options available.
With the top workstation laptops, you may become the undisputed boss in any professional setting, be it 4K video editing or moon landing simulation.
You won’t believe how well graphics-intensive apps perform on top workstation computers. Although top gaming laptops are a viable substitute, the graphics processing units (GPUs) of top workstation laptops are fine-tuned for use outside of gaming. More powerful central processing units (CPUs) with Intel Core i9 or Xeon processors are also common.
A workstation laptop’s robust processing and crisp, color-accurate display make it ideal for demanding applications like Adobe Premiere or Blender. Getting the finest of the best, though, will unfortunately cost you a fair sum.
Those looking to purchase a powerful new workstation laptop may want to hold off until CES 2024, when new models will most likely be unveiled, along with the processors and graphics processing units (GPUs) that power them.
The best workstation laptops aren’t cheap or easy to come by, but we’ll walk you through a variety of budget-friendly options nevertheless. But remember that your requirements must also be considered. Put off buying something until there’s a sale if you aren’t sure it will meet your needs.
THE ABSTRACT
Excited to discover the ideal laptop for you? Rest assured, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all the laptops on the market today and included links to our in-depth reviews of each one.
1. HP ZBook Fury 17 G8
The greatest laptop for workstations in general
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Xeon W-11955M
- GPU: Nvidia RTX A5000
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 17.3-inch UHD (3840 x 2160)
- Size: 15.7 x 10.5 x 1.1 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
ATTRIBUTES
- Stunning 17-inch 4K touchscreen
- Exceptional central processing unit and graphics unit performance
- Built-in fingerprint reader
- Sleek software design
DON’T DO IT Because
- It’s too costly
Is there a better workstation than the HP ZBook Fury 17 G8? If you can afford an Intel Xeon CPU with Nvidia RTX A5000 graphics (holy cow!), this is about as future-proof as laptops get right now. Of course, it depends on your budget and configuration.
When it comes to raw power, this notebook is unrivaled. It’s heavy enough to combat crime even if the battery dies while you’re on the go. Although the $6K combination we tested is definitely too powerful for the average laptop user, it’s hard to imagine that such powerful mobile hardware could ever bomb on our normal benchmarks. Personally, I think that’s part of the point. Opportunities may slip through your fingers if you don’t own a laptop that is suitable for your profession, since the mobile tech industry is expanding at a dizzying rate.
With its jaw-dropping 17.3-inch touchscreen, formidable internal specifications, and a plenty of connections to power your essential accessories, the ZBook Fury 17 G8 makes that seem like a minor issue.
2. MSI Katana 15
Best value workstation laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i7-13620H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1080p
- Weight: 8.8 pounds
REASONS TO BUY
- Impressive RTX 4070 performance
- High productivity scores
- Reasonably priced considering its specifications
CAUSES FOR DEPARTURE
- Inadequate peak brightness
- Uninspiring presentation
When the 4070 GPU is available, why should one pay extra for the Nvidia 4090 GPU? The superb Katana 15 is MSI’s attempt to address that question. A portable computer that effortlessly outpaced its more powerful rivals. The Katana 15 is available in an all-black aluminum chassis with an engraved logo for individuals who choose a more subtle design. The four-key RGB customisable keyboard adds a splash of color to the interior. At 8.8 pounds, it’s not exactly light, so be sure to use a sturdy backpack with plenty of straps to transport this system.
However, I would want to discuss the question of performance. Using 2K resolution, our reviewer found that the Katana 15 reliably delivered 50–55 fps on Elden Ring. In addition to dominating at 99 frames per second (1080p, high) on the Borderlands 3 benchmark, the Katana also scored 106 in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, 103 in Dirt 3, 94 in Far Cry 6, and 72 in Red Dead Redemption. To make a long tale short, the Katana demonstrated exceptional gaming prowess. Throughout the entire performance, the MSI maintained its pressure. With a Core i7 CPU, the machine smoked the competition on the Handbrake benchmark in a scorching 5 minutes and 4 seconds and reached 11,581 on Geekbench 5.5.
While the Katana 15 is generally good, it might be much better in a few key areas. In this day and age, the battery life of two hours and forty-eight minutes is pitiful. We really wish MSI could have scoured the market for a more exciting panel to replace the dull one it has been using. However, when compared to the RTX 4090 systems, which cost more than $4,000, its $1,600 price tag is significantly more reasonable.
3. Dell Precision 5470
Best long lasting workstation laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- Display: 14 inches, 1920 x 1200
- CPU: 12th-Gen Intel Core i9-12900H
- GPU: Nvidia RTX A1000
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Battery Life: 11:39
- Weight: 3.3 pounds
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY IT:
- Excellent battery life
- Sleek chassis
- Efficient design
- Beautiful InfinityEdge touchscreen
CAUTIONS TO AVOID
- Expensive pricing
The Dell Precision 5470 is an elite laptop and media center hybrid that boasts “the world’s smallest, thinnest, and most powerful 14-inch workstation” claims.
The vibrant WLED 4K display, together with the powerful hardware—an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, an Nvidia RTX A3000 graphics processing unit, 32 GB of RAM, and a 2 TB solid-state drive—made last year’s assessment of the 17-inch Dell Precision 5760 a very impressive one. Although it comes in a far more portable 14-inch form factor, the new Dell Precision 5470 shares same specifications as its larger, older sibling. This middle child will more than hold its own at the next family gathering thanks to its 1TB of storage, 32GB of RAM, and 12th-Gen Intel Core i9-12900H CPU.
For those who are always on the move, whether as artists, workers, or multimedia enthusiasts, the Dell Precision 5470 is the ideal tool, pixel-for-pixel, because it is one of the most portable and powerful workstations available.
4. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo (UX582L)
Best dual-display workstation laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- Display: 15.6-inch, 4K UHD
- CPU: Intel Core i9-10980HK
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070 8GB vRAM
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Battery Life: 6:50 – 5:01
- Weight: 5.3 pounds
GOOD POINTS FOR PURCHASE:
- High-quality construction
- Attractive design
- Powerful performance
- Useful secondary screen
CAUTIONS
- Expensive
An unusual dual-screen laptop, the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 features a tiny OLED screen above the keyboard in addition to a larger 15-inch 4K display on top. Asus has improved the build quality and ergonomics of their dual-screen laptops from the first version of the ZenBook Duo (UX481), which had certain issues. Has it progressed to the point where Asus’s dual-screen laptop concept becomes a hot commodity? While I get your point, I can’t help but believe that this is still a tool for a few group of content makers with deep pockets.
Powerful specifications are available on the ZenBook Duo Pro 15 UX582L for individuals who require them, and the addition of a second screen enhances both the device’s aesthetics and its practicality. The ZenBook Duo Pro 15 is worth considering for content makers who require greater screen real estate on the fly, while some may not like the placement of the keyboard and touchpad and the price is a major turnoff. Although it isn’t strictly a workstation, we’ve included it on our best workstation laptops list due to its useful features and impressive performance.
5. HP ZBook Studio G8
Best single-display workstation laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- Display: 15.6-inch, OLED 4K (3840 x 2160)
- CPU: Intel Core i9-11950H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 6GB vRAM
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Battery Life: 4:56
- Weight: 3.3 pounds
IMPORTANT FEATURES
- Elegant 4K OLED screen
- Effortless general and gaming performance
- Soft keyboard
- High-quality audio
CAUTIONS
- Expensive
Keeping with the award-winning G7 series style, this year’s HP ZBook Studio G8 boosts power to assist content producers with their creative endeavors in the field or in the studio. This machine is one of the greatest laptops for content creators on the market; it’s stunning, powerful, and MIL-SPEC robust; yet it costs $4,727. I almost forgot: the OLED 4K screen is incredibly beautiful and brilliant.
With its 32 GB of RAM, 2 TB of SSD storage, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, this alluring attention grabber is more than capable of handling all of your demanding needs in Adobe Creative Suite, and more. Although it costs an exorbitant $4,727 when reviewed, it is undeniably one of the top workstation laptops that we have examined.
6. Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1
Best performance workstation laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i9-12950HX vPro
- GPU: Nvidia RTX A5500 16GB
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Display: 16-inch, 3840 x 2400
- Size: 14.3 x 10.5 x 1.2 inches
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
REASONS TO PURCHASE
- Amazing 16-inch screen
- A responsive keyboard
- High-quality audio
- Powerful hardware
CAUSES FOR DEPARTURE
- Inadequate power storage
I enjoy tinkering with fancy gadgets, but the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1 has no business being in this situation. Only the well-compensated professionals or Fortune 500 organizations should apply; this is not for startups or those on a tight budget. Stay away from this if you can’t pay $4,663.
Attention, high-spending individuals. A stunning 16-inch 4K display, a responsive keyboard, excellent speakers, and a potent Core i9-12950HX vPro CPU and Nvidia RTX A5500 GPU are all yours with the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 1. Nevertheless, you will need to keep it plugged in for the most part due to its low battery life, which is a disappointment considering its exorbitant price and uninteresting look.
Among the best workstations I’ve reviewed, the battery life is the only gripe I have.
7. Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2
Best long-lasting power workstation laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i7-11950H vPro
- GPU: Nvidia RTX A5000
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, FHD (1920×1080)
- Size: 14.7 x 9.9 x 1.2 inches
- Weight: 6.2 pounds
PROS:
- Top-notch performance
- Versatile port selection
- Vibrant screen
- Sturdy construction
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT:
- Expensive
- Heavy
HP’s continued production of portable yet powerful workstations is something I can’t get enough of. One such Zbook designed for heavy mobile workstation users is the HP ZBook Firefly G8 14-inch. Is document writing required? Easy enough. Can you handle programs with a lot of graphics? Not a problem. Are you in need of a 5G network connection? Also capable of such is the ZBook Firefly.
On top of everything else, you get a stunning 14-inch DreamColor display with true colors. We can’t wait to receive a new laptop and put it through its paces in our lab. Occasionally, we are overjoyed with the outcomes, and occasionally, our tiny laptop-loving hearts are crushed. That being said, it is undeniably a top-tier workplace laptop.
8. MSI Creator Z16P
Best 30-series workstation laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i9-12900H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080Ti 12GB vRAM
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Display: 16-inch QHD (2560 x1600) 16:10
- Size: 14.13 x 10.08 x 0.75 inches
- Weight: 5.3 pounds
REASONS TO BUY:
- Featuring a sturdy construction
- robust hardware
- a large vivid screen
- clear sound, this device is a must-have.
DON’T BUY IT Because:
- The battery life is only average
When it comes to gaming laptops, Alienware keeps setting new standards. Beautiful and incredibly thin at only 0.8 inches, the X17 is the newest member of the family and a formidable desktop replacement. An Intel Core i7 CPU, two solid-state drives (SSDs), and a graphics processing unit (GPU) from Nvidia are all part of the ultra-premium system. Require additional data? What do you think about a Cherry MX keyboard, robust speakers, and a 17.3-inch 4K screen?
Not everyone has a passion for or a large bank account, because something this beautiful and strong is also extremely costly at $3,679 ($2,199 starting). If you’re in the market for a powerful workstation laptop, the Alienware X17 is an excellent choice.
9. MSI Titan GT77 HX
Best gaming workstation laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: dual 1TB SSD
- Display: 17-inch, 4K, 144Hz, Mini LED
- Weight: 7.3 pounds
REASONS TO PURCHASE:
- Outrageous processing power
- Stunning screen
- Delicious Cherry mechanical keyboard
DON’T BUY IT Because:
- It’s cumbersome and hefty
- The design is old
- It’s expensive even when you stack it with other gaming laptops
With a flagship gaming laptop as powerful as the MSI Titan GT77 HX, we can’t complain about MSI’s history of throwing everything at their products. Even for a high-end gaming laptop, this is a ridiculously expensive setup. You acquire a superhuman being who can withstand nearly any challenge in exchange for the limb, appendage, or other relic you’re thinking about selling.
With 16 GB of VRAM, the Nvidia RTX 4090 in the Titan sliced through frame rates like hot butter through ice. The result was incredibly pleasant. Except for Metro Exodus, the Titan consistently maintained frame rates in the triple digits at both 1080p and 4K. This notebook annihilated our benchmarks in every category thanks to its Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and 16 GB of RAM. In our file transfer test, its twin SSDs in RAID 0 configuration scored an impressive 2,299.3 megabytes per second.
The short three hours and twenty-four minute battery life is the Achilles’ heel of this formidable beast. The reviewer also thought the webcam might use some improvement and said the notebook had an outdated look. While there may be more powerful gaming laptops on the market, this one is hard to beat.