The best laptops you can buy: Expert tested
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Undoubtedly, 2024 has been a groundbreaking year for the laptop industry. Between advances in processor technology, the development of new materials, and AI powering it all, the market has shifted. That's great news for consumers because it means thinner, lighter machines with record-breaking battery life and more customizability.
Also: The best laptops under $1,000 you can buy: Expert tested
We've gone hands-on with dozens of laptops this year, breaking down the pros and cons of all the best laptops so you don't have to. The best machine for you depends on what you want to use it for, and to that end, we've narrowed down six machines that rank at the top of some of the most common use cases. We're confident what you're looking for aligns with at least one of these categories.
What is the best laptop right now?
Our pick for the overall best laptop in 2024 is the M4 MacBook Pro. It's hard to beat the laptop's long-lasting battery, generation-defining AI features, top-tier performance, and vibrant display. This laptop checks off all the boxes and looks as good as it performs. As great as it may be, the M4 MacBook Pro isn't for everyone. There are other options available that are worth highlighting.
The best laptops of 2024
Taking the top spot as the best laptop of 2024 is Apple's M4 MacBook Pro. This may surprise some people, as we're sure a few were expecting the M4 Pro or M4 Max version, but there is a good reason why we went with the base model. It perfectly balances the lines between power and affordability.
The M4 is the latest chipset in Apple's silicon line. It consists of a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. Kerry Wan, the Senior Reviews Editor at ZDNET, said the base configuration can arguably meet the needs "for 90% of users" and says "most people will be delighted by the... overall computing experience". Whether it's for photo editing, video work, or some light gaming, the M4 handles everything smoothly, even performing the old M1 Pro chip.
Review: MacBook Pro (M4)
Artificial intelligence also plays a big role in the M4 ecosystem. It enables the new ChatGPT-powered Siri to exist on the smartphone, allowing the AI assistant to handle complex queries. Writing Tools is another notable feature that can craft messages across various tones. And Image Playground creates AI-generated artwork -- perfect for professionals juggling multiple jobs.
Of course, if money is not an issue, you can purchase the MacBook Pro housing the M4 Pro or M4 Max chipset. These two provide an even better user experience, although be prepared to pay a lot more.
MacBook Pro M4 features: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: Liquid Retina XDR | Resolution: 3024 x 1964 pixels | RAM: Up to 24GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | CPU: 10-core M4 | Battery life: Up to a purported 24 hours
With so many fantastic Windows laptops out there, it was hard to pick just one, but we had to give it to the XPS 16. It is such a good computer. We feel confident that it's good enough to become your primary device. Dell's machine has a stunning 4K resolution display surrounded by thin bezels. Having a thin frame is a slight touch, but it makes the screen seem significantly more prominent than it is.
Review: Dell XPS 16 (2024)
Under the hood, you're looking at an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series graphics card. Our review unit came with an RTX 4070 GPU. Combine these specs with its 32GB of RAM (64GB max), and you're looking at a laptop that can easily handle all demanding workloads, from gaming to video editing.
The XPS 16 also has a stylish design. The zero lattice keyboard and the function key touch panel give it a distinct look seen nowhere else. On the sides of the keys are the device's room-filling speakers. We want to warn you that the XPS 16 is rather heavy and doesn't have a wide array of ports, so you may need a docking station. Be sure to check out ZDNET's list of the best laptop docking stations for recommendations.
Dell XPS 16 features: Display size: 16.3 inches | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 4TB SSD | Battery life: 12 hours
Dell's Alienware m18 R2 is a top-tier gaming laptop that runs upwards of $3,000, but it's well worth the cost. This is a beastly, high-powered laptop that is designed for one thing: immersive gaming. As the refresh of last year's m18 r1 model, the R2 is a powerful, top-of-the-line gamer's paradise stacked with a 14th-generation HX Intel 24-core 5.8 GHz max boost processor, high-end graphics capabilities, a sophisticated cooling system, and more ports than you'll know what to do with.
Review: Dell Alienware m18 R2
Despite its colossal size, the m18 R2 is very comfortable to use. The touchpad is minimalistic and responsive, and the luxe Cherry MX mechanical keyboard feels exactly as satisfying as you'd expect. Each key gets the proper tactile "click" that feels the same no matter where on the key you press.
Dell's Alienware m18 R2 is among the best gaming laptops. This powerful machine has a distinct identity and can handle virtually any game you want, with vibrant graphics and blazing-fast processing speeds. Plus, it can get dressed for the office at the press of a button because doing so turns off the RGB lighting.
Alienware m18 R2 tech specs: Display size: 18 inches | Display type: QHD | Resolution: 2560 x 1600 | CPU: 14th Gen Intel Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, 16GB | RAM: 16GB-64GB | Storage: 1TB-8TB SSD | Battery life: 10 hours
We're calling the Acer Aspire Go 15 the best laptop under $500, but it's actually well under that price. For just $300, this is a capable laptop at a price you can't argue with. Not everyone needs a powerful laptop decked out in high-end hardware, especially if you're looking for a secondary computer. And for a portable notebook that is built to cover the basics, it doesn't get much more affordable than this.
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is offered at such a low cost because it has just 8GB of RAM and 125GB SSD. This means it's not a device you want to dump all your photos and videos on. Instead, you can use it as a capable machine for work or staying connected while traveling.
Review: Acer Aspire Go 15
The 15-inch screen gives enough room for working with spreadsheets and productivity software, where the full keyboard features a number pad on the right side. Add in a webcam, a good selection of ports, and a Kensington lock slot, and this laptop has your bases covered.
Acer Aspire Go tech specs: Display size: 15 inches | Display type: LCD | Resolution: 1080p | CPU: Intel Core i3-N305 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 125GB SSD | Battery life: Up to 11 hours
LG's Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 stands out among a sea of similar laptops by being one of the most lightweight options out there. It weighs just 3.04 pounds and sits at about 0.51 inches thick when closed. Its thin nano-magnesium alloy body makes the device sturdy while also looking pretty cool with its sleek matte black finish. The crisp, tactical keyboard and response trackpad complement its minimalist aesthetic.
Review: LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1
At the heart of the Gram Pro 16 is an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, up to 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. This hardware configuration allows the laptop to handle multitasking and heavy browsing with ease easily. Above the keyboard is a stunning 16-inch IKED display with a 120Hz refresh rate as well as a maximum brightness of 400 nits. It delivers vivid visuals with full RGB P3 color gamut coverage which makes the model ideal for content creators. In fact, the Gram Pro 16 excels at both photo and video editing. However, as a result of the hardware, the LG Gram Pro 16 can run rather warm.
Other notable features include an eight-hour battery life and a tent mode for media consumption.
LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 features: Display size: 16 inches | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 2880 x 1800 VRR OLED Touchscreen | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB SSD | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | GPU: Intel Arc | Battery life: 8 hours of video playback | Weight: 3.04 lbs
When I first heard of this laptop, I didn't pay much attention to it. But the second I went hands-on, I realized I had massively underestimated the Asus Vivobook Pro 15. This is a fantastic laptop with a brilliant OLED display, solid hardware, and a suite of features made with creators in mind, all for a very competitive price.
In fact, the price point is one of the main draws here, as it's not hard to find laptops targeted at creators for double the price, but the Vivobook Pro 15 offers quite a lot of bang for your buck. Armed with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU and Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, it's well-suited for multitasking and easily running graphics-intensive programs.
Review: Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (2024)
The OLED screen is supported by an array of image-enhancing software, the most notable of which is the Pantone validation, which allows the display to accurately represent colors with the utmost accuracy to true life, a rather rare feature on laptops.
The trackpad also has an ingenious feature called the DialPad, which acts as a quick menu for toolkits found in creative software. Through its control app, you can connect it to Photoshop and then tie it to different brushes, tools, layer navigation, or other commonly used features with convenient one-click gestures.
Asus Vivobook Pro 15 (2024) features: Display size: 15 inches | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery life: 6 hours
Lenovo's sixth-generation ThinkPad T14s is an excellent choice for professionals seeking a fast laptop that can easily tackle intensive productivity tasks. It performs well thanks to the recently released AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 processor. Alongside it is the integrated AMD Radeon 880M graphics card as well as 32GB of RAM. Hardware like this delivers exceptional multitasking capabilities.
Benchmark results present in our review highlight its power, scoring over 9,300 points in PCMark 10's Essential Productivity tests. This indicates apps open quickly on the ThinkPad T14s. Cinebench results show image rendering is remarkably fast, further demonstrating the efficiency of the Ryzen AI processor. If that wasn't enough, the inclusion of a neural processing unit (or NPU) boosts the computer even further as the component offloads workloads from the processor.
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6
Beyond its hardware, the T14s Gen 6 sports a lightweight design, typical of other models in its line, and a solid 12-hour battery life. What's really neat is the battery also charges quickly, reaching 70% in about an hour.
Other notable features include a 5MP webcam for clear video calls in 1440p, Thunderbolt 4 ports for quick file transferring, and support for Dolby Atmos, enabling immersive sound.
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 features: Display size: 14 inches | Display type: WUXGA | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: up to 1TB SSD | Battery life: 12 hours
Chromebooks have been blowing up this year, with a handful of newer models in Google's Chromebook Plus line, bringing beefier hardware and cool new features to consumers as a third option. Once relegated to tablets and devices with very limited use, Chromebooks can now act as full-fledged main drivers, bringing their own set of features to the table spearheaded by AI.
One of the latest Chromebooks released this year is Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Plus, an ultra-thin and light device with a brilliant OLED display and a handful of AI-powered features. The new Quick Insert key on the Galaxy Chromebook brings a mobile control panel to help with multitasking, while the Help Me Read feature scans and summarizes websites, articles, and text files. Even better, these functions are built into the device at the OS level.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
The Galaxy Chromebook Plus looks great with its bright, vivid display. It is well-rounded enough for various use cases -- even cloud gaming -- which only a few years ago was not something you'd think about doing on a Chromebook. The best part about all of this is that the device is affordable, at $699, which is a competitive price for a portable workstation, gaming machine, or main driver.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus features: Display size: 15.6 inches | Display type: AMOLED | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | CPU: Intel Core 3 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB eUFS | Battery life: 12 hours
What is the best laptop?
ZDNET's top pick for the best laptop is Apple's MacBook M3 Max, which features a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, great performance, and promises 22 hours of battery life. This chart breaks down how the laptop stacks up with the top features on other devices, from price to CPU/GPU, screen size, and display resolution.
| Best laptop | Starting price | Processor/GPU | RAM/Storage |
| MacBook Pro (M4) | $1,499 | M4 | Up to 24GB, up to 1TB |
| Dell XPS 16 | $1,499 | Intel Core Ultra 7, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | Up to 64GB, up to 4TB |
| Alienware m18 R2 | $2,399 | 14th Gen Intel Core i7-14700HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | Up to 32GB, up to 2TB SSD |
| Acer Aspire Go 15 | $259 | Intel Core i3-N305, Intel UHD | 8GB, 128GB |
| LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 | $1,799 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Intel Arc | Up to 32GB, up to 2TB |
| Asus Vivobook Pro 15 | $849 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 | 16GB, 1TB |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 | $1,393 | AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 Processor, AMD Radeon 880M | Up to 32GB, up to 1TB |
| Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus | $699 | Intel Core 3 | 8GB, 256GB |
Which is the right laptop for you?
The main question when buying a laptop is: "What do you want to do with it?" Once you've established that, you can focus your research on finding the right machine for you.
For example, if you're on the move a lot, you'll want a good combination of flexibility, sturdiness, connectivity, security, and a long battery life. However, you should opt for a laptop with powerful hardware if you're a largely deskbound graphic designer or content creator. Devices with top-tier processors and graphics cards tend to be heavier than most.
Here's a well-researched (and tested) list of our favorite laptops for a wide array of use cases.
| Buy this best laptop... | If you need... |
| MacBook Pro (M4) | A powerful, well-rounded laptop for the office and home. The MacBook Pro with the M4 chip brings performance for nearly everything from simple spreadsheets and video calls to video editing. |
| Dell XPS 16 | A Windows-based laptop with seriously powerful hardware and lots of different options for customizing it to your needs. |
| Alienware m18 R2 | A top-of-the-line gaming laptop that comes stacked with powerful hardware. |
| Acer Aspire Go 15 | A seriously inexpensive laptop that has all the basics for everyday use. |
| LG Gram Pro 16 2-in-1 | An extremely lightweight laptop with a brilliant OLED screen. |
| Asus Vivobook Pro 15 | A laptop designed specifically for content creators with a brilliant OLED display and solid hardware that doesn't break the bank. |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 | An ultraportable laptop for work. It houses the latest AI-powered AMD processor and a fast charging battery. |
| Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus | An affordable, lightweight Chromebook with a gorgeous display |
How we test laptops
We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system's metrics under the hood and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop (usually a week or two) using it the same way a normal consumer would, to assess its portability, form factor, and how well the battery actually holds up. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive laptop testing methodology.
- Benchmarking: First, we run a series of tests to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what it's capable of. Cinebench is one of the most commonly used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores. PCMark 10 is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace, and there are many others that we use in tandem to gather as much data as we can. Some components we run tests on include:
- Processor: The "brain" of the laptop and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers that make most of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple (in Apple machines only). This is tested in benchmarking software.
- The display: The size of the display (measured diagonally from corner to corner) is also what dictates the laptop's overall size, and plays a big role in the laptop's cost. Brightness is measured in "nits," and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.
- The graphics processor (GPU): Whether it's integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback.
- Physical form factor: Finally, the laptop's overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.
- Battery testing: We test a unit's battery in a few ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also will just let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. We ensure screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off, set the display's brightness and audio at 50%, load up a livestream on YouTube in Chrome, and wait 'til the end.
- The human element: As we mentioned earlier, metrics and system data is important, but numbers alone don't give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about.
Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that real people find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team's decades of experience.
What are some factors to consider when choosing the best laptops?
Multiple factors influence the choice of laptops for this list. We look for machines with great designs, performance, and effective storage and RAM. We also considered the different purposes for which you may need or use your laptop and the overall value (including the price point) that the laptop promises.
- Design: Whether your laptop is your ultimate workstation or source of entertainment, its design, display, and portability determine how you interact with the unit.
- Performance: For many, laptops are essential for workflow and communication. The best laptops promise efficient speed and performance, powered by the greatest and latest chipsets (like the Apple M3 Max).
- Storage and RAM: It's likely you'll use a laptop to store key documents or memories, and the best models have plenty of room for you to do so.
- Purpose: We strive to answer the question, "What laptop should I get if ___" as we know you have different workflow and entertainment needs and preferences, from graphic design to gaming.
- Value: The best laptop can be a pricey investment, so we considered qualities that assure you'll get your money's worth.
FAQs on laptops
Why should you buy a laptop, and not a desktop or a tablet?
While the desktop form factor, especially in the form of all-in-one (AIO) devices, still exists, laptops come in various sizes and cover many use cases. They range from thin, light, and ultraportable to bulky, powerful, and deskbound. Because of how good laptops are nowadays, most people opt for sticking with a laptop to serve as their main computer. If a small laptop screen is an issue, an external monitor can be connected.
Which operating system should you choose: Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, or Linux?
While every computing platform has its loyal supporters, most people end up using a particular operating system because of key applications running on it, employer preferences, or budgetary constraints. Windows, which ranges from budget to premium, and Apple's MacOS, which is exclusive to premium devices, cover a broad spectrum. ChromeOS is mostly limited to mid-range devices.
Also: The best lightweight laptops you can buy: Expert tested
All Windows devices listed here meet the requirements for Windows 11. If you purchase a device with Windows 10 installed, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 11 if you choose to do so. Note that after October 14, 2025, Windows 10 support will end, and there will be no further security patches or feature updates.
What brand of laptop is best?
In general, the leading PC vendors have the most extensive range of offerings and the best-documented track records for product development and customer relations. Therefore, if you do not have a specialized use case or budgetary constraints, you will typically consider vendors such as Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, or Asus. These vendors currently lead the PC market in terms of shipments, along with several other well-known brands.
What are the best laptops for gaming?
The good news is that you don't need to have the biggest, best, newest components to get a decent gaming laptop. To play most triple-A and indie titles, we recommend a rig with at least 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 120Hz refresh rate for the display, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card.
Also: Best gaming laptops you can buy right now
And if you want to try your hand at content creation, something like the Corsair Voyager a1600 is a sure bet. You might also want to consider equipping with accessories. An Elgato Steam Deck integration, for example, can offer streamlined workflows when editing videos, livestreaming, and even setting up video calls with channel moderators or collaborators.
What are the best laptops for students?
It really depends on the student, but there are some common factors to consider when shopping for a laptop for school. You'll want something small and lightweight for easier commutes to and from school, as well as in between classes.
Also: The best laptops for college students
You'll also want something with at least an 8-hour battery life to get through a typical school day without needing to plug in (which is excellent for younger kids who may be forgetful and leave their charging cable at home). Also look for a laptop with at least 4GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and cloud-storage backup to create duplicate copies of important files and classwork. You'll also want to avoid laptops with dedicated graphics cards aimed toward gaming to help cut down misuse and procrastination
What are the best laptops for business?
Whether you're looking for a single laptop for yourself or a fleet for your business, the best laptops for work not only offer great performance but also multiple connectivity options and durable builds.
You'll want to look for a model that has at least 8GB of RAM, a 512GB storage drive, a quad-core CPU, and a display that is large enough to work on without being too bulky to travel with. You'll also want a model with, at least, 8 hours of battery life to get through a typical shift without needing to plug in.
What are the best laptops for video editing?
We strongly recommend getting a MacBook Pro (M3 Max) and purchasing Final Cut Pro, an editing software exclusive to the Mac ecosystem. There's also the option of buying the 16-inch MacBook Pro from early 2023. It sports an M2 Max chip and offers great performance for content creators. The machine can handle 4TB of footage with ease.
Review: Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Max, 2023): A content creator's dream machine
Therefore, Apple MacBook Pros are a popular choice as are any laptops with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and high-resolution displays such as the Dell XPS 13 and 15.
Other laptops we've tested
ZDNET writer Taylor Clemons also contributed to this list.