How to Choose the Best AI PC for Your Small Business

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Pick AI PCs with built-in security, simple cloud management, strong battery life and lifecycle value to keep teams productive.

• Pair devices with services like ProDeploy, ProSupport Suite for PCs and Asset Recovery to reduce IT effort and risk.

• Consider APEX PC as a Service for predictable costs, flexible terms and full lifecycle coverage.

Small businesses measure technology on outcomes: security that holds up, performance that stays reliable and a lifecycle that does not surprise your budget. An “AI PC” label means little unless the device helps people collaborate faster, protects your data by default and stays simple to manage as you grow. So how do you select the right PC for your business?

Quick answer:

Choose an AI PC that combines built-in security, simple cloud management, strong battery life and lifecycle value. The right device keeps employees productive, helps with a lean IT function and gives you a predictable way to buy, deploy, support, refresh and retire PCs.

What makes a PC an AI PC?

An AI PC includes an NPU, a chip that handles certain AI‑assisted tasks on the device. That can improve responsiveness for collaboration, content creation and local AI features, while helping keep data on device. Dell has the #1 Intel AI PC portfolio, which reflects PCs designed for real business outcomes, not just a label.

What to look for in an AI PC

Security that is built in

Security should be the first filter, especially without a large IT team. Dell Pro Essential provides the basic security many organizations need. Looking to level up? Turn to the advanced security of Dell Pro, the world’s most secure commercial AI PCs. With Dell Trusted Device and Dell SafeBIOS providing BIOS and firmware tamper detections and Dell SafeID with ControlVault protecting credentials in dedicated hardware, Dell Pro’s unique security gives you an edge against cyber criminals. Layer on protection from our ecosystem of partner software for even more peace of mind. For those looking to share or offload the security burden, turn to our managed Security and Resilience services.

Easy management with minimal IT effort

Growing businesses need visibility and control without heavy tools. Dell manageability solutions integrate with Microsoft Intune to simplify BIOS policy control, driver and firmware updates and device monitoring from the cloud. ProSupport Suite for PCs can also automate updates, provide telemetry‑driven insights and reduce manual work. In testing.

Dell’s small business portfolio is built around these needs:

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Dell Pro Essential: Value‑led systems for task workers and cost‑conscious businesses who need dependable performance and core security. Explore Dell Pro Essential options at Dell Pro Essential Laptop Computers | Dell USA.

• Dell Pro 3/5: Best for mainstream business users who need dependable performance in an AI PC. Explore Dell Pro options at Dell Pro Laptop Computers | Dell USA.

• XPS 14/16: For executives and customer‑facing leaders who want premium design, strong battery life and top collaboration features. Explore XPS options at Learn about XPS Laptops | Dell USA.

Services that reduce the burden on your team

Devices are only part of the equation. Dell services help you deploy quickly, stay ahead of issues and refresh predictably:

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ProDeploy sets up new PCs fast so employees can start working on day one.

• ProSupport keeps users productive with 24×7 experts, while ProSupport Plus adds proactive and predictive capabilities validated by independent testing.

• Asset Recovery helps you retire devices securely and responsibly.

Consistent third‑party recognition supports this approach. PCMag named Dell the leading brand for tech support and PC repair in 2025, and 8.9 out of 10 customers say Dell Pro outperforms competitors in reliability. Dell Pro notebooks also deliver over 10 months longer usable life versus competitors,* which reduces disruption and refresh costs over time.

Predictable cost over the full lifecycle

The real cost includes much more than just the initial hardware. It shows up across deployment, support, refresh and retirement. Dell APEX PC as a Service combines hardware, software and services into a monthly payment per user, with 1–5‑year terms and flexibility to scale. A Forrester Total Economic Impact study found 30% ROI over three years, 75% elimination of user downtime and 35% savings on support costs over three years, plus a 50% shipping cost reduction when combining services with an OpEx model.*

How to make the right choice

Start with the problem you are trying to solve, then map to devices and services:

If security is the main concern, choose models with hardware-rooted protections like Dell SafeBIOS and Dell SafeID and add Managed Detection and Response Services as needed.

If IT time is the constraint, use cloud‑integrated manageability and ProSupport Suite for PCs to automate updates and get proactive insights.

If budget predictability matters most, evaluate Dell APEX PC as a Service for lifecycle coverage and flexible terms.

If your team is mobile or hybrid, prioritize battery life and durable designs across Dell Pro and XPS.

Bottom line

The best AI PC for a small business is one that helps the business run better every day. In practice, that means secure by design, easy to manage, built to last and supported by services that keep IT simple. Dell Pro laptops are designed for everyday business productivity, with XPS perfect for leaders who want premium design and long battery life. Pair devices with the right services and a subscription model like APEX PC as a Service to keep cost and complexity down as you grow.

• IDC Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker, 2026Q2-units

Based on third-party analysis by Principled Technologies when comparing Dell commercial AI PCs vs. HP and Lenovo. Applicable to PCs on Intel (July 2026) and on AMD (April 2026) processors. Backed by Dell internal analysis of worldwide PC market. Not all features available with all PCs. Additional purchase required for some features

Based on customers response to ESG’s Dell Commercial Desktop and Laptop Device Perception Survey conducted from 1/3/2025- 1/25/2025 commissioned by Dell, targeted at qualified IT decision-makers with influence over their organization’s desktop/laptop purchase decisions and knowledge of their organization’s desktop/laptop support environment with a total of 900 surveys conducted including both Dell and non Dell customers and complemented with 5 in-depth interviews with Dell customers.

Based on customers response to ESG’s Dell Commercial Desktop and Laptop Device Perception Survey conducted from 1/3/2025- 1/25/2025 commissioned by Dell, targeted at qualified IT decision-makers with influence over their organization’s desktop/laptop purchase decisions and knowledge of their organization’s desktop/laptop support environment with a total of 900 surveys conducted including both Dell and non Dell customers and complemented with 5 in-depth interviews with Dell customers.

Based on the Forrester study commissioned by Dell Technologies and Verizon, “The Total Economic Impact™ Of Dell AI PCs With 5G And Dell APEX PC as a Service”, May 2025. Report analyzes a composite organization subscribing to 4,000 devices on a 36-month term. Actual results vary. View final report.