Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Top 10 Best Laptops for QuickBooks and Accounting 2021

Every business (whether it is small or large) has its own requirements and one of them is managing the accounting records. To keep a record of all the activities related to investments and profits, they need accounting software to keep a track record of such activities. To get this job done there is an accounting software named “Quickbooks” that can maintain your daily accounting records. So, if you’re looking for the best laptops for QuickBooks, here we have written a detailed guide to finding the best business laptop for accountants to work on QuickBooks.

Basically, QuickBooks comes in two different variants- QuickBooks for Desktop and QuickBooks Online. In the first one, you can install or download through a CD or a DVD on your computer, and in the second variant, you can easily access it by using the normal internet browser and take advantage of the cloud created by QuickBooks.

QuickBooks is actually Software as a Service (SaaS), one can easily access it just by using an internet connection on their device. So, to buy the best laptop for QuickBooks online, you don’t have to spend much. Any cheap laptop would also do this work if it has good internet connectivity to work on QuickBooks online.

For QuickBooks for Desktop, there are the minimum system requirements you need to keep in mind to work on this software. These requirements are:

Basic Requirements for Buying a laptop for QuickBooks online

  • Processor – The laptop should have a minimum 2.4GHz processor.
  • RAM – minimum 4GB RAM (a greater RAM size is recommended to provide better speed)
  • Storage – A minimum of 2.5GB of disk space (additional storage required for storing the data and different files)
  • Display – The laptop must have a display of a minimum of 1280 × 1024 resolution.
  • Connectivity – Should have all the essential connectivity ports including Wi-Fi / Ethernet to use the internet.

So, based on these requirements, we have listed some of the best laptops for accounting on QuickBooks 2021. All these laptops are ideal to run all versions of QuickBooks software such as QuickBooks for Desktop Pro/Premier/Enterprise 2019.

For now, let’s start with the cheapest laptop for QuickBooks followed by the most ideal laptops (some kind of expensive) for accountants.

Top 10 Best Laptops for QuickBooks

1. Acer Aspire 5 – 10th Gen Laptop

Acer Aspire 5 A515

Acer Aspire 5 is an affordable and high-end laptop that is a perfect fit for the business world. With a solid design and quality features, this laptop is great for accounting on QuickBooks. The laptop is powered by the latest 10th gen Intel Core i5 processor with a maximum clock speed of 4.2GHz which makes the laptop more powerful. The laptop comes with 8GB of RAM which is good for multitasking and app handling.

Although storage on this laptop is 512GB of SSD, it is more than enough to run programs smoothly. With Nvidia GeForce MX250, you can also play most of the games at medium settings. The laptop is featured with a 15.6-inch full HD display with 1080p resolution which lets you enjoy favorite movies and videos with great quality. All these features make Acer Aspire 5 the best budget laptop for QuickBooks.

Hardware Specifications of Acer Aspire 5 Core i5 Notebook
Processor10th Generation Intel Core i5-10210U Processor (Up to 4.2GHz)
RAM8GB DDR4
Storage512GB SSD
Display15.6″ FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) WLED-backlit Display
GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce MX250 with 2GB memory
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
Battery LifeUp to 10 hours
Weight3.97 lbs

2. ASUS ZenBook UX333FAC-XS77

Asus ZenBook 13 UX333

When it comes to a sleek and powerful laptop, the ASUS ZenBook UX333 always remains on our top priority list. Its lightweight design and long-lasting battery make it perfect for business people who travel a lot. The laptop is featured with an Intel Core i5 10th gen processor paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of solid-state drive that ensures your software run smoothly.

Its 13.3-inch full HD display delivers high-quality images without hurting your eyes. For connectivity, you’ll get all the essential ports such as USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Type C, 802.11a/c WiFi, and SD Card Reader. The laptop comes with a full-size backlit keyboard, a rubberized palm rest, and an extra-wide touchpad that provides a comfortable typing experience. Overall, this laptop has everything one needs for accounting and other office purposes.

Hardware Specifications of ASUS ZenBook UX333FAC-XS77 Laptop
Processor10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U Quad-Core Processor (up to 4.9GHz)
RAM16GB DDR4
Storage512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Display13.3-Inch Full HD (1920×1080) NanoEdge bezel Display
GraphicsIntel UHD 620 Graphics
Operating SystemWindows 10 Pro
Battery LifeUp to 14-hours
Weight2.8 lbs

3. Dell Inspiron 15 5593

Dell Inspiron 15 5593

This Dell hybrid laptop is affordable, powerful, and convenient to use which makes it perfect for accountants who are looking for an ultraportable laptop for QuickBooks. It comes with an elegant thin-bezel design with a 15.6-inch full HD display that lets you view images from a wide range of angles. This laptop offers a lightweight design, making it convenient to use while working on QuickBooks.

You get an Intel Core i5 processor paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB of solid-state drive that delivers lightning-fast responsiveness and better overall performance. It also comes with Intel UHD graphics which provides enhanced speed and excellent productivity. It has a backlit keyboard, allowing you to type conveniently in dim light settings. All-in-all, the Dell Inspiron 15 5593 meet all types of needs to run Quickbooks Pro and Quickbooks Premier smoothly.

Hardware Specifications of Dell Inspiron 15 5593 Laptop
Processor10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor (up to 3.6GHz)
RAM8GB 2400MHz DDR4 (up to 32GB)
Storage256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
Display15.6” FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Display
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
Battery Life7 hours
Weight4.41 lb

         Check out: Best Intel Core i5 Processor Laptops

4. ASUS VivoBook 15

ASUS VivoBook F512DA

The Asus VivoBook 15 is one of the highly productive and affordable laptops from ASUS, which is meant to fulfill productive as well as accounting needs. This 15.6-inch laptop provides much more than what QuickBooks demands. The laptop features a 10th Generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of a solid-state drive for lightning-fast performance. Its stunning FHD high-resolution display provides color-rich images from wide viewing angles.

For connectivity, this laptop offers USB 3.1 Type-C (Gen1), USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI, headphone/mic, and Dual-Band 802.11ac Wi-Fi which is a great advantage if one is using QuickBooks online. The VivoBook 15 is only 3.7 lbs light and features a long-lasting battery with a lifespan of 8-hours that makes this laptop stand out from the crowd. All these high-end features give us a solid reason to include Asus VivoBook 15 in our list of best laptops for accountants.

Hardware Specifications of Asus VivoBook 15
Processor10th Generation Intel Core i3-1005G1 Processor (Turbo up to 3.9GHz)
RAM8GB DDR3L 1600MHz
Storage128GB SSD
Display15.6 in HD LED Display with 1920 x 1080 Resolution
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 620
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home S
Battery LifeUp to 8 hours
Weight3.75 lbs

5. Lenovo Ideapad 3 Best Business Laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15-inch

The Lenovo Ideapad 3 is one of the best business laptops which comes with great features one needs to make the most out of QuickBooks. This laptop comes with a silver aluminum chassis which gives a premium look. This laptop equipped with a 15.6 inch HD display that delivers sharp images with accurate colors.

The laptop gets the 10th gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a fast 256GB solid-state drive. This laptop has all the power to handle most of the demanding tasks including accounting with no lagging issue. The battery life of this laptop is also impressive which last longer up to 7.5-hours. It is featured with the Intel UHD graphics processor that can handle multitasking easily. All-in-all, if you’re looking for the best affordable laptop for QuickBooks, then the Lenovo Ideapad 3 should be first on your list.

Hardware Specifications of Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15-inch Laptop
Processor10th gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 Dual Core Processor (Turbo up to 3.40Hz)
RAM8GB DDR4
Storage256GB NVMe SSD + 32GB USB Flash Drive
Display15.6″ LED Backlit anti-glare HD Display (1366×768) Display
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics
Operating SystemWindows 10 S
Battery LifeUp to 7.5 hours
Weight5.0 lbs

6. HP 15.6 Inch Full-HD Notebook (2020 Edition)

HP 15-dy1036nr FHD Laptop

This HP 15.6″ laptop is one of the best budget laptops you can buy for QuickBooks. With powerful features, portable design, and affordable prices, this laptop is everything one needs for managing work and entertainment, simultaneously. It is the 10th gen Intel Core i5 laptop that offers 8GB of RAM making it good enough for handling multiple apps at the same time. Its huge 256GB of solid-state drive storage lets you store files at a fast speed.

The battery life of this laptop is great, and you can easily squeeze 9 to 10 hours with normal usage. The laptop comes with a 15.6-inch full-HD display that produces crystal-clear visuals and vivid details. With greater connectivity, this laptop is great to use QuickBooks Online without having any issues. Apart from this, the laptop offers a full-sized keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5 connections, letting you surf and speed through tasks comfortably. The bottom line, if you’re looking for a budget laptop for Quickbooks, this HP 15 Notebook is good to go for.

Hardware Specifications of HP 15.6 FHD Notebook
Processor10th Generation Dual-Core Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor, 3.6GHz
RAM8GB DDR4
Storage256GB NVMe SSD
Display15.6” Full HD WLED-backlit (1920 x 1080) anti-glare Display
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 620
Operating SystemWindows 10
Battery LifeUp to 10 hours and 15 minutes
Weight3.75 lbs

         Check out: Top 10 Best Laptops Under $600

7. Dell Inspiron 3000

Dell Inspiron 3000 Laptop

Dell Inspiron 3000 is one of the best laptops that has a build similar to MacBook and available at rather a reasonable price. This powerful machine is ultraportable and lightweight which perfectly fits for accounting and businesspeople. On this laptop, you get a 15.6-inch HD touchscreen display at 1366 x 768 resolution. The connectivity ports include 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, HDMI port and headphone jack.

The Dell Inspiron 3000 is powered by a 10th generation Intel Core i3 processor paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD with 1TB of hard drive for high-performance multitasking and storage. The laptop has a sleek and stylish black chassis, giving it a premium feel. Thanks to its long-lasting battery performance of up to 7.5-hours that lets you stay productive for a long day. Overall, it is a perfect combination of productivity and portability to perform most of the demanding tasks.

Hardware Specifications of Dell Inspiron 3000 Touchscreen Laptop
Processor10th Gen Intel Dual Core i3-1005G1 Processor (Turbo up to 3.4GHz)
RAM8GB DDR4
Storage128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
Display15.6″ HD IPS LED-Backlit Touchscreen (1366 x 768) Display
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 620
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home
Battery LifeUp to 7.5 hours
Weight4.45 lbs

8. Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E15

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E590

Lenovo ThinkPad is one of the most popular series in the business laptops category. The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E15 is a powerful and efficient laptop that comes with all the essential features required for accounting and business. The laptop has a 15.6-inch HD display that offering clear and crystal images with wide viewing angles.

This laptop is packed with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM, which is great for handling multitasking with ease. It’s 512GB of the solid-state drive may not be enough for you if you want to store a large number of files, but you can upgrade it if needed. The port section includes USB-C, USB 3.1, HDMI, and 2 x 2 AC WiFi make it ideal for QuickBooks online. An impressive long-lasting 7-hours of battery life will leave you stress-free, no matter where the job takes you. Overall, this is the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptop for QuickBooks 2021 for accounting.

Hardware Specifications of Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E15
Processor10th Gen Intel Quad Core i5-10210U Processor (Turbo up to 4.2GHz)
RAM16GB DDR4
Storage512GB SSD
Display15.6″ HD (1366 x 768) LED backlight Anti-glare Display
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 620
Operating SystemWindows 10 Pro 64
Battery LifeUp to 7 hours
Weight4.30 lbs

        Check out: Top 10 Best Laptops Under $500

9. Apple MacBook Pro 13

Apple MacBook Pro (2018 Model)

If you’re not on a tight budget and looking for the best laptops for QuickBooks – we recommend you buy this Apple MacBook Pro 13. It is one of the most powerful laptops with high-end specifications and hardware configurations. Its ultraportable design, incredible battery life, and outstanding performance make it a perfect laptop for businesspeople.

The MacBook Pro is equipped with a 10th generation Intel Core i5 Processor which works at 2.3 Hz and 8GB of LPDDR3 RAM which provides enhanced speed and increases productivity. Although its 512GB of storage space is not very huge as compared to other laptops in this list, it is good enough for accounting on QuickBooks. Its long-lasting battery, backlit keyboard, and other powerful configurations make it worth to buy for business works.

Hardware Specifications of Apple 13″ MacBook Pro
Processor10th-generation Intel Core i5 quad-core processor 2.3GHz
RAM8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3
Storage512GB SSD
Display13.3″ FHD LED-backlit Retina (2560×1600) Display
GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics 655
Operating SystemmacOS X
Battery LifeUp to 10-hours
Weight3.1 pounds

Check out: Top 10 Best Laptops Under $1000

10. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 New Release

Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a new release in Surface Pro series notebooks. Surface Pro 7 is meant to be a true laptop replacement and packed with many high-end features. This thin and lightweight notebook is all about performance improvements tied with a shiny new color scheme. This 12.3-inch laptop comes with a PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 2736×1824 pixels which works as smoothly as silk.

The laptop is powered by a 10th-generation, quad-core Core i5 processor, and 8GB of RAM that delivers an exceptional computing experience. Surface Pro 7 is great for people who have to do a lot of work in a day because it offers 10.5-hours of long battery backup. For connectivity, it comes with all essential ports but unlike its previous versions, Surface Pro offers USB-c and USB-a ports. Overall, its highly-productive hardware specifications make it an ideal laptop for all-purpose especially for business and students.

Hardware Specifications for Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Processor10th generation Intel Core i5 Processor 1.3 GHz
RAM8GB LPDDR3
Storage128GB SSD
Display12.3″ PixelSense touchscreen display (2736×1824) Display
GraphicsIntel Iris Plus Graphics
Operating SystemWindows 10 Professional
Battery LifeUp to 10.5-hours
Weight1.7 lbs

These are the top recommended best laptops for QuickBooks. So before buying any laptop, read reviews and hardware specifications to ensure the quality of the product and choose the laptop which suits your requirements.

I hope you like this review guide of the best business laptop for QuickBooks. If you have any doubts or suggestions about this guide, feel free to ask in the comment section below.

Wednesday, 10 February 2021

Gusto VS QuickBooks Online : Select the Best for you

Small businesses in 2021 can breathe easy knowing that there are tons of affordable, feature-rich payroll and HR software to choose from. Among the most popular of these platforms are Gusto and Intuit Online Payroll, each of which offers different plans and prices depending on your business’s size and goals. Of course, it’s tough to know which software solution makes the most sense for you without some digging into their finer details, which is exactly what this article aims to do.

Gusto VS QuickBooks Online Payroll

Gusto works best for new companies that need full-service payroll processing and HR resources, while QuickBooks’s strong accounting, time-tracking, and health insurance options are great for companies with lots of hourly employees who work in multiple states and want quick access to their list of benefits.



Before we go for a deep dive into how Gusto and QuickBooks Online’s price points and features compare, let’s zoom out for a bird’s eye view of their biggest selling points and ideal audience.

Gusto Overview

Gusto, which started as ZenPayroll in 2012, is a cloud-based payroll and HR platform that aims to make it easier for businesses to focus on growth and scaling. As of 2020, Gusto serves more than 100,000 U.S.-based companies via four main plans for salaried employees. And with its seamless combination of benefits administration, 401(k)s, HR, and onboarding services — packaged into a software platform that’s valid for use in all 50 states — it’s easy to see why this payroll solution has gained such a large user base.

Gusto’s plans, even its lowest-priced ‘Core’ plan, do a superb job of balancing payroll management functions with processes that can help small businesses streamline HR. The most robust features available, such as time-tracking capabilities and an on-call center of HR professionals, are unfortunately barred until you purchase the higher-level (read: more expensive) plans. With that said, Gusto still offers a range of functionality for payroll processing and employee management even with its most affordable plan.

Intuit Online Payroll Overview

Intuit Quickbooks Payroll integrates directly with QuickBooks online for an intuitive payroll solution. The online platform balances an interface that’s familiar to existing QuickBooks users with many added integrations and a large selection of features. Business owners must ensure they have an existing QuickBooks Online account before they can begin using Intuit Online Payroll, after which they can enjoy an easy setup to get started.

Intuit Online Payroll makes it particularly easy for businesses to track and provide benefits for employees who operate in multiple states. Unlike with Gusto, businesses can use QuickBooks Payroll to cover employees with health insurance benefits in any U.S. state. And, also unlike Gusto, Intuit Online Payroll has highly robust time-tracking tools that businesses can use for non-salaried, hourly employees.

Which Is Best For My Business Needs: QuickBooks Payroll Or Gusto?

Gusto and Intuit Online Payroll overlap with each other in more ways than one. But at the end of the day, the one you choose for your business will depend on your immediate and long-term focuses, as well as what you’ll be using the software for most often.

Choose Gusto If…

  • You staff fewer than 100 employees and need to streamline their payroll system

  • You employ mostly 1099 contractors who work in multiple states

  • You value top-notch, easy-to-reach customer service support representatives

Choose Intuit Online Payroll If…

  • You already use QuickBooks for your functional accounting and want to quickly and easily integrate it with Inuit Online Payroll

  • You want faster direct deposit options for your employees, which is especially helpful for out-of-state employees on different pay runs

  • You mostly employ W2 employees for whom you want low per-employee fees.

Gusto VS QuickBooks Online Payroll Comparison: The Final Verdict

Gusto’s seamless combination of payroll processing, new hire onboarding, and HR and benefits management services makes it one of the most robust and affordable software solutions for small businesses. Its transparent pricing model and structure provide clients with peace of mind no matter which plan they choose. And, its 401(k) and savings plans are all easily accessible through the software’s benefits options.