There’s no doubt that desktops are impressive. The setups are a great way to watch your favorite media, play games, or just browse the web. However, in today’s technological world you don’t need to get a big system to enjoy premium graphics or strong processing power. There are many laptops that do the job just fine.
This guide will analyze the strongest laptops on the market and then break down their premium characteristics to show why they work so well at replacing desktops. If you enjoy the strength of a full setup but want more flexibility or portability, the following options will give you excellent results.
Contents
Quick Summary
- The ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 is perfect for users who want a large laptop. The 15.6-inch screen looks great, the 4K resolution pops, and the strong processor lets you play or stream with no issues.
- The Dell XPS 15 is for users who want more bang for your buck. While still expensive, this laptop gives you great performance at a lower price tag than other desktop replacements.
- Those that only care about features should check out the MacBook Pro. This multi-functional laptop has a sleek look, strong specs, and some of the best functionality on the market.
Who Should Get This?
As the title suggests, the laptops here are best for people who want to replace their desktop. That means people who don’t have a ton of space, users who need more room, or those who simply want to downsize. If you’re seeking something a bit more manageable, the below computers are your best bet.
Understand the following choices don’t need to be used as replacements. Each one has excellent traits that help it stand on its own. If you simply want a powerful device that you can use for either business or leisure, they are great machines.
Best Laptop to Replace Desktop: What to Consider in 2022
Specs
If you’re looking for a laptop to replace your more traditional computer, you need a bit of power. Look for a laptop with a strong processor, ample RAM, good memory, and a lot of speed. Those aspects will come together to ensure that you can work, watch, or play games as you need. This is one area where more is always better. The faster your laptop, the more it can do. Just be aware that high specs always come with a high price.
Display
Giving up a desktop can be tough, especially if you’re not used to a smaller screen. One way to make that transition easier is to get a laptop with a top-tier display. Do what you can to get excellent coloration as well as a bright resolution. Those two aspects work well together to bring just about anything on your screen to life. This is a big must for gamers and those who spend a lot of time streaming movies.
Battery Life
Anytime you’re dealing with a strong laptop, you want to make sure it will last a while. There are many great machines that, for all of their impressive specs, can only run for an hour or two before needing to be plugged in. You might as well have stayed with a desktop. Do your best to get a device that can run for six or more hours when possible.
Best Laptop to Replace Desktop: Our Picks 2022
1. ASUS ZenBook Pro 15
One of the biggest sacrifices you make when switching to a laptop is size. The ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 helps keep that large screen feeling thanks to the 4K 15.6-inch display with 83 percent screen to body ratio. That then works with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX to give you amazing resolution no matter what’s on the screen. Add on the hefty design and fast charging battery and you get a laptop that’s always ready to go.
Something else to note about the Pro 15 is its numerous ports. If you value versatility, this is the way to go. You get 2 Thunderbolt 3 USB type C ports, 2 type A, an HDMI port, as well as a micro-SD slot. All of that means you can easily mix-and-match the machine to your specifications. There is also a dual fan cooling system, which is important for those who like to put their system under a lot of stress, and a backlit keyboard.
What We Like:
- Adaptive screen pad design
- Intel 8th-generation Core i9 processor
- 15.6-inch screen
- 16GB RAM
- Slick design
- Thin
- Dual fan cooling system
- Wide range of different ports
What We Don’t Like:
- Battery life could be longer
- A bit on the heavy side
2. Dell XPS 15
While still a hefty investment, the Dell XPS 15 is a laptop that gives you great value for its price. This sleek machine comes with some of the most impressive specs out there, including 16GB of RAM, a 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 1TB of SSD storage, and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. The backlit keyboard looks great and the 4K 15.6-inch screen is wonderful in any situation.
What We Like:
- 16GB RAM
- Portable for its size
- 1TB of storage
- Extremely fast
- 15.6-inch screen
What We Don’t Like:
- Short battery life
3. MacBook Pro
If budget isn’t an issue, the MacBook Pro is one of the best ways to get a desktop feel inside a portable machine. The large computer doesn’t just seem big, its 16-inch Retina Display is bright, vivid, and powerful. The screen immerses you into whatever task you’re doing and the ninth-generation Intel Core i9 processor brings up your work, movies, or games in the blink of an eye.
Continuing with that experience are the six-speaker system and force-canceling woofers. If you enjoy good audio, this laptop gives it to you again and again. Beyond that, Apple outfitted their machine with an 11-hour battery so you can work all day. As with any iOS device, the Pro also looks great. Its sleek exterior is eye-catching and it comes in two different finishes.
What We Like:
- Ninth-generation Intel Core i9 processor
- Stunning display
- 11-hour battery
- Six-speaker system
- Force-canceling woofers
- Attractive shell
- Extremely fast SSD
- AMD Radeon Pro 5500M
- Touch ID
- Portable
What We Don’t Like:
- Not the best heat management
Useful Tips and Information
One of the primary reasons to get a laptop over a desktop is to save space. However, it’s not the only way to buy yourself some extra room. If you’re looking for other ideas, the ones outlined in this article go a long way.
Once you trade your desktop in for a laptop, you’re next going to want to find some accessories. There are many out there, and they all do different things. To avoid spending hours searching for the right ones, simply pick from the devices in this handy video.
Final Words
Desktops are great, but there’s nothing wrong with going smaller. Many people have made the switch over to laptops. If you want to join their ranks, it’s best to go with what we’ve listed above. Not only do they give you great specs in a tight package, they also have plenty of power and look great.
Have you replaced a desktop with a laptop? Why did you end up making the switch? Let us know in the comments below.
