Apple Wins Big in CNET’s People’s Picks Awards for Its MacBooks

Of all of the laptop brands to choose from, CNET readers say Apple’s signature MacBooks really live up to the hype. We recently surveyed CNET readers as part of our People’s Picks awards to find out what they think about their laptop and the brand behind it to help you make a more sound choice on the laptop you may be considering over the holidays. We listed several well-known names, including Dell, Lenovo — and Apple. We asked about everything that matters most on a daily basis, like battery life, durability and even its performance for handling tasks like gaming and graphics. Out of 10 categories, Apple swept up eight of the awards and claimed the overall winner for CNET’s People’s Picks award. Here’s what readers say Apple gets right when it comes to its laptops, what the experts think about Apple’s landslide win and other brands worth considering. CNET’s Overall People’s Pick for Laptops Winner: Apple Apple / CNET Apple wins the overall award in CNET’s People’s Picks, and also takes home the overall satisfaction rating, with 74.2% of Apple users saying they’re extremely satisfied with their laptop. In comparison, 22.5% say they’re satisfied — bringing Apple to a near-perfect overall satisfaction score of 96.7%. Apple’s overall impression also speaks to other awards it wins from CNET readers, including high ratings for its impressive battery life, display quality and high-quality build. All of those categories and more sum up Apple’s brand loyalty nod, with 68% of MacBook owners saying they would buy the same laptop and model from Apple again. Premium laptop How much are people paying for MacBooks? CNET found that 43.5% of Apple users paid at least $1,500. Until earlier in 2026, the MacBook Air was Apple’s entry-level laptop, priced at least $1,299. The introduction of the budget-friendly MacBook Neo brought that down to a more reasonable $699. However, despite Apple’s laptops being more expensive than those from other brands, they still ranked high for their value proposition. Part of the reason for that is that MacBooks received high marks for hardware reliability. “Apple’s MacBooks might cost more than the average laptop, but their premium build quality means they’re built for the long haul,” said Matt Elliott, CNET’s laptop editor. If you plan to have your laptop for a while, you may be impressed by other features that make work easier and faster, like its M-series central processing unit for task management and AI capabilities, great battery life and a one-of-a-kind operating system — currently MacOS 27. All of the features and specifications bundled together make Apple’s perception as a high-end laptop worth the investment for long-term satisfaction. Cost for value Apple clinches a near-perfect score for its value perception. According to our survey results, 44% of Apple users said their MacBook has exceptional value. Others say their MacBook is worth what they paid for it (50.9%) — for a total positive score of 94.6%. Digging deeper into Apple’s cost-to-value rating, 81.8% of Apple owners paid at least $1,000 for their laptops, which may seem costly, but Apple users seem OK with the price. That could be because, even though Apple has only three laptop models in a handful of sizes in its lineup, each one delivers solid performance and storage. Take Apple’s proprietary processing chips, for example — each upgrade since the M1 release has improved the laptop’s speed, battery life and performance. Now the M6 can handle the MacBook’s AI capabilities, storage and high-resolution graphics. And for all of that power, most MacBooks are relatively thin and lightweight, making them easier for mobility — just a few of the reasons Apple users may be OK with paying more for what they’re getting. Long battery life Battery life is a big deal for many laptop buyers, and that’s another area where Apple delivers. Over a quarter of those surveyed (25.7%) said their MacBook’s battery life exceeds 10 hours — which is more than enough for a full day of work in most cases. And 18.7% say their MacBook’s battery lasts between 8 and 10 hours — totaling 44.4% of MacBook users saying their battery lasts 8 hours or more. Comparatively, non-Apple laptop brands fall short in this category. Only 16.4% of Lenovo users say their laptop’s battery lasts at least 8 hours, and even fewer for Dell (12.7%) and HP (11.8%). If you’re leaning toward a MacBook for its battery life, CNET’s lab test shows that the MacBook Neo lasts 13 hours and 26 minutes for online streaming, whereas the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 (2026 model) lasts 17 hours and 2 minutes. Apple sweeps the brightness, color accuracy and clarity category with 99.2% of its users either satisfied or extremely satisfied with their laptop’s screen performance. No Apple users reported dissatisfaction. “Apple has long been a favorite for creative professionals and content creators for good reason: Its MacBook displays are some of the best you’ll find on any laptop,” said Josh Goldman, CNET’s managing editor for computers. “While Apple may use marketing names like Retina and Liquid Retina to describe display features, they do translate into sharp and clear text and images, with excellent brightness, contrast, color gamut coverage and color accuracy.” The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR even goes beyond what MacBook users have come to expect. It’s Apple’s first OLED touchscreen laptop and features next-level brightness, color and contrast. High-grade design Apple receives high ratings: 80% of MacBook owners say it has premium build quality, 18.2% say it’s solid, and those results don’t surprise us. And MacBooks seem durable and reliable, with 87% of Apple users reporting no hardware failures on their MacBooks, while 8% say minor software fixes resolved their issues. Only 3% needed minor hardware repairs, and 2.2% needed major repairs — which could be fixes such as a battery or screen replacement. Our editors say the M5 MacBook Air is thin and lightweight, but still has a well-built aluminum design. And the M5 Pro MacBook Pro is sturdy, too. What sets Apple’s laptop hardware apart could be its aluminum chassis — the casing that holds all of the components together. “Apple makes three lines of MacBooks — the Neo, Air and Pro — and focuses on making those the best they can possibly be. They are all built to deliver a premium experience using high-quality materials, and that even includes the entry-level MacBook Neo,” said Goldman. Lastly, Apple uses durable materials, such as the 100% recycled aluminum alloy it says encloses the 14-inch MacBook Pro. And the tech giant has several testing facilities to test MacBook durability. Efficiency and productivity When it comes to getting your daily tasks done, most CNET readers with MacBooks (70.9%) say Apple’s laptops handle workloads flawlessly. It’s worth noting that 45% use their MacBook for work tasks, but no Apple users reported poor performance. Here’s why that might be: Apple’s laptops are packed with top-notch performance specs and features, like their powerful processors, unified memory and fast storage. Better processor performance means enhanced graphics, on-device AI capabilities and faster task speeds, all of which add up to being able to finish work, play games or stream videos without issues or lags caused by your laptop’s hardware. On the software side, MacOS 27 Golden Gate gives you built-in AI features, like Siri AI and Visual Intelligence. And you can organize your Safari tabs by topic and use the Notify Me tool to be notified of website changes, like price drops or breaking news. Plus, you can create shortcuts to automate tasks. Coupling all of these features and specifications explains why Apple users rate MacBooks so highly for getting the job done. The top chosen brand Apple leads the way on brand retention with 68% of Apple users planning to buy the same MacBook model again, while 29.1% would buy another model from Apple’s lineup. Only 3% would switch to another brand that’s not Apple. Usually, when you buy one Apple product, you’re likely to stick to the brand’s ecosystem, especially since Apple has its own operating systems to access its unique features and work seamlessly with other Apple products with Apple’s Continuity feature. For example, you can start an email on your iPhone, but finish typing it on your MacBook. Or you can call or send a text from your laptop without reaching for your iPhone. Other features work across Apple devices, including iCloud, Universal Clipboard and AirDrop. Asus Asus / CNET Midrange-priced laptop Asus wins as a midtier laptop choice with 67% of Asus owners paying between $500 and $1,499. There’s a sweet spot in this range with 38% spending between $500 and $999, and 28% paying between $1,000 and $1,499. If you’re planning to spend that amount on a new laptop, you may also be pleased to know that Asus earns a higher satisfaction rating compared with other non-Apple laptop brands — 48% of Asus users say they’re extremely satisfied. Asus laptops have a few features and specifications that may speak to that rating, regardless of budget. For example, the Zenbook A14 has a thin, lightweight design that’s rigid, with long battery life and an OLED display with strong contrast and color performance. This Copilot Plus PC sells for $1,600 (but retailers like Best Buy regularly have it on sale for less). Comparatively, these premium features from other brands could cost more or sacrifice important must-have features for the price. Asus has other laptops worth exploring depending on your needs, like the budget-friendly Asus ZenBook S 14 or the premium Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 that could be good for gamers and creators. Acer Acer / CNET Budget-friendly laptop Over one-third of Acer laptop owners (38%) paid less than $500 for their laptop — which is greater than other laptop brands in this price range. Yet, 44% of Acer users say their laptop has exceptional value, while 50% say the value is fair — bringing a total positive cost-to-value score of over 94%. Acer also has an overall satisfaction score of 92.6% — the highest of non-Apple laptop brands. If you’re impressed by Acer’s value and satisfaction scores, there are a few budget-friendly Acer options to consider. The Acer Aspire 16 AI wins CNET’s Editors’ Choice award. It has a big 16-inch screen but is still lightweight (3.5 pounds). And it has good battery life (over 21 hours on CNET’s battery drain test). There are a few other pluses, like the 1440p web camera that may be good for video conferencing and a sizable touchpad. All of those features and more add up to $700, which could make it a good computer for work or casual browsing. If you’re looking to spend slightly less, its predecessor, the Aspire 14 AI, is originally $639, but you may be able to score deals on both models during holiday sales. These laptop brands are still worth considering Even though Apple is highly recommended by CNET readers, there are plenty of other laptop models and brands worth considering depending on your needs. Here are a few non-Apple laptop brands that are runner-ups to CNET’s People’s Picks winners that you shouldn’t count out of your laptop search. Lenovo Battery life Lenovo is best known for packing a powerful laptop into a compact design with tablet functionality, like its Yoga line, and its durable ThinkPad business models. But CNET readers with Lenovo laptops say the brand’s battery life stands out most compared with other non-MacBook laptops. Survey findings show that 16% of Lenovo owners say their laptops can run for 8 hours or more. And 10.5% say their laptop battery lasts between 8 and 10 hours, while 6% say their Lenovo laptops can withstand at least 10 hours before needing a charge. That’s more than what readers say about other non-Apple brands. The Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition lasts 25 hours and 45 minutes — making it one of the best laptop batteries CNET experts have tested. Goldman said Lenovo has such a large and varied PC selection using the latest chips from Intel, AMD, Qualcomm and Nvidia that there is something for everyone and every budget. Even those who spend less on a Lenovo laptop can expect solid performance, including battery life. High-grade design If your laptop’s hardware fails or it breaks, you may be in the market for a new laptop sooner than expected. Think about cooling fan problems, overheating or your laptop not powering on at all. Over half (68%) of Lenovo laptop owners said they haven’t had any hardware issues with their laptops — the most compared to other non-MacBooks. Beyond hardware durability, Lenovo also scores highly for its build and construction — overall making it a sturdy laptop choice. In our survey, 38% of Lenovo laptop owners say their laptop has a premium feel, while 51% say it’s solid — totaling a positive score of 89%. If you’re looking for recommendations, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Gen 11 has an all-metal design. And the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 is a business laptop with Lenovo’s well-known X1 Carbon exterior and new Space Frame design, which Elliott says makes it easier to repair or replace parts if needed. The top chosen brand Many Lenovo laptop users are loyal to the brand, which speaks to the overall positive satisfaction rating of 83%. If Lenovo owners were in the market for a new laptop, nearly three in four (73.2%) say they would buy another Lenovo laptop. Breaking down the percentage, 33.6% say they would buy the same model again. Meanwhile, 39.6% would buy a different model but stick to Lenovo. Here’s why that might be. Lenovo offers a plethora of options to choose from based on your needs — while still evolving its laptops. For instance, the Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 has an open M.2 slot for a second storage drive and an OLED screen for crisp, colorful images — making it perfect for gaming. Its Yoga two-in-ones let you seamlessly switch between a tablet and traditional laptop, while Lenovo’s ThinkPad and ThinkBook business laptops offer everything from ultralight 2-pound bodies to expanding rollable screens. And its new designs don’t sacrifice the must-have needs like long battery life, durability and chip efficiency that lend to strong performance. Asus Value for the investment Asus wins over nearly half of its laptop owners, with 47.5% giving it an exceptional value rating — exceeding expectations for its price. Take our Editors’ Choice pick, the Asus Zenbook A14. It’s super thin and lightweight, but it’s still sturdy thanks to its Ceralumnium body. Plus, it has supreme 24-hour battery life, 1TB of storage and an OLED display — all for $1,200. While that’s more expensive than some laptops, it’s what’s included in that price that makes it worthwhile compared with other non-Apple laptop brands. Efficiency and productivity Asus is the top non-Apple laptop option to consider for tasks, with 47.7% of CNET readers giving it high ratings. That’s followed by 40.4% of Asus laptop owners who say it has very good task performance. When it comes to tasks, 37% primarily use their Asus laptops for work, while 5% use theirs for gaming. Asus is well known for having lightweight laptops with all-day-and-night battery life and stunning display quality. Asus laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 have a good port selection, which could be good for gaming, work or simply connecting different devices without the need for additional adapters. And the Asus Zenbook S 14 has a strong neural processing unit that contributes to its high-speed AI performance. Display quality Asus scores highest for its screen brightness and clarity, with over half (51%) extremely satisfied with its screen quality and brightness, while 38.6% say they’re satisfied, giving Asus an overall satisfaction rate of 90%. One common thread we noticed in Asus laptops is their OLED screens, which deliver high-resolution video and graphics. Asus laptops also combine stunning display quality with excellent performance and at surprisingly low prices for all of their features. For example, the Asus Zenbook 14 isn’t the highest-quality OLED we’ve seen, but it still produces clear text and graphics on a 14-inch screen, along with exceptional black levels, Elliott said. That’s still better than LCDs that many other non-MacBooks have, and could be the reason Asus owners rate it so highly in this category. Dell Premium laptop Dell wins our readers over as a top choice for high-end laptops. One-third (33.3%) of Dell owners spent over $1,500, and of that percentage, 15.2% spent over $2,000. Dell’s premium laptops largely cater to business and gaming with their standout features and performance. The Alienware 16X Aurora is Dell’s midrange gaming laptop with user-replaceable RAM, a bright display and strong performance for $2,280. But if you want more gaming features, Dell has the Alienware 16 Area-51, which has even better gaming performance, upgradable RAM and three SSD slots for $2,530. And if you’re looking for a non-Mac alternative that comes close to MacBook quality and performance, the higher-end Dell XPS 14 is the one to choose. It has the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H CPU, Intel Arc B390 graphics and 1TB of storage for $1,950. Methodology CNET commissioned Alchemer to conduct the People’s Picks survey to compile data. The survey was carried out online, and all figures are from Alchemer. The total sample comprised 1,003 adults. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18 plus). Fieldwork was undertaken from Sept. 1 to Oct. 10, 2026.