A good work laptop should make the day easier, not become another task to manage. The right choice depends on the work you do, the places you work from and how long you expect to keep the device.
Start with memory. For normal office work, 8GB can be workable, but 16GB gives a more comfortable experience when you are moving between browser tabs, meetings and business applications. Creative, engineering and data-heavy workloads may need more.
Storage matters too. An SSD makes a noticeable difference to starting the laptop, opening applications and moving files. Prioritise a reliable SSD over a large amount of slow storage, and build a backup habit from day one.
Finally, consider support. A device that is easy to service, upgrade or repair can offer better value over its lifetime than the cheapest option on the shelf.