By Rashmi Goel
A good laptop should be durable enough to handle your daily work, comfy enough to spend all day on, and power-efficient enough to make sure you don't run out of juice. With so many choices, it can be tough to find the best laptop for you. Cheap ultraportables are easy to find, and those with more disposable income can find a smorgasbord of great laptops from Apple, HP, Dell, and many others. With this handy guide, you'll know all the ins and outs of your prospective system before you buy it. Here are some tips on finding the right laptop for you, from how to choose a screen size to choosing between an SSD and HDD.
The review covers 150 laptops, ranging from low-end to high-end. This article will help you find a powerful workhorse, a gaming system, or a multimedia machine. Laptops that make the Best Laptop of 2022 list need to get at least 4 out of 5 stars on reviews and deliver on what shoppers want. Evaluations consider design and comfort, display quality, keyboard and touchpad, performance, battery life, and value. These laptops have been carefully tested to ensure they are the best.
Dell XPS 13
https://www.dell.com
Introducing the Dell XPS 13 OLED, which combines a high-performance laptop with the latest display technology. When these two are combined, a truly magical device is born - one that is capable of performing most tasks while delivering cinematic quality viewing. All the features we like about the other XPS models remain, including the fast performance, the striking design, and the excellent touchpad. For those watching movies at home or editing videos for work, the XPS 13 features an OLED screen that provides rich picture quality. During a battery test, the 3.5K display outlasted the 4K configuration and was capable of producing a wider array of colors. The XPS 13 is equipped with a 16GB RAM system and an Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor. Overall, the XPS 13 OLED provides a superior display upgrade to what was already our favorite laptop without many sacrifices.
Apple MacBook Air M1
https://www.apple.com
Thanks to its own silicon processors, Apple has completely redesigned its laptops, replacing the Intel chips that were previously used. Faster performance than the Air has ever seen, as well as exceptional battery life, are two benefits of this chip. It is not only the M1 chip that makes the MacBook Air a multitasking powerhouse, but it also allows me to perform well in Rise of the Tomb Raider with Rosetta 2 conversion. It appears that Apple's move to ARM-based processors will have huge benefits, including the ability to run iOS and iPadOS apps on your Mac. The webcam on the MacBook Air is clearer and more color-accurate than ever before thanks to signal to process. Even so, it is good to see the Magic Keyboard, a significant upgrade over the Butterfly-style keyboard seen on the previous MacBooks. In addition, you'll experience stronger sound than you would expect from a laptop this small, which supports Dolby Atmos audio for better-sounding movies and television. Aside from being the best laptop for many, if not most, Apple users, it is also one that should have the PC world on edge.
Asus Zenbook 13 (UX325) OLED
https://www.asus.com
The ZenBook 13 is a fantastic laptop, and the ZenBook 13 2021 model features some of the best mobile tech to be found in a modern notebook. The system offers a choice of AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors, or Intel 11th generation processors. The device also has a stunning 13.3-inch OLED display and one of the longest battery lives available. This laptop also comes with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage, which makes it ideal for work. The device is also extremely light and thin, as well as stylishly designed, making it very easy to carry around and use. The Dell XPS 13 is also quite reasonably priced when compared to its competitors. Asus ZenBook 13 has a few downsides, including the lack of a headphone jack. This may be because of the ultra-thin design, however. We also found that the integrated AMD Ryzen graphics were less impressive than those offered by Intel. This is nevertheless an excellent ultra-thin laptop that is well worth considering.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
https://www.microsoft.com
Professionals who work in the creative field will find the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio to be an excellent choice. This device can be transformed into a digital drawing board without compromising the standard laptop mode. Combined with excellent performance and long battery life, the Surface Laptop Studio is an excellent option for creative professionals. Incorporating a fantastic keyboard and touchpad, along with powerful speakers, and a 1080p webcam, the Surface Laptop Studio earns its position as one of the best laptops for creatives. Surface Laptop Studio is equipped with a Core i7-11370H processor and RTX 3050 Ti graphics, making it capable of handling the most demanding tasks and even playing some of the most recent AAA games. In spite of its considerable power, the Laptop Studio can last all day on a single charge, and its 14.4-inch screen is excellent with a 120Hz refresh rate that gives it a competitive advantage over the competition. There is no doubt that Microsoft put great care into every detail of the laptop - not just the major components. There is a wonderful keyboard and touchpad, crisp and powerful speakers, and a decent webcam.
MacBook Pro 2021 (14-inch)
https://www.apple.com
MacBook Pro 14-inch is the best productivity laptop available in 2022. Designed primarily for creative professionals such as photographers, video editors, and music producers, the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021) is a dream to use with its powerful M1 Pro or M1 Max chipset, which is capable of handling even the most intensive workloads with ease. Further, its Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED technology is absolutely stunning, and the best you can get on a laptop right now. A 1080p webcam and advanced port selection complete this fantastic business and productivity laptop. The price and power of this laptop won't suit everyone's needs - but if you are looking for a killer laptop to do creative work on, this is the one to get.
Dell XPS 15 OLED
https://www.dell.com
Power users who need to take their work (or play) on the road will find the XPS 15 OLED to be the most suitable laptop for the job. Even a MacBook user would be impressed by its sleek design, stunning OLED display, and oversized touchpad. This machine offers excellent performance courtesy of Intel's 11th generation processors and Nvidia's RTX 3050 Ti graphics cards, which makes it ideal for students, business users, and content creators, including photographers, videographers, and graphic designers. The Dell XPS 15 remains a top performer by introducing minor improvements that result in substantial improvement. This particular configuration is highlighted by the breathtaking 3.5K OLED display with its rich, vibrant colors and exceptional contrast. There is also an interior panel that fits the XPS 15's stylish and portable design, which combines a machined aluminum exterior with a woven pattern. An expansive touchpad, a keyboard with lots of space, and powerful speakers can be found on the deck. The Dell XPS 15 is an outstanding option if you need a powerful laptop with an excellent display, excellent audio, and a range of other premium features.
Framework Laptop
https://frame.work
Introducing the Framework Laptop, an affordable, ultraportable, customizable, repairable, and upgradeable laptop that is the anti-MacBook. Framework ships each laptop with a screwdriver, so you may open the case and replace the parts yourself. All components, such as the memory, the screen bezel, and the mainboard, are user-replaceable. This is not the best laptop for everyone, but for those who love the idea of tinkering with their laptop's innards, it is the best choice. Framework laptops are available only from Framework's website, where they start at $999 - though you can get a DIY Edition for $749 if you are able to assemble it yourself and provide your own memory, storage, operating system, and Wi-Fi adapter.
HP Spectre x360 14
https://www.hp.com
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a powerhouse of a convertible business laptop, featuring top-tier hardware that provides excellent performance for both works and play. Available in three colors (silver, black, and navy blue) and sporting an ultra-thin profile of just .67 inches, the HP Spectre x360 brings a touch of sophisticated style that perfectly complements its internal components. Whether your office is wherever you happen to be that day, or you're looking to upgrade your home laptop, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option.
While the price can be steep, we think the top-notch components and sleek, sturdy design of the Spectre x360 are worth the asking price. It comes packaged with a rechargeable MPP2.0 Tilt Pen too, which is perfect for digital artists or anyone who prefers to take handwritten notes during meetings.
Acer Swift 3 (AMD)
https://www.acer.com
This sleek, silver, ultra-thin laptop is designed to help college-bound students smooth the transition from high school to college, and make life much easier for them. The design of the product is very good, with some cool chrome accents for a touch of flair. Swift 3's 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and Intel IrisXe GPU provide decent performance and good graphics. It is a budget-friendly, lightweight ultra-thin laptop that won't slow you down. The device is a tiny workhorse that performed well across several benchmarks. Moreover, it has a battery life of over 10 hours. It also has a remarkably comfortable keyboard and a premium design. One issue with the laptop is the display, which is not as bright as we would like.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
https://www.microsoft.com
This is the latest in the company's line of 2-in-1 Surface Pro tablets. The new version features an 11th generation Intel CPU, a 13-inch display with 120Hz, two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a removable SSD. As a bonus, you'll receive Windows 11 out of the box on this 2-in-1. Surface Pro 8's small size and lightweight design make it ideal for use both at home and on the road. It also has excellent front-facing and rear cameras, which are capable of taking clean, detailed images. The Surface Pro 8 disappoints as a gaming device and did not deliver on its promise of 16 hours of battery life during the testing. The Surface 8 Pro is arguably the best Surface Pro to date, despite some of these concerns.
MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch)
https://www.apple.com
Powered by the M1 Max chip, the new 16-inch MacBook is a speedy beast that pushes graphics performance on the Mac to a whole new level. Plus, its amazing redesign aids in the improvement of its display (everyone will get used to the notch, we assure you), with thinner bezels than ever before, catching up to the Dell XPS InfinityEdge display (except for the notch, of course). This screen, too, is more advanced than ever, featuring mini-LEDs, improved contrast, and a 120Hz refresh rate that promises exceptional smoothness. MacBook Pros from 2021 will realign on ports, moving away from the current "USB-C or bust" situation. There is now an HDMI-out for connecting to displays, and an SD memory reader for professionals with digital cameras. In essence, Apple has added that "pro" touch back to the MacBook Pro.
Lenovo Yoga 9i
https://www.lenovo.com
There are many 2-in-1s on the market, but Lenovo's Yoga 9i stands out due to its competitive price. This laptop not only features the latest 11th Gen Core i7 processor, a built-in stylus, and long battery life, but its display is also quite colorful, and its neat rotating speaker delivers a lot of basses. Additionally, the selection of ports is quite limited, and the display could be made slightly brighter. The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a serious competitor for your investment, especially when it is priced at $650 less than a comparable Dell XPS 2-in-1 and $430 less than an HP Spectre x360 with the same parts. The Shadow Black edition is even more stylish, places the fingerprint reader in an easier-to-reach position, and includes a glass palm rest entirely covering the deck.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
https://www.lenovo.com
A thin and light laptop makes us worry about how long it will last on a single charge. The 2-pound Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano lasted 12 hours on our battery test, which puts it on par with some of the very best laptops available. The fact that the 2.9-pound XPS 13 weighs almost a pound more is quite impressive. Moreover, Lenovo did not compromise on performance or usability. Intel 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors provided the speed you need for extensive productivity on the Nano, and the ThinkPad keyboard ensures a smooth and comfortable typing experience that lives up to the ThinkPad name.
Alienware m15 R4
https://www.dell.com
There is no doubt that the Alienware M15R4 is the best gaming laptop on the market and what other gaming laptops should strive to be (for the most part). Having a huge amount of power, you are able to run every game you could want, even in full UHD 4K. Speaking of 4K, its screen is vibrant and stunning, so everything you play will look as nice as it runs. The design of the device is also outstanding, featuring a gorgeous white body (which is also quite portable). It also has a comfortable keyboard for typing when it is time to be productive. This device has a limited battery life (which will require you to find an electrical outlet). But that shouldn't be surprising, as gaming notebooks do not have a reputation for being able to endure prolonged operations on their internal power supply. It is a rather loud fan, and its price is on the higher end of the spectrum.
Asus ZenBook Duo 14
https://www.asus.com
This is the perfect laptop for anyone who wants a second screen without the need for an external display. This is achieved by placing a 12-inch touchscreen above the keyboard. Spotify, Slack, Discord, and other secondary applications will look great on this screen. As well as Adobe, who have embedded touch controls to their applications, it can also be utilized by other creative apps. Furthermore, it performs well in a head-to-head comparison with the XPS 13, with which it trades blows. Further, its battery life is excellent, especially when you realize it's got two screens to operate. A big disadvantage of the ZenBook Duo 14 is the lack of a wrist rest, which makes it slightly uncomfortable to use.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
https://www.lenovo.com
A chromebook that is as good as the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet proves just how good Chromebooks have become in modern times. This laptop can be used as a laptop or as a tablet, and it comes with some impressive specs. Chromebooks offer two form factors in one, while using the versatility of the Chrome OS and costing far less than many of the leading Windows tablets. A feature that sets this Chromebook apart is its incredible battery life of 22 hours. In conjunction with this price, sacrifices are inevitable - in our review, we commented on the size of the keyboard, the reliability of the trackpad, and the lack of a dedicated charger and headphone port. In spite of this, if your top priority is the budget, these issues are not a deal breaker.
Google Pixelbook Go
https://www.google.com
Google's Pixelbook Go is not only more affordable than the original Pixelbook, it's also better in nearly every way. This extremely portable Chromebook features a slim, lightweight design that weighs in at just over 2 pounds, as well as a rubberized chassis that is extremely easy to hold and comes in the sleek Just Black and Not Pink flavors. We observed a long battery life of well over 11 hours with the Pixelbook Go when we tested it. Taking that information and combining it with solid performance, a bright, colorful display and a responsive touchscreen, you have one of the best Chromebooks in the premium range. It is important to note that the Pixelbook Go does not fold into a tablet like its bigger Pixelbook sibling, and it does not have an array of ports.
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
https://www.acer.com
Chromebook Spin 713 fills a niche attractive to enthusiast and professional users as well as students and mobile professionals. This device's powerful processor allows it to run heavier Android and Linux applications. A variety of ports are available on the device, in addition to a bright and vivid display. Featuring a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, and Intel Iris Xe graphics, the Spin 713 proved to be a reliable performer. Furthermore, the laptop's battery life is above average, lasting for 10 hours and 35 minutes during the Laptop Mag battery test. The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has a great deal to offer regardless of what you intend to use it for. This notebook features a unique 2-in-1 design that feels far more high-end than its price would suggest. Those who are avid writers will love the keyboard and extra screen real estate. Multimedia experts will appreciate Google OS' streaming capabilities. Although it is designed for rugged use, it is powerful enough to replace the functionality of many full-featured laptops. Its battery life is superb as well.
Razer Blade 14
https://www.razer.com
Razer's thin and light gaming laptop oozes class and is ideally suited to individuals who wish to have a portable gaming device with them at all times. This gaming laptop has a solid build, so you will not have to be concerned about it getting damaged during your travels, and it is certainly one of the nicest-looking modern gaming laptops we've seen. The GPUs in this gaming laptop is based on NVIDIA's award-winning 2nd-generation RTX architecture and provide the most realistic ray-traced graphics and cutting-edge AI features for the most powerful graphics on the market. The AMD Ryzen 5000 Series processors deliver outstanding performance, creating unforgettable immersive experiences and dominating multi-threaded tasks such as video and 3D rendering3 and compiling software. 165Hz QHD displays bring you the best of both worlds in terms of fast gaming and crystal clear displays. Thermal Management with Vapor Chamber Cooling: The laptop dissipates heat through the evaporation and condensation of internal fluid, allowing it to run smoothly and efficiently even under high demands. Razer Chroma-compatible RGB Individual Key Lighting: Illuminates in sync with Razer Chroma-supported peripherals and popular games. With Windows 11 compatible software, you will have access to the best graphics ever with faster loading times and Windows 11 compatibility when available through Windows Update.
LG Gram 17
https://www.lg.com
One of the most exciting things about the LG Gram 17 is that it boasts an incredibly light design coupled with some of the best mobile technology in the world. A laptop featuring Intel's new 11th generation processors, Iris Xe graphics as well as two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, and with up to 16GB of RAM and a fast SSD, this is one great laptop for everyday use. The battery life is also magnificent, easily lasting 12 hours on a single charge. Nevertheless, it is quite expensive, and the design is rather plain. The device is returning to the market with a superb screen, a long battery life, but at a steep price. However, it is worthwhile if you wish to benefit from the portability and power of Ultrabooks with a larger display.
Asus TUF Dash F15
https://www.asus.com
For consumers looking for a gaming computer that has the ability to play the latest games, but does not break the bank, the Asus TUF Dash F15 is the ideal option. TUF's line of laptops has long been praised for their excellent value for money, and the new Asus TUF Dash F15 continues this fine tradition. Its excellent build quality, outstanding battery for a gaming laptop, and impressively thin and light design make this a fantastic value gaming laptop. Furthermore, it offers Intel Tiger Lake processors, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000 mobile GPUs, as well as 240Hz 1080p displays.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
https://www.lenovo.com
Lenovo has updated its flagship 2-in-1 business laptop, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6, to include Intel's 11th-generation Tiger Lake processors with Iris Xe graphics. This makes it one of the best 2-in-1 laptops we have tested. In addition to the excellent 16:10 touchscreen display, garaged stylus, and excellent battery life, we can find very little to complain about. In terms of connectivity, this laptop puts the MacBook Air to shame, but it does lack an SD card slot, which may be discouraging to some creatives. Except for the relatively straight-laced design (as a ThinkPad, this is a laptop primarily for business users), the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 is easily one of the best laptops to come out in 2021, especially if you are looking for something that can be used as both a traditional laptop and a tablet as well.
HP Envy x360 13
https://www.hp.com
You can buy an excellent 2-in-1 laptop without having to pay an outrageous amount for it with the HP Envy x360 13 (2020). This HP Envy x360 13 (2020) laptop has some of the best speakers we've heard in a laptop, as with all of HP's modern laptops. HP has described the Envy x360 as a "great machine for everyday work and streaming entertainment" - so, if you are looking for a laptop that can also be used as a tablet, then the HP Envy x360 13 (2020) is a very good choice with a good battery life and modern components from AMD.
Asus VivoBook S15
https://www.asus.com
With the Asus VivoBook S15, you get a thin and light design, outstanding performance, and an excellent price. This is a great choice if you're looking for a mid-range laptop that isn't too expensive, but still performs well. This laptop can handle almost any task with ease, despite not being able to handle gaming. Its powerful Intel processor, 8GB of RAM, and fast SSD storage enable it to handle almost any task with ease. There are plenty of ports that make it easy to connect your favorite peripherals to the device's 15.6-inch screen. The screenpad, which replaces the traditional touchpad below the keyboard with a touchscreen, takes a while to get used to, and the battery life isn't the longest for a laptop.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
https://rog.asus.com
A combination of AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 offers outstanding performance from the Zephyrus G15. It also features a similarly long-lasting battery, a clicky keyboard, a 15.6-inch, 1440p display and a set of powerful speakers wrapped in an even more elegant Moonlight White design. Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 (GA503Q) is equipped with some of the latest and most powerful components in the market. You will be pleasantly surprised by how well designed and efficient this machine is. The Zephyrus G15 is one of the best gaming laptops that can be purchased with an RTX 3080 GPU
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon
https://www.lenovo.com
If The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon may be the laptop for you if you are looking for a great all-around laptop. It is equipped with a powerful processor and a stunning 14-inch OLED display as well as Dolby Atmos speakers and a comfortable keyboard. Considering the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon's performance and stunning screen, it's difficult to say no to this laptop. Its 14-inch OLED display, with a resolution of 2800 x 1800, is not only gorgeous, but it is also incredibly smooth thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate. There are great speakers and an extremely comfortable keyboard. This laptop has a respectable battery life for a device priced below $1,500.
Alienware x17 R2
https://www.dell.com
Thanks to some new upgrades, the Alienware x17, a favorite of Laptop Mag, has become even more powerful. As a starter, you have the 12th Gen Intel processor, a significant upgrade over its predecessor. Next up is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card which has dominated every benchmark we have run. This laptop also features one of the fastest transfer rates we have ever seen on a laptop, as well as a clicky Cherry MX keyboard. The Alienware x17 R2 is a powerful PC. The laptop's new specifications are significantly more powerful than most of its competitors. The keyboard is incredibly comfortable and has that funky, out-of-this-world look that fans expect. The Alienware X17 R2 will get the job done whether you are using it at work or for play.
MSI GE76 Raider
https://us.msi.com
MSI GE76 Raider is, in terms of specifications at least, not a gaming laptop. Bringing Intel's new 12th gen Alder Lake H-series chips to the table, it is a desktop replacement king. RTX 3080 Ti GPUs further add to the unstoppable beast that is this rig, making it a beast to be reckoned with. With some insanely fast SSDs and a long battery life, this is a powerful machine. In terms of gaming laptops, we received everything we desired - power and more power. Due to its powerful specifications, the MSI GE76 Raider easily handled any task we threw at it. Furthermore, despite its substantial weight, it looks great doing it. Nevertheless, the Raider is more than brute force, it is also fast, offering one of the fastest transfer rates in a long time. If you are in search of power combined with surprising endurance, the MSI GE76 Raider is your best bet.
Dell XPS 17
https://www.dell.com
The Dell XPS 17 is a case in point where larger is better, especially when it comes to screens. In its return to the premium laptop market, the big brother to the XPS 15 and 13 has flexed its muscles at every turn, offering a 17-inch display, a powerful processor, and excellent audio. The device has accomplished this without being any larger or heavier than your typical 15-inch laptop. With the help of an Intel 11th Gen processor and an Nvidia GPU of the latest generation, the premium system has more than enough processing power to make its fiercest competitors struggle to keep up. Furthermore, the laptop features a large, bright display, a great pair of speakers, and a comfortable keyboard. Among premium laptops, it is difficult to outperform the Dell XPS 17.