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The Best Laptops

By Kimber Streams and Dave Gershgorn

Smartphones and tablets may have taken over much of people’s screen time, but there’s still a need for a real computer sometimes—and for most people, that means a laptop. For school and office work and tasks like creating spreadsheets and editing video, there’s no good substitute for a decent keyboard and a big screen. But exactly which laptop you should get depends on how often you’ll use it, what you’ll use it for, and (of course) how much money you can afford to spend on it.

We regularly test the most promising laptops, from sleek ultrabooks to cheap Chromebooks to massive gaming laptops and beyond. Here are the best models you can buy in every category, along with advice on how to choose which type of laptop is right for you.

The research

Mac or windows (or something else), the best windows ultrabook, the best macbook, the most repairable laptop, the best chromebook, the best budget windows laptop, the best macbook for photo and video editing, the best windows laptop for photo and video editing, the best cheap gaming laptop, frequently asked questions.

If you’re already familiar with macOS or Windows, the easiest choice is to buy a computer that runs that operating system. Or if you already have an iPhone, a MacBook will let you send texts with iMessage, make FaceTime video calls, and access your iCloud photos. That said, macOS and Windows have never been more similar, and most popular apps work just as well on either platform (or at least have alternatives that work similarly). If you’re interested in switching, it isn’t as big a deal as it used to be.

If you’re not tied to a platform, the biggest factor is how easily you can get support. Do you have an Apple Store nearby? Do your most tech-savvy friends use Windows? Does your school or job provide tech support? If you’re not a self-sufficient techie and want the best service for your computer, buy a Mac, because you can take it to any Apple Store to get it fixed. No other computer maker provides that level of support. (If you’re self-sufficient, go with what you like.)

Alternatively, since more tasks can be accomplished in a browser, without your downloading and installing any apps, you might not even need a traditional operating system—a Chromebook may be all you need.

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3406HA-WS74T)

The best ultrabook.

The Zenbook 14 offers excellent battery life, a vivid touchscreen, and a reliable keyboard and trackpad, all in a thin and light body. It’s relatively inexpensive, too.

Buying Options

Recommended configuration

Who these are for: If you need a thin and light, super-portable Windows laptop with long battery life to get you through a full day of work or classes, choose a Windows ultrabook. They’re powerful enough to do everything most people need a computer for, and they have great keyboards, trackpads, and displays. You can expect to pay between $900 and $1,300 for a great Windows ultrabook that will last you at least four years, though excellent budget options are available for around $800.

Where they fall short: Windows ultrabooks are in an odd place in 2024—many of the available options cost more than most people want to spend on a laptop, and they typically fall short of their promise of excellent battery life in a thin and light machine. We hope this situation will improve when laptops with new processors launch late this year. Ultrabooks also lack the processing power to play high-end games or handle demanding tasks such as professional video editing or 3D modeling.

Why we like this one: The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (UM3406) is a fantastic value. It has the best combination of what makes an ultrabook great, offering fast performance, all-day battery life, a quality keyboard and trackpad, and a spacious, vivid screen, all in a thin and light body. At 14 hours, the Zenbook 14 OLED has the longest battery life of any Windows laptop we’ve tested so far in 2024. But compared with more expensive options, the Zenbook 14 lacks a 360-degree hinge and a fingerprint reader, its glossy touchscreen is reflective, and its speakers are mediocre. We recommend the UM3406HA-WS74T model with 512 GB of storage, but the UM3406HA-PS76T model with 1 TB is also a good option if the cheaper one is unavailable.

We don’t recommend Snapdragon laptops for everyone just yet. After testing most of the newly released laptops with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors, we found that the Microsoft Surface Laptop (7th Edition, 13.8 inch) is an all-around excellent compact laptop with exceptional battery life. But we recommend it only if you can tolerate that some apps and peripherals simply won’t work until a developer builds an Arm version .

Because these processors don’t use the x86 architecture that has been standard on Windows PCs for decades, we’re currently in a transition period similar to when MacBooks moved to Apple Silicon processors a few years ago. Microsoft’s app translation layer, Prism, runs x86 apps moderately well , but it’s likely at this stage that you’ll run into at least one thing that you simply cannot do. Also as of this writing, the most hyped (and most criticized ) Copilot+ AI feature, Windows Recall , has not yet launched.

Read more about the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X laptops in our full guide to ultrabooks .

Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022, 13-inch)

A sleek design and a nice webcam.

The M2 MacBook Air has a bright screen, a good webcam, and a MagSafe port.

With clipped on-page coupon (deal on gray)

May be out of stock

Who these are for: If you prefer macOS or need great tech support, a MacBook is a safe bet; this is an excellent laptop for writers, office workers, commuters, and college students. The 13-inch models offer the best combination of size, weight, and performance. Powered by Apple’s latest M-series processors, these laptops have exceptionally good battery life compared with similarly priced Windows laptops. Expect to pay at least $1,000 for one with good enough specs and storage to last you at least four years.

Where they fall short : MacBooks are typically more expensive than Windows ultrabooks, especially if you want to upgrade the memory or storage—Apple’s SSD upgrade prices are so high that we usually recommend looking into cloud storage or an external SSD instead. Our recommended MacBook configuration lacks the processing power to play demanding games. If you need a cheaper laptop or a more powerful one, check out our other picks below.

Why we like this one: The 13-inch M2 MacBook Air delivers strong performance and fantastic battery life at a reasonable price. The base 8 GB of RAM that’s offered is enough for basic web browsing and office tasks, but if you’re the kind of person who has a few dozen browser tabs open at a time, we recommend upgrading the RAM to 16 GB. Like Apple’s other laptops, the MacBook Air has only a few ports—in this case, two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, which may require you to use a hub or new cables . But the MacBook Air’s light weight, solid construction, and industry-leading support make it a great laptop, especially if you also own an iPhone or other Apple devices.

For more on the MacBook Air, take a look at our full guide to MacBook models .

Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1)

Best laptop for repairability.

The Framework Laptop is the best—and so far only—option if you want a laptop that you can easily upgrade and repair. And it’s a great ultrabook, too.

Who these are for: Most modern laptops aren’t designed to be repaired or upgraded by just anyone with a screwdriver. Even if you do manage to get past the screws and the difficult-to-pry-open chassis, you might have access to the SSD, but the memory is likely to be soldered, and you certainly can’t upgrade the processor. When something breaks out of warranty, when the battery wears out, or when you’re ready to upgrade after five or six years, you have to recycle or dispose of the entire laptop—even if some of its parts are still perfectly good. If you want the ability to upgrade and repair your laptop yourself and make it last longer without replacing the whole thing—which theoretically can save you money and create less e-waste over the years—our repairable pick is for you.

Where they fall short: The availability of parts and upgrades for the Framework Laptop 13 is entirely dependent on the laptop’s manufacturer. If Framework goes under or it decides to stop designing and selling upgrades, this laptop will end up just like any other—when the computer breaks or outlives its usefulness, you’ll have to replace the whole thing. Other companies have attempted to make upgradable laptops in the past and have failed to follow through on the promise.

Why we like this one: Every part of the Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1)  is super easy to repair and upgrade . Each part is helpfully labeled with handy QR codes that direct you to step-by-step replacement guides and links to the exact parts you’ll need. You can add more memory and storage , replace the battery , upgrade the mainboard with a new processor , and repair anything else if it breaks—the display, the fingerprint reader, the keyboard, the hinge, you name it.

The Framework Laptop 13 is an excellent computer, too. It’s sturdy and surprisingly thin and light for how modular its design is, and its battery will last a full workday. It also has a reliable keyboard and trackpad, plus a bright and spacious display. But the ability to upgrade and repair this laptop down the line depends on the company continuing to exist and to supply parts. So far the company is off to a great start: Every year since it launched in 2021 the company has introduced upgraded parts.

We recommend getting the 16 GB configuration or simply adding another 8 GB of memory to the base-model Framework Laptop. If you want the full experience of putting your laptop together , you can choose from a wider variety of parts by purchasing the DIY Edition instead.

Read more about our repairable pick in our guide to Windows ultrabooks .

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

Reliable performance, a spacious touch display, and long-enough battery life for a full workday make the Flex 5i the best Chromebook for the price. But it is a bit heavy.

Who these are for: Chromebooks are ideal for students and kids, but you should also consider one if you spend most of your computer time in a web browser, if you’re on a tight budget, or if you already have a decent desktop PC. A good Chromebook can do almost anything a regular laptop can do , including document work, video calls, and streaming video—as long as it’s possible in a web browser or in Android apps. And $500 Chromebooks tend to be faster, lighter, and sleeker than $500 Windows laptops. Plus, Chromebooks are secure and easy to maintain .

Where they fall short: Chromebooks can’t run Windows-specific games or particular programs you might be used to on your Mac or Windows computer. But if you use web-based email, if you can get by with Google’s office web apps or Office 365 and Android app alternatives, and if you stream your music and movies over the internet, a Chromebook should do just about everything you need it to.

Why we like this one: The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an excellent laptop, with the best combination of features and price of all the Chromebooks we’ve tested. It has fast performance, a reliable keyboard and trackpad, a spacious touchscreen, surprisingly good speakers, and long-enough battery life to last a full day of work or classes. Even though we wish it were lighter—at 3.6 pounds, it’s heavy for a 14-inch laptop—it’s the best option for most people’s needs.

For more, read our full guide to Chromebooks .

Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (A3SP14-31PT)

The best windows laptop under $500.

Unlike most cheap Windows laptops, the Aspire 3 Spin 14 is fast, compact, and light, and it has a decent 1080p touchscreen and good battery life.

Who these are for: If you need a Windows laptop for home, work, or school—and you can’t afford to spend a lot—you can find a decent one for less than $500. These computers are ideal for grade-school and middle-school students, people on a strict budget, and those who use their computers mostly at home in the evenings for doing schoolwork, browsing the web, managing a budget, or watching Netflix. Cheaper, lighter laptops tend to be too slow for everyday tasks, while faster, sleeker ones usually cost too much.

Where they fall short: To get a laptop that doesn’t feel slow for a decent price, you have to make a lot of compromises. Most budget laptops that are fast enough tend to be bulky, heavy, and saddled with short battery life. They also tend to have low-resolution, low-quality screens that are unpleasant to look at. You have to be especially vigilant when shopping for a laptop in this price range to avoid slow or old processors, insufficient memory, and sluggish storage.

Why we like this one: The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (A3SP14-31PT) in any of our recommended configurations— 37NV or 38YA —is fast enough to meet most people’s computing needs. Plus, it has a tall, 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge, and its keyboard and trackpad are accurate and reliable. The Aspire 3 Spin 14 is also more compact and offers better battery life than most bulky Windows laptops in this price range.

The Aspire 3 Spin 14 ships with Windows 11 S mode, which allows only apps from the Microsoft Store and limits you to Microsoft Edge for web browsing. But you can switch it to Windows 11 Home for free to install any program you need. It also comes with a ton of bloatware; we recommend following these steps to get rid of it.

Choosing a budget laptop is tricky because you can find hundreds of variations. Their prices fluctuate constantly, too, and companies release and discontinue models with no warning. If our pick isn’t available, check our full guide to budget laptops for other options, as well as advice on how to shop for a budget laptop that doesn’t suck.

For additional details, read our full guide to budget laptops .

Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro, 2023)

The fastest editing laptop.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is faster than any other laptop we’ve tested for photo or video editing, and it has truly impressive battery life to boot.

Who these are for: Photo and video editors need an extremely color-accurate screen, the processing power to work with 4K footage or to batch-edit hundreds of photos, and a battery that will last through an entire day’s work. These professional-grade laptops are more costly than ultrabooks, ranging from $2,000 to $2,500, but they offer desktop performance away from the desk. Our testing for this category included both Windows laptops and MacBooks, and we found that right now Apple is making the best laptops for creative professionals. That’s a boon for those who are already comfortable with macOS or are willing to make the switch, but we have a recommendation for a Windows machine, too.

Where they fall short: Laptops with color-accurate screens and enough power for creative professionals are expensive, and even more so with add-ons like extra storage and memory. Editing laptops also tend to be larger and heavier than ultrabooks, with most weighing more than 4 pounds. The powerful processors in editing laptops generate lots of heat, as well, so some can get too hot to use comfortably on your lap, though our top pick stayed cool even under the heaviest workloads. In addition, the MacBook Pro is impossible to service on your own, but Apple provides excellent support.

Why we like this one: The Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3 Pro) is easily the best editing laptop we’ve tested, combining a sharp display that’s color-accurate out of the box with Apple’s powerful and power-efficient M3 Pro processor. We found the laptop quick and responsive even when we were working with large 4K files. In one of our tests, the MacBook Pro exported a 4K test video in 1 minute 25 seconds on average, a full minute faster than the Dell XPS 15 , our top Windows editing laptop pick, which took 2 minutes 29 seconds. Last year’s MacBook Pro with the M2 Pro chip took about 2 minutes 15 seconds.

In addition to the MacBook Pro’s performance, we were impressed with its 15-hour battery life. It has three USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt 4, as well as an HDMI port, an SD card reader, a headphone jack, and a MagSafe charging port. While the performance of the MacBook Pro is stellar, it’s nearly impossible to repair or upgrade on your own. If you’re willing to sacrifice some speed for a more repairable machine, check out our recommendation below for a Windows laptop.

Read more about the 16-inch MacBook Pro in our full guide to pro laptops .

Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra

The best windows alternative for creative professionals.

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra puts a sharp AMOLED display and powerful performance in a lighter package than the competition.

Who these are for: If you’re a creative professional and you prefer Windows to macOS, don’t want a Mac, or are required to use Windows for compatibility reasons, this is your pick. In recent years, Windows ultrabooks have struggled to match the performance of the MacBook Pros. However, if you need a specific port or feature, you’re also more likely to find it on a Windows laptop than on a Mac, simply because the Windows world has more manufacturers and variety compared with Apple’s MacBooks.

Where they fall short: As a whole, Windows laptops didn’t perform as well in our tests as the 16-inch MacBook Pro. Typically, their screens were less accurate, they were a bit slower, and they got hotter underneath where the processor was located. However, the MacBook set a high bar to clear, and our top Windows pick still performed admirably in these tests.

Why we like this one:  The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra offers a solid balance of performance, portability, and a variety of ports. The model we suggest, which we considered too expensive until a recent price cut, has Intel’s latest high-performance Core 9 processor and an Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics card to handle video processing. The Book4 Ultra also has useful ports, like USB-A, HDMI, and a microSD card reader. As with most Windows laptops, its touchscreen AMOLED display will need calibration before taking on color-critical work.

However, like Apple laptops, the Book4 Ultra isn’t as upgradable or repairable as other Windows machines.

Read more about this option in our full guide to pro laptops .

Gigabyte Aorus 16X (9KG-43USC54SH)

The best gaming laptop under $1,500.

This laptop has the newest generation of hardware and performs better than some of the most expensive models we tested. It maintains great frame rates for smooth gameplay, and it stays quiet and cool to the touch.

Who these are for: If you want to play games but also need an affordable laptop for school or work—and your top priority isn’t playing the newest games at maxed-out graphics settings at QHD or 4K resolution—a cheap gaming laptop is for you. Nowadays, a gaming laptop that costs around $1,500 can play most new games on high settings or better at 1920×1080 resolution above 60 fps. Even cheaper models that cost around $800 are ideal for classic games and less-demanding modern titles, and they can play most new games on at least medium settings. You don’t need to spend $2,000 on a more powerful gaming laptop to get great performance.

Where they fall short: Every affordable gaming laptop we’ve tested has had at least one serious flaw. Some get way too hot, others have poor build quality, and some have dim screens with poor viewing angles. And compared with more portable options, such as ultrabooks, all gaming laptops are large, heavy, and saddled with short battery life.

Why we like this one: The Gigabyte Aorus 16X (9KG-43USC54SH) provides great gaming performance for the price. It can play most of the newest titles at high and ultra settings, maintaining excellent frame rates while doing so. It also keeps its most-touched surfaces cool during long gaming sessions, and it comes with nice extras, such as a comfortable RGB keyboard and a screen with a high, 165 Hz refresh rate. But it has underwhelming battery life, losing power after just a few hours of simple web browsing and productivity tasks, so it isn’t as portable as we’d like.

You can read more about our pick in our full guide to cheap gaming laptops .

This article was edited by Signe Brewster and Arthur Gies.

Which laptops last the longest?

Depending on what you buy and how you use it, a good laptop that’s well cared for should last at least four years, ideally longer—but most modern laptops are not designed with repairability or upgradability in mind. A good ultrabook , a business laptop , or a MacBook will feel sturdier, last longer, and perform better than a cheap sub-$500 laptop with a mostly plastic frame and a basic processor. And a laptop that you primarily use around the house will last longer than one that you travel with frequently. Some business laptops and photo and video editing laptops allow you to upgrade their memory and storage to extend their useful life, and we have a repairable pick that’s specifically designed to make any part (not just the memory or storage) easy to upgrade and repair.

Should I buy a MacBook or a Windows laptop?

If you already use Macs or Windows computers and you like them, stick to the software you’re used to—don’t force an unfamiliar operating system on yourself unless you need to. Otherwise, if you have an iPhone or iPad that you like, a MacBook will work with the same Apple services, including iCloud Photos and iMessage. Windows laptops are better if you want something more affordable, if you want plenty of ports for connecting accessories, or if you want to play games. And if you want an even less-expensive laptop that's easier to use and harder to break, consider a Chromebook.

What is a good price for a laptop?

For general tasks—editing documents and spreadsheets, browsing the internet, doing homework, and communicating using apps such as Slack or Zoom—a cheap but usable laptop should cost between $400 and $600, a good laptop should be $700 or $800, and a great laptop typically costs at least $1,000. More powerful, specialized laptops, such as gaming notebooks or laptops for professional photo and video editing , start in the range of $1,000 to $1,500 and go up from there. If you have $500 or less to spend, Chromebooks tend to look, feel, and run better than equivalently priced Windows laptops. If you’re looking for a Mac, expect to pay at least $1,100 (or $1,000 with an educational discount) for our recommended MacBook Air configuration . Keep an eye on our Deals page if you’re able to wait for a better price on a specific laptop.

How much RAM do I need?

In 2024, you need a minimum of 8 GB of memory, which should be enough for web browsing, document and spreadsheet editing, light gaming, and occasional basic video and photo editing. But since a great laptop should last at least five years and you can’t add more memory to most laptops after you buy them, we recommend starting with 16 GB if you can. And you should consider 32 GB if you regularly use high-end applications like Adobe Photoshop or Premiere, if you play visually demanding games, if you’re doing 3D drafting, or if you work in web and app development.

Meet your guides

Kimber Streams

Kimber Streams is a senior staff writer and has been covering laptops, gaming gear, keyboards, storage, and more for Wirecutter since 2014. In that time they’ve tested hundreds of laptops and thousands of peripherals, and built way too many mechanical keyboards for their personal collection.

Dave Gershgorn

Dave Gershgorn is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He’s been covering consumer and enterprise technology since 2015, and he just can’t stop buying computers. If this weren’t his job, it would likely be a problem.

Further reading

The Best Things to Get for Your New Laptop

From laptop bags to headphones to chargers to dongles galore, here are the essential accessories to help you use your new laptop.

Accessories for Your USB-C Laptop

We've tested the best cables, hubs, and dongles to help you connect your all your peripherals to your new laptop, even if it has only USB-C ports.

How to Clean a Laptop

It’s easy to forget that your laptop needs to be cleaned. Thankfully, it’s not hard to clean out dust and stray crumbs.

The Best Laptop Under $500

If you’re on a budget, these are the best cheap Windows laptops and Chromebooks we recommend after extensive research and hands-on testing.

Best laptops 2024 tested — September top picks

One list of the top laptops we recommend, based on testing dozens of models from Apple, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft and more.

• Best overall
• Best for Windows
• Best Copilot laptop
• Best Chromebook
• Most repairable
• Best for gaming
• Best battery life
• Best MacBook Air alternative
• Best 2-in-1
• Best MacBook Pro alternative
• Best powerful MacBook
• Best dual screen laptop

Also tested

• Battery life results
• How to choose

Frequently asked questions

• How we test

The best laptops are powerful enough to handle both work and play, comfy enough to carry all day and efficient enough to ensure you won't run out of juice when you're in the lurch.

Luckily lots of great laptops exist to meet these needs, but that abundance also makes finding the best laptop for you awfully tricky. You can get a Chromebook or a compact, speedy Windows 11 laptop for not a lot of money, and those who can afford to spend a bit more have access to a slew of the best laptops from the likes of Apple, Dell, HP , Lenovo and more.

That's why we test and review dozens of laptops from top manufacturers every year, then gather the very best together here in one easy-to-read list to help you make a smarter purchase.

You can count on the fact that every laptop on this list has been tested and reviewed by myself or one of my colleagues, so you know a real person has used it in real life and really likes it. 

So whether you're shopping for a sleek new ultraportable, a cheap Chromebook, a new gaming laptop or the best MacBook for your needs, you can count on finding at least one great option here!

The quick list

In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the laptops on this list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page directly to a review of whichever laptop catches your eye.

The MacBook Air 13-inch M3 is the laptop we recommend first to most people because it delivers unbeatable value. You get great performance from Apple's M3 chip, a bright display and more than 15 hours of battery life (according to our testing) in an ultraportable package.

Read more below

Acer's Aspire Go 15 is the best value in laptops right now because it's a decent Windows 11 ultraportable that can be yours for under $500. Sure, it's underpowered and the speakers suck, but I love it because you get a full laptop with a comfy keyboard, decent performance writing and editing and 10+ hours of tested battery life for less than an iPad.

The Dell XPS 13 (2024) is one of the best Windows laptops you can buy now that it has the power of Snapdragon X chips inside, which give this portable powerhouse killer speed and MacBook-beating battery life in our tests. The capacitive keys are controversial, but you can get used to them.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x features blazing-fast performance, incredible battery life and a gorgeous OLED display in an elegant ultraportable chassis. Though its AI features aren’t impressive, it’s an all-around great Snapdragon X Elite Windows laptop that won’t break the bank.

Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 3 delivers a great display, a decent port selection and enough power to get work done. It's one of the best Chrome tablets you can buy, and the included keyboard cover helps it double as a surprisingly effective 2-in-1 Chromebook. 

Read more below 

The Framework Laptop is a truly unique ultraportable that's remarkably repairable and upgradeable. It's basically the anti-MacBook, designed to be easy to customize, upgrade and repair while delivering style and performance without compromise. Read more below

Load the next 6 products...

We've long been fans of the Zephyrus G14 because it has the chops to run most games at solid framerates, the efficiency to be used as a work laptop in a pinch, and a slim, compact chassis that's more portable than most gaming laptops.  

The MacBook Pro M3 replaces the 13-inch M2 model with a low cost version of the 14-inch Prosumer laptop. With this, you're afforded over 17 hours of battery life, which makes it the longest-lasting laptop on this list

Stylish, lightweight, and powerful, the Acer Swift 5 is a truly impressive Windows 11 laptop that rivals the latest MacBooks in terms of size, style and speed. This mid-range productivity notebook delivers compelling value thanks to its power and vivid 14-inch 1600p touchscreen.

The Asus ProArt PX13 is a mini monster of a 2-in-1 — packing a drop dead gorgeous OLED display, a Copilot+ PC ready screamer of a chip in the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, and a monstrous RTX 4070 GPU.

 The Asus ProArt P16 is a creative powerhouse of a laptop that doesn’t forget about the ergonomics for making great things. From that gorgeous 4K OLED touchscreen to the DialPad, everything keeps you in your flow. 

If you need the most powerful MacBook Pro ever released, look no further than the MacBook Pro 16-inch powered by the M3 Max chip. This laptop renders videos at blazing-fast speeds and is also great for high-end gaming. It also features a sleek new Space Black design.

Dual screen laptops are quickly becoming all the rage, and there's no better option than the new Asus Zenbook Duo — providing Intel Core Ultra performance to keep everything on those gorgeous dual 14-inch 3K OLED displays running fast, and offering it all at just $1,499.

Alex Wawro is a lifelong journalist who's spent over a decade covering tech, games and entertainment. He oversees the computing department at Tom's Guide, which includes managing laptop coverage and reviewing many himself every year. 

The best laptops you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

The best laptop overall

1. apple macbook air m3.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You need a long-lasting laptop:  The MacBook Air M3 lasted more than 15 hours in our battery test, which is longer than its predecessors. This laptop can last you all day and more. ✅ You want a small, fast MacBook:  The M3 chip inside this MacBook Air gives it more than enough power for multitasking, and it pairs well with the long battery life and light weight. While it can't crunch video or play games as well as the MacBook Pros with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, this is the ultimate MacBook for getting things done on the go.

❌ You want to play games: While this laptop does a stellar job of running games optimized for Apple silicon, non-supported games have trouble running at acceptable frame rates. There's also the lack of developer support. If games are important to you, consider looking elsewhere. ❌  You own a MacBook Air 13-inch M2:  The MacBook Air M3 is certainly powerful, completely outclassing its M1 counterpart. However, if you own an Air M2, you don't need its M3 variant since the performance difference between the two is minimal.

💻  The MacBook Air M3 is a bit pricey, but it justifies the premium with an unbeatable combination of performance, battery life, display quality and portability.

1. The best MacBook : See all models compared 2. The best laptops for battery life 3. The best 2-in-1 laptops , for when you can't decide between a laptop and a tablet

What you need to know The MacBook Air M3 is an excellent all-rounder that feels truly worthy of the Air name. Though it's virtually indistinguishable from the excellent MacBook Air 13-inch M2 that previously topped this list, the M3 variant is hard to dismiss.

The MacBook Air M3 (from $1,099) is a breath of fresh you-know-what, and that’s because Apple paired that speedy M3 chip with the same ultraportable design of its predecessor. It's a potent blend of performance and portability, one we recommend as one of the best laptops for getting work done on the go for most folks.

Design:  The MacBook Air M3 is so thin it could easily be mistaken for an iPad when closed (especially if the Apple logo is facing out). That’s how slim this notebook is. Measuring just 0.44 inches thick with the lid open, an everyday Bic pen looks chunky next to this machine.

Don't expect to get much in the way of ports, however. As before, you get just a pair of Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports along the left edge, alongside a MagSafe power adapter. At least you also get a headphone jack.

Display: The 13.6-inch display offers a 2,560 x 1,664-pixel resolution and gets nice and bright in person, so it's a pleasant place to watch videos, write emails, edit photos and whatever else you want to do.  

The MacBook Air M3 did well in our display tests, too. When we tested it with our light meter we found it delivers an average brightness of 476 nits, peaking around 496 when viewing HDR videos. That’s brighter than the  Dell XPS 13 OLED ’s 357-nit average.

Performance:  On Geekbench 6, which measures overall performance, the MacBook Air M2 hit 3,082 on the single-core CPU test and 12,087 on multi-core. That’s faster than both its predecessors, though the performance gulf is widest between the old Air M1 and Air M3. For more details, check out our in-depth MacBook Air M3 benchmark results !

Battery life:  The MacBook Air M3 is one of the longest-lasting laptops for the money. On the Tom’s Guide battery test, the new Air averaged 15 hours and 13 minutes, which is better than average.

Read the full review: MacBook Air 13-inch M3

• ^ Back to the top

The best value laptop

2. acer aspire go 15.

✅You need a Windows 11 laptop under $500: The Acer Aspire Go 15 is one of the best laptops under $500 you can get, in my opinion, because it delivers all the utility of a Windows ultraportable for $299. If you need a cheap laptop for school or getting basic work done, this is a great choice. ✅ You need a versatile productivity machine:  Acer's Aspire Go 15 can feel sluggish and can't run demanding games or apps, but what it can do is handle web surfing, writing, schoolwork and emails. The keyboard is surprisingly spacious and comfy and you get a versatile array of ports to boot, making this cheap laptop surprisingly good for school and office work.

❌ You can't stand sluggish PCs: The Acer Aspire Go 15 can help you get work done, but it won't do it quickly. The weak Intel Core i3-N305 CPU in our review unit chugged if I opened too many Chrome tabs or apps at once, and forget about playing any but the simplest of PC games.

❌ You want to look good on video calls: The cheap 720p webcam built into the Acer Aspire Go 15 is just not very good. It's serviceable if you need to have a chat with colleagues or family, but you won't look your best.

💻  The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a cheap Windows laptop, in both good and bad ways. Luckily, the parts of it which feel cheap in a bad way aren't dealbreakers unless you really can't stand a slow laptop. But if you can make peace with its underpowered performance, the Go 15 will reward you with a sturdy, versatile Windows experience that can last 10+ hours on a full battery, according to our testing. 

1. Best budget laptops 2. I review PCs for a living and this $300 laptop does more than an iPad for less

What you need to know The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a cheap laptop in good and bad ways. For $299 you get a thick-set 15-inch ultraportable with a spacious keyboard, plenty of ports and 10+ hours of tested battery life.

Of course, you have to make some trade-offs when you buy this laptop. The speakers aren't very good, the low-res webcam makes you look washed-out and performance in anything but writing and browsing the web is pretty disappointing.

But if you can live with those compromises you get a pretty useful laptop for not very much money. It's the kind of thing I'd recommend a parent give a child as their first laptop, as it's great for surfing the web and doing homework. Remote learning, office work and research are all easy to do on this affordable 15-incher, but don't expect to play games or run apps more complicated than Minecraft.

Design:  The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a thick-set laptop that measures roughly ‎14.29 x 9.44 x 0.74 inches and weighs 3.86 pounds. That makes it a bit chunkier and heavier than your average 15-inch ultraportable, but it's still easy enough to carry around the house or toss into a backpack on the way to school.

I actually find the plain silver chassis to be kind of attractive since it's so simple and straightforward, but you can always spruce it up with stickers if you want some flair. Along the edges you'll find a decent port array, including two USB-A ports and a USB-C port, an HDMI out and a 3.5mm headphone jack—which is nice to have given the way headphone ports have become an increasingly rare commodity on modern laptops.

Display: If you're a display snob, you might be a bit unhappy with the Acer Aspire Go 15's 15.6-inch LCD screen. The 60Hz 1080p display is plenty good enough for browsing the web or reading, but videos and games look a bit washed-out and dim.

But as long as you're not planning to use this thing outside in direct sunlight all the time, it's more than good enough for basic work and play. 

Performance:  The big weak point of this laptop is its performance. The Intel Core i3-N305 CPU and 8GB of RAM in our review unit is fine as long as you're just running a web browser with some open tabs and maybe an app like Spotify in the background, but forget about running demanding apps without serious slowdown.

Not only can you not do much in the way of serious photo/video editing on this machine, but you can't play many games and you definitely won't be able to run any onboard AI apps. Heck, even opening more than 10+ tabs in Chrome can make this laptop feel noticeably slower.

Battery life:  One nice thing about this laptop's underpowered CPU is the fact that it doesn't eat up much battery power when you're out and about.

I know because this laptop lasted just over 10 hours (10:15) in our in-house battery test, which means you can safely carry it through a day of work or school without needing to lug the charger with you. You'll have to keep the screen dim and be sparing with the apps, but 10+hours of tested battery life is pretty good for a Windows laptop.

Read the full review: Acer Aspire Go 15

The best Windows laptop

3. dell xps 13.

✅ You want a great Windows laptop: There are many great Windows laptops out there, but the Dell XPS 13 shines with its winning combo of svelte design, performance and portability.  ✅You want great battery life: The Snapdragon X chip helped our review unit last nearly 20 hours (19:41) in our battery test, which is incredible for a Windows laptop. If you want all-day battery life, get an XPS with Snapdragon inside. ✅ You don't use a lot of peripherals: The XPS 13 only offers two USB-C ports, one of which you need to use when charging the laptop, so it's not great for folks who like to plug in a lot of devices.

❌ You like physical keys: The Dell XPS 13 has no physical function keys, instead sporting a touch-sensitive bar with light-up capacitive touch keys in its place. So if you hate capacitive touch keys, don't buy this laptop. ❌ Ports are important: The XPS 13 sports 2 USB-C ports, and that's it. You don't even get a headphone jack (though it does come with an adapter that lets you plug some into a USB port), so if you value ports don't buy this laptop.

💻  The Dell XPS 13 is an excellent Windows laptop that's perfect for work thanks to its light weight, speedy performance and incredible battery life. 

1. Dell XPS 15 OLED (2022) vs MacBook Pro 16-inch 2. I used the Dell XPS 15 OLED for 6 months — what I found

What you need to know The Dell XPS 13 hits a sweet spot between portability, price and performance in a Windows laptop. 

We've long loved the excellent compromise between portability and screen size that is the XPS 13, and the 2024 model maintains that killer look while upgrading to a killer Snapdragon X CPU that delivers outstanding battery life.

While the row of capacitive touch function keys and the invisible touchpad are controversial design choices that take some getting used to, those that do will be rewarded with one of the best Windows laptops you can buy. The 2024 Dell XPS 13 may only have a pair of USB-C ports and little else in the port department, but if you just need a fast, lightweight Windows 11 machine for getting things done on the go, this is a great choice.

Design:  At 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches inches and roughly 2.6 pounds heavy, the Dell XPS 13 is pretty portable and easy to carry. Plus, it looks great on a desk. You can throw it in your backpack and carry it through a day of school or work, without having to worry about feeling the extra load.

Display: The 13.4-inch display on the XPS 15 looks great and almost appears to hover in the the air thanks to the thin bezels of its InfinityEdge display. It's not especially lush but it does get bright, which is nice when working outside in the sun.

Performance:  The Dell XPS 13 is a capable machine, and our review unit was more than speedy enough at time of review thanks to its Snapdragon X Elite CPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.

However, be aware that without the option to put a discrete graphics card in this laptop it will never be great for gaming on anything other than cloud gaming services.

Battery life:  Our Dell XPS 13 review unit lasted 19 hours and 41 minutes in our battery test, which is amazing battery life. You can carry this laptop through a whole day of work or school confident that you won't have to bring a charger.

However, it is much better than many Windows laptops, including the preceding XPS 15 (2021), which couldn't even last 8 hours in the same test. The newer XPS 15 also beat out both Windows ultraportables like the the  Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7  (8:06) and gaming laptops like the Alienware x14 (5:35).

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 (2024) review

The best Copilot laptop

4. lenovo yoga slim 7x.

✅ You want a great Copilot+ laptop: Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Elite chips are great, but the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x delivers a great combination of portability, performance and battery life. ✅You want an OLED display:  The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x's OLED display is one of its strongest attributes. It delivers vibrant colors and deep contrasts at a sharp 2,944 x 1,840 resolution. ✅ You want dependable battery life:  The Yoga Slim 7x lasted for 14 hours on our battery life test, which is well more than you'll need for a full workday — with enough left over to stream some videos.

❌ You expect useful AI features: This is an issue with all Copilot+ PCs at the moment, but the advertised AI features this laptop supports aren't fully realized yet. As such, don't expect this laptop to deliver in that regard. ❌ You want a headphone jack: If you want to listen to music or videos without bothering your neighbors then you'll need to use a pair of wireless headphones since this laptop doesn't have a headphone jack.

💻  The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is arguably the best Copilot+ PC thanks to its ultraportable design, fast performance, gorgeous OLED panel and phenomenal battery life. Best of all, it won't break the bank.

1. HP OmniBook X review 2. This is the longest-lasting laptop

What you need to know The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is built for portability and efficiency.

Thanks to its Snapdragon X Elite chip, you'll get more than all-day battery life and enough performance to power through your regular workload. The OLED panel is a marvel to behold, and its ultraportable design makes it easy to travel with. For $1,199, it offers an excellent value all around.

Design:  At 12.8 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches and weighing 2.8 pounds, this svelte notebook is almost as thin and light as the 13-inch MacBook Air. And thanks to its sturdy aluminum chassis and tasteful Cosmic Blue color, it looks just as good as Apple’s laptop.

Display: The OLED display is a big selling point. It pumps out inky blacks, eye-scorching whites, and super-saturated colors. In addition, the sharp 2,944 x 1,840 resolution means everything you’re looking at is nice and clear.

Performance:  The Yoga Slim 7x can easily handle most everyday workloads thanks to its fast Snapdragon X Elite processor and 16GB of RAM (upgradeable to 32GB). It also runs cool and quiet. In our battery test, it matched or exceeded its Apple M-series and Intel Core Ultra-driven competitors.

Battery life:  In our battery test, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x averaged 14 hours and 14 minutes, which is astonishing for a Windows laptop.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x

The best Chromebook

5. lenovo duet 3.

✅ You want a Chromebook that turns into a tablet: The Duet 3 is a Chrome tablet at heart, but the included snap-on keyboard turns it into a decent laptop that's good enough to get you through a day of class. ✅You prize screen quality: You can get Chromebooks for less, but many have dim, low-quality screens. Not so with the Duet 3, which sports an 11-inch 2K screen with great color reproduction that gets plenty bright. 

❌ You plan to do a ton of typing: The detachable keyboard on the Duet 3 is good enough to type out some emails or even a paper, but if you'll be typing all day on it you'll want something a little more comfortable. ❌ You need a headphone jack: It's disappointing that you can't plug in a pair of inexpensive earbuds. You'll have to invest in one of the  best wireless earbuds  or  best wireless headphones  if you want to do any private listening (or Zoom calls) on the Duet 3.

💻  The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a remarkably versatile and well-made Chrome 2-in-1 for not much money. While it has some issues, including an uncomfortable keyboard and no headphone jack, we feel it's the best Chromebook for most people.

1. Best Chromebooks 2. Best Chromebooks for kids 3. Best student Chromebooks

What you need to know The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a cheap, performant Chrome tablet with a great screen and a packed-in keyboard that makes it a surprisingly versatile 2-in-1.

The fact that the Duet 3 doubles as both a tablet and a laptop gives it remarkable versatility for the price, but you should know that detachable keyboards are not as comfortable to type on as a traditional clamshell laptop keyboard. So if you plan to do a lot of writing on your Chromebook, you might be happier with another of the best Chromebooks on the market. 

But if you like the idea of a Chrome tablet that you can type on when you want to knock out an email or a social post, the Duet 3 delivers great value in a slim package.

Design:   The Duet 3 sports a luminous 11-inch 2K (2,000 x 1,200 pixels) screen housed in a black aluminum chassis that, at 10.16 x 6.48 x 0.31 inches and just 1.14 pounds, isn't hard to hold. Sure, the Duet 3 isn't quite as thin or light as pricier tablets like the base  iPad 2021  (0.29 inches, 1.09 pounds), but it's awful close and feels plenty light enough to carry around the house all day.

Display: The Duet 3's 11-inch 2K display on the Duet 3 gets nice and  bright, with good color accuracy. It's plenty responsive too, which you want in a touchscreen. 

It gets a bit reflective in direct sunlight, but remains plenty usable for most applications.

Performance:  Our Duet 3 review unit is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip, and it feels plenty snappy for basic work. In my own day-to-day work and play I was able to open 2-0+ tabs in Chrome and stream music, watch videos on the Amazon Prime Video app, and play a game downloaded from the Google Play Store with no hitching or performance issues.

This tablet is no speed demon, but if you just need it for basic web browsing and entertainment you'll have no complaints.

Battery life:  The Duet 3 lasted roughly 10 hours and 30 minute in our battery test, which is good enough that you can carry it to a day of classes without having to worry about plugging in. In my own hands-on time using the tablet at home, I found I could reliably use it sparingly for a few days and still count on having upwards of 70% battery life when I picked it up.

Read the full review: Lenovo Duet 3

The easiest laptop to repair and upgrade

6. framework laptop.

✅ You care about your right to repair: I've never seen a laptop that's easier to open up, fiddle around with and put back together. No other laptop on the market can match the Framework in this regard, so if you care about being able to repair and upgrade your laptop, this is the one for you. ✅ You're plagued by port envy: On most laptops, the ports it comes with are all you get. The Framework is different: you can change what ports it sports by buying hot-swappable Expansion Cards that you plug into 4 slots on the bottom of the laptop, and each can have one port on it. So you can swap out 2 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports for 1 USB-C, 1 USB-A, a DisplayPort out and an Ethernet jack, for example. ✅ You like a tall screen: The 3:2 display ratio of the Framework's screen feels a bit taller than the displays found on most laptops, and it's great for working with "tall" things like long documents, emails, coding projects and more.

❌ You're scared by pieces of your laptop coming off: The Framework is well-designed and sturdy, but because it's designed to be taken apart you may occasionally find yourself accidentally doing something like popping the bezel off the screen. This is a feature, not a problem, but it can unnerve new owners. ❌ You don't want to pay extra for ports: The Framework offers unrivaled port versatility thanks to its Expansion Card system, but it does entail buying a handful of Cards for all the ports and other options you want, some of which could be easily lost or misplaced.

💻  The Framework Laptop is a remarkable piece of tech. It's a great laptop for getting work done, but more than that it's a statement of purpose, a clear example that every other laptop maker could be building and selling us more repairable, sustainable laptops if they cared to as much as Framework does. Its a fantastic investment if you care about your right to repair and upgrade your own laptop.

What you need to know When it came out we called the Framework Laptop the Anti-MacBook because it's everything Apple doesn't do in laptops: Repairable, upgradable and respectful of your rights as an owner.

I was initially excited about those promises but dubious the company could deliver on them without some glaring sacrifices. But now that I’ve used one myself, I’m happy to report the Framework Laptop is as good as advertised. The updated Framework Laptop 13 the company shipped in 2023 only reinforced my opinions. With its intentionally easy-to-repair design (you can pop pieces off this laptop and get at the innards in minutes, with no tools besides the spudger it comes with) and super cool swappable Expansion Card ports, the Framework Laptop 13 is a versatile ultraportable that's one of the best laptops you can buy if you care about your right to repair and tinker with your devices. 

Design:  The Framework sports a simple silver aluminum chassis that blends right in with all the other laptops in the coffee shop, until you spot the Framework gear logo on the lid. At 11.67 x 9 x 0.62 inches in size and just 2.8 pounds, this DIY ultraportable is just as thin and even a hair lighter than Apple's  MacBook Air with M1 , an especially incredible feat when you realize the Framework achieves that 0.62-inch thinness while still being modular and full of easy to access, mostly user-replaceable parts that, unlike a MacBook, aren't needlessly soldered to the mainboard in a way that makes repairing or upgrading a MacBook nearly impossible. 

Display: The Framework's 13.5-inch display is sharp and functional, and its relatively7 rare 2,256 x 1,504 resolution (a byproduct of the 3:2 aspect ratio) is well-suited for viewing webpages and text. It also gets plenty bright in person, though you'll probably be frustrated if you try using it outdoors in direct sun.

Performance:  While the Framework I tested performed well under pressure, the cooling fans are awfully loud and sometimes kick on even when doing light work like browsing the web. It also underperformed a bit in our performance benchmarks compared to a lot of its contemporaries. Our unit also fell a bit behind its contemporaries in our performance tests, so while it's great for work and some light gaming I wouldn't try taxing it with anything more serious.

Battery life:  The Framework’s battery is good enough to get you through a day of work without needing to pack a charger, which is great to see in a productivity laptop. The Framework lasted 11 hours and 38 minutes in our battery test, which as you'll see from the chart of test results is quite good compared to some other laptops on this page.

Read the full review: Framework Laptop 13 (2023)

The best gaming laptop

7. asus rog zephyrus g14.

✅ You want a gaming laptop you can take to class: You can find gaming laptops with lower price tags, bigger screens or more powerful innards, but you won't find many with better battery life, or that look as good on a desk. The Zephyrus G14 stands apart from the crowd by being powerful to play the latest games, yet performant and low-profile enough to double as a work laptop. ✅ You want an all-AMD gaming machine: PC diehards have strong feelings about Intel vs. AMD vs. Nvidia components. If you prefer an all-AMD laptop, the Zephyrus G14 can deliver that, and the much-ballyhooed efficiency of AMD components may have something to do with this laptop's remarkable battery life.

❌ You want more than 14 inches: The 14-inch (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) 120Hz display on the Zephyrus G14 is great, but it's a little small to really enjoy playing games to full effect. You could always hook the laptop up to one of the best gaming monitors , but if you want a larger canvas for gaming on the go you should look elsewhere. ❌  Webcam quality matters: The 720p webcam in the latest ROG Zephyrus G14 leaves a lot to be desired, and if you use it for streaming you'll hardly look your best. That said, earlier Zephyrus G14 models didn't even have webcams, so at least you get one this time around.

💻  The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a great gaming laptop, delivering a potent blend of performance, portability and power efficiency. The bright 16:10 120Hz display makes games and movies look great, while the speakers sound good enough that you won't feel compelled to use headphones.

What you need to know The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is one of the  best gaming laptops  on the market for most people because it's powerful, easy to carry and offers best-in-class battery life (for a gaming laptop). The newer models offer a better, brighter screen than earlier models, with good speakers and an AMD CPU/GPU combo that delivers solid gaming performance. This model also has a webcam built into the top bezel of the display, a convenience for video calls that earlier models lacked. 

However, the Zephyrus G14 can't always deliver better performance than similarly-priced gaming laptops, and the webcam isn't very good. Still, you'd have a hard time finding a better gaming laptop (that can also double as a work or school laptop) for this price.

Design:  The Zephyrus G14 measures 12.28 x 8.94 x 0.77 inches, weighs 3.79 pounds and looks good in Asus’ bright Moonlight White color scheme. The rounded corners and tapered edges balance out the sharp diagonal vents scattered across the chassis, and the optional and eye-catching AniMe Matrix mini-LED display on the back of the lid is a $600 cosmetic upgrade that will definitely turn heads.

Display: The 14-inch WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) display on the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) looks great, and with its 16:10 aspect ratio I had no trouble juggling a lot of open windows on the desktop. The 120Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time and support for Dolby Vision HDR ensure the display is well-suited to making games and movies look their best.

Performance:  Gaming performance is what matters in a laptop like this, and the 2022 Zephyrus G14 delivers if you configure it right. Our well-equipped review unit  to hit 30-40 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 on max settings. However, that was with the help of AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaling tech. In general, this laptop can run the best PC games quite well, and it has no trouble with basic productivity tasks.

Battery life:   The Asus Zephyrus G14 (2022) lasted roughly 10 hours and 14 minutes in our Tom's Guide battery test, and barely over an hour when gaming. That's great web browsing time for a gaming laptop, so this is a great choice if you want a gaming machine that can also last through a day of classes.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022)

The longest-lasting laptop

8. macbook pro 14-inch (m3, 2023).

✅ You want a fast MacBook: While it can't match the video-crunching power of the beefier M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pros, the M3-equipped 14-inch MacBook Pro 2023 is one of the fastest laptops on the block.

✅Battery life is key: The 2023 MacBook Pro sets a high-water mark for battery life when we tested it, lasting over 17 hours in our battery endurance tests. That's one of the longest-lived laptops we've ever tested.  ✅ You want Pro features for cheaper: In killing the 13-inch MacBook Pro, Apple is giving its cheapest pro that gorgeous 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR display, some of the best speakers we've heard on a laptop, and more ports.

❌ You don't like the notch: With the benefits the adoption of the 14-inch model's design bring, one key drawback is the notch. If that's going to buy you, you may want to shop elsewhere.

❌ You're looking for additional Pro power: The standard 3nm chipset is good, but the M3 Pro and M3 Max do hold a lot more power potential — particularly in the graphics department. ❌  Price-to-performance matters: With a retail price of $1,599, the M3 MacBook Pro is relatively affordable. However, there are Windows machines at this price range that offer more horsepower like a dedicated GPU for gaming.

💻  The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 delivers blistering performance and an even brighter display along with surprisingly robust graphics and super-long battery life.

What you need to know The new M3 MacBook Pro represents a big shift in Apple's laptop range, as the company (finally) killed off its 13-inch model with Touch Bar in favor of the far more premium 14-inch frame. 

Alongside this, it delivers mind-blowing performance along with a class-leading battery life, a Liquid Retina XDR display, full-height function keys, amazing speakers, and a class-leading battery life.

Design:  The new MacBook Pro features that same unibody aluminum design that was previously reserved for the Pro and Max MacBook Pros. Gone is that classic look with the eyesore of a Touch Bar, and in its place is a utilitarian frame that comes with a somewhat distracting display notch.

Along the left side of the laptop you'll find the MagSafe charging port, two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Over on the right you’ll find the HDMI port and SD Card slot.

Display: The MacBook Pro M3’s 14-inch, mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display is still one of the best you’ll find on any laptop, even if it’s not as rich as an OLED panel. And Apple has boosted the brightness on the latest model when viewing SDR (standard dynamic range) content to 555 nits in our own testing.

Performance:  The MacBook Pro’s M3 chip is the latest and greatest slice of Apple silicon, which is why this is one of the most powerful laptops on this list if you care about demanding work like photo/video editing or game development.

Our testing reveals this beast is at least 20% faster than the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 , and it's a decent gaming laptop as well as it can run the latest titles like Lies of P at a smooth 60 FPS, with bells and whistles like hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

Battery life:  In our battery testing our 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro lasted for 17 hours and 23 minutes. That's admittedly not quite as long as the 18:20 delivered the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2, but with that model now discontinued this is the new top dog of Apple's laptops when it comes to battery life.

In short, the M3 MacBook Pro can easily last you through a full day of work and beyond. If you need great battery life, this is the longest-lasting laptop on this list.

Read the full review: MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023)

The best MacBook Air alternative

9. acer swift 5 (2022).

✅ You love 1600p resolution: The Swift 5 is a great all-rounder, but one thing that sets it apart is its unique 2,560 x 1,600 display. That's effectively the 16:10 equivalent to 1440p, and if you love the idea of a taller, higher-res display on your Windows laptop this is one of the few to deliver it. ✅ You want a MacBook Air M2 competitor for less: Acer gave the 2022 Swift 5 a smart redesign and a component upgrade that helps it rival premium ultraportables like Apple's MacBook Air or Dell's XPS 13, but the Swift 5 costs a bit less than either. 

❌ You want to play a lot of games: The beautiful 1600p display makes what you do on the Swift 5 look great, but you won't be doing a lot of high-intensity gaming with just an Intel CPU and no discrete GPU. ❌ You hate bloatware: Almost every new PC comes with some software pre-installed, but Acer really takes it up a notch. You’ll find unnecessary apps like Booking.com, Simple Mahjong, Planet9 Link, Aura Privacy, ExpressVPN, Forge of Empires, and other programs that aren’t part of a vanilla Windows 11 install on a new Swift 5, which is a hassle to clear out.

💻 The Acer Swift 5 , with its great 1600p display, fast SSD, a great design — and a good price — represents a very strong value compared to similarly-specced competitors. Those looking for a productivity notebook will especially appreciate its 16:10 display, which makes it easier to view documents and spreadsheets. However, it's not an ideal gaming platform, and its battery life could be better. 

What you need to know The Acer Swift 5 (2022) is a svelte Windows laptop sporting a slick design, a gorgeous 1600p display and a speedy enough 12th-gen Intel chip onboard to get you through  a day of work. It’s also cheaper than its chief rivals when comparably equipped. 

While this laptop has some flaws, it's a great machine that delivers a lot of value for its sub-$2k price tag. 

Design:  While older Swift 5 laptops looked pretty generic, the 2022 model has a beautiful design with eye-catching edges decked out in a double-anodized gold treatment. 

Measuring 12.2 x 8.4 x 0.59 inches and weighing just 2.65 pounds, the Acer Swift 5 is thicker than Apple's MacBook Air but also a hair lighter. The Acer Swift 5 feels sturdy despite its light weight thanks to its resilient aluminum chassis, and our review unit had a beautiful diamond pattern traced on it in gold lines that are as thin as a human hair, according to Acer.

Display: The Acer Swift 5’s 14-inch panel looks beautiful, and its WQXGA resolution (2560x1600, or 1600p) ensures it can deliver more pixels on-screen than more traditional 1080p or 1440p laptop displays.

The display offers a 16:10 aspect ratio, and in our testing the big, wide screen was easy to digest at a glance and made the games and movies we watched on it look great. 

Performance:  The Acer Swift 5 is plenty speedy thanks to its Intel CPU and 16GB of RAM. While this machine can't achieve the same speeds as other, more expensive laptops on this list, like the M3 MacBook Pro, it's plenty powerful enough for getting work done.

And while you shouldn't expect to play the latest and greatest games at max settings on this laptop, less demanding games like Fortnite , Rocket League, and League of Legends can be enjoyed for hours with decent-looking graphics courtesy of the laptop's integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics chipset.

Battery life:  Sadly, we've hit the one disappointing point in this otherwise glowing overview. While the Acer Swift 5 is a stunning little Windows laptop that's plenty good enough for what it costs, the fact that it barely lasted over 11 hours in our battery test was a little disappointing.

Don't get me wrong, it's still longer-lasting than most Windows laptops, including a few on this list. But our battery test is done under controlled conditions with the screen kept quite dim, and in the real world when you're perhaps using it in the bright sun or playing games on it, it will last a lot less time. In our review we noticed that using the laptop normally at max brightness caused it to conk out in about 5 hours, which is disappointing. Thankfully, it does charge quickly.

Read the full review: Acer Swift 5 (2022)

The best 2-in-1 laptop

10. asus proart px13.

✅ You love ultraportables : The Asus ProArt PX13 is impressively thin and light — even more so when you take into account just how much power is inside here.

✅ You want an OLED display : OLED displays have become the norm for Asus, and the 2.8k panel in here is seriously eye-melting in terms of gorgeous color and contrast.

✅ You want a powerful 2-in-1: With the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and up to a beasty RTX 4070 GPU, this is a very powerful 2-in-1 for creators and gamers alike.

❌ You need long battery life: Over 9 hours of battery life is respectable, but in a world of MacBooks and Snapdragon laptops that can last 15 hours or more, the stamina doesn't keep up. ❌ You need a cheap 2-in-1: For all that power, you are paying a minimum of $1,699. While it's good value for money in comparison to other prosumer devices, it's still a tall order if you're more of a casual user.

💻 The Asus ProArt PX13 is a premium and powerful 2-in-1 — sporting good looks that subtly reveal the amount of performance under the hood to get things done. The vivid 2.8K OLED display is the cherry on top that makes everything you do on this laptop look nice. While the combo of AMD Ryzen AI 9 and dedicated GPU deliver impressive power, the battery life does take a hit.

What you need to know The Asus ProArt PX13 is the current king of 2-in-1 laptops. A dream machine for creators, this super-stylish, supremely flexible portable PC is a joy to use, whether you’re artistically talented or not. Thanks to its playful AI apps that are a joy to mess around with for hours on end — even if you can’t draw a stick figure — digital artists are going to have a blast with this.

Asus’ dreamy 2-in-1 is a performant beast thanks to its mighty AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, up to RTX 4070 GPU and a ton of RAM. Just be ready to pay a pretty penny for it, as this laptop starts at $1,699, and the battery life will take a hit.

Design:  Measuring 11.7 x 8.2 x 0.7 inches inches and weighing 3 pounds ensures the ProArt PX13 is a great travel laptop. While it's not as thin and light as the 13-inch  MacBook Air M3 , it's easy to carry from room to room and not a hassle to throw in a backpack to take with you to work.

Display: One of the main selling points of this laptop is its 13.3-inch 2.8K OLED panel, and it delivers both in our own hands-on testing and in our performance testing lab, achieving bright brights, deep darks and beautiful contrasts between light and shadow. A good OLED panel makes everything you do on it look better, and this laptop is no exception.

Performance:  The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in our Asus ProArt PX13 ensure that this thin-and-light laptop doesn't straggle when it comes time to work. And paired with the RTX 4070 and 32GB of RAM, this laptop can tear through big video editing projects and even play the latest and greatest games at high settings.

Battery life:  In our battery test the Asus ProArt PX13 lasted for 9 hours and 28 minutes, which in a Snapdragon world isn't the best. It's acceptable and not a huge hassle if you don't plan to carry it around for a full day, but if you do it's kind of a bummer that you need to bring a charger with you or else risk running out of juice at a key moment.

Read the full review: Asus ProArt PX13 .

The best MacBook Pro alternative

11. asus proart p16.

✅ You’re looking for a Windows 11 laptop for creativity: Whether you’re workload heavily involves Photoshop or Premiere Pro, or if you have a passion for music creation in Pro Tools, the sheer performance potential of this machine will keep up with any demands. ✅ You want confidence in the color of your work: Not every OLED display is the same. They can look amazing, but not be calibrated for accuracy. Every ProArt P16 is color calibrated so you can be sure that what you’re working on is true to what it will look like in real-life. Plus that display is simply gorgeous. ✅ You want a laptop you’re proud to whip out in public: A lot of laptops with dedicated GPUs can look a bit garish. The ProArt P16 is very demure and very mindful with its sleek aluminum shell, stellar keyboard and responsive touchpad with DialPad to dial into your creativity.

❌ You value battery life highly: For the general day-to-day, the stamina is OK. But any additional pressure like RAW Photoshop editing will drain it fast. ❌ You need lightning fast loading speeds: The SSD loading times in here aren’t overtly bad, but there are far faster options out there for transferring dense files — like the MacBook Pro.

💻  The Asus ProArt P16 is easily one of the best creator laptops you can buy — packing stellar performance, a fantastic display, great ergonomics and AI smarts into a carefully considered and sexy chassis.

What you need to know

The Asus ProArt P16 takes the familiar aluminum unibody enclosure of the ROG Zephyrus G16, classes it up a little and repurposes it for creators. It sounds like a small change, but the big updates on display here make it a true masterpiece of a portable creation station.

That 4K OLED display is super crispy and color accurate for crucial edits, the combination of AMD Ryzen AI 9 and RTX 4070 power through any and all tasks you throw at it, and the super responsive touch screen + DialPad control give you the options to make the most finite of changes to your creations.

Design: The ProArt P16 feels unmistakably luxurious with its aluminum construction. It copies some of the ROG Zephyrus G16’s homework, but in a good way — replacing that silver tone with a mean matte black finish. And at 13.9 x 9.7 x 0.7 inches with a weight of 4.1 pounds, it manages to shave a bit of weight off the M3 Max MacBook Pro too.

Display: Opening up the ProArt P16 will reveal its mouthwatering 16-inch 4K OLED screen. It may only run at 60Hz, but for the creative pro, you just need super crispy detail and color you can trust, which this absolutely delivers on. Not only that, but the 16:10 aspect ratio is great for productivity, and that vividness alongside the amazing contrast makes this a fantastic binge watching display.

Performance: This laptop is a monster — packing AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 combined with RTX 4070 GPU. Not only can it crush graphics-intensive creative tasks in a time that would make any MacBook Pro blush, but it’s also great for gaming too. Pair that with a ton of RAM, and you won’t see one iota of slowdown no matter what you do.

Battery life: In regular day-to-day use, the ProArt P16 does OK with over 9 hours in our battery test. But you’re probably more bothered about putting it under prosumer strain, at which point it does stumble slightly. If you plan to tax it with 4K video edits and the like, make sure you keep that charger with you.

Read the full review: Asus ProArt P16

The best powerful MacBook

12. macbook pro 16-inch (m3 max, 2023).

✅ You need to edit 8K videos: If you're a professional video editor, there's no Apple laptop more powerful than the MacBook Pro 16-inch with M3 Max. This laptop will likely pay for itself over time with how much time it could save you. ✅ You like playing high-end games on Mac: Gaming on Macs has always been dubious but it's better than ever thanks to the M3 family of chips. Games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Lies of P showcase how fast and fluid games can run on the latest Macs.   ✅ You want a MacBook that'll last for years: M1 MacBooks are still viable so it stands to reason that M3-driven notebooks could potentially last you even longer. This should justify the admittedly high initial price.

❌ You don't want to spend so much money: The MacBook Pro 16-inch with M3 Max starts at $3,499 and can get as high as $7,199 when fully decked out. This is not a machine for those on a budget. ❌ You own a MacBook Pro M2 Max: The M3 Max MacBook Pro is roughly 20% faster than its M2 Max-driven predecessor. While that's impressive, it means you don't have to update to M3 Max if you have an M2 Max laptop.

💻  The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max, 2023) retains the same fetching design and gorgeous mini-LED display as the previous M2 Max model, this premium laptop’s performance is currently second to none. That hefty $3.5k starting price tag is a significant chunk of change, but professional creatives and even gamers will get their money’s worth.

What you need to know: The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip is one of the most powerful laptops we’ve ever tested. That's not a huge surprise since we said that about its predecessor the  MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M2 Max  chip, but it remains amazing that Apple's own chips can deliver this much power and efficiency in a laptop.

The M3 MacBook Pro 16-inch is basically identical to its predecessors in all the other ways too, right down to the size, screen and number of ports. The only new thing besides the M3 chips is a new Space Black color scheme for the top-tier models, which admittedly does look stellar. 

Design: The MacBook Pro M3 Max measures 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches and weighs 4.8 pounds (or a slightly lighter 4.7 for the less powerful M3 Pro model). That is pretty big and heavy, but at least the laptop's squared-off aluminum chassis feels durable in your hands.

Display: The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina Display (3,456 x 2,234) on the MacBook Pro M3 Max looks just as good as it did on previous models, and the 120Hz refresh rate can help make scrolling feel smoother and allow some games to run at a very high framerates. Admittedly some people don't like the notch that hangs down from the top bezel, where it contains the camera equipment, but I find that you quickly stop noticing it once you get used to it.

Performance: The MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max is the most powerful laptop we've ever reviewed as of the end of 2023, though we expect that to change in the months ahead. But even if it does eventually lose that title, there's no question that the 16-inch MacBook Pro is a powerhouse. You can get better performance out of the M3 Max model than the weaker M3 Pro version, but both are plenty powerful enough for demanding work like video editing and programming.

Battery life:  The 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 lasted roughly 17 hours in our in-house battery tests, which is remarkable. While it's not the longest-lasting MacBook on this list, it lasts hours longer than any competing Windows laptop. No need to lug the charger with you when taking this out for a day at the office.

Read the full review: MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max, 2023)

The best dual screen laptop

13. asus zenbook duo (2024).

✅ Your workload requires two screens: Let's be honest — two screens are better than one for multitasking, and the Asus Zenbook Duo packs two stunning 14-inch panels. Pair that with the best keyboard and trackpad on a laptop of this class, and you'll fall in love with getting stuff done on this mini machine. ✅ You've wanted a dual-screen laptop, but have always felt nervous about durability: It's easy to get anxious about the durability of dual-screen laptops. With this, you won't feel a hint of nervousness, as the military grade-tested chassis and strong kickstand ensure confidence.   ✅ You're adding AI to your workload: The Intel Core Ultra CPUs on offer in the Zenbook Duo do well to speed up graphics-based tasks, but the secret sauce is in that NPU for handling any AI-based tasks.

❌ You want a decent amount of ports: With just two Thunderbolt 4, one USB-A and HDMI 2.1 ports, you can easily find yourself missing the likes of an SD card reader. ❌ You're looking for the best battery life: It's a dual-screen laptop, so of course that second panel will impact the battery life — specifically, you're getting just over 8 hours of runtime in our own testing.

💻  The Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) polishes the dual-screen laptop formula with key refinements that makes this category feel like less of a gimmick, and more of a real recommendation. From it's impressive value for money to the versatility of how you can use this, you will more than get your money's worth.

What you need to know: The Asus Zenbook Duo (2024) could be easily mistaken for a gimmick — most dual-screen laptops are. But this is the one that transcends that label with a finely tailored UI, sleek and durable hardware, and two gorgeous 14-inch OLED displays, to become one of the best laptops you can buy today.

Moving away from the awkwardly sandwiched second display of its predecessors, the new Zenbook Duo takes inspiration from the likes of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i and HP Spectre Fold , while refusing to compromise on key specs and offer it all at an affordable $1,499 price.

Design: The Asus Zenbook Duo measures in at 12.3 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches and weighs 3.6 pounds. That additional thickness is down to the detachable keyboard and trackpad deck for full dual-screen action. For those who are worried about the durability of a dual-screen laptop, fear no more — the hinge and kickstand are super strong.

Display: With two 14-inch OLED panels, the Asus Zenbook Duo provides great color and a crisp contrast to all visuals — lending itself to instilling confidence in you when editing photos. Plus, with a 16:10 aspect ratio and 120Hz refresh rate on both, they feel silky smooth to interact with. Be it with the trackpad or your fingers for multi-touch gestures. 

Performance: The Asus Zenbook Duo packs up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 chipset, which guarantees a decent amount of power for chewing through even the most intensive of workloads. This comes down to two key strengths: that NPU taking on some of the AI-driven tasks, and a boost in graphics with that ARC-inspired iGPU meaning that more visual-intensive workloads are handled effectively.

Battery life:  The Asus Zenbook Duo does fall down slightly when it comes to battery life, which is expected given the 75Wh cell is powering two panels. Specifically, you're hitting just over 8 hours on one charge (10 hours if you're using this in single-screen. Make sure you keep a charger around with you.

Read the full review: Asus Zenbook Duo (2024)

We test and review dozens of laptops every year, and just because they don't all make this list doesn't mean they aren't good machines.

No, there are loads of great laptops that don't quite achieve the level of excellence needed to be leaders of the pack. Below we've gathered all the good laptops we've tested which don't quite make this list, but are still great alternatives well worth considering if they meet your unique needs, or if you can't find your first choice on sale. 

14. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 ($999 to start) is the first Surface Laptop to ship with a Qualcomm CPU inside, and the extra power and battery life it affords make this the best Surface Laptop yet.

While there's not a lot of flash to this workhorse, those in need of a straightforward no-frills Windows 11 laptop will be well-served by the Surface Laptop 7. Available with your choice of a 13-inch or 15-inch 120 Hz touchscreen, these laptops offer good performance and a comfy typing experience for not too much money. 

Admittedly, the port array is sparse at best (all you get is USB-C) and you won't be doing much hardcore gaming on this portable PC. And while its Snapdragon X chipset qualify this as one of Microsoft's first Copilot+ PCs, the AI features on offer feel frivolous and fun to have at best. 

But that may change down the line, and even if you don't care a bit about AI this remains a great ultraportable for Windows fans.

Read our full Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review .

Battery benchmarks: comparison

We run every laptop we review through a series of battery tests to see how long it actually lasts on a full charge, which is one of the key deciding factors for most people when buying a laptop. You want to know about how long a laptop will actually last on a full charge so you know when to carry a charger with you, and when you're safe to leave it at home.

Note that these tests do not reflect real-world use patterns since we have to set every laptop to the same settings in order to do fair comparisons. Thus, while the times listed here are accurate and useful as a comparison point, your own experience with a laptop's battery life will likely vary quite a bit.

This is because when we run our battery test we set the laptop's display to 150 nits of brightness and have it endlessly browse the web via Wi-Fi until it dies. However, when you use your laptop you're likely adjusting brightness on the fly, doing all sorts of different tasks while perhaps listening to music or watching a video at the same time, and generally putting the machine through more of a workout than it gets in our test.

So while I stand by our testing and the battery life results we compare in the chart below, I want to be clear that your own experience will vary! 

How to choose the best laptop for you

What kind of power do you want? If you only need something basic for surfing the web, consider a Chromebook or a cheap Windows laptop with an Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB of RAM, because that's the minimum you should expect from a modern laptop. If you want something that feels speedy and can handle more than basic writing and web browsing, look for beefier laptops with at least an Intel Core i5 CPU from the past few years, 8 to 16GB of RAM and a 256GB to 512GB SSD for storage.

What kind of games do you want to play? Most laptops feature integrated graphics chipsets that are built into their CPU, which usually struggle to run demanding modern games but can often handle old or less graphically-demanding games. But if want to play the latest and greatest games on your portable PC you'll want a dedicated gaming laptop, because they come with more powerful discrete laptop graphics cards, more RAM, better cooling systems and other advancements designed to make them decent gaming machines. Of course, you have to make compromises when buying a gaming laptop that you don't have to make when buying one of the best gaming PCs , since your laptop needs a beefy battery and enough room to be able to discharge heat effectively without cooking its innards.

How big of a laptop do you want? Think about how often you might carry this laptop around. Machines such as the Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Air are remarkably light and slim, but their 13-inch screens are on the small side. You can get a larger 15-inch display on a premium ultraportable like the XPS 15 and still not have to worry about weight too much, but once you start getting up into the realm of 16-inch to 18-inch screens, expect your laptop to weigh at least 3-5 pounds. As mentioned above gaming laptops are almost always several pounds heavier than thin-and-light ultraportables because they need more room for beefier components, but they offer big power in exchange.

Do you want Chrome, macOS, or Windows? Windows is the most common operating system, while macOS is more ideal for folks already tied into Apple's ecosystem. ChromeOS is Google's minimal operating system, which has the advantage of being decent and cheap but the disadvantage of requiring an Internet connection to take advantage of its full features. 

So if you don't think you'll be online often, a Chromebook is a poor choice and you should go with Windows or macOS instead. On the other hand, if you just need a low-powered laptop or tablet for browsing the web, writing emails and watching videos, ChromeOS will do you just fine.

Whichever system you decide on, you may also want to consider investing in the best mouse and best keyboard for your needs so you can have some more ergonomic options for getting work done on your new laptop. I also recommend getting yourself an affordable laptop stand, as a $45 stand revolutionized the way I work on the go.

How do I find the best laptop deals?

We've scoured the internet and given you the best deals on our favorite laptops just above, but we know they're not going to be the best options for everyone! If you're shopping around for something more suited to your tastes, here's how our team go about finding stellar savings.

First things first, establish what you're looking to buy and set a budget. It's easy to watch costs spiral and before you know it, you've dropped thousands of dollars on additional power and features you may not need. Figuring out what you want to do with your laptop and how much money you're comfortable spending is the best option. For example, saying "I want a good gaming laptop for under $1,000" will net you a whole host of great budget-to-mid-range choices.

Second, retailers are going to work really hard to make its deals look super attractive with huge percentage discounts, but don't fall for it. We've already spotted numerous deals that have actually been cheaper in the past, but just look better now because the original retail price was jacked up just before Black Friday. 

As a good sense check for this, take a look at downloading the Camelizer — a Chrome extension that can run an extensive historical price check on any Amazon product. With that line graph, you can see whether that Cyber Monday laptop deal is actually a deal.

And finally, within your choice, have a think about what particular features of a laptop matter to you. If you're someone who cares about screen real estate, the choice is obvious. But if you can really stretch the graphical capabilities of that silicon with your workload, think again.

Or maybe you want the vastly increased amount of app support and customization opportunities of Windows 11, which will also net you better value for money than the MacBooks, but also lacks the simplicity of macOS. Just take a breather, think about what things matter — the software, the keyboard being good to type on, etc — and make the best judgement for you.

What kind of laptop should I buy?

Laptops are so diverse now that it's impossible to know what you should buy without knowing your unique needs, but you can ask yourself some questions to help narrow down your options.

Where will you use this laptop? If you need something to carry to work or school you'll want something that's light and lasts at least 10+ hours on a charge, like the MacBook Air or Acer Swift 5. 

What do you want to do with it? If you care about playing games, making games or doing video work you'll want a laptop with a discrete graphics card like the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra. True gamers will want to consider the best gaming laptops as well, but be warned most are heavy and barely last a few hours on a full battery.

Which operating system fits your life best? MacBooks are best if you're going to be working with others on Macs, and they've got great integration with your iPhone and iPad. Windows laptops are also great, and much easier than MacBooks to integrate into an office or school full of Windows machines. But don't overlook Chromebooks, as these ChromeOS-powered laptops are typically cheaper than the competition yet are perfectly fine for browsing the web, basic productivity work and even light gaming. 

How much RAM do I need?

This can be tricky to know because it's not like storage, where you can sort of predict how much you'll store on the laptop and plan accordingly. RAM is the memory your laptop moves files in and out of in real time while you're using them, so having more of it improves game performance, multitasking speed and generally makes everything feel snappier.

In general, I recommend you get a laptop with at least 8MB of RAM if you don't want it to feel sluggish. If you plan to do a lot of multitasking or running demanding apps and games, try for at least 16GB of RAM. 

If you plan to play a lot of fast-paced modern games it's not a bad idea to get a laptop with as much RAM as you can afford, as much as 32MB or more.

How we tested these laptops

How we test the best laptops.

In our never-ending quest to find the best laptops we put every computer we test through a barrage of synthetic and real-world tests to benchmark how well it performs compared to the manufacturer's claims, and compare how good it is relative to the competition.

These tests include, but are not limited to: measuring the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house colorimeter, using a heat gun to measure the heat generated by the laptop after 15 minutes of strenuous work, and using a mix of real-world and synthetic benchmarks to test how well a laptop performs at various day-to-day tasks. We run all laptops through the Geekbench CPU performance benchmark tests as well as various 3DMark tests to measure graphics capabilities. We also run a file transfer test to measure how fast a machine's hard drive is, a video transcoding test to gauge how well a laptop can cut video and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

We also run every laptop we test through a basic game test using Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm to gauge how good it is at running games compared to other laptops. We use this old game because it runs on a wide variety of laptops across different prices, sizes and operating systems, so it's great for comparing performance. 

Of course when testing dedicated gaming laptops we run benchmarks for many more demanding and popular games, including Assassin's Creed Valhalla , Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2 . For more information on our testing process, check out our guide to how we test .

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Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!

Alex Wawro is a lifelong tech and games enthusiast with more than a decade of experience covering both for outlets like Game Developer, Black Hat, and PC World magazine. A lifelong PC builder, he currently serves as a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering all things computing, from laptops and desktops to keyboards and mice. 

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Best Laptop of 2024

Whether you're after a MacBook, Windows PC or Chromebook, these are the best laptops we've tested and reviewed, including the best laptop overall.

Our Experts

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Statistically, you’ll hold onto your next laptop for at least three years. The current sweet spot for a reliable laptop to handle average work, home office or school tasks is between $700 and $800 and a reasonable model for creative work or gaming is upward of about $1,000. The key is to look for discounts on models in all price ranges to get the best configuration you can for your money.

Operating System

Choosing an operating system is part personal preference and part budget. For the most part, Microsoft Windows and Apple's MacOS do the same things but they do them differently. Unless there's an OS-specific application you need, go with the one you feel most comfortable using. MacBooks currently start at $999, so if you need a laptop for significantly less, it’s Windows. A Chromebook running on Google’s ChromeOS is an excellent (and less expensive) alternative to Windows or MacOS if almost everything you do is in a web browser. They can’t run Windows or Mac software.

Remember to consider whether having a lighter, thinner laptop or a touchscreen laptop with a good battery life will be important to you in the future. Size is primarily determined by the screen, which in turn factors into battery size, laptop thickness, weight and price.

When it comes to deciding on a screen, there are a myriad number of considerations: size, resolution, what types of content you'll be looking at and whether or not you'll be using it for gaming or creative work. Higher resolutions are better for fitting more on a screen and look for a dot pitch of at least 100 pixels per inch (ppi) as a rule of thumb. If the color range is important, look for at least 100% sRGB, or better yet 100% DCI-P3.

Intel and AMD are the main CPU makers for Windows laptops with Qualcomm emerging as a third option with its Arm-baed Snapdragon X chips. Apple makes its own Arm-based chips for MacBooks, which makes things slightly more straightforward. You'll still want to pay attention to the number of cores -- the more, the better -- to gauge potential performance as well as Intel x86 vs Arm.

The graphics processor (GPU) handles all the work of driving the screen and generating what gets displayed, as well as speeding up a lot of graphics-related (and increasingly, AI-related) operations. For Windows laptops, there are two types of GPUs: integrated (iGPU) or discrete (dGPU). Because the iGPU splits space, memory and power with the CPU, it's better for smaller, lighter laptops, but it doesn't perform nearly as well as a dGPU. For things like video editing, gaming, design and so on, you'll need a dGPU.

For memory, we highly recommend 16GB of RAM (8GB absolute minimum). RAM is where the operating system stores all the data for currently running applications, and it can fill up fast. After that, it starts swapping between RAM and the storage drive, which is slower. A lot of sub-$500 laptops have 4GB or 8GB, which in conjunction with a slower disk can make for a frustratingly slow Windows laptop experience. Also, many laptops now have the memory soldered onto the motherboard.

You'll still find cheaper hard drives in budget laptops and larger hard drives in gaming laptops, but faster solid-state drives have all but replaced hard drives in many models. Not all SSDs are equally speedy, and cheaper laptops typically have slower drives. Get the size you can afford, and if you need to go with a smaller drive, you can always add an external drive or use cloud storage to bolster a small internal drive. The one exception is gaming laptops: Get at least a 512GB SSD.

What is the best laptop overall?

The Apple MacBook Air M3 has captured the top spot on our list of the best laptops of 2024. If you're looking for a do-it-all laptop that doesn't sacrifice portability and battery life for performance, the M3 MacBook Air is it. It's available in 13- and 15-inch sizes, so you can choose between greater mobility or more workspace. The latest MacBook Air starts at $1,099 from Apple, and you can usually find it for less than $1,000 at Amazon. For tighter budgets, we recommend the MacBook Air M1 , which is still an all-around excellent laptop for $649 .

A Windows rival to the MacBook Air has arrived with Microsoft's first Copilot Plus PC . Based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite X CPU, the Surface Laptop 7 offers strong application and AI performance and outstanding battery life. It's the first Windows laptop we've tested with a longer runtime than the Air's. Dell's first Copilot Plus PC, the Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 , is the second Windows laptop to outlast the MacBook Air and offers an even longer runtime than the Surface Laptop 7.

At CNET, we test all kinds of laptops, from budget models for everyday tasks to high-performance laptops for gaming and content creation and everything in between. Each member of our team has decades of experience testing and reviewing laptops. We conduct performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use. This helps us find not only the best laptop overall but also the best laptop for your needs and in your price range.

Read more :  How We Test Computers

Best laptops of 2024

• Sizable performance gains from M1/Intel Airs
• All-around great design, features
• Adds dual display support, Wi-Fi 6E
• Base configuration short on memory, storage

Best laptop overall

Apple macbook air m3.

For Apple's latest MacBook Air, little has changed from its predecessor beyond a move from Apple's M2 silicon to M3 chips. The performance differences are overall modest, but graphics performance does get a notable bump. The biggest feature additions are faster Wi-Fi 6E support and the capability to run dual external displays, albeit at the cost of having the Air's lid closed. Still, since Apple gave the M2 MacBook Air (our previous best overall laptop pick) the full update treatment, the fact the M3 version is nearly the same except for faster performance doesn't bother us in the slightest; it's just that much better. If you're still rocking an Intel-based Air or an M1 Air, the M3 MacBook Air is a worthy upgrade.

XPS 14 9000 Series nontouch notebook

Dell xps 14 laptop.

Power in motion. AI-ready. The XPS 14 balances performance and mobility in a striking form factor. Create on the go with its lightweight 3.7-pound design, slim 18mm size and long battery life.​ Powered by AI-enabled Intel Core Ultra processors.

• Excellent overall performance
• Gorgeous OLED display
• All-metal chassis
• Comfortable keyboard
• 1440p IR webcam with privacy shutter
• Weak speakers
• No Thunderbolt 4 support

Best Windows laptop

Hp pavilion plus 14 (2023).

There are a lot of Windows laptops. A lot. Which makes narrowing it down to just one more than a little tricky. The HP Pavilion Plus is exemplary because it can meet the needs of a lot of people while still being affordable. It’s available in 14- and 16-inch sizes; we tested the 14-inch, which is small enough for travel but big enough that you won’t feel cramped while working. HP offers AMD and Intel processors, and it can be configured with entry-level discrete graphics too. There are also multiple displays to match your budget, including a beautiful OLED panel. 

The starting price is $850, but we recommend getting that OLED screen if you can afford it. It adds about $100 to the package, but it’s worth it. The good news is that HP regularly has deep discounts, so you can get the OLED and a faster processor or more storage and still be around $1,000

• Beautiful, durable design
• Class-leading battery life
• Strong performance
• Awesome and accurate haptic touchpad
• No OLED option
• Upgrades get costly and don't include dedicated GPU
• Your Arm-on-Windows compatibility mileage may vary

Best Windows ultraportable

Microsoft surface laptop 7.

The Surface Laptop 7 reverses earlier Arm-on-Windows efforts that were plagued by lackluster performance and limited compatibility, with many x86 apps unable to run on an Arm-based system. This time around, performance has improved, and so has compatibility. 

We saw a strong overall performance from the Snapdragon X Elite processor and jaw-dropping battery life. The Surface Laptop 7 ran for nearly 20 hours in testing -- that’s the longest runtime of any 13- or 14-inch laptop we ever reviewed -- including the M3 MacBook Air. The Surface Laptop 7 competes with the MacBook Air not only in performance and battery life but also supplies a similarly sleek and solid build. We wish there was an OLED display option, and you’ll need to do a compatibility check for your mission-critical applications before embracing the Arm-based Surface Laptop 7, but if you can get past those hurdles, then you’ll get a well-built, good-looking and long-running Windows ultraportable.

• Insane battery life
• Strong overall performance from Snapdragon X Plus
• Sharp, bright display
• Design is basic (read: boring)
• So-so touchpad

Longest-lasting laptop

Dell inspiron 14 plus 7441.

Dell’s new Copilot Plus PC lasted for more than 23 hours on our YouTube streaming battery drain test. That's longer than any laptop we've tested in the past year and one of the longest laptop runtimes we have ever seen.

Inspiron 14 Plus 7441’s design is fairly basic and doesn't match the sleekness of Microsoft’s own Copilot Plus PC, the Surface Laptop 7, or Apple’s MacBook Air, but the Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 still supplies a rigid, all-metal chassis and crisp, 2.5K IPS display. At just $1,000, it's a bit more affordable than Microsoft’s and Apple’s models and is a great pick for a general-purpose, long-lasting laptop.

• Great battery life and performance
• Fanless design runs cool and quiet
• No external design or feature changes
• Still more expensive than equally capable Windows laptops

Most affordable MacBook

Apple macbook air m1.

Despite the availability of the newer -- and better -- M3 and M2 MacBook Air models, the M1 MacBook Air (one of the first to switch from Intel to Apple silicon) stays around, exclusively from Walmart, and that's a good thing. As Apple's entry-level laptop, it's still a good choice for a MacOS laptop for basic everyday use. It has great performance, long battery life and is thin and light.

• Excellent battery life
• Enough performance for basic use
• Decent build quality for the price
• Dismal viewing angles for display
• 128GB SSD is tight for Windows laptop
• Grainy 720p webcam
• Terrible speakers
• Slow USB-C connectivity

Best entry-level laptop

Acer aspire go 14.

For just $300, Acer’s entry-level Aspire Go 14 holds its own against other budget models that cost twice as much or even more. The design cannot be described as enticing or exciting, but it's functional and unlikely to offend. Performance from the quad-core AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series CPU and 8GB of RAM suffices for basic use, and its battery life is surprisingly long.

The 14-inch display features a modern 16:10 aspect ratio and is sufficiently bright, but it suffers from poor viewing angles that might take some getting used to before you settle on the right angle to position the display. Another drawback is the tight storage of the laptop’s meager 128GB SSD. Neither drawback is a deal-breaker when you consider the bargain-basement price. The Aspire Go 14 provides great value with its acceptable build quality, capable performance and long battery life.

• CPU delivers good performance and future-proofing
• Intel Arc GPU offers performance bump
• Beautiful, all-metal chassis
• Strong AV output with OLED display, quad speakers
• Super-sharp 9-megapixel webcam
• Always-on LED on power button gets annoying
• GPU upgrades not offered
• Limited port selection

Best convertible 2-in-1

Hp spectre x360 14 (2024).

We don't make it a practice to recommend laptops that cost nearly $2,000 and rely on integrated graphics. At this price, it's reasonable to expect a dedicated GPU for gaming or content creation. The Spectre x360 14, however, is the rare exception. This two-in-one is one of the first laptops to feature Intel's new Core Ultra CPU that delivers solid performance today and is equipped for the AI workloads of the future. Plus, those graphics integrated to the Core Ultra processor are an improvement on Intel’s previous-generation iGPU.

The all-metal, matte-black chassis is as stunning as the high-res OLED display. And the 9-megapixel webcam is awesome, especially when combined with the AI-assisted Windows Studio Effects and noise reduction features. 

With its next-gen Intel Core Ultra CPU, gorgeous OLED display and premium build quality, the Spectre x360 14 is primed for a long and useful life and delivers value, even at its elevated price.

• Excellent OLED display
• Very good battery life
• Class-leading NPU performance, for now
• Finally, mainstream-Intel-comparable performance
• Nice kickstand
• Mixed graphics performance
• Optional Pen and keyboard can get expensive
• Can get hot while plugged in or intense usage
• 16GB is not enough

Best detachable 2-in-1

Microsoft surface pro 11.

Two items help make the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 our favorite 2-in-1 detachable laptop: Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Elite X processor and an excellent OLED display. The Arm-based CPU delivers competitive performance and far fewer compatibility issues for mainstream use than previous Windows-on-Arm efforts. And it helps the Surface Pro 11 deliver a long runtime. The 13-inch OLED display supplies a crisp, 2.8K resolution along with P3 calibration and real HDR capability. It's the best Surface Pro we’ve seen in a while, but you still have to pay extra for a keyboard and stylus.

• Decent performance for its class
• Dual-refresh display
• Not as much of a performance drop on battery compared to older CPU generations
• Display has just-OK image quality
• Keyboard feels a little stiff
• Side vents can get quite hot
• Comparatively heavy
• Has a little trouble with weak wireless signals

Best gaming laptop

Alienware m16 r2.

Alienware rejiggered its midrange 16-inch m16 to fit more comfortably into its place in the company's gaming laptop universe. That meant lowering its configurations and redesigning it to meet the lower price target buyer. It's now easier on your wallet and to slip into a backpack. There are certainly more powerful gaming laptops , but the m16 meets the needs of a broader audience, so for the moment, it's our top pick.

• Leading 3D performance among budget gaming laptops
• Plastic keyboard deck is solid
• Aluminum top cover adds durability
• Roomy and bright 16-inch, 16:10 display
• Crisp, 1080p webcam
• Plenty of ports, including Thunderbolt 4
• Bulky and heavy
• Design borrows liberally from Acer's entry-level Nitro 16
• Weak audio output
• Short battery life

Best budget gaming laptop

Acer predator helios neo 16 (2023).

Like other gaming laptop makers, Acer has two lines: the budget-friendly Nitro series under the Acer brand and midrange and premium models that carry the Predator label. Oddly enough, it's under the latter you'll find our budget gaming pick: the Helios Neo 16. It is strikingly similar to the Acer Nitro 16 but with slightly better build quality and graphics performance. The only place it really faltered was its speakers, which put out disappointingly flat audio with nonexistent bass.

The Predator Helios Neo 16 currently costs $1,200. That is high for a budget gaming laptop. The trick is to be patient and wait for a sale, which happens regularly, and the price drops below $1,000.

• Excellent screen
• Great battery life for its class
• iPhone-like camera notch
• Merits a better webcam

Best laptop for creators

M3 pro macbook pro (16-inch, late 2023).

Apple's latest update its 16-inch MacBook Pro delivers M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max processors along with a new space black color. The screen is also slightly brighter, moving from a rated 500 nits to 600 nits compared with the previous M2 version. Other than the new color option, the design remains largely unchanged from the previous version, but under the hood, the new M3 Pro chip offers better overall performance and, in particular, big gains in multicore and rendering performance. Battery life is strong too.

Like the previous series, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro processor starts at $2,499, and the M3 Max model starts at $3,499. It's our Editors' Choice for graphics pros and creators for its excellent combination of design, performance and battery life.

• Excellent, color accurate OLED display
• Very well designed
• Bottom gets hot when plugged in
• No Adobe RGB profiling

Best Windows laptop for creators

Asus rog zephyrus g14 (2024).

Despite being a member of Asus' gaming-focused ROG family of laptops, the G14 has a more creative bent; it's technically considered an Nvidia Studio model and ships with Nvidia's Studio driver rather than the more common Game Ready version (you can swap them if you want). The compact 14-inch laptop has the performance and the display quality you'll need for creative work, a business-quality 1080p webcam and a full selection of ports and connections (although, due to its AMD processor, its USB-C port is USB4 and not Thunderbolt 4).

• Long battery life
• Excellent webcam performance
• Bright, matte touchscreen
• Durable build
• No keyboard backlight
• Lots of flex on the keyboard, touchpad
• Slower 5Gbps USB-C ports
• Best Chromebook

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

This new Chromebook Plus model delivers good performance and even better battery life along with a respectably bright display with a matte finish to limit glare. It has more storage than you'd typically find at its price. The model we reviewed lacked keyboard backlighting, which was a bit of a bummer, but Acer does sell models with a backlit keyboard that aren’t that much more expensive. With its mix of features and performance for the price, it’s easy to recommend for school, work or home.

Other laptops we've tested in 2024

Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I : It's super cheap, with a dedicated Intel Arc GPU that lends it a wee bit of 3D muscle for casual 1080p play.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 : It’s a top gaming laptop for creators too.

Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 7445 : A dim display dulls Dell's otherwise well-rounded, AI-equipped and affordable 14-inch convertible laptop.

Acer Swift X 14 (2024) : The design won't wow you, but the 14.5-inch OLED display powered by RTX 4070 graphics is a great combo for on-the-go content creation.

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 : Content creators may bemoan the display choices, but this midtier, 16-inch laptop offers well-rounded performance from its Core Ultra chip and RTX graphics.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 : Lenovo makes strides with its second foldable-display laptop, but further refinements are still needed before it's ready for the masses.

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Q425 : It's a boon to get an OLED display in such a portable package with great battery life for roughly $1,000, but the fit and finish feel decidedly midrange.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 : The latest X1 Carbon has many charms, but they will remain out of reach for many business buyers constrained by budgets.

Dell XPS 16 9640 : Dell's new 16-inch XPS model offers a unique design backed by strong performance and surprisingly long battery life. Just be prepared to pay for its many configurable charms.

Alienware m18 R2 Gaming Laptop : When you're this big, the sky's the limit.

Dell XPS 14 9440 : The radical look is sure to turn heads, but some of the daring design elements could be turn-offs. 

HP Omen Transcend 14 : Neither a featureless slab nor a carnival of lights, HP's latest 14-inch Omen has its own unique flair. It doesn't scrimp on substance either.

Lenovo Slim 7i : With an OLED display and a solid build, this is a rugged option for mainstream shoppers, but other touches are decidedly midrange.

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7440 : For a reasonable $1,000, this 14-inch Dell model based on an Intel Core Ultra CPU lets you be productive and remain portable

How we test laptops

The review process for laptops consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our reviewers. This includes evaluating a device's aesthetics, ergonomics and features with respect to price. A final review verdict is a combination of both objective and subjective judgments. 

We test all laptops with a core set of benchmarks, including  Primate Labs Geekbench 5 and 6 ,  Cinebench R23 ,  PCMark 10 , a variety of  3DMark  benchmarks (whichever can run on the laptop), UL Procyon Photo and Video (where supported), and our own battery life test. If a laptop is intended for gaming, we'll also run benchmarks from  Guardians of the Galaxy ,  The Rift Breaker  (CPU and GPU) and  Shadow of the Tomb Raider .

For the hands-on, the reviewer uses it for their work during the review period, evaluating how well the design, features (such as the screen, camera and speakers) and manufacturer-supplied software operate as a cohesive whole. We also place importance on how well they work given their cost and where the manufacturer has potentially made upgrades or tradeoffs for its price.

The list of benchmarking software and comparison criteria we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. You can find a more detailed description of our test methodology on our  How We Test Computers  page. 

Factors to consider

There are a ton of laptops on the market at any given moment, and almost all of those models are available in multiple configurations to match your performance and budget needs. If you're feeling overwhelmed with options when looking for a new laptop, it's understandable. To help simplify things for you, here are the main things you should consider when you start looking.

The search for a new laptop for most people starts with price. If the statistics chipmaker Intel and PC manufacturers hurl at us are correct, you'll be holding onto your next laptop for at least three years. If you can afford to stretch your budget a little to get better specs, do it. That stands whether you're spending $500 or more than $1,000. In the past, you could get away with spending less upfront with an eye toward upgrading memory and storage in the future. Laptop makers are increasingly moving away from making components easily upgradable, so again, it's best to get as much laptop as you can afford from the start. 

Generally speaking, the more you spend, the better the laptop. That could mean better components for faster performance, a nicer display, sturdier build quality, a smaller or lighter design from higher-end materials or even a more comfortable keyboard. All of these things add to the cost of a laptop. I'd love to say $500 will get you a powerful gaming laptop, for example, but that's not the case. Right now, the sweet spot for a reliable laptop that can handle average work, home office or school tasks is between $700 and $800 and a reasonable model for creative work or gaming is upward of about $1,000. The key is to look for discounts on models in all price ranges so you can get more laptop capabilities for less. 

Operating system

Choosing an operating system is part personal preference and part budget. For the most part, Microsoft Windows and Apple's MacOS do the same things (except for gaming, where Windows is the winner), but they do them differently. Unless there's an OS-specific application you need, go with the one you feel most comfortable using. If you're not sure which that is, head to an Apple store or a local electronics store and test them out. Or ask friends or family to let you test theirs for a bit. If you have an iPhone or iPad and like it, chances are you'll like MacOS, too. 

When it comes to price and variety (and PC gaming), Windows laptops win. If you want MacOS, you're getting a MacBook. While Apple's MacBooks regularly top our best lists, the least expensive one is the M1 MacBook Air for $999. It is regularly discounted to $750 or $800, but if you want a cheaper MacBook, you'll have to consider older refurbished ones. 

Windows laptops can be found for as little as a couple of hundred dollars and come in all manner of sizes and designs. Granted, we'd be hard-pressed to find a $200 laptop we'd give a full-throated recommendation to, but if you need a laptop for online shopping, email and word processing, they exist. 

If you are on a tight budget, consider a Chromebook. ChromeOS is a different experience than Windows; make sure the applications you need have a Chrome , Android or Linux app before making the leap. If you spend most of your time roaming the web, writing, streaming video or using cloud-gaming services, they're a good fit. 

Remember to consider whether having a lighter, thinner laptop or a touchscreen laptop with a good battery life will be important to you in the future. Size is primarily determined by the screen -- hello, laws of physics -- which in turn factors into battery size, laptop thickness, weight and price. Keep in mind other physics-related characteristics, such as an ultrathin laptop isn't necessarily lighter than a thick one, you can't expect a wide array of connections on a small or ultrathin model and so on. 

When it comes to deciding on a screen, there are a myriad number of considerations: how much you need to display (which is surprisingly more about resolution than screen size), what types of content you'll be looking at and whether or not you'll be using it for gaming or creative work.

You really want to optimize pixel density; that is, the number of pixels per inch the screen can display. Although other factors contribute to sharpness, a higher pixel density usually means a sharper rendering of text and interface elements. (You can easily calculate the pixel density of any screen at DPI Calculator if you don't feel like doing the math, and you can also find out what math you need to do there.) We recommend a dot pitch of at least 100 pixels per inch (ppi) as a rule of thumb.

Because of the way Windows and MacOS scale for the display, you're frequently better off with a higher resolution than you'd think. You can always make things bigger on a high-resolution screen, but you can never make them smaller -- to fit more content in the view -- on a low-resolution screen. This is why a 4K, 14-inch screen may sound like unnecessary overkill, but may not be if you need to, say, view a wide spreadsheet.

If you need a laptop with relatively accurate color, that displays the most colors possible or that supports HDR, you can't simply trust the specs -- not because manufacturers lie, but because they usually fail to provide the necessary context to understand what the specs they quote mean. You can find a ton of detail about considerations for different types of screen uses in our monitor buying guides for general purpose monitors , creators , gamers and HDR viewing .

The processor, aka the CPU, is the brains of a laptop. Intel and AMD are the main CPU makers for Windows laptops, with Qualcomm as a new third option with its Arm-based Snapdragon X processors . Both Intel and AMD offer a staggering selection of mobile processors. Making things trickier, both manufacturers have chips designed for different laptop styles, like power-saving chips for ultraportables or faster processors for gaming laptops. Their naming conventions will let you know what type is used. You can head to Intel's or AMD's sites for explanations so you get the performance you want. Generally speaking, the faster the processor speed and the more cores it has, the better the performance will be.

Apple makes its own chips for MacBooks, which makes things slightly more straightforward. Like Intel and AMD, you'll still want to pay attention to the naming conventions to know what kind of performance to expect. Apple uses its M-series chipsets in Macs. The entry-level MacBook Air uses an M1 chip with an eight-core CPU and seven-core GPU. The current models have M2-series silicon that starts with an eight-core CPU and 10-core GPU and goes up to the M2 Max with a 12-core CPU and a 38-core GPU. Again, generally speaking, the more cores it has, the better the performance. 

Battery life has less to do with the number of cores and more to do with CPU architecture, Arm versus x86. Apple’s Arm-based MacBooks and the first Arm-based Copilot Plus PCs we’ve tested offer better battery life than laptops based on x86 processors from Intel and AMD.

The graphics processor (GPU) handles all the work of driving the screen and generating what gets displayed, as well as speeding up a lot of graphics-related (and increasingly, AI-related) operations. For Windows laptops, there are two types of GPUs: integrated (iGPU) or discrete (dGPU). As the names imply, an iGPU is part of the CPU package, while a dGPU is a separate chip with dedicated memory (VRAM) that it communicates with directly, making it faster than sharing memory with the CPU.

Because the iGPU splits space, memory and power with the CPU, it's constrained by the limits of those. It allows for smaller, lighter laptops, but doesn't perform nearly as well as a dGPU. There are some games and creative software that won't run unless they detect a dGPU or sufficient VRAM. Most productivity software, video streaming, web browsing and other nonspecialized apps will run fine on an iGPU.

For more power-hungry graphics needs, like video editing, gaming and streaming, design and so on, you'll need a dGPU; there are only two real companies that make them, Nvidia and AMD, with Intel offering some based on the Xe-branded (or the older UHD Graphics branding) iGPU technology in its CPUs.

For memory, we highly recommend 16GB of RAM (8GB absolute minimum). RAM is where the operating system stores all the data for currently running applications, and it can fill up fast. After that, it starts swapping between RAM and SSD, which is slower. A lot of sub-$500 laptops have 4GB or 8GB, which in conjunction with a slower disk can make for a frustratingly slow Windows laptop experience. Also, many laptops now have the memory soldered onto the motherboard. Most manufacturers disclose this, but if the RAM type is LPDDR, assume it's soldered and can't be upgraded. 

Some PC makers will solder memory on and also leave an empty internal slot for adding a stick of RAM. You may need to contact the laptop manufacturer or find the laptop's full specs online to confirm. Check the web for user experiences, because the slot may still be hard to get to, it may require nonstandard or hard-to-get memory or other pitfalls.

You'll still find cheaper hard drives in budget laptops and larger hard drives in gaming laptops, but faster solid-state drives have all but replaced hard drives in laptops. They can make a big difference in performance. Not all SSDs are equally speedy, and cheaper laptops typically have slower drives; if the laptop only has 4GB or 8GB of RAM, it may end up swapping to that drive and the system may slow down quickly while you're working. 

Get what you can afford, and if you need to go with a smaller drive, you can always add an external drive or two down the road or use cloud storage to bolster a small internal drive. The one exception is gaming laptops: We don't recommend going with less than a 512GB SSD unless you really like uninstalling games every time you want to play a new game. 

Laptop FAQs

How much do good laptops cost.

Setting a budget is a good place to start when shopping for the best laptop for yourself. The good news is you can get a nice-looking, lightweight laptop with excellent battery life at prices under $500. If you're shopping for a laptop around $500 or less, check out our top picks here, as well as more  specific buying advice for that price range .

Higher-end components like Intel Core i-series and AMD Ryzen processors and premium design touches like thin-display bezels and aluminum or magnesium bodies have made their way to laptops priced between $500 and $1,000. You can also find touchscreens and two-in-one designs that can be used as a tablet or a laptop -- and a couple of other positions in between. In this price range, you'll also find faster memory and SSD storage -- and more of it -- to improve performance. 

Above $1,000 is where you'll find premium laptops and two-in-ones. If you're looking for the fastest performance, the best battery life, the slimmest, lightest designs and top-notch display quality with an adequate screen size, expect to spend at least $1,000. 

Which is better: MacOS or Windows?

Deciding between MacOS and Windows laptops for many people will come down to personal preference and budget. Apple's base model laptop, the M1 MacBook Air, starts at $999. You can sometimes find it discounted or you can get educational pricing from Apple and other retailers. In general, it'll be at least $1,000 for a new MacBook, and the prices just go up from there. 

For the money, you're getting great hardware top to bottom, inside and out. Apple recently moved to using its own processors, which resulted in  across-the-board performance improvements  compared to older Intel-based models. The company's most powerful laptop, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, still hasn't been updated to Apple silicon. 

Again, that great hardware comes at a price. Also, you're limited to just Apple laptops. With Windows and Chromebooks (more on these below), you get an amazing variety of devices at a wide range of prices. 

Software between the two is plentiful, so unless you need to run something that's only available on one platform or the other, you should be fine to go with either. Gaming is definitely an advantage for a Windows laptop.

MacOS is also considered to be easier and safer to use than Windows, especially for people who want their computers to get out of the way so they can get things done. Over the years, Microsoft has done its best to follow suit and, with  Windows 11 here ,  it's trying to remove any barriers . Also, while Macs might have a reputation for being safer, with the popularity of the iPhone and iPad helping to drive Mac sales,  they've become bigger targets for malware .

Are Chromebooks worth it?

Yes, they are , but they're not for everyone.  Google's Chrome OS has come a long way in the 10-plus years  since they arrived and Chromebooks -- laptops that run on Chrome OS -- are great for people who do most of their work in a web browser or using mobile apps. They are secure, simple and, more often than not, a bargain. What they can't do is natively run Windows or Mac software. 

What's the best laptop for home, travel or both?

The pandemic changed how and where a lot of people work. The small, ultraportable laptops valued by people who regularly travel may have suddenly become woefully inadequate for working from home. Or maybe instead of needing long battery life, you'd rather have a bigger display with more graphics power for gaming.

If you're going to be working on a laptop and don't need more mobility than moving it from room to room, consider a 15.6-inch laptop or larger. In general, a bigger screen makes life easier for work and is more enjoyable for entertainment, and it also is better if you're using it as an extended display with an external monitor. It typically means you're getting more ports, too, so connecting an external display or storage or a keyboard and mouse is easier without requiring a hub or dock. 

For travel, stay with 13- or 14-inch laptops or two-in-ones. They'll be the lightest and smallest while still delivering excellent battery life. What's nice is that PC-makers are moving away from 16:9 widescreens toward 16:10- or 3:2-ratio displays, which gives you more vertical screen space for work without significantly increasing the footprint. These models usually don't have discrete graphics or powerful processors, although  that's not always the case .

Which laptop is best for gaming or creating?

You can play games and create content on any laptop. What games you play and what content you create -- and the speed at which you do them -- varies greatly depending on the components inside the laptop. 

For casual browser-based games or using streaming game services like  Nvidia GeForce Now  and  Xbox Cloud Gaming , you don't need a powerful gaming laptop. Similarly, if you're trimming video clips, cropping photos or live-streaming video from your webcam, you can get by with a modestly priced laptop or Chromebook with integrated graphics. 

For anything more demanding, you'll need to invest more money in discrete graphics like Nvidia's RTX 30- or 40-series GPUs. Increased system memory of 16GB or more, having a speedy SSD of at least 512GB for storage and a faster processor such as an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 will all help you get things moving faster too. 

The other piece you'll want to consider is the display. For gaming, look for screens with a high refresh rate of 120Hz or faster so games look smoother while playing. For content creation, look for displays that cover at least 100% sRGB color space or, better yet, 100% DCI-P3. 

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'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

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ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

The best overall laptops of 2024: Expert tested

Why you can trust ZDNET

33 years of experience 30 hands-on product reviewers 10,000 square feet of lab space

What to Consider

Whether your laptop is your ultimate workstation or source of entertainment, its design, display, and even portability determines how you interact with the unit.

Performance

For many, laptops are essential for workflow and communication. The best laptops promise efficient speed and performance, powered by the best and latest chipsets (like the Apple M2 Max).

Storage and RAM

It's likely you'll use a laptop to store key documents or memories and the best models have plenty of room for you to do so.

We strive to answer the question, "what laptop should i get if ___" as we know you have different workflow and entertainment needs and preferences, from graphic design to gaming.

The best laptop can be a pricey investment, so we considered qualities that assure you'll get your money's worth.

There's no doubt about it: this year has been huge for laptops. There have been exciting advancements in AI ,  new processors shaking up the industry, and tons of new models on the market for a wide range of consumers. The only bad thing is that with all the choices, it can be hard to figure out which laptop is best for you. 

Also:  How we test laptops at ZDNET

If you're in the market for a new machine but don't know where to start, don't sweat. We've gone hands-on with dozens of new laptops this year and are confident we can recommend a machine that works for you. We've broken down the most common use cases below and are willing to bet what you're looking for aligns with one of these categories.

What is the best laptop in 2024?

Our pick for the overall best laptop in 2024 is the MacBook Pro (M3 Max) . It's hard to beat the MacBook Pro's 22-hour battery life, its suite of powerful hardware, and its gorgeous 120Hz refresh rate display, all in a super portable and sleek package. This is a laptop that checks off all the boxes and looks as good as it performs. 

The best laptops of 2024: Expert tested

• Powerful performance from M3 Max chip
• Stunning display output
• 22-battery life
• Very expensive
• Heavy to carry around

MacBook Pro (M3 Max)

Best laptop overall.

Desktop-class laptop -- that is what ZDNET's editor-in-chief Jason Hiner called the MacBook Pro M3 Max. It's a very apt description because the performance of this device can rival a Mac Studio. This machine can take sizeable RAW image files, process them through Adobe Photoshop's AI Denoise feature, and remove their graininess in less than 20 seconds. That's less than half as long as it would take on a MacBook Pro sporting an M1 Pro chip.

Review:  MacBook Pro (M3 Max)

The MacBook Pro M3 Max's performance is pushed even further thanks to its GPU's unique architecture called Dynamic Caching, a more sophisticated form of graphics memory allocation. This allows for faster mesh shading, enabling high-quality graphics, better rendering, and even ray tracing, which you usually only see on high-end graphics cards. It also allows for more "photorealistic" lightning, perfect for enhancing immersion.

The accolades don't stop there. The MacBook Pro M3 Max sports a stunning display capable of outputting a 120Hz refresh and 1,600 nits of peak brightness for a level of clarity people have been asking for a long time. Plus, it's very power efficient, allowing it to last up to 22 hours with a low-end configuration. You can activate High-Power Mode to have it fire off on all cylinders when unplugged.

If it wasn't already clear, the MacBook Pro M3 Max is a monster. It's arrived at a perfect time, too, because the next generation of virtual reality is here, and we'll need this to experience Apple's Vision Pro at its peak.

MacBook Pro M3 Max features: Display size:  14-inch and 16-inch |  Display type:  Liquid Retina XDR |  Resolution:  3456 x 2234 pixels |  RAM:  Up to 128GB |  Storage:  Up to 8TB |  CPU:  14-core M3 Max |  Battery life:  Up to 22 hours

• Extremely lightweight
• Solid performance
• Sleek and thin
• Gorgeous display
• Can run warm
• Not the best speakers

LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1

Best lightweight laptop.

LG's Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 is light -- so light, in fact, that it currently holds the Guinness record for being the lightest 16-inch 2-in-1 in the world. This is an impressive feat considering its powerful hardware and gorgeous OLED display.

Review:  LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1

The thin, sleek matte black body of the Gram Pro belies a machine that's powerful enough for a variety of use cases, from productivity to creative tasks. Its 2-in-1 form factor allows for flexibility as a tablet or while watching media in tent mode, and in an apparent effort to defy its lightweight form factor, the Gram Pro can also come with a massive 2TB storage capacity. 

The touchscreen and addition of the stylus make this device especially well-suited for a variety of work environments, and its ultra-portability and its high-end keyboard and trackpad combo make it a laptop that's a joy to commute or travel with. 

LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 features: Display size:  16 inches |  Display type:  OLED |  Resolution:  2880 x 1800 VRR OLED Touchscreen |  RAM:  Up to 32GB |  Storage:  Up to 2TB SSD |  CPU:  Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | GPU: Intel Arc |  Battery life:  8 hours of video playback | Weight: 3.04 lbs

• Top tier hardware
• Room-filling speakers
• Divisive keyboard design
• Limited ports

Dell XPS 16

Best windows laptop.

With so many fantastic Windows laptops out there, it was hard to pick just one, but we had to give it to the XPS 16. It is such a good computer. We feel confident that it's good enough to become your primary device. Dell's machine has a stunning 4K resolution display surrounded by thin bezels. Having a thin frame is a slight touch, but it makes the screen seem significantly more prominent than it is.

Review:  Dell XPS 16 (2024)

Under the hood, you're looking at an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series graphics card. Our review unit came with an RTX 4070 GPU. Combine these specs with its 32GB of RAM (64GB max), and you're looking at a laptop that can easily handle all demanding workloads, from gaming to video editing.

The XPS 16's also has a stylish design. The zero lattice keyboard and the function key touch panel give it a distinct look seen nowhere else. On the sides of the keys are the device's room-filling speakers. We want to warn you that the XPS 16 is rather heavy and doesn't have a wide array of ports so that you may need a docking station. Be sure to check out ZDNET's list of the best laptop docking stations for recommendations.

Dell XPS 16 features: Display size:  16.3 inches |  Display type:  OLED |  Resolution:  4K |  CPU:  Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |  RAM:  Up to 64GB |  Storage:  Up to 4TB SSD |  Battery life:  12 hours

• Powerful suite of hardware
• Massive display
• Tons of storage
• Future-proofed to handle upcoming titles
• Loud, powerful fans
• Heavy and bulky
• Best while plugged in

Alienware m18 R2

Best gaming laptop.

Dell's Alienware m18 R2 is a top-tier gaming laptop that runs upwards of $3,000, but it's well worth the cost. This is a beastly, high-powered laptop that is designed for one thing: immersive gaming. As the refresh of last year's m18 r1 model, the R2 is a powerful, top-of-the-line gamer's paradise stacked with a 14th-generation HX Intel 24-core 5.8 GHz max boost processor, high-end graphics capabilities, a sophisticated cooling system, and more ports than you'll know what to do with.

Review:  I tested Dell's $3,000 gaming laptop and it spoiled me with unconventional features

Despite its colossal size, the m18 R2 is very comfortable to use. The touchpad is minimalistic and responsive, and the luxe Cherry MX mechanical keyboard feels exactly as satisfying as you'd expect, with each key getting the proper tactile "click" that feels the same no matter where on the key you press. 

Dell's Alienware m18 R2  is right at the top of the line when it comes to the  best gaming laptops . This is a powerful machine with a distinct identity that can handle virtually any game you want, with vibrant graphics and blazing fast speeds. Plus, it can get dressed for the office at the press of a button.

Alienware m18 R2 tech specs: Display size: 18 inches | Display type: QHD | Resolution: 2560 x 1600 | CPU: 14th Gen Intel Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, 16GB | RAM: 16GB-64GB | Storage: 1TB-8TB SSD | Battery life: 10 hours 

• Lots of bang for your buck
• Good enough for everyday use
• Full keyboard
• A little bulky
• Limited by its lower-end RAM

Acer Aspire Go 15

Best laptop under $500.

We're calling the Acer Aspire Go 15 the best laptop under $500, but it's actually well under that price. For just $300, this is a capable laptop at a price you can't argue with. Not everyone needs a powerful laptop decked out in high-end hardware, especially if you're looking for a secondary computer. And for a portable notebook that is built to cover the basics, it doesn't get much more affordable than this. 

The Acer Aspire Go 15 is offered at such a low cost because it has just 8GB of RAM and 125GB SSD. This means it's not a device you want to dump all your photos and videos on. Instead, you can use it as a capable machine for work or staying connected while traveling.

Review:  This $299 Windows laptop is my new go-to recommendation for budget shoppers

The 15-inch screen gives enough room for working with spreadsheets and productivity software, where the full keyboard features a number pad on the right side. Add in a webcam, a good selection of ports, and a Kensington lock slot, and this laptop has your bases covered. 

Acer Aspire Go tech specs: Display size:  15 inches |  Display type:  LCD |  Resolution:  1080p |  CPU:  Intel Core i3-N305 |  RAM:  8GB |  Storage:  125GB SSD |  Battery life:  Up to 11 hours 

• Brilliant OLED display
• DialPad offers one-click toolkit access
• Full-sized keyboard
• Solid suite of hardware
• Battery life is variable

Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (2024)

Best laptop for content creators.

I didn't pay much attention to this laptop when I first heard of it. But the second I went hands-on, I realized I had massively underestimated the Asus Vivobook Pro 15. This is a fantastic laptop with a brilliant OLED display, solid hardware, and a suite of features made with creators in mind, all for a very competitive price. 

In fact, the price point is one of the main draws here, as it's not hard to find laptops targeted at creators for double the price, but the Vivobook Pro 15 offers quite a lot of bang for buck. Armed with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU and Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, it's well-suited for multitasking and running graphics-intensive programs with ease. 

Review:  Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (2024)

The OLED screen is supported by an array of image-enhancing software, the most notable of which is the Pantone validation, which allows the display to accurately represent colors with the utmost accuracy to true life, a rather rare feature on laptops. 

The trackpad also has an ingenious feature called the DialPad that acts as a quick menu for toolkits found in creative software. Through its control app, you can connect it to Photoshop and then tie it to different brushes, tools, layer navigation, or other commonly-used features with convenient one-click gestures.

Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (2024) features: Display size:  15 inches |  Display type:  OLED |  Resolution:  1920 x 1080 |  CPU:  Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |  RAM:  16GB |  Storage:  1TB SSD |  Battery life:  6 hours 

What is the best laptop?

ZDNET's top pick for the best laptop is Apple's MacBook M3 Max, which features a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, great performance, and promises 22 hours of battery life. This chart breaks down how the laptop stacks up with the top features on other devices, from price, to CPU/GPU, screen size, and display resolution. 

Which is the right laptop for you?

The main question when buying a laptop is: "What do you want to do with it?" Once you've established that, you can focus your research on finding the right machine for you.

For example, if you're on the move a lot, you'll want a good combination of flexibility, sturdiness, connectivity, security, and a long battery life. However, if you're a largely deskbound graphic designer or content creator, you should opt for a laptop with powerful hardware. Devices with top-tier processors and graphics cards tend to be heavier than most.

Here's a well-researched (and tested) list of our favorite laptops for a wide array of use cases. 

How we test laptops

We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system's metrics under the hood, and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop (usually a week or two) using it the same way a normal consumer would, to assess its portability, form factor, and how well the battery  actually  holds up. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive  laptop testing methodology .

• Benchmarking:  First, we run a series of tests to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what it's capable of.  Cinebench  is one of the most commonly-used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores.  PCMark 10  is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace, and there are many others that we use in tandem to gather as much data as we can. Some components we run tests on include:
• Processor:  The "brain" of the laptop, and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers that make most of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple (in Apple machines only). This is tested in benchmarking software.
• The display:  The size of the display (measured diagonally from corner to corner) is also what dictates the laptop's overall size, and plays a big role in the laptop's cost. Brightness is measured in "nits," and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.
• The graphics processor (GPU):  Whether it's integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback. 
• Physical form factor:  Finally, the laptop's overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.
• Battery testing:  We test a unit's battery in a few ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also will just let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. We ensure screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off, set the display's brightness and audio at 50%, load up a livestream on YouTube in Chrome, and wait 'til the end.
• The human element:   As we mentioned earlier, metrics and system data is important, but numbers alone don't give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about. 

Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that real people find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team's decades of experience.

What are some factors to consider when choosing the best laptops?

Multiple factors go into choosing the laptops for this list. We look for machines with great designs, performance, and effective storage and RAM. We also considered the different purposes for which you may need or use your laptop and the overall value (including the price point) that the laptop promises. 

• Design:  Whether your laptop is your ultimate workstation or source of entertainment, its design, display, and portability determine how you interact with the unit. 
• Performance:  For many, laptops are essential for workflow and communication. The best laptops promise efficient speed and performance, powered by the greatest and latest chipsets (like the Apple M3 Max). 
• Storage and RAM:  It's likely you'll use a laptop to store key documents or memories, and the best models have plenty of room for you to do so. 
• Purpose:  We strive to answer the question, "What laptop should I get if ___" as we know you have different workflow and entertainment needs and preferences, from graphic design to gaming. 
• Value:  The best laptop can be a pricey investment, so we considered qualities that assure you'll get your money's worth. 

Why should you buy a laptop, and not a desktop or a tablet?

While the desktop form factor, especially in the form of all-in-one (AIO) devices, still exists, laptops come in various sizes and cover many use cases. They range from thin, light, and ultraportable to bulky, powerful, and deskbound. Because of how good laptops are nowadays, most people opt for sticking with a laptop to serve as their main computer. If a small laptop screen is an issue, an external monitor can be connected. 

Which operating system should you choose: Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, or Linux?

While every computing platform has its loyal supporters, most people end up using a particular operating system because of key applications running on it, employer preferences, or budgetary constraints. Windows, which ranges from budget to premium, and Apple's MacOS, which is exclusive to premium devices, cover a broad spectrum. ChromeOS is mostly limited to mid-range devices.

Also:  The best lightweight laptops you can buy: Expert tested

All Windows devices listed here meet the requirements for Windows 11. If you purchase a device with Windows 10 installed, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 11 if you choose to do so. Note that after October 14, 2025, Windows 10 support will end, and there will be no further security patches or feature updates.

What brand of laptop is best?

In general, the leading PC vendors have the most extensive range of offerings and the best-documented track records for product development and customer relations. Therefore, if you do not have a specialized use case or budgetary constraints, you will typically consider vendors such as Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, or Asus. These vendors currently lead the PC market in terms of shipments, along with several other well-known brands.

What are the best laptops for gaming?

The good news is that you don't need to have the biggest, best, newest components to get a decent  gaming laptop . To play most triple-A and indie titles, we recommend a rig with at least 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 120Hz refresh rate for the display, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card. 

A lso:  Best gaming laptops you can buy right now

And if you want to try your hand at content creation, something like the Corsair Voyager a1600 is a sure bet. You might also want to consider equipping with accessories. An Elgato Steam Deck integration, for example, can offer streamlined workflows when editing videos, livestreaming, and even setting up video calls with channel moderators or collaborators.

What are the best laptops for students?

It really depends on the student, but there are some common factors to consider when shopping for a laptop for school. You'll want something small and lightweight for easier commutes to and from school, as well as in between classes. 

Also:  The best laptops for college students  

You'll also want something with at least an 8-hour battery life to get through a typical school day without needing to plug in (which is excellent for younger kids who may be forgetful and leave their charging cable at home). Also look for a laptop with at least 4GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and cloud-storage backup to create duplicate copies of important files and classwork. You'll also want to avoid laptops with dedicated graphics cards aimed toward gaming to help cut down misuse and procrastination

What are the best laptops for business?

Whether you're looking for a single laptop for yourself or a fleet for your business, the best laptops for work not only offer great performance but also multiple connectivity options and durable builds. 

You'll want to look for a model that has at least 8GB of RAM, a 512GB storage drive, a quad-core CPU, and a display that is large enough to work on without being too bulky to travel with. You'll also want a model with, at least,  8 hours of battery life to get through a typical shift without needing to plug in.

What are the best laptops for video editing?

We strongly recommend getting a  MacBook Pro (M3 Max)  and purchasing  Final Cut Pro , an editing software exclusive to the Mac ecosystem. There's also the option of buying the 16-inch MacBook Pro from early 2023. It sports an M2 Max chip and offers great performance for content creators. The machine can handle 4TB of footage with ease.

Review:   Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Max, 2023): A content creator's dream machine

Therefore, Apple MacBook Pros are a popular choice as are any laptops with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and high-resolution displays such as the Dell XPS 13 and 15. 

Other laptops we've tested

There are many laptops on the market other than those listed above. If you're still looking around, consider these alternative best laptops we've tested.

ZDNET writer Taylor Clemons also contributed to this list.

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12 Best Laptops of 2024, Tested by Our Experts

Whether you're looking for portability, performance, or a low price, one of these computers should fit the bill

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

Yes, the new school year is right around the corner, which means this is one of the best times to shop for a laptop, with many retailers offering big discounts. To name one high-profile example: Best Buy is selling the M2 MacBook Air for $800. Not bad for an Apple laptop that came out just two years ago.

Of course, with so many models to choose from, it can be hard to find the right one for your needs and your budget.

• Best: Windows Laptops Laptops for Travel Laptops for Content Creation Budget Laptops

Do you need a laptop powerful enough to handle high-res video editing? Does it simply have to run common apps like Microsoft Word or Google Docs? Or maybe you’d like to use it to play games like Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, too?

Whichever bucket you fall into, Consumer Reports is here to help.

Every year we test dozens of laptops in our labs just north of New York City, purchasing each one at retail to prevent manufacturers from trying to influence our findings. Tested samples are scored on processor performance , display quality, and a range of other objective criteria in a way that allows you to compare one model to the next. And all of this data lives in our comprehensive ratings , available to CR members.

You’ll find many highly rated laptops from well-known manufacturers like Apple, Dell, HP, and LG on the list. Below, we’ve selected some of the true standouts, helpfully organized by task and purpose.

Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.

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MSI Cyborg 15

Alienware x14 r2 (13th gen), asus zenbook s 16 (um5606), asus vivobook s, asus proart px13, hp spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop 14t-eu000, dell xps 13 - copilot+ pc - 13.4" oled touch laptop, hp 2-in-1 14" touch-screen chromebook - 14b-cd0013dx, acer chromebook plus spin 714, acer chromebook plus touchscreen laptop – amd ryzen 3-7320c, microsoft surface laptop - copilot+ pc (7th edition), microsoft surface pro - copilot+ (11th edition).

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Notable Mentions

Recent updates, all reviews, the 6 best windows laptops - summer 2024.

Windows is the most widely used operating system, so it isn't surprising that tons of Windows laptops are on the market. You can find ultraportables for general productivity, 2-in-1 convertibles, tablet PCs, gaming laptops, as well as powerful workstations that can replace your desktop PC. There are also many brands, with each company releasing new laptops yearly, making the buying decision even harder. We've compiled a list of our top picks to help guide you, and hopefully, you can find something that suits your needs. To reduce complexity, this article only contains productivity laptops; we have a separate article for the best gaming laptops .

We've tested over 125 laptops, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best laptops with Windows. You can also check out our picks for the best lightweight laptops , the best 15-16 inch laptops , and the best laptops under $1,000 .

If you need to upgrade your wireless network at home, we recently launched router reviews; check out our list of the  best Wi-Fi routers .

Best Windows Laptop

The best Windows laptop we've tested overall is the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024), a premium 2-in-1 laptop. This laptop is a great choice for most people as it's lightweight, remarkably well-built, and offers good performance for light productivity tasks like text processing, spreadsheets, web browsing, and video playback. It's configured with Intel's new Core Ultra CPUs and features a sharp 2.8k OLED display, a spacious keyboard, and an easy-to-use haptic touchpad. The display supports pen input using Microsoft Pen Protocol technology, although not every model includes a stylus. You get a decent port selection with one USB-A Port and two USB-Cs that support Thunderbolt 4, power delivery, and more. The battery lasts around eleven hours for light use, so you can make it through the day on a single charge. Unfortunately, this laptop uses soldered RAM, so get enough for your needs upfront.

Another option to consider is the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) , a modular laptop designed to be easily repairable and upgradeable. You can buy every component in this 13-inch ultraportable from Framework, and they even provide manuals to guide you through the replacement process. It has a bright 3:2 display, a good 1080p webcam, and a modular port system that lets you swap out the ports to adapt to any situation. The keyboard feels tactile but requires a fair amount of force to actuate the keys, causing fatigue, and the touchpad isn't as responsive as the HP's. Also, depending on where you live, it may be hard to get this laptop because it's only available to buy on Framework's website .

See our review

Best Mid-Range Windows Laptop

If you're looking for something a bit more affordable, check out the HP Pavilion Aero 13 (2024), our best mid-range pick. Like the HP above, this is an ultraportable designed for light to moderately demanding productivity tasks, like text processing, web browsing, programming, and photo editing. However, it isn't a 2-in-1, so you can't use it as a tablet, and there's no pen input support either. It's available with Zen 4-based AMD Ryzen CPUs, up to a Ryzen 7 8840HS, 16GB of RAM (even on the base model), and up to 1TB of storage. Unfortunately, you can't get more than 16GB of memory or add more later since it isn't user-replaceable. The storage drive is upgradeable, though, as the laptop uses a standard M.2 2280 NVMe SSD.

As for the build quality and overall user experience, it's a bit of a mixed bag. Though compact and lightweight, this laptop has a cheap, hollow feel to it. Its aluminum and plastic chassis flexes noticeably, and the finish is prone to scratches. The keyboard feels spacious, albeit a tad fatiguing over an extended period, and the touchpad is responsive but doesn't always work properly when performing actions like dragging and dropping over a long distance. Thankfully, the available displays are good, as both the FHD+ and QHD+ look sharp and get bright enough for use in well-lit settings. You get a great port selection with four USBs and an HDMI 2.1, as well as a 1440p webcam with facial recognition support for quick logins. All in all, it's a good device if you don't mind a couple of compromises.

Best Budget Windows Laptop

The best budget Windows laptop we've tested is the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023). This 16-inch model is a reliable everyday laptop that's portable despite its larger screen and relatively sturdy, easy to service. Its AMD Ryzen CPUs are adequate for general productivity tasks like text processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and web browsing. It also has a decent port selection that supports power delivery and fast charging over USB-C, but not video output or Thunderbolt 4. Its battery life is good enough to get through an eight-hour day with light use, but anything more intensive (including video playback) will require you to plug it in to charge.

Although its display is large, the IPS panel looks slightly washed out and isn't bright enough to combat glare in well-lit settings. Also, the speakers sound boxy and unnatural, so this laptop doesn't provide you with the best multimedia experience.

Best Cheap Windows Laptop

Our best cheap pick is the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15 (2023), a 15-inch Windows ultraportable. It's available with various Intel 13th Gen CPUs, from a Core i3 to i7, and up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The Intel CPUs can easily handle light productivity tasks like text processing, web browsing, and video playback. The cheaper configurations come with a low-quality TN panel for the display, so you'll have to spend a bit more if you upgrade to an IPS display. The keyboard feels comfortable to type on, and the touchpad is small but responsive. The webcam is surprisingly good, allowing you to look and sound clear on video calls.

Its port selection is good; you get two USB-As, a USB-C, an HDMI, and an SD card reader. The USB-C supports video output and charging but not Thunderbolt 4, which is unfortunate but expected for a budget-friendly model. A fingerprint sensor is present for quick logins. The biggest downside is its battery life, which lasts less than seven hours of light use. Compared to the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) above, this model has a slightly brighter display, but its 16:9 aspect ratio isn't as well suited for productivity, as you get less vertical space, forcing you to scroll more often when reading a document or website. You can get this laptop on  Lenovo's website .

Best Windows Workstation

The best Windows workstation laptop we've tested is the Dell XPS 16 (2024). This premium model has a sleek, modern design with edge-to-edge keys, an invisible touchpad, a capacitive function row, and impossibly thin bezels. It's available with Intel Meteor Lake CPUs paired with integrated graphics or an NVIDIA discrete GPU, up to an RTX 4070, giving you enough processing power to tackle intensive workloads like programming, video editing, and 3D modeling. RAM and storage max out at 64GB and 4TB, respectively. Unlike older XPS models, the RAM is no longer user-replaceable, so get enough for your needs upfront. As for the display, you can choose between a 120Hz FHD+ IPS or a 90Hz 4k+ OLED panel. We highly recommend the latter, as an FHD+ resolution is inadequate for a 16-inch screen, but know that it'll cost more.

As for the user experience, it depends on your taste and willingness to adapt. The keyboard's edge-to-edge keys can cause more typos (due to the lack of space between the keys), and because the touchpad is invisible, you can sometimes be right at the edge where the tracking is inconsistent. The capacitive function row is also controversial and might not be to everyone's liking (Apple got rid of the Touch Bar for a reason). Its battery life is good at around nine to 10 hours of light use on a model with a Core Ultra 9 processor and RTX 4060—you'll get even more on models with integrated graphics only. You get Wi-Fi 7 wireless connectivity, a fingerprint sensor, a facial recognition camera for quick logins, and an okay port selection with three USB-C Thunderbolt 4s and a MicroSD card reader.

Best 2-In-1 Windows Tablet

If you like a tablet with a detachable keyboard form factor, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (2021) is the one to get. It has a nice 3:2 display with a 120Hz refresh rate to provide better responsiveness, especially for pen input. It's compatible with Microsoft's Surface Pen or any third-party Microsoft Pen Protocol styluses. However, you must buy the stylus separately; the same goes for the keyboard. To Microsoft's credit, it's a pretty good keyboard with tactile keys and backlighting. Its 1080p webcam is among the best on the market, and like most Surface devices, there's a facial recognition IR camera. The battery lasts around seven to eight hours of light use, which is pretty respectable for such a thin tablet PC.

Note: Microsoft has announced a new Surface Pro 11th Edition (in pre-order at the time of writing), so it might be worth waiting to make any purchasing decision. This device runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X ARM-based SoC, promising longer battery life and better performance than laptops with an Intel or AMD CPU. Microsoft has also announced a new Prism translation layer tool, similar to Apple's Rosetta 2, to improve compatibility and performance in x86 applications. However, it's hard to say how well it works at this time. Other new features include an OLED display option, Wi-Fi 7, and a type cover keyboard you can use even when detached from the device. We've purchased this Surface Pro and will test it soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, you can see more details here .

• ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024): The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) is a great alternative to the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) if you prefer a more traditional clamshell model. It also has a 120Hz 2.8k OLED display and is available with Intel Meteor Lake CPUs; however, it throttles significantly more under load, and its battery life is shorter at around eight hours of light use. See our review
• Lenovo Yoga 6 13 (2023): The Lenovo Yoga 6 13 (2023) is a good mid-range ultraportable and slightly cheaper than the HP Pavilion Aero 13 (2024). It has a sturdier build than the HP, and you can use it as a tablet since it's a 2-in-1 convertible. However, its display doesn't get as bright, and its webcam is significantly worse. It also doesn't perform as well because it uses slower AMD Zen 3-based CPUs, whereas the HP uses newer Zen 4 processors. See our review

Aug 07, 2024: Replaced the Lenovo Yoga 7i 16 (2023) with the HP Pavilion Aero 13 (2024) because the Lenovo is discontinued and unavailable. Added the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) and the Lenovo Yoga 6 13 (2023) as Notable Mentions. Removed the ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (2023) from the Notable Mentions because it isn't worth getting over the HP Spectre x360. Removed the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 (2023) and the HP ENVY x360 15 (2023) because they're discontinued and hard to find.

Jun 11, 2024: Replaced the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2024) with the Dell XPS 16 (2024) as the workstation pick because the Dell supports up to 64GB of RAM.

May 16, 2024: Did a major revamp of this article due to changing availability. Replaced the LG gram 14 (2023) with the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024), as the LG is difficult to find. Removed the 'Upper Mid-Range' category. Added a new 'Best Workstation Laptop' category with the HP Omen Transcend 14 (2024) as the pick. Replaced the Acer Swift 3 14 (2020) with the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023), as it's a better value overall. Removed the ASUS ZenBook OLED 14 (2024) as a Notable Mention.

Apr 17, 2024: Verified that all picks are valid and available. Added the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) as a Notable Mention.

Mar 19, 2024: Added the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) as a Notable Mention. Minor text edits for clarity.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best Windows laptops you can get. In addition to the test results, we factor in the price (a cheaper laptop wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no laptops that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you prefer to make your own decision, here’s a list of all of our Windows laptop reviews, sorted by price from low to high. Keep in mind that most laptops are available in various configurations, and the table only shows the results of the model we tested, so it’s best to see the full review for information about other variants.

Laptop Reviews

Laptops are evolving at a dramatic pace, and this is the place to track their progress, or lack thereof. The best laptop is out there, and our laptop reviews dig deep into what’s new from the world’s biggest manufacturers to help you find it. From each new iteration of the Apple MacBook and Microsoft Surface to what’s coming up from likes of Dell, HP, Lenovo, and more, The Verge has you covered.

Featured stories

Verge Score

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This Snapdragon-powered laptop is a productivity machine, but unless work foots the bill, you can do better.

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Asus Zenbook S 16 review: AMD stays in the game

AMD stands up to Qualcomm with its new Ryzen AI chips, showing it’s nowhere near out of this race.

Surface Pro 11 review: tantalizingly close to the dream

The closest the company’s come to merging the power of a laptop with the battery life and flexibility of a tablet.

Surface Laptop review: Microsoft’s best MacBook Air competitor yet

Microsoft and Qualcomm finally deliver the hardware Windows on Arm needed.

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Apple MacBook Air M3 review: small upgrades

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Apple MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max review

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Framework Laptop 13 (AMD) review: buy this one — if you can

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Surface Laptop Studio 2 review: this could be so much more

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LG Gram Pro 17 review: a Gram with more gusto

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Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 review: sure, this one is good, too

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Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra review: a lean, mean Windows machine

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Y’all, this laptop is too much

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Explore Laptops

Chromebooks, gaming laptops, ultrabooks and ultraportables, latest about laptops.

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Our picks for the best ultrabooks (super thin and light notebooks), along with other premium laptops now.

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Laptop and phone charts.

» The Best Laptops of Summer 2024 » The Best Smartphones of Summer 2024

Notebooks » Best Multimedia Laptops » Best Budget Multimedia Laptops » Best Gaming Laptops » Best Budget Gaming Notebooks » Best Lightweight Gaming Laptops » Best Business Laptops » Best Budget Office Laptops » Best 17-inch Office Laptops » Best Workstation Laptops » Best Subnotebooks » Best Chromebooks

» Best Laptops under 600 USD/EUR » Best Laptops under 1,000 USD/EUR

»  Best Laptop Displays »  The fastest High-Refresh-Rate-Displays »  Best Laptops for Students » Best Laptops for Picture and Video Editing

Tablets & Convertibles » Best Tablets (Android, iOS) » Best Convertibles (Laptop 2-in-1) » Best Convertibles (Tablet 2-in-1) » Best Stylus Convertibles

» Best Tablets under 250 USD/EUR

Smartphones » Best Smartphones » Best compact Smartphones » Best Camera Smartphones

» Best Smartphones under 500 USD/EUR » Best Smartphones under 300 USD/EUR » Best Smartphones under 200 USD/EUR

Mini PCs » Best Mini PCs

Handhelds & UMPCs » Best Gaming Handhelds

Hot Reviews

Upcoming reviews.

• Apple iPhone 16
• Apple iPhone 16 Plus
• Apple iPhone 16 Pro
• Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
• CMF Phone 1
• Honor MagicPad 2
• Motorola Edge 50
• Motorola Edge 50 Neo
• Nubia Z60 Ultra Leading Version
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Top laptop graphics cards.

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
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• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
• AMD Radeon 6800M
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• Nvidia GeForce MX550
• Radeon 680M
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• Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7
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[ all mobile graphic cards ] [ benchmark list ,  gaming list ]

Recent External Reviews

Laptop Reviews

Latest about laptop reviews.

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Crucial's P310 SSD has already been launched in the smaller 2230 form factor for handheld gaming ... [+] devices

Crucial P310 specifications and price

At $95 for 1TB and $150 for 2TB it's actually slightly more expensive than Crucial's own excellent T500. It does undercut Samsung's 990 Pro, which is around $15 more for 1TB for example, so is reasonably priced for a modern high-end PCIe 4 SSD. However, pricing is absolutely critical with SSDs as capacity nearly always wins with real-world performance often not mirroring benchmark results, especially when it comes to sequential speeds and how they impact general workloads.

The SSD is comparatively simple in quite a few ways. The 1TB model reviewed here has just the Phison E27T PCIe Gen 4 controller and single 3D QLC NAND flash memory module on a single side. This should mean it's easier to install onto motherboards with heatsinks too. It's also DRAM-less, so there's no DRAM cache.

The 1TB model has an endurance rating of 220TBW and the issue here is that while this is a much newer SSD, the T500 has nearly three times the endurance at 600TBW for the same 1TB capacity. Still, that equates to writing 44TB a year across its five year warranty.

Crucial P310 performance and temperatures

Starting with temperatures and bolted to our motherboard with no heatsink attached and the SSD eventually hit 80°C, which is toasty but entirely expected given this is a PCIe 4 SSD capable of reading data at around 7000MB/sec. It should just be possible to do without a heatsink under low loads, but if you plan on dealing with hundreds of gigabytes of data on a regular basis, a heatsink is essential.

The benchmark results are below and we can see that the P310 outperforms the older T500 in a number of tests, but that in some the T500 is still faster. It definitely has the measure of WD's Blue SN5000, although it is cheaper and has a higher endurance rating.

Should you by the Crucial P310?

As previously mentioned, a lot comes down to price here and the fact the Crucial P310 wasn't much faster than Crucial's own T500 PCIe 4 SSD, which is available for a little less if you shop around, means that it could be a better bet, especially as it has a much higher endurance rating and better performance in some tests.

The Crucial P310 is available in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities

The Crucial P310 did seem to run cooler overall and performing as it did with no DRAM cache was impressive too, making it a slightly better choice if you have a laptop or motherboard with a meagre heatsink. The launch pricing will likely come down too, which means it will only become a more attractive option when that happens.

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Top 100 Best Budget Buys: Affordable, Tested Tech That's Actually Worth It

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By PCMag Staff

Lab-Tested Reviews

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Final Fantasy XVI is an uneven PC port with performance to match

Upscaling to the rescue, again

Fifteen months on from its PS5 release, Final Fantasy XVI – that actiony RPG of emo-fringed hack ‘n’ slashing and disquietingly sexy Ralph Ineson characters – is now on PC. Enough time, you’d think, to do a proper job of rejigging it with Windows spanners, especially after Final Fantasy XV ’s port got so much stick for its lack of features and performance issues .

FFVXI does make some improvements, adopting a full set of DLSS and FSR upscalers and frame generators, and its mouse and keyboard integration feels generally slicker than XV. Sadly, it’s still no first-rate adaptation, neglecting numerous PC features and giving low-end systems an even deeper kick in the plums. Cutting the quality settings can help, as per the guide down below, but overall performance is so up-and-down than you’ll likely never achieve a perfectly smooth ride.

Final Fantasy XVI PC performance and system requirements

The demands start early with FFXVI’s official requirements, which are on the higher side even by modern AAA standards. It doesn’t seem that long ago the the likes of the Radeon RX 5700 and GeForce GTX 1070 were tearing through high settings at 1440p; here they’re suggested for 30fps at 720p. The once mighty RTX 2080 has also been relegated to recommended-for-1080p duty, and Ultima help you if you don’t have a spacious SSD . FFXVI’s actual download size is more like 152GB, rather than the 170GB listed, but that’s still a monstrous install.

Final Fantasy XVI minimum PC specs (720p/30fps)

• OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 1600 / Intel Core i5-8400
• GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5700 / Intel Arc A580 / Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB VRAM required)
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 170GB (SSD required)

Final Fantasy XVI recommended PC specs (1080p/60fps)

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X / Intel Core i7-10700
• GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT / Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080

For what it’s worth, the GTX 1070 can just about manage 1080p on the Low preset, as opposed to weedy little 720p – but that’s partly because FFXVI cheats by bundling all of its graphics presets with both upscaling and a form of dynamic resolution. While both can be manually disabled, some manner of DLSS or FSR is effectively necessary at any resolution, given how GPU-bruising FFXVI can be.

A compounding problem is inconsistency. A hardware/settings combination that might run certain areas well above 60fps, even during those flashy fight sequences, can suddenly plummet to 30fps during a boss fight or while approaching a particularly detailed village. Oftentimes, it can feel as though you’ve got your quality settings lower than they need to be, just to create a buffer zone of spare frames so that the game doesn’t suddenly become unplayable during these tougher moments.

It also means that lower-end kit that might initially appear to work, like the GTX 1060 or Steam Deck , will eventually wilt. So yes, those system specs are high, but they are mostly accurate.

For benchmarking purposes, I split the difference, finding a nice, repeatable section a couple of hours into FFXVI that didn’t quite plumb its darkest performance depths – but would strain my test PC far more than the easygoing bits. Here, the GTX 1070 averaged 52fps at 1080p/Low, enough to keep above 30fps during the really hard sequences.

Really, you’ll want to pack something newer and nimbler. The RTX 4060 is good for 1080p – it averaged 60fps on Ultra, and can use the cleaner-looking DLSS instead of FSR. This is FSR 3, so still looks decent, but just can’t beat DLSS’s sharpness. For 1440p, I’d suggest at least the RTX 3070 (70fps on Ultra) or even the RTX 4070 Ti (93fps on Ultra), with the latter also able to handle 4K. With 66fps, again on Ultra, it’s just about brawny enough to avoid the nastiest of framerate dips, though for truly slick 4K you probably would need to have invested silly money into your rig. The RTX 4090, for example, scored 97fps with the Ultra preset, rising to 152fps with DLSS 3 frame generation.

Still, not everyone has £2k graphics cards, and I would have liked to have seen more digital elbow grease go into making FFXVI run better on affordable internals. Including to the point where it could more easily run at 1080p without upscaling, which even on the best-in-class DLSS, doesn’t look quite as crisp when the initial rendering resolution is so low.

In a sense, it’s an improvement on Final Fantasy XV, which mystifyingly only made DLSS available at 4K. But this still could have been a far more comprehensive PC port. Ultrawide monitor resolutions go completely unsupported, forcing the use of unofficial mods , and cutscenes are capped at 30fps – a visual toe-stubbing if you’ve been playing at generally higher framerates. To add insult to injury, these cinematics suffer FPS drops of their own, often stumbling into the low twenties even on a decent mid-range build.

What’s darkly funny about all this is that earlier in the year, Square Enix made a quite specific fuss about "aggressively pursuing" a more multiplatform approach , including "initiatives designed to win over PC users." They might have more success if they look beyond adding one or two pieces of upscaling tech and more fully embrace the PC ethos to make their games work well for as many players as possible; not just the ones with the fancy-schmanciest hardware.

Final Fantasy XVI best settings guide

As with any high-demand PC game, FFXVI drives us into the comforting embrace of the settings menu. It might not support every monitor resolution, and it might not have even heard of an FOV slider, but it does at least provide the tools to more effectively balance looks and and performance. More than the presets, anyway; on the RTX 4060, which I used as a control GPU, the difference between Ultra and Mid was just 60fps to 69fps. Low more than doubled the speed improvement, up to 79fps, though with starkly uglier results (and a drastically inferior default upscaler in FSR 1.0), it quickly became clear that a middle group between High and Mid would be preferable.

Here’s the full list of visual settings you can change, and how they affected – when lowered or otherwise tweaked individually – that Ultra preset result of 60fps.

Super Resolution: Definitely make use of this, either in DLSS mode if you have a GeForce RTX GPU or FSR 3 if you have... well, basically anything else. Both seem identical in their framerate-boosting capabilities, though DLSS looks better, especially at 1080p.

Dynamic resolution: I normally say to turn dynamic rez systems off, though in FFXVI, it makes an unusual amount of sense to leave on. For one thing, with super resolution enabled it’s not so much playing with the final output resolution as it is the initial, internal rendering resolution – which then gets upscaled to your monitor rez anyway. As such, it’s harder to notice any jarring changes, and since FFXVI’s performance peaks and troughs so wildly, a dynamic approach does seem more sensible than forcing a fixed rendering resolution. Besides, when I switched it off on my RTX 4060, average performance dipped to 54fps.

Upscaling: If you do decide to turn off dynamic resolution, which overrides this otherwise, the upscaling setting determines the sharpness of DLSS/FSR/s rendering resolution. I got 53fps on Quality, 57fps on Balanced, and 40fps on DLAA (native rez, in other words). Since none of these are as fast as the default combination of Auto quality and dynamic resolution, I’d advise against them.

Sharpness: You might as well leave this on 10. Lowering it doesn’t really help with performance, and can make FSR in particular look blurry.

DLSS/FSR Frame Generation: The DLSS version of this works well, assuming you can find a workable framerate without it; on the RTX 4060 it turned that 60fps result in 98fps. FSR will also bundle you some extra frames, though it’s not as smooth in motion as DLSS is.

Motion blur: Dropping this doesn’t help performance – I got 60fps with it changed from 5 to 0 – but you might still prefer the lack of added blur, as I do.

Vignette: An optional darkening effect around the sides of the screen. I turned it off and got one single extra frame per second.

Chromatic aberration: Likewise, this is a post-processing effect with minimal performance impact (61fps with it disabled), though FFXVI arguably looks better without it. I still don’t know why some developers want to recreate what is essentially a fault with camera lenses.

Nvidia Reflex Low Latency: Not actually a graphics setting, though if your hardware supports it, you might as well switch from Enabled to Enabled + Boost to minimise input lag. Especially with frame generation enabled.

Graphical fidelity: This ambiguously-named setting most visibly governs the detail level on character models and environments. I got 67fps out of dropping it to Low, though Medium (63fps) might be a better choice if you don’t want to hurt the visuals too much.

Texture quality: Cutting this from High to Low only got the RTX 4060 up to 62fps, a small payment for what it a relatively noticeable quality drop.

Terrain detail: Another 62fps on Low. I’d keep this cranked up.

Shadow quality: Dropping to Low nudged the RTX 4060 up to 63fps, so is one of the more impactful settings. However, it also makes FFXVI look a lot worse, so Mid is a better option.

Water quality: Leave this on High, as it doesn’t help or harm performance either way.

Clutter density: With just 61fps from the Low setting, this is another you might as well keep on High.

NPC quantity: This is a tricky one. On Low, the RTX 4060 produced 65fps, which is a tempting rise – but then it cuts NPC draw distance so harshly that they don’t pop into existence until you’re close enough to smell their aftershave. Go for Mid instead, where this pop-in effect isn’t nearly as pronounced.

Screen space reflection: Disabling this got me up to 64fps. The difference is notable around water, but ultimately there aren’t that many splishy-spashy bits in FFXVI, and compared to most of these settings a 7% increase is hard to pass up.

Ambient occlusion: Screw it, let’s ditch this too. On to off, that’s 63fps.

Bloom shader: Another unimportant effect I’d gladly sacrifice, even if doing so individually only got me up to 62fps.

Variable Rate Shading (VRS): Turning this on (it’s off by default, unlike most) merely nudged the RTX 4060 to 61fps. It might help more on old PCs, but on everything else, it’s not worth the loss of detail.

I should preface the following that only DLSS/FSR upscaling are truly worthy of “best settings” status; the rest essentially reflect me scrabbling around in the dirt for loose frames. But there are a lot of expendable effects here – chromatic aberration, bloom and suchlike – so it is possible to bundle a bunch of reductions together, tangibly boosting performance without touching some of the fundamentals. Basically, try these:

• Super Resolution: DLSS 3/FSR 3
• Dynamic resolution: On
• Upscaling: Auto
• Motion blur: 0
• Vignette: Off
• Chromatic aberration: Off
• Nvidia Reflex Low Latency: Enabled + Boost
• Graphical fidelity: Medium
• Shadow quality: Mid
• NPC quantity: Mid
• Screen space reflection: Off
• Ambient occlusion: Off
• Bloom shader: Off
• Everything else: Ultra preset equivalent

No, it doesn’t look as good as Ultra (or High, which is very nearly the same thing). But it keeps textures, terrain, water quality, and clutter all on their maxed-out levels, and by scoring 73fps on the RTX 4060, they should outperform the Mid preset, which makes much wider cuts.

As for frame generation, it’s largely fine to use should you have an RTX 40 series card that can enable DLSS 3. FSR 3, however, doesn’t quite deliver the smoothness I’d expect from a technology designed to... enhance smoothness. Try it if you like, but prioritise building a stronger base of non-generated frames first.

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