We're at a turning point in laptops. Apple's MacBook train continues to run, all the while Windows laptops are undergoing their biggest transition in decades. Under the banner of Copilot+ PCs, Microsoft wants to not only catch up with Apple in terms of performance and battery life but also embrace AI at the very core of these new machines.
These new laptops are all coming out June 18, and include a new set of Surface devices. They're worth waiting for. If you need something now to hold you over, however, we've collected the nine best laptops that you can buy right now.
The best 13-inch laptop
Apple MacBook Air M3
- Excellent GPU performance
- Compact and beautiful design
- Impeccable build quality
- Battery life is fantastic
- Better multimonitor support
- Limited ports
- M2 might be better value
| Specification: | |
| CPU | Apple M3 8-core |
| RAM | 8GB, 16GB, 24GB |
| GPU | Apple M3 10-core |
| Screen | 13.3-inch Retina |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB SSD |
| Dimensions | 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches |
The MacBook Air remains a remarkable little laptop. Both in its 13-inch and 15-inch variants, the MacBook Air is incredibly thin, yet surprisingly powerful. Toss in that M3 chip, and you even get a surprising boost to the GPU. To make that performance even more impressive, it's accomplished in a completely fanless design, meaning the machine remains completely silent, regardless of what you're doing.
That balance of performance and portability is really what makes this laptop so special. For this class of laptop, the screen is high quality, as are the speakers and webcam. The biggest downside is the port selection and multi-monitor support, which are quite limited. It can only handle one external display. If you're using the M3 model, it can support two external monitors, but only with the laptop lid closed.
The MacBook Air M3 isn't exactly cheap. A starting price of $1,099 doesn't sound too bad, but many people will want more than 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Fortunately, you can get the M2 MacBook Air for as low as $899 sometimes, and it still comes highly recommended. The M3 MacBook Air is worth the extra money in terms of performance, but if that's less of a deciding factor for you, the M2 MacBook Air is the better option.
The best affordable laptop
Asus ZenBook 14 OLED
- Excellent OLED display
- Solid build quality
- Fast productivity performance
- Very good keyboard
- Attractive aesthetic
- Mediocre creativity performance
- Limited configurations available
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU: | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| RAM: | 8GB, 16GB |
| GPU: | Intel Arc graphics |
| Screen: | 14.0-inch OLED |
| Storage: | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD |
| Dimensions: | 12.34 x 8.68 x 0.67 inches |
Finding a new laptop under $1,000 that doesn't make some significant compromises isn't easy. But sometimes, a laptop comes along that walks that balance in just the right way. The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED was one such laptop when it came out in 2023. The combination of the OLED screen, solid performance, and affordable price make it a killer deal.
There's just not another laptop, outside of perhaps the M1 MacBook Air, that can compete at this price. Even then, the Zenbook 14 has the advantage of its stellar OLED screen. This model, the Zenbook 14 OLED UM3402, is still a fantastic purchase today, selling for as low as $629 at some retailers.
The 2024 model is also really solid after making the switch from AMD to the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. Everything that made the UM3402 so good is still present. Unfortunately, the configurations are fairly limited at the moment, and restricted to just high-end models that are probably more than what people need from this type of laptop.
Don't get me wrong -- $1,300 for a laptop with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is still a really good deal. But the starting configurations are the ones most value-oriented buyers are going to be interested in. And while our review unit does appear to include a bit of a price increase, we'll have to wait until some of the base configurations are available.
The best gaming laptop
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
- MacBook-like thinness and weight
- Gorgeous OLED display
- Redesigned charger and USB-C power delivery
- Great productivity performance
- Much cheaper than the competition
- A little behind in games
- Soldered memory
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU: | AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS |
| RAM: | Up to 32GB |
| GPU: | Up to RTX 4070 |
| Screen: | 14.0-inch OLED 120Hz |
| Storage: | Up to 1TB SSD |
| Dimensions: | 12.24 x 8.88 x 0.64 inches |
The ROG Zephyrus G14 has been redesigned in 2024, and it's transformation has made it quite a compelling laptop. On one hand, it's a gaming laptop unlike any that's been made. It's significantly cheaper than the Razer Blade 14, despite being even thinner and more modern. More than that, though, in its latest iteration, it becomes a serious MacBook Pro competitor. After all, very few laptops of this size are as powerful as this, and that's thanks to an RTX 4070 GPU.
Pair that kind of performance with an OLED 120Hz screen, and you have a laptop that even surpasses the MacBook Pro in ways. It really does have an incredible display.
Of course, the G14 doesn't have the kind of battery life that the MacBook Pro has. But as far as a proper Windows alternative goes, it's hard to find one better than the G14. If you want something even more powerful, you can even opt for the larger G16, which can be configured with up to an RTX 4080.
Best HP laptop
HP Spectre x360 14
- Attractive aesthetic
- Very good productivity performance
- Good to great battery life
- Excellent haptic touchpad
- Superb 120Hz OLED display
- Superior audio quality
- No discrete GPU option
- A bit expensive
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU: | Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| RAM: | Up to 32GB |
| GPU: | Intel Arc Graphics |
| Screen: | 14.0-inch OLED 120Hz |
| Storage: | Up to 2TB SSD |
| Dimensions: | 12.35 x 8.68 x 0.67 inches |
We've always liked the HP Spectre x360 series, but the new 14-inch model might be the best of the lot. It's fast, flashy, and portable -- but in a balanced way. That's always been the name of the game for the Spectre x360.
It can't compete with some of the more powerful 14-inch laptops that offer better graphics, like the MacBook Pro 14-inch, Dell XPS 14, or even the Razer Blade 14. However, the Spectre is the choice if you want a super-premium laptop with a 360-degree hinge that excels at both work and movie-watching. The OLED 120Hz screen is fantastic -- and it's an exceedingly pretty laptop. That earns it more points than you might assume.
It's one of the nicest new laptops to come with Intel's latest Core Ultra processors, adding NPUs into the mix, as well as some impressive efficiency at low wattages. These chips also provide the Spectre x360 14 with vastly improved integrated graphics. These aren't unique to the HP Spectre x360 14, but again, it's one of the most premium new laptops to feature the Core Ultra chips and you can buy it right now.
HP is undergoing a major transition to match Microsoft's Copilot+ platform, so in the future, you won't see laptops being sold under the Spectre brand. The new OmniBook X 14 looks a rather fitting replacement to the Spectre x360 14, but we'll have to wait until June 18 for its release to know for sure.
The best budget laptop
Dell XPS 13 (9315)
- Aggressive price
- Very compact design
- Great battery life
- Comfortable keyboard
- Display is bright and high quality
- No headphone jack
- Performance is lacking
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU: | Intel Core i5-1230U, Core i7-1250U |
| RAM: | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB |
| GPU: | Intel Xe Graphics |
| Screen: | 13.4-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS |
| Storage: | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD |
| Dimensions: | 11.63 x 7.85 x 0.55 inches |
You might be surprised to see a laptop from a couple of years ago on this list. No -- it's not a mistake, and I'll explain why. As of now, Dell is selling three different versions of the XPS 13, and the one from 2022 might be the best value proposition at the moment.
It uses an older processor, of course, but it's currently selling for just $599. For a laptop that feels this high-end (and is this compact), that's pretty great. I wouldn't buy this for someone with a heavier workflow, but for a student or as a computer for web browsing, writing, or basic work, there's enough performance to last you for a few years. It's certainly a better option than something like the Surface Laptop Go 3. The only real problem is that it doesn't come with a headphone jack, which will be a turn off for some.
But what about the newer versions of the XPS 13? Well, there is a new XPS 13 (9340) in 2024, but it starts at a staggering $1,399, which is $700 than a similarly-configured XPS 13 9315. We haven't reviewed that new one yet, but the price alone makes it a harder pill to swallow. To make things more confusing, Dell also still sells the XPS 13 Plus (9320) for $300 less than the 9340. It has the same exact design, but uses the previous-gen Intel processors. The seamless haptic trackpad and capacitive touch buttons make for a stunning visual design in their own right, but they're considerably more expensive.
Perhaps more than any other laptop on this, I'd recommend waiting to buy the XPS 13 until the new Qualcomm-powered model comes out on June 18. It looks identical to the newer model, but will feature significantly improved battery life and performance. Stay tuned.
The best content creation laptop
Apple MacBook Pro (M3 Max)
- Space Black is the new king
- GPU performance gets big upgrade
- XDR display is even brighter
- Speakers are fantastic
- Decent webcam
- Storage and RAM is soldered on
- M3 model only supports one external display
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU: | Apple M3 Max |
| RAM: | Up to 128GB |
| GPU: | Up to 40-core |
| Screen: | Liquid Retina XDR display |
| Storage: | Up to 8TB |
| Dimensions: | 14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches |
The M3 Max is a big deal. I already loved the MacBook Pro, don't get me wrong. The mini-LED screen was already the best you could find on a laptop. But with the M3 Max, the MacBook Pro becomes an unstoppable force. There's a huge upgrade in the graphics of the M3 Max, rivaling the discrete GPU options on comparable laptops. It's even a half-decent gaming laptop -- if only there were some more games available.
But really, this is the complete package. It's top of the line in every thinkable way, and you'll pay for it. Can a $3,000-plus laptop really be worth it? I'd say so. Especially if you're a creative professional who wants the best possible portable workstation that money can buy. If that's you, look no further. I won't vouch for the M3 or M3 Pro MacBook Pro with that same kind of enthusiastic recommendation, but the M3 Max is something special.
There's just not a Windows laptop that can compete with the M3 Max MacBook Pro for creatives right now, especially considering just how much performance and battery life you can get out of it.
Best Chromebook
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
- Good enough productivity performance
- Excellent battery life
- Surprisingly good display
- Folio kickstand and keyboard included
- Strong value
- Keyboard is too cramped
- Limited to Wi-Fi 5
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU: | Snapdragon 7cG2 |
| RAM: | 4GB, 8GB |
| GPU: | N/A |
| Screen: | 11-inch 2000 x 1200 |
| Storage: | 128GB eMMC |
| Dimensions: | 10.16 x 6.57 x 0.3 inches |
Laptops that cost $300 shouldn't be this good. Seriously. Most laptops you can buy at that price have serious deficiencies, like pitiful performance or awful 720p screens. That's often true, even on Chromebooks.
But the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 manages to deliver a great laptop experience, albeit on a very small device. But this little 10.9-inch is perfect for students or anyone who just needs a compact device to take on the go. The screen resolution is even better than 1080p, reaching up to 2000 x 1200. That's very sharp for a screen of this size, making it excellent for writing and reading text. It even gets up to 400 nits of brightness, meaning working near windows isn't an issue. Again, this is unheard of for a laptop of this price.
Surprisingly, the Lenovo Chromebook Duel 3 also comes with a 5-megapixel camera for solid videoconferencing. It has just about everything it needs to compete with the iPad (especially with the recent price jump). The iPad is undoubtedly a better tablet. It's lighter and has a wide range of gestures and apps to support touch-only controls. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 will disappoint you in that regard, even with support for Android apps. But that's nothing new for ChromeOS tablets.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 excels, though, as a work or school device and is one of the best laptops for college. As good as iPads have become at doing work, if you're needing to do actual work or school work, having a normal desktop browser and a full keyboard goes a long way toward being more efficient. The magnetic back cover also gives the tablet a kickstand for lots of angles, and you can even bundle in the Lenovo Digital Pen for stylus use.
Best 2-in-1 laptop
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
- New colors look great
- Design and build quality are top notch
- SQ3 is a solid alternative
- Type Cover keyboard is excellent
- High resolution webcam
- No headphone jack
- Upgrades still too expensive
- Limited performance improvements
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU: | Intel Core i5-1245U, Core i7-1255U |
| RAM: | 8GB, 16GB |
| GPU: | Integrated Intel Xe graphics |
| Screen: | 13-inch PixelSense Flow |
| Storage: | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD |
| Dimensions: | 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches |
The Surface Pro 9 is the latest 2-in-1 device that you can actually buy, but Microsoft announced a very exciting new version in May. Unless you find it on extreme discount, I'd highly recommend waiting for reviews on that new device to come out. It should feature significantly better performance and battery life, which are important for a device of this type. Even more, one configuration comes with an OLED screen — a first for the Surface line.
That said, there's plenty to like about the current Surface Pro 9. It was actually the first device in the line to offer both an Intel model and an Arm configuration. The Arm model uses the Microsoft SQ3, the company's latest collaboration with Qualcomm, and you might be wondering if it's finally become a better option than the more conventional Intel model. It certainly gets more battery life, and the addition of 5G connectivity is a bonus. But if performance is what you're looking for, the Intel model is still the way to go, especially since the 12th-gen chips bring quite a performance jump over the previous generation.
That seems to have finally changed with the new Snapdragon X Elite chip in the new Surface Pro though. As it stands, if you're going to buy the Surface Pro 9, Intel is the way most people should go.
Best Lenovo laptop
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9
- Exquisite aesthetic
- Solid build quality
- Excellent productivity performance
- Comfortable and precise keyboard
- Great OLED display and audio
- Poor battery life
- Expensive for the specs
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| CPU: | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| RAM: | 16GB, 32GB |
| GPU: | Intel Arc graphics |
| Screen: | 14.0-inch OLED 2.8K 120Hz, 4K 60Hz |
| Storage: | 512GB, 1TB SSD |
| Dimensions: | 12.40 x 8.58 x 0.64 inches |
The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 inherits the gorgeous, rounded design of some other recent Lenovo laptops, giving it both an elegant look and a comfortable feel. The latter is particularly nice when you're using this 360-degree convertible 2-in-1 in tablet mode, where the lack of sharp edges are welcome.
The laptop is thin and light enough to be useful in this mode as well, thanks to minimal bezels and the increasingly iconic Lenovo reverse notch at the top of the display that houses a 1080p webcam. Even given its relatively svelte frame, it provides solid performance thanks to the Core Ultra 7 155H, plenty of RAM, and fast storage. Toss in excellent active pen support, and you have a laptop that can tackle a wide variety of work tasks.
And you'll particularly enjoy the 2.8K or 4K OLED display, either of which will provide incredibly wide and accurate colors, plenty of brightness, and the kind of inky blacks that only OLED can provide. If you're a creator, either makes for the perfect display, and if you consume a lot of high dynamic range (HDR) video, then you'll be pleasantly surprised at the image quality. The 120Hz refresh rate on the 2.8K model makes it particularly enticing.
Battery life isn't the best, but that's a small price to pay for such a flexible and powerful machine that's one of the best 14-inch laptops. This is Lenovo's best all-around machine, making its place on this list a natural one.
Why you should trust us
Our expert laptop reviewers have tested and reviewed more than 500 laptops over the years, searching for the best of the best. We've reviewed every kind of laptop available, from traditional clamshell laptops to a variety of 2-in-1s to gaming laptops to unusual and innovative machines. We've applied a consistent and reliable formula to each of our reviews, pulling from a massive database of performance testing to make it possible for you to compare laptops with confidence.
Key considerations when selecting the best laptop
Laptops are complex machines, so there are a few key considerations we focus on when evaluating them.
Performance
You'll want a laptop that's fast enough for your needs, but you don't want to overspend for performance you don't need. So don't buy a gaming laptop with a super-fast CPU and a powerful discrete GPU if you'll just be surfing the web and answering email. Pay close attention to the processor choice, regardless if it's Intel, AMD, or Apple. And in the end, it's key to be honest with yourself and the kind of performance you actually need.
Portability
If you need a large display for tasks like video and photo editing, then by all means, choose a 15-inch or larger laptop. You'll also be able to get more powerful components. But if you need something you can easily slip inside a backpack without weighing yourself down, then you'll want to pick a laptop that's smaller and lighter. It's also important to consider battery life here to ensure you have what suits your lifestyle.
Build quality
You'll be handling your laptop and carrying it around into all kinds of environments. Some laptops are built better than others, so make sure you pick a machine that will stand up to your typical abuse. No matter the price, you want something that feels sturdy and robust. It's not worth saving a couple hundred bucks if the thing is falling apart one year later.
Price
You probably have a budget to work with, which can range from a few hundred dollars up to many thousands. If you're using your laptop to drive a business, then you'll probably be more inclined to make a significant investment, whereas if you're a hungry college student, you might be willing to compromise in a few areas to make it fit your budget.
And more
Beyond those listed above, you should also consider the display quality, the webcam, port selection, design, keyboard, touchpad, and speakers. That's a lot, but don't be overwhelmed! These are all factors we consider when reviewing and recommending laptops.
How we test laptops
Hands-on experience
We extensively handle every laptop we review and use them in a variety of real-world conditions. We're looking for how well a laptop is built, how it feels in hand, and hold it generally holds up to the uses for which it's designed. We describe our experiences and discuss the materials and concepts used in a laptop's design to provide an informative hands-on impression.
Interface interaction
On all laptops, we test the keyboard and touchpad to make sure that both are comfortable to use for extended periods of time. For keyboards, we consider the key spacing, keycap size, and switch performance to determine how precise and comfortable it is to use. For touchpads, we test for how smooth the surface is and how responsive it is to taps and clicks. If the buttons are too loud, we'll tell you. If a laptop has a touch display and supports an active pen, we'll tell you how those work, as well.
Display and audio impressions
We give the display both an objective test with a professional colorimeter, judging it based on color width and accuracy, brightness, and contrast. We also provide our subjective viewpoint – is the display pleasant to use, is it sharp enough, and does it support advanced capabilities like high dynamic range (HDR) video. We also listen to the audio, giving an impression of its volume and clarity and its suitability for more than just playing system sounds.
Performance
We run every laptop through a suite of benchmarks, both synthetic and real-world, to provide an indication of how it performs relative to other similar machines. We test both the CPU and the GPU, and during testing we provide an idea of how loud and hot a laptop gets while performing typical productivity tasks as well as more demanding uses like video editing and gaming.
