Whether you want to stream movies, keep up with friends and family on social media, do your grocery shopping online, or play games, a laptop is a lifestyle device that allows you to tackle almost any task—at home or on the go.
Choose right and you’ll own a mobile productivity/gaming powerhouse; make the wrong choice and you’ll be toting around an expensive lump of plastic. Fortunately, there are dozens of laptops on the market to suit the needs of most users at a variety of price points. I have picked out some of the best below.
Before you get out your credit card, there are some questions to tackle: Mac or Windows? Apple’s MacBooks are some of the best laptops available, offering superb build quality and a reliable operating system—perfect for those who don’t need programs that run on Windows. The downside is Apple locks you into its ecosystem, and these laptops aren’t well-suited for gaming if that is a priority.
What about form factor—do you want a traditional laptop or convertible? If you’re looking for a laptop that also functions as a tablet, consider a 2-in-1 device. These handy gadgets have a keyboard that flips out of the way, so they can be useful for typing, watching movies, or scribbling on the screen. Most devices in this category come with a touch screen, making them a great way to tap your way through icons or drawings. However, touch screens often lack the clarity of regular screens, which can be frustrating when drafting long documents.
The Best Laptops
- Best Overall: Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop M2 Pro chip
- Best 2-in-1: Lenovo Yoga
- Best Budget Laptop: Gateway Ultra Slim Notebook
- Best Gaming Laptop: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
- Best for Work: HP 2022 Elitebook 840 G9
The Expert: I spend nearly all of my working day typing on laptops while working as a technology journalist. So, it’s safe to say that I’m a laptop fanatic and am always on the lookout for the latest and greatest. I spent more than a dozen hours trying out new laptops for this review and also relied on my personal collections of models ranging from MacBooks to Chromebooks to 2-in-1s.
What to Look for in a Laptop
You need a laptop that cuts through every task you throw at it while also lasting as long as you do. The selections below are packed with the latest processing and graphics technology to rise to the occasion.
If you travel frequently or commute with your computer, look for thin, light designs like the MacBook Air—the 13-inch model weighs in at just 2.7 pounds and the 15-inch at 3.3 pounds.
Gamers or content creators will want higher-end processors and graphics cards as well as bright, detailed screens. Students, and those who will spend most of their time logging into classes and watching the occasional movie or surfing the web, might want to consider a convertible laptop that also functions as a tablet.
More to Consider: MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro • Best Laptop Docking Stations • Best Wireless Mouse
Battery
With the latest laptops, battery life keeps improving. The reason newer laptops last longer on the same size battery is because modern processors are getting more energy efficient. Today’s laptops will run between 8 and 20 hours on a single charge. Look for a battery that lasts at least 10 hours.
Ports
There are more than a dozen types of ports, including HDMI for video out and USB-C, which can be for almost anything with the right adaptor, such as charging, but most users will only need a USB-C port. That’s because it’s possible to connect almost any type of peripheral to USB-C by itself or using an adaptor.
If you don’t want to pack an adapter, consider a laptop with HDMI ports that can output video and audio from your laptop to a TV, monitor, or projector. They can support high-definition resolutions up to 4K and surround sound formats. Another handy option is ethernet ports that can connect your laptop to a wired network for faster and more reliable internet access.
Speed
The fastest processors on the market now offer blistering speeds and are great for gaming or video editing. But quicker speeds can sometimes make for a pricier laptop that gets less battery life.
In laptop chips, Intel’s most popular lineup is its Core series, while Apple’s is its proprietary M-series processors (starting with the base M1). The middle ground in the Core and Ryzen lineups offers the best mix of performance and value. The most expensive laptops offer Intel Core i9 H-Series processors while mid-range models tend to have Core i5 processors that offer a good balance between price and performance.
Screen
Screen quality is also crucial to a satisfying experience. Buy the best screen you can afford; your eyes will thank you later. Higher-resolution screens allow for greater image detail, though fonts on high-resolution displays can be small and difficult to read.
The most suitable screen size for most people ranges from 13- to 15-inches—the sweet spot between portability and enough real estate to get things done. The most common resolutions on laptops and 2-in-1 PCs currently hover just above 1920 x 1080 (also known as 1080p or Full HD). This keeps panel prices relatively low and fonts still large enough to view comfortably.
Keyboard
Pick a keyboard with a broad enough design and widely spaced keys if you’ll be doing a lot of typing. Also consider key travel (how far a key needs to be depressed until the keystroke is recognized) which can vary widely between models. Larger laptops tend to have better keyboards since the dimensions don't have be downsized for smaller frames.
How We Selected These Laptops
I poured over the specs and reviews of dozens of the latest laptops to assemble my choices. I looked for laptops that I would be happy to use myself, but also tried to look for models that would fit a range of budgets and preferences. I also own several models recommended here, including the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
1
Best Overall Laptop
Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop M2 Pro chip
1
Best Overall Laptop
Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop M2 Pro chip
Pros
Sharp display- Fast processor
Cons
- Not good for gaming
I use this MacBook on a daily basis, and even with its high price tag, I still highly recommend it. It’s Apple’s top-of-the-line MacBook and a beast in every way.
It offers a bright, colorful Liquid Retina XDR 16.2-inch screen, which uses over 10,000 custom-designed mini-LEDs spread uniformly across the entire back of the display. Apple says it delivers higher LED density than any other display of its kind, which means amazing contrast with deep blacks right next to bright images.
Also worth mentioning is the comfortable, quiet Magic Keyboard which comes with Touch ID giving you fast, easy, access to unlock your Mac and sign in to apps and sites. It has a speedy processor, long battery life and, most importantly, includes Apple’s renowned MacOS operating system that runs without a hitch.
One thing to note: Macs, generally, aren’t great for running games.
Key Specs
| Display | 16.2 in. Retina |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16GB |
| Processor | Apple M2 |
| Hard Drive | 512GB |
2
Best 2-in-1 Laptop
Lenovo Yoga
Pros
- Sleek design
Cons
- Pen not included
The Lenovo Yoga is a renowned series of convertible laptops that can switch between laptop and tablet modes with a 360-degree hinge. The 7i features a sleek and sturdy metal body, a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and facial recognition for sign-ins.
The Yoga 7i delivers solid performance and battery life (10 hours) for its class. It can easily handle various tasks and applications, and offers a bright and vivid display for streaming video and basic content creation. However, its integrated graphics limit its gaming and media creation potential and does not include an active pen for drawing or writing on the screen.
Key Specs
| Display | 14 in. |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16GB |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 |
| Hard Drive | 1TB |
3
Best Budget Laptop
Gateway Ultra Slim Notebook
3
Best Budget Laptop
Gateway Ultra Slim Notebook
Pros
- Crisp sound from THX speakers
- Bright screen
Cons
- Unresponsive touch pad
The Gateway is a budget laptop that offers decent performance and battery life (about 10 hours) for its price. It has a 12th Generation Intel processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and Intel Iris Xe Graphics. The Gateway also has a sleek and sturdy body, a fingerprint scanner, and a 1080p webcam.
The screen is bright and crisp, and the THX speakers are loud and clear. Just be aware that this model's touch pad doesn't respond quickly to the movements of your fingers, and its integrated graphics limit its gaming and media creation potential. It’s also on the heavier side compared to other slim laptops.
Key Specs
| Display | 14.1 in. |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16GB |
| Processor | Intel 4-Core i5 |
| Hard Drive | 256GB SSD |
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Pros
- Speedy processor
- Excellent graphics
Cons
- Loud fan
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a powerful, portable gaming laptop with a stunning 14-inch display, fast AMD processor, and Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics card. It can easily handle any game or application and has a long battery life (about 10 hours) for its class.
You’ll also score cool points in the gaming world with its unique design with an LED matrix on the lid to display custom animations. However, the G14 has some minor drawbacks, including a noisy fan and a relatively dim screen.
Key Specs
| Display | 14 in. |
|---|---|
| RAM | 24GB |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 9 |
| Hard Drive | 2TB SSD |
Pros
- Fast processor
- Large hard drive
Cons
- Integrated graphics card won’t support many games
The G9 is an excellent choice for professionals needing a powerful, portable laptop that can easily handle various tasks and applications. It's a premium business laptop with a 14-inch 2.2K display, a powerful 12th Generation Intel processor, up to 16GB of RAM, and generous 512GB of SSD storage.
This laptop will help you climb the corporate ladder with its sleek and sturdy metal body, fingerprint scanner, and 1080p webcam. This model has a robust port selection, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support.
Key Specs
| Display | 14 in. |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16GB |
| Processor | 12th Intel i7 |
| Hard Drive | 512GB SSD |
Pros
- Large screen
- Slim design
Cons
- Relatively few ports for plugging in peripherals
The latest MacBook Air is a dream come true for anyone who loves thin and light laptops. It has a sharp 15.3-inch Retina display that will make your eyes pop and a powerful Apple M2 processor that will make your tasks fly.
The Air also has plenty of RAM and SSD storage to keep your apps and files running smoothly. Its sleek, durable aluminum body will make your friends jealous. The Air has a long battery life of up to 18 hours, so you can work or play all day without worrying about plugging in.
Key Specs
| Display | 15.3 in. |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB |
| Processor | M2 |
| Hard Drive | 256GB SSD |
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Pros
- Fast processor
- Colorful touch screen
Cons
- Loud fan
The HP Spectre x360 is a 2-in-1 laptop that offers nearly everything you could want. It has a stunning OLED touch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio that delivers attractive colors and crisp details. The Spectre also has a sleek and sturdy aluminum body and a comfortable keyboard, with keys are easy to depress.
It also includes generous port selection, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports and one USB HDMI port. Also included is a headphone/microphone port, which means you don’t have to use an adaptor to attach different peripherals.
The laptop is powered by the latest Intel Core processors, giving a fast and smooth performance for most tasks. It also has a long battery life of up to 15 hours.
The x360 is one of the better laptops money can buy, but it does have some minor flaws, such as loud fans, no HDMI port, and no internal pen storage, a drawback because it’s easier to lose the stylus, which sticks onto the side.
Key Specs
| Display | 13.5 in. |
|---|---|
| RAM | 16GB |
| Processor | Intel i7 |
| Hard Drive | 512GB SSD |
8
Most Rugged Laptop
Dell Latitude Rugged 5430
8
Most Rugged Laptop
Dell Latitude Rugged 5430
Pros
- Tough design
- Plenty of ports
Cons
- Relatively heavy at 4.3 pounds
The Latitude 5430 is a dependable workhorse engineered to excel in the most challenging conditions. Its rugged build ensures resilience against extreme temperatures, dust, and vibrations, making it a reliable companion in harsh or remote environments.
The 14-inch display delivers impressive clarity with an anti-glare screen that enhances work productivity and entertainment. Fueled by an Intel Core processor, it easily handles multitasking demands.
This laptop also offers versatile connectivity options, including USB Type-C, HDMI, and various other ports, allowing seamless integration with peripherals and accessories. A notable highlight: solid battery life with up to 14 hours of uninterrupted usage.
Key Specs
| Display | 14 in. |
|---|---|
| RAM | 8GB |
| Processor | Intel i5 |
| Hard Drive | 256 MB SSD |
| Item Weight | 4.3 Pounds |
| Weight | 4.3 |
Expert Sascha Brodsky Gives the Lowdown on Laptops: Life Expectancy, Keyboard Basics, and Top Features
How many years can I expect to get out of my laptop?
The more money you spend on your laptop, the longer you can expect it to last. In general, Macs have a reputation for lasting longer than Windows laptops. I have an eight-year-old MacBook Air that’s still going strong.
One factor to consider is that operating system updates that are released regularly tend to take up hard drive space, so if you buy a model with a larger drive, your laptop may last longer. To make the most of your laptop’s lifespan, you should keep the laptop clean, cool, updated, and backed up.
If I am on a budget, what is the most important factor to consider?
The weak spots of inexpensive laptops tend to be the keyboard, trackpad, and display. Manufacturers may skimp on these items hoping that potential buyers will focus more on the processor speed. For starters, even if your funds are limited, look for a screen with at least Full HD (1920-by-1080) resolution.
What do I look for in the keyboard?
It pays to be fussy when it comes to a laptop keyboard as that’s the component you’ll be interacting with the most. Buying a laptop with keyboard backlighting can help you see the keys better and avoid typing mistakes. Some keyboards have adjustable brightness and color options for backlighting. Another important feature is a laptop keyboard with a full-size layout instead of a compact or tenkeyless layout without a numeric keypad.
Sascha Brodsky
Science and Technology Journalist
Sascha Brodsky, a freelance journalist based in New York City and a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, writes about many aspects of technology including personal technology, AI, and virtual reality. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, and many other publications. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling and hiking.