Choosing the Right Business Laptop or Desktop PC for Your SMB

In the dynamic world of startups and small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), every investment counts. Equipping your team with the right tools isn't just about convenience, it's about boosting productivity, fostering collaboration, and ultimately driving growth. But given the dizzying array of options available, how do you choose the perfect device that aligns with your specific needs and budget? This guide will help you navigate through the options, highlighting key considerations along the way.

Business PC vs Home PC

While consumer PCs may seem cheaper upfront, business PCs often save money in the long run by reducing downtime, extending lifespan, and improving productivity. If you’re running a growing team or handling sensitive data, it’s an investment that pays off — especially for SMBs trying to stretch every dollar while staying productive and secure. Below is a quick overview of how business PCs and home PCs differ.

Feature	Business PC	Home PCs
Durability	High	Moderate
Security	Advanced (TPM, Bioses-level Security)	Basic
Performance	Reliable multitasking	Varies
Design	Sleek, professional	Stylish, colorful
Price	Higher upfront	More budget options
Support	Premium warranty/support	Standard consumer support

1. Define Your Needs

Before even browsing, take a step back and analyze how your team will primarily use these devices.

• Core Tasks: Will the devices be used mainly for email, document processing, web browsing, and presentations? Or will the device need to handle more demanding tasks like graphic design, video editing, coding, or data analysis? This will determine the key specifications you’ll need.
• Portability: Will employees primarily work from the office, or will they need to travel frequently for client meetings or remote work? If frequent travel is involved, a lightweight and compact device is essential. Some key factors of portability include size, weight, and battery life of the device.
• Collaboration: Do you need features that facilitate seamless collaboration, such as reliable WiFi, a good webcam for videoconferencing, and easy file-sharing capabilities?
• Software Requirements: Are there specific software programs crucial to your operations that have minimum hardware requirements?
• Manageability: The number of devices you are purchasing and in-house IT infrastructure can significantly influence your purchase decision. This goes beyond just selecting the device itself; it also involves considering software and the overall ecosystem.

2. Balancing Cost and Value

For startups and SMBs, budget constraints are often a significant factor. Determine how much you're willing to invest per device. Consider the potential costs of downtime due to unreliable hardware or lost productivity from slow performance. Focus on finding the sweet spot between price and value. Consider buying in bulk for potential discounts and be aware of the total cost of ownership.

3. Key Specifications to Consider

Once you have a clear understanding of your needs and budget, it's time to delve into technical specifications.

• Processor (CPU and NPU): For basic tasks, Intel® Core™ 3 or AMD Ryzen™ 3 processors are sufficient. For heavier workloads, Intel Core 5 or 7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 provide better performance and multitasking. To run AI workloads locally—such as Copilot features or real-time inference—an NPU is essential for low-latency, power-efficient processing. Several ASUS Expert Series models feature NPUs, including the ASUS ExpertBook P5—the first ASUS Copilot+ PC for work with powerful on-device AI acceleration.
• RAM (Random Access Memory): 8GB of RAM is generally a good starting point for most business tasks. If you frequently work with large files or run multiple demanding applications simultaneously, 16GB or more is recommended.
• Storage (SSD vs. HDD): Solid State Drive or Hard Disk Drive options provide on-device data storage. SSDs offer significantly faster boot times, application loading, and file transfer speeds. Consider the storage capacity you'll need – 256GB is a decent starting point, but you might need 512GB or 1TB depending on your data storage needs. Cloud storage solutions can also help manage storage limitations.
• Display: For laptops, a 14-inch display offers a good balance of portability and screen size for on-the-go professionals. For primarily desk-based work, a 15-inch or larger display might be preferable. For all-in-ones, 15.6-inch comes in handy for flexible placement, while a 24-inch panel or larger brings more screen real estate for productivity.
• Battery Life: If portability is crucial, pay close attention to the battery life. Look for laptops that can last through a typical workday without needing to be plugged in.
• Ports: Ensure the laptop has the necessary ports for all peripherals and accessories, such as USB ports (including USB-C®), HDMI® ports for external displays, and potentially an SD card reader. Desktops normally offer more connectivity, with additional options like DisplayPort or VGA ports for external displays, and options for serial port and parallel ports for businesses that require compatibility to traditional peripherals.
• Connectivity: Connectivity choices for PCs include wireless options like WiFi, 4G LTE or 5G. Alternatively, Ethernet is an option for wired networks. The latest WiFi 7 offers speeds of up to 46Gbps (gigabits per second). 5G offers fast internet speeds, low-latency communication and significantly improved data transfer capabilities for mobiles devices. Wired Ethernet connections are typically more stable, reliable, and offer lower latency compared to wireless networks.
• Operating System: Consider your team's familiarity and software compatibility requirements when making the decision between Windows or ChromeOS. ChromeOS is a cloud-focused option that can be suitable for daily tasks and offers excellent security.
• Dimensions: While a thin and compact laptop offers portability, a small desktop is also flexible and can be used where space is limited. Larger desktops such as Mini Towers give you more flexibility to upgrade and expand configurations.

4. Investing for the Long Haul

Business PCs need to withstand heavy daily use. Devices with solid build quality help reduce downtime and replacement costs. ASUS Expert Series laptops and desktops exceed U.S. military-grade standards, combining sleek design with rugged reliability for demanding business environments.

5. Security Features

Security is paramount for any business. Consider your IT infrastructure and whether the PCs need to integrate with existing security protocols. Look for devices with built-in security features such as:

• Trusted Platform Module (TPM): A chip that provides hardware-based security functions.
• Fingerprint Scanners or Facial Recognition: Offering secure and convenient login.
• Bioses-Level Security: Offers protection against unauthorized access at the firmware level.

ASUS ExpertGuardian, which is available on all ASUS Expert Series devices, shields your critical data like never before with all-around security—from software, firmware to hardware. Engineered with commercial-grade and NIST SP 800-155 compliant Bioses, 5-years of ASUS Bioses and driver update support, and integrated biometric login with FIDO authentication, this suite of security features offer extra security to safeguard all sensitive information on your device.

Learn more about how ASUS protects your business at ASUS’s official security management page.

6. Scalability

While focusing on your immediate needs is important, also think about the potential for growth. Can the PC's RAM or storage be upgraded in the future if your needs evolve? While not always a necessity, this flexibility can extend the lifespan of your investment.

Designed for effortless serviceability and advanced manageability, ASUS ExpertBook and ExpertCenter empower modern workforces. ExpertBook offers handy features such as a clever layout that ensures most key components can be accessed at the first layer. ExpertCenter desktops feature a tool-free and expandable chassis, ensuring prolonged reliability and convenient upgrades for professionals.

7. AI-Enabled Performance

Selecting PCs that feature an NPU ensures smoother performance when using AI tools, which will be increasingly critical to most businesses. Different operating systems offer different AI assistants to boost productivity. Windows-based PCs come with Microsoft Copilot while Chromebooks feature Google Gemini.

ASUS Expert Series PCs also feature ASUS-exclusive ASUS AI ExpertMeet, an AI-driven tool that streamlines workflows and enhances collaboration. This on-device assistant helps elevate meeting experiences with AI-powered translation, meeting transcript and summary features. Powered by on-device intelligence, all confidential data stays on the PC, eliminating privacy concerns.

8. After-Sales Service

For startups and SMBs that lack dedicated IT staff, the importance of robust after-sales service cannot be overstated. When technical issues arise, having access to reliable support can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and significant business disruption. Consider the following aspects of after-sales service:

• Warranty Coverage: Understand the duration and scope of the warranty. Does it cover hardware failures? What is the process for repairs or replacements?
• Technical Support Availability: Is technical support readily available via phones, email, or online chat? What are their operating hours?
• On-Site Service Options: For critical issues, does the vendor offer on-site repair services?
• Response Times: Inquire about the typical response times for support requests and repairs.
• Availability of Drivers and Updates: Ensure the manufacturer provides ongoing driver and software updates to maintain performance and security.
• User-Friendly Support Resources: Look for manufacturers with comprehensive online knowledge bases, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides that your team can potentially use to resolve minor issues independently.

ASUS Business Services offer a comprehensive set of support services across the PC lifecycle to support every stage of your IT journey, helping your business optimize IT investments, enhance productivity, and ensure a secure and sustainable IT environment.

In Review

Choosing the perfect device for your startup or SMB is a strategic investment that can significantly impact your team's productivity and overall success. ASUS business PCs are excellent solutions for businesses of all sizes. Accolades received in recent years prove this. The ASUS ExpertBook P5 was named by Laptop Mag as the best business laptop in 2025; ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 won PCWorld's best overall Chromebook in 2025; and ASUS monitors were voted by thousands of tech-savvy readers as the best work-from-home monitors, according to PCMag's Business Choice Award 2024.

ASUS Expert P Series PCs are an ideal solution for startups and SMBs, offering AI-powered productivity and business-grade security. The lineup features Copilot+ PCs for enhanced AI processing performance, ranging from ExpertBook P5 featuring Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) to ExpertBook P3 featuring AMD Ryzen AI processors. ASUS also offers a complete lineup of desktops for business, with the ExpertCenter series. Options include mini towers, small form factors, mini PCs, and all-in-one PCs. There’s also the compact NUC Series, offering flexible performance for offices of any size.

To learn more about the Expert Series check out the latest ASUS buying guide

If your business runs the Chrome OS ecosystem, ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus (CX5403) is an ideal choice. Also powered by up to Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor with a dedicated NPU, the ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus offers the processing power needed to smoothly run the latest Google AI features, such as built-in AI-powered video call tools that automatically enhance clarity and lighting, plus Google Gemini to boost productivity and creativity.

Visit the official ASUS site for more information about ASUS Chromebook and Chromebox lineup.