10 Best Laptops For Accountants In 2024 [Slim & Lightweight]

Updated On: 10/22/2023
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Staying on top of ever-changing finance software and managing large spreadsheets is no easy feat for an accountant. In these digital times, not having the right tools can make your day-to-day tasks slow and tedious.

That's where having the best laptops for accountants becomes crucial - their speed, efficiency, and reliability are just what you need to keep you ahead in the game.

In your search for the best laptops for accountants, several factors come into play. The industry-specific software you use, the need for multitasking, the battery life, and portability are a few considerations.

This list we have compiled features top-rated laptops that handle all these requirements with ease. The decision lies in your hands. As your guide, we are here to make sure you make an informed decision.

The 10 Best Laptops For Accountants In 2024

Now that we've introduced the growing importance of technology in the field of accounting, it's time to delve deeper. Therefore, we have curated a list of the ten best laptops for accountants in 2024, considering various factors like performance, cost-efficiency, durability, and users' recommendations.

IMAGE PRODUCT FEATURES BUTTON
Acer Aspire 5
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
  • Intel i5-1235U
  • Intel Iris Xe
  • 3.3 pounds
Dell Gaming G15
HP Pavilion 15
  • Intel i7-1255U
  • Intel Iris Xe
  • 3.86 pounds
Apple MacBook Pro
  • 8-core M2 Chip
  • 10-core GPU
  • 3.0 pounds
MacBook Air M1
Dell Inspiron 7420
  • Intel i7-12700H
  • Intel Iris Xe
  • 3.7 pounds
Lenovo ThinkPad X1
Acer Swift 3
  • Ryzen 7 5700U
  • AMD Radeon
  • 2.62 Pounds
ASUS Zenbook Business
  • Intel i5-1240P
  • Intel Iris Xe
  • 3.06 Pounds
Microsoft 12.3 Surface Pro
Acer Swift X
  • Ryzen 7 5800U
  • NVIDIA RTX 3050Ti
  • 3.31 pounds
Lenovo Yoga C740
ASUS ROG Flow Z13
  • Intel i5-12500H
  • Intel Iris Xe
  • 2.47 pounds
HP Notebook
Acer Nitro 5
  • Intel i7-12650H
  • NVIDIA RTX 4060
  • ‎5.51 pounds
LG gram
  • Intel i5-1240P
  • Intel Iris Xe
  • Intel Iris Xe

Keep reading to find out which laptop can take your accounting game to new heights. This is not just about finding a machine that works - it's about discovering the perfect partner in your professional journey.

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Arguably, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 stands as a pinnacle of quality when it comes to laptops for law students. The laptop doesn't just look stunning but also champions an unrivaled mix of elegance and performance.

From the moment you unbox this sleek device, you get this unstoppable sense of wonder. Weighing in at a mere 3.3 pounds, the Surface Pro 9 tucks neatly into your backpack, allowing you to effortlessly hustle from one class to another without breaking a sweat.

Its dynamic 13” PixelSense screen lets you flip through your tons of lectures and hefty case files with crispy, clear visuals and eye-popping contrast. Believe me when I tell you that working with color-crucial documents on this screen feels like a masterpiece gallery tour. True, every image is that crisp!

Powered by an Intel i5-1235U CPU coupled with the Intel Iris Xe Graphics card, this laptop purrs through your day-to-day tasks smoothly, like soft butter melting on hot toast. Large PDF? Multi-tab browser? You name it; performance hiccups are virtually unheard of with this trusty device.

The generous storage space EA whopping 512 GB SSDE is another heart-stealer, accommodating all your digital textbooks without making you bother about spring cleaning now and then.

However, I must admit that I did notice the slight downside of battery life despite its impressive performance in other areas. The battery life was less than ideal for those planning to pull off marathon study hours unplugged.

In addition, if you are not entirely pleased with buying online because of a few negative experiences regarding return policy and quality checks, keep in mind to only purchase from reputable sellers because product quality can sometimes be off-putting.

My Verdict

Now wrapping up my review on the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, having navigated my way through its exhilarating modern outlook to some inevitable less-than-impressive drawbacks, I could confidently say that it stands as an astonishing blend of performance and versatility wrapped in an aesthetically stunning frame.

Pros And Cons

2. HP Pavilion 15

Law school is grueling, and having the right tech support can make all the difference. One such technological ally is the HP Pavilion 15.

With its ample storage, robust processor, clean design, and more, it's certainly tailored to serve as your reliable sidekick through your law journey.

The first thing you'll notice about the HP Pavilion 15 is its sleek silver design. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how attractive this laptop looks in person. Yeah, it scores high on aesthetics!

But it's not all about looks with this one. Weighing just under 4 pounds, it's lightweight yet sturdy, making daily commute with this machine a breeze.

Yet another standout feature is the numeric keypad, a small but significant addition that definitely comes in handy more often than you'd think.

Also, to quickly access all those countless PDFs of case studies and notes without typing your password each time, there's an in-built fingerprint scanner as well. Neat!

Now, let's move to the core aspect - performance. Powered by an Intel i7 CPU coupled with 16GB of RAM, this laptop doesn't stutter or glitch when handling multiple tasks. Be it intense research sessions or last-minute essay marathons, it can take everything smoothly.

One tiny issue some users have experienced is occasional screen glitches - pixelized display for no apparent reason. But don't be alarmed! A quick system restart usually resolves it.

While my internet speed on this laptop has been consistent so far, few users have reported an inconsistent connection compared to their other devices, such as a smartphone. If you face a similar issue, I suggest reaching out to HP's support team for assistance.

My Verdict

All said and done, overall I found the HP Pavilion 15 great bang for the buck for law students indeed! It manages everyday tasks gracefully, provides enhanced security features, and, comes with a pocket-friendly price tag.

Pros And Cons

3. Apple MacBook Pro

First up on our list is the Apple MacBook Pro. This laptop has everything a law student needs. It's portable, reliable, and boasts plenty of power to tackle any task, be it a research paper or an important presentation.

The first thing that caught my attention when I used this laptop was its lightweight and sleek design. Weighing just 3.0 pounds, it easily fits in your backpack as you race from class to class or travel back home for the weekend.

The second impressive aspect of this laptop is its stunning 13.3'' LED screen, offering sharp visuals that are easy on the eye while churning the midnight oil. The beauty of this screen is complemented by a robust 10-core GPU, which makes graphics-intensive work such as video editing or heavy multitasking smooth as butter.

Let's not forget its beating heart - an 8-core M2 chip ensures quick processing speeds and smoother multitasking, which every law school student will appreciate in their chaotic academic life.

Storage is covered amply with a fast 256GB SSD to store all those hefty law textbooks securely and critical case study files with ease.

The novel touch bar took me by surprise. This intelligent feature adapts to what you are doing on your screen, offering icon shortcuts that streamline your work process whether you're typing a heated debate paper or merely web searching.

Despite being an absolute beast, the MacBook Pro made me visit Apple service centers twice due to unexpected glitches that arose during rigorous use. That was quite the inconvenience, given the demanding schedule I follow as a law student!

Beyond that hiccup, it's important to note that the steep price tag may not appeal to some students working within tight budgets.

My Verdict

In the final analysis, the MacBook Pro is a fantastic option nonetheless.

Yes, it's a bit pricy, and there were some pesky issues. Still, considering its remarkable features, robust performance, and the fact that it's so user-friendly and suitable for law school students, I'd say it's worth consideration.

Pros And Cons

4. Dell Inspiron 7420

The Dell Inspiron 7420 is a pretty solid machine that can potentially serve any law student valiantly.

What immediately hits you about this rig is the robust combination of Intel i7-12700H processor and 16GB DDR5 RAM, which ensures a smooth performance even as you traverse through fairly heavy programs, making it an excellent choice for everyday usage.

Looking at its storage capacity, the 1TB M.2 CL35 M.2 SSD allows plenty of space, so you don't have to constantly worry about your memory filling up. Your documents, research, videos, and images can be easily accommodated on this laptop.

This laptop’s screen is perfect if you prefer petite displays – it's a 14" 2.2K beauty! While some might find the screen slightly small for their liking, others might appreciate the sharp and compact display.

Don’t worry about carrying this laptop around all day either; tipping the scales at just 3.7 pounds makes it fairly lightweight for the daily commute between school and home.

The Dell Inspiron 7420 features several ports, including an audio jack, a Micro SD card reader, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, a power jack, an HDMI connector, and my personal favorite: a versatile Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C port.

You'll need to be mindful, though, because while I found the placement of some ports commendable (like the Thunderbolt), others (like USB-C close to the front) may restrict usability when used together.

The laptop-build springs up mixed thoughts one could conjure! For its price tag ($875), I was slightly disappointed by the plastic-ish feel of its chassis.

It did feel prone to scratches but amicably compensated with brilliant internal hardware quality compared to its peers in a similar price range.

Battery performance was somewhat middling - it's not something spectacular, but it does hold ground where essential! Yes - Windows 11 diligently helped us hate it a bit, but hey, that’s not really the laptop's fault.

My Verdict

In the end, it'll boil down what you seek as a law student - a powerful hardware-ridden everyday usage laptop or an aesthetically pleasing gadget with less gritty under the hood.

Pros And Cons

5. Acer Swift 3

If we're going to talk about laptops tailor-made for law students, the Acer Swift 3 undoubtedly deserves prime consideration. This laptop has an asking price of $677, which, considering the features it brings to the table, is really a steal.

To start with, the Acer Swift 3 sports a sleek metal design that gives it its characteristic premium look. With a weight of just 2.62 pounds and its slim form factor, it is one laptop that won't back down from being carted around the campus.

The screen of Acer Swift 3 is truly front-line - it comes with a full HD (FHD) resolution on a comfortably large 14'' display. Backed by AMD Radeon graphics card, you can expect lucid images and vibrant colors that will make your studies as well as entertainment delightful.

Talking about performance, this machine attracts power from a Ryzen 7 5700U CPU, which seamlessly synergizes with an impressive DDR4 RAM of 16GB size. Trust me when I say this - multitasking couldn't be any smoother!

The hardware also hosts substantial storage space - to be precise, you'll get an SSD space of 512GB for keeping your case files and research literature well organized, with ample room left for some movies or games.

When we look at connectivity options, there are two USB ports for lag-free data transfers. That's not all; there's also an HDMI port ready to protect your files on larger screens whenever required!

It's equally satisfying when we focus on its auditory characteristics as well. The speakers deliver quite clear sound thanks to their stereo formulation but may fall short in delivering punchy bass sounds for music enthusiasts.

My Verdict

Having used the Acer Swift 3 myself, I dare say that it scores well on many counts that law school students might look for. Its performance is top-notch; it has a nice display and ample storage space for all your files.

But be warned: should you face an issue with any part (in my case, the power cord), reaching out to customer service might not be as helpful as you'd expect.

In conclusion, while its downsides can't be totally brushed aside, it's safe to say that Acer Swift 3 does provide worthwhile features for its set price bracket that indeed summarizes its overall appeal.

Pros And Cons

6. ASUS Zenbook Business

The first laptop I want to talk about is the ASUS Zenbook Business. This sleek and powerful machine retails at a decent price considering the specs, just around $799. So, let's dive into an in-depth review of this perfect law school companion.

Starting with the basics, this laptop comes with an attention-grabbing 14" OLED screen. It brought vibrant color and detail in every presentation, case study, or documentary I watched on it – truly a delight for your eyes.

Its brain is the Intel i5-1240P processor, accompanied by Intel Iris Xe graphics - simply lightyears ahead of many competitors in this price range.

The combination of these specs ensures smooth performance even when running multiple heavy programs concurrently - a feature I practically live for during research-filled late nights.

The ASUS Zenbook Business houses 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage. That space is more than enough for all my files and software, plus it works super fast, which makes life on the go that much easier.

One key aspect I adore about this laptop is its plethora of ports - 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, an audio combo jack, HDMI 2.0 output, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port, and even a MicroSD card reader. They've got all bases covered!

It weighs around 3.06 pounds, which didn't seem like a burden at all when carrying it around campus – light enough not to break your back but sturdy sufficient to reassure you of its build quality.

Audio-wise, it excels too! With its two 2W Harman/Kardon speakers that yield fantastic audio clarity.

Talking about experience feedback; some users were delighted by its outstanding monitor quality and lightweight compared to rival MacBook Air. However, buyer beware! Despite some claims elsewhere – it isn’t touchscreen enabled.

On the other hand, though, a few users were left frustrated due to hardware failures and found the after-sales service less than helpful.

My Verdict

Overall, the ASUS Zenbook Business is an amazing option for law students. While issues with hardware reliability may raise some eyebrows, it's worth noting those are rare instances.

I can confidently say this laptop will handle all the tasks law school throws at you with grace. Its performance, sleek design, and portability make it one of the top contenders in its category.

Pros And Cons

7. Acer Swift X

Let's take a deep dive into the Acer Swift X. For just $799, this laptop offers an impressive array of features that could be especially appealable to law students.

With a 14" FHD screen, the Acer Swift X delivers clear, crisp visuals. It's powered by a Ryzen 7 5800U CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3050Ti Graphics, which ensure smooth performance.

What's really impressive is the 16GB LPDDR4 RAM and the substantial storage space offered by a 512GB SSD, so you won’t have to worry about running out of room for all your files and documents.

When it comes to ports, it features one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Port, which allows DisplayPort over USB Type-C & USB Charging, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and lastly, a 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone-in Jack.

Despite its lightweight- coming in at just 3.31 pounds, it manages to pack in two potent stereo speakers as well.

That being said, I have been using this laptop for the past year, and it has proven to be exceptional in diverse ways. The keyboard build quality is great, which augments my writing experience and thus would work perfectly for any law student mired in vast tracts of writing work.

However, keep in mind that you may require an additional cooling fan if you're into gaming, as laptops like these may tend to get hot after long sessions of gaming.

One thing worth noting, though - is that its RAM isn't upgradeable, even though you can add another SSD for additional storage.

Well! After my year of use with this laptop- every day has been satisfying. Merging both lightweight finesses with prolonged battery life -Acer Swift X turns out solid days.

But not everything about this laptop is perfect! Somewhere around my fifth month into using it, my USB-C port, which is my lifeline to other peripherals, stopped working. I also noticed a drop in battery life - from 7 hours down to 3-5 hours, which was inconvenient at best.

My Verdict

Looking at both sides of the coin, I'd say the Acer Swift X is an excellent option for law students who want a reliable and durable study companion. But be ready for potential hiccups along the way.

Pros And Cons

8. ASUS ROG Flow Z13

The Asus ROG Flow Z13, priced at $897, is a versatile and efficient laptop that perfectly blends style, speed, and substance. The 2-in-1 design of this model makes it both a high-functioning tablet and a compact laptop all in one.

My experience with the Asus ROG Flow Z13 has been overwhelmingly positive. The keyboard's backlit feature and responsive keys made it quite user-friendly during late-night study sessions or early-morning classes - trust me when I say this helped save some precious time.

The vibrant touchscreen aligned perfectly with my study needs as I found myself switching between video lectures, research papers, and typing assignments seamlessly.

Fast shipping is noteworthy from Amazon.com without extra charges to Canada, which was a sweet deal! Out of the box, it did need to update Windows. This small hiccup was easily resolved once I uninstalled McAfee antivirus by seeing it quarantining the exe files, causing update failures.

While its Intel Iris Xe Graphics is impressive for basic games, it may disappoint if you're planning on running graphics-heavy programs.

Unfortunately, every product has its less-than-stellar moments as well. Some unlucky users seem to have received used units, unfortunately, with dirty screens and with pre-existing users on the system. This clearly led to a negative shopping experience, trying to juggle between Amazon and Asus for resolution.

In addition to those issues, others reported problems with the battery failing to charge, causing significant inconvenience.

Some users reported problematic batteries within just two weeks of purchase - forcing them to plug in constantly, which makes it tougher for law students who often need their laptops on the go.

My Verdict

For me, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has proven itself to deserve a place in the top 10 list of best laptops for law school students. However, those considering this laptop should also be aware of possible customer service and product quality issues.

Pros And Cons

9. Acer Nitro 5

This beefy, sleek powerhouse of a machine known as the Acer Nitro 5 is my first pick for law students in 2024. With its 15.6" FHD screen, Intel i7-12650H CPU, and NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics, it's a dream come true for anyone in need of a performance-oriented laptop.

Let's talk about the performance first. The Acer Nitro 5 boasts a robust Intel i7-12650H CPU coupled with an impressive NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card; this combination ensured that all my tasks ran smoothly without any stuttering or lag. Whether I was browsing through complex legal documents or taking a break with Baulder's Gate 3 or Age of Empires IV, this device didn't bat an eye. It has proven to be quite an impressive performer even at high gaming settings, which speaks volumes about its processing prowess.

Moving on to the storage and memory department - this laptop has got you covered with a whooping 16GB DDR5 RAM and an ultra-fast 1TB Gen 4 SSD storage. Loading up hefty case files or multitasking between multiple applications was smooth as silk.

The plethora of ports (1 x USB Type-C Port USB 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 4, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Port, and more) mean connecting any peripheral is never an issue; plus, it has Ethernet (RJ-45) for those who prefer wired connections.

I would also like to mention how fantastic the audio sounds through the Dolby-powered speakers; law lectures never sounded so good!

However, not everything is perfect about this laptop; one user reported that his laptop stopped working after five months due to what sounded like a capacitor blowing out.

A significant downside to note here is that Acer's customer service seems challenging when trying to resolve such issues, especially for those residing outside of the U.S. This is indeed frustrating when you've dropped $1,196 on a laptop, which is quite the investment.

My Verdict

Overall, though, despite some service snags, I still firmly believe that the Acer Nitro 5's robust performance and list of high-end features make it one of the best laptops available for law students in 2024.

Pros And Cons

10. LG gram

Let's dive deep into what the LG Gram brings to the table and how it can be your ideal partner during your law school journey.

Equipped with a 14'' WUXGA screen, the LG Gram ensures crisp detail on everything displayed on its screen. Its terrific resolution enables you to work on your assignments and case studies without straining your eyes.

I found it particularly useful while scrutinizing minute details in 3:2 photos without annoying black strips ruining my view. When compared to my older Dell 15.6, the display size is slightly smaller but trumps in detail and vividness with brilliant SRGB.

The light aluminum exterior combined with a magnesium skin doesn’t just amp up its sleek appeal but also makes it an extremely lightweight marvel. Weighing at a mere 2.2 pounds, this laptop was a breeze to carry around, along with my heavy law books.

A robust machine under the hood, powered by an Intel i5-1240P CPU and coupled with a generous 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, multitasking during intense study sessions was effortless.

Thanks to the Iris graphics card's prowess, I experienced smooth performance when running resource-intensive apps like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for editing images for presentations.

Of course, we couldn't overlook a feature that adds a fantastic touch of convenience - its backlit keyboard, which saves me from hunting for keys during those long night study sprints.

But where this device shines is its phenomenal battery life that conveniently tosses out the constant worry of carrying bulky chargers.

However, like all electronic devices, they come with their own set of bothersome quirks – I did observe slight inconsistencies with the CPU performance, leading to infrequent system-hanging episodes on my console.

The limited number of ports demands you rely on either wireless connectivity or a USB dongle extension for adding peripherals like your Ethernet, SD cards, or mouse. Also, the unit I received had fingerprint marks right out of the box, which was slightly off-putting.

My Verdict

For law students seeking a blend of flawless performance, longevity, and portability, the LG Gram surely delivers. Battery life and screen quality are noteworthy highlights, but do tread carefully with its limited ports and inconsistent CPU performance.

Pros And Cons

Specs To Look At While Buying A Laptop For Accountant

There are a few specs that you should always look for when buying laptops for accountants. The most important specs to consider are discussed below.

CPU

The processor is one of the most important parts of a laptop. It represents your device's brainpower and determines how fast it can complete tasks.

You'll want to get an accountancy-specific model with high processing power so you don't have any slowdowns while working on accountancy software or number crunching in general.

RAM

Memory capacity is another extremely important aspect for accountants because more RAM means programs will open faster and run smoothly without freezing up mid-task.

When choosing what type of memory you should buy for accountants, look at DDR speed (DDR stands for "double data rate"), which refers to the clock speed that DRAM runs at on each pin - higher numbers are better here.

Storage

Accountants need plenty of storage space to keep all their files, so a laptop with a large hard drive is essential.

You'll also want to look for an SSD (solid-state drive) as opposed to a regular HDD (hard disk drive). An SSD will offer much faster loading times for your programs and files, which can come in handy when you're working under tight deadlines.

Operating System

Windows or Mac? That is the question many accountants face when they are shopping for a new laptop.

While some accounting software packages are exclusive to one platform or another, most accountancy software programs are available on both operating systems.

If you're undecided about what system to choose, it might be helpful to go with the one that most of your accountancy software is available on.

Battery Life

You'll want a laptop with long battery life if you're an accountant who often has to work away from an outlet.

Accounting can be a very time-consuming job, so you must have a machine that will last through those long days in the office or out of on-site visits.

Screen Size

The size of the screen also matters when choosing a laptop for accountants. Larger screens make it easier to see all the information on your screen at once, which can come in handy when reviewing financial reports or filling out tax forms.

However, keep in mind that larger screens usually mean heavier laptops, so you'll need to decide what's more important to you - a big screen or a lightweight device.

Keyboard

A good keyboard is important for accountants, as they often have to type in a lot of numbers and financial information. Make sure the laptop you choose has a well-spaced and responsive keyboard so you don't make any mistakes while entering data.

Webcam

Many accountants do video conferencing with clients or coworkers, so your new laptop must have a built-in webcam.

This way, you'll be able to easily participate in meetings without having to worry about bringing an extra piece of equipment with you.

Touchpad

A responsive touchpad is a must-have for accountants, as they often need to use gestures to navigate around their software.

Look for a touchpad that's large enough to fit your hands easily and has a smooth surface so you can glide your fingers across it without any problems.

Ports

Your accountancy laptop should have a variety of ports to connect both old and new devices. Make sure your accountancy-specific model has plenty of USB, HDMI, Ethernet In/Out, as well as VGA connectivity so you can hook up all the peripherals that you need for maximum productivity.

Memory Card Slots

Memory card slots are great if accountants often work with large files or want an easy way to transfer photos from their camera onto their computer without using a cord.

If not having these types of slots on the side of your device is going to be a hassle for you, it might be helpful to upgrade at checkout so you don't have any problems working away from home or out in the field while you're on the job.

Connectivity

Make sure the accountancy laptop you choose has strong connectivity options so you can stay connected even if you're in a remote area.

Look for models that come with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, as well as LTE support, so you'll always be able to get your work done, no matter where you are.

Weight

If you don't want to lug around a heavy accountancy laptop, it might be helpful to choose one that's lightweight. Many accountants work with their laptops off-site or on the go, so having something light enough for easy transportation is important if your device will spend most of its time in transit.

Bonus Features

Accountants also want plenty of bonus features like backlit keyboards and touchscreens that will make their lives easier when working away from the office at all hours of the night.

If accountancy software doesn't come preinstalled on your laptop, look for one with Microsoft's suite included for maximum compatibility - this way, you won't have to worry about any software issues when working on your files.

Conclusion

All these laptops are great for accountants and finance professionals who need a powerful device that can handle heavy accountancy programs such as Microsoft Excel and Adobe Acrobat Pro but still want the portability of a tablet.

They come with the latest features, such as an Intel Core i-series processor, an Ample amount of RAM and storage, and ports.

We recommend you read about all the laptops so that you can make the best purchase for your needs.

After growing up in Germany I decided to take a brief break from entrepreneurship to study in the US. This led to meeting my beautiful wife and starting our life together in South Carolina. Written content has transformed my life. I enjoy sharing this passion with others. Please connect with me on social and let me know your thoughts on this article so my next one can be better.

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