Top 5 Best Laptop for Accounting: Students, Professionals... (2024)

Are you an accounting student? Do you have accounting work or business? Or are you a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), a CPA student, or a CPA candidate?

Ready to discover the fantastic laptop collection our experts have reviewed for you? Keep reading!

As an accountant, if you’re thinking about getting a laptop to make your work easier, you have to go all the way, and here’s why.

There are dozens of accountants in the field today that it might be a little difficult to tell who’s good at what they do and who’s not.

So, an easy way to stand out as a unique, intelligent, and skilled accountant is to deploy high-functional software that not only simplifies your task but also makes you productive.

But here’s the twist! You can’t smoothly access and use this software without a good laptop that runs this software effectively. Owning the best laptop for accounting is the first step to advancing your career as it gives you an edge.

Guess what? We’ve gathered a list of some of the best laptops for chartered accountants this year.Trust me; these laptops are forged with cutting-edge technology that helps you easily ace your career goals in the long run.

List of the Best Laptops for Accountants and Accounting Students

Buying Guide for Best Laptop for Accountingand Finance

Hold up! Before you delve into the world of these great laptops carefully picked for you, there are certain factors you should educate yourself about. These factors set the pace for how to identify high-quality laptops from the fluffs.

Understanding these factors would be extremely useful in your decision-making process regarding which laptop is worth your money. Consider these tips as a bonus gift from me to you. Now, let’s dive in.

Screen Size:

As an accountant, you’ll be faced with the need to carry out diverse tasks that require calculations. Hence, screen size plays a crucial role, especially if you’ve got an eye defect of some sort.

The bigger and more powerful the laptop is, the better for you. The rule of thumb for screen size for an accountant is to use a 15” size screen or, at least, a 13” screen. However, feel free to select the best laptop for accounting with a bigger screen as there’s no restriction of any kind.

Those who should actually consider using a bigger screen than 15” are professional accountants with a large clientele. If your clientele is not that big, maybe you should consider using a 13” screen-size powerhouse laptop.

As long as the laptop is strong enough to run your accounting programs flawlessly, you’re good to go.

Weight:

The weight and design of a laptop other features that accountants need to consider when shopping. The reason is simple. You might need to go anywhere with your laptop.

You wouldn’t find it pleasant carrying a heavy laptop everywhere you went. For instance, it’s inevitable for accountants not to travel all the way to see their clients.

Sometimes, accountants might need to travel to meet with clients outside their city or country. In this respect, owning one of the various lightweight laptops on the market is crucial. It makes the journey smooth and easy for you.

The best part about recent designs is that they come with sleek designs that also support portability. With these two features blended perfectly together, it’s almost inevitable to enjoy your accounting experience with your laptop.

Operating System (OS):

The operating system of your laptop is another important factor. The reason is, that using the right operating system ensures maximum compatibility with any accounting software.

You’ll quickly launch, run, and shut down the software you choose to use to carry out your accounting tasks. Hence, while shopping for the best laptop for accounting, you should know the OS that works best with your collection of accounting software.

There are three operating systems that a good laptop should use. They are:

• Windows,
• Linux, and
• macOS.

As you already know, these three operating systems have undergone updates in the past, with newer versions now used in creating newer laptop models.

For Windows, ensure the best laptop for accounting uses Windows 10, that’s easy to use whose an intuitive GUI. If you prefer to use Linux, get one with a stale malicious program. The latest macOS operating system version you should look out for is the MacOS 10.15 Catalina, making it easy to multitask.

Storage Space:

The best laptop for accounting professionals comes with enough hard drive capacity. Sure, you might think that people who need to run more rigorous software like animators and product designers, need laptops with massive storage space.

But the truth is, that accountants also need massive storage spaces. As you advance in your career, lose some clients and win more, you’ll need to keep the company and client files you worked with for reference’s sake on your system.

Depending on the bulk of work you did for your clients, each client folder would be big enough to take up a lot of space on your hard drive. Now, if your best laptop for accounting has a massive storage space, it would take a while to get filled.

On the flip side, if your laptop lacks storage space, you might need to buy a hard drive so you can relocate some of the files on your laptop to the hard drive.

While this sounds like a solution, it might be an expensive one. You’d save money by buying a laptop that has enough storage space.

RAM and Processor Speed:

The RAM on your laptop determines how well programs run on your laptop. If your laptop comes with 4GB RAM, you might experience some lag while running some accounting software.

With some software being heavy in size, you might experience difficulty running them on your laptop with 4GB RAM. So, it’s best to get a laptop that operates on 8GB RAM or more.

Your software would run smoothly without crashing or lagging. Also, you’ll efficiently multitask on your system while working.

In addition to the RAM, the processor speed also matters. There are quite a lot of processors that are perfect for your system. For instance, you can choose to buy a laptop forged with either an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor.

There’s also the AMD Ryzen processor. While the Intel processor seems to be a lot more popular, the AMD Ryzen processor appears to give your laptop a lot more power.

It is also a lot more durable compared to the Intel core. As a result, more people seem to prefer AMD Ryzen to Intel core processors these days. Nevertheless, both processors are great.

Resolution:

Nobody enjoys watching a movie on a blurry screen. It could be one of the best movies ever, but you’ll lose interest in it regardless.

It’s the same for working professionals. If the resolution of your laptop is very low, it will result in a blurry screen. A blurry screen discourages you from working, making you quite sluggish.

But a laptop with high-resolution like Full HD enhances the images you get on the screen. Look out for the best laptop for accounting with 1920 x 1080 resolution. You’d enjoy a smooth workflow.

Battery Life:

Sometimes, you might need to work for extended hours on your laptop. As a result, you’ll automatically need to own a laptop that’d allow you to work for extended periods.

When shopping for a laptop, be sure to get yourself a laptop that gives extended hours of battery life, as you might have to work on your laptop without plugging it. Go for laptops that offer at least 9 hours of battery life. It would go a long way.

Other Features:

The other features you should look out for in an accounting laptop include a backlit keyboard, standardized webcams, fingerprint reader, and backlit panel.

Backlit keyboards always come in handy when you’re working in the dark. And for online meetings with clients, a standardized webcam is essential. It would ensure your clients can see you.

PRO TIP: Want exclusive discounts on your laptop purchase? Shop during the next Amazon Prime Day Sale event to get fantastic deals. The 2022 Prime Day is over; the next Amazon Prime Day is expected to be in July 2023.

Best Laptop for Accounting – Expert Review

1. Apple MacBook Pro with Apple M1 Chip

Our Review of Apple MacBook Pro

When it comes to cutting-edge laptops with excellent performance, especially for professional accountants, Apple never disappoints. That’s why we’re starting this best laptop for chartered accountants review with one of Apple’s many inventions that simplifies your accounting work.

Apple designed this 2020 Apple Macbook Pro specifically for business, multimedia, and personal use. The fact that it is for business use already marks it as one of the best laptops for your accounting tasks.

With a 13.3 inches size and a macOS operating system, you’ll enjoy running compatible software on it. The Apple M1 Chip enhances the CPU and GPU speed, delivering 3.5 and 5x faster, respectively. Consequently, the laptop is super fast and responsive.

Once fully charged, you won’t need to plug into a power source again as it delivers up to 18 hours of battery life. The laptop is one of Apple’s thinnest and lightest designs. So, you won’t feel any weight when travelling with this laptop.

2. Lenovo Flex 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop,14 Inch FHD Touchscreen Display

Our Review of Lenovo Flex 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop

If you love the AMD Ryzen processor, then you’ll fall in love with the Lenovo Flex 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop. Of course, it’s not just the processor that’s mind-blowing. There are other features too.

For starters, we couldn’t help but gush at how astonishing the laptop design is. It is sleek and portable. The 2-in-1 convertible feature allows you to ditch the laptop when you get tired of carrying it around. Simply detach the 14-inch screen size from the keyboard and use it as a tablet with the active pen that comes with it.

There’s more! This laptop comes with a 1920 x 1080 Full HD screen resolution that keeps you stuck to it while encouraging you to finish your tasks quickly. Did I forget to mention that the screen is a touch screen? Of course, that’s why you can easily detach it from the keyboard.

You don’t need to charge the system as you go because a single charge gives you 10 hours of battery life. It would sustain you all through your work process.

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3. LG Gram 15Z970 i7 15.6″ Touchscreen Laptop

Our Review of LG Gram

The LG gram 15Z970 touchscreen laptop is another best laptop for accounting work. LG designed this laptop model for business people in mind. Of course, accountants fall in the category of business people.

As usual, it comes bearing gifts in the form of outstanding features. For starters, it uses the famous intel core i7 processor to boost the operating speed of this laptop. That’s part of what makes it stand out. It is one of the ideal laptops for accountants.

The 13.3-inch laptop is thin and lightweight by design. You can boldly carry it along with you on any trip. The resolution also produces crisp images with a 1920 x 1080 Pixels maximum resolution. With 256GB SSD, you never have to worry about storage space.

It also comes with other unique features like a backlit keyboard. Now, you never have to think twice about working in the dark on your laptop. You’ll see every letter highlighted, thanks to the backlit keyboard.

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4. HP Pavilion Gaming 15-Inch Laptop, Intel Core i5-9300H

Our Review of HP Pavilion

Hp is one of the leading producers of laptops for every function. A Hp laptop gives you a combination of high-quality functions and affordability. For instance, the HP Pavilion Gaming 15-inch laptop has unique functions that help chartered accountants enjoy an easy workflow.

For starters, it comes with an Intel Core i5-9300H processor speed. It’s no wonder why professional accountants find this laptop handy for seamlessly executing their accounting tasks.

If you ever need to take a break from your accounting duties, you can switch to gaming mode. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 gives you a fun time gaming as you’ll enjoy super crisp images while gaming. You’ll see every tiny detail in the images that this laptop produces.

Thanks to the Anti-Glare micro-edge feature, you won’t need to strain your eyes while working or gaming with this laptop. With a display resolution of ‎1920 x 1080 pixels, you’ll enjoy working on this laptop.

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5. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3” Touch-Screen – 10th Gen Intel Core i5

Our Review of Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Microsoft is another powerhouse company in the laptop industry, and this laptop model is perfect for accounting professionals and students. They never fail to deliver cutting-edge technology that improves the processes and life of their audience. This Microsoft Surface Pro 7 proves this theory.

Aside from the sleek design, the next thing that immediately gets users addicted to this laptop is its versatility. You can use this laptop as both a full-blown laptop studio and a tablet. Since it’s a touch screen, you can choose to operate it using the mouse, your fingers, or both.

You can draw, type, write and run several functions on this laptop. Then, it is incredibly lightweight. You can carry it all day without feeling any muscle strain.

With a display resolution of 2736 x 1824, your eyes are in for a treat. With a single charge, you’ll get 10.5 hours of battery life. That way, you can get more done before you start to worry about charging the laptop.

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Laptop Buying Guide for CPA Canada – Students and Candidates

The CPA online learning software, Brightspace (D2L), will be used by CPA students to complete their courses on their own laptops.

If you are a CPA student or candidate, you will need to have a laptop that runs on the Windows operating system in order to complete data analysis activities for your coursework using Microsoft’s Power BI software.

Power BI software is not compatible with the Apple/Mac operating system. Thus, when it comes to choosing the best laptop for CPA Canada students, Windows laptops are the clear winner.

There are a few considerations to take into account when purchasing a laptop for use with the CPA learning software – Brightspace (D2L). The following table provides details of the minimal technical requirements needed to run Brightspace (D2L):

All of the resources and materials for CPA courses, including Brightspace (D2L) and Power BI, have been developed with the Windows operating system in mind. Therefore, there is a risk associated with using an Apple product for CPA courses.

I have a MacBook Pro. So far, I have successfully taken 4 CPA courses without issues. To run Microsoft Power BI on my MacBook, I partitioned my MacBook hard drive for Windows and downloaded the software on that partition.

Charee

CPAs are in high demand, and students who want to become CPAs need to have the best laptops to help them succeed.

CPA students need a laptop that can handle heavy workloads, as they will be using their laptops for everything from coursework to research.

The best laptops for CPA students should have a powerful processor, plenty of RAM, and a large storage drive.

In addition, CPA students need a laptop with a large screen so they can see their work clearly, and a comfortable keyboard so they can type for long periods of time.

With so many laptops on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. But if you’re a CPA student, it’s important to choose a laptop that can handle everything you throw at it.

With the right laptop, you’ll be able to power through your studies and become the best CPA you can be.

[Coming Soon] >> The Best Laptops Recommended by Accountants

FAQs on Best Laptop for Accounting

Final Words on Best Laptop for Accounting

Now that we’ve exposed you to our impressive list of the best laptop for accounting on the market, you can get more productive in your career as a chartered accountant.

Accounting students can also get more done when it comes to projects and assignments with these laptops. However, as technology keeps evolving, better laptops will be invented.

If you ever feel lost again when trying to choose a laptop, simply refer to our extensive buying guide to bail you out. For now, have all the fun with our list of the best laptops for you as an accountant.

READ ALSO:

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-> Best Laptop for Engineering Students

-> Best Laptop for Computer Science Students

AUTHOR

Charee Oisamoje is the founder of CanadaWiz. She leads the editorial team, which is comprised of subject matter experts that aim to create well-researched, highly detailed content related to studying, working, immigrating, and settling/living in Canada as a newcomer.

Charee's personal experiences as a Canadian immigrant and her professional competencies make her uniquely qualified on the subject matter.

With extensive educational credentials, she is an expert at collecting details, verifying facts, and making complex subjects easy to understand. MBA in Finance MScIB CCEA (#CCG 271) CPA Candidate ✔️CIP ✔️BSc Accounting

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