Being a financial modeling professional, you can never compromise on your laptop. For snappy processing of immense amounts of data, you need a reliable machine. The laptop needs to have a little bit of everything, and by that I mean, you need to look for a decent display, a strong processor, a good battery life, and not to forget a convenient keypad.
Now looking for all those features in a single device can be daunting for some. If not that, it really is time-consuming. So to get past these problems, check out this list and find some of the best laptops for financial modeling.
Which are the best laptops for financial modeling?
1. HP 2021 Envy 17t-cg100
- Processor: 11th Gen. Intel Core i5
- Display: 17.3” FHD Touchscreen
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 64Gb
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Battery Life: 8 hours
This laptop comes with an 11th generation CPU, a Core i7 processor with four cores clockable up to 4.2GHz. It delivers a quick and smooth performance and allows multitasking without any interruptions.
Looking at spreadsheets and entering data for an unforgiving amount of time sure is a hard task, but a display like this one makes it a bit easier. The laptop features a 17.3” huge screen with a crisp display running at 1080p resolution.
On top of that, it is a multitouch-enabled, backlit screen that also adds to the aesthetics. The laptop is loaded with 64 GB RAM and a 1 TB Solid-state drive that ensures a break free performance without lags. Also, it provides ample storage for all the important files.
You can easily rely on the 8-hour battery life while on the go, however, I’m not sure carrying a 17-inch laptop around would be such a good idea. The laptop looks ridiculously classy overall and serves its purpose quite well.
Pros
- Strong processor
- Lag free performance
- Impressive display
Cons
- Slightly heavy
2. Lenovo Ideapad 3 2021
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5-5500U
- Display: 15.6” FHD
- Graphics: AMD Radeon 7
- RAM: 20GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: 11 Hours
A powerful laptop with lots of storage space? If that’s what you’re looking for, then you have to get your hands on this Ideapad 3 by Lenovo, upgraded with amazing specs.
The laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with six cores, making it a star in the performance. You can easily switch between different tasks or enjoy music while simultaneously working on the spreadsheet programs.
It offers a very appropriate size display at 15.6 inches. And the defining element of the display is its anti-glare feature that keeps your eyes stress-free during long working hours to a great extent. The screen resolution is quite crisp with saturated colors.
The AMD Radeon 7 graphic card is a cherry on top. This laptop is upgraded explicitly with a 20GB RAM and a 512 Gb SSD memory that provides you with a vast storage capacity and an improved overall performance for a various tasks.
The battery life of this laptop is again second to none. It can function wirelessly for up to 11 hours, so you rely on it for work all day.
Pros
- Long lasting battery
- Smooth keyboard
- Lightweight
Cons
- Design could’ve been better
3. 2021 Newest HP Laptop
- Processor: 11th Gen. Intel Core i5
- Display: 17.3” FHD
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 1 TB
- Battery Life: 9 hours
This one is a great unit for anyone who’s looking to get work done in a short time. The system boots up within seconds and allows you to get started with your tasks in no time.
It is equipped with an 11th generation core i5 processor with four cores and can be boosted up to 4.20GHz. The laptop delivers a snappy performance even with power-hungry applications. It can run multiple spreadsheet programs at once and allows a smooth data entry.
The laptop features a 17.3 inch full HD display with a crisp resolution power. The Intel Iris graphics are also apt for a laptop of this kind. Also, it is equipped with a separate numeric pad that comes in handy while working.
The 16 GB RAM paired with a huge 1 TB SSD storage leaves no room for any lags or freezing issues while you work. Overall, the laptop is constructed with a sleek and appealing design.
It is a fast machine and holds up to 9 hours with an intense performance.
Pros
- Lightweight for a 17″
- Stutter free performance
- Massive storage capacity
Cons
- Below average webcam
4. ASUS Zenbook 15
Processor: Intel Core i7
Display: 15” FHD
Graphics: GeForce Gtx 1650Ti
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Battery Life: 9 hours
If you’re in search of a premium device, then you sure wouldn’t mind spending more money and lay your hands on the ASUS Zenbook 15.
It is an incredibly powerful device equipped with a core i7 CPU which delivers phenomenal performance. It allows you to work at maximum potential without being interrupted by any lags.
The display of the laptop is pretty impressive, too, with its immersive nano edge FHD touchscreen. The ultra-slim bezel display has an 88% screen-to-body ratio that offers a very convenient screen view.
The GeForce Gtx 1650Ti graphic card delivers desktop-level performance and allows you to resort to gaming during breaks. The 16 GB Ram and 1 TB SSD memory are easily ample for your work needs.
The best part about this laptop is the Ergolift hinge to tilt the keyboard to an optimum typing angle. Moreover, the screen pad can be turned into a numeric pad for easy data entry.
Overall, the laptop is a powerhouse, and with its sleek design, it can fit into any business setting.
Pros
- Thin bezel display
- Powerful processor
- Intuitive design
Cons
- Average battery life
5. HP Pavilion x360
Processor: 11th Gen. Core i5
Display: 14-inch touchscreen
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Battery Life: 8 hours
Another 11th generation CPU with a Core i5 processor by HP is in a convertible design that allows you to use your device in 4 different modes.
The processor is powerful enough to run multiple programs at once and multitask effortlessly. You can browse multiple tabs or work on your data processing files, and this powerhouse won’t break a sweat.
The laptop features a 14” touch screen display, the optimal size if you want a portable device. The display is crisp and vibrant with sharp colors at 150 nits of brightness and crystal clear graphics.
The 8 GB RAM and 256Gb memory are quite average as well. But it still offers decent performance and enough storage space for your work files. The laptop is quite responsive and holds up well during intense tasks. All in all, the x360 convertible is a decent performer at an entry-level price.
Pros
- IPS display panel
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Effortless multitasking
Cons
- No backlit keyboard
6. Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
Display: 14″ FHD Touchscreen
Graphics: AMD Radeon
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 256 GB SSD
Battery Life: 9 hours
If you stay on the go a lot, then this laptop by Lenovo is a perfect option. It is super lightweight, portable, and offers a good battery life as well.
The Lenovo Flex 5 is loaded with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor that offers pretty decent performance. You can work all day without worrying about any crashes, lags, or unfortunate loss of data. It comes with Radeon mobile graphics, although I do believe that there was room for a better graphic card.
The full HD, 14-inch touchscreen comes with an IPS panel that offers a glare-free display. Also, the four-sided narrow bezel provides a fully immersive viewing experience on a high definition, vibrant, and crisp screen.
With 16GB DDR4 RAM and 256 Gb SSD memory, this laptop will serve you well. It can store a decent amount of data and offers faster processing and loading times.
This laptop offers functioning in 4 modes and boasts a sleek and durable design. Overall, it is a sufficiently capable and visually appealing device at an affordable price.
Pros
- Excellent keyboard
- Impressive build quality
- Premium design
Cons
- Mediocre trackpad quality
7. ASUS Vivobook 15
Processor: Intel Core i5
Display: 15.6” full HD
Graphics: Intel UHD
RAM: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB SSD
Battery Life: 7 hours
This laptop by Asus is a 10th generation device that comes with an Intel Core i5 CPU and a turbo boost up to 3.6 GHz. It is a reliable device for all your data processing tasks and has enough power to run multiple programs at once.
The laptop features an adequately sized screen. The 15.6 inches full HD display offers very clear and vibrant visuals. It has a sleek design with a smaller footprint—the four-way thin-bezel design delivers an 88% screen-to-body ratio.
The laptop is equipped with Intel UHD graphics that serve well for an entry-level device. This unit comes with an 8 Gb RAM capacity that makes the performance stutter-free and fast. The responsiveness is pretty impressive.
And the 512Gb SSD memory gives you ample space to store all the work-related files and more. The backlit keyboard is a plus point for this device. Additionally, the keyboard has a separate numeric pad with appropriate key travel. Overall, the laptop is lightweight, easy to carry around, and offers amazing performance.
Pros
- Enhanced typing position with Ergolift hinge
- Seamless viewing experience
- Snappy performance
Cons
- Display colors are not the best
8. Dell Inspiron 3000
Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N5030
Display: 15.6-inch
Graphics: Intel UHD
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB HDD
Battery Life: 8 hours
The Dell Inspiron 3000 is a decent entry-level device that’ll work fine for anyone looking for a basic work unit.
It is equipped with Intel Pentium Silver N5030, which is a pretty mediocre performing processor. However, as far as simple office tasks or moderate multitasking is concerned, the laptop holds up quite well. Web surfing on multiple tabs with non-intensive background apps is the limit for this device.
The display is also good in terms of its resolution. The 15.6 inch HD display is good enough for a work environment. But you cannot expect to serve you well beyond that. The colors, however, are vibrant and accurate.
The laptop is powered by 16 GB RAM to perform better despite having a mediocre processor. The 1 TB hard drive storage is sufficient for enormous amounts of data, and you really won’t need an upgrade.
To sum up, I’d say that the laptop is good for anyone looking for a basic device good for work but nothing else.
Pros
- Portable
- Decent battery life
- Affordable
Cons
- Not versatile
9. Acer Aspire 5 A515
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3
Display: 15.6-inch FHD
Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 6
RAM: 4 GB
Storage: 128 GB SSD
Battery Life: 10 hours
Fantastic battery life and a desktop-class performance in a sleek device are what the Acer Aspire 5 is all about.
It is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3 processor, which is quite powerful to serve all your data processing needs. It can perform multiple tasks at once, and also, you can browse endlessly without worrying about any lag issues.
The power can be boosted up to 3.6Ghz for intensive applications and multitasking. The AMD Radeon Vega 6 mobile graphics tend to serve quite well for a laptop of this kind. It has immersive visuals on its 15.6” display with an 82% screen-to-body ratio.
Other than that, this device is loaded with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD capacity. While the storage capacity may be ample for your work, I seriously think the RAM is a weak point for this laptop.
If you’re considering this laptop only for work, then go for it. It is a sleek and decent-performing device. For sub $400, this device is excellent.
Pros
- Very pocket friendly
- Performs more than well for a budget device
- Responsive
Cons
- Speakers are not good
10. 2019 Apple MacBook Pro
Processor: Intel Core i9
Display: 16″ Retina display
Graphics: Intel UHD 630
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 1 TB
Battery Life: 11 hours
Last but not least is the power-packed MacBook Pro. Now just a heads up that this device may be overkill if you’re only looking for a work unit. But if you’re interested in a lot more than that, this will be the best option for you.
The 16-inch retina display of this notebook will transform and create a big and beautiful workspace for you. The color gamut produces bright and true-to-life visuals with 500 nits of brightness. The blacks are truly black, and the highlights are great.
Financial modeling will be a piece of cake for this powerful Core i9 processor. With its eight-core processor, it effortlessly performs any work-related task and can retain stable and swift processing power for long hours.
This MacBook Pro comes with Intel UHD 630 graphics that offer a stutter-free video playback. Other than that, the 16 GB RAM and 1 TB of storage space make it a perfect workstation.
The keyboard is responsive and comfortable with minimum travel. The incredible battery life ensures an uninterrupted performance throughout the day.
Pros
- Exceptional display
- Robust build quality
- Extremely fast and responsive
Cons
- A bit heavy
Best Laptops For Financial Modeling: Buyer’s Guide
While you’re out there assessing the valuation of a business or project, you want to make sure to do it in the best way possible and simultaneously keeping yourself at ease as well. And for that, you need a robust and sufficiently powerful device that can suffice all those needs.
So here are a few features that should be of great concern to you while you’re purchasing yourself a laptop for financial modeling.
Processor
Firstly, your primary concern should be the processor of the laptop. You need neither an extremely power-packed device nor a sub-par performer. So what exactly is required?
Well, you can easily suffice with a 10th or 11th generation core i5 processor. Such processors can easily run multiple programs at once. They’re absolute stars in terms of multitasking. In short, there are no fatal flaws when it comes to a Core i5 CPU as far as financial modeling is concerned.
However, if you want your laptop to be more than a workstation, you should look for a core i7 or higher CPU. While a Core i5 is a budget option, you’ll need to spend more on a premium processor.
Display Size
Mostly, we tend to overlook the display of a laptop that’s meant to be used for work. However, that is a rookie mistake. You need to prioritize the display size you want.
Typically a 15 to 16 inches display is the most appropriate option no matter what the intended use. Also, these laptops are quite easy to carry around. You can host your work meetings on the go or complete your tasks while on a long journey.
But, if you need a bigger device, that is your call. But keep in mind that bigger devices are often not portable.
Other than that, an IPS display panel is a huge plus point for a work device that’s meant to be used for long hours. It minimizes eye strain and keeps you comfortable throughout the entire day.
Battery Life
No compromises can be made on the battery life of a workstation. Of course, if you need to work 8 to 10 hours on average per day, you do not want to bound yourself with a charger at all times.
Therefore, always look for a laptop with at least 8 hours of battery life. Since most of these laptops do not feature power-hungry specs such as top-tier graphics or an intensive CPU, you can easily expect a long battery from them.
Almost all laptops on this list boast an 8 to 10 hours wireless function, making them a great option for work.
Storage Capacity
Storing all the work files and keeping track of years-old data requires a laptop with sufficient and reliable storage. These days you’ll typically come across more SSD-type storage than a Hard disk drive. And that’s great.
Solid-state drives tend to store more data and render faster loading times as well as a quick boot up. And this means you can start working within no time. Anyway, an SSD memory of 256GB is often enough if you’re going to use the laptop only for work.
However, to be on the safe side, it is best to go for a 512GB device. Anything above that will be a plus point. In the case of a hard drive, you should go for a 512GB or 1 TB option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Laptop For Financial Modeling?
It’s hard to name one but the 2021 Newest HP laptop is a really appropriate option.
Which Is The Best Laptop For Business And Personal Use?
If you intend to use your laptop for both work and personal use then the 2019 Apple MacBook Pro will be your best bet.
What Laptops Do Investment Bankers Use?
Investment bankers use fast and responsive systems that can process huge amounts of data easily as well as allow multitasking. Laptops with a core i5 or higher CPU, a decent Ram and storage capacity are a must have for investment bankers.
Which Laptop Is Best For Bankers?
Well there are many great options out there in the market. However, the ASUS Zenbook 15, Lenovo Ideapad 3, and HP x360 are a few great options.