10 Best Laptop Brands in India – Buyer’s Guide
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Laptops used to be considered a luxury item, but that is no longer the case. They are now a requirement for all of us. Upgrading to the best laptop for your needs is a time-consuming process, and sifting through countless lists to find the most relevant information is even more difficult. To help you narrow down your options, our editors put dozens of different models through their paces.
The top ten laptop brands in India are listed in this article. These companies have made a name for themselves in this industry by being at the forefront of technology, innovation, and customer service.
Our Top Picks
With 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Tiger Lake processor and 16 GB RAM, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 11th Gen Intel Core i5 15.6" FHD IPS Thin & Light Laptop is the best overall laptop on this list.
Usually available for Rs. 48,900 in the market, the Redmi Book Pro Intel Core i5 11th Gen 15.6-inch(39.62 cms) Thin and Light Laptop is the best budget laptop on this list.
Best For Gaming - MSI GF75 Intel Core i7-10750H
Backed by the 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10300H, the MSI GF75 Intel Core i7-10750H is the best laptop on this list.
The HP 15s 11th Gen Intel Core i5 15.6 inches FHD Anti-Glare Display Laptop has the best anti-glare display on this list.
Summary Of The 10 Best Laptop Brands
Here is a glance at all the best laptop brands in along with their respective prices.
1. Apple
Apple is without a doubt the most opulent and well-received laptop brand on the planet. Whether it's laptops or other gadgets, the brand's class and finesse are unrivalled. The built-in, user-friendly interfaces, the display and power, as well as the excellent customer support, are the best features of Apple laptops. Apart from these features, Apple laptops' operating systems are far more error-free than Windows. The brand's advantages are exceptional performance, a quick and responsive system, a long battery life, and an out-of-the-box Retina display and colour reproduction. Users can also install Windows on the brand, which is a huge plus.
2. HP
In the beginning, HP was one of the most popular laptop brands. Even though the brand name isn't as well-known as it once was, these dependable machines are still adored by many. HP makes the best student laptops on the market that are also very affordable. The excellent customer service and brand warranty are two additional benefits that make it one of the most popular among the top ten laptop brands.
3. Microsoft Surface
The Microsoft Surface is a hit with the public for a variety of reasons. The best feature of these laptops is the aesthetics of the device, as well as the top-notch hardware and value for money.
4. MSI
MSI is the best gaming laptop on the market right now. Gamers are drawn to these machines because of their innovative designs. They also make use of top-of-the-line hardware and large batteries. The build quality is exceptional with a unique set of trackers built with them.
5. Lenovo
When we say premium, the first name that comes to mind is Lenovo. Even though the pricing is slightly higher than the competition, customers appreciate the smooth performance. Lenovo laptops are ideal for students, professionals, and gamers alike. Lenovo laptops are very versatile and come in a variety of price ranges. Furthermore, the hardware components are extremely long-lasting and dependable.
6. Dell
Dells offers budget-friendly laptops with high-performance hardware. It is ranked as one of the top 10 laptop brands for a variety of reasons, including its durability and professional design. Dell laptops are extremely light and have long battery life.
7. Samsung
In the world of gadgets, Samsung is the most well-known brand. Even though Samsung laptops do not have a large customer base, their slim designs and decent specs are enough to earn them a place among high-end laptops. Samsung's gaming laptops far exceed expectations in terms of performance.
8. ASUS
ASUS laptops are both affordable and dependable. The display, battery life, and user interface in the markets are highly regarded. Asus laptops have an excellent screen-to-body ratio, and when combined with the innovative designs, these laptops are a visual feast.
9. ACER
Acer laptops are affordable and offer a wide range of top-rated laptops. They also have good battery life and a beautiful design. Professional gamers prefer Acer laptops because of their smooth and powerful performance.
10. Razer
The high price tags of Razer gaming laptops are justified by their powerful sensors and amazing display features. These laptops are well-known for their smooth graphics and excellent gaming experience.
1. HP 15- AMD Ryzen 3-3250 15.6 Inch (39.6 cm) FHD,Thin & Light Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The HP 15- AMD Ryzen 3 3250U AMD Radeon Vega 6 8GB 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD is a 15" thin, micro-edge bezel screen display. It has a powerful operating system with impressive features and specifications. This ideal laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 3250U processor with a clock speed of 2.6 GHz, allowing you to multitask without lags or interruptions.
Moreover, it has a sturdy, full-length, and ergonomically designed Standard Notebook Keyboard, so you can work for long periods with ease. Furthermore, there is no risk of battery overheating or swelling. This laptop's dimensions are 35.85 x 24.2 x 1.99 cm, and it weighs around 1.82 kg. As a result, you can carry this small and light laptop in your backpack.
Price: ₹40,990
Brand: HP
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Screen Size: 15.6-inches
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
Display: Anti-glare
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Backed by AMD Ryzen 3 3250U The screen quality could have been better Has IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare display Equipped with 8 GB and 256 GB Comes with an AMD Radeon Vega 6 Graphics
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 11th Gen Intel Core i5 15.6" FHD IPS Thin & Light Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 is a modish, affordable, and reliable laptop. It has a 15.6" FHD IPS antiglare display with 4-sided narrow bezels, allowing you to use 90% of the screen. This laptop also focuses on vivid details and stunning colour accuracy to elevate your experience to new heights. Moreover, the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Tiger Lake processor and 16 GB RAM deliver ground-breaking performance to every project.
Also, to make room for your entertainment needs, you can rely on its 512 GB SSD storage. It also comes with an 8-hour battery backup. Simply plug in the charger for 60 minutes to give your laptop an 80 per cent boost, thanks to Rapid Charge technology. Finally, Lenovo Vantage makes managing your device a breeze with features like charging thresholds, regular software updates, and Q-Control.
Price: ₹62,297
Brand: Lenovo
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Screen Size: 15.6”
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake Core i5-1135G7
Display: Anti-Glare
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Has a 15.6” FHD anti-glare display Unreliable customer care service Backed by 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Tiger Lake processor Comes with a Rapid Charge technology Has 512 GB SSD storage and 16 GB RAM
3. HP 15s 11th Gen Intel Core i5 15.6 Inches FHD Anti-Glare Display Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The HP 15s 11th Gen Intel is a sleek, stylish, and dependable laptop. It has a diagonal of 39.6 cm (15.6"), FHD, micro-edge, anti-glare, 250 nits, 141 PPI, 45 per cent NTSC, and 250 nits, 141 PPI. The Intel Core i5-1155G7 processor in this laptop ensures fast and smooth performance. Moreover, the HPs 15 laptop is designed to keep you productive and entertained from anywhere, with dependable performance and a large display that allows you to stream, surf, and speed through tasks from dawn to dusk.
Furthermore, with ample storage for all your photos, videos, and documents, you can save more of what you love. Finally, its long battery life and HP Fast Charge technology allow you to work, watch, and stay connected throughout the day.
Price: ₹54,689
Brand: HP
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
Processor: Intel Core i5-1155G7
Display: Anti-Glare
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Ergonomically design; 4-star rated The build quality could have been better Backed by Intel Core i5-1155G7 processor Has an HP True Vision 720p HD camera Comes with a 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage space
4. Mi NoteBook Ultra 3.2K Resolution Display Intel Core i5-11300H 11th Gen 15.6-inch(39.62 cm) Thin & Light laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The Mi Notebook Ultra is a 4-star rated, magnificent, and powerful laptop. A 15.6-inch IPS display with QHD+ resolution is included with the Mi NoteBook Ultra. It has a display panel with a refresh rate of 90Hz, the brightness of up to 300 nits, and 178-degree viewing angles. This laptop also supports DC dimming and TUV low blue light. Moreover, depending on which variant you choose, it is powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11300H or an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H chip, depending on which variant you choose. There are 8GB and 16GB RAM options available and 512GB NVMe SSD storage and Intel Xe integrated graphics. Finally, the laptop's aluminium chassis weighs 1.7kg and measures 250.1mm x 242.3mm x 17.9mm in size.
Price: ₹65,490
Brand: MI
Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Screen Size: 15.6 inches
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake Core i5-11300H p
Display: Anti Glare
Memory: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Has a microphone, track, and volume control feature Has a micro USB charging port Provides 12 hours of battery life Is IPX4 sweat and waterproof Provides secure noise isolating fit
5. Acer Aspire 3 AMD Ryzen 3 3250U Processor 15.6" (39.6 Cms) Full HD Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The Acer Aspire 3 AMD Ryzen 3 3250 U processor is a stunning, modern, and demandable laptop. It combines a beautiful 15.6" Full HD screen, solid performance, and Dual-Band WiFi in an attractive design that's easy to slip into a backpack and take with you wherever you go. Moreover, this laptop features the new AMD Ryzen 3 3250U dual-core processor, which opens up more possibilities than ever before in terms of performance, connectivity, and entertainment.
It also includes an 8 GB RAM laptop with a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD for storing and sharing important projects and data. It will also help you improve your overall video conferencing experience. With the strategically placed Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) wireless antenna and MU-MIMO, it maintains a strong, consistent wireless signal. Last but not least, it has a battery life of up to eight hours.
Price: ₹35,990
Brand: Acer
Operating System: Windows
Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
Processor: Ryzen 3
Display: Full HD screen
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Modern; Stylish The battery backup could have been better Backed by AMD Ryzen 3 3250U dual-core processor Hangs sometimes Packed with 8 GB RAM Laptop with 512GB Provides an enhanced Video Conferencing
6. MSI GF75 Intel Core i7-10750H, 17.3 Inches FHD IPS-Level 144Hz Panel Thin Gaming Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The MSI GF75 Intel Core is another premium quality, sturdy, and ultra-sleek laptop. It is a 17-inch business laptop with a 4-sided display and a thin bezel that is ultra-lightweight. It performs admirably and is easily transportable. Also, compared to a standard 17-inch gaming laptop, this high-quality product weighs only 2.3 kg, making it 15 per cent lighter and 16 per cent thinner.
Moreover, it also outperforms the previous generation by around 15% and has a lot of memory and storage space. The product also provides a more immersive visual experience. Lastly, the display of this laptop features vibrant colours that allow you to enjoy your favourite music and a beautiful sound in the desired setting.
Price: ₹69,990
Brand: MSI
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Screen Size: 17-inches
Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10300H
Display: FHD
Memory: 8GB expandable up to 16GB
Storage: 512 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Premium-quality; Sleek Has a bulky charger Can be upgradeable to Windows 11 Thin; Light Has a The Ultimate Shockwave
7. ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2021) 15.6-Inch (39.62 cms) FHD 144Hz, AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, RTX 3050 4GB Graphics, Gaming Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is a modern, ravishing, yet classy laptop. It has a 10th Generation Intel i5 core processor, making it the best-rated laptop. This Asus TUF Gaming laptop has a 6 GB visual display with the best screen graphics available. To maintain its commitment to creating a healthy product, Asus has included nano edges that allow you to use the laptop without straining your eyes. Another important feature is the battery backup; the polymer battery lasts nearly two days. Lastly, it supports up to 32 GB of extended memory and currently has 16 GB of memory storage.
Price: ₹74,990
Brand: ASUS
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Screen Size: 15.6-inches
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H Processor
Display: FHD
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Versatile; Upgradeable Expensive Equipped with AMD Ryzen 5000-H Series CPU Heats up fast Backed by a self-cleaning cooling design Provides crystal clear sound
8. Lenovo Legion 5 AMD Ryzen 5 4600H 15.6 Inches (39.62 Cms) Full HD Gaming Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The Lenovo Legion 5 AMD Ryzen is a reliable, sleek, and reliable laptop. Your gaming machine feels borderless with an 84 per cent screen-to-body ratio and a thin 4-sided bezel on a 15.6" Full HD IPS antiglare display. Also, with the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor and 8 GB DDR4 3200Mhz RAM, you can get the best gaming performance.
Moreover, this laptop's 1 TB HDD + 256 GB SSD storage allows you to download, explore, and store all of your games in one location. Furthermore, with its four exhaust channels and six-point thermal sensor array, the Legion Coldfront 2.0 constantly predicts temperature based on your usage, ensuring the best cooling for your AMD Ryzen Legion gaming device. Lastly, it also has Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR6 graphics and a 120Hz refresh rate, so you'll be ready to face your challenges.
Price: ₹63,990
Brand: Lenovo
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Screen Size: 15.6 inches
Processor: 4th Gen AMD Ryzen 5 (4600H)
Display: Anti-Glare
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 256 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Anti-Glare display; Stylish The processor could have been better Runs on Windows 10 home Equipped with a Coldfront 2.0 with Dual Channel thermal mechanism Backed by NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR6 Dedicated Graphics
9. Microsoft Surface Go 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 12.4 Inches Touchscreen Business Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The Microsoft Surface is another modish, sleek, and elegant laptop on this list. It is designed for long-term performance and features smooth processing and a stylish design. This laptop has a powerful Intel Core i5-1035G1 (10th Gen) processor with a 1.0 GHz clock speed, allowing you to complete tasks without interruptions or lags. Moreover, due to its lightweight and compact design, you can easily carry this laptop in your backpack.
In addition, based on typical Surface device usage, you can get up to 13 hours of battery life. In addition, the Microsoft Surface Go (THH-00023) Laptop Intel Core i5-1035G1 (10th Gen) Intel UHD 8GB 128GB SSD comes with a sturdy, full-length, and ergonomically designed Full-size Keyboard.
Price: ₹66,490
Brand: Microsoft Surface
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Screen Size: 12.4 Inches
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor
Display: Touchscreen display
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Touchscreen display Has a small display size Backed by 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor Provides less storage space Thin; Light Provides 13 hours of battery life
10. Redmi Book Pro Intel Core i5 11th Gen 15.6-Inch (39.62 cms) Thin And Light Laptop - Click here for Amazon deal
The Redmi Book Pro Intel Core i5 is an ergonomically designed, reliable, and sleek laptop. It has a 15.6" Full HD display with anti-glare for more time to stare and less time stare. Also, you can take on heavy or light tasks with the 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake Core i5-11300H processor. Moreover, with 8GB RAM, this laptop allows you to multitask like a pro and store your memories as quickly as you feel them with up to 512 GB of fast NVMe storage. It also comes with a 10-hour backup, and you can decide when to call it a day. Furthermore, a larger touchpad with multi-gesture support. Finally, you can attend meetings in high definition with a 720P webcam if you have a high definition webcam.
Price: ₹48,900
Brand: Redmi
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Screen Size: 15.6 inches
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake Core i5-11300H
Display: Anti Glare Screen
Memory: 8 GB
Storage: 512 GB
Warranty: 1-year warranty on the product
Pros Cons Comes with a 2 X 2 audio speaker The display quality could have been better Backed by 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake Core i5-11300H processor Comes with a 15.6-inch FHD resolution Provides up to 10hr battery life
How Do We Pick The Best Laptop Brands For You?
Laptops are no longer considered an "extravagant or luxury item," but rather an essential part of today's business. We understand how tough it is to choose just one option when there are so many available. Here's how we choose the top ten laptop brands for our readers based on the following criteria:
1. Types of Laptops
Many PC laptops are 2-in-1 laptops, which are hybrid computers that can transition between clamshell and tablet forms, as well as additional modes in between, such as a tent or stand mode.
2. System Of Operation
The three most frequent operating systems on laptops are Windows, Chrome OS, and macOS (for MacBooks only). According to our experts, choosing the best one is a matter of personal opinion, but Mac OS is the finest, followed by Windows, and finally Chrome.
3. Laptop Size
Before looking at characteristics or costs, we determine the laptop's portability. They proposed one of two sizes as a result of their investigation:
11–12 inches: The tiniest and lightest systems on the market feature screens that are 11 to 12 inches wide and weigh 2.5 to 3.5 pounds.
13 to 14 inches: This size offers the ideal balance of portability and usability, especially if you buy a laptop that is under 4 pounds.
4. Processor
It is vital to get a high-end and up-to-date processor when purchasing a laptop. Intel CPUs are often thought to be the most expensive since they are well-suited to multitasking and integrate well with the rest of the laptop's internal components.
5. Touchpad and Keyboard
If you expect to spend a lot of time at your computer, ensure it offers decent tactile feedback, enough key travel, and enough space between the keys. Look for a touchpad that doesn't cause a bouncing cursor and responds consistently to multi-touch actions like pinch-to-zoom.
6. RAM (Random Access Memory)
How well your framework interacts with the RAM installed determines the overall appearance of your laptop. The better and faster a computer is, the more RAM it has. Our experts recommend 8 GB of RAM as a minimum.
7. Back-up Battery
It turns out that charging a gadget at regular intervals is exhausting. Nobody wants a laptop that quickly runs out of juice. The very least battery life you should accept is 5-7 hours.
8. Feedback
A customer is a product's long-term customer. We monitor their laptop usage and reviews to ensure that the laptops we hand-picked for our top 10 list are authentic.
9. Graphics
Even though we don't handpick laptops specifically for gaming, it is an important internal requirement. A strong graphics card, among other things, improves the laptop's display, provides a better video experience, and increases drive backup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Purchasing A New Laptop
Here are our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about purchasing a new laptop brand in India.
1. Which brand of laptop should we buy?
The ten laptop brands mentioned above are all great. Your choice should not be solely based on the brand name. Moreover, as previously mentioned, there are numerous other factors to consider. As a result, choose the best brand for you based on your needs.
2. Which brand of laptop lasts the longest?
MSI, HP, and Dell are the top three laptop manufacturers, according to our experts. They provide premium after-sales services, cutting-edge technology upgrades, one-of-a-kind hardware features, and much more, allowing them to be the best and last the longest.
3. What are the top 5 computer brands?
MSI, HP, Dell, Lenovo, and HP are the top five laptop brands in India. MSI and Microsoft are premium brands that sell reasonably priced goods. The remaining three brands have a wide range of products that start at Rs. 25000.
The Bottom Line
So, here are the top ten laptop brands, along with their prices. We hope that our top laptop brands list has helped you narrow down your options. After conducting extensive research, product analysis, and an in-depth comparison of all of them, we carefully selected the best laptop brands in India. You can find the best laptops on Amazon by using the link provided in this article. If any of these laptop brands appear to be a good fit for you, make sure to double-check the specifications before purchasing.
Have a fantastic shopping day!
The best laptops for 2022
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.
Whether it’s in anticipation of the holiday season or you just need a new machine for work, a new laptop computer may be near the top of your shopping list right now. Given we’re still dealing with the global chip supply shortage, you might find yourself concerned about rising prices or what might be in stock. The good news is, companies are still making a ton of new laptops, and there are plenty of models for you to choose from the budget HP Pavilion Aero 13 to the convertible Microsoft Surface Pro 9 to our best overall pick of the Apple MacBook Air M2. We've made it less complicated for you to pick out the best laptop for your needs.
Engadget's picks
What to expect
You probably have an idea of your budget here, but just so you know, most laptops with top-of-the-line specs can cost you around $1,800 to $2,000 these days. That doesn’t mean you won’t find a good system for under $1,000 — a grand is the base price for a lot of premium ultraportables in the 13-inch category, with chips like Intel’s Core i3 or i5 series. And if that’s too expensive, you’ll still have respectable options in the $600 to $800 range, but they might come with older, slower processors and dimmer screens. I’ve included our favorite budget-friendly model in this best laptop roundup but we have a list of more-affordable laptops that you can check out as well.
After working out how much money you want to spend, the laptop’s operating system is usually the first thing you have to narrow down. As always, the decision is slightly easier for people who prefer MacBooks. Now that Apple has brought its M-series chips to its whole lineup — your only real considerations are budget, screen size and how much power you need.
Over on Team Windows, however, the shift to ARM-based chips hasn’t been as smooth. Though Apple has been able to bring huge increases in battery life while maintaining (and in some cases improving) performance with its own silicon, PC makers have been limited by Windows’ shortcomings. Microsoft released Windows 11 last year, and it’s supposed to run better on ARM-powered machines. Since the first of these laptops, like Lenovo’s ThinkPad X13s or 10w tablet, haven’t been available for review yet, we can’t tell how well the system runs. Of course, you can upgrade to Windows 11 on existing ARM-based PCs, but for now, it’s still safer to stick with an Intel or AMD processor.
Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Let’s not forget there’s a third and fairly popular laptop operating system: Chrome. If you do most of your work in a browser (lots of online research, emails and Google Drive), then a Chromebook might be a suitable, and often more affordable option.
As for other things to look out for, it’s worth pointing out that a couple of laptops coming out this year are doing away with headphone jacks. Though this doesn’t seem to be a prevalent trend yet, it’s a good reminder to check that a machine has all the connectors you need. Most laptops in 2022 offer WiFi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or later, which should mean faster and more stable connections if you have compatible routers and devices. While 5G coverage is more widespread this year, whether you need support for that depends on how much you travel.
Where you plan on taking your laptop also helps in deciding what size to get. Many companies launched new 14-inch machines in the last year, straddling the line between ultraportable and bulkier 15-inch offerings. For most people, a 14-inch screen is a great middle ground. But if you’re worried about weight, a 12- or 13-inch model will be better. Those that want more powerful processors and larger displays will prefer 15- or 16-inch versions.
Best overall: MacBook Air M2
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
As a Windows user, I find myself reluctant to name an Apple MacBook the best overall laptop. But I can’t deny that Apple’s transition to its own Silicon has made its machines better. The latest MacBook Air M2 is a worthy sequel to the M1 that came out in 2020, bringing a fresh design and a performance boost that all users will appreciate.
That's not to say the M1 was a sluggish machine — quite the contrary. We found it to be impressively fast, and the M2 only builds on top of that stellar performance. It's probably overkill for a MacBook Air, but that means it will serve most people well for both work and play. Plus, its 16.5-hour battery life should be enough for anyone to get a day's worth of work and then some.
As for its design, we like that Apple took a more uniformly thin approach here and retired the wedge shape of the previous model. The M2 Air also has a lovely 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, interrupted only by the top notch which holds its 1080p webcam. Its quad-speaker setup is an improvement as well, and all of these small hardware changes add up to a machine that looks and feels more different than you may expect from its predecessor. However, both the M1 and M2 MacBook Air laptops remain solid machines. Considering the M2 starts at $1,199, those with tight budgets may be willing to forgo the new design improvements in order to save some cash and get a still-speedy laptop.
Best Windows: Dell XPS 13 Plus
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
The best PC has long been Dell’s well-rounded XPS 13 series and I still recommend it to anyone that doesn’t want a Mac. Yes, the new XPS 13 Plus lacks a headphone jack, and we haven’t got one in to test yet. But the XPS 13 is a well-rounded Windows laptop and still one of the best-looking PCs out there.
Like its predecessors, the XPS 13 Plus offers a lovely OLED screen with impressively thin bezels and packs a roomy, comfortable keyboard. It also features a new minimalist design that looks more modern. I’m not sure about the row of capacitive keys at the top in lieu of traditional function keys, but I’m confident that the laptop’s 12th-gen Intel Core processors will provide a healthy performance boost from the last model.
If you’re not sure about the changes Dell has made to the XPS 13, or if you definitely need a headphone jack, the older generations are still solid options. There’s also the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro series, which feature beautiful OLED screens and sharper webcams in thin and light frames. I also like Microsoft’s Surface Laptops, and the most recent edition offers great performance and battery life, albeit in an outdated design.
Best for gaming: Razer Blade 15 Advanced
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Gamers should look for machines with responsive screens and ample ports for their favorite accessories that can best help them defeat their virtual enemies. My colleague Devindra Hardawar goes into more detail about what to consider in his guide to buying a gaming laptop, which you should read to learn about different CPUs and GPUs, minimum specs and more. Our pick for the best gaming laptop is the Razer Blade 15 Advanced, which has an Intel Core i7 processor, and an NVIDIA RTX 3070 graphics for $2,500.
It’s the most expensive item on this list, but you also get a 15-inch quad HD screen that refreshes at 240Hz. Different configurations are available, depending on your preference, including a Full HD 360Hz and a 4K 144Hz version. The Blade series is also one of the most polished gaming laptops around.
Those looking for something cheaper and more portable should consider the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, which was our favorite model last year. The main reason it got bumped down a notch is because the 2022 refresh is almost $600 more expensive. It’s still a solid gaming laptop though, with an excellent display, roomy trackpad and plenty of ports in spite of its thin profile.
Best Chromebook: Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook
Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Our favorite Chromebook is Lenovo’s Flex 5 Chromebook, which Engadget’s resident Chrome OS aficionado Nathan Ingraham described as “a tremendous value.” This laptop nails the basics, with a 13-inch Full HD touchscreen, a fantastic keyboard and a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage may sound meager, but in our testing the Flex 5 held up in spite of this constraint. It’s also nice to see one USB-A and two USB-C ports, eight-hour battery life and a 360-degree hinge that makes it easy to use the Flex 5 as a tablet. That’s a bonus, especially now that Chrome OS supports Android apps.
Though the Flex 5 is almost two years old by now, it’s a solid deal at around $400. In fact, you can sometimes find it on sale for as little as $300, making it a great option for someone looking for a basic browser-based machine on a tight budget.
Best budget: HP Pavilion Aero 13
Daniel Cooper / Engadget
If you’re looking for something under $800, your best bet is the HP Pavilion Aero 13. For around $750, you’ll get a Full HD screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio and surprisingly thin bezels, as well as a comfortable keyboard and spacious trackpad. Importantly, the Aero 13 provides relatively powerful components compared to others in this price range, with an AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor and Radeon graphics. Plus, it has a generous array of ports and enough juice to last you the entire work day and then some.
Best convertible: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
For those who need their laptops to occasionally double as tablets, the Surface Pro series is a good option. Compared to notebooks with rotating hinges, tablets with kickstands are often much slimmer and lighter. The Surface Pro 9 is Microsoft's latest model and if you've had your eye on a Surface for a while, just know to get the Intel version of this machine rather than the ARM model. In our testing, we found that the 5G ARM version of the Pro 9 was much slower than a flagship convertible should be and that's mostly due to the fact that lots of the Windows apps readily available on Intel's x86 hardware have to be emulated to work on Microsoft's custom ARM SoC. Considering you'll pay at least $1,000 for any Surface Pro 9 model, you might as well get a configuration that has as few limitations as possible.
While we have our gripes about the Pro 9's overall ergonomics, it's undoubtably one of the thinnest and lightest laptop alternatives you can get. It's attractive and has a gorgeous 13-inch display, and we still consider Microsoft's Type Cover to be one of the best you can get, period. They will cost you extra, though, so be prepared to shell out another $100 to $180 for one. Microsoft's Slim Pen 2 is another highlight, and it will be a must-buy accessory for anyone that loves to draw or prefers to take handwritten notes. Overall, if you want a machine that can switch seamlessly from being a laptop to being a tablet, the Intel Surface Pro 9 is one of your best bets. Of course, if you're married to the Apple ecosystem, you should consider an iPad Pro.
Best laptops you can buy in 2022
Looking for a new laptop for work, school, or anything else? Here are the very best laptops on the market right now.
As much as smartphones have become the central tool for many aspects of our lives, there are some things you can only do on a PC or laptop. To me, buying a new laptop is always an incredibly exciting experience (keep in mind, though, I'm a tech writer), and choosing the right one is incredibly important.
However, there are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right laptop, including screen size, form factor, performance, and overall design. The choices we've rounded up below cover a good range of use cases, and you're sure to find something you like on this list. Let's get right into it.
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We focused on Windows laptops on this list, but we also have a list of the best Macs if that's what you're looking for. Also, all the Windows laptops on this list either come with Windows 11 and have the latest specs, so your hardware will be supported for at least a few years.
Best overall: Lenovo Yoga 9i
Lenovo is mostly known for its phenomenal business laptops from the ThinkPad family, but in 2022, the Yoga 9i might just be one of the best laptops for consumers, too. In fact, we said as much in our Lenovo Yoga 9i review. This is a stellar blend of performance, a stunning design, and a fantastic visual experience.
Starting with performance, the Lenovo Yoga 9i is powered by Intel's 12th-generation processors, specifically from the new P series. These processors have a higher 28W TDP, and in turn, more performance. Right now, you can get it with a Core i7-1260P with 12 cores and 16 threads, but there will also be a configuration with a Core i7-1280P, featuring 14 cores and 20 threads, plus boost speeds up to 4.8GHz. Either way, you won't be missing out on performance for all kinds of day-to-day tasks. Additionally, you can configure the laptop with up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4 SSD for storage, so the laptop will breeze through just about anything.
Something else that's fantastic about the Lenovo Yoga 9i is the display. It's a 14-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which already makes this a great laptop for productivity. Taller screens mean more vertical space and more surface area, meaning you can see more with less scrolling. The base configuration is a Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS panel, but there are two OLED upgrade options. One is a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) panel with a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother animations, and the other is an Ultra HD+ (3840 x 2400) display with a more conventional 60Hz refresh rate. No matter which one you go with, you're getting a stellar viewing experience. And if you're into watching movies and shows, the inclusion of a soundbar on the laptop's hinge makes for one of the best media consumption experiences you can get anywhere.
The webcam above that display is great, too. Lenovo has finally upgraded to a 1080p camera, meaning you'll look much clearer and sharper during video calls and meetings. Plus, the camera supports Windows Hello facial recognition, in addition to a fingerprint reader for the same purpose.
Another big upgrade with this iteration of the Lenovo Yoga 9i is the design. Lenovo has replaced the flat, monotone edges of the previous iteration with glossy rounded edges that make for a much flashier and premium-feeling look. The way these edges reflect light is a stark contrast to previous models, plus it makes it more comfortable to hold in your hand if you plan to carry it around. However, this new design does lose the space to carry the pen, which would have been nice for a convertible like this.
As for ports, it's about what you might expect for a premium 14-inch laptop nowadays. You get three USB Type-C ports — two of which support Thunderbolt 4 — plus one USB Type-A port and a headphone jack. Sure, some might have wanted HDMI or more USB Type-A ports, but frankly, you won't find that on a lot of premium laptops these days, unless they're meant for business.
All in all, the Lenovo Yoga 9i is easily one of the best laptops you can buy in 2022, even if it's not perfect. You can buy it below.
Lenovo Yoga 9i Lenovo Yoga 9i The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a phenomenal convertible, and certainly one of the best laptops you can buy in 2022. See at Lenovo
Also great: MacBook Air
Not everyone is a Windows fan, and the latest MacBook Air is definitely one of the best laptops on the market right now, too. Featuring an all-new sleek design and the latest generation of Apple Silicon, this is a great laptop for almost anyone.
First off, as we've mentioned, it's powered by the latest Apple chip, the M2. This processor includes eight CPU cores, and it promises an 18% increase in performance over the previous generation, while also being far more efficient than anything coming from Intel. The GPU is also up to 35% faster on the M2 compared to the M1, and again, it's far better than Intel's integrated graphics while using less power. This is a stellar machine for both performance and battery life, and you really can't find anything quite like it anywhere else. You can also configure it with up to 24GB of unified memory (RAM) and a 2TB SSD for storage, so you have everything you need for a superb experience.
The display on the MacBook Air is also unique, coming in a 13.6-inch size and featuring an unusual 2560 x 1664 resolution. This is because Apple stretched the display vertically to reduce the bezels, so it's a little taller than a 16:10 aspect ratio now. However, in doing this, Apple also had to leave a notch on the screen for the front-facing webcam, which is one of the things you may not like about it. Otherwise, this is a great panel with up to 500 nits of brightness and support for P3 Wide Color and True Tone. There's only one configuration available, but it's really the only configuration you need, and it means no matter which version you get, you'll get a great experience.
That notch in the middle of the display houses a new and improved 1080p webcam, which is definitely better than the 720p cameras of the past. This increase in resolution is very good for video calls and meetings, and Apple also uses the image signal processor in the M2 chip to enhance the quality further. Unlike many Windows laptops, facial recognition isn't available here, but you do get Touch ID to log in to your PC easily.
The 2022 MacBook Air also has a brand-new design and it's a much-needed breath of fresh air. This new chassis now features a flat unibody construction with an even 11.3mm thickness, which is incredibly thin for a laptop. It also weighs 2.7 pounds, so it's very light and easy to carry around. On top of that, Apple also introduced a pair of new beautiful colors for the MacBook Air. In addition to the classic Silver and Space Grey, it now comes in a soft gold color called Starlight, as well as a nearly-black shade of blue called Midnight. These new colors look great, and Starlight is a much nicer shade of gold than the previous gold models.
Finally, the ports are where things get a little bit iffy. The new MacBook Air brings back MagSafe charging, and it now even supports fast charging at 67W, which is great. Plus, it keeps the two Thunderbolt ports and it has a headphone jack, which has also been upgraded to support high-impedance headphones, which is great news for audio enthusiasts. That's still not a huge setup of ports, though, and what's more, even if you use Thunderbolt, the MacBook Air doesn't support more than one external display at a time. There are ways to do it with certain docks that use something called DisplayLink, but those are uncommon in comparison to Thunderbolt docks.
Still, we would guess that not everyone interested in the MacBook Air really plans to use more than one external display at the same time, and for everything else, this is a phenomenal laptop. It's got great performance without sacrificing battery life, a sharp and bright display, a beautiful new design, and an upgraded webcam. There really isn't a ton more you could ask for.
MacBook Air (M2) Apple MacBook Air (2022) The MacBook Air is an incredibly thin laptop, and with the Apple M2 chip, it's both fast and efficient and it can handle just about any kind of work. See at Best Buy
Best 13-inch laptop: Dell XPS 13 Plus (9320)
Dell's XPS lineup is iconic, and it's long been one of the most popular Windows laptops. But in 2022, Dell still decided to shake things up, and we got the Dell XPS 13 Plus, which features a radical redesign that's more futuristic and more powerful than ever.
Performance-wise, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is packing Intel's 12th-generation P-series processors with a 28W TDP. You can configure it with up to an Intel Core i7-1280P, with 14 cores, 20 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.8GHz. That also includes Intel Iris Xe graphics built-in to power some lightweight GPU workloads, and overall, this is going to give you all the performance you could need for day-to-day tasks. Plus, you can get it with 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to a 2TB SSD for storage, a great combo for a modern laptop.
The display is probably what will feel the most familiar if you've seen a standard Dell XPS 13 in the past. It's a 13.4-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which gives you more surface area than a typical 16:9 display, so reading and writing content is much more convenient and efficient. The base configuration, with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, is already great, but you can go up to a 3.5K (3465 x 2160) OLED panel which is even sharper and more vibrant. You really can't go wrong with this screen. And if you want even more resolution, an Ultra HD+ (3840 x 2400) IPS display is also available, complete with 100% coverage of Adobe RGB, so it's ideal for color-sensitive work.
The webcam is, unfortunately, still 720p resolution, but at least Dell has replaced the terrible sensor from previous models with a better one. The webcam itself is now a separate sensor from the IR camera used for Windows Hello, so it actually improves image quality quite a bit. Speaking of Windows Hello, there's still a fingerprint reader here, too.
The design, however, is a major change from any XPS we've seen before. Dell has achieved an incredibly clean look, starting with the seamless touchpad below the keyboard. There's no indication of where it starts and ends, and it just blends perfectly into the chassis. Instead of buttons, it uses haptic motors to simulate clicks, and while that may seem odd, it works pretty well. Plus, there's an edge-to-edge zero-lattice keyboard that also helps the laptop look as modern as it does, and to round things out, the function row keys have been replaced with capacitive touch buttons. All of this makes for a futuristic look that's unlike anything else we've seen.
All of these modern elements culminate in one potential major downside, though: the port selection. The Dell XPS 13 Plus has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and that's it. If you want anything else, Dell does include a USB Type-C to Type-A adapter in the box, along with an optional Type-C to 3.5mm adapter if you want to use wired headphones. However, that's not super convenient, and the number of ports just isn't that good. More than any other laptop, this one probably calls for a Thunderbolt dock.
Despite a couple of downsides, though, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is one of the best laptops anyone can buy, particularly if you don't want a convertible. You can buy it below if you're interested.
Dell XPS 13 Plus Dell XPS 13 Plus The Dell XPS 13 Plus is one of the most futuristic-looking laptops we've seen in a long time, and it has powerful processors and a sharp OLED display, too. See at Best Buy
Best 15/16-inch laptop: HP Spectre x360 16
Much like Dell's XPS lineup, the HP Spectre family is not just the flagship device for the brand, but for Windows laptops as a whole. The Spectre family is the premier lineup of Windows convertibles, and with the Spectre x360 16, HP made the best one yet. Now, it's been upgraded with the latest processors, and it's more interesting than ever.
First off, this is the most powerful Spectre convertible you can buy right now. It comes in two major variants. The base model is powered by the Intel Core i7-12700H, a 45W processor with 14 cores and 20 threads that can boost up to 4.7GHz. It also features integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, but this configuration is ideal if you want the most CPU performance. If you want a better GPU, there's a configuration with an Intel Core i7-1260P, a 28W processor with 12 cores and 16 threads, capable of boosting up to 4.7GHz. This processor is paired with an Intel Arc A370M discrete GPU, which is ideal for content creation. Depending on your needs, these are both great configurations, and it's an interesting approach to have processors with different TDPs available. Additionally, you can configure the Spectre x360 16 with up to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.
The display is also one of the best in any Spectre laptop. It's a 16-inch panel, and it comes in a 16:10 aspect ratio, so it gives you more vertical space than the 15-inch model. The base configuration is already very sharp, starting with a 3072 x 1920 resolution, and you can add an HP Sure View Reflect privacy screen if you want to protect sensitive information. If you want an even better screen, there's also an Ultra HD+ (3840 x 2400) OLED panel option. In addition to being sharper, this OLED panel can deliver true blacks, vivid colors, and higher contrast ratios.
A particularly great thing about the HP Spectre x360 16 is its webcam. Unlike previous Spectre models, this version comes with a sharp 5MP camera with 1080p video. Not only that, the camera has smart features like auto framing, lighting correction, and a beauty mode. Of course, you also get Windows Hello facial recognition with an infrared camera, and there's also a fingerprint reader if you prefer that.
Design-wise, the HP Spectre x360 16 uses a dual-tone design similar to other Spectre laptops, but with some changes. It uses more rounded edges, so the laptop is more comfortable to hold, and the dual-tone accents are more subtle. The Nightfall Black model combines black and bronze tones, and Nocturne Blue uses slightly different shades of blue for the same effect. Portability-wise, the Spectre x360 16 starts at 4.45 pounds of weight, which is about what you'd expect for a convertible of this size.
Finally, in terms of ports, the Spectre x360 16 comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB Type-A port, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. This is a solid setup that covers just about all basic needs you'll have, so there isn't much more you can ask for here.
All in all, the Spectre x360 16 is a fantastic convertible laptop in almost every way, and while its starting price may seem high, it's definitely priced fairly considering everything you get in this package.
HP Spectre x360 16 HP Spectre x360 16 The HP Spectre x360 is a convertible laptop with a large 16-inch display, powerful specs, and a unique dual-tone design. See at HP See at Best Buy
Best 17-inch laptop: Dell XPS 17 (9720)
It hasn't been that long since we praised the Dell XPS family, but the Dell XPS 17 is almost the perfect 17-inch laptop. When you buy a laptop with this screen size, it's very often a gaming laptop, taking advantage of that bigger screen to pack a ton of power. The Dell XPS 17 is powerful, but it's still true to the XPS family.
Let's start with performance because the Dell XPS 17 has it. It now comes with 12th-generation Intel processors, specifically from the H-series with a 45W TDP. Specifically, it comes with up to an Intel Core i9-12900HK, which is a 14-core, 20-thread processor that can boost up to 5GHz, making it one of the most powerful laptop CPUs out there. But that's not all, because you also get dedicated NVIDIA graphics up to a GeForce RTX 3060, making this a viable gaming PC, but also a fantastic one for tasks like video editing. And on top of that, you can get up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage. You can upgrade the Dell XPS 17 RAM and storage yourself, too, so this is truly a laptop you can use for years to come.
And the display is no joke, either. It's a 17-inch panel, of course, and the base configuration comes with Full HD+ resolution (1920 x 1200), but you can upgrade all the way to a 4K+ (3840 x 2400) display which is absolutely fantastic. We've reviewed the Dell XPS 17, and it covers pretty much the entirety of sRGB, Adobe RGB, DCI-P3, and NTSC. There isn't much more you can ask for. Plus, it's a touchscreen (if you choose the 4K panel), so you can use it a bit more intuitively. Plus, you get quad stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience that most other Windows laptops can't match.
But here's the kicker: this isn't a gaming laptop design. This isn't a bulky 17-inch laptop that you can't really take anywhere. It keeps the same compact design as the rest of the XPS lineup, with minimal bezels around the display and a relatively thin chassis. All of this power is condensed into a laptop that still fits in most backpacks easily, even if it is a little heavy. Plus it has a cool dual-tone design with a black carbon fiber interior and silver exterior.
This compact design comes with a major sacrifice, though, and that's the webcam. In 2022, many laptops are upgrading to a 1080p sensor for better video quality, but Dell is sticking with its 720p camera, and it really hasn't changed much from last year's model, which was pretty bad.
For connectivity, you have four Thunderbolt ports, with an adapter for USB Type-A and HDMI included in the box so you can still easily connect legacy peripherals and non-Thunderbolt monitors. It's not amazing for a 17-inch laptop, but concessions have to be expected to get this compact design with this much performance.
The only downsides are that, once again, the minimal bezels make for a below-average webcam (though you do get facial recognition on this one), and even though it's compact for a 17-inch laptop, it's still a bit heavy. But this is still a phenomenal laptop, and one of the best ones out there.
Dell XPS 17 9710 Dell XPS 17 9720 The Dell XPS 17 is a powerful 17-inch laptop that somehow still fits in a compact and slim chassis. It has Intel H-series processors, RTX graphics, and space for a ton of RAM and storage. See at Amazon See at Best Buy
Best business laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
When it comes to business laptops, Lenovo has been one of the most recognizable brands in the space, and for good reason. Its ThinkPad lineup has an absolutely classic look, business-oriented features, and highly configurable specs to match the specific needs of every user. Out of the ThinkPad family, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the most well-known, and the latest iteration is better than ever.
Performance-wise, of course, it's packing the latest Intel Core processors, this time from the new P series with a 28W TDP. You can get up to an Intel Core i7-1280P with 14 cores, 20 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.8GHz. Plus, you can get it with up to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for storage. The best part about this is that customization is very flexible, so you can mix and match these specs to fit your needs. If you want 1TB of storage and just 8GB of RAM, you can do that, but you can also get 32GB of RAM and just 256GB of storage. It's up to you.
The display comes in a few variants, but no matter which one you go for, you're getting a 16:10 aspect ratio, and that taller screen gives you more surface area, which is great for reading, browsing the web, and writing. The base configuration is a Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) display, but there are multiple upgrade options available, including a touchscreen, Privacy Guard, a sharper 2.2K IPS panel, a 2.8K OLED display, or an Ultra HD+ IPS option at the top end. This gives you a wide range of options to choose from, so you can get something that's just right for your needs.
For the 2022 model of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Lenovo has also brought a major improvement to the webcam, which is now a 1080p camera in most configurations. That should deliver much better video call quality, plus you can add Windows Hello support or go even further with a MIPI camera with Computer Vision. In addition to better image quality, this upgrade option also allows the laptop to detect when you approach it, so it can wake up the screen and be ready to use right away.
The design of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon may be a bit boring to some, but it's a perfect fit for business environments. And of course, you get other classic business features like the pointing stick and buttons above the touchpad many business users still appreciate.
Ports and connectivity are also highlights. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a combo audio jack. This is what you expect in a business laptop, and Lenovo goes further by also adding cellular network support for those that need to work on the go. You can choose between adding 4G LTE or 5G, or you can skip cellular connectivity if you don't need it.
This is a fantastic laptop with tons of configuration options available on Lenovo's website, and it definitely earns its spot as one of the best laptops out there.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a classic business laptop packing modern features. It has high-end performance, highly-configurable specs, and fantastic connectivity options. See at Lenovo
Best convertible: HP Spectre x360 13.5
HP's Spectre x360 series has long been one of the most popular families of convertible laptops, and the latest iteration, the Spectre x360 13.5, shows why that's the case. This new version keeps the high-end specs and stunning premium design the family is known for, and if you love convertible laptops, it's a no-brainer.
Starting off with performance, the HP Spectre x360 13.5 is powered by Intel's 12th-generation processors, specifically from the U15 series. You can go up to an Intel Core i7-1255U, which has 10 cores, 12 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.7GHz, so there's plenty of performance here. It also includes Intel Iris Xe graphics, like most of Intel's mobile processors, so it can handle some light GPU workloads. These 15W processors aren't as powerful as the P-series, but they're better for battery life, so this is a great choice if you care about that. Plus, the laptop still comes with up to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD for storage, so this is absolutely a premium device through and through.
It also has one of the best displays on any laptop out there. This is a 13.5-inch panel and it comes in a tall 3:2 aspect ratio, which is even taller than 16:10. This makes it great for productivity, whether you're reading an article, working on a document, or even editing video, thanks to the additional vertical space. The base panel comes in Full HD+ (1920 x 1280) resolution, and it even gives you the option to add a privacy screen if you're worried about people spying on what you're doing. But the real upgrade is the 3K2K (3000 x 2000) OLED panel, which is not only incredibly sharp but also looks fantastic thanks to the benefits of OLED, like true blacks and a high contrast ratio. This is a costly upgrade, but it really does look amazing. Of course, it's a convertible, so every panel supports touch and pen input, and the pen is included in the box, too.
HP is also using its new top-tier 5MP webcam on most of its premium products, so like the Spectre x360 16 above, the 13.5-inch version has it too. It has the same smart features, like auto framing and lighting correction, and it also still supports Windows Hello facial recognition (in addition to having a fingerprint reader). This is easily one of the best webcams out there.
Something else the Spectre x360 13.5 draws from its larger sibling is the design. This new model still has the iconic dual-tone look many love about the Spectre x360 family, but now, the accents are much less prominent. Curved surfaces lead into thinner edges, which are accented in a different color (in some models), along with the edges of the touchpad and the hinges. Just like before, the Nightfall Black model has copper accents, and the new Nocturne Blue version has accents in a lighter shade of blue. If you want something more subdued, Natural Silver is a single-color option, which you may prefer. Portability-wise, the Spectre x360 13.5 weighs 3.01 pounds and is about 17mm thick, so while it's not winning any awards for being compact, it's definitely still very portable.
Finally, the port setup is actually solid for a laptop of this size. The laptop comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB Type-A port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. Some may have liked a traditional display output like HDMI, but laptops this small usually don't have it. You can use the Thunderbolt ports to connect a display instead.
Overall, the HP Spectre x360 13.5 is a fantastic convertible laptop, with everything from powerful performance to a fantastic screen and webcam, and even a beautiful design. There isn't much more you could ask for.
HP Spectre x360 13.5 HP Spectre x360 13.5 The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is a premium convertible laptop with a stunning design and great performance for everyday tasks. See at HP See at Best Buy
Best for creators: MacBook Pro 16-inch
Content creators and creative professionals often prefer working on Mac, and with the latest MacBook Pro, we can't blame them. This is an absolutely stellar laptop, packing a ton of power and efficiency, along with a stunning display that's almost unmatched in the laptop space.
First off, the MacBook Pro is powered by Apple's in-house M1 Pro and M1 Max processors. These are based on Arm technology, and that means this processor includes the CPU, GPU, RAM, and some other components. The CPU is a 10-core unit, with two power-efficient cores and eight high-performance cores resulting in performance that rivals many of the best Windows laptops. For the GPU, you get up to 32 cores, depending on your configuration, and that gives you performance on par with many dedicated GPUs on Windows laptops, especially for content creation. That's helped even further by the up to 64GB of unified memory (RAM), which can be allocated to the CPU or GPU on demand.
All of that power comes in a far more efficient package than typical Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA components. Because of that, most of that performance is still available when you unplug your laptop, and not only that, you can actually use your laptop without having to worry as much about charging. The MacBook Pro has far better battery life than other high-performance laptops, so you can actually use it on the go for creative workloads. Aside from its impressive processor, you can also configure the MacBook Pro with up to a whopping 8TB of SSD storage.
Moving on to the display, the MacBook Pro continues to impress. The latest model comes with a 16.2-inch display, and it has a super-sharp 3456 x 2234 resolution. That's slightly taller than a 16:10 aspect ratio, but not quite 3:2. What makes this display special isn't its resolution, though, it's that this is one of the first laptops to have a mini-LED display, or Liquid Retina XDR, as Apple puts it. Instead of a single source of light, the MacBook Pro has thousands of individual lighting zones that are controlled independently, and that allows black areas of the picture to turn off completely. This results in very high contrast ratios, and the display itself can reach a whopping 1600 nits of brightness (1000 nits sustained), which you won't find on any other laptop. It also has an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz.
One downside of this display is that it has a notch, and that's where you'll find the webcam. Apple has upgraded to a new 1080p camera that delivers far better image quality than previous models, also helped by AI processing. There's no Face ID facial recognition, oddly enough, but you can use Touch ID to unlock your laptop easily.
The design of the MacBook Pro is frankly fairly standard, being an all-metal laptop with a clamshell design and starting at 4.7 pounds of weight. It's not exactly light, but it's packing the power to back that up. As for ports, Apple finally returned some classic ports to the MacBook Pro, including HDMI, an SD card reader a headphone jack with support for high-impedance headphones, and the return of MagSafe, now with support for high-speed charging. You still get three Thunderbolt 4 ports, and Apple is, for now, the only company supporting Thunderbolt on non-Intel processors. You can connect up to four external displays in total, including the HDMI port.
There's no doubt that the 2021 MacBook Pro is the most powerful MacBook yet, but it's also one of the best laptops in general. It's powerful and efficient in a way that other laptops have yet to match, so it's ideal for creating content at home or on the go. If you don't find the configuration you want below, check out Adorama for higher-end options.
MacBook Pro 16 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021) The latest MacBook Pro features a blend of performance and efficiency we've yet to see in another laptop, making it ideal for content creators on the go. See at Best Buy
Best gaming laptop: Acer Predator Triton 500 SE
Gaming is one of the most popular activities to do on a PC, and if you're looking for a rig that can deliver where it matters, the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE is for you. It combines powerful specs, a great display, and more in a sleek and modern design that still manages to be somewhat portable.
Performance is crucial for a good gaming experience, and the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE is off to a great start. It comes with Intel's 12th-gen H-series processors, up to a Core i9-12900H with 14 cores and 20 threads, capable of boosting up to 5GHz on its performance cores. That's backed up by up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU with 16GB of GDDR6 RAM and 115W of power. In our review, the Predator Triton 500 SE performed admirably well, meaning it has a great cooling solution to handle all that power. You can also get the laptop with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 2TB of SSD storage.
The display is another highlight of this machine, as it's great for more than gaming. This is a 16-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and it comes in a sharp Quad HD+ (2560 x 1600) resolution, so whether you're working or gaming, everything will look crisp and clear. That tall aspect ratio is also fantastic for productivity. But for gaming, it also has a 240Hz refresh rate so everything looks smooth on screen, making full use of those powerful specs.
Acer also didn't hold back with the webcam, implementing a 1080p sensor, so you get good image quality for video calls and streaming sessions without having to buy an external camera. It doesn't have Windows Hello facial recognition, though you can use the fingerprint reader for the same purpose.
A gaming laptop also tends to have a good selection of ports, and the Predator Triton 500 SE is one of the best. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one on each side), two USB Type-A ports (also evenly split), HDMI 2.1 support, Ethernet, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD card slot. Not only are there quite a few ports here, but they're also balanced on both sides of the laptop, which gives you a bit more freedom for connecting peripherals.
Finally, in terms of design, the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE also comes with a sleek look that betrays its powerful internals. It manages to come in at under 20mm in thickness, and it weighs 5.29lbs. It's obviously a bit heavy, but considering what's packed inside, it's actually decently portable. It comes in a clean silver finish which may be a bit boring, but it's also more subdued than many other gaming laptops. And if you want to be flashy, the RGB backlit keyboard gives you something to show off.
All in all, the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE is a fantastic gaming laptop and while there's plenty of competition in this space, it definitely earns our recommendation.
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE Acer Predator Triton 500 SE The Acer Predator 500 SE packs powerful specs from Intel and Nvidia with an efficient cooling solution that allows it to maximize performance while still being thin and light. See at Amazon See at Best Buy
Best laptop on a budget: HP Pavilion Aero 13
Affordable laptops don't get much better than the HP Pavilion Aero, and in many ways, it's surprising that this is part of HP's budget Pavilion family. If you're looking for a relatively affordable laptop that's still more than good enough for day-to-day use, this is it. At a base price of $799, it's not as affordable as some other options, but it's often discounted to much less than that, and it's an absolutely amazing deal if you find it on sale. Even for its base price, though, it's fantastic.
Let's start with performance, which is fantastic starting with an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U, though you can go up to a Ryzen 7 5825U. That's an 8-core, 16-thread processor with clock speeds up to 4.5GHz, which is going to give you fantastic performance for not just day-to-day tasks, but also things like video rendering, so you can use this for editing Full HD videos with no issue. You also get a minimum of 8GB of RAM, and you can upgrade to 16GB, another rarity for a budget laptop. You can also configure it with up to 1TB of SSD storage, with the base model giving you 256GB, a great starting point already.
But it gets even better. The HP Pavilion Aero is one of the very few laptops in this price range that comes with a 16:10 aspect ratio for the display. Taller aspect ratios have been a premium feature for a while now, but the Pavilion Aero brings it to a much lower price point and a new market. They give you more surface area, which is great for reading and writing, making this a fantastic choice for students. Not only that, but even the base configuration comes with Full HD+ resolution (1920 x 1200), while many other budget laptops tend to start with a resolution like 1366 x 768. You can even upgrade to a Quad HD+ (2560 x 1600) display, making this a truly great experience.
Of course, corners have to be cut somewhere, so the HP Pavilion Aero does come with a 720p webcam, and there's no Windows Hello facial recognition. That's not too surprising at this price, and you do get a fingerprint reader, so it's not like you're out of options for biometric authentication.
All of that comes together in a package that starts at under 2.2 pounds, or less than one kilogram. That's where you'd usually see a budget laptop cut costs to get higher-end specs. You might find a chunky plastic design, but not here. The HP Pavilion Aero is lightweight, it uses magnesium for its chassis, and it's just 17mm thin. It's also great to see this device come in four colors to choose from since that's also uncommon in cheaper laptops made of metal. You can choose from silver, white, rose gold, or warm gold, and while they're all fairly subdued colors, this lets you get something that matches your personal style a bit more.
It's also got a solid port selection with one USB Type-C port, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.0, and a headphone jack. There's no Thunderbolt here, but that's to be expected with an AMD-powered laptop since Intel owns Thunderbolt.
The HP Pavilion Aero is already a great deal for its base price, but on top of that, you can often find it with a big discount. In fact, it's just under $550 at writing time, and at that price, it's an absolute steal. You can't go wrong with this one.
HP Pavilion Aero HP Pavilion Aero 13 The HP Pavilion Aero is an absolute standout when it comes to budget laptops. It offers high-performance AMD Ryzen processors and up to 16GB of RAM, all in a lightweight magnesium chassis that still feels premium. It certainly punches above its weight. See at HP
Best detachable laptop: Surface Pro 9
Typical laptops may work well for a lot of people, but if you like tablets more, the Surface Pro 9 is easily the best option for your right now if you want something that runs Windows. It's fast, it has a great display, and for the first time, it comes in a few color options.
Starting with performance, the Surface Pro 9 comes in two major variants. The Wi-Fi model comes with 12th-generation Intel Core processors, up to a Core i7-1255U with a 15W TDP. It has 10 cores and 12 threads, and it can boost up to 4.7GHz, in addition to featuring integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics for light GPU workloads. If you want cellular connectivity, the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is available with a Microsoft SQ3 chipset, based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. This is an Arm-based processor with eight cores and capable of boosting up to 3GHz, and it's still pretty fast for day-to-day tasks. On top of that, you get up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storage, though the 5G model maxes out with just 16GB and 512GB, respectively.
The display is the same for both models, which means you get a 13-inch panel with a very sharp resolution of 2880 x 1920 - that's a lot of pixels for something this size. Not only that, but the display also has a 120Hz refresh rate, so animations, transitions, and other moving elements on the screen should look that much smoother. Plus, the screen obviously supports touch and pen input, and it even supports tactile signals on the Surface Slim Pen 2, simulating the feel of writing with a pen on real paper.
In terms of design, the Surface Pro 9 is one of the lightest devices on this list, as you'd expect considering it doesn't have a keyboard by default. It comes in at around 1.9 pounds, depending on whether you get the Wi-Fi or 5G model, and it's just 9.3mm thick, though adding the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard will obviously add a bit of weight and thickness. If you go with the Intel model, there are also four beautiful colors to choose from: Platinum, Graphite, and the brand-new Forest and Sapphire. Sadly, the 5G variant is only available in Platinum.
Rounding things out, the Surface Pro 9 only has a couple of USB Type-C ports and nothing else. On the Intel models, those ports support Thunderbolt 4, but that's not the case with the 5G version. There's no headphone jack, but this setup is about what you would expect out of a tablet.
All in all, while it's not a perfect device, the Surface Pro 9 is easily the best Windows tablet you can buy right now. You can find the Wi-Fi and 5G models below.
Surface Pro 9 (Wi-Fi Model) Surface Pro 9 (Wi-Fi) The Surface Pro 9 comes with 12th-generation Intel Core processors and it features an array of beautiful colors for the first time. It stands out as the best Windows tablet around. See at Best Buy
Surface Pro 9 5G Surface Pro 9 5G With a new Microsoft SQ3 chipset, a high-refresh-rate display, and 5G support, the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is the best Arm-based Windows tablet you can buy. See at Best Buy
Best Chromebook: Acer Chromebook Spin 714
We've focused mostly on Windows laptops so far, but if you're keener on Google's Chrome OS, there are some great Chromebooks out there as well. For a long time, our recommendation has gone to the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, but now, there's a successor in the form of the Spin 714, and it's yet another fantastic Chromebook. You really can't go wrong with this one.
For starters, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is one of the Chromebooks that's already packing Intel 12th-generation Core processors, and a pretty good one at that. It has an Intel Core i5-1235U, which gives you 10 cores, 12 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.7GHz. That's a very good processor overall, and for a lightweight operating system like Chrome OS, it's going to do exceptionally well. On top of that, the laptop has 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which is also a very strong combination for a Chromebook. It's not quite on the same level as premium Windows laptops, but for Chrome OS, it's great.
The display on the Acer Chromebook 714 is a 14-inch panel, which is slightly larger than its predecessor, and it now comes in a 16:10 aspect ratio instead of 3:2. That means it's not quite as tall, but this is the more popular aspect ratio for laptops, so it makes sense. This model also comes in Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) resolution, which is sharp enough for a screen of this size, and it does the job well. Some models are also planned with a sharper Quad HD+ (2560 x 1600) screen, but this should really be all you need. Of course, it's a convertible, which means touch and pen support is available across the board. In fact, a pen is included and stored inside the laptop itself so it's always ready to go.
Above that display, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 also comes with a Full HD 1080p MIPI webcam, meaning camera quality for video calls and meetings should be very good. That's not something you see a lot of on Chromebooks. One thing you may not like is that there's no form of biometric authentication, but that's also quite common for Chrome OS devices.
Design-wise, there isn't a lot to say about the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, except that it does look nice. It's a metal laptop, and it comes in a dark Slate Blue colorway that's a bit more unique than its predecessor. Like many of Acer's Chromebooks, it's also designed to meet MIL-STD-810H standards for durability, so it can withstand a few drops and bumps. As for portability, it measures roughly 18mm in thickness and weighs 3.09 pounds, so it's not particularly light, but it's about what you'd expect for a metal convertible.
As for ports, you're getting two USB Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB Type-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack, so you actually have more ports than many premium laptops these days. It's a well-rounded setup, and it's hard to ask for much more at this price.
If you're in the market for a Chromebook, you really can't do much better than the Acer Chromebook Spin 714. It has a combination of specs, display, and design that puts almost every competitor to shame, and all for a relatively affordable price.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 Acer Chromebook Spin 714 The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a convertible Chrome OS laptop with powerful specs and a durable design. See at Best Buy
Those are what we'd consider the best laptops you can buy right now, and some of the best choices as gifts for someone who might be looking to upgrade. The Lenovo Yoga 9i is the best overall offering because it offers a blend of high-end performance for day-to-day tasks, two beautiful OLED display options to choose from, and a stunning design that looks better than a Yoga ever has.
But if you have more specific needs, there are other fantastic options on this list. The Spectre x360 16 is a personal favorite, and that's all thanks to its form factor. I love the versatility of going from a laptop to a tablet, and it's still a very powerful device. But that's a matter of personal preference, and you can surely find something you love on this list, too.
