Look good, feel good, do good work. We’re looking at manufacturer-recommended laptops for business users that combine aesthetics, functionality, and enough computing power to run a couple heavy-duty production applications simultaneously. In our picks we’ve opted for lighter laptops for on-the-go professionals: Each of them are thin bezel laptops that have a 13.3 or 15.6-inch display with Full HD resolution or higher; 8 GB or RAM or more, SSD storage (PCIe x4 for extra fast boot times), a CPU with four to six cores, and the connectivity to support a dual monitor setup and other peripherals. With exception to the MacBook Pro 13, each includes Windows 10 Professional licensing.
ASUS ZenBook S13
- 13.9-inch Full HD display; 2.5 mm ultra-slim bezel
- 2.4 lbs
- 2 x USB Type-C; 1 USB 3.1; 1 MicroSD card reader
- Intel Core i7 8th Gen
- 16 GB RAM; 512 GB SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce MX 150
- Windows 10 Professional
ASUS ZenBook S13 provides all the computing power necessary for serious productivity and crams a stunning display into a thin and lightweight all-metal chassis with nary a millimeter to spare. The one-piece laptop has some fantastic extras as well: the ErgoLift hinge bumps up the keyboard when in the open position which adds comfort when typing and also improves the acoustics for the Harman Kardon stereo speakers it has built in.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
- 14-inch IPS display; QHD resolution
- 2.4 lbs
- Intel Core i7 8th Gen
- 16 GB RAM; 512 GB SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Windows 10 Professional
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has a dazzling QHD display that delivers the color accuracy and performance suited for professional photo and video editing. ThinkShield and Secured-core offer IT admins a customizable security platform integrated across hardware and firmware and includes cloud-based software that protects data and identities. And of course, it comes with the signature feel of the ThinkPad trackpoint keyboard.
ZBook Studio G7
- 15.6-inch Full HD display
- Under 4 lbs
- 2 x USB-C; 2 USB 3.0; HDMI
- Intel Core or i9 or Xeon CPU
- 16 GB of RAM; 512 GB SSD
- NVIDIA Quardro P1000
- Windows 10 Professional
Launching in August, ZBook Studio G7 is arguably the sleekest, most aesthetic mobile workstation of its class. It comes packed with discrete graphics processing and computing power that product developers, architects, and creative professionals demand, but without the usual boxy look of previous ZBook generations. The new G7 is 22 percent lighter than the ZBook Studio G5, with a 73 percent thinner upper bezel. Like many HP laptops, ZBook Studio G7 offers a range of security management features and a construction that is friendly for making upgrades and repairs in-house.
Refurbished 2019 MacBook Pro 13
- 13.3-inch display; QHD resolution
- 3.02 lbs
- 4x USB-Type C
- Intel Core i5 8th Gen
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
- Mac OS X v10.14 Mojave
You can’t have a conversation about great thin bezel laptops for business without talking about the MacBook Pro, the sleek, silver standby for university students and pro creatives. While it might look short on power compared to other PCs on this list, the 2019 MacBook Pro performs very well on everyday computing tasks. The QHD Retina display provides crisp and colorful graphics, and the Touch Bar provides extra utility in Adobe Creative Suite and other supported apps. Learn more about buying refurbished hardware.
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Notebook
- 13.4-inch Full HD display
- 2 x USB-C; 1 MicroSD reader
- 2.8 lbs
- Intel Core i7 10th Gen
- Intel Iris Plus graphics
- 16 GB RAM; 512 GB SSD storage
- Windows 10 Pro
If you’re looking for a hybrid laptop with a touch screen powerful enough to run production software, Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Notebook is worth a look. Dell has consistently delivered well-built and attractive ultraportable laptops with the XPS series. Notable features for the latest model include a taller display (16:10 aspect ratio) and it boasts 18 hours of continuous business use or 12 hours of Netflix streaming before needing to charge the battery.
