If you were wondering which are the best laptops for telehealth professionals, then you’re in luck. This detailed guide will help you pick and choose the best laptop for your telehealth career and ensure that your patients will have no problems booking and availing a telehealth appointment with you.
‘What is telehealth’ you may ask? Telehealth is the practice of providing healthcare services using communications technology. Due to the restrictions brought by the pandemic, remote accessibility has been a requisite for all industries, including the healthcare sector.
This resulted in many healthcare facilities and private practitioners optimizing their telehealth services. But many find themselves flustered in choosing the best laptops to use for telecommunications.
Choosing the best laptop requires many considerations. While the basic telehealth appointment requires a high-quality camera and a good internet service, you’d want a laptop with a good processor, an adequate display size, and a good battery life to be able to provide high-quality telehealth services.
There are many fitting laptops for every situation and we’re going to list down some options that you may want to consider purchasing.
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Apple MacBook Pro M1
PROS
- Fast processor
- Good battery life
- Amazing camera and display
- Lightweight and portable
CONS
- Some programs may not be compatible with Apple OS
- No expandable memory
- Old model
Most professionals can’t go wrong with the Apple MacBook Pro M1. Released in 2021, it boasts a powerful M1 chip, i7 Processor, 10-core GPU, 16 GB Ram, and 512 GB SSD. Its popularity stems from its durability and reliability. Made with high-quality aluminum, Apple M1 is still the most premium choice for telehealth appointments, which can run for hours without slowing down. Its sleek and lightweight features make it the portable choice. The 16-inch retina display enables a vibrant and colorful screen, with at least 10 hours of battery life. This laptop is still the most sought model for telehealth professionals.
If you’re willing to wait, Apple just announced a new MacBook M2, which is already available for pre-order. This new model boasts better battery life and display which may be to your liking.
Apple MacBook Pro M1
Dell XPS 13
PROS
- Beautiful design
- Powerhouse laptop
- Light and portable
- Touchscreen
CONS
- Not as powerful as a MacBook
When you’re not used to the Apple ecosystem, it may be difficult for you to navigate the software. Consider Windows laptops like Dell XPS 13 instead.
Don’t be fooled by its sleek appearance, the Dell XPS 13 is a powerhouse and is one of the best laptops for telehealth. It comes with Intel Core i7-1195G7 and with base models starting at 8 GB Ram and 512 SDD. These can reach up to 32 GB Ram and 2 TB SDD if you have the budget. The 13.4-inch FHD+ display and Intel Iris Xe graphics are also worth noting, allowing for crisp and clear pictures on the screen. This laptop enables you to perform multiple tasks without issues, and it can certainly be used for your home and entertainment purposes.
Dell XPS 13
Asus ZenBook Flip S13
PROS
- Durable aluminum alloy build
- Portable, thin, lightweight
- 4K OLED Display
CONS
- Graphics card not may not be powerful for newer games
If you want portability, then look no further than the Asus ZenBook Flip 13. Loaded with an HD OLED Screen for vibrant color display, the Asus ZenBook Flip S13 is perfect for professionals on the go. Ultra-thin and ultra-light, Asus calls it ‘the world’s slimmest laptop’ with a 13.3-inch touchscreen compatible display. Its compact design makes it attractive for telehealth professionals who are always on the move. Performance specs include Intel Quad-Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and 1 TB SSD storage. This ultrathin laptop can conduct telehealth appointments wherever you are. Its flexibility allows it to function as a notebook, perfect for documentation and reading.
Asus ZenBook Flip S13
Dell Inspiron 13 5310
PROS
- Stylish design
- Powerful performance
CONS
- Few ports
- Mousepad design
The Dell Inspiron 13 is probably one of the most stylish laptops for telehealth. With a silver and black color design, Dell laptops are known for its durability and versatility. Loaded with Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD, not only is this laptop easy on the eyes, but it offers a lot when it comes to performance. With a 13.3-inch display QHD Display and an NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics card, telehealth appointments will be clear with this laptop.
Dell Inspiron 13 5310
Acer Aspire 5 Laptop
PROS
- Good specs for an affordable price
- Backlit keyboard
- Many ports for cables
CONS
- A bit heavy
- Screen not as vibrant
For those on a budget, but are looking for a premium feel, the Acer Aspire 5 is worth a look. Equipped with an AMD Ryzen Processor 7, Acer Aspire 5 enables good performance though not as much as other processors. But with Acer laptops, a Ryzen processor allows for multitasking with desired stability.
With a 15.6 inches display and a Wi-Fi 6, this still makes it on our list of best laptops for telehealth, lasting for about 8 hours of battery life. Acer also boasts a wide range of ports, something the other laptops on this list don’t have. This enables you to have more flexibility with USB, Ethernet cables and HDMI. Acer Aspire also comes with a backlit keyboard, enabling easy work anywhere you may be.
Acer Aspire 5 Laptop
Choose one that works well for your telehealth appointments
When it comes down to providing the best healthcare service, the decision of buying the best laptops for telehealth depends on you. Choose the one that fits your budget, with an ecosystem and operating system that you can understand, and that ultimately fits your need as a telehealth provider. Telehealth practice is here to stay, and it’s a no-brainer to say that investing in a good laptop is worth your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What should I be looking at when buying laptops for telehealth?
Basically, you would want a laptop that can connect to the internet and a good webcam. However, depending on your professional career, you may want to consider looking at the graphics card, storage, RAM, and processor to ensure you're laptops can handle other aspects of your career like storing patient notes, video recordings, audio recordings, etc. if needed. -
Do I really need a laptop? What about a smartphone?
While you can certainly do telehealth on smartphones, professional telehealth service providers often prefer laptops for safety purposes. And not only that, but you would certainly want a dedicated device for telehealth to ensure quality service and security. -
What's the best laptops for telehealth that you can recommend?
Your best choices would be Apple MacBook Pro M1 or Dell XPS 13.