4 Best Laptops for Remote Work

Got a lot of work to get done but no office to do it in? Sounds like you’re working remotely, my friend. Working remotely can be hard, but not if you find the right laptop and a good place to focus on your work.

Remote work doesn't have to be stressful! If you get a nice refurbished laptop from Back Market, you'll be able to put your feet up and let the laptop do the work for you! Ok, that's wishful thinking, you'll still need to do the work, but we believe that our suggestions can make your job substantially easier.

All of our suggestions will be refurbished laptops that are ultra-portable and ultra-capable. When working remotely, it’s best to have something that isn’t too heavy to lug around, and also something powerful enough to keep up with your heavy workflow year after year. Faster processors will enable your laptop to stay snappy even as the web becomes more advanced with time. So keep in mind that although some of these models we suggest may cost over $500, they should serve you well without any hiccups for the next few years.

Why is the MacBook Air at the top of this list? Because it's a sleek computer that is known for its long-term reliability. It's the ultimate workhorse of portable laptops.

Apple claims it has 12 hours of battery life, so even if you need to get some work done in a place that doesn’t have an outlet, you can be sure your MacBook Air will get the job done for quite a while (unless you’re doing some energy-guzzling tasks such as video or photo editing).

Hmm, maybe you need a MacBook with bigger muscles? You know who you are, all of you hacker types. Say no more, here's a link so you can find a cheap refurbished MacBook Pro.

And let’s of course not forget about the fact that it’s light and super slim, so you can easily fit it in a backpack and forget you have it with you. I’ve been using the same MacBook Air for the last 6 years, and I’m constantly surprised by how snappy it still is. So if you’re going for long-term reliability, consider getting a refurbished MacBook Air from Back Market.

Your life will change once you get a refurbished MacBook for cheap. Birds will chirp when you walk past them. Dogs will love you (maybe they already do, and if that's the case, I'm jealous). Everybody will start being nice to you. Every. Single. Person. *Sigh* if only it was that easy.

Another note: since Back Market sells certified refurbished laptops, you’ll be getting a used MacBook that has been checked for quality and runs just like new. You won’t have to worry about an old battery or other problems. And thanks to our 1-year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee, you don’t need to feel like you’re taking a risk buying refurbished!

Just like the MacBook, the Microsoft Surface is super portable and has long battery life (newer models can get over 13 hours). Once again, I doubt you’ll get the full 13 hours if you’re a heavy user and run a lot of apps, but the point is to accommodate a mobile and dynamic workstyle.

Yooo, the refurbished Microsoft Surface is mad sleek. Have you ever felt the fabric keyboards that most of them have? Such a premium feel.

All variants of the Surface have a touch screen, and most have detachable keyboards and stylus accessories. So if you’re a designer or ever find yourself using a stylus, the Microsoft Surface series of laptops/hybrid tablets may be the right option for you. The series has different kinds of processors and variants; I’d suggest getting one that isn’t more than 4 years old and has a Core i5 or i7.

Are you a fan of 2-in-1 laptops? Check out more refurbished hybrid laptops!

But yes, as you can probably tell from this short description, it would be hard not to feature this as one of our top laptop picks for remote workers.

If you want something cheaper than a refurbished MacBook Air or Microsoft Surface for working remotely, then consider getting a refurbished Chromebook. Chromebooks come in many different shapes and sizes, and you can find an older model for around $100. Even though they’re limited to Chrome OS apps only, a Chromebook can be a great choice if you do all your work on an Internet browser. Chromebooks aren't the most powerful computers, but once again, if you're spending most of your time just using your browser, this may be a viable option for you.

Why did the chicken cross the road? To get a refurbished Chromebook.  

You can also expect a used Chromebook to be much easier to use than a Windows or Mac, so that’s another plus if you’re not super techy. But please, don’t think these computers are not to be taken seriously. You can get a lot of work done on a Chromebook. They can also be a great choice for kids due to their simplicity.

Lenovo ThinkPad laptops are some of the most robust computers out there, and most also have impressive specs. If you get a model like the X1 Carbon, Lenovo states you can get up to 15(!) hours of battery life, not to mention a top-of-the-line processor and nearly military-grade build quality.

The refurbished X1 Carbon is a seriously fire ultrabook from Lenovo. It's thin, rugged, powerful, has nice battery life... Is there anything else you can want from a laptop?

ThinkPads don’t get enough publicity. Sure, MacBooks are sleek and sexy, but when it comes to business laptops, ThinkPads are in a league of their own. And if you get a refurbished ThinkPad, you’re saving a ton of money on a product that’s already built to last. 

If you’re looking for a refurbished Windows laptop that is the magnum opus of durability and functionality, look no further than the Lenovo ThinkPad series for all your remote working needs!

If you're still unsure about these laptop recommendations, try checking out 4K laptop options that are sure to give you a high quality screen experience! We hope this list was useful in helping you choose your next laptop for remote work. If you're interested in more of our best deals and recommendations, check out our best deals page! Also, don't forget we have student discounts for all those who have their noses buried inside textbooks (: