Getting a great laptop for Excel may seem like an easy task. However, it’s not as simple as many might believe.
For that task, you want a strong laptop that is capable of smoothly running Microsoft Office. It also helps to get a good processor that can surf the web or look up relevant information.
This buying guide breaks down three of the best laptops for Excel and explains why they are such good choices.
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Who Should Get This
The following laptops are perfect options for any students who perform a lot of data collection or run analytics. The models efficiently handle your data processing projects and are able to tackle other school assignments.
Accountants who do a lot of bookkeeping can also utilize the machines. You can install Microsoft Excel on all the laptops in this article, and you’ll be able to work with no lag.
New data analysts that use a lot of spreadsheets can also take advantage of the machines. Though they are not the most high-end models on the market, they can run all tasks with ease.
Best Laptop for Excel: Our Top Picks
1. Lenovo Flex 14
The Lenovo Flex 14 is an affordable laptop compared to other Excel machines. Equipped with a sleek form factor, 356 SSD storage device, and a Whiskey Lake Core i5 ULV CPU, the Flex 14 is a stellar all-around laptop.
The 2-in-1 computer is a compact and well-built device that blends into any business or classroom environment. It has a handy keyboard deck and bottom panel, both made with premium plastic that rarely bends under pressure.
Compared to most laptops within its price range, the Flex 14 is quite durable. Not only does it rarely flex, but the things make it easy to grip the large screen. That cuts down on vibrations as you type.
The Lenovo Flex 14 is ultra-slim. So thin that it can easily slide into your laptop bag with no hassle. It only weighs 3.6 pounds, making it easy to carry around.
What We Like:
- Sturdy build
- Responsive touch screen
- Great port selection
- It runs quietly
What We Don’t Like:
- Shallow keyboard
2. Acer Spin 3
Armed with 16 GB RAM and a bustling Core i7 CPU, the Acer Spin 3 is a robust 2-in-1 laptop that delivers when it comes to running Excel.
The laptop comes with a responsive touch screen, making it great for giving presentations in a boardroom or lecture hall, and it comes with a high-performing core i7. Such features push it ahead of its competitors.
The Spin 3 has a glossy slate-gray plastic case design that makes its exterior stand out. It is a great machine, even without a reliable grip. Just be careful when handling the 3.7-pound machine to avoid any unfortunate accidents.
This model’s keyboard deck has a smooth-textured plastic feel that makes it comfortable to type on for extended periods of time. In addition, the backlit keyboard helps you work in the dark.
There is also a micro black square fingerprint scanner located at the top left side of the touchpad.
The Spin3’s 14-inch screen produces crisp and clear pictures thanks to its 1920 X 1080 LED touchscreen display and backlit IPS technology.
What We Like:
- Crisp, loud audio
- Remains cool under heavy tasks
- Decent price
- Beautiful design
What We Don’t Like:
- The battery could last longer
3. Acer Aspire 5
The Acer Aspire 5 is a great budget laptop that delivers quality performance thanks to its powerful core i3, 128GB SSD, and 4GB RAM.
Don’t be deceived by its affordable price. The Aspire 5 comes with quality aesthetics, gauged with an external aluminum covering. The Acer logo at the center also has a premium feel that pops out of the lid.
The designers decked the interior with a silver feel and black keyboard to create a well-rounded vintage look. Surprisingly, the laptop bezels on display are quite narrow, especially considering the affordable price.
The laptop is slim as well. It clocks in at just 3.8 pounds, which makes it easy to carry around.
What We Like:
- Awesome battery life
- Decent price
- Sturdy performance
- Clear and high-res display
What We Don’t Like:
- Graphics could be better
Choosing a Laptop for Excel: What to Consider
Here are some key factors to consider before buying a laptop for Excel.
RAM
If you’re handling large Excel files, then you need a ton of RAM.
For instance, if you have to work with a 40GB Excel file, you should have enough space for data. The reason is simple. It will take up more space on your storage device. In such a scenario, the storage device substitutes the RAM.
The more RAM you have, the faster your system performs. Though many different sizes work, it is best to get a laptop with at least 8GB.
It is also important to know what type of Microsoft Office you plan to use. The 32-bit version requires a minimum of 2GB RAM, while the 64-bit has no limit. For that reason, 64 is typically the way to go.
CPU
A quad-core CPU will make your job much easier if you’re going to work with large Excel files.
The features give your laptop hyperthreading, which helps your computer perform quick calculations.
If you don’t have the budget for a quad-core laptop, you can still go for a dual-core i5 or i3.
Storage
These days, most laptops have a large storage capacity. As such, storing large Excel files is no big deal.
Even if a file is too large, you can always use reputable cloud storage like Dropbox to store some of your data if you run out of space.
Just be sure to get a laptop with SSD storage. While many users opt for HDD storage because it’s more affordable, machines that utilize HDD tend to perform worse than ones that use SSD.
Battery Life
If you do most of your data collection and analytics on the go, then you want a laptop with a strong battery. That will prevent an unfortunate shutdown while recording key data.
FAQs
If I can’t afford an 8GB RAM laptop, can I still get a 4GB RAM laptop for Microsoft Excel?
Yes, you can still use a 4GB RAM laptop. But you can’t use such laptops to carry out heavy-duty tasks by the side.
Can I run Microsoft Excel on a small-screen laptop?
Of course. All that matters is if you can see the screen.
Final Words
All of the laptops in our buying guide will give you great results. The one you choose depends on your specific needs and budget.
Which of our top three picks do you like the most? Are there any others you want to share? Go ahead and tell us what you think in the comments below.
