Microsoft Office is often the first thing that people look for when it comes to buying a brand-new laptop. Microsoft Office is a comprehensive package that allows users to prepare presentations, write articles or notes, maintain records in spreadsheets, and perform mathematical calculations in Excel. It gives you access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and a number of other applications.
Even the most outdated laptop will support Microsoft Office. You could use this software on almost all types of laptops as long as they have sufficient RAM and a decent processor. You must look for a laptop that delivers the best performance in terms of display, typing, and storage. No matter what your requirements are, a laptop that supports all applications of MS Office will be your best office companion. In this post, we are going to take a look at the top 5 laptops for MS Office. We will also cover some tips for buying a high-quality laptop.
What is Microsoft Office?
Microsoft Office is undoubtedly one of the most used suites of software these days. Microsoft office can be defined as a collection of office-based applications that help people execute their office tasks efficiently and seamlessly.
With the growing demand for the paperless office, Microsoft Office has become the user’s go-to solution for recording business data. It can store a significant amount of business-related or confidential information. Operating the software is quite easy. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to run Microsoft Office apps. All apps in the suite come packed with several tools and options that make your navigation a whole lot easier.
Most laptops include a pre-installed MS Office suite. Others are compatible with the MS Office apps, but you will need to download the software on the system manually. Either way, you need to select a laptop that supports all MS Office apps.
Requirements for Microsoft Office
The basic requirements for Microsoft Office are:
- Processor: 2-core processor will do, but we recommend the Intel Core i5 processor if you plan on using the system for gaming, editing, and multitasking.
- Minimum 2GB RAM is necessary if you want to install the latest version of Microsoft Office. A laptop featuring 4GB or above RAM will deliver the best performance.
- The laptop needs at least 4.0 GB of available disk space to support the latest apps of MS office. It must support SSD or HDD.
- The minimum resolution to run MS office is 1280×768 pixels.
- You need Windows 10 and internet access
Now that you know the minimum requirements for MS office, let’s dive into the 5 best laptops that support all apps of the latest MS office.
Best Buys in Laptops for MS Office
1. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Windows 10 Platinum
If your sole purpose for buying a laptop is Microsoft office, then what could be a better option than a Microsoft laptop? The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 supports the latest MS office apps. Weighing only 3.4 pounds, there’s no denying that Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a perfect travel companion for business travelers. The super comfortable and well-spaced keyboard makes it easier for users to type for hours. The backlit keyboard makes all the keys visible in a dark and dimly-lit environment.
The model gives an excellent performance in terms of navigation and display. The compact and sophisticated design of the model gives a premium feel. The best quality of this model is its speed. Just like your Android and iOS phones, Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Windows 10 starts as soon as you hit the power button. The model supports an SSD card that offers 256 GB memory.
Processor and Display
The battery performance of this model is great. It takes approx an hour and 15 minutes to charge fully. The model comes equipped with the 10th Gen Core i5 processor, which allows you to multitask and perform multimedia editing on the system. It has the Iris Plus Graphics card. The laptop might not feature the biggest screen, but 13.5-inch is enough to use MS office apps.
The screen resolution can go up to 2256x1504p. Besides, the screen of this laptop has a good brightness level. You can set it to the maximum when you are working outdoors. So, the display is perfect. It sports a 720p webcam that allows you to video call your buddies or attend a Skype conference. You could also use the Windows Hello Face unlock function to open your laptop.
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2. Dell Inspiron 15-inch Core i5-7300HQ Laptop
The Dell Inspiron Core i5-7300HQ Laptop is a Notebook come Gaming Laptop for regular users. Thanks to the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Graphics card that allows users to enjoy an exciting gaming session. The laptop is not the thinnest or the most portable model out there. However, it does a wonderful job when it comes to multitasking and MS office applications. The model is quite big and heavy: it weighs 6.61 pounds and a sports 15.6-inch screen.
Graphics Card and Memory
The graphics card makes it possible for users to execute graphics-intensive work. This is mainly useful for photographers and video editors. For Microsoft Office users, Dell Inspiron Core i5-7300HQ Laptop is a smart choice.
Powered by the Intel Core i5 processor, this laptop offers a range of exciting features. The model has 8GB RAM and an SSD memory up to 256GB, which speeds up the software performance. This means you get to perform multiple operations simultaneously. You can open several tabs on your browser, run a gaming app alongside spreadsheets, and listen to your favorite track simultaneously.
Display
The display of this model isn’t fantastic and so is the viewing angles. If you don’t have a habit of working outdoors or using the laptop in the sun, then a dim display will not be an issue. Overall, Dell Inspiron Core i5-7300HQ is a perfect option for those who want to have some fun time trying the latest video games, while running Microsoft Office.
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3. ASUS VivoBook Windows 10 F510UA-AH55 Laptop
The first thing that caught our attention in this budget laptop is its screen and body. Despite having a thin and light body, the ASUS VivoBook Windows 10 F510UA-AH55 sports a 15.6-inch display. ASUS VivoBook F510UA-AH55 can be your best companion. The model weighs only 3.57 pounds, which is great for a laptop powered by the 8th Gen Intel i5-8250U processor. Its 8GB RAM allows users to run multiple tabs on the browser and execute several operations.
This laptop surpasses our expectations with its sleek design and excellent performance. The only part that can affect regular users is its poor battery life. The model can run for 6 hours 47 minutes (max). If the display and performance of a laptop are more important to you than battery life, then ASUS VivoBook Windows 10 F510UA-AH55 will be your best choice.
The laptop is not the best option for graphics-intensive apps or video gaming. If you want a laptop that could support some heavy-graphics games like Witcher 3, then the ASUS VivoBook F510UA-AH55 might not work for you. However, MS-office users are going to love this model. It supports multitasking and editing software. You can edit your videos and photos while running Microsoft Excel and Word.
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4. Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop
Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop is an ideal option for budget-conscious buyers. The model comes equipped with the 8th generation Intel Core i3-8130U processor, which can manage graphics-intensive apps seamlessly. Additionally, the 6GB RAM will support multitasking. Now, you can write a report on MS Word, create an Excel Sheet, prepare your presentation on PowerPoint, run Outlook, and edit photos and videos on the online photo editing software at once.
One interesting feature of the Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop is its excellent battery performance. The battery can last for 8 hours and 47 minutes (non-gaming applications). This means you get a battery that lasts all day. The model will never overheat. It doesn’t go beyond 95-degree Fahrenheit. Despite being a budget laptop, Acer Aspire E 15 offers great performance.
Display and Design
Design-wise, the model is not even close to a portable laptop. It is rather a heavy and big laptop that does not make it the best fit for regular travellers. Fortunately, that’s the only downside. Aesthetically, it does give a premium feel but it features a plastic case, which is okay considering its reasonable price.
Since you’ll use the laptop for MS office, the display is important. That’s the reason we have mentioned Acer Aspire E 15 on this list. Simply put, the company has focused more on performance than aesthetics. The model has a full HD display that gives you the best movie time.
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5. Lenovo Ideapad 330 Windows 10 Business Laptop
The Lenovo Ideapad 330 is another budget laptop that is ideal for MS Office users. It might not feature the excellent or premium features that could grab your attention, but it does have a stylish design and plenty of configuration options. The model sports a 15.6-inches screen. Made of polycarbonate, Lenovo Ideapad 330 features a stylish body. It is available in white, platinum grey, chocolate, black, and blue colors.
It weighs 6.61 pounds, which makes it a bit heavy for daily users. Now, if you are going to carry the laptop to school or at work, then count the additional weight of the laptop case.
Under the hood, the laptop features the 8th Gen Intel Dual Core i3 8130U CPU and 8GB RAM. The unit supports 1TB HDD memory. The strong processor and memory enable users to run more than 6 tabs on the browser simultaneously. It has Intel HD Graphics 620, but it supports a configuration option for the graphics card. That will only be needed if you ever plan on running graphic-intensive games or software applications. Intel HD Graphics 620 is fine for those who need a laptop for MS office only.
The battery life of the Lenovo Ideapad 330 is okay but not brilliant, lasting up to 6 hours.
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Tips and Tricks for Buying a Laptop for Microsoft Office
As users’ demands are growing quickly, brands are launching laptops that come equipped with modern features and multi-functional software. Despite having so many options, the market does not have one best laptop that will cater to every user’s requirements.
People have different requirements when it comes to buying a laptop. Some are more concerned about the design and display, while others only care about the processor and graphics card. Low-quality models tend to malfunction under heavy use. That’s why you must pay special attention to the specs of the model. If you are buying a laptop for Microsoft Office, then consider the below-listed factors before making a purchase.
Medium-Sized Laptop
Unlike RAM, the size and weight of the laptop aren’t something you can change or upgrade later. The smallest size of the laptop is 11.6-inches. If you would like your laptop to be your travel companion, then it makes sense to pick the smallest-sized model.
One important thing to note is that the small-sized laptop will not support the latest-gen processor and a dedicated graphics card. Usually, a 15.6-inches laptop is an ideal option for MS office users. For business travellers, a portable laptop that can be packed in a small case will make a smart investment.
Decent Processors and Graphics Card
You don’t need an advanced processor or a high-quality graphics card to run the Microsoft Office suite on your laptop. However, if you’ll ever want to use your system for multitasking, video gaming, and video editing in the future, then a low-quality processor will not support the graphic-intensive apps.
Nowadays, the Intel Core processor is the best option for MS office users. The word, excel, spreadsheets, and presentation will run on a Core i3 processor. If you want the best option, then Core i5 and i7 will work wonders. Graphics card is not needed as long as your work doesn’t involve video editing and graphic designing.
A Comfortable Keyboard with Backlit Keys
If you are buying a laptop for MS office, then you are probably going to use it for typing. Long typing sessions can be exhausting. What makes it even more challenging is a poor-quality keyboard. There should be enough space between keys so that you don’t end up typing the incorrect words.
The number pad must be large. If you are buying a laptop for Word Processing, then look for a model that features backlit keys. This will help you create articles, reports, and other business documents in a dark or dimly-lit environment.
Decent Screen Quality
The display is another factor to consider when investing in a laptop. Some companies sell a touchscreen model, but you don’t need that for MS office. If you are going to use the laptop for presentation and video editing, then the full HD resolution i.e. 1920x1080p is a must. If you are planning to play video games in your free time, then check the refresh rate. It must be higher than 144Hz. You don’t need 4K resolution unless you are a professional content creator or a photographer. It can be quite costly.
Good Battery Life
How much time will you need to spend working on a laptop? Whether you are using it for office work or personal use, chances are you are going to spend hours. So, a laptop with a good battery life is a must. In fact, it is the basic quality that every buyer will expect from a high-quality model. The average battery life of a laptop should be 8 hours (for non-gaming applications). If you are running graphics-intensive games, then you may need to charge it in 2-3 hours.
FAQs
Do all laptops feature a pre-installed Microsoft Office suite?
Almost every laptop that comes equipped with the Windows 10 OS will feature the pre-installed Microsoft Office. Mostly, the software is available for free. However, some users need to purchase a license to get access to Microsoft Office. Not only laptops, but even old computers have pre-installed MS office applications. There is nothing to worry about if the Microsoft office is not installed on your laptop. You can install the software in a few simple steps.
How much RAM do I need for MS Office?
MS Office can run on a laptop with just 1GB RAM. However, a 1GB laptop will hardly support any graphics-based application and other advanced software systems. Besides, a laptop with low RAM will not support multitasking and video gaming. There will be limited slots, making it impossible to extend the memory. So, even if your work is limited to Microsoft Office applications, we recommend a laptop with at least 2GB or 4GB RAM.
Why should I purchase a laptop for MS office?
If your main work requirements include presentations, documents, reports, calculations, and recording business information, then you should search for a laptop for MS office. These laptops come equipped with the hardware that is designed to make excel processing and documentation as comfortable for the user as possible. A low-quality laptop cannot endure heavy use. Chances are it will crash, resulting in the loss of data.
Just like how the video gaming fans look for a laptop that is designed specifically for video gaming, we recommend you check the specs of the system to know if it’s a perfect fit for the MS office suite. Sure, any laptop can be used to run Microsoft Office apps, but not all models offer the best user experience.
Do I need an expensive laptop for Microsoft Office?
As a worker or student, you may need a high-quality laptop that supports all MS word apps. However, you do not have to spend a fortune on an expensive laptop. MS word is quite the basic software that runs on outdated models as well. The software was designed for decent and affordable laptops. RAM, processors, and graphics cards do not determine if the laptop is compatible with MS Word. However, they do impact the performance of these applications.
You don’t need an expensive laptop if your use is limited to writing, presentation, excel, and word processing. If you intend to play graphics-intensive video games or use the model for multimedia editing, then it is important to take certain factors into consideration before making a purchase.
What features should I look for on a laptop for MS word?
The display should be the first thing you consider when buying a laptop for the MS Office suite. A touch-screen display will give you the best experience. A comfortable keyboard is also important, especially if you are going to have long typing sessions. You should also check the RAM, processor, graphics card, design, ports, and other specs.
Final Thoughts
MS Office doesn’t need an expensive machine or the latest laptop. The software is designed to run on the most basic laptops. The models we have mentioned above are compatible with Microsoft Office. They pass the minimum requirements to operate Microsoft Office applications, and many have other features and benefits you’ll also find useful.
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