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Best Laptops for Doctors and Medical Professionals
Linsey Knerl
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April 3, 2023
Buying a laptop is on the rise within the medical community, and the expansion of telehealth during the past year has made them ever more relevant. From video-conferencing with patients to attending important symposiums online, having a reliable computer that travels well is an ideal way for medical pros to accomplish more in a day.
Today’s laptops are designed with productivity, security, and portability in mind. See what makes a laptop for doctors stand out and why now may be the best time to upgrade your workspace with this versatile tool.
Choosing the best laptop for doctors
Medical professionals have unique needs that require tech to be able to handle the rigorous daily tasks and hours of daily use. From charting to video conferencing, the laptop is where you’ll do most of your business outside of in-person interactions with patients and staff. Here are a few things to look for when looking for the best laptop for physicians.
1. PORTABILITY
Doctors and nurses need to be able to take their laptops from room to room without worrying about an excessive amount of extra weight. A truly portable laptop is lightweight, allowing you to place it under your arm or into a backpack or briefcase for simple storage. The difference of a pound or two can be huge when you’re lugging around a computer all day, so look for one that’s below 6 lbs, if possible.
2. LONG BATTERY LIFE
Clinic rooms have a limited number of outlets, and most of them are typically used by diagnostic tools and stationary machines. Even if a doctor can find a place to plug in, charging cords are trip hazards or difficult to deal with in a rush. The best-case scenario involves a health pro charging up before their shift and having the confidence that the battery will last all day – or even longer if needed.
3. TOUCH SCREEN OR PEN COMPATIBLE
Full-size keyboards are nice but may add heft to an otherwise lightweight laptop. Some doctors prefer to work with touch screens for both the portability of the machine and the ability to work easily within certain apps. Add in a compatible pen or stylus, and you have everything you need for a tablet-like experience with the performance only a PC can provide.
4. DURABLE
Every time you move your laptop, there’s a risk for bumps or drops. Ideally, these won’t happen, but durable laptops are built for the hustle and bustle of the health field. Laptops tested for rugged environments should be at the top of the list for any doctor. Also, when looking at convertible laptops – those that transition from a laptop to tablet – make sure they have sturdy hinges.
5. PRIVACY FEATURES
Patient information guardianship is serious business, and healthcare is a highly regulated industry where privacy reigns supreme. In addition to secure login and extra-responsive security software, the right laptop will boast extra webcam protections and networking tools. A feature like a privacy screen, which keeps patients and others from looking over your shoulder, is a differentiator.
6. INCREASED STORAGE OR CLOUD-BASED
How much data will you store on your laptop? It could depend on the system your healthcare practice uses to track patient info and keep everything in sync. Some of these require cloud-based apps, while others back up nightly. If you’re keeping a lot of files on your laptop between data dumps, you’ll need additional storage capacity on your device.
5 best laptops for doctors
With all the must-have features explained, are there options on the market that are ready to go? Any of the following machines deserves billing as the best laptop for a medical office, and you can customize most of them for increased performance, additional security features, accessories, and more.
1. HP MT32 MOBILE THIN CLIENT
While this form factor is not technically a stand-alone laptop, this HP mt23 thin client is a portable must-have for hospitals and clinics that need their professionals to access central data storage at all times. It weighs just over 2 lbs, boasts a long battery life, and delivers powerful processing. The narrow bezel-edged, Full High Definition (FHD) screen fights glare in even variable lighting. Plus, the enhanced security and networking features, such as the self-healing BIOS, support health industry best practices for data protection.
Key features:
- 13.3-inch diagonal, anti-glare FHD screen
- AMD Ryzen™ 3 4300U processor
- 8GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM
- 128 GB SATA 3 TLC M.2 SSD
- 2.2 lbs
2. HP SPECTRE X360 14 LAPTOP
If a convertible laptop is a must-have, the 14-inch HP Spectre x360 is worth a look. With a durable and beautiful build, plus a hinge that stays in position at any angle, you can enjoy a slim design that’s also rugged. It’s packed with security features, too, including a webcam kill switch, a one-button privacy screen, and a simple mute button.
This laptop is incredibly lightweight, too, at just under 3 lbs. And with more connectivity options, including WiFi 6, this computer is ready to go wherever you need to be. Plus, if you’d like a bigger screen, you can opt for the 16-inch model.
Key features:
- 13.5-inch diagonal WUXGA touch display
- Up to 11th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor
- Up to 16GB RAM
- Up to 2TB PCIe® NVMe™ M.2 SSD
- Powerful graphics from Intel
- Durable design
3. HP ELITE DRAGONFLY G2 NOTEBOOK LAPTOP
For a top-rated medical laptop, consider the HP Elite Dragonfly notebook PC G2, which weighs just over 2 lbs and features a unique x360 design that can fold from laptop to tablet to a tent mode. The WiFi 6 connectivity is ideal for telehealth chats and video conferencing with colleagues. Plus, the security perks combine the best of operating system safeguards, BIOS protections, screen privacy, and more.
As an added benefit, those who are concerned about the environment will love the manufacturing story of this laptop. Its striking features are partially derived from ocean-bound plastics.
Key features:
- 13.3-inch FHD touch screen display
- Up to 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor
- Intel Iris® Xe Graphics
- 16GB RAM
- 256GB NVMe SSD
4. HP ELITEBOOK X360 830 G8 NOTEBOOK PC
The HP EliteBook x360 830 G8 notebook PC has health professionals covered with a wide range of versatile features for those busiest days. This powerful and sturdy laptop connects seamlessly to the network through up to gigabit-speed WiFi 6. The 11th Generation Intel processor features the latest in technology to keep you on task no matter how many programs or tabs you have open.
But the best part may be the screen, which makes up 82% of the laptop body. It’s one of the most vibrant displays available for a notebook of this size, and the AI-based audio options improve video conferencing experiences in any environment. This business-class laptop is another high-security favorite, too, giving you more protection against common threats now and into the future.
Key features:
- 13.3-inch FHD touch screen display
- 11th Generation Intel Core i5 processor
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB NVMe SSD
5. HP ZBOOK FIREFLY 15 G8 MOBILE WORKSTATION
The highly mobile HP ZBook Firefly 15 G8 is a top contender for the best laptop for a doctor. What makes it so special? It’s hard to choose just one striking feature, but the latest Intel Core processors and NVIDIA® T500 graphics card make for a powerhouse combo that will handle even the most resource-heavy programs. Other nice-to-haves include a full-size numeric keypad and a weight just under 5 lbs.
With a slightly larger screen than the other laptops on our list, it’s a good example of design done right. The improved WiFi technology and a larger viewing area help boost remote meetings and patient consults to give you the most of your screen time.
Key features:
- 15.6-inch diagonal FHD display
- 11th Generation Intel Core i5 processor
- NVIDIA T500 graphics
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD storage
Bottom line: Picking the best laptop for medical professionals
Health professionals are busier than ever today, and you need a computer that can adapt to your needs in a world that’s changing faster than we may like. In the wake of a pandemic, healthcare now means doing more from a screen and giving patients easily accessible ways to seek treatment, often from home. From a laptop for medical school to a day-to-day clinical workhorse, this list can give you a head start on picking your gear.
Whether you use a laptop to invite patients into your office virtually, or you simply need an upgraded device for tracking and charting, the best computer for a doctor’s office is the one that balances high-performance computing, comfort, durability, and patient confidentiality.
If your practice hasn’t decided on a laptop just yet, now’s the right time to give your input. This list of laptops isn’t only useful for medical students and doctors, however. The right tech can make light work of administrative and financial duties, too.
When it’s time to upgrade your gear, consider how an across-the-board revamp may be best. With access to better tools, your team will be more likely to collaborate in a way that helps everyone, from the business to its patients.
