Are you a realtor looking for a laptop that you can easily carry around for client meetings? Then you are in the right place.
You don’t just need a laptop that is light and compact, you need one that has a long battery life, a good display, and is powerful enough to run the realtor software you use.
But choosing out of hundreds of available laptops can be tough. Thankfully, we will make that decision a whole lot easier. After testing over 25 laptops, we picked out the 5 best laptops for realtors in 2021.
Our Favorite Laptops For Real Estate Agents 2022
New Apple MacBook Air
Dell XPS 15
Acer Aspire 5
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
New Apple MacBook Air
Dell XPS 15
Acer Aspire 5
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
#1: LG Gram 14
Real estate agents often need to work for long hours. Having a laptop with a poor battery can be devastating in such a condition, especially when traveling. The Gram 14 from LG comes with a whopping 23.5 hours battery backup, so that “low battery” notifications never come in between you and your work.
- Ultra-light weight laptop weighing just 2. 2 pounds.
- Long-lasting 72Wh Battery for up to 23. 5 hours* Battery Life (*Mobile mark 2014 standard)
- 14 inch Full HD IPS Display w/Ultra-Slim Bezel
- 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD
- Intel Core i5 (8th Generation 8265U) Processor
The performance of the Gram 14 doesn’t disappoint either. It is powered by a 1.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor that works alongside 8GB of DDR4 RAM to deliver lightning-fast computing and breeze through your daily work. Though this laptop lacks a dedicated GPU, it is equipped with Intel’s HD Graphics 620, which should be enough for work-related tasks.
Apart from that, it is equipped with 256GB SSD storage. It might start to feel restrictive after some time, so we recommend upgrading to a 512GB SSD down the line. Or you can also add an extra HDD for slower, yet spacious storage.
It comes with a sleek design that gives it a very professional look. What’s interesting about the Gram 14 is that it is equipped with a bulky battery and powerful hardware, yet somehow manages to keep the weight around 2 lbs. The lightweight aspect of this laptop makes it a reliable work buddy that you can carry with you at all times.
Other than that, it comes with a 14-inch FHD display that strikes the sweet spot between having a widescreen display and a sleek body. Although it has a small form factor, you will find two USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, and a USB-C port on its chassis.
Overall, LG Gram 14 is an excellent laptop fit for every work that a realtor needs to do daily and more. The price tag isn’t scary, making it a perfect choice for a modest budget.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight.
- Amazing display.
- Powerful CPU.
- Impressive portability.
- Immersive 3D audio.
Cons
- Lacks a dedicated GPU.
- Restrictive storage.
#2: ASUS ZenBook 15
Like most lightweight laptops from Asus, the Zenbook 15 is a delight for the eyes. It has a 15.6-inch display with very thin bezels and an amazing 92% screen-to-body ratio. The color schemes, the design, and the solid build, all contribute to making it look gorgeous.
- 15.6 inch wide-view 4K UHD 4-way NanoEdge bezel display with 92% screen to body ratio
- Innovative ScreenPad: 5.65-inch interactive touchscreen trackpad that adapts to your needs for smarter control and multitasking
- Latest 10th generation Intel Core i7-10510U Quad Core Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.9 GHz) with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q discrete graphics
- Fast storage and memory featuring 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD and 16GB RAM
- Works with Amazon Alexa Voice Service that helps you with tasks, entertainment, general information, and more.
The weight of the machine is slightly heavy for a flagship light laptop. At around 3.5 lbs, it’s significantly heavier than most other laptops used by realtors. However, the laptop’s build quality is sturdy and boasts a vivid and top-notch 4K display.
The laptop races ahead in terms of performance. It is loaded with an Intel Core i7 10th Gen CPU with 6-cores that you can overclock to 4.9GHz to get a stutter-free computing experience. Additionally, it comes with 16GB of RAM and 4GB NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphic card to provide an all-rounded hardware configuration.
Though the GPU doesn’t play a massive role in the daily tasks of a real estate agent, it might still come in handy while surfing and watching images and videos. Apart from that, let’s talk about storage because this is where the ZenBook 15 shines. Unlike LG Gram 14, this laptop offers 512GB SSD and an extra 1TB of HDD storage. All in all, you are unlikely to run out of space too soon with this configuration.
The battery of Zenbook 15 outperforms its predecessors and most laptops on this list. Though the standby time is slightly less than LG Gram 14, its standard battery life is much better, lasting up to 7-10 hours under mixed usage. As for connectivity, it has all the ports that any laptop user might need. USB 3.1 ports, USB 3.1 C-type port, HDMI port, a power jack, and an SD card reader.
One of the best features of Zenbook laptops is their touchpads with a built-in display. The Zenbook 15 comes loaded with ScreenPad 2.0, which is an improvement over past iterations. This feature is powered by ScreenXpert and is designed to be used as an apparatus for Microsoft Office. With its 1080p output and 60Hz refresh rate, the ScreenPad 2.0 is sure to boost your productivity.
In conclusion, Zenbook 15 is a fantastic product with its performance on par with a standard gaming laptop and still has a professional look and a long battery life. The price is significantly higher than LG Gram, but the performance justifies the price tag.
Pros
- Remarkable screen-to-body ratio
- 16 GB RAM
- Excellent storage
- ScreenPad 2.0
- 4K Screen
Cons
- High Price
- Heavy
#3: HP Pavilion 15
The ninth laptop on our list is the HP Pavilion 15. In terms of hardware configuration, this laptop is equipped with Intel’s i7 processor alongside a 16GB RAM. This setup ensures that you don’t have to fall victim to lags and stutters which can harm your productivity.
- INSTANT GRATIFICATION – Experience a laptop with premium performance, so you can spend less time getting more done; it’s like a small PC that’s compact enough to go where you go with a long-lasting battery to power you through your day
- EPIC ENTERTAINMENT – With audio by B&O, a larger screen-to-body ratio, and a 15.6-inch Full HD micro-edged screen to maximize your view, entertainment on your laptop feels like bringing the theater home (1)
- IMPRESSIVE GRAPHICS – The Intel Iris Xe Graphics gives you a new level of graphics performance with crisp, stunning visuals, plus the convenience of a thin and light laptop (2)
- UNSTOPPABLE PERFORMANCE – Get things done fast with the 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, which delivers instant responsiveness and best-in-class connectivity (3)
- MEMORY AND STORAGE – Enjoy up to 15x faster performance than a traditional hard drive with 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage (4) and experience improved multitasking with higher bandwidth thanks to 16 GB of RAM
Similar to LG Gram 14, this laptop doesn’t have a dedicated Graphics Card. However, it is fitted with Intel’s Iris Xe Graphics, which is more than enough to let you breeze through your work as well as enjoy other multimedia.
It comes with 512 GB of NVMe M.2 SSD storage that is more than 15 times faster than a regular HDD and makes booting speed lightning fast. However, the lack of HDD means that you will have a limited amount of storage unless you invest some money to upgrade it.
The screen-to-body ratio is not as impressive but still gives the laptop an elegant and professional look. The 15.6 inches display supports full HD, with a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, and you will find it satisfactory to work with.
The Battery of Pavilion 15 is remarkable. A standby time of 15 hours and a standard battery backup of around 8 hours ensure that working for long hours without a charger or using the laptop while traveling isn’t much of a problem. The laptop has excellent charging speed, taking 45 minutes to go from 0 to 50%.
However, all these features come at a price. To put it simply, the Pavilion 15 weighs around 3.8 lbs, which is a lot to carry around all day. But the sleek architecture of this laptop makes it easier to handle and carry along.
HP Pavilion 15 is an outstanding laptop and a perfect choice for anyone in the real estate line of work. Although heavy, it is compact, powerful, and its exceptional battery compensates for it quite well.
Pros
- Compact design
- Powerful processor
- Fast charging
- Full HD screen
- Long battery life
Cons
- Lacks a dedicated GPU
- Too heavy
#4: HP Spectre x-360 13T
At last, let’s talk about HP Spectre x360 13T. It is one of the best looking laptops on this list and boasts a gorgeous and sturdy aluminum body. It has diamond-cut edges and a ‘gem-cut’ design under the display that makes it very appealing and sleek. If you want a laptop that suits your professional work environment, this laptop might interest you.
It comes equipped with a 4GHz Intel i7 processor with 16GB of memory. In terms of graphics, the Spectre x360 lacks a dedicated graphics card so you’ll have to rely on Intel’s UHD graphics to carry you through tasks. Other than that, you get 512GB of SSD, which is sufficient for real-estate-related work as well as other activities.
This laptop has an FHD IPS display with touch support, and a screen size of 13.3-inch. Although small, it contributes pretty well to its elegant micro-edge design. It has a bright screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, which can be upgraded to OLED for some extra dollars. The battery life, too, at a standby time of 17 hours, is quite good. It can last for up to 10 hours of continuous work with proper use.
It is a two-in-one convertible laptop, which means it can function as a tablet and a laptop. It aims to blend the performance of a laptop and the portability of a tablet. However, we found the device to be heavy when used as a hand-held tablet. Nevertheless, HP Spectre x360 is one of the very few feasible two-in-one laptops currently in the market, besides Microsoft’s SurfaceBooks.
Pros
- High portability.
- Impressive looks and design.
- AMOLED Display.
- Excellent battery life.
- 2-in-1 design.
Cons
- Heavy as hand-held.
- No dedicated GPU.
#5: New Apple MacBook Air (Best Overall)
You want to create an instant impression on your clients and boy, there’s hardly any laptop that does it better than a MacBook. But the New MacBook Air is more than just a stylish laptop, it is packed with features tailor-made for professional realtors. More about them is below.
- Stunning 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology
- Backlit Magic Keyboard and Touch ID
- Tenth-generation Intel Core i5 processor
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- Fast SSD storage
Performance
These are important as they help manage all the organizational data in one place, provide marketing solutions, customer support, Billing & Invoicing solutions, and Vacancy Tracking. But only if your laptop can support all the functionality.
So can the Macbook do that?
Heck yes. With the latest 10th Gen, i5 processor that can turbo boost to 3.5GHz, and 8GB RAM, and an integrated graphics card, there’s little the MacBook cannot do (now run all your software and browse on multiple windows without a hitch).
Then there is also the 512GB SSD. In case you didn’t know SSDs not only add to boot speed (so your laptop takes a mere 5-10 seconds to start) but also last longer than HDDs as they have lesser running parts.
That means you won’t have to worry about repairs for quite some time and also get ample storage for all your files and folders considering repairs on any MacBook can be expensive, that is a real bonus.
Portability
Realtors are always on their feet and thus portability in a laptop is a must. Well, MacBooks are just that. It is one of the reasons why I love and millions across the globe love them.
This baby weighs just 2.8lbs so whether you are carrying it in your handbag, backpack, or even in your hands you don’t feel a pinch of the weight. Trust me, I have been trekking with this one and barely noticed it.
With a height of 0.64 inches and a width of 14.09 inches, it is very compact so you can comfortably work with it in tight spaces like in the subway, a plane, etc. (because for most of us, the work just never ends).
Display
As a realtor, you will be showing your clients walkthroughs of the house, photos, and videos of the rooms, and maybe even 3D renders of how the house will look after construction, furnishing, etc. thus you need a display that can cover every color and detail.
The Retina display comes with a 2560×1600 resolution and in tandem with the True Tone Technology gives you deep blacks and bright whites ensuring your clients get a highly immersive viewing experience whether it is videos or images.
And the same goes for you when you are enjoying a movie on it or working on intricate details. And even if you work for hours your eyes won’t tire or turn red as the Retina display keeps glare to minimal.
Battery Life
In case you need to travel from one place to another for meetings, you do not have to worry about finding power points or even carrying your laptop charger everywhere. The battery life of the Air is good enough to last you an entire day as it can deliver around 7-8hrs even with heavy usage.
Other Benefits
Do you need to give your clients some photos and images? Or are you looking to backup your data onto an external drive? Either way, no problem. The MacBook comes with Thunderbolt ports that deliver transfer speeds of up to 40GBPS ensuring all transfers take no more than a few seconds.
On the newest MacBook Air, Apple has gotten rid of the noisy, less durable butterfly keyboard and replaced it with the much-loved Magic Keyboard (yup, it literally is a touch of magic). So if you have long contracts, leases, deeds, and closing statements to type, it is about to get a whole lot more comfortable.
Drawbacks
The MacBook is certainly a great option for professional realtors but, remember that eye-grabbing design and top features will set you back by 1000+ dollars.
Not all your realtor software will run on MacBook so only go with a MacBook if you use iOS compatible tools.
Considering the laptop costs over $1000 I would have preferred a Full-HD webcam but it will provide decent picture quality for smooth Zoom conferences and meetings.
Pros
- Powerful enough to smoothly run real estate software without hanging or slowing down
- Ultralight and compact. It weighs just 2.8lbs
- 512GB SSD gives you ample storage and boosts speed and durability
- 8-10hrs of battery life eliminates the need to carry the charger all the time
- Get immersive visuals with the 2560×1600, 13.3″ display
- Retina display also keeps glare to minimal for healthy, sharp eyes
- Thunderbolt ports provide data transfer speeds of up to 40GBPS
- The keyboard has excellent travel time and thus great for long hours of typing
- It comes with a backlit keyboard
Cons
- It will cost you $1000+
- Considering the cost, a Full-HD webcam would have been ideal
- It won’t support all tools and software
#6: Dell XPS 15 (Top Performance)
If you need a multi-purpose laptop i.e. a powerful, fast laptop not just for work but also for other tasks like light gaming in your free time and other entertainment purposes, the Dell XPS 15
- 15. 6" 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) OLED InfinityEdge anti-reflective Non-Touch 100% DCI-P3 400-Nits Display
- 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750h (12MB Cache, up to 4. 5 GHz, 6 Cores)
- 16GB DDR4-2666MHz, 2x8G
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5
- Sd card reader, Thunderbolt, USB 3. 0
Display
One of the reasons why the Dell XPS is such an amazing laptop for both work and entertainment is because of its unmatched display quality.
No, we are not just talking about the 4k resolution. I mean like any 4k monitor or TV, you can expect an eye-popping display but the XPS screen is so much more than that.
For starters, you get a large 15.6″ screen but what makes it better than other laptops (some even more expensive than the XPS 15) is the NanoEdge Technology.
Yes, Dell XPS 15 has one of the smallest bezels ever giving this laptop a whopping 93% screen-to-body ratio. Yup, it has a mere 6.04mm on the sides and 7.08mm on the top giving you maximum viewing area.
Not just that, it has a wide viewing angle too, so you and your customers get a good view without having to constantly adjust the screen. Oh, and it also makes watching movies with your loved ones a delight (because once in a while, we all deserve a break).
Sound
And you won’t need AirPods or external speakers with this laptop to get great sound quality. Apart from good-quality speakers, the laptop is equipped with the Waves MaxxAudio® Pro which allows you to adjust sound aspects to get the best of music, dialogues, etc.
But an excellent display and sound aren’t enough to justify its price tag or usefulness to a professional realtor. A display like that is only value for money when it is teamed up with a powerful, speedy core that can handle all the browsing, CRM & accounting software, and so on, right?
No problem.
Specs
With an i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a dedicated GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, the XPS 15 can handle anything and everything you have to throw at it in a day.
In fact, if you are interested in gaming and like spending your evenings playing games like Overwatch, PUBG, or Fortnite with your gang, the laptop is capable enough to handle it all. Though if you play more graphics-intensive games like Witcher 3, you will have to tone the settings down for a smooth experience.
These specs also allow you to run architectural 3D software and other photos and video editing software in case you have a keen eye for those as well.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The laptop’s keyboard has enough travel time so you can type all those contracts and deeds with ease while the backlight makes working at night hassle-free (no lights, no problem). The smooth trackpad makes navigating around easy even without a mouse.
Other Features
It has a decent camera for all your video calls and meetings while thunderbolt 3 ports ensure any file transfer only takes a mere few seconds to minutes.
To top it all, the laptop offers excellent durability. Not only is the screen made with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 4 but the body consists of carbon fiber and aluminum parts ensuring the laptop runs for years without little to no physical damage in simple words, this bad boy can handle it a little rough).
Drawbacks
256GB is not a lot of storage space. I prefer at least 512GB. But if you already have an external drive and are in the habit of backing up important data, it should be ample space for you
It is not as portable/compact as the MacBook Air or some of the other laptops on the list though it weighs around 5lbs.
The battery life of the laptop isn’t that great as it can deliver only 4-5hrs with a full charge.
Also, the laptop is again on the expensive side as it will cost you more than $1500 but if you are looking for a high-end laptop that can deliver powerful, fast performance and be used for multiple purposes, the Dell XPS 15 checks almost every box.
Pros
- Specs good enough for not just realtors software but also games like PUBG, etc.
- The 15.6″, 4k resolution display deliver eye-popping images
- It comes with the smallest bezels you will find in a laptop for a better viewing experience
- Good speakers and webcam
- Comes with a comfortable to use the backlit keyboard
- With Waves MaxxAudio® Pro, you get crystal clear music and dialogues
- Thunderbolt 3 ports deliver high data transfer speeds
- Excellent durability thanks to its aluminum and carbon fiber build
- 90% of the laptop is made out of recyclable material
- It was awarded the Best of Innovation Award by CES
- Killer™ Wireless automatically adjusts bandwidth for programs in use
Cons
- Costs more than $1500 but worth every penny
- Low battery life
- Not as portable as the MacBook or Surface Pro 6
#7. Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Are you not happy with the portability provided yet? Need something light and compact? Then the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is everything you need.
- A best-in-class laptop with the versatility of a studio and tablet
- More power — now with the new 8th Generation Intel Core processor
- Ultra-slim and light, starting at just 1.70 pounds. All-day battery life, with up to 13.5 hours of video playback
Best Features
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is one of the most portable laptops on the market. This isn’t because it weighs a mere 1.73lbs but also because it is a convertible laptop.
That means apart from using it as a standard laptop, you can also remove the keyboard attachment and use it as a tablet or in tent mode thanks to the kickstand at the back. These modes allow you to work or be entertained anywhere and everywhere. (from the couch to the lounge, now work and play anywhere).
This is also possible due to the intuitive touchscreen that makes navigating from one app to another or one tab to another a breeze (to a large extent, it is just like having a mobile).
Apart from a keyboard, there are various other attachments available like the surface dial, pen, or a mouse to further make usage easier.
For any laptop to be truly portable, it also needs to have good battery life. You do not want to be running around for or with chargers and looking for power points all the time and with the Surface Pro 6 you won’t have to either. With 10-12hrs of battery life, it leaves hardly any room for improvement in this respect.
But don’t take this portability and compactness for weak performance. There is some serious juice here (it is like the small package of all things good).
Truthfully, the laptop is more powerful than the MacBook meaning it can run more demanding CRM and real estate software which is ideal if you have a large organization with a lot of data to be handheld.
It comes with an 8th Gen, i7 processor along with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Although the display size is smaller than that of the MacBook at 12.3″, the PixelSense display has a resolution of 2736 x 1824 and delivers good colors and brightness.
That remains true in bright sunlight as it has a screen brightness of 400nits which is at par with most high-end laptops like the New Apple MacBook Air and only less than the Dell XPS 15 on the list which provides a brightness of 500nits.
So whether the client meetings are indoors or outdoors, you should have no trouble showing off your portfolio or videos and pictures of the awesome property you want them to know about.
It also has a rear 8 MP and a 5MP front camera which, truthfully, is pretty good and allows you to quickly click good photos of the properties you intend to sell thus eliminating the need to use your phone all the time or buy a camera. Plus, it is also ideal for video calling.
Drawbacks
For all its excellent qualities, there are a few glaring drawbacks that put it down the pecking order. For example, Microsoft still hasn’t added USB-C ports or Thunderbolt ports so taking backup, especially of bigger files can be frustrating. Plus, you can’t use the laptop for charging.
All external peripherals like the Mouse, Pen, Surface dial need to be purchased separately which adds to the overall cost.
Pros
- Extremely compact and lightweight at just 1.7lbs
- It can be used as a laptop, tablet, or in tent mode
- Powerful and fast enough to run all realtor CRM and Management software with ease
- Excellent front and rear cameras for clicking good photo and easy video calling
- Bright display for comfortable viewing in sunlight
- 12.3 Full-HD PixelSense Display delivers good colors and contrast
- A 512GB SSD is large and minimizes load and boot time
- Get a whopping battery life of 10-12hrs on a single charge
- Keyboard has a good travel time of 1.3mm for quick, comfortable typing
Cons
- Buying the mouse, surface dial, pen adds to the cost
- No USB-C ports or Thunderbolt ports
- Poor graphics performance
#8: Acer Spin 3 (A Cheaper Alternative)
If you are not happy with the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 then the Acer Spin 3 is another amazing 2-in-1 laptop worth consideration.
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7 8565U Processor (Up to 4.6GHz)
- 14 inches Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED backlit IPS Multi Touch Convertible Display
- 16GB DDR4 Memory & 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Rechargeable Active Stylus; Thin 0.38 inches Bezel; Dual Front Facing Speakers; 802.11acWi Fi featuring 2x2 MU MIMO Technology
- Just 0.78 inches Thin, 3.75 pounds and Up to 12 Hours of Battery Life
One big advantage that it has over the Surface Pro 6 is that is it has a bigger 14-inch display. As far as the display quality goes, Surface Pro 6 has a slight advantage but nonetheless, Spin 3 will serve you well.
Apart from that, the Acer Spin 3 was released in 2019 whereas the Surface was released in 2018 which means with the Spin 3 you get a little more up-to-date laptop.
With the Acer Spin 3, you get a rechargeable stylus unlike with the Surface Pro 6 where the stylus needs to be purchased separately. Also, unlocking this laptop takes a mere 5 seconds thanks to the fingerprint scanner.
As for the performance, both the laptops have similar features in terms of RAM, graphics card, SSD storage, and processor. The only little difference is the fact that the Acer Spin 3’s processor turbo boosts to 4.5GHz compared to the 3.5GHz of the Surface Pro 6 giving it a slight edge.
Even the weight of the laptops is similar since the Spin 3 weighs around 1.7lbs but the bigger screen means it isn’t as compact.
Lastly, it features a decent webcam while it delivers a battery life of about 10-12 hours as well. In the end, the choice comes down to your budget and preference.
Acer Spin 3 will cost you around $100 less but if portability is a priority for you, the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is tailor-made for you and worth the few extra bucks.
#9: Acer Aspire 5 (Best on a Budget)
Do you not want to spend thousands of dollars on a laptop? If you have just entered the real estate business and do not have a large organization to manage, buying a cheaper laptop makes sense.
Our top budget pick for you is the Acer Aspire 5 and here’s what you need to know about it.
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual Core Processor (Up to 3.5GHz); 4GB DDR4 Memory; 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 15.6 inches full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS display; AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
- 1 USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, 2 USB 2.0 ports & 1 HDMI port with HDCP support
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Backlit Keyboard; Up to 7.5 hours battery life
Best Features
First and foremost, the laptop will cost you less than $500 but you cannot simply buy a laptop because of its low price, right? You still need to maintain a portfolio on it and run basic software.
You are probably wondering if going with an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor is the right choice. Guess what, for budget laptops, AMD processors are perfect. Not just because they are cheaper but also offer better performance than low-end Intel processors like M3 and so on.
This is because AMD processors come with more cores and thus some programs tend to run faster which is exactly what any business whether new or old needs.
Furthermore, supporting the processor are the 4GB RAM and the integrated Vega 3 Graphics card. Make no mistake, these won’t run professional software and suits but for beginners, they will work just fine.
Another spec that makes it such a favorite amongst buyers (we aren’t lying, it is #1 on Amazon) is the fact that you get the performance and durability boost that comes with an SSD at this low price.
Yes, the 128GB won’t be ample storage but performs better than most HDDs. Plus, you can always upgrade the storage when you run out of space. Similarly, you can also increase the RAM to boost performance.
Like the SSD, budget laptops are also cheap out on display quality but the Acer Aspire 5 is perfect for watching movies, displaying images, giving a presentation to clients, etc. as it has a large 15.6″ Full-HD display. Though outdoor display won’t be just as good due to low screen brightness.
The portability of the laptop is good as well. It weighs around 3.5lbs and gives a battery life of 7-8hrs which is good enough to last you an entire day without the need for recharging thus giving you the freedom to work from anywhere.
You can also turn the S Mode on. The S Mode offers you a lighter version of over 1000+ apps thus improving performance and reducing battery consumption.
Lastly, the backlit keyboard makes working at odd hours hassle-free and the keyboard does not feel cheap as it has good travel time and allows for quick typing without a hitch.
Drawbacks
Now while the S Mode is useful to many users, I doubt you will find any realtor software on it which means it isn’t of much use to a realtor. Though you can turn to it when you aren’t working.
Low specs mean the laptop cannot be used for any heavy work and will heat up if you run too many apps or have too many browser windows open.
Pros
- Costs less than $500
- The aluminum top cover provides good protection
- It comes with an SSD for better performance
- Decent 720P webcam for video calling
- It has a backlit keyboard
- You get a large 15.6″ Full-HD display
- The battery runs for a good 7-8hrs
- Weighs just 3.5lbs and thus easy to carry around
- Storage and RAM though low can be easily upgraded when needed
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy tasks
- S Mode is not very useful to realtors
- The plastic touchpad can feel a bit lose
- No USB-C port
- Screen brightness is low so display in the sun may not be as good
#10: Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
If you’re looking for a Chromebook, it doesn’t get any better than the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5. Chromebooks are another cheaper and reliable option for newbies in the real estate business especially if you were looking for something in the convertible type for better portability than the Acer Aspire 5.
Here’s why we recommend the Chromebook Flex 5.
- Touch Screen Type :Capacitive.Aspect Ratio:16:9
- Work from home, school, or anywhere with the outstanding combination of performance, connectivity, and entertainment enabled by 10th generation InteI Core processors. The Lenovo Flex 5 offers intelligent performance features that adapt to you for a personalized, intuitive, and responsive experience
- This 2-in-1 laptop combines a keyboard and touchscreen to make it easy to interact with everything on your display. You can also use the Lenovo digital pen (sold separately) to quickly write, click or drag files right on the screen
- The 13.3-inch FHD display in this slim, light 360° convertible Chromebook offers beautiful visuals, while narrow bezels minimize distractions. Two user-facing stereo speakers keep you immersed in the experience
- Use your Google account to easily access files, videos, music, and documents stored on the cloud from anywhere. With up to 10 hours of battery life, you'll stay productive
Best Features
To be upfront, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is one of the fastest Chromebooks on the block. It comes with the latest 10th Gen, i3-10110U which puts it leaps and bounds ahead of most Chromebooks and some Windows Laptops.
But that isn’t it.
Unlike many Chromebooks, this one does not have an eMMC memory. To top it all off, this Chromebook features an SSD which is faster than an eMMC. As for storage, 64GB is what most top Chromebooks come with while the cheaper ones have a 32GB eMMC which means you get ample storage.
Oh, and it is also a 2-in-1 Chromebook so you can use it in tent mode or as a tablet on days you are feeling lazy or while sending a last-minute email sitting on the Train or Subway.
Wait, there’ ‘s more.
This Chromebook also comes with a large 13-inch Full HD display. So it doesn’t just leave the competition behind in terms of performance but also display. Though the low brightness means it doesn’t perform as well in sunlight.
The Chromebook delivers a good 8-10hrs of battery life and when you do run out of battery it recharges quickly (yup, it takes less than 2hrs).
There is 1.4mm of travel between the keys is perfect if you spend 4-5hrs in a day typing. Plus, the keyboard is backlit which makes it easy to work on the laptop in the dark.
Unlike the Surface Pro 6, Acer Spin 3, or the Acer Aspire 5, this Chromebook features 1 USB-C port which means you can easily use the laptop to charge your mobile, Bluetooth speakers, earphones, etc.
And providing the icing on the cake is the fact that this Chromebook gives you all these benefits at less than $450.
Drawbacks
Well, there really isn’t much to fault about this laptop except the screen brightness.
Obviously being a Chromebook it won’t have the graphics capability to run games or the speed and power for heavy programs. But as far as Chromebooks and some other cheaper laptops go, this one is as close to perfection as any.
Plus, it runs on ChromeOS so a lot of the realtor apps won’t be compatible with it but there are quite a few that do run on ChromeOS, and that it is worth checking out thus answering the question are Chromebooks good for realtors.
Pros
- Available for less than $450
- Equipped with the latest 10th Gen, i3 processor for speedy performance
- Adding to that is the 64GB SSD that helps lower boot and app loading time
- Backlit keyboard
- The1.4mm travel time between keys is ideal for hectic typing work
- 8-10hrs of battery life
- Comes with 1 USB-C port allowing you to charge devices via it
- Features a good 13.3″ Full-HD IPS display
- It can easily be converted into a tablet or used in tent mode
- Weighs just 3lbs so carry it anywhere you want even in a handbag
Cons
- Some realtor apps may not be compatible with ChromeOS
- The display isn’t equally good when used outdoors due to low brightness
- Lacks the power to perform heavy tasks
What to consider when buying a laptop As A realtors
If you are a realtor or consider becoming one, you would need proper equipment so you can maximize your potential. Realtors often work from home or the office and their main tool is their laptop. As a realtor you have different types of tasks such as paperwork, finding clients, managing transactions, budgeting your money, prospecting, etc.
Whether adding listings to the MLS, drafting documents, working on spreadsheets, making video calls with your clients, or simply just checking your email, you need a laptop that can keep up with your pace. The components you should focus on the most are the CPU, the RAM, the storage, the display resolution, the GPU, as well as others.
CPU
CPU is the first and one of the most important things that you should consider when buying a laptop, especially if you are a realtor. As you will have lots of programs running at the same time and a very high number of tabs active in your browser you want a laptop to run smoothly and without any lags so you can make everything in time. You will have to choose between Intel and AMD, but this is your personal choice. If we talk about Intel, the best option is the Intel Core i7 as it can give you the best possible performance.
On the other hand, in the same league is the AMD Ryzen 7 and both will be a great choice. They both have a very large amount of cores (8) so you will be able to run lots of programs at the same time, with no problems. If you don’t want to spend that much money on CPU, there are one generation weaker options, Intel Core i5 and Ryzen 5 which will also be very good. Lastly, if you have a limited budget, you should look for Intel Core i3 and Ryzen 3. They both have 4 cores so you would need to care about the number of programs you are running at the same time. The recommendation is, that if you can afford it, you go with the 7th gen. because this is the component you should invest in the most.
RAM
After CPU, RAM is the second most important component that you should care about. When deciding which type of RAM and what size you should buy, there are the two most common choices. It’s either 8GB or 16GB of RAM. Everything above 16GB would just be a waste of money. Let’s be real, everything you can do with a 32GB memory, in this type of job, you can do with 16GB also.
The bar that it’s suggested not to go under is 8GB because it’s the least amount of size that can guarantee you won’t have any issues while working. If you go with 4GB you may experience lags and some problems. Talking about the memory speed you can go anywhere from 1600MHz to 3200 MHz, just make sure it’s a DDR4 type of RAM.
Storage
If we talk about storage the first decision you would need to make is whether will you go with an SSD or HDD type of storage. On average SSD can perform 5-20 times faster than the HDD and you can open your programs and browsers quicker. Also, with SSD you can turn on your laptop about 30s faster than with HDD, and if your main goal is saving time you should go with SSD.
The amount of storage you will get with SSD is from 256GB to 512GB. On the other hand, if that capacity is too small for you and you have lots of different files and documents that 512GB won’t be enough, you can go with some 1TB HDD but your laptop will be much slower. It’s always recommended you go with an SSD because as a realtor you prefer speed over capacity.
Display
As you will spend the most time in front of your screen, the thing you can’t neglect is a display. The main thing you should focus on is that your laptop has a full-HD display with IPS. That will allow you to see images and documents clearly and in their full size. You don’t need to worry about the refresh rate because your job is not based on videos and high-resolution graphics. You can go with a 120Hz option but it’s the addition you don’t really need and in most scenarios, you won’t even notice the difference with 60Hz. The size of your display should be between 13.3 and 15.6 inches.
GPU
GPU is the part that you should not worry about and you don’t need to invest in. Realtors don’t use high graphics programs so if your laptop has an integrated graphics processor (IGP) that should be more than enough. If you want to spend more on your laptop and sometimes at the break play some video game you can go with Dedicated GPU with 2GB VRAM but I would still recommend an Integrated GPU.
Other
The other thing you should consider is the battery life. You should look for laptops with high battery life (around 8 hours) but if you have to choose something lower you don’t want to go under 4 hours of battery life. However, your laptop will most of the time be on the charger, when you are at home or in your office, but for example, if you forgot your charger or need to finish some work at the café store, train, bus, etc. you would want higher battery life.
Last but not least is the operating system. You can go with both Windows and Mac but it’s advised to go with Windows, as its’ cheaper and there is no such difference in quality.
FAQs
Is a Chromebook good for real estate agents?
Chromebooks and ultralight “Netbooks” lack the processing power and memory needed to run certain programs that might be necessary for your work. Chromebooks might also have compatibility issues with these programs since it uses ChromeOS. You’re better off sticking to a business laptop like the Microsoft Surface Pro.
What computer programs do realtors use?
A realtor needs a variety of programs in their work, from a CRM system to handle leads and email software to calendar bookings designing programs. Not to mention a prospecting tool and home valuation software.
Do I need a laptop as a real estate agent?
No matter if you are a realtor or a businessman, the laptop is one of the most important things you must have. Realtors need a laptop because they are responsible for making transactions making work effective and easier for the buyer.
