When shopping for a laptop, the abundance of options, form factors, and hardware combinations can make the process overwhelming. Laptops are tailored for various purposes such as general productivity, media consumption, gaming, and intensive tasks like video editing and CAD. With different display, CPU, GPU, memory, and storage configurations available, making a decision becomes even more challenging. To assist you in making a choice, we have curated a selection of top models across different price ranges and use cases, including the best laptop for home use. Our recommendations take into account various factors such as build quality, portability, battery life, user experience, processing capabilities, price, and availability.
After testing more than 100 laptops, we have compiled a list of the best laptops currently on the market.
Best Laptop Reviews
1. Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023) stands out as the top-performing laptop in our tests. This high-end portable workstation boasts a robust construction, a sleek form factor, and exceptional battery longevity. Users can enjoy a superior computing experience thanks to its vibrant 120Hz Mini LED screen, roomy keyboard, and large, user-friendly trackpad. Powered by Apple’s latest M3 Pro/Max SoCs, it excels at handling intensive tasks with ease. These new processors deliver enhanced performance (in comparison to the M2), along with ray tracing capabilities and expanded memory support of up to 128GB. The display is well-suited for color-sensitive tasks such as photo and video editing, offering a wide color spectrum and outstanding factory calibration.
It is highly portable, and its battery can last for more than twelve hours of video playback, allowing you to watch multiple full-length movies and TV show episodes. The Mini LED display is remarkably sharp, bright enough to combat glare, and capable of producing deep blacks. Additionally, the display comes well-calibrated out of the box, providing an accurate and natural-looking image. The speakers deliver well-balanced and full sound, with a decent amount of bass, and can reach high volumes with minimal artifacts at maximum volume. The only drawback is the display’s slow response time, leading to ghosting in fast-moving scenes.
The M3 Pro and M3 Max SoCs are capable of managing a wide range of workloads, from intensive tasks such as video editing, programming, 3D graphics, and scientific simulations. Additionally, the display provides full DCI P3 coverage and excellent factory calibration, allowing for precise color-sensitive work. Even under heavy load, there is no thermal throttling, and although the keyboard may warm up slightly, the fans operate quietly. However, it is important to note that none of the components are replaceable by the user, so it is essential to select the configuration that best fits your requirements from the start.
This sturdy laptop is highly portable, boasting a battery life of more than 15 hours under light usage, allowing you to go nearly two days without needing to recharge. It features a vibrant display, a comfortable keyboard, and a spacious touchpad that responds well to touch. Additionally, it comes equipped with a top-notch 1080p webcam for video calls and a fingerprint sensor for quick logins. Powered by M3 SoCs, it effortlessly handles tasks such as web browsing, word processing, spreadsheet management, and presentations. Furthermore, it supports graphic design and video editing for business purposes. However, it lacks user-replaceable components and a USB-A port, necessitating the use of adapters for wired peripherals or dongles.
2. Apple 2024 MacBook Air Laptop
If you are in need of a laptop primarily for light productivity and media consumption, consider the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2024). This 13.6-inch model is sleek and lightweight, making it convenient for portability. Similar to the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2024), it boasts a sturdy full-aluminum chassis. Using this laptop is a delightful experience; it features a vibrant IPS display, a spacious keyboard, and a large haptic touchpad. The Apple M3 SoC can easily manage light productivity tasks, as well as some light video editing and 3D graphics. Moreover, it is highly energy-efficient, providing a battery life of 11 to 12 hours. However, the laptop’s port selection is limited, with only two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports available. It can support output to two external displays, but only when the lid is closed.
This laptop is lightweight and has a battery life of more than 11 hours for video playback. The speakers are capable of producing a rich and balanced sound at a good volume, with a decent amount of bass. The display is sharp, bright, and accurately reproduces colors. However, it may not be suitable for viewing in dark rooms due to its low contrast, which makes black colors appear gray in dim lighting. Additionally, this is a clamshell laptop that does not support touch input, which may be disappointing for those seeking a convertible device for a more tablet-like experience.
The M3 SoC is capable of handling certain demanding workloads, but it tends to throttle under heavy load, resulting in a less smooth user experience compared to models equipped with superior cooling systems. Consequently, tasks may take longer to complete. Additionally, the maximum RAM capacity is limited to 24GB, which may not be sufficient for certain workloads. The laptop features a restricted port selection, offering only two USB 4/Thunderbolt 3 ports. While it can support output to two external displays, this is only possible when the laptop is closed. Nevertheless, users can engage in color-correction work, thanks to the display’s full DCI P3 coverage and exceptional factory calibration.
The durable aluminum frame makes it highly portable due to its sleek and lightweight design. Its M3 SoC is capable of handling various productivity tasks such as text formatting, spreadsheets, and presentations. It even allows for some photo and video editing. With a battery life of over 11 hours under light usage, carrying the charger may not be necessary. The user experience is exceptional, offering a sharp, vibrant display, a spacious keyboard, and a large, responsive touchpad. The webcam provides excellent video quality, ensuring clear communication during video calls. However, it only features two USB-C ports and, although it can support two external displays— an improvement from its M2 predecessor— it only functions when the laptop is closed.
3. ASUS VivoBook 16 M1605 Laptop
The ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) stands out as the top budget laptop we have tested. This 16-inch ultraportable is impressively sturdy considering its price point, and its size remains manageable despite being a 16-inch device. Equipped with either an AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 CPU, it offers ample power for tasks such as word processing, web browsing, spreadsheet work, and video viewing. With 8GB of RAM soldered onto the motherboard and an additional SO-DIMM slot, you have the option to upgrade from an 8GB model to a 16GB one if needed. The battery life is decent, providing around eight hours of light usage, although heavier tasks may require a quick recharge.
Overall, this model provides a satisfying user experience. It features a roomy full-size keyboard with a Numpad, ideal for those dealing with extensive numerical data, along with a generously sized and responsive touchpad. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, a fingerprint sensor for swift logins, and a respectable array of ports including three USB-As, a USB-C, and an HDMI port enhance its usability. However, the laptop’s display is a drawback. While the 1080p resolution offers decent sharpness on this screen size, the brightness is limited to 250 cd/m², potentially causing visibility issues in well-lit environments. Additionally, the color gamut is narrow, resulting in somewhat washed-out visuals.
While the laptop is available with an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, known for its capability, its integrated graphics are not suitable for demanding workloads. Additionally, the laptop is limited to a maximum of 16GB of RAM, which may not suffice for certain workloads. However, it boasts a comfortable keyboard and remains cool and quiet even under heavy usage.
The ASUS Vivobook 16 is well-suited for business applications. It is lightweight, with a battery that can last an entire 8-hour workday. The 16-inch display is perfect for multitasking, along with a comfortable keyboard and a large, responsive touchpad. The AMD Ryzen CPU can easily handle general productivity tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and web browsing. The port selection is decent, but it’s important to note that the USB-C port does not support video output or Thunderbolt 4.
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Laptop
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a cutting-edge 2-in-1 device that merges the features of a tablet and a laptop, establishing new benchmarks for portability, efficiency, and effectiveness. Its 13-inch touchscreen display automatically adjusts color balance for optimal viewing, providing vibrant and realistic visuals.
Equipped with a built-in kickstand, the Surface Pro 9 enables you to personalize the viewing angle to your liking, improving productivity when paired with the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard. This flexibility guarantees smooth work or entertainment in any setting. Utilizing the Surface Slim Pen 2, note-taking, drawing, and diagramming feel as natural as using a traditional pen and paper, thanks to precise touch and pen input capabilities.
The Surface Pro series has consistently showcased a stunning screen, and that tradition carries on with the Surface Pro 9. Similar to the Surface Pro 8, it boasts a 120Hz 13-inch display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800, resulting in a PPI measurement of 192. This ensures that images and text are rendered beautifully, especially with a native 200% scaling in Windows.
The Surface Pro Signature Keyboard, referred to as the “type cover” moving forward due to its lengthy name, on the Surface Pro 9 closely resembles previous high-quality type covers. Since the Surface Pro 3, the type cover has undergone minimal changes. Fortunately, typing on the cover is comfortable with adequate key travel and spacing. Unfortunately, it bears a strong resemblance to tablet-attached keyboards from the last six years. It would be beneficial to see more innovation in this particular area.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 represents an incremental improvement and, therefore, does not introduce many unexpected features. Similar to its previous version, it boasts a remarkably sleek design, high portability, and demands some compromises. If you are enamored with the aesthetics of this device, you may find the trade-offs acceptable, which include reduced power, noisy fans, a reflective screen, and an unconventional keyboard.
5. Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop
The Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024) stands out as the top gaming laptop we have reviewed. This 18-inch model delivers an exceptional, immersive gaming experience. You have the option to customize it with either a 480Hz FHD+ or a 165Hz QHD+ IPS panel, allowing you to select based on your preferences and budget, whether you prioritize smoother motion and improved responsiveness or a crisper image. Moreover, you can choose between two keyboard types: one featuring scissor switches and the other with low-profile, clicky CherryMX mechanical switches. Despite its bulkiness and weight, the laptop exudes a remarkably sturdy build quality, making it less ideal for portable use.
The high-performance Intel 14th Gen CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs enable high and consistent frame rates in demanding games at 1080p or 1440p, providing a seamless and responsive gaming experience. You have the option to select between a 480Hz FHD+ or a 165Hz QHD+ display, both with a fast response time for clear images and variable refresh rate support to minimize screen tearing. The laptop comes with plenty of ports, including an Ethernet port for a reliable internet connection during online gaming. Additionally, the RAM and storage are user-upgradeable, allowing for future expansion. While thermal throttling is minimal, the laptop may become hot and loud under heavy load.
It comes equipped with powerful CPUs and GPUs capable of handling intensive tasks such as video editing and 3D graphics effortlessly. The spacious display allows for multitasking, and both the FHD+ and QHD+ panels offer full DCI P3 coverage, making them suitable for color-sensitive work. The SSD and RAM are both fast and user-replaceable. The wide range of ports includes two Thunderbolt 4s, an HDMI 2.1, an Ethernet, and an SD card reader, reducing the need for a dock. However, the laptop tends to get hot and loud when under heavy load.
It is equipped with robust CPUs and GPUs that can easily handle demanding tasks like video editing and 3D graphics. The large display enables multitasking, and the FHD+ and QHD+ panels provide full DCI P3 coverage, perfect for color-sensitive work. The SSD and RAM are speedy and can be replaced by the user. With a variety of ports including two Thunderbolt 4s, an HDMI 2.1, an Ethernet, and an SD card reader, there is less reliance on a dock. Nevertheless, the laptop has a tendency to become hot and noisy during heavy usage.
Final Word
Our top picks represent what we believe are the finest laptops currently on the market for the majority of consumers. Along with performance evaluations, we take into account pricing (opting for a more affordable laptop over a pricier one if the difference isn’t justifiable), input from our audience, and product availability.
If you’d rather make your own choice, here is a comprehensive list of all our laptop assessments, arranged by price from least to most expensive. Many laptops come in different configurations, and the chart only displays the outcomes of the specific model we assessed, so it’s advisable to refer to the complete review for details on other versions.
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