The best mobile workstations give you the raw power of a desktop PC in a portable package. Now that processors and graphics cards are getting smaller and slimmer, we’re now getting more powerful portables with thinner and more portable designs. This means laptops can now rival the best desktop PCs while improving on their portable nature.
On top of being the best business laptops, the best mobile workstations are also capable of handling intensive tasks such as video editing and rendering. Solid, reliable and powerful, they’re also typically futureproofed so you’ll get a few years out of them, giving you your money’s worth.
Here are our top picks of the best mobile workstations in 2021. Thanks to our price comparison tool, we can help take the sting out of the price tag by helping you find the very best prices for these excellent mobile workstations.
If you’d prefer a best desktop workstation roundup, or if you’re interested in a business laptop that isn’t necessarily a workstation, we’ve got you covered as well.
Best mobile workstations at a glance
- MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
- Gigabyte Aero 17 (2021)
- Razer Blade Studio Edition
- HP ZBook 17 G3
- Acer ConceptD 7
- HP Spectre Pro 13 G1
- Lenovo ThinkPad P40 Yoga
- Dell Precision 7720
- Lenovo ThinkPad T460s
As thin, light and sleek as ever, the MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) doesn’t actually feel like a 16-inch behemoth.This laptop will feel just as compact as the 15-inch MacBook Pros that preceded it and perhaps more than any other 16-inch laptops out there. Though it is a behemoth when it comes to power. Touting a 9th-generation Intel Core processor and an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M graphics card, as well as up to 64GB of memory, there’s nothing this mobile workstation can’t do. And, without a doubt, it will get through all your intensive workflow without breaking a sweat. If that isn’t enough, it also has incredible speakers for all your entertainment needs, and a much improved keyboard so you can type all day without fatiguing.
Read the full review: MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
One of the most powerful mobile workstations out there, the Gigabyte Aero 17 (2021) comes with a lot of power, a gorgeous display, and a whole lotta ports. Best yet, it’s priced well below its less-powerful rivals, making it a better proposition even if you have a more flexible budget. It isn’t by any means perfect. The battery life could use a bit of a boost, for example. But, for how much you’re paying and for the other things you’re getting in return, it’s a minuscule sacrifice.
Read the full review: Gigabyte Aero 17 (2021)
For a 17-inch laptop, the Dell XPS 17 (2020) is impressively thin and light, especially when you consider the fact that it boasts powerful specs for that top-notch performance that content creators require. Among the best mobile workstations out there, this is practically the whole package, touting a big, gorgeous screen, fantastic battery life that will last you the entire day and a gorgeous design on top of everything else. That’s without even mentioning its mid-range price of entry, giving the MacBook Pro 16-inch a good run for its money.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 17 (2020)
While the regular Razer Blade laptop is famously a gaming laptop – one of the best, in fact, Razer has taken its sheer power and turned the whole thing into one of the best mobile workstations for creatives. There’s zero doubt that this laptop was designed with photographers, video editors and even game designers in mind, as it rocks powerful graphics cards and a gorgeous, factory-calibrated 4K display. Not unlike its gaming counterpart, you’ll be paying a pretty penny, especially for its souped up configuration with the Quadro RTX 5000 graphics card. However, if a fast and seamless workflow is of utmost importance in your day to day, this laptop certainly pays for itself.
Read the full review: Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition
The HP Envy 15 (2020) may have been meant for creative professionals looking to get away from the Macbook Pro. However, its versatility, thanks to all the customizable options when purchasing, makes it ideal for a number of different uses, whether you’re looking for a reasonably priced ultrabook or one that can tackle gaming. It can be upgraded to have some serious RAM and storage, up to an Intel i9, as well as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and a beautiful 4K display. And, even in its souped up configuration, it comes in at a decent price especially when compared to similar offerings from Dell or Apple.
Read the full review: HP Envy 15 (2020) review
For those who think that MacBook Pros are overpriced but still need a powerful mobile workstation, there’s the Acer ConceptD 7. This formidable laptop capable of handling complex and demanding tasks such as 3D rendering, thanks in part to its Nvidia RTX graphics, was designed specifically with creative professionals in mind. Beyond that sheer power it delivers, it also offers decent port selection, a minimalist solid white design and that stunning Pantone-validated 4K IPS display. Obviously, it’s still pretty pricey, but if you’re looking for a Windows-powered MacBook alternative for video and photo editing, it’s a great option.
Read the full review: Acer ConceptD 7
We dubbed the EliteBook x360 1040 G5 as the “apex predator of the business world” in our review because, well, it is. It boasts many excellent features in its handsome-looking chassis, as well as plenty of ports to go around, including a port that works wonders and impressively audio. Simply, this HP laptop is an ideal match for the professional who demands seamlessness and power at work. It’s not the perfect machine, but it’s got plenty of features that make up for its flaws, making it among the best mobile workstations on the market.
Read the full review: HP EliteBook x360 1040
Do you have a lot of cash to spare and require a powerful mobile workstation? Look no further than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme mobile workstation, whose impressive specs are only the beginning. You’ll also appreciate working with that bright and crisp 15.6-inch screen, especially if you’re getting the 4K version, as well as all that storage space if you go all out. Though, fair warning, this isn’t exactly the lightest laptop you’ll lug around, so investing in a sturdy backpack with padded straps is ideal for stowing it in.
Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme mobile workstation
The ThinkPad T-series is a no-nonsense design with a focus on robustness over style. Even so, the T460s‘ 18.8mm thickness is within 1mm of the MacBook, and it’s actually lighter at 1.4kg. It’s not as powerful as some of the workstation laptops in this list, but it’s not as expensive either, which makes it a great choice if you’re looking for an accomplished workstation laptop for less hardcore workloads, while also keeping to a budget.
Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad T460s