Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Overall Mobile Workstation for Most Buyers
Dell Precision 5690
Pros & Cons
Stunning 4K OLED touch screen
Blazing performance for its size
Elegant build with snappy keyboard
Not quite as fast or expandable as heavier rivals
No USB-A ports or webcam shutter
Mega expensive, as most mobile workstations are
Why We Picked It
Today’s best workstation for most professional users is the Dell Precision 5690. This beastly machine flaunts AI-enhanced Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processing and a potent Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada GPU but keeps its weight under five pounds. The 16-inch laptop’s feature set is nearly as impressive as its high-powered hardware: It has an outstanding 4K OLED touch screen, snappy keyboard, and capable connectivity with Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and Wi-Fi 7. Its portability makes the Precision suitable for on-the-go professionals, but raw power propels it to the top of our list.
Who It’s For
This one’s for design, engineering, and scientific professionals who need power and portability but still want some visual real estate. They’ll appreciate the spacious 4K OLED panel and comfortable keyboard, as well as the reasonable carry weight. But the real selling point here is sheer horsepower (which, as with virtually all workstations, costs a pretty penny).
Specs & Configurations
Class
Workstation
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada
Graphics Memory
16 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.87 by 13.9 by 9.5 inches
Weight
4.46 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:11
Learn More
Dell Precision 5690 Review
Best Workstation Laptop for Cost-No-Object Power
HP ZBook Fury 16 G11
Pros & Cons
Monumental power and expandability
Gorgeous DreamColor display
Top-notch connectivity
HP Wolf Security sets the standard
Heavy in a briefcase
Even heavier on your budget
Awkward cursor control keys
Why We Picked It
The HP ZBook Fury 16 G11 offers monumental power, thanks to an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and Nvidia RTX 3500 Ada GPU, making this the one of the top mobile workstations we’ve tested. It’s super expandable, too, with up to 128GB of RAM and 16TB of storage to match the CPU’s 32 processing threads. The giant 16-inch HP DreamColor display is professional grade, with superb color accuracy, 4K detail, and 120Hz refresh rate; as well as Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. As an ultra-expandable, cost-is-no-object powerhouse, the HP ZBook Fury 16 G11 is the workstation to beat.
Who it’s For
If money is no object, HP’s ZBook Fury 16 G11 is the answer. It’s perfect for CGI rendering, engineering, and data analysis jobs that require top-tier performance. We’ve long considered HP’s DreamColor panels a must-have for color-critical work, and the ZBook’s build quality is tough enough to let you take the laptop on the road. This is a high-end mobile workstation for unparalleled performance if you don’t mind some bulk and lackluster battery life.
Specs & Configurations
Class
Workstation, Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core i9-14900HX
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
Dynamic
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia RTX 3500 Ada
Graphics Memory
12 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
1.13 by 14.3 by 9.8 inches
Weight
5.3 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
8:22
Learn More
HP ZBook Fury 16 G11 Review
Best Workstation Laptop for Balancing Power and Portability
Dell Precision 5490
Pros & Cons
Peppy performance for its size
Long battery life
Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
Impressive speakers
Only Thunderbolt 4 ports
RAM can’t be upgraded
Just a 720p webcam
Expensive
Why We Picked It
When portability is a peak concern, we recommend the Dell Precision 5490. This slimline’s AI-ready CPU and Nvidia RTX 3000 Ada professional graphics deliver performance that’s surprisingly potent for the laptop’s 14-inch size, making it suitable for demanding tasks on the go. Long battery life ensures extended use when there’s no AC outlet around, and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad improve the experience during long work sessions. Enterprise-ready features like Intel vPro remote management and ISV certifications are essential, and the speakers provide high-quality audio for presentations and media.
Who It’s For
This 14-incher is for professionals who need a powerful yet portable workstation for fieldwork and who won’t be hemmed in by the relatively compact display. It has ample performance when it counts, but puts the emphasis on long battery life and easy portability.
Specs & Configurations
Class
Workstation
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia RTX 3000 Ada
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11be, Bluetooth 5.4
Dimensions (HWD)
0.75 by 12.2 by 8.3 inches
Weight
3.29 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
14:48
Learn More
Dell Precision 5490 Review
Best Overall Mac Workstation Laptop
Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch (2023, M3 Max)
Pros & Cons
Fiery M3 Max processor
Beautiful Liquid Retina XDR display
Ample configuration options
Abundant ports and connectivity
Superb battery life
Expensive, particularly for higher configurations
Inconsistent GPU performance in testing
No touch screen
Why We Picked It
Workstations aren’t limited to Windows and Linux, and one of our favorites is the potent 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro, powered by a fiery M3 Max processor that delivers exceptional performance for demanding tasks. Apple’s unique take on graphics—technically integrated but delivering workstation-grade power—drives the Pro’s top-tier performance. Pair that with a Liquid Retina XDR display that produces stunning visuals and vibrant colors, as well as versatile connectivity, and you’ve got a superb Mac workstation—even before you consider the nearly 28 hours of battery life. It costs a fortune, but this is legitimately the most powerful MacBook Apple makes.
Who It’s For
The 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2023, M3 Max) is built for pros in media creation, data science, engineering, or animation. Whatever the use, buyers who need a robust, reliable laptop for professional use will find the muscle they need in this MacBook Pro. Just be ready to dig deep into your wallet for it (our test unit rang up at an eye-watering $7,199).
Specs & Configurations
Class
Workstation, Desktop Replacement
Processor
Apple M3 Max
RAM (as Tested)
128 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
8 TB
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size
16.2 inches
Native Display Resolution
3456 by 2234
Panel Technology
Mini LED
Variable Refresh Support
ProMotion
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Apple M3 Max (40-core GPU)
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.66 by 14 by 9.8 inches
Weight
4.8 lbs
Operating System
Apple macOS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
27:53
Learn More
Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch (2023, M3 Max) Review
Best Compact Mac Workstation Laptop
Apple MacBook Pro 14-Inch (2023, M3 Pro)
Pros & Cons
Leading M3 Pro performance
Astonishing 30-hour battery life
Snappy keyboard and excellent trackpad
Many helpful connections
Premium all-metal construction
New finish and color options
Too heavy for easy portability
Configuration prices balloon quickly
No touch screen
Why We Picked It
Like its Windows competitors, Apple offers both 16-inch desktop replacements and grab-and-go 14-inch workstations. It’s not as powerful as the kaiju-class M3 Max-powered model, but the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro is still a potent force. The Apple silicon inside delivers exceptional power for data crunching and multimedia creation, and the astonishing 30-hour battery life allows for the longest workflows. The slim all-metal MacBook design is appealing, but we loved the snappy keyboard and excellent touchpad even more. And if you want personal appeal, you can choose from three colors.
Who It’s For
This powerful but compact MacBook is for media content creation, editing, and design. It’s built for pros who need a powerful yet portable workstation in the Apple ecosystem. Creatives and professionals who want premium build quality without the bulk of larger models can enjoy formidable power, an excellent feature set, and remarkable battery life.
Specs & Configurations
Class
Workstation
Processor
Apple M3 Pro
RAM (as Tested)
18 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size
14.2 inches
Native Display Resolution
3024 by 1964
Panel Technology
Mini LED
Variable Refresh Support
ProMotion
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Apple M3 Pro (14-core)
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.61 by 12.3 by 8.7 inches
Weight
3.5 lbs
Operating System
Apple macOS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
30:27
Learn More
Apple MacBook Pro 14-Inch (2023, M3 Pro) Review
Best Thin-and-Light Workstation Laptop
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6
Pros & Cons
Extreme processing and graphics power
Gorgeous 4K OLED touch screen
Splendid keyboard
Choice of pro or gaming Nvidia GPUs
No Ethernet port
ECC memory not available
Expensive
Why We Picked It
Another ideal portability-first workstation is the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6, which packs the extreme level of processing and graphics power you need for the toughest applications. A gorgeous 4K OLED touch screen enhances the experience, and Lenovo’s best-in-class keyboard stands out, providing excellent comfort for longer work sessions. At just 3.92 pounds, this thin and light 16-incher is hard to pass up.
Who It’s For
Plenty of users need high-performance power for design, rendering, engineering, and data science, but this one is for pros who need that power to go, moving between the office and the field or client sites without sacrificing a plus-sized screen. This mobile workstation delivers top-tier performance in a surprisingly light and portable design.
Specs & Configurations
Class
Workstation, Business
Processor
Intel Core i7-13800H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
3840 by 2400
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
12 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.68 by 14.2 by 10 inches
Weight
3.92 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
8:55
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 Review
Best Compact Content Creation Workstation
MSI Stealth 14 Studio
Pros & Cons
Competitive performance in creative apps
Totable 14-inch size
Stunning 16:10 display
Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI connectivity
Flashy RGB effects
Fans are loud when maxed out
Short battery life
Just a 720p webcam
No SD card reader
Why We Picked It
You may need workstation-class power for content creation, but maybe not all of the industrial certifications and corporate-friendly features. For creative entrepreneurs and solo flyers, we recommend MSI’s Stealth 14 Studio, which combines an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 laptop GPU, a hefty Intel Core i7-13700H processor, and a 2,560-by-1,600-pixel IPS screen that provides excellent visual quality for editing and design work. It even has some gaming flair, with RGB effects adding a modern aesthetic appeal to the laptop. But this loadout isn’t for leisure time; it’s all about providing the power for top-tier media creation.
Who It’s For
This retooled gaming rig is built for content creators who frequently travel and need a powerful yet compact workstation. It’s precisely what pros need for video editing, graphic design, and other creative fields, all in a trim and lightweight package.
Specs & Configurations
Class
Workstation, Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i7-13700H
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
WVA
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.75 by 12.4 by 9.7 inches
Weight
3.75 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
3:22
Learn More
MSI Stealth 14 Studio Review
Buying Guide: The Best Mobile Workstations for 2024
Buying Basics: Mobile WorkstationsMobile workstations like HP’s ZBook, Dell’s Precision, and Lenovo’s ThinkPad P series are expensive but highly valued by professionals in fields such as computer-aided design (CAD), architecture, engineering, video editing and post-production, 3D rendering and animation, virtual reality, and oil and gas exploration. These laptops are built for reliability and are overkill for basic office tasks but excel in handling complex tasks like CGI effects. Additionally, ISV certifications ensure that mobile workstations are optimized for specific software applications, making them ideal for professionals who rely on programs like SolidWorks.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
For most laptop users, a mobile workstation is unnecessary. For example, if you just need a system for everyday or perhaps prosumer video editing, you’ll find consumer models that use powerful combinations of CPU and GPU to handle demanding media workloads. However, if you work in one of the mentioned professional fields or require extensive calculations and graphics processing, investing in a mobile workstation can be justified and elevate your productivity to elite levels.Let’s look at which components are essential in a mobile workstation.CPU and RAM. The rule of thumb here is to buy all the processing power you can afford. In the pro mobile workstation market, workstation-grade CPUs are an investment. Whether it’s the most powerful Core i9 or Core Ultra 9 chips from Intel, Apple’s M3 Pro and Max CPUs, or AMD’s best Ryzen processors, what you spend is proportional to the power you get.
(Credit: Brian Westover)
While plenty of good gaming laptops, as long as they have a fast graphics card, can make do with a Core i5, mobile workstation shoppers should head straight for a Core i7 or Core i9 with as many cores and threads as are available. Here, you’ll want to look at the specific software that you mean to run on the machine for recommendations about what grade of CPU the vendor deems ideal.A few entry-level machines meant more for showing finished renderings to clients (or the boss) rather than producing the renderings themselves, feature quad-core processors. But most mobile workstations rely on beefy six-core-or-more CPUs teamed with plenty of memory—16GB is a minimum, with 32GB common and 128GB a popular ceiling. Again, your software’s suggested requirements should be your guide, but erring on the side of “more” here, especially for demanding applications, is a safe mistake to make. Again, let the software makers’ recommendations be your guide.Some (but not all) workstation configurations support server-style error correcting code (ECC) memory, which can detect and fix single-bit memory errors. ECC DRAM is a mainstay in financial or scientific computing applications, where even the slightest internal data corruption cannot be permitted. That said, a requirement for ECC RAM is outside the mainstream for most ISV apps.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
GPU and Display. As with gaming laptops, all but a handful of mobile workstations draw on the speed and strength of a dedicated or discrete graphics adapter rather than the integrated graphics built into the CPU. Nvidia’s professional mobile graphics chips have traditionally been found under its Quadro brand; AMD’s (seldom seen in mobile workstations these days) are called Radeon Pro (formerly FirePro). In 2021, Nvidia retired the Quadro name in favor of the A series and RTX Ada series, with chips like the lower-end Nvidia A2000 or high-end RTX A6000.Though built to optimize different operations, mobile workstation GPUs give nothing away to consumer or gaming GPUs, like Nvidia’s GeForce line or AMD’s Radeon products. The current top workstation mobile GPU, the Nvidia RTX 5000 Ada Generation, is on par with the mobile GeForce RTX 4090 GPU but with business-ready, mission-critical ISV certification.Mobile workstations may prioritize power, but they still follow some larger trends in laptop design. Specifically, most current models have adopted a taller 16:10 aspect ratio, providing more screen space than past 16:9 panels. As a result, you’ll also find that workstations are moving toward 16-inch models, with a few beefier 18-inch systems that are gaming/workstation crossovers and almost exclusively for stationary use and a growing number of 14-inch systems that provide thinner, lightweight designs for better portability. As a general rule, you give up some performance in the name of portability (and vice versa).
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Screen resolutions have also changed slightly. While Full HD and 4K panels are quite common, they have been updated with the move to 16:10 aspect ratios. Full HD becomes 1,920 by 1,200 pixels instead of 1,920 by 1,080, and screens with 4K capability display 3,840 by 2,400 pixels instead of the 3,840 by 2,160 you might know from 4K TVs. Many mobile workstations fall in between, with better-than-FHD resolutions that may not reach 4K but still provide high resolution for work in which high detail and clarity matter.Color management—making sure that what you see on screen exactly matches a finished product—is often important for the kinds of tasks expected of a high-end mobile workstation. Screens such as HP’s factory-calibrated DreamColor displays come with software that lets you choose the internet’s sRGB, print’s Adobe RGB, or cinema’s DCI-P3 palettes or color spaces. Some Lenovo systems go further with Pantone color calibrators on board: You select a white point (typically D65 for photography or D50 for prepress and graphic design) and gamma (tone response) value, then close the lid, which puts the screen against a palm-rest sensor. A few seconds later, an audible tone indicates that the calibrator has done its work.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Storage and Extras. Mobile workstation owners work with massive data files, so mobile workstations need ample storage. That typically means one or more M.2 solid-state drives, with capacities ranging from 512GB up to several terabytes per drive, and some larger machines offering more than one M.2 slot. Given how often workstation users work with larger, data-intensive projects, we recommend at least 1TB of storage from any system you’re considering.For still more storage capacity, nowadays we don’t consider a new-model workstation worthy of the name unless it has at least one Thunderbolt 4 port for high-speed connection to external drives and RAID arrays, as well as single or multiple high-resolution displays. If Thunderbolt’s daisy-chaining connectivity is too much of an investment for you, a growing number of desktop docking stations use the technology to provide one-plug access to ports aplenty.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Finally, note the touchpad located in the palm rest south of the space bar. Many CAD and other workstation apps can use three mouse buttons, so it’s worth checking to see whether a system has a middle button instead of only the usual two.Who Are the Major Players in Workstation Laptops?You’ll find several big names in the mobile workstation market, and most will be familiar to any laptop shopper: Dell, HP, and Lenovo have an outsized presence in our list of the best systems, but we’ve also seen competitive workstation models from Apple and MSI. Model lines to watch for include the Apple MacBook Pro, Dell Precision, HP ZBook, Lenovo ThinkPad P-series, and MSI CreatorPro. All have what we consider to be the three must-haves for any workstation: a high-end CPU chipset, a powerful discrete GPU or equivalent graphics capability, and ISV certification. This pretty clearly separates mobile workstations from generic office laptops, which may be casually called workstations (as in “a computer for work”), but aren’t equipped to handle the demanding workloads of data analysis, 3D rendering, and media creation that mobile workstation machines are built for.Take note of an up-and-coming concept in the workstation world: a more generic GPU driver that is built around maximizing compatibility with creative apps. Nvidia is already doing this with its Nvidia Studio Driver, which works on both GeForce and A-series GPUs. The driver doesn’t offer guaranteed compatibility such as ISV certifications, but is tested against creative software from popular vendors. (You’ll find a list of apps on the driver download page.) We’re seeing an emerging class of near-workstation Studio laptops hitting the market.So, Which Workstation Laptop Should I Get?We’ve mapped out the specs of our top picks above in a handy chart below. Don’t need quite as much power as these workstation beasts deliver? Also, check out our roundup of the top business laptops and our overall roundup of the best laptops.
