The best laptops are powerful enough to tackle your day-to-day work, comfy enough to carry all day and efficient enough to ensure you won't run out of juice unexpectedly.
Not a lot to ask, right? Luckily lots of great laptops are available these days, but that abundance also makes finding the best laptop for you awful tricky. You can get 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 more informed 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. Whether you're shopping for a sleek new ultraportable, a cheap Chromebook, a new gaming laptop or the best MacBook for your needs, you'll find at least one great option here!
Written by
Written by
Alex Wawro
Senior EditorAlex 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 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.
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
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Buy it if
✅ You need a long-lasting laptop: The MacBook Air M2 lasted more than 14 hours in our battery test, which is remarkable. It's actually a bit less than its predecessor or the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2, but it's still better than most laptops.
✅ You want a small, fast MacBook: The M2 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 Pro 2021, this is the ultimate MacBook for getting things done on the go.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to play games: While this laptop can play games, many aren't supported natively on macOS and the Air M2 lacks the power to run graphically demanding games. If games are important to you, consider looking elsewhere.
❌ You like multi-monitor setups: The MacBook Air M2 only supports a single external display, so it's not a great choice if you want to plug your laptop into a multi-monitor setup at home.
The bottom line
💻 The MacBook Air M2 is a bit pricey, but it justifies the premium with an unbeatable combination of performance, battery life, display quality and portability.
What you need to know
The MacBook Air M2 is an excellent all-rounder that feels truly worthy of the Air name. Yes, the MacBook Air M1 was good — after all, it helped introduce the world to the power of Apple silicon. It’s just that cramming revolutionary performance in the same old chassis didn’t feel (or look) like a leap forward.
The MacBook Air 2022 (from $1,199, tested at $1,899) is a breath of fresh you-know-what, and that’s because Apple paired an even faster M2 chip with a design that’s markedly thinner and lighter. 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 M2 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.
Overall, the Air M2 is 20% smaller than the previous Air in terms of volume, and yet you get a bigger 13.6-inch display, replete with a notch along the top bezel.
Apple keeps things minimal with the MacBook Air M2 port selection. You’ll find two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports on the left side along with a MagSafe power adapter. You also get a headphone jack, which is a nice touch.
Display: The MacBook Air M2 has caught up to the MacBook Pro in terms of display quality, and that’s a big deal. You get a bright and colorful 13.6-inch panel (2560 x 1664 pixels) for watching videos, editing photos and everything else you want to do with no trade-offs.
The MacBook Air M2’s panel impressed in our lab tests as well. It averaged 489 nits of brightness and peaked at 495 nits with HDR content. That’s slightly better than what the MacBook Pro M2 turned in (474/490 nits) in the same tests and brighter than the Dell XPS 13 OLED’s 357-nit average.
Performance: On Geekbench 5.4, which measures overall performance, the MacBook Air M2 hit 1,932 on the single-core CPU test and 8,919 on multi-core. That’s faster than its predecessor, though the MacBook Pro M2 was on a par with the Air M2, reaching 1,898 and 8,911.
The Air is also nearly as fast as the Pro in our video editing and Photoshop tests, demonstrating the power of the M2 chip. For more details, check out our in-depth MacBook Air M2 benchmark results!
Battery life: The MacBook Air M2 is one of the longest-lasting laptops for the money. On the Tom’s Guide battery test the new Air averaged 14 hours and 6 minutes, which is better than average.
That’s a bit behind the previous Air M1 (14:41), but this is still superb endurance.
Read the full review: MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
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Ratings scorecardTestNotesHow it stacks upBattery life14:06 tested battery life★★★★★PerformanceSpeedy, good for light work★★★★☆DesignThin and elegant, light on ports★★★☆☆DisplayBright, colorful 13.6-inch panel★★★★☆The best Windows laptop
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Buy it if
✅ You want a great Windows laptop: There are many great Windows laptops out there, but the Dell XPS 15 shines with its winning combo of great design, performance and portability.
✅You want a great display: While the base XPS 15 is a solid laptop, adding the 3.5K OLED display upgrade really helps it shine. With bright lights, inky blacks and sharp contrasts, the XPS 15 OLED is easy on the eyes.
✅ You want to play games: It's not technically a gaming laptop, but you can pay to upgrade the XPS 15 with an Nvidia laptop GPU that makes it a pretty decent gaming machine. Sure, you won't be blasting through Cyberpunk 2077, but you'll have the option to have a lot of fun on long trips.
Don't buy it if:
❌ Battery life is critical: The Dell XPS 15's roughly 9-hour battery life isn't terrible, but you could do a lot better if that's what matters to you.
❌ Ports are important: The XPS 15 sports 3 USB-C ports, microSD card slot and a headphone jack. That's better than some laptops, but not great if you need a variety of ports.
The bottom line
💻 The Dell XPS 15 is an excellent Windows laptop that's perfect for work and playing graphically-intensive games. It's the full package, especially if you upgrade it with an OLED display and a discrete Nvidia graphics card for gaming/video work.
What you need to know
The latest Dell XPS 15 (starting at $1,449, $2,299 as tested) isn’t an innovative or revolutionary laptop.
Aside from its updated internals, it’s virtually identical to predecessors like the Dell XPS 15 OLED 2021. But while this machine isn't shaking things up, it's still one of the best Windows laptops you can buy.
Not only is this a stellar laptop for everyday use, but it’s also a competent gaming machine.
Though it’s admittedly pricey, it’s hard to argue against its impressive performance. It can handle almost anything you throw at it, assuming you can afford to upgrade it the way you want.
Design: At 13.6 x 9.1 x 0.73 inches, the Dell XPS 15 is the definition of an ultrabook. Its machined aluminum chassis feels smooth and sturdy. It looks great at home, at a cafe or at the office.
Save for the iconic Dell logo on its silver lid, the laptop is free of adornments. It’s somewhat heavy at 4.2 pounds but it’s still light enough to comfortably carry around.
The all-black interior features large keycaps and a spacious touchpad. Front-facing speakers flank the keyboard. The thin bezels surrounding the InfinityEdge display give the laptop another layer of elegance.
Display: Streamed content and video games alike look fantastic on the 15.6-inch 3.5K OLED 60Hz InfinityEdge display. Equally, the large and vibrant 16:10 screen is ideal for scrolling through websites and for work.
Performance: Thanks to its 12th gen Intel Core CPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD, our XPS 15 review unit was more than capable of handling heavy workloads.
This is a multi-tasking beast, and if you pay to upgrade it with better components (including a discrete Nvidia GPU) it's a pretty decent gaming laptop.
Battery life: On the Tom’s Guide battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness, the XPS 15 lasted for 10 hours and 5 minutes.
That's a significant improvement over last year's Dell XPS 15 OLED 2021, which lasted under 8 hours in the same test.
Now that the XPS 15 lasts over 10 hours in our battery test it trounces the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7 (8:06) and demolishes the Alienware x14 (5:35). However, Apple laptops like the MacBook Pro 16-inch (with 15 hours and 31 minutes of battery life) still surpass it.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 OLED
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Ratings scorecardTestNotesHow it stacks upBattery life8:86 tested battery life★★★☆☆PerformanceThe latest Intel CPUs give it plenty of speed★★★★★DisplayShell out for the 3.5K OLED option if you can★★★★☆DesignEasy to carry and plenty of ports★★★★★The best value laptop
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Best laptop for the money
Our expert review:
Display:
13.3-inch 1080p OLED
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
GPU:
Integrated Radeon graphics
RAM:
8 GB
Storage:
512 GB
Weight:
2.5 pounds
View at Amazon+
Stellar battery life
+
Beautiful 1080p OLED display
+
Great performance
-
Middling sound quality
-
Inconsistent webcam
-
No headphone jack
Buy it if
✅OLED is important: If you want a cheap, lightweight laptop with an OLED screen for under $1k, it's hard to find much better than the Asus Zenbook 13 OLED. While OLED displays are becoming more common in laptops and getting cheaper and cheaper, it's still rare to find one this good for this cheap.
✅ Battery life matters: The Asus Zenbook 13 OLED is one of the longest-lasting laptops we've tested, thanks in part to its power-sipping AMD CPU. While the latest CPUs from Apple and Intel are helping laptops last longer and longer, the Asus Zenbook 13 OLED remains a great choice if you want a lightweight, long-lasting Windows laptop.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a headphone jack: While Bluetooth headphones exist, those of us who prefer an old-fashioned physical 3.5mm audio jack are out of luck with the Asus Zenbook 13 OLED.
The bottom line
💻 The Asus Zenbook 13 OLED is a winning combo of price and performance. It's a zippy little ultraportable with a gorgeous display and oodles of battery life, and it can be yours for cheaper than most premium Windows laptops.
What you need to know
The Asus Zenbook 13 OLED delivers excellent value, offering great performance, remarkable battery life, and a beautiful OLED screen for under $1k.
There's not much in the way of ports (no headphone jack here) and the webcam's not great, but you can't beat the value. This is a sleek, speedy laptop that lasts all day and looks good open or closed, yet can be yours for less than nearly everything on this list.
Design: The Asus Zenbook 13 OLED we reviewed reviewed is easy to carry and looks good on a desk, weighing in at a trim 2.5 pounds and measuring just 11.98 x 7.99 x 0.55 inches.
Its grey and matte all over except the lid, which sports a fingerprint-attracting spun-metal finish replete with offset Asus logo. Remarkably, you get a pretty decent port array that includes both USB-C and USB-A jacks, an HDMI out and a microSD card reader. You don't get a headphone jack, but you do get a USB-C adapter if you want to plug some in.
Display: The 13.3-inch 1080p OLED display is one of the major selling points of this Zenbook, and in person it looks nice and vibrant. It’s pretty rare to find an OLED screen in a laptop you can buy for less than $1,000, and it does a great job of helping contrasts stand out, achieving nice deep blacks as well as bright, saturated colors.
However, the display on the Zenbook 13 is less bright than many competing laptops, and its reflectivity ensures you'll be staring at yourself when using it in direct sunlight.
Performance: In addition to being quite power-efficient (as you’ll see below when we start talking about battery life) the AMD Ryzen 7 CPU driving our Zenbook 13 review unit proved more than powerful enough to tackle daily computing tasks without breaking a sweat.
With no discrete GPU and 8GB of RAM this little laptop doesn't have the power to handle much in the way of demanding games or apps, but it's plenty speedy enough for getting work done.
Battery life: It’s always exciting to find a laptop with better battery life than advertised. The OLED-equipped Asus Zenbook 13 is one such machine: Asus says it lasts up to 13 hours on a single battery charge, but in our battery test it lasted a remarkable 15 hours.
That's fantastic all-day battery life that all but ensures you can carry the Zenbook 13 all day without worrying about needing to find an outlet.
Read the full review: Asus Zenbook 13 OLED
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Ratings scorecardTestNotesHow it stacks upBattery life15 hours of tested battery life★★★★★PerformanceFast enough for work, but no speed demon★★★☆☆DisplayBeautiful OLED screen, though not super-bright★★★★☆DesignSmall, elegant design (but no headphone jack)★★★☆☆The best Chromebook
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The best Chromebook
Our expert review:
CPU:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
RAM:
4-8GB
Storage:
64-128GB eMMC
Display:
11 inches, 2,000 x 1,200 pixels
Dimensions:
10.16 x 6.48 x 0.31 inches
Weight:
1.2/2.1 lbs (tablet only/tablet + cover)
View at Lenovo USACheck Amazon+
Bright, sharp display
+
10+ hours of battery life
+
Packed-in keyboard cover is decent
+
Surprisingly loud for a Chrome tablet
-
Still no headphone jack
-
Lackluster cameras
-
Keyboard cover uncomfortable for sustained typing
Buy it if
✅ 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.
Don't buy it if:
❌ 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 bottom line
💻 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.
What you need to know
Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 3 is bigger, brighter and more powerful than the original Duet. While it's more expensive and can't last quite as long on a single charge, it occupies the same sweet spot: A cheap, performant Chrome tablet with a packed-in keyboard that makes it a surprisingly versatile 2-in-1.
While you may prefer a more traditional clamshell Chromebook if you don't like the idea of typing on a removable keyboard cover, the fact that the Duet 3 doubles as both a tablet and a laptop gives it remarkable versatility for the price.
Design: The Duet 3 is slightly larger than its predecessor the Duet, with an 11-inch 2K (2,000 x 1,200 pixels) screen housed in a thin black aluminum chassis.
At 10.16 x 6.48 x 0.31 inches with a weight starting at 1.14 pounds, the Duet 3 isn't quite as light or thin as the base iPad 2021 (0.29 inches, 1.09 pounds), but it's pretty close, and in my hands it feels both sturdy and light enough to carry around the house all day.
Display: The 11-inch 2K display on the Duet 3 gets plenty 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: In my time with the Duet 3 (powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip) I found it to be pretty snappy for a Chromebook, with almost no slowdown when launching and switching between apps. I was able to open 15 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 meaningful slowdown.
This machine won't blow you away with its speed, but if you keep things to basic web browsing you should have no trouble.
Battery life: After spending a few weeks with our Duet 3 review unit, I can tell you that it doesn't exactly burn through battery. I never had to worry about it running out of charge during the day, and when I plugged it in it after it died I was able to recharge up to about 80% in an hour.
In our battery test — web surfing via Wi-Fi with the screen at 150 nits of brightness — the Duet 3 lasted an average of 10 hours and 30 minutes, which is pretty good and enough that you can carry it to a day of classes without having to worry about plugging in.
Read the full review: Lenovo Duet 3
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Ratings scorecardTestResultsHow it stacks upBattery life10:30 tested battery life★★★★☆PerformanceIll-suited for much besides browsing and light work★★☆☆☆Display11-inch 2K display looks nice and bright★★★★☆DesignDetachable keyboard worse than a full keyboard, but it's nice to have the option to use it as a tablet too★★★☆☆The best laptop for DIYers
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Best laptop for DIYers
Our expert review:
Display:
13.5-inch 3:2 (2,256 x 1,504 pixels)
CPU:
13th Gen Intel Core i5 - i7 OR AMD 7040 series
GPU:
Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics or AMD
RAM:
8GB - 64GB
Storage:
256GB - 4TB SSD
Weight:
2.8 pounds
View at Framework+
Unparalleled ability to upgrade/repair
+
Useful Expansion Card port system
+
Great keyboard
+
Speedy performance
-
Loud fans under load
-
Webcam not great
Buy it if
✅ 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.
Don't buy it if:
❌ 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 bottom line
💻 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
The Framework Laptop is the anti-MacBook, the laptop that promises to let you customize, repair, and upgrade it to an unprecedented degree, all while remaining affordable and ultraportable.
When Framework revealed the laptop in 2021, I was excited about those promises but dubious the company could deliver on them without some glaring sacrifices. Now that I’ve used one myself, I’m pleased to report that Framework appears to have stuck the landing. Its improved Framework Laptop 13 (2023) model only reinforced my opinions. With its remarkably easy-to-repair design and hot-swappable Expansion Card system, the Framework Laptop 13 ($849 to start, $2,099 as reviewed) is versatile, well-made, and one of the best laptops you can buy — especially if you care about your right to repair and tinker with your devices.
Design: The Framework sports a slim, unassuming aluminum chassis that blends right in with all the other laptops in the coffee shop. Measuring in at 11.67 x 9 x 0.62 inches and just 2.8 pounds, this DIY ultraportable is as thin and just a hair lighter than Apple's MacBook Air with M1. That’s an even more impressive feat when you consider that the Framework team achieved that 0.62-inch thinness while still ensuring the major components of the laptop are modular and user-replaceable, rather than soldered to the board the way they are in the MacBook Air.
Display: The 13.5-inch display is sharp and functional, with a tall 3:2 display ratio that accommodates a 2,256 x 1,504 resolution. It offers good color quality and looks plenty bright in person.
Performance: The Framework configuration we tested performed well under pressure, handling the gauntlet that is my unorganized work process without any noticeable stutter or heat issues. However, the laptop’s cooling fans occasionally kicked in during basic daily use, and they’re awfully loud. It also underperformed a bit in our performance benchmarks compared to a lot of its contemporaries. While the Framework's lack of a discrete GPU makes it a poor choice for playing graphically demanding games, the Core i7 CPU gives it enough muscle to play older and less demanding games well.
Battery life: The Framework’s battery doesn’t break any records, but it’s good enough to get you through a day of work without needing to pack a charger. In our battery test, which sets the laptop’s screen brightness to 150 nits and tasks it with endlessly browsing the web via Wi-Fi, the Framework lasted 11 hours and 38 minutes.
Read the full review: Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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Ratings scorecardTestResultsHow it stacks upBattery life11:38 tested battery life★★★★☆PerformanceSpeedy enough for work and light gaming★★★☆☆DisplayFunctional, sharp display★★★☆☆DesignElegant, unassuming chassis belies useful complexity★★★★☆The best gaming laptop
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Buy it if
✅ 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.
Don't buy it if:
❌ 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 bottom line
💻 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 (2022) ($1,649 to start) is the latest iteration of one of the highest-rated gaming laptops we've ever reviewed, and one of the best gaming laptops on the market for most people. The 2022 Zephyrus G14 we reviewed has a better, brighter screen than its predecessor, with good speakers and an AMD CPU/GPU combo that delivers solid gaming performance. It also sports a built-in webcam, something earlier models lacked.
But despite these upgrades, the new Zephyrus G14 is in some ways weaker than its predecessor. It can't last quite as long on a single charge, the gaming performance is good but not always better than what you'd get from similarly-priced competitors, and the webcam is bad. Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better gaming laptop (that can also double as a work or school laptop) for the price.
Design: Our Zephyrus G14 (2022) review unit measures 12.28 x 8.94 x 0.77 inches, weighs 3.79 pounds and is decked out in Asus’ bright Moonlight White color scheme. It’s especially eye-catching if you enable the optional AniMe Matrix mini-LED display on the back of the lid (a $600 cosmetic upgrade).
But even if you don’t, the Zephyrus G14 looks slick, with rounded corners and tapered edges balancing out the sharp diagonal vents scattered across the chassis.
Display: The 14-inch WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) display on the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) looks good in person, and the 16:10 aspect ratio feels roomy when you're juggling a lot of open windows on the desktop. With a 120Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time and support for Dolby Vision HDR, the display is well-suited to making games and movies look their best.
Performance: Gaming performance is what matters most in a laptop like this, and the 2022 Zephyrus G14 delivers — if you configure it right. Plugged in, with all extraneous apps closed and all power and fan management settings cranked to max, this laptop managed to hit 30-40 frames per second (fps) in Cyberpunk 2077 on max settings. However, that was with AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaler running. In general, this laptop can run most games on the market quite well, and it has no trouble with simple productivity tasks.
Battery life: The Asus Zephyrus G14 (2022) lasted roughly 10 hours and 14 minutes in our Tom's Guide battery test. That's great for a gaming laptop (which rarely last more than a few hours on a full charge) but over an hour less than its predecessor, which is disappointing. Obviously, it lasts far less time when gaming without the power cord plugged in.
When we ran the PCMark 10 battery test on it, which is a decent approximation of running a graphically demanding modern game, the 2022 Zephyrus G14 barely lasted an hour before powering off. This is definitely not a great laptop for gaming unplugged, but it is possible, and it does last awhile when you keep the screen dim and the action sedate.
Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022)
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Ratings scorecardTestResultsHow it stacks upBattery life10:14 tested (non-gaming) battery life★★★★☆PerformanceGreat for work and gaming★★★★★DisplayScreen looks good and accommodates high-framerate gaming★★★★☆DesignSlim, unassuming design blends in at home or at work★★★★☆The longest-lasting laptop
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The best laptop when battery life matters
Our expert review:
Display:
14.2 inches Liquid Retina XDR (120Hz, 3024 x 1964)
Processor:
Apple M3 (8-core CPU)
Graphics:
Integrated 8-core M3 GPU | Integrated 10-core GPU
Memory:
8GB to 24GB
Storage:
512GB to 2TB
Weight:
3.4 pounds
View at AmazonView at AmazonView at Best Buy+
Strong performance from M3 chip
+
Brighter display
+
Impressive graphics boost
+
Very long battery life
+
Great speakers
-
Less ports than M3 Pro model
-
Supports just one external monitor
-
Space Black costs extra
Buy it if
✅ 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.
Don't buy it if:
❌ 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 bottom line
💻 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.
The left side of the MacBook Pro M3 houses the MagSafe charging port, as well as two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll find the HDMI port and SD Card slot on the right of the system.
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 first 3 nanometer processor for the Mac lineup, which crams in more transistors while also featuring a next-generation GPU.
In our own testing, the M3 chip is about 20% faster than the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2, and impressive gains in gaming performance — running the latest titles like Lies of P at a smooth 60 FPS, and featuring upgrades like hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Battery life: In our Tom’s Guide battery test the M3 MacBook Pro lasted for 17 hours and 23 minutes. This isn’t quite as long as the 18:20 found in the 13-inch MacBook Pro M2, but with that model now discontinued, this is the new battery life king of Apple's laptops
The new Pro also outstrips the 15-inch Air (14:48) and the MacBook Pro 14-inch with M2 Pro (14:23). Put simply, the MacBook Pro can last for an entire work day and beyond.
Read the full review: MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3, 2023)
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Ratings scorecardTestResultsHow it stacks upBattery life18:20 hours of tested battery life★★★★★PerformanceSpeedy at prosumer tasks★★★★☆DisplayGorgeous mini-LED★★★★★DesignPremium, durable design★★★★★The best MacBook Air alternative
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Buy it if
✅ 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.
Don't buy it if:
❌ 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 bottom line
💻 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) packs a lavish new design with golden trim plus a powerful 12th-gen Intel Core i7 chip, a gorgeous 1600p display, and a startlingly swift 1TB SSD onboard. It’s also cheaper than its notable rivals when comparably equipped.
There are a couple of caveats to consider, but the latest Acer Swift 5 is a very strong overall pick given its $1,499 price tag.
Design: The Acer Swift 5 sports a number of luxurious tweaks that convey a premium allure. Whereas earlier Swift 5 designs were fairly generic, the latest version has beautiful edges with a double-anodized gold treatment.
At 12.2 x 8.4 x 0.59 inches and a mere 2.65 pounds, it’s a hair thicker and wider than Apple’s new M2 MacBook Air model, but it’s also a smidge lighter than that 2.7-pound rival. Despite the light weight, the Acer Swift 5 has a hearty, sturdy-feeling build, thanks to its aerospace-grade aluminum chassis.
Display: The Acer Swift 5’s screen is a stunner. It’s a 14-inch panel at WQXGA resolution (2560x1600) or 1600p, which means it’s quite a bit crisper than your typical 1080p panel seen on the vast majority of laptops.
At that resolution, text and graphics look super sharp throughout. It’s a 16:10 aspect ratio, too, which means the screen is slightly taller than typical widescreen (16:9) dimensions.
Performance: The Acer Swift 5 packs plenty of speed thanks to the latest Intel Core i7 CPU. With 16GB RAM alongside, you’ll find ample power for everyday use and multitasking galore.
While the Acer Swift 5 is well equipped for productivity and creative needs, it’s not designed to handle high-end gaming. The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics can put up solid performance with popular free-to-play games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and League of Legends, but isn’t built for visually rich AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077.
Battery life: A laptop this powerful needs a serious battery to match, but the Acer Swift 5 left us wanting. On our battery rundown test the Swift 5 lasted for about 11:25, which is good but not great.
However, that's under controlled testing conditions—during everyday usage with the screen at max brightness, the Acer Swift 5 barely lasted five full hours. That’s with pretty modest demands too—little more than browsing the web, typing up documents, and streaming YouTube or Spotify.
Read the full review: Acer Swift 5 (2022)
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Ratings scorecardTestNotesHow it stacks upBattery life11:25 tested battery life★★★★☆PerformanceSpeedy but not great for gaming★★★★☆DisplayTall, beautiful screen★★★★☆DesignElegant, striking design with plenty of ports★★★★☆The best 2-in-1 laptop
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The best Windows 2-in-1
Our expert review:
Display:
14-inch 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800) OLED 16:10 touch
CPU:
13th Gen Intel Core i5/i7
RAM:
16 GB
Storage:
512GB
Weight:
3.3 pounds
Size:
12.2 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
View at Best BuyView at Amazon+
Excellent price
+
Thin and light design
+
Gorgeous OLED display
+
LED Numpad
-
Sub-10-hour battery life
-
Mediocre 720p webcam
Buy it if
✅ You love ultraportables: The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is one of the thinnest laptops out there — which is impressive for a 2-in-1. Because of its svelte design and light weight, it's easy to carry around wherever you go.
✅ You want an OLED display: You don't usually see OLED panels on laptops under $1,000 — which makes the Zenbook 14 Flip all the more attractive. This display doesn't get too bright, but its rich picture quality makes up for that.
✅ You want a 2-in-1: This one is obvious, but if you want a device that's both a laptop and tablet, the Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is worth considering, especially for its excellent $999 asking price.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You need long battery life: 9 hours of battery life used to be great, but not so in a world of MacBooks that can last 15 hours or more. So if you want more than 12 hours of battery life, you might want to look elsewhere.
❌ You want a good webcam: If you want to look your best during video calls, then this Zenbook 14 Flip OLED's ancient 720p won't do you any favors.
The bottom line
💻 The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is arguably one of the best 2-in-1 laptops for the money. It’s a fetching and sturdy ultraportable with plenty of ports, plenty of power, and a vivid 2.8K OLED panel. On top of that, it also has an LED number pad on its touchpad — which is a nice touch. Overall, the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED provides excellent value for what it offers.
What you need to know
The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED isn’t perfect. Its 720p webcam is from a bygone era and its 9-hour battery life is short in comparison to the best MacBooks. That said, its strengths are substantial.
The sharp OLED display is wonderful for watching videos, and it has one of the best laptop keyboards I’ve tested. I also love the minimalist design and zippy performance. The LED number pad is also a nice touch. Combine all this with the fact it’s $1,199 at its most expensive, and this device becomes all the more attractive.
Overall, the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED provides excellent value for what it offers. If you’re looking for a dependable 2-in-1 with a svelte design and eye-pleasing OLED panel, this is the machine to get.
Design: At 12.2 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches and 3.3 pounds, the Zenbook 14 Flip makes for a perfect travel laptop. It’s thin and light enough that you might forget it’s in your backpack. It’s also not a chore carrying it from room to room. The 13-inch MacBook Air M2 weighs less at 2.7 pounds, but Asus’ notebook is still very light.
Display: The 14-inch 2.8K OLED panel is one of this laptop’s main selling points. The inky blacks and vibrant colors make everything from flashy YouTube videos to simple web pages look stellar. Images are generally well-illuminated, though I’ve tested brighter displays. But overall, I have little to complain about with this gorgeous display.
Performance: The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is a thin laptop in design but not performance thanks to its 13th Gen Intel Core CPU and 16GB of RAM. That’s not to say you’ll tear through video projects or comfortably play the best PC games on this notebook. Far from it. But as a productivity machine for everyday work, web browsing and video watching, the Zenbook 14 Flip delivers.
Battery life: The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED’s battery life is good, but not great. On our battery test, it lasted for 8 hours and 53 minutes. There was a time when that'd be acceptable, but not so in a world with MacBooks that last 15 hours or more. This laptop might not die on you right away, but it may not last you all day either.
Read the full review: Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED.
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Ratings scorecardTestNotesHow it stacks upBattery life8:53 tested battery life★★★☆☆PerformancePlenty of power for everyday computing★★★★☆DisplayVivid OLED display★★★★★DesignThin and light design★★★★☆The best MacBook Pro alternative
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Buy it if
✅ You want a laptop that does it all: From getting work done to gaming to watching videos, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra is great for all of it. It's a potent blend of beauty and power with good battery life and an affordable price tag.
✅ You love gaming on OLED: OLED displays deliver remarkably bright brights, inky blacks and striking contrasts. The Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra's 3K 120Hz AMOLED screen looks great, and its beefy internals ensure games look great on it.
✅ You're already enmeshed in Samsung's ecosystem: The Galaxy Book3 Ultra is great at gaming and getting work done, especially if you own other Samsung Galaxy devices. That's because Samsung Galaxy designs them to work well together, so you have an easier time sharing files between devices and generally making better use of them in concert.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You hate Samsung bloatware: The Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 comes with a ton of Samsung software pre-installed, and its all bloatware if you don't own any other Samsung devices.
❌ You love customizability: This is a great all-around laptop but it only comes in a very limited number of configs, so you don't get much variety in terms of RAM, storage, etc.
The bottom line
💻 The Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra is one of the best Windows laptops you can buy, delivering great performance, a gorgeous display and a comfy keyboard for not too much money, especially when you consider it packs a discrete Nvidia 40-series laptop GPU.
What you need to know
The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra (starting at $2,199) isn’t just the first Samsung laptop with Ultra branding. It’s the company’s direct answer to the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023). With a 16-inch OLED display, an Intel 13th Gen Core CPU and an Nvidia RTX 40-series GPU, Samsung’s laptop seems to have what it takes to challenge Apple’s powerful premium notebook.
Comparisons aside, the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra has a lot to offer. Its powerful specs make it suitable for video editing and for playing the best PC games. In fact, this is one of the best gaming laptops we’ve tested. Toss in interoperability with Samsung phones and tablets, and this could be a brilliant laptop for folks invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
Design: The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra is a sleek and elegant laptop that’s well-suited for work and play. At 13.9 x 9.8 x 0.6 inches and weighing 3.9 pounds, this machined aluminum notebook is easy to hold and carry around. Not only is it a bit thinner than the MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023, but it’s almost a pound lighter.
Display: The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra's gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display makes everything you do on it look better. It really impressed when gaming, with the likes of Cyberpunk 2077's Night City looking incredible thanks to the vibrant neon colors and lights of the game popping on the Book 3 Ultra's OLED screen. Once you've experienced a high-quality OLED display on a laptop, you'll be hard pressed to go back to all but the finest LCD laptop screens.
Performance: The Book3 Ultra is uniquely well-suited to both work and play thanks to its speedy CPU and discrete GeForce RTX 40-series laptop GPU, which give it enough power to double as a decent gaming laptop. The 16GB of included RAM make it feel plenty snappy for a productivity notebook.
Battery life: The Galaxy Book3 Ultra lasted for a smidge over 10 hours in our battery test, which is great for a gaming laptop but pretty unremarkable when compared to the other laptops on this list. It will probably get you through a work day, especially if you don't tax it too hard, but you might want to carry a charger just in case.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
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Ratings scorecardTestNotesHow it stacks upBattery life10:01 tested battery life★★★★☆PerformanceGreat at gaming and work★★★★☆DisplayBeautiful AMOLED display★★★★☆DesignSlim, beautiful chassis★★★★☆The best powerful MacBook
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Buy it if
✅ 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.
Don't buy it if:
❌ 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 bottom line
💻 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. The steep $3,499 starting price stings, but professional creatives and even gamers will get their money’s worth.
What you need to know: The new 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip (starting at $3,499) is the most powerful laptop we’ve ever tested. We said that about the MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M2 Max processor released earlier this year, but Apple has outdone itself once more with this monstrous notebook. It’s easily one of the best MacBooks yet.
Other than the new Space Black color that diminishes fingerprints, the latest MacBook Pro 16-inch is virtually identical to previous models. That means you still get a gorgeous 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, plenty of ports and a sleek, sturdy design. But there’s a whole lot of power underneath the familiar chassis thanks to the M3 Max processor.
To be clear, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max chip isn’t for everyone — and not just because of its lofty $3,499 starting price. If you’re a creative professional who works with 8K videos, then this beastly laptop should facilitate your workflow. Similarly, the M3 Max chip also makes this MacBook Pro a powerful gaming rig. However, if you only dabble in video editing or primarily use the best laptops for writing, then the new 14-inch MacBook Pro M3 might be a better choice.
Design: Like the previous model, this notebook measures 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches and weighs 4.8 pounds (4.7 for the M3 Pro model). While big and heavy, the MacBook Pro feels durable thanks to its sturdy squared-off aluminum chassis. The new Space Black color not only looks great but diminishes fingerprints.
Display: The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina Display (3,456 x 2,234) remains as gorgeous as ever. Not only is it bright and colorful, but its 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate makes everything run smoothly — especially games. As before, this is hands-down one of the best laptop displays out there.
Performance: While the M2-powered laptops we’ve reviewed certainly offered more power than their immediate predecessors, the jump wasn’t as spectacular as when Apple moved away from Intel silicon. Even if the M3 bump isn't as significant as that seminal moment, the jump from M2 to M3 is still remarkable. This is especially true for the 16-inch MacBook Pro kitted with the M3 Max chip. Right now, the MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max is the most powerful laptop we've ever reviewed.
Battery life: In our battery test, the new MacBook Pro 16-inch lasted for 17 hours and 11 minutes. While that’s nearly two hours less than the last model, we doubt anyone will complain about 17 hours of battery life.
Read the full review: MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max, 2023)
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Ratings scorecardTestNotesHow it stacks upBattery life17:11 tested battery life★★★★★PerformanceGreat for video editing★★★★★DisplayGorgeous mini-LED display★★★★★DesignPremium, durable design★★★★★Battery benchmarks: comparison
Battery life is one of the key things you should look at when deciding which laptop to buy, which is why we run every laptop we review through a series of battery tests to see how long it lasts on a full charge.
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.
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!
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LaptopBattery life (tested)Dell XPS 13 OLED7:59Asus Zenbook 13 OLED15:00MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022)18:20MacBook Air 15-inch M214:59M1 MacBook Air14:41MacBook Pro 2021 (14-inch)14:09Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio10:30Framework Laptop10:17Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra10:01Microsoft Surface Laptop 410:46Acer Swift 311:09Microsoft Surface Pro 89:06Dell XPS 15 OLED6:58MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch)15:31Lenovo Yoga 9i11:15Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano12:00Alienware m15 R44:01HP Elite Dragonfly12:25Asus Zenbook Duo 1410:37Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet12:47Google Pixelbook Go11:29Acer Chromebook Spin 71311:54How to choose the best laptop for you
What kind of power do you need? 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. If you want something that feels speedy and can handle more than basic browsing and typing, consider starting specs such as a Core i5 CPU, 8 to 16GB of RAM and a 256GB to 512GB SSD.
What kind of games do you want to play? Most mainstream laptops feature integrated graphics, which may be able to run simple, well-optimized games like Minecraft and Fortnite but can't handle graphically-demanding games or heavy visual work. For that, you'll want a laptop with a discrete graphics card.
How big of a laptop do you want? Consider how mobile you want your laptop to be. Machines such as the Dell XPS 13 and HP Elite Dragonfly are feather light with slim designs, 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 17-inch screens, expect your laptop to weigh at least a few pounds. Gaming laptops are almost always several pounds heavier than thin-and-light ultraportables, but 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. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system built to allow for cheap, fast systems, though it has gotten a bit more robust over the years with support for full Android apps.
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.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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
To find the best laptop, we run every machine through a rigorous suite of benchmarks and real-world tests to gauge how it will perform during everyday use.
We measure the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house light meter and colorimeter. For general performance, we run our machines through tests that include Geekbench 5 (CPU performance), 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, and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.
When testing dedicated gaming laptops, we run benchmarks for popular games such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Far Cry 6 and Red Dead Redemption 2. For more information on our testing process, check out our guide to how we test.
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