Finding the best laptop computer for your needs is a difficult task , particularly with so many designs , specs and cost points to consider .
take the incorrect decision can have dire result too , as a sluggish laptop computer will not only slow down your productivity , but will also cause a big ding in your nest egg .
This is why we ’ve decided to lend a helping helping hand by creating this best laptop guide . Our team of expert have reviewed multiple laptops , with the highest scoring options securing a topographic point in the ranking .
We ’ve made certain to include a variety of options too , from budget - friendly Chromebooks to the all - powerful MacBook Pro and everything in between ,
If you ’re looking for something more specific , then it ’s worth having a look at our other guides such asBest Student Laptop , Best Budget Laptop , Best ChromebookandBest Gaming Laptop .
instead , if you ’re firm to a specific brand , then we also have dedicated guides such asBest MacBook , Best Asus Laptop , Best Microsoft Surface Laptop , Best Acer Laptop , Best Dell LaptopandBest Huawei Laptop .
Best Laptop at a glance
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How we test
Learn more about how we try out laptops
Every laptop we review goes through a serial of uniform check designed to gauge key things including build quality , performance , silver screen quality and battery life history .
These include formal synthetic bench mark and scripted tests , plus a series of real human beings checks , such as how well it track down the most frequently used apps .
We also ensure to utilise every laptop we review as our main twist for at least a workweek to control our review is as accurate as potential .
Asus Zenbook S 16 (2024)
Pros
Cons
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED
Apple MacBook Air M3
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 Copilot Plus
Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360
HP Pavilion SE 14
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M3 Max
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
Asus Zenbook Duo (2024)
Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D
Trusted Score
Asus ’ Zenbook S range has been charting an impressive course for ultrabooks for some meter now , but it ’s in theZenbook S 16that it feel as though Asus has truly hit its stride .
The highlight feature film of this 2024 looping is the use of Asus ’ all - new stuff live as ‘ Ceraluminum ’ . If the Gladstone does n’t already tell you as much , it ’s a compounding of ceramic and aluminium , that now comprises the upper chassis and fix for quite a lightweight yet durable bearing . Plus , best of all , it ’s not a fingermark magnet .
The trackpad has see a 40 % increase over the last generation , making gesture that bit easier to reenact . The 65 % keyboard is also incredibly tactile with pleasing travel , making this a delight to work on .
What really cement the S 16 as an outstanding ultrabook is the muscular Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 C.P.U. which , in our testing , was able to outdo the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H - totingDell XPS 14 ( 2024 ) , and even show off comparable resultant with theMacBook Air M3 . Pair that with a long battery life of just over 13 hours from our testing and you ’re looking at the ideal workstation for those on the go .
TheAsus Zenbook 14 OLEDis a terrific all - debauchee , offering a superb combination of productivity , originative and play performance as well as a stylish and lightweight frame of reference .
On the productivity front , the Asus will well take down plenty of tabs , along with firm multi - tasking capability . However , it ’s the boosted graphic capability of the new Intel Core Ultra and its Arc integrated graphics that are worth noticing . confessedly , it remains far from a gaming powerhouse but it make this laptop the ability to well dip its toe into AAA gambling at low to medium preferences along with being ideal for Lord on the go .
The laptop look good while doing all this too , from a terrifically undimmed and detailed 1800p OLED presentation to a slim 15 mm design that weighs just 1.29 kilo . Despite this , it manages to pack in a solid kitchen range of ports , from two Thunderbolt 4 and a USB - C to a handy HDMI 2.1 and a headphone knave . Another factor that manage to not be hamper by the wakeful frame is the keyboard , we find it to be delightfully clicky and frosty .
One area in which eminent - end Windows productivity laptops have lacked over recent geezerhood , particularly Intel 1 , is on battery life . Well , the Zenbook 14 OLED may not strike the heights of the MacBook Air , but it comes closer than before . It make tight to a solid 13 60 minutes of succus .
Apple is at it again , make another excellent all - libertine with its newMacBook Air M3 13 - in . It ’s the best MacBook for most people .
avowedly , not much has changed with the novel M3 model compare with the previous M2 iteration , with a nice bump in carrying out the key variety . However , if you desire the latest and greatest , you wo n’t be disappointed with this car .
This rendering of the MacBook Air , since it was redesigned last year , volunteer wondrous fanless office for serious productivity and illume creative tasking . Alongside , you get an excellent keyboard , vast trackpad , utilitarian set of ports and a voluptuous design .
On top , you get some of the most sensational barrage fire life on the market , with this twist being capable of more than 15 hour of oeuvre . All around , this is a equipment that ’s a joy to utilise and offers terrific economic value despite its around £ 1000/$1000 starting price , as you ’re getting so much clap for your one dollar bill .
TheAsus ROG Zephyrus G14 ( 2024)is the best all - rotund play laptop computer that we ’ve reviewed so far . Not only does it boast unbelievable play firepower , but also an ultra - portable , lissom purpose that ’s easy to carry around .
Asus opt to give its G14 range a major invention refresh this yr , which involved an even thinner design than before . That mean it ’s remarkably just 16.3 millimeter thick , while hitting the scales at a treat 1.5 kg , which is even lighter than the 15 - in MacBook Air .
Thanks to the discrete Nvidia GPU under the punk , it offers terrific performance , to such an extent that it can run intensive games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal at a Quad HD resolve . The 14 - inch OLED cover also helps to check that game look absolutely sensational , with colour popping out of the display .
hold so much firepower does result battery living a little scant , come in at just 6 hour in our benchmark tests for productiveness work load . But if you ’re after an ultra - portable gaming laptop computer , that ’s a pocket-size compromise for such an excellent overall package .
If you think the price of G14 is a tad too in high spirits for your budget , then also conceive theLenovo Legion Slim 5 Gen 8 . This is another 5 - principal gaming laptop with incredible specs for your money . It ’s not quite as portable or fashionable as the G14 , but it perform well in our benchmark tests , making it an great choice .
At this point in sentence , the 2 - in-1 tablet / laptop computer concept is almost synonymous with Microsoft ’s Surface Pro line , and while it has been home to some great devices , more recent picks have felt a shade iterative . Not so with theMicrosoft Surface Pro 11 .
Making the leap to ARM architecture ( correctly this time ) via the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite or the mid - compass X Plus chipset ( we test the version sporting the former ) , the Surface Pro 11 now runs buttery smooth in everyday labor . confessedly , you will find fast performance on theSurface Laptop 7 , but it ’s now at the level where world-wide retardation is a thing of the past tense , and you ’re free to crack on with your work unencumbered ( so long as it ’s sleeve compatible of course ) .
While it ’s still outrageous that consumer are expect to buy a keyboard individually from the Surface Pro 11 , the new Surface Flex Keyboard does open up the versatility of the gadget via a wireless Bluetooth connection . This means that you’re able to have the keyboard on your lap whilst the Pro 11 is prop up up on a table , and type away as normal .
If your budget can stretch to suit it , we also advocate pick up the OLED version of this equipment . Not only does it make your most used apps pop on - screen door , but it also lets the Surface Pro 11 piece of work great for entertainment when in pad mode , although you ’re best mate it with a set of headphones as the build - in utterer are n’t the dear out there .
TheSamsung Galaxy Book 3 360is the dark horse of the laptop world in 2024 . It has n’t been touted by Samsung all that much , overshadowed by the Galaxy Book 3 Pro and new Galaxy Book 3 Ultra . But , when it come to broad charm and value , it ’s well the good of the clump .
Despite its lower price than many key rivals , the 13th Gen Intel Core P - series chip deep down leave passel of productivity performance , no less than you need for a student or Holy Scripture processing workload . And , it ’s help by a presentation that may look under - specced initially .
come up in at just Full HD , the screen save itself through Samsung ’s AMOLED panel , which is crisp and lush . With a 16:9 view ratio and 360 - point flexible joint , this is a laptop that ’s ideal for media uptake too .
The keyboard experience is excellent , you could spend hours comfortably typing away on the Galaxy Book 3 360 . And , you ’ll be proud to do it in whatever setting , with the design matching that of most eminent - oddment , and more expensive machines , with an all - alloy build . The top - notch S Pen is let in too , for windy drawing and script capabilities .
When you ’re buying a budget laptop computer , there are belong to be compromises . However , far too many laptop ask you to compromise on too much . TheHP Pavilion SE 14gets the balance right for under £ 500 .
mighty off the bat , the Pavilion SE 14 impresses by pass on you modern specification , when many budget laptops ask you to give top dollar for last class ’s mainframe . This laptop offer up a 13th Gen Intel Core cow dung alongside a solid 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD . It is a stiff combination that ’s great for productiveness and solid multitasking , while also giving you spate of elbow room to store tons of documents and photo .
Other central compromise for budget laptops often include a shoddy keyboard and tinny speakers , but the Pavilion SE 14 bat this norm aside . The keyboard is comfortable and you ’ll have no trouble typing out a prospicient essay on this machine , even if it takes you minute to meditate over . We were surprised to name the speaker system offer surprisingly full and cheap audio too . The 1080p webcam is another top - notch inclusion for a budget laptop too , mean this laptop is also suited well to video conferencing .
Where the HP Pavilion SE 14 does n’t rend up trees is with the presentation . It is n’t an OLED , so the color wo n’t knock your air sock off but , being an IPS panel rather than a TN , it declare oneself acceptable viewing angles and luminosity . The battery life is n’t amazing either , at around 7 hour . Nevertheless , the design should still please the likes of students who desire something durable yet stylish , with it being made from plastic but offering a deceptively sleek look .
TheAsus Chromebook Plus CX34was part of a new range of ChromeOS devices that launch in 2023 . The aim of the Chromebook Plus initiative was to raise standards for cheap Chromebooks , making it easier for emptor to feel well-off picking one up . The CX34 utterly did that , a laptop computer that punches well above its low £ 429 price distributor point .
The specifications are unconvincing to bump your socks off , with just a 12th Gen Intel Core i3 chip lead the bang . But , back up by 8 GB RAM and the lightweight ChromeOS , the CX34 is a car that can handle intensive browse with ease and multitask well too . That jackanapes ChromeOS also means that , despite donning a rather small 50Wh battery , it manages to give you an impressive 11 + hours of shelling life .
The build may be plastic and feel rather cheap but it offers stylish signature Asus look and a plethora of ports . We were also right impressed by the satisfying travelling of this keyboard that makes this a delight of a laptop computer to typewrite away on . The presentation is strong for the damage too , offering pleasing contingent if lack a little in the smartness department .
Google ’s Chromebook Plus gadget put up some neat fresh characteristic to users as well . You ’ll discover the Magic Eraser onboard , moving over from its Pixel phones , letting you erase unwanted figures and objects from images . AI video vocation feature are here to straighten up your meetings also . Then , there is Offline File Sync , which makes it leisurely to get at your files on the go , a feature long absent from ChromeOS laptops .
TheApple MacBook Pro 16 - in ( M3 Max)comes with a gamy price and is aimed squarely at serious pro who need hardware that can live up to intensive calculation and graphical processing need . If you hang into that wall bracket , you wo n’t be disappointed .
The MacBook Pro remains the leader of the mob when it comes to performance up against central rivals on the Windows side of things and it retain the top trick of M - series MacBook , being capable to provide almost equal carrying into action when not plugged in as it can when it is . This remains right telling as the drop - off is big on high - execution Windows laptops .
Across most of our examination benchmarks , this laptop computer barely made randomness above a rustling and the motorcar never begin excessively fond . If you are someone who has less complex in writing needs but is looking to future - cogent evidence your simple machine by buying more power than you need , you ’re going to retrieve a gadget that tackles most graphical tasks with sensational informality .
by from the solid encouragement to performance , you ’ll find strong features that remain the same from the M2 - series MacBook Pro . That ’s a invigorated set of ports and a lusciousMini LEDdisplay that ’s stunningly brilliant and accurate . The battery animation remains noteworthy too , being able to last for around 15 hours of World Wide Web browse .
The only reason to snub the MacBook Pro for TV editing is if you ’d opt to utilise Windows instead of macOS . If that ’s the face , we urge checking out theDell XPS 16 ( 2024)andAsus Vivobook Pro 15 OLEDinstead .
Samsung ’s flagship laptops have the habit of being a scrap of a miscellaneous bag , and theGalaxy Book4 Pro 360is no different . It has some excellent feature of speech and some average ones , but the cream of the bunch is stellar battery life history .
In late years , Windows laptops have struggled to keep pace with the MacBooks and the efficiency that their Apple M - serial chips add . However , this 16 - inch machine has bring off to get within poignant length . In our examination , we found it could offer around 15 hours at its maximum and will comfortably get you through most working sidereal day .
The 2nd estimable feature film of this Samsung laptop is its display . It comes with a sybaritic 120Hz 3 green AMOLED panel . It ’s stunning for watching movies , streaming game and getting down to originative work . This is also a laptop with a 360 - flexible joint substance you’re able to take advantage of the plushy panel in tablet mode , and do some light drawing with the splendid S Pen .
The new Intel Core Ultra potato chip deep down tender strong productiveness performance while allowing you to paddle in some light editing and very sluttish gaming . Samsung is n’t the pick of the bunch in terms of getting the most out of this chip but it ’ll befit the needs of most typical users .
A new movement has emerged in recent years , as a few manufacturing business have launched dual - screen laptops . We ’ve already reviewed a duet of them , and theAsus ZenBook Duo ( 2024)is our favourite choice so far .
Not only does the second screen make it well-to-do to view multiple apps and browser app tabs simultaneously , but also increase the number of direction you may expend the portable . you’re able to stack the two screens vertically or horizontally , with the Bluetooth keyboard placed on the desk in front . Or alternatively , you could sit the keyboard on top of the second screen to take the form of a classic grapple .
Importantly , the Zenbook Duo excels in orbit beyond its dual - cover design . It also has lovely OLED screens , a speedy productivity performance and a keyboard that ’s a joyousness to type on .
The Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is another great dual - screen laptop , but we still advise nonplus with the Asus model since it offers a more complete computer software , including more streamlined software , a build - in kickstand and the inclusion of a trackpad on the keyboard .
TheAsus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3Dis one of the fastest play laptops you ’re probable to find , taking advantage of AMD ’s newfangled 3D V - Cache engineering for stunning resultant .
The laptop is all about cut - sharpness gaming execution , so allow ’s get into it . The ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D offers up singular QHD final result at Ultra options , attain above 90fps for both Cyberpunk 2077 and Returnal . What ’s more , with Cyberpunk 2077 ’s demanding RT : Ultra mode enabled ( for gamy - qualityray trace ) , it was still able to manage 75fps .
There ’s a powerful display to present all those glorious build on too . It ’s got a 1440p 240Hz IPS panel that is fast and offer up good colour accuracy . It may not have showy Mini LED technology but it hits all the veracious notes for gamers , with a 3ms reaction time included too .
This gadget also features a MUX switch , making trusted your mainframe does n’t get in the way of naked GPU performance . The keyboard is up to the ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D ’s eminent standards too , providing solid travel and feedback .
Test Data
Full Specs
The SSD ( hearty state drive ) is basically the component that see how much storehouse your laptop has . A 512 GB SSD is the average these days , with anything less making storage quad feel cramped if you download a mountain of music , photos and video .
A 2 - in-1 laptop is a gadget that has a flexible flexible joint , allowing it to be folded up into a tablet form . These laptop computer often have stylus accompaniment too , get them good options for doodlers and creatives .
RAM ( Random Access Memory ) is computer retentivity that assist the processor extend a smooth carrying into action . 8 GB seems to be the default for laptops these sidereal day , with anything less potentially seeing noticeable slowdowns for your computer when do multiple task .
