Best Laptops in 2022: Best Laptop Right Now
Best Laptop Right Now. Here are the best laptops you can buy right now
The best laptops are the ones that help you stay on top of all your various projects and gadgets. Once you've equipped yourself right, you've got the speed to power you through all of your assignments, and battery life up to a day of work without worrying about the nearest power outlet. to make it through.
Finding the best laptop for you can be difficult because you never had much choice. There are top-rated laptops for basic web surfing, mainstream machines with premium components and attractive designs, and beastly gaming laptops that will let you play the hottest PC games just the way they were meant to be played.
What are the best laptops?
Our pick for the best laptop overall is the Dell XPS 13, which packs sharp performance and a stunning bezel-less display with long battery life into an incredibly thin and lightweight design. If you can buy a more expensive model with an OLED touchscreen, it's well worth the expense. If you love the idea of an OLED laptop but want something a little more affordable, Asus has the OLED-equipped Zenbook 13 that packs great power and amazing battery life, and it typically costs a few hundred more than the XPS 13. Rs is cheaper.
Windows 11 is out now, but even eligible Windows 10 machines may not receive an upgrade offer until 2022. Many laptops on this list can now be purchased with Windows 11 pre-installed, but not all. If you just want a laptop that's guaranteed to run Windows 11 and show it to full effect, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is a great option. It's a powerful, well-built 2-in-1 that (when you set aside for the discrete Nvidia 3050 Ti GPU) can do some decent gaming or video editing. The optional $129 Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus is a bit pricey, but it pairs well with the studio and works well on the convertible's 120Hz touchscreen.
If Macs are your thing, the new MacBook Air with M1 is our recommendation for the best MacBook for most people, as it offers great performance and long battery life. However, that may change now that Apple has updated the MacBook Pro lineup with new 14- and 16-inch models running on even more powerful chips, the M1 Pro and M1 Max. Stay tuned for our full reviews of the MacBook Pro 14-inch and MacBook Pro 16-inch.
Acer Swift 3 is one of the best budget laptops for buyers who are watching their wallets. If you need more ideas for a high-quality budget laptop. For our full recommendations, check out our picks for the best laptops below.
Top 20 Best Laptop: Best Laptops You Can Buy Today
1. Dell XPS 13 - Best Laptop Right Now
2. Apple MacBook Air with M1 - Best Laptop For Business, Gaming
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio - Best Windows Laptop
4. Framework Laptop - Best Laptop For Multimedia, Personal
5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 - Best Laptop For productivity
6. Acer Swift 3 (AMD) - Best Laptop For Personal, Business
7. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, late 2021) - Best Laptop For Video Editing
8. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Best Windows Laptop
9. Dell XPS 15 OLED - Best Dell Laptop
10. Lenovo Yoga 9i - Best Laptop For Multimedia, Personal
11. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano - Best Laptop Multimedia, Personal
12. Alienware m15 R4 (2021) - Best Laptop For Gaming
13. HP Elite Dragonfly - Best Laptop For Business
14. Asus ZenBook Duo 14 - Best Asus Laptop
15. Lenovo Chromebook Duet - Best Laptop For Cheap Price
16. Google Pixelbook Go - Best Laptop For Students
17. Acer Chromebook Spin 713 - Best Laptop For Personal, Business
18. Asus Zenbook 13 OLED - Best Laptop For Business
19. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 - Best Laptop For Gaming
20. Razer Blade 14 - Best Laptop For Video Editing
1. Dell XPS 13 - Best Laptop Right Now
The best all-around laptop
Pros
- Good Performance
- Gorgeous, immersive display
- Comfortable keyboard
- Great overall performance
- Slim, attractive chassis
Cons
- Slim port selection
- Battery life could be better
- Grainy 720p webcam
| Dell XPS 13 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,653.00 (Check Offer) |
| Display | 13.4 inches; 1920x1080, 3840x2160, or 3.5K OLED |
| CPU | 11th-Generation Intel Core i3-i7 |
| GPU | Intel UHD to Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM | 8GB-16GB |
| Storage | 256GB-2TBGB SSD |
| Weight | 2.64 pounds |
The Dell XPS 13 is one of our favorite laptops, thanks to its outstanding performance, beautiful display, and great design. While the battery life isn't as good as some other laptops of similar price, it's usually more than enough to get you through a day's work without having to scramble for a charger.
Also, in 2021, Dell started offering the XPS 13 with a 3.5K OLED touchscreen option. It's well worth the investment if you can afford it (it's usually around the same price as non-OLED 4K screen configurations for an extra hundred bucks), as OLED's deep, inky blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast ratio shine. When mounted in the InfinityEdge design with the XPS 13's slim bezels.
2. Apple MacBook Air with M1 - Best Laptop For Graphic Design
The best MacBook
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Remarkably fast performance
- Strong legacy app support
- Amazingly long battery life
- Additional Add-ons
Cons
- Still has thick bezels
- Light on ports
| Apple MacBook Air Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $929.00 (Chech Offer) |
| Display | 13.3 inches; 2560x1600 |
| CPU | Apple M1 |
| GPU | Integrated 8-core GPU |
| RAM | 8GB-16GB |
| Storage | 256GB-2TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.8 pounds |
Apple has revolutionized its laptops, thanks to its own Apple silicon processors, which are replacing previously used Intel chips. This chip offers faster speeds than the Air I've ever seen, and the longest battery life in any MacBook: It lasted 14 hours 41 minutes on the Provix battery test. The MacBook hasn't come close to that since 2015. The M1 chip not only makes the MacBook Air a multi-tasking fiend, but it also enabled me to run Rise of the Tomb Raider smoothly, and that too with a Rosetta 2 conversion of that Intel app.
Apple's move to ARM-based processors is looking to take advantage of that in a big way and includes the ability to run iOS and iPadOS apps on your Mac. Plus, the MacBook Air's webcam is clearer and more color-accurate than ever, thanks to signal processing. We're still happy to see the Magic Keyboard, which is a great upgrade from the previous MacBook's butterfly-style keyboard.
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio - Best Windows Laptop
The best Windows 11 laptop
Pros
- Good battery life
- Versatile sliding hinged display
- Great speakers
- Bright, vibrant screen
- Additional Add-ons
Cons
- Performance could be better
- Ports are sparse and inconveniently placed
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,799.99 (Check Offer) |
| Display | 14.4-inch 120 Hz touchscreen (2400 x 1600 pixels) |
| CPU | 11th Gen Intel Core i5 | Intel Core i7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU |
| RAM | 16GB | 32 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB - 1 TB SSD |
| Weight | 3.8 - 4.0 pounds |
Microsoft's Surface Laptop Studio is a reimagined Surface Book with a more MacBook Pro-like design and an attractive hinged display. It's Microsoft's flagship tool for Windows 11, which promises to make Windows a more attractive place to both works and play. Like Windows 11, Surface Laptop Studio is advertised as a one-stop shop for productivity, entertainment, and creative work.
And for the most part, that's all: Its 11th Gen Intel CPU and 16+ GB of RAM give you enough power to tackle most of the work, and if you're looking for a model with a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, you'll find the Surface laptop splurge for the studio also serves as a good machine for gaming or video editing on the go.
However, it's a bit pricey when you take it out, and despite its great components, the Surface Laptop Studio delivers subpar performance compared to similarly priced machines. But few other laptops can match its intriguing sliding hinged display, which can be tented over keys or folded all the way flat like an easel to turn the Studio into a bulky tablet.
4. Framework Laptop - Best Laptop
Best laptop for DIYers
Pros
- Good Performance
- Slim and portable
- The Tall 3:2 screen looks great
- Excellent keyboard
- Unprecedented access to modify and repair
Cons
- Unimpressive speakers with weak bass
- The fan is loud and unpredictable
| Framework Laptop Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $999.00 (Check Offer) |
| Display | 13.5-inch 3:2 (2,256 x 1,504 pixels) |
| CPU | 11th Gen Intel Core i5 - i7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics |
| RAM | 8GB - 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB - 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.8 pounds |
The Framework Laptop is the Anti-MacBook, a modular laptop that promises to let you customize, repair, and upgrade it to an unprecedented degree while remaining affordable and ultraportable. Each laptop framework ships with a screwdriver so you can open the case and swap out the parts yourself, and everything from the memory to the screen bezel to the mainboard is user-replaceable.
It is not for everyone, but if you are the DIY type and love the idea of being able to tinker with the interiors of your laptop then this is the best laptop for you. The Framework Laptop is currently only available for purchase from the Framework website, and the price tag starts at $999 - although you can pay as little as $749 for the DIY version if you want to assemble your laptop yourself and build your memory, Want to provide storage, operating system, and Wi-Fi card.
5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 - Best Laptop For productivity
Best laptop for productivity
Pros
- Good Performance
- Light, slim design
- Very comfy keyboard
- Great speakers
- Good battery life
Cons
- Needs more ports
- Needs a better webcam
- Thick bezels are an eyesore
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,149.00 (Cheak Offer) |
| Display | 13.5-inch 2256 x 1504 touchscreen |
| CPU | 11-Gen Intel Core i5/i7 | Ryzen 5/7 4000-series |
| GPU | Integrated Intel Iris Xe or Radeon graphics |
| RAM | 8GB to 32GB |
| Storage | 256GB to 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.79 pounds |
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is the closest thing to the company's flagship Windows laptop. This addition to the Surface Laptop line packs 2021 premium components into a wider chassis and comes with a clean Windows 10 install that's bloatware-free.
If you're looking for a premium Windows laptop to work from anywhere, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is the way to go. It has a comfortable keyboard with well-sized, satisfying keys and a nice Alcantara deck option that gives your wrists a bit more comfort than a typical all-metal laptop. A respectable 10+ hours of battery life and a long 3:2 display ratio of the screen can help you read and edit documents more comfortably, and you have a great notebook to work with on the go. Plus, it received a recommendation for the best-sounding laptop at our ProoWix Awards 2021.
6. Acer Swift 3 (AMD) - Best Laptop
Best budget laptop
Pros
- Good Performance
- Amazing battery life
- AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
- AMD Radeon graphics
- Affordable
Cons
- The display is a little dim
- Speakers aren't great
| Acer Swift 3 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $679.99 (Cheak Offer) |
| Display | 14 inches; 1920x1080 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U |
| GPU | AMD Radeon graphics |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Weight | 2.7 pounds |
When you want the best bang for your buck, the Acer Swift 3 proves you can get great performance for a surprisingly low price. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U CPU, this laptop offers an exceptionally long battery life (11:09) in a lightweight design. It has more ports than some of the laptops listed above: a USB Type-C, HDMI, and a USB-A. Plus, you also get a fingerprint reader.
Its keyboard delivers a solid typing experience with quiet, clicky keys. We just wish that its display had more brightness and color, and its speakers had a little more kick. But if you want to work on a budget, it's hard to argue with the AMD-based Acer Swift 3, which gives you plenty of reasons to ask about the AMD-based versions when you're looking around.
7. MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, late 2021): Best Laptop For All
Best laptop for photo editing
Pros
- CPU Apple M1 (8-core)
- Superb performance
- Crazy long battery life
- Bright and colorful display
Cons
- Just two Thunderbolt ports
- Dated design
| MacBook Pro 13-inch Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,169.00 (Check Offer) |
| Display | 13 inches; 2560x1600 |
| CPU | Apple M1 (8-core) |
| GPU | 8-core integrated |
| RAM | 8GB to 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB to 2TB SSD |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
The MacBook Pro with M1 Apple Silicone is a great upgrade for anyone who wants more than just the speed and endurance of an entry-level Air. Not only does it beat the wind on battery life, with around 2 hours more battery life, but it has a fan inside, so its octa-core M1 chip can be pushed even further without heat issues. Oh, and you still get the great Magic Keyboard, which enables comfortable and responsive typing, like the butterfly-switch keyboard the MacBook didn't have during the years.
Plus, its Retina display is both bright and colorful, so any photos or videos you edit on the MacBook Pro will look excellent (as will the next Netflix show you binge). We just wish Apple would update its design or provide you with more Thunderbolt ports (the 4 USB-C port configuration is currently limited to Intel-based MacBook Pros). Still, it's surprising to see how Apple's processors have eroded the performance seen in their older Intel-based MacBooks. All of this adds up to why the 13-inch MacBook Pro is one of the best laptops of all time. It won the award for longest-lasting laptop at our Toms Guide Awards 2021.
If you prefer a bigger screen but want a MacBook Pro powered by Apple's silicon, your wait is over. The MacBook Pro is now available in 14- and 16-inch configurations, with the option to equip the laptop with the new M1 Pro or M1 Max chipsets. Those laptops lose the Touch Bar and reinstate MagSafe charging into the mix. Expect a full review soon.
8. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 - Best Laptop
Another great Windows 11 2-in-1
Pros
- Good Performance
- Large, vibrant display
- Tailor-made for Windows 11
- Supports external devices
- Sharp webcam
Cons
- Underwhelming gaming performance
- Slim Pen 2 and Signature keyboard sold separately
| Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $2,199.99 (Check Now) |
| Display | 13-inch screen (2880 x 1920) |
| CPU | Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-1185G7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB | 32GB |
| Storage | 512GB | 1TB (128GB or 256GB removable SSD options) |
| Weight | 1.96 pounds |
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the latest in the company's line of 2-in-1 Surface Pro tablets. This iteration includes an 11th-generation Intel CPU, a 13-inch 120Hz display, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a removable SSD. Just as important, you'll get Windows 11 perfect with this 2-in-1.
Its small size and lightweight design make the Surface Pro 8 ideal for use at home or on the road. The front-facing and rear cameras are also great, providing clean detailed photos. Unfortunately, the Surface Pro 8 disappoints as a gaming device and didn't live up to the promised 16 hours of battery life in our testing. Despite those few shortcomings, the Surface 8 Pro is arguably the best Surface Pro yet
9. Dell XPS 15 OLED - Best Laptop For All
Best laptop for home use
Pros
- Remarkable performance
- 3.5K OLED display impresses with beautiful contrasts
- Spacious, comfy keyboard
- Svelte chassis still looks great
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
Cons
- 720p webcam delivers grainy, washed-out images
- Disappointing battery life
| Dell XPS 15 OLED Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.00 (Chack Offer) |
| Display | 15.6 inches; 3.5K |
| CPU | 11th Gen Intel Core i7 |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| Weight | 4.2 pounds |
The Dell XPS 15 is one of our favorite laptops in Tom's Guide because it's powerful, portable, and easy on the eyes. We especially love its immersive 15.6-inch Infinity Edge display, which removes the bottom bezel for an astonishing 92.9% screen-to-body ratio. The new XPS 15 is also improved by some smart design tweaks, such as larger keycaps and a responsive touchpad that is over 60% larger than the previous generation.
Also, in 2021, Dell started offering the XPS 15 with a 3.5K OLED touchscreen option. If you can spend the extra $1k or so (though you do get some advanced components bundled with it in addition to an OLED screen) it's OLED's deep, inky blacks, vibrant colors, and well worth the investment. The high contrast ratio shines through when mounted in the XPS 15's attractive InfinityEdge design.
10. Lenovo Yoga 9i - Best Laptop
The best 2-in-1 laptop
Pros
- Good Performance
- Long battery life
- Colorful 1080p display
- Hundreds less than competitors
- Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor
Cons
- Limited ports
- No IR webcam
| Lenovo Yoga 9i Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,485.99 (Cheak Offer) |
| Display | 14-inch, 1080p |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-1185G7 |
| Memory | 16GB of RAM |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Size | 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
The Lenovo Yoga 9i entered the crowded 2-in-1s segment and made a splash with a competitive price tag. Not only does it have the latest 11th generation Core i7 processor, a built-in stylus, and long battery life, but its display is quite colorful and its neat revolving speaker packs a ton of punch.
And, yes, its port selection could be a little slimmer, and its display could be a little brighter. But when it's $430 less than the similar Dell XPS 2-in-1 and HP Specter x360 with similar parts, the Lenovo Yoga 9i is a serious competitor for your investment. Talk about bang for your buck. Oh, and if you pay $600 more? You can get the Shadow Black version that oozes style, places the fingerprint reader in a more convenient location, and has a glass palm rest that covers the entire deck.
11. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano - Best Laptop
The best ultraportable laptop
Pros
- Good Performance
- Great battery life
- Lightweight
- 2K, anti-glare display
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Cons
- Limited ports
- Dull sound
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,399.00 (Check Offer) |
| Display | 13 inches; 2K |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-1130G7 | Intel Core i7-1160G7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| RAM | 8GB - 16GB |
| Storage | 256 - 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 2 pounds |
When we hear that the laptop is incredibly thin and light, it makes us worried about how long it will last on a single charge. Not so here, as the 2-pound Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano lasted 12 hours on our battery test, which puts it against some of the best laptops out there on the market today. And that's quite impressive when you consider that the 2.9-pound XPS 13 is almost a whole pound heavier.
Lenovo didn't sacrifice performance or usability either. The Nano's Intel 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors give you the speed you need for tons of productivity - and its keyboard delivers a fast and comfortable typing experience that lives up to the ThinkPad brand. However, you may just need to pack a USB-C hub, as it's a bit light on ports.
12. Alienware m15 R4 (2021) - Best Laptop For Gamer
The best laptop for gaming
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Sleek design
- Strong performance
- Decent keyboard and touchpad
- Highly customizable
Cons
- Fan gets very loud
- Short battery life
| Alienware m15 R4 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $2,176.00 (Cheak Offer) |
| Display | 15 inches, 4K OLED |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-10870H CPU @ 2.20GHz, 2.21 GHz |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 5.3 pounds |
The Alienware M15 R4 is more than just the best gaming laptop available in the market, it's what other gaming laptops (for the most part) aspire to be. It has a ton of power to play any game you want, even in full UHD 4K. Speaking of 4K, its screen is vibrant and gorgeous, so everything you play will look as great as it plays. Its design is also impeccable (it's also very portable) with a pretty white chassis. And when it comes time to be productive, it's got an excellent keyboard for a comfortable typing experience.
That doesn't mean we want some changes to happen. Most notably, its battery life is on the short side (which will leave you hunting for a wall outlet). But that's not surprising at all, as gaming notebooks aren't known for their endurance on their internal power supplies. The fan can be very loud and is on the high end of the price spectrum. But for those who want to do the game, and do it with speed and style, this is the machine you need to check out.
13. HP Elite Dragonfly - Best Laptop For Business
Best business laptop
Pros
- Good Performance
- Beautiful, eye-catching design
- Epic battery life (with optional upgrade)
- Bright and colorful screen
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Expensive
| HP Elite Dragonfly Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $849.00 (Check Now) |
| Display | 13.3 inches; 1920x1200 or 3840x2160 |
| CPU | 8th-Gen Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 620 |
| RAM | 8GB / 16GB / 32GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.5 pounds |
HP Elite Dragonfly is the rare laptop that comes along and sets a new standard for the entire category. The design of this 2-in-1 laptop is one of the most stunning we've ever seen on a laptop, with incredibly thin edges that are only 0.6 inches in thickness and a deep blue coat of paint that leaves a refreshing, mesmerizing look. And looks classy. Immediately. And while the Dragonfly is surprisingly light at 2.5 pounds, it also feels impressively strong, has an oleophobic coating to prevent fingerprints, and uses recycled ocean-bound plastic to help the environment.
This beauty is a beast in terms of performance and features. Its stunning 13.3-inch display looks gorgeous for movies and TV shows and crushed our color and brightness tests. Its 8th-gen Intel CPU can handle everyday workloads without issue, and its keyboard is one of the most pleasant we've ever typed. It also has an incredibly epic battery life of over 12 hours, trailing favorites like the MacBook Air and XPS 13. The Dragonfly is on the expensive side with a starting price of $1,629, but those willing to pay a premium will be rewarded with one of the best laptops on the market.
14. Asus ZenBook Duo 14 - Best Asus Laptop
The best two-screen laptop
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Useful ScreenPad Plus display
- Snappy overall performance
- Solid battery life
- Accurate main display
Cons
- Ergonomically difficult
- The display could be brighter
| Asus ZenBook Duo 14 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,249.49 (Cheak Offer) |
| Display | 13.4‑inch, 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| CPU | 11th Gen Intel Core i5, i7 |
| RAM | 8GB to 32GB |
| Storage | 512GB to 1TB |
| Dimensions | 12.8 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches |
| Weight | 3.5 pounds |
The Asus ZenBook Duo 14 is for those who want a second screen but don't want an external display. And it achieves this feat by placing a 12-inch touch screen above the keyboard. This screen is great for your secondary windows, like Spotify, Slack, Discord, and more. It can also be used by creative apps like Adobe, which put touch controls out there.
On top of that, its performance is faster and is competitive with the XPS 13 in that it trades round the clock than it does face-to-face. Plus, its battery life is long - especially when you consider that it has two screens for illumination. The big downside, however, is that without a wrist rest, the ZenBook Duo 14 is a bit ergonomically unfriendly. But if you have an external wrist rest, you should be good.
15. Lenovo Chromebook Duet - Best Laptop For Cheap Price
The best cheap Chromebook
Pros
- 2.0GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio P60T
- Amazing Performance
- Epic battery life
- Colorful Full HD screen
- Keyboard is included
Cons
- That keyboard is also kinda cramped
- Hinge is a little weak
| Lenovo Chromebook Duet Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $229.00 (Cheak Offer) |
| Display | 10.1 inches, 1920x1200 |
| CPU | 2.0GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio P60T |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC, 128GB eMMC |
| Dimensions | 9.64 x 6.66 x 0.71 inches (docked) |
| Weight: 2 pounds (docked) | Data |
It doesn't make any sense - what a good deal it is. At $279, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet comes to the fore of the conversation when it comes to price. Not only is this a tablet Chromebook, but its keyboard comes free—something we don't expect to see from the iPad or any Surface, even the more affordable Go. Oh, and it's a solid tablet too, thanks to strong color output and a sharp resolution you rarely see at this price point. We love it so much that we awarded it the best budget laptop at our Toms Guide Awards 2021.
The Chromebook Duet also sees ChromeOS receiving some touchscreen tablet optimization, which has been necessary for some time, to make it easier to navigate through all your tabs. Oh, and as if that wasn't enough, on our web-surfing test, its battery life is amazing, lasting 12 hours and 47 minutes, about 13 hours. The only knock against it? Its keyboard can take some getting used to for older people.
16. Google Pixelbook Go - Best Laptop For Students
The best laptop for students
Pros
- Very Good Performance
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Bright, colorful panel
- Long battery life
- GPU, Intel UHD 615 GPU
Cons
- No USB-A ports
- So-so audio
| Google Pixelbook Go Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $826.00 (Check Offer) |
| Display | 13.3 inches; 1080p or 4K |
| CPU | Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 |
| GPU | Intel UHD 615 GPU |
| RAM | 8GB / 16GB |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB |
| Weight | 2.3 pounds |
The Google Pixelbook Go isn't just more affordable than the original Pixelbook - it's also better in almost every way. This highly portable Chromebook stands out with a slim, lightweight design that weighs just over 2 pounds, as well as a rubberized, easy-to-grip chassis that comes in sleek Just Black and Not Pink variations. The quiet, comfortable keyboard doesn't hurt either.
The Pixelbook Go stands out with its long battery life, as we saw it last over 11 hours in our testing. Couple that with solid performance, a bright and colorful display, and a responsive touchscreen, and you have the best Chromebook yet for those looking to dive into the premium range. Just be aware that the Pixelbook Go is a bit short on ports, and doesn't fold up in tablet mode as its bigger Pixelbook sibling does.
17. Acer Chromebook Spin 713 - Best Laptop Right Now
Best 2-in-1 Chromebook
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Great battery life
- Affordable
- Bright and colorful display
- CPU, Intel Core i5-10210U
Cons
- Speakers aren't perfect
| Acer Chromebook Spin 713 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $559.00 (Cheak Offer) |
| Display | 13.5 inches; 2256x1504 |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-10210U |
| GPU | Intel UHD |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
Fast, long-lasting, and economical. Normally, you'll be able to get at least two out of three, but you rarely find the trifecta that Acer has paired with the Chromebook Spin 713. And it's all packed together into a sleek silver laptop that's just three pounds. One of the best laptops for those looking for a low-maintenance alternative to Windows 10 or macOS, the Chromebook Spin 713 is also a convertible with a touch screen display, which you can access via Google Play for Chrome OS support of Android apps. want. Shop.
We'd rank it higher, its speakers were a bit strong, or its keyboard was a bit large. Still, the Chromebook Spin 713 deserves a spot on this list of the best laptops around. Because it's a great offer at $629—and it's often put up for sale at low prices. It's great that it won a recommendation for the best Chromebook at our ProoWix Awards 2021.
18. Asus Zenbook 13 OLED - Best Laptop For Business
Best laptop for the money
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Stellar battery life
- Beautiful 1080p OLED display
- Great performance
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
Cons
- Middling sound quality
- Inconsistent webcam
- No headphone jack
| Asus Zenbook 13 OLED Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $917.11 (Check Offer) |
| 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 |
The AMD-equipped Asus Zenbook 13 OLED is an excellent value, offering an attractive 1080p OLED display and exceptional battery life in a slim, lightweight package for less than a thousand bucks.
Sure, the speakers aren't amazing, the webcam leaves something to be desired, and there's no headphone jack, but these are stumbling blocks you can solve. If you need a zippy little ultraportable with a great screen that will last you all day, you can't do better than the OLED-equipped Asus ZenBook 13 at this price.
19. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 - Best Laptop For Gaming
The best all-around laptop for Gaming
Pros
- Great performance
- Super portable design paired with 11-hour battery life
- Great display and audio
- CPU, AMD Ryzen 9-4900HS
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Cons
- No webcam
- Keyboard has backlighting issues
| Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,699.00 (Cheak Offer) |
| Display | 14-inches, 1920 x 1080 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9-4900HS |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 3.5 pounds |
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is that rare gaming laptop that manages to be both powerful and portable without sacrificing battery life. The unit we reviewed achieves that thanks to its AMD Ryzen 9 processor, a very capable CPU that comes with AMD's latest technology to power your battery in just a few hours without draining it. Factor in the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU and you're looking at a very powerful 14-inch laptop.
This gaming laptop is powerful enough to handle large editing tasks yet slick enough to throw in a bag and forget, but the real reason it tops this list is its excellent 11-hour battery life. That kind of battery life is almost unheard of in a high-performance laptop, and for $1,049 - $1,999, the Zephyrus G14 is pretty affordable to boot. Sure, you don't get a webcam and keyboard backlighting has some issues, but depending on how you feel about privacy, the lack of a built-in camera could be a positive. Don't let the fact that this is a gaming laptop let you down - the Asus ROG Zephyrus 14 is an excellent all-around video editing laptop.
20. Razer Blade 14 - Best Laptop For Video Editing
The best 14-inch video editing laptop when the price is no object
Pros
- CPU, AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
- Excellent gaming performance
- Powerful components
- Compact design
- Gorgeous screen
Cons
- Cramped keyboard
- Software oddities
| Razer Blade 14 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | $2,199.99 ( Check Offer ) |
| Display | 14-inch, up to QHD, 165 Hz |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX |
| GPU | Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 1 TB SSD |
| Dimensions | 12.6 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches |
The first 14-inch Razer laptop in years, the Razer Blade 14 delivers powerful components and outstanding performance in a compact and lightweight package. The Asus ROG Zephyrus 14 offers a slightly better value, but if you're willing to spend up to $3k for a fully outfitted Razer Blade 14, you'll get a beefy video editing laptop that's both spacious and easy to carry. Is.
Of course, the catch-22 of the Razer Blade 14 is that while it's remarkably thin and easy to carry, it also eats away at the battery, which lasts barely 90 minutes under heavy loads. This means you'll need to worry about carrying a charger if you expect to do a lot of video editing on the go. But if you can stomach the high price and short battery life, the Razer Blade 14 is an excellent gaming laptop that doubles as a great laptop for video editing.
How to choose the best laptop for you
Performance: If you just need something basic to surf the web, consider a Chromebook or a cheap Windows laptop with an Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB of RAM. If you're planning on doing more intensive work, consider starting with specs like a Core i5 CPU, 8 to 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB to 512GB SSD.
Graphics and gaming: Most mainstream laptops have integrated graphics that can handle lightweight titles such as Minecraft and Overwatch, but aren't ideal for intense AAA games or heavy visual work. For that, you'll want a laptop with a discrete graphics card, such as the Nvidia GTX 3000-series on the higher end.
Size: Consider how mobile you want your laptop to be. Machines like the Dell XPS 13 and HP Elite Dragonfly are lighter with thinner designs, while gaming notebooks such as the Alienware m15 R4 are heavier for them (but offer bigger power in return).
Operating System: Laptops typically come in three flavors: Windows 10 (most mainstream PCs), macOS (MacBook), and Chrome OS (Chromebook). Windows 10 is the most common operating system, while macOS is more ideal for those already tied to Apple's ecosystem. Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system built to allow for a cheaper, faster system, although it has gotten a bit more robust over the years with support for full Android apps.
Whatever system you decide on, you may also want to choose the best mouse for your particular work situation.
How we test the best laptops
To find the best laptop, we run every machine through a rigorous suite of benchmarks and real-world tests to find out 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 the machine's hard drive is, and a custom battery test in which the machine browses the Internet over Wi-Fi until the juice runs out.