Many business laptops come pre-installed with software that is popular for business purposes. Drive encryption is also a common feature in business laptops—not the case with personal laptops. If you are handling proprietary information for your company, built-in data encryption is a must. Some business laptop computers may also have increased security features for opening and logging in.

Because your business needs can vary widely, business laptops offer a range of technical options to accommodate you. For basic email correspondence, admin work and word processing, a business laptop with 8GB of RAM and a solid-state drive for storage can make for a slim, light and affordable option. However, if you need to run regressions, operate multiple programs at once or edit video or images, you want a laptop with at least 16 of RAM and serious processing power. You will have exciting additional features to consider. For instance, you may want a touch-screen laptop that can double as a tablet.

Choosing the best laptop for you comes down to understanding your priorities in four areas: portability (do you need a lightweight laptop?), features (like data encryption or a touch screen), processing specs and price. Figure out what you value most and start there.

Since most work—hybrid, remote or in-person—involves time spent online, it should come as no surprise that many programs on your new laptop will need an internet connection during set-up. If you are setting up your laptop from home, ensure that you enhance your home internet security. This might mean choosing a router with data encryption, changing your router password or setting up a guest network so that visitors are not using the same Wi-Fi.

With any laptop, you will want to install a reliable antimalware program immediately. Malware comes in many forms, and you can be susceptible to a computer virus, ransomware or a Trojan horse via numerous activities, including checking your own email. It’s also possible to infect a new laptop with malware by connecting it to another device that is already affected, so take precautions.

When setting up your new business laptop, you likely want to connect it to other useful office tech, like a flatbed scanner or an all-in-one printer. With a few simple devices, your office will be ready to meet your every business need. And if you plan to travel with your laptop, a laptop bag provides the convenience, organization and protection that you need.