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Video conferencing has become a norm for most of us, especially in the post-pandemic era. Whether you are a college student, a work-from-home professional, or a teacher, odds are you rely on Zoom and other similar apps. But for a reliable video conferencing experience, you also need a reliable laptop.
Unfortunately, choosing the best laptop for Zoom might not be as simple as you’d think. Besides video conferencing, you will probably be using it for other tasks as well. That’s why it’s worth considering other aspects like performance, portability, and overall build quality.
That being said, we made our list of best laptops for Zoom considering various types of users, whether it is Zoom Meeting or Zoom Webinar.
Stick with us for a few minutes, and you might just find exactly what you’re looking for.
Table of Contents
Minimum & Recommended System Requirements
Video conferencing doesn’t require the highest-end specs for a smooth and reliable experience. However, simply picking up a laptop with the lowest-grade components might not be the best choice for most users and could result in an underwhelming performance with other tasks.
So, for a smooth performance with video conferencing and other productivity tasks, we recommend investing in a more capable device.
Now let’s take a look at the minimum and recommended system requirements we think a new laptop for video conferencing should have:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 10th Gen. Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 | 12th Gen. Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Display | 13.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) | 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) |
| GPU | Integrated Intel UHD | Intel Iris Xe or better |
Top 7 Laptops for Zoom Video Conferencing
Alright, without further ado, let’s zoom in on our top picks for Zoom.
1. Powerful + Long Battery Life: LG Gram 14
- CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 1260P
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200)
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Battery: Up to 14 hours
With great power usually comes short battery life — but not in the case of LG Gram 14. It’s one of the laptops for Zoom that has both.
For several years now, LG Gram series has been the absolute champion of portability. Not only does this laptop weigh only 2.2 lbs — which is lighter than MacBook Air — but it also has a very long battery life (13-14 hours).
Such light chassis handles heavy workloads quite well. Gram 14 packs a 12th Gen. i7, lots of RAM, an integrated GPU — and in my tests, it flew through general productivity tasks, multitasking, and video calls.
Gram 14 has an HD webcam which has gone a long way from previous Gram models. Still, my impression was that the image is a little washed out — though it’s a perfectly acceptable webcam for Zoom conferences, online classes, and remote work.
I do love the hi-res, thin-bezel WUXGA display, which is clear and bright. Just don’t expect too much from it in the sunlight, since it’s a matte panel, so there are some reflections.
LG also revamped Gram’s design, so we’re looking at a modern, professional laptop, great for office.
Adding to that, a comfy keyboard feels great to type on. Plus, the included fingerprint sensor lets you further protect the docs.
Though LG Gram won’t let you play AAA titles or do heavy photo editing, this Zoom laptop does so much more than conference calls. It’s a super-versatile, neat, productive and ridiculously portable machine.
- What We Like
- Ultra lightweight
- Super-long battery life
- Great productivity performance
- Gorgeous, hi-res display
- Comfy keyboard
- Fingerprint scanner
- What We Don’t Like
- Mediocre webcam
- Reflective display
2. Mid-Range Business Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
- CPU: 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-1235U
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
- Battery: Up to 11 hours
IdeaPad 3i is one of Lenovo’s most popular mid-range laptops for Zoom and business. Lenovo is well-known for giving a lot for a reasonable price tag, and IdeaPad 3i is no exception.
The first thing that caught my eye is how unique a design is. The dark navy-blue chassis isn’t something you see often, yet Lenovo did really well with this one. The whole machine strikes me as professional, elegant, and sturdy.
At 3.6 lbs, IdeaPad 3i is among the lighter laptops. Since it can last around 11 hours for light productivity and general tasks, it’s also the one to carry around if you’re commuting.
In my tests, IdeaPad 3i performed pretty well. The system handles general productivity tasks and multitasking without a hiccup, and it did great in online classroom and Zoom calls.
Add to that one of the best keyboards Lenovo is known for and you’re all set to type away for a whole workday.
Lenovo upgraded the webcam from 0.3MP to an HD 720p, which is kinda ironic in the day and age when most brands are switching to 1080p. The cam does, however, have a physical shutter for anyone concerned about their privacy.
IdeaPads often come with short fan bursts, which can get sometimes annoying, but luckily, they only last about a minute or two.
Overall, for this price, Lenovo IdeaPad 3i is a great laptop for Zoom and general productivity, that will make your work that much pleasant with its refined looks.
- What We Like
- Professional, eye-catching design
- Strong performance
- Lightweight and portable
- Great keyboard and trackpad
- Webcam privacy shutter
- Reasonable price
- What We Don’t Like
- Loud fans
- Panel could be brighter
3. Great Value: ASUS VivoBook
- CPU: 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-1240P
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
- Battery: Up to 8 hours
VivoBook is another versatile laptop for Zoom that offers great design, strong specs, and good portability. With only a slightly higher price tag than IdeaPad 3i, this machine offers a lot.
Let’s talk performance — a 12th Gen. i5 and integrated GPU have actually proven themselves to be a very good combo in my tests. VivoBook’s pairing is fast and reliable for all kinds of general productivity tasks and online environments.
In fact, with a very comfy keyboard and a numpad, the device is especially suitable for number-crunchers: accountants, businesspeople, and students.
Compared to Lenovo IdeaPad 3i, ASUS VivoBook feels sturdier and stronger. It’s only slightly heavier, at 3.97 lbs, but still very portable.
The battery life isn’t bad — I easily got 7-8 hours of juice. It’s just that, when you consider LG Gram, MacBook Air, and IdeaPad 3i from this list, it feels like VivoBook’s battery could have been better. It’s still enough for a full workday.
I like the display — it’s pleasant to look at and won’t strain your eyes while working. Unfortunately, the color accuracy wasn’t that great, so this laptop is out of the question for delicate photo editing — though it does support connection to a 4K monitor.
The webcam is a standard 720p and for me, it’s quite similar to IdeaPad’s. Nothing fancy, but it does the job — and comes with a privacy shutter.
VivoBook is an excellent laptop for Zoom if you’re primarily concerned with productivity, and want a sturdy, yet portable enough machine.
- What We Like
- Great performance
- Sleek and sturdy
- Comfy full-size keyboard
- Ample storage
- Lightweight and portable
- Reasonable price
- What We Don’t Like
- Battery life could be better
- Low color accuracy
4. Best Screen: Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro
- CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i7-1360P
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch AMOLED (2880 x 1800)
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
- Battery: Up to 15 hours
Maybe you want your video to look as sharp and crisp as possible. If that’s the case, Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro is the Zoom laptop to watch out for.
The star of the show is the gorgeous, contrasty, large 3K AMOLED display, which looks amazing. It’s a fast display at 120Hz, and, needless to say — awesome for all sorts of video calls and online conferences.
Galaxy Book3 Pro isn’t just a captivating looker — it’s also got the power. A 13th Gen. i7 and 16GB of super-fast DDR5 RAM handled my tests truly like a pro: the machine boots instantly, doesn’t skip a beat when multitasking, and juggles several apps with ease.
I was honestly impressed with the weight. At 2.58 lbs, this 14” laptop is among the lightest in its category.
Add to that the fact I got 13-15 hours of battery life, and LG Gram and MacBooks have got a serious competitor for the portability king title.
Samsung’s HD webcam is one of the best on this list — the colors are accurate and saturated, and I was quite happy with the overall picture.
On the other hand, can’t say I’m the biggest fan of speakers. They’re ok-ish, but far from the high-quality audio device I’d expect.
Still, make no mistake — this is a lean, mean laptop for Zoom and productivity. At this price, can’t say it’s a steal, but it’s definitely worth it.
- What We Like
- Gorgeous AMOLED panel
- Powerful performance
- Professional and sturdy
- Ultra-lightweight
- Great webcam
- Long battery life
- What We Don’t Like
- Gets hot
- Only average speakers
5. Best Budget Option: Acer Aspire 3
- CPU: 2.4GHz AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
- RAM: 8GB DDR5
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: Integrated Radeon 610M graphics
- Battery: Up to 16 Hours
Worried about costs? No need to with this Zoom laptop — Aspire 3 brings a lot at a very affordable price.
It’s actually kinda amazing what Acer managed to pack into this device. Aspire 3 is a 15.6” laptop, which means you get plenty of workspace and a large panel that is pretty color-accurate.
But somehow the screen size didn’t affect the portability. Based on my findings, the battery life lasts around 14-15 hours, which is brilliant.
The chassis weighs only 3.77 lbs, and that’s great for a budget laptop this big. Coupled with long battery life, it’s a great option for when you’re taking the laptop to office, college, or simply move a lot.
With this price, the performance is solid. A newer Ryzen 3 and fast DDR5 RAM work fast and steadily in online environments and video meetings, so I didn’t experience any lags.
For heavier workload, however — such as photo editing, large Excel sheets, or demanding software — I’d upgrade the RAM to 16GB.
While we’re on the subject, 128GB storage is probably one of the bigger concerns here. The machine comes with Windows in S mode, but once you opt out of it, you’d better upgrade, because it will fill up fast.
If you don’t mind the blocky design, however, Acer Aspire 3 will do really well with Zoom meetings and general productivity — at an unbeatable price tag.
- What We Like
- Very affordable
- Long battery life
- Large display
- Lightweight
- Fast DDR5 RAM
- Good ports selection
- What We Don’t Like
- Low storage
- Bland design
6. Best WebCam: Apple MacBook Air M2
- CPU: 3.5GHz 8-core M2
- RAM: 8GB DDR5
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.6-inch Retina (2560 x 1664)
- GPU: Integrated Apple 8-core GPU
- Battery: Up to 18 hours
MacBook Air M2 is one of the top picks for Zoom. Gorgeous webcam and display, great speakers, crazy portability — these are just a few reasons why MacBook Air M2 is so popular.
If you’ve owned a MacBook, you know that their speakers are just unreal. Both Pro and Air have THE best speakers on the market, comparable only maybe to Dell XPS and Razer Blade.
But a MacBook Air also comes with an HD webcam and four-mic array, which result in a near-studio quality of the image and tone. So if you want to pimp up your Zoom persona and shine in all those beautifully saturated colors, go with Air.
Of course, Apple’s M2 chip is well-known for its amazing performance. I’ve done it all — from photo to video editing, 3D modeling, heavy multitasking — and Air M2 didn’t flinch. Not once.
As for the display, the 13.3” screen may not be to everyone’s liking — some people prefer bigger screen size. But this is an amazing, hi-res Retina panel that won’t leave you scratching your eyes after a full day of work — or two — with a 14-hour battery life.
Granted, some people don’t like the macOS, and the lack of ports. I myself find this sometimes frustrating, especially when I want to plug in several devices.
However, with a proper dongle, MacBook Air M2 is a powerful, gorgeous, elegant laptop for Zoom that will last a good number of years.
- What We Like
- Amazing performance
- Beautiful webcam
- Best speakers
- Lightweight and thin
- Long battery life
- Remarkable keyboard
- What We Don’t Like
- Smaller screen
- Only 2 USB ports
7. Mid-Range Office Laptop: HP 15
- CPU: 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5-1235U
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920×1080)
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
- Battery: Up to 7 hours
For serious business environments, HP 15 is a godsend. This Zoom laptop brings professional design, large display, and strong performance.
HP 15’s minimalistic and neutral aesthetics makes it a great choice for office. I love the polished chassis because it adds a touch of refinement to the already sturdy and strong build.
Under the hood, HP 15 sports a 12th Gen. i5 and an integrated GPU, which are quite enough for everyday office tasks. I had no problem running Zoom and other common office software, but for best results, I would recommend upgrading the RAM.
Another thing going for HP 15 is the big, thin-bezel panel, which feels crisp and particularly useful for viewing documents. The brightness is so-so and typical for budget laptops — in other words, great for office, not so great outdoors.
However, I am a fan of HP’s portability. The whole machine weighs under 4 lbs, so it’s easy to pack and carry around.
Similarly to VivoBook, the battery life isn’t bad. At around 7-8 hours of juice, this is a good and long-lasting laptop, but far below MacBook Air and other laptops on this list.
With a standard 720p webcam, HP 15 is a great budget-conscious choice for people who want to use a laptop for Zoom and other office-related tasks, and care about the professional design and build quality.
- What We Like
- Sturdy, professional design
- Lightweight
- Strong CPU
- Compact keyboard with trackpad
- Good ports selection
- Great value for money
- What We Don’t Like
- Low brightness
- Middling battery life
Buying Guide for Laptops for Zoom Video Conferencing
Before we go over our favorite laptops for Zoom, let’s discuss a few important considerations first:
1. Pick a Laptop With Decent Processing Power
While Zoom and other video conferencing apps don’t require powerful hardware, having a capable processor can still be beneficial for an improved video conferencing experience. Moreover, you’ll be able to do other tasks like browsing, emailing, and other office work much more efficiently.
So aim for something with at least an Intel Core i5 processor or a Ryzen 5 from AMD.
2. Get Enough RAM
Selling a laptop these days with anything less than 8GB RAM should be considered a crime because apps are becoming increasingly RAM-dependent.
8GB should be sufficient for video conferencing and light browsing, but we recommend picking a 16GB RAM laptop for smooth multitasking and future-proofing.
3. Choose a Reliable Storage Drive
Another thing that can go a long way for an improved video conferencing experience is picking a laptop with an SSD rather than an HDD. While HDDs offer more in terms of storage capacity for a cheaper price, SSDs are the preferred choice in modern laptops due to their performance and reliability.
4. Look For a Good Webcam and Mic
Finding a laptop with a good built-in webcam and mic is extremely rare, even in the most expensive machines money can buy. So do check the user’s reviews on audio/video quality.
In any case, if you’re looking for the best possible video conferencing experience, investing in a dedicated external webcam and a headset is a good idea.
5. Consider Portability and Battery Life
Based on our information, portability is vital to many users, especially young business professionals, and college students. So if you fall under these categories, purchasing a lightweight and portable device should be a priority. In light of this, our list features some of the best portable laptops available.
But portability should go together with a decent battery life. So look for something with enough battery juice to get you through your daily computing activities.
6. Check The Laptops Connectivity Features
Last but not least, for uninterrupted video conferencing, having a laptop that supports the latest standards for a wireless internet connection is crucial.
On that note, look for a device featuring a Wi-Fi5 or even better, a Wi-Fi6 adapter.
FAQs about Laptops for Zoom Video Conferencing
Let’s go over some of the most common questions people ask online about laptops for video conferencing:
Is it necessary to get a laptop with a future-proof processor for Zoom?
Zoom is not a very resource-intensive software. So you don’t necessarily need to think about getting a laptop with a future-proof processor specifically for video conferencing.
However, if you plan to use the laptop for office work or you need something to last through your college years, having a future-proof processor is a good idea.
Is it necessary to select laptops with high-end microphones for managing Zoom calls with ease?
Having a laptop with a high-end microphone is undoubtedly beneficial for an improved Zoom experience. But quite frankly, even high-end built-in mics are no match for a quality external microphone.
To answer your question, if you are looking for exceptional audio quality in your Zoom calls, it’s better to consider purchasing a high-end external microphone or a headset.
Which is the most crucial connectivity standard to consider while purchasing a laptop solely for video conferencing?
If a majority of your professional work concerns making video calls to clients or team members, there are a few connectivity standards worth considering:
• Wi-Fi: look for a laptop with a built-in Wi-Fi adapter, preferably the latest generation Wi-Fi 6, for more stable and faster connectivity;
• Ethernet Port: while Wi-Fi is the most common method of internet connectivity nowadays, it still cannot replace the speeds and stability of the good old wired connection. The good news is most laptops have Wi-Fi adapters, so having the Ethernet port would be a bonus;
• USB ports: in some cases, you’ll need to connect your laptop to external devices, such as mics, speakers, headphones, etc., so make sure your laptop comes with a few of those.
Verdict
By now, you probably realized that simply picking any laptop with a webcam and speakers is not the end of the story, even if you plan to cast Zoom to your TV to enjoy the big screen experience.
Choosing the best laptop for Zoom and other video conferencing apps should go along with the rest of your needs. For that, the first thing to do is decide how much you’re willing to spend on a new laptop and what other tasks you will be using it for.
Throughout this article, we reviewed some of the top choices for video conferencing dedicated to various types of users.
To make your choice a bit simpler, here is a quick recap:
- Best Performance and Portability: LG Gram 14
- Best Webcam Quality: Apple MacBook Air M2
- Best Budget Option: Acer Aspire 3
If you feel like you need more in-depth information to help you choose the right laptop for your needs, you might be interested in checking out our ultimate laptop buying guide. Or perhaps you are curious to learn if gaming laptops are good for everyday use.
Finally, if any additional questions are keeping you puzzled, hit us up in the comments section and let’s see if we can figure them out together.
