Ready to upgrade to a business-class notebook? These five models offer high-end features like super-fast processors, plenty of RAM and storage, and a few extra perks to make those business trips more bearable.--John Brandon
This thin and light notebook belies a few impressive high-end features. The Intel Core i7 processor, available as an option, helps the Z keep pace with bigger, bulkier laptops. The system comes standard with a speed-boosting 8GB of RAM, high-end graphics, and a carbon fiber back for durability. One perk: If you watch a movie on a plane, the notebook simulates surround-sound with Dolby Home Theater.
This higher-end Lenovo uses an Intel Core i7 processor and can be packed with up to 32GB of RAM, a 1TB drive (or a 180GB solid state drive), and a 15-hour nine-cell battery. The 5.39-pound weight is a bit heftier than an ultrabook, but the T530 does measure only 1.25 inches.
Don’t look at the screen on the new Apple MacBook Pro if you are a Windows user. You might never turn back. The display sports 5.1 million pixels and, like the iPhone 4S and iPad 3, has a crisp fidelity that makes most notebooks seem quaint--and blurry. This updated model weighs 4.46 pounds and is only .71 inches thin. Plus, the high-end 15-inch model comes with a zippy Intel 2.6GHz processor.
Power isn’t always just about speed. The Acer TravelMate is a travel-friendly business notebook. There’s a fingerprint reader to block access if your laptop is stolen. The TravelMate uses an IT management system called vPro that lets your tech staff manage the notebook remotely. There are a few unexpected surprises as well: Bluetooth is on board for connecting your phone, and this 5.6-pound notebook has a six-cell battery that lasts all day under normal conditions (aka, not watching HD movies).
The Asus ZENBOOK Prime is thin, metallic, and super-powerful. That’s “spun metal” on the enclosure, with a slight curve that distinguishes it from the MacBook’s harsher lines. Audio playback is much louder than the notebook you’ve been using--about four times louder than most. Using a special turbo boost, the highest-end ZENBOOK clocks in at 3.0GHz using the Intel i7 Core processor. Read more:6 Gadgets Every Entrepreneur Needs
