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Title: The best laptop you can buy in 2024

Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 08:01:26 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/be...

Laptops are evolving fast, with some new models harnessing AI-powered
features that adapt to your usage and improve performance in real time. These
AI PCs can optimize battery life, manage power across tasks and even enhance
webcam quality during video calls. While AI integration is still relatively
new in laptops, itΓÇÖs a feature to watch if youΓÇÖre considering future-
proofing your setup. Plus, itΓÇÖs exciting to see how these AI-powered PCs
might handle everything from productivity to entertainment, offering smart
adjustments and enhancements that could make our digital lives a bit easier.

Out of the 11 notebooks we've tested and reviewed in the first half of 2024,
we consider Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air M3 to be the best laptop for most
people, and this is still the case in our November top picks. It's powerful
enough to handle most tasks (even light video editing); it has a great screen
and built-in speakers; and its battery could last around 20 hours (depending
on what you're doing, of course). The MacBook Air M3 is also one of the
lightest and thinnest systems we've reviewed, and it's dead silent, thanks to
a fanless design. While Apple has debuted its new M4 chip in the recent iPad
Pro, we may not see it in the MacBook Air until next year. For now, the
MacBook Air M3 is still an excellent laptop to buy, particularly if you need
a machine with good battery life.

Of course, not everyone wants a MacBook, and there are excellent Windows
laptops and Chromebooks out there, too. Windows systems offer a range of
configurations, from budget to high-end UHD screens with stunning IPS panels
that boast high nits for vivid brightness. Chromebooks, on the other hand,
tend to be more affordable and are great for users who mostly work online.
Whether you need a powerhouse for creative work, a compact system for note-
taking, or a laptop that can handle family movie night, thereΓÇÖs something
for everyone in todayΓÇÖs laptop market.

Table of contents

Best laptops of 2024

How we test and pick laptops

Factors to consider when choosing a laptop

Best laptops specs comparison chart

Other laptops weΓÇÖve tested

Laptop FAQs

Recent updates

Best laptops of 2024

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How we test laptops

Engadget has been reviewing laptops for two decades, and while the definition
of what a portable PC is has changed considerably since, our obsession with
testing their limits and serving up informative buying advice remains the
same. Be it a hybrid tablet like Microsoft's Surface machines, a rotating 2-
in-1 convertible like HP's Spectre x360s or a plain old clamshell notebook,
our review process follows similar beats. How does it look and feel? How fast
is it? Whether itΓÇÖs a Windows device powered by an Intel Core i5 or higher,
a MacBook or a Chromebook, we aim to answer the most important question: Is
it actually worth your hard-earned cash? We also pay close attention to
webcam quality and display features, including IPS panels and nits of
brightness, as they can make a big difference in daily use.

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Factors to consider when choosing a laptop Price

You can expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,800 for a new laptop these
days, depending on the configuration. If you're looking for more of a
workhorse, that could cost you well over $2,000 for additional RAM, storage,
as well as a beefier graphics card and CPU. But you can also find some
affordable laptops under $1,000 if you're willing to overlook build quality
(or buy a refurbished or previous generation machine, which we highly
recommend). Systems with AMD chips tend to come in cheaper than their Intel
counterparts, but the bulk of their cost will come down to other components
like RAM and storage.

IΓÇÖve included our favorite affordable model in this best laptop buying
guide, but we have a list of the best budget laptops that you can check out
as well.

Operating system: Apple, Windows or Chrome OS

There's a good chance you've already committed to an operating system, but my
advice is to be as flexible as possible. These days, most major software is
compatible with both Macs and PCs. (Of course, it's another story if you've
become dependent on an Apple-only app like Final Cut Pro.) Web-based apps,
naturally, will work on any platform with an internet browser.

If you're an Apple-loyalist, there aren't many reasons to consider Windows
laptops (unless you want a secondary gaming machine). But for Windows users,
macOS is becoming more tempting every year. Apple's MacBooks, powered by its
M-series Silicon chips, are among the fastest and most efficient laptops
we've ever seen. They're incredibly well-built and have tremendous battery
life to boot. MacOS itself is also an easy platform to learn, especially if
you're used to iOS and iPadOS.

That brings up another point: iPhone users may want to consider Macs because
of the seamless integration with Apple's other platforms. You can't respond
to iMessage conversations easily or hop into FaceTime chats on Windows PCs,
but doing so is simple on Macs. (Microsoft's Phone Link app lets you send iOS
users individual texts, but not media or group chats.) Android users,
meanwhile, may be better off with Windows, as Phone Link can make calls,
synchronize all your texts and also access your phone's photos.

As for whether youΓÇÖll want a PC with a dedicated Copilot AI button on the
keyboard, that depends on how often you see yourself using MicrosoftΓÇÖs
generative tools. Given weΓÇÖre only just seeing the first slate of AI PCs,
it would be wiser to wait out the hype and see what improvements might come
over time.

And what about ChromeOS? Chromebooks are a smart and (typically) inexpensive
way to browse the web and hop on a few video chats, but they're not the best
choice as your primary computer. There aren't many apps or games that work
offline, and they also don't work with powerful software suites like Adobe's
(you can use the stripped-down Adobe Express and Photoshop online tools,
though).

Chromebooks are great secondary machines to use alongside a more powerful Mac
or PC, and they're popular in schools because they're cheap and easy for IT
workers to manage. And if all you need is web access, or a notebook for a
kid, a Chromebook might be enough.

If, for some reason, youΓÇÖre looking for a powerful ChromeOS system, there
are also Chromebook Plus models to consider. These machines sport faster
processors and more RAM than typical Google notebooks, and they can also tap
into a few of the companyΓÇÖs online AI features, like AI image generation
and photo processing.

Ports and connectivity

These days, most laptops ship with a few USB-C ports, which can handle both
charging and speedy data transfers. Apple's MacBooks also include a separate
connection for MagSafe power, and you'll find custom power connections on
some PCs like Microsoft's Surface. Older USB Type-A connections are less
common now, but they still pop up in systems like HP's Spectre x360 14, as
well as many models from ASUS.

If you're a fan of wired headphones, it's worth keeping a close eye on
headphone jack availability. Many lightweight laptops, like Dell's XPS 13,
donΓÇÖt have the 3.5mm socket entirely. They usually include a USB-C to 3.5mm
adapter, but that's a clunky solution, and it also takes up a USB port. Sure,
most people use wireless earbuds and cans today, but it's still helpful to
have a wired one around for when those devices run out of juice.

Most laptops in 2024 offer Wi-Fi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or later, which
should mean faster and more stable connections if you have compatible routers
and devices. While Wi-Fi 7 routers have started appearing, that spec hasn't
made its way into laptops yet. As for cellular coverage, there are notebooks
like the Surface Pro 9 and Samsung Galaxy Book models that offer integrated
5G. But from our testing, that feature may not be worth the cost of a
separate data plan. Instead, you could tether to your smartphone or invest in
a wireless hotspot that can keep multiple devices online.

Laptop size and weight

So how portable do you want your laptop to be? That's the ultimate question
you need to ask when choosing between various screen sizes. 13-inch machines
have become a solid starting point for most shoppers ΓÇö it's enough real
estate for the majority of tasks like emailing and writing, and it also helps
keep machines relatively light (typically between two to three pounds).
Thanks to manufacturing advancements, these dainty machines sometimes even
come with larger screens (the smaller MacBook Air actually has a 13.6-inch
display).

If you have trouble seeing fine text, weΓÇÖd recommend going for a display
larger than 13 inches. ASUSΓÇÖs Zephyrus G14 is a solid 14-inch option for
gamers, and weΓÇÖre also seeing more productivity-focused machines aim for
that size, like the XPS 14 and MacBook Pro. While 14-inch notebooks are a bit
heavier than 13-inch models, coming in between three to four pounds, their
screens are noticeably roomier.

For artists, or anyone else who needs a large canvas, a 15-inch laptop may
make the most sense. They typically weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, but
that extra heft may be worth it to fit wider video editing timelines or
Photoshop windows. And, as you'd expect, you'll also pay a bit more for a 15-
inch notebook compared to smaller ones (the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at
$1,299, while the smaller model goes for $999). PC makers are also replacing
15-inch systems with 16-inch versions, which will give you even more space to
work.

You can still find laptops with 17-inch or 18-inch screens, but those are
typically gaming systems or souped-up workstations. They're not meant for
mere computing mortals.

Battery life

A laptop's battery life depends on several factors: The power draw from the
screen and other hardware, the optimizations used to avoid unnecessary power
drain, and, of course, the size of the actual battery. One of our favorite
systems, the Dell XPS 13, lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes in the PCMark 10
battery benchmark. In real-world testing, I was able to use it for a day and
a half without needing a recharge. The MacBook Air 13-inch, meanwhile, lasted
20 hours in our benchmark and kept running for more than two work days of my
typical workflow. In general, you should expect a modern laptop to last at
least eight hours.

If battery life is your absolute priority, I'd strongly suggest looking at
Macs over Windows PCs. Apple's M-series chips are essentially mobile
hardware, with all of the power efficiency you'd expect from something
originally designed for phones. QualcommΓÇÖs upcoming Snapdragon chips could
help Windows PCs compete with AppleΓÇÖs astonishing battery life, but weΓÇÖve
yet to see those in action. Chromebooks also typically get decent battery
life (as long as you donΓÇÖt overstuff them with power-draining tabs).

Refresh rate

A laptop's refresh rate refers to the amount of times its screen is cycled
every second. Modern displays like IPS LCDs and OLEDs support 60Hz refresh
rates at a minimum, but we're seeing more devices offering 120Hz, 240Hz and
beyond. The higher the number, the faster the screen is refreshed, which
ultimately leads to a smoother experience while mousing around or scrolling
through web pages. (If you want to get a sense of what a slow refresh rate
looks like, just grab an e-reader like the Kindle and try to flip between
book pages.)

While high refresh rates used to be reserved for gaming laptops, nowadays
we're seeing more mainstream machines like the XPS 13 offer 120Hz (or
variable rates that move between 60Hz and 120Hz). If there's one knock
against the MacBook Air, it's that it's still stuck at 60Hz.

CPU

If youΓÇÖre buying a new laptop, youΓÇÖll want to make sure itΓÇÖs powered by
the latest CPUs. For Windows PCs, that includes IntelΓÇÖs Core Ultra chips
for thin-and-light machines or the 14th-gen HX chips for beefier systems. The
Core Ultra series have NPUs for handling AI tasks, while the HX hardware does
not ΓÇô theyΓÇÖre based on IntelΓÇÖs previous chip architecture, and
theyΓÇÖre more focused on delivering raw horsepower. Intel's older 13th-gen
and 12th-gen laptop chips also don't have NPUs, so keep that in mind if
you're looking at used systems.

You'll also see AMD's Ryzen 8000 and 9000 chips in plenty of new systems like
the ASUS Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14. Those CPUs mainly target gaming
laptops and high performance systems, while you'll still find AMDΓÇÖs older
Ryzen 7000 chips in ultraportables. AMD's main advantage is that its chips
also include Radeon graphics, which are far more capable than Intel's Arc
hardware (though those are getting better).

QualcommΓÇÖs new Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus are also an option in Copilot+
PCs (more on those below). Since theyΓÇÖre based on mobile chip designs,
theyΓÇÖre likely also more power efficient than AMD and IntelΓÇÖs hardware.
In the past, weΓÇÖve avoided recommending Snapdragon chips because they led
to a slow and frustrating Windows experience. But Microsoft claims itΓÇÖs
rebuilt Windows 11 around SnapdragonΓÇÖs Arm-based architecture, which should
lead to far faster performance and better app compatibility.

As for Apple's laptops, you'll be choosing between the M3, M3 Pro and M3
Ultra, each of which is progressively more powerful. Apple is also keeping
its older M2 chip around for the $999 MacBook Air, which is still a solid
performer for the price. AppleΓÇÖs M4 chip made its debut in the recent iPad
Pro, but itΓÇÖs not in any laptops yet (and it likely wonΓÇÖt be until the
end of 2024).

GPU

A GPU, or graphics processing unit, is the component that communicates
directly with a laptop's display. Laptop CPUs all have some form of
integrated GPU: Intel has either its standard graphics or beefier Arc
hardware, while AMD's chips include fast Radeon mobile graphics. If you want
to play demanding games at high speeds (measured in frames per second, or
fps), or if you need some extra power for rendering video or 3D models, you
can configure a laptop with a dedicated GPU like NVIDIA's RTX 40-series
hardware or AMD's Radeon RX 7000. Just be sure to leave room in your budget
if you want a powerful GPU, as they typically add $300 or more to the cost of
a laptop.

Apple's M-series chips, meanwhile, have GPU cores that can perform as well as
NVIDIAΓÇÖs and AMD's lower-end dedicated GPUs. That's quite the
accomplishment for systems like this (especially the MacBook Air and 14-inch
MacBook Pro), and it's another reason we highly recommend Apple's notebooks.

AI PCs, NPUs and Copilot+

Simply put, an AI PC is a computer equipped with a neural processing unit
(NPU), which is designed to handle AI-related tasks. Much like how GPUs
tackle heavy-duty gaming and rendering workloads, NPUs are designed to handle
the complex math necessary for AI workloads. TheyΓÇÖre also far more power
efficient than CPUs or GPUs, which could lead to better battery performance
in laptops. While many factors go into NPU performance, for the most part we
measure their potential speed by TOPS (tera operations per second).

We were primed for AI PCs in 2024 based on the chips Intel and AMD announced
late last year. Intel unveiled its "Core Ultra" CPUs in December, its first
to include an NPU for AI work. AMD also announced its Ryzen 8040 AI mobile
chips that month (and it couldn't help but say they were faster than Intel's
new hardware). But in May, Microsoft announced its Copilot+ initiative, which
is pushing major PC makers to deliver premium AI PCs with specifications
including 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSDs and NPUs with at least 40 TOPS of AI
performance.

Copilot+ is more than just a marketing term: Microsoft is also launching AI-
powered features in Windows 11 that take advantage of powerful NPUs. That
includes Recall, which can help you locate anything youΓÇÖve done on your PC
(whenever it finally launches), as well as Cocreator in Paint, which can
generate AI images based on text prompts and doodles.

If you buy an AI PC that isnΓÇÖt Copilot+ certified, youΓÇÖll still be able
to use some features like Windows Studio Effects, which can blur your
background in video calls or keep you in frame. Developers like Adobe and
Audacity are also building features into their apps that can take advantage
of NPUs.

At the time of this post, Chromebook Plus notebooks can also access a few of
GoogleΓÇÖs online AI features, like image generation and photo processing.

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Other laptops we tested that didn't make the cut Apple 15-inch MacBook Air M3


This Apple laptop is just a larger version of the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air.
It's still quite portable at 3.3 pounds, and some will appreciating having
just a tad more screen real estate all the time. Configuration options are
the same as well; you can spec out the 15-inch Air with up to 24GB of RAM and
2TB of storage. But considering it starts off $200 more than the smaller
model, it's primarily best for those who absolutely need a larger screen and
are willing to pay for it.

ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED

Aside from its lovely OLED screen, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED doesn't stand out
from the crowded laptop field in any way. It just looks dull and boring,
especially compared to the strikingly beautiful ASUS Zephyrus G14, which also
came out this year. While you can probably find the Zenbook 14 for a decent
price, I'd recommend holding out for something with a bit more personality
(and with a less wobbly screen hinge).

Razer Blade 14

The Razer Blade has almost everything you'd want in a 14-inch gaming
notebook, but it's far pricier than the Zephyrus G14 on this list, and it
doesnΓÇÖt even have an SD card reader. It would be a solid competitor once
its price falls a bit, and it's certainly a great option if you just have to
have a jet-black laptop.

Framework Laptop 16

Framework gave its modularity magic to the Laptop 16, delivering a gaming
notebook where almost every single component is user replaceable. But you'll
have to pay a pretty penny to snag it with upgraded hardware, and its
optional Radeon 7700S GPU was surprisingly slow.

Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware m16 r2 has been revamped with a slimmer case, but itΓÇÖs
otherwise a fairly typical gaming laptop. ItΓÇÖs a solid option for Alienware
fans, but youΓÇÖll find better hardware and deals elsewhere.

ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024)

The Zenbook Duo is a fascinating dual-screened notebook, and according to my
colleague Sam Rutherford itΓÇÖs the first of its kind thatΓÇÖs worth buying.
But its unique hardware isnΓÇÖt really meant for mainstream consumers, and
Windows 11 still doesnΓÇÖt support multi-screen setups well enough to make
full use of the Zenbook DuoΓÇÖs ample canvas.

Dell XPS 16

DellΓÇÖs XPS 16 is big and beautiful, but itΓÇÖs far too expensive compared
to the competition. Plus, it uses a capacitive row of function keys that you
basically canΓÇÖt see under bright light and has too few ports for a machine
of this size.

See Also:

Best Gaming Laptops for 2024

Best Cheap Windows Laptops

Best 2-in-1 Laptops for 2024

Best Chromebooks

Best Laptops for College Students

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Laptop FAQs What is the average battery life of a laptop per charge?

ItΓÇÖs hard to come up with an average battery life for laptops, since that
will ultimately depend on what youΓÇÖre doing with them. An ultraportable
like the MacBook Air that sips power can last around 20 hours in our battery
benchmark, and around two full work days of real-world usage. But a gaming
laptop may last only a few hours if youΓÇÖre actively playing something while
on battery. At this point, Macs are delivering far better battery life than
PCs, thanks to AppleΓÇÖs Silicon chips, but Microsoft claims Copilot+ systems
with Qualcomm chips will also get over 20 hours of batter life.

How much RAM do I really need?

The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do simultaneously.
For that reason, we recommend buying PCs and Macs with at least 16GB of RAM.
That gives you enough memory to have several applications open at once, as
well as web browsers filled with RAM-hogging tabs. Many PC games also require
at least 16GB of RAM. While you could use a system with 8GB of RAM for basic
tasks, youΓÇÖll quickly run into slowdowns and error messages as your apps
stack up. Many laptops, especially ultraportables, donΓÇÖt let you upgrade
RAM, too ΓÇô so youΓÇÖll have to buy an entirely new computer if you didnΓÇÖt
equip enough memory at the start.

If youΓÇÖre a hardcore gamer, programmer or planning to render videos or 3D
models, then you may want to go for 32GB of RAM or more. And if you just need
a secondary laptop for lighter work ΓÇô perhaps a no-frills system for
writing ΓÇô then you can probably get by with 8GB. Just be sure to keep those
browser tabs in check.

What is the best storage capacity for a laptop?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to laptop storage.
YouΓÇÖll typically find configurations between 256GB and 1TB SSDs (solid
state drives) on most laptops, and IΓÇÖd recommend most people get at least
512GB. ThatΓÇÖll be enough space for large apps, music and video files
without stressing your system too much. If youΓÇÖre a media hoarder, or want
to play a ton of games, then itΓÇÖs definitely worth getting a 1TB SSD.

If youΓÇÖll mainly be streaming your shows and music, and would rather invest
in RAM or other hardware, then 256GB of storage would be serviceable. IΓÇÖd
recommend staying away from any machine with 128GB of storage though. Most of
that will be taken up by the operating system, and youΓÇÖll likely run into
issues cramming in large apps after a few months.

We recommend springing for extra built-in storage or investing in a portable
SSD for backing up your most important files. It's also worth noting that
Chromebooks tend to come with less built-in storage ΓÇö 32GB, 64GB or 128GB
ΓÇö since ChromeOS encourages users to save their files in the cloud rather
than on the device. In that case, 128GB is plenty.

What's a good price range for a decent laptop in 2024?

You can expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,800 for a typical 13-inch
laptop today. As I explained above, you'll pay more if you want to stuff in
more RAM or better GPU hardware. But you can also find deals below $1,000 if
you look for refurbished or older-generation models.

WhatΓÇÖs the difference between macOS and Windows? Which is better?

Simply put, macOS is the operating system in all of Apple's notebooks and
desktops, while Windows powers the vast majority of PCs. You'll also find
Chromebooks running Google's ChromeOS, but those are basically just web
browsers running on top of Linux.

Debating the differences between Windows and Macs is something PC nerds have
been doing since the '80s, so we won't be declaring a winner here. There are
some small, negligible distinctions, like using a Command versus a Control
key, how file explorers work and concerns about viruses and security. For the
most part, those are minor issues or have become moot thanks to better built-
in security.

But if you care more about playing the newest games, you'll want to have a
Windows system. If you're more focused on creative apps, like Photoshop,
Premiere and Final Cut Pro, then macOS may be a better fit (especially if
you're running an iPhone).

What are the best laptop brands?

There is no single "best" laptop brand, but judging from this guide alone,
we're generally impressed by notebooks from Apple, Dell and ASUS. They all
offer fast, reliable and sturdy machines. HP also makes some eye-catching
devices if you want an option thatΓÇÖs the most aesthetic. Those four brands,
along with Lenovo and Acer, dominate laptop sales worldwide. We'd avoid
systems from any retail store brands, or companies that don't have a major
presence in the US.

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Best laptops specs comparison chart

Product

Tested configuration

Tested battery life

Rated battery life

Apple MacBook Air M3 (13-inch)

Apple M3, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

21 hours

Up to 18 hours

Dell XPS 13

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

13 hours

Up to 18 hours

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070

7.5 hours

10 hours

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

13th-gen Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage

6 hours

10 hours

HP Pavilion Aero

AMD Ryzen 5800U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

Up to 9.75 hours

Up to 10.5 hours

Apple MacBook Pro M4 (14-inch)

Apple M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

34 hours

24 hours

HP Spectre x360 14

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD

5 hours

Up to 13 hours

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 1

Intel Core Ultra 7 165U, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD

Up to 13 hours

"All day battery life"

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Recent updates

November 2024: Updated to include the M4-powered MacBook Pros.

August 2024: Updated to include the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12.

June 2024: Updated with more information about current AI PCs, MicrosoftΓÇÖs
Copilot+ initiative and the latest CPUs from Intel, AMD and Qualcomm. WeΓÇÖve
also added a FAQ query around RAM and updated the ΓÇ£Other laptops weΓÇÖve
testedΓÇ¥ section to include the Alienware m16 r2, Dell XPS 16 and ASUS
Zenbook Duo.

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