The 6 Best Laptops You Can Buy

ProsSleek, portable, and powerfulFantastic battery lifeSurprisingly powerful speaker systemConsThe standard M5 processor is only available in 14-inch form factorNew model coming soonApple’s current MacBook Pro is a bit of a lame duck, with a new and improved version coming out very soon with upgraded M6 silicon, but the current M5 model is still my favorite laptop, pound for pound. The M5 MacBook Pro offers an unbeatable mix of timelessly elegant design, top-tier craftsmanship, outstanding performance, and long battery life in a compact package.On the performance front, the entry-level MacBook Pro handled everything we threw at it—from toggling between multiple apps to running blockbuster games like Cyberpunk 2077. Best of all, unlike PC rivals with similar hardware capabilities, the notebook can deliver a full day of mixed use on a single charge.The M5 MacBook Pro is only available with a 14.2-inch display. Much more powerful variants with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are available in two screen sizes—14.2- and 16.2-inch. With more CPU and GPU cores and significantly higher memory bandwidth, the M5 Pro and Max can handle heavy workflows—from AI-related tasks to high-resolution video editing projects—anytime, anywhere.True to its “Pro” moniker, even the base MacBook Pro is powerful, made for users who need more than basic compute power for creative projects like image or video editing, audio production, or local AI workflows. If you’re using your Mac for email, Google Docs, and web browsing, you may be better off with a MacBook Air or even my budget pick, the MacBook Neo.Key SpecsProcessorApple M5 with 10-core CPU, 10-core GPUDisplay14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR displayMemoryUp to 32 GB of RAMStorageUp to 2TB SSDConnectivityWiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, SD card slotProsPhenomenal valueGreat performance for the moneyLooks and feels like a more expensive laptopAvailable in eye-catching colorsConsEntry-level model lacks Touch IDMApple genuinely shook up the entire computing world when it launched the Macbook Neo, a budget-tier Mac built around an iPhone processor that starts at less than $700. Up to this point, the cheapest new Mac was traditionally the Macbook Air, which cost just over a $1,000, which forced Mac users to spend a pretty penny to gain access to their preferred operating system, even if they didn’t need the power it offered.You’d think that a “budget” Mac would somehow feel less than to justify the higher spend for an Air, but the truth is that the Neo is realistically more than enough machine for folks who just need the basic. Compared to similarly priced Windows machines, the Neo offers stellar all-around performance and great battery life, making it kind of a no-brainer for a lot of folks. It’s a bit thicker than an Air, but makes up for it on the style front with a small array of iMac-esque colorways.Make no mistake, this is not a powerhouse, though: the Neo runs on the A18 Pro chip, which is not the newest mobile processor, and only features 8GB of RAM in the base configuration, which is enough for browsing and email, but will likely slow down and struggle with anything complex. While it drives the price up a bit, I would urge most folks to go with the slightly pricier 512GB version, which also adds a TouchID fingerprint sensor. Even with the base model, though, the Neo is cooler, and a better buy than just about any other machine under $1,000 you’ll find on this side of a Black Friday sale.Review: Apple MacBook NeoKey SpecsChipApple A18 ProDisplay13-inch Liquid Retina DisplayMemory8 GBStorageUp to 512GB SSDConnectivityWi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6, two USB-C portsAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsBeautiful designGreat performance and battery lifeClean Windows experience with minimal bloatwareConsCould use a faster bundled chargerThe Microsoft Surface Laptop is a formidable PC alternative to our top Apple pick, pairing beautiful design and craftsmanship with top-tier Qualcomm silicon that delivers stellar performance at a similar price. Weighing either just under or slightly over three pounds, depending on the screen size, this metal-clad notebook is impressively light and slim, given its hardware specs and performance.Hardware-wise, the Microsoft Surface Laptop impresses with a sharp PixelSense touchscreen, the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus or X2 Elite chip, plenty of memory, and a comprehensive set of futureproof wired and wireless connectivity features. In my experience, both the entry-level and top-spec versions delivered excellent all-around performance and long battery life.The Microsoft Surface Laptop comes in three screen sizes—13-, 13.8-, and 15-inch — unlike the MacBook Air or Pro and any PC laptop rival. The 13-inch version with a six-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 chip is the most affordable. Upping your budget for a 13.8- or 15-inch model, alongside a more powerful chip, will get you a sharper and brighter display panel with a higher refresh rate and Dolby Vision HDR support.The recently launched Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra with the brand-new Nvidia RTX Spark chip is the PC laptop to get if you are a PC power user with a big upgrade budget. The notebook’s first-of-its-kind silicon makes it great for demanding workflows—from AI-related tasks to AAA gameplay.Key SpecsChipQualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus/EliteDisplay13.8- or 15-inch PixelSense TouchscreenMemoryup to 16 GBStorageup to 1TB SSDConnectivityWi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, two USB-C ports, USB-A portProsExcellent hardware specs and performanceA ton of onboard connectivity featuresCustomizable keyboard lighting and built-in lightstripConsEntry-level version could use a brighter displayThe Asus ROG Strix G16 is an upgrade-worthy gaming laptop for players looking to balance serious gaming specs with portability. With gaming laptops, there’s often a fine line between making an underpowered machine that lacks the specs to keep up with even a budget-tier desktop, and a huge “desktop replacement” that’s too heavy to carry on a daily basis. The Strix G16 walks that line well, delivering strong performance while keeping things relatively light.Gaming laptops generally run heavier than performance machines, so while six pounds may sound like a lot, it's not that bad when you factor in the power at your disposal. The configuration we tested, with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, and 32 GB of RAM, will handle new games on high or ultra settings with ease. They'll also look great on a 2.5K G-Sync display that maxes out at 240Hz, ensuring smooth, lifelike gameplay.Depending on your budget, you can scale this laptop's hardware up or down to meet your needs. If you can live with slightly less performance, there's a more budget-friendly sub-$1,500 version with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU. On the other end, this monstrously powerful config costs nearly $4,000, but your games will look absolutely incredible.Key SpecsChipIntel Core Ultra 9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphicsDIsplay16-inch 2.5K IPS display, 240-Hertz refresh rate, Dolby VisionMemoryup to 32 GBStorageup to 1 TB SSDConnectivityWiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, two USB-C ports, three USB-A ports, HDMI, EthernetAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSleek and lightweightOLED touchscreen displayDeep Google Gemini AI integrationConsOnly one color optionChromebooks are historically known for being a cheap, basic notebook option, which have been widely adopted for young students who need a school-only machine. But with tech prices going the way they’ve been going and Google releasing a new, more powerful class of AI-focused Googlebooks starting at $899, that price advantage has largely evaporated. Given that, we’re only inclined to recommend high-performance Chromebooks, rather than the cheapest models.For $750, Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14 is a high-end Chromebook, but still feels fairly budget-friendly compared to the wider world of laptops. It features a MediaTek chip and 16 GB of RAM, which gives you pretty snappy responsiveness for basic email and web browsing, and across ChromeOS-friendly Android apps.The best part, I think, is its display: A sharp, 14-inch OLED touchscreen that makes streams look great. For work and school, it also has a surprisingly good high-resolution webcam and Dolby Atmos-capable speakers. And it can run up to 17 hours on a single charge, which should easily get it through a workday of mixed use.If you want a lightweight machine that looks and feels ready for hard work using Google’s vast suite of productivity apps and Gemini, this is a very reasonable option that can save you a few hundred bucks.Key SpecsChipMediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 processor, ARM Immortalis G925 graphicsDisplay14-inch Full HD+ OLED touchscreenMemory16 GBStorage256GB SSDConnectivityWiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, two USB-C ports, three USB-A portProsSleek and versatile designTop-tier performance for its size and form factorAvailable in multiple hardware configurationsConsSurface Keyboard and Pen cost extraThe Microsoft Surface Pro has been a stellar laptop-caliber tablet experience for a long time, and this year is no different. This Windows-powered slate is sleek, capable, and supremely versatile. Yes, you’ll need to buy a keyboard case to complete its transformation to full-blown laptop, but I think it’s absolutely worth it to do so.Getting the laptop option mentioned above requires spending more on a Surface Pro keyboard and Slim Pen 2 bundle, but the investment is well worth it. The essential accessories, along with the Pro’s adjustable viewing stand, are instrumental in giving it such commendable versatility.Equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Series silicon, the Microsoft Surface Pro balances abundant power, stellar multitasking, and long battery life. We prefer the higher-end version, which features a stunning OLED screen. Lower-priced iterations use an IPS panel, down to a 12-inch display panel in the starter model.Key SpecsChipQualcomm Snapdragon X2 SeriesDisplay13-inch PixelSense touchscreen with IPS or OLED panelMemory16 GBStorageUp to 1TB SSDConnectivityWiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, two USB-C ports, SurfaceConnect portStefan is an award-winning consumer technology editor with over a decade of experience in reviewing gadgets, particularly smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, desktop and laptop computers across multiple form factors and platforms, as well as accessories for them. He also covers televisions and audio equipment, including headphones, earbuds, wireless speakers, and soundbars. Since joining Hearst in 2015, Stefan has contributed to BestProducts, Popular Mechanics, and numerous other publications. Prior to his current role, he served as the US Editor for GSMArena.com.