In order to provide you with our final list of the greatest laptops available right now, we’ve evaluated hundreds of laptops from different brands, sizes, shapes, and price ranges.
In search of the greatest laptops available in 2024? If so, Perfectpicks laptop experts have evaluated each and every one of the many laptops, MacBooks, Chromebooks, and other models that are available on this page. These devices are perfect for a wide range of purposes and price points.
In addition to being our daily workhorses, we subject the laptops to a battery of benchmark testing; only the top-performing models are shown on this page. For a detailed overview of all the methods we use to put laptops through their paces during reviews, see How We Test Laptops.
I’ve examined hundreds of laptops since joining Perfectpicks in 2014, and during the last few years, MacBooks have dominated my buying guide. But I’m happy to announce that, for the first time ever, a product from Microsoft, Apple’s bitter rival, will be the greatest laptop of 2024. Yes, the incredible Surface Laptop 7, a genuinely exceptional all-arounder with a stunning design and all-day battery life, is the best laptop available right now. This may mark the beginning of the end for Windows 11 laptops.
But if a Windows laptop isn’t your thing, I’ve included a ton of alternative possibilities, such MacBooks, low-cost Chromebooks, potent gaming computers, and everything in between. There has never been a more exciting time to buy, with a new generation of AI-enabled laptops (like the Surface Laptop 7) hitting the market. Continue reading for our top selections.
Top 5 Best Laptop In 2024
1.Microsoft Surface Laptop
Pros
- If you’re looking for the greatest laptop on the planet, the new Surface Laptop is an incredible redesign that offers performance, build quality, and battery life that surpass most rival models.
- You are searching for a durable portable laptop: Both the 14- and 15-inch Surface Laptop models are slim and light enough to carry around, and thanks to its long battery life, you won’t have to search for a plug socket.
- If you’re looking for the greatest laptop on the planet, the new Surface Laptop is an incredible redesign that offers performance, build quality, and battery life that surpass most rival models.
Cons
- Numerous ports are required: A microSD slot is also included in the 15-inch form of the Surface Laptop, but regrettably, the laptop’s small and light design comes at a cost: only two USB-C and one USB-A port.
- You desire to engage in gaming: The integrated GPU of the ARM-based CPU is good for most tasks but not powerful enough to run demanding games.
- Many ports are required. Unfortunately, the Surface Laptop’s small and light design costs money because it only has two USB-C and one USB-A port (although the 15-inch model also has a microSD slot).
Specifications
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite
Screen size: 14-inch / 15-inch RAM: Up to 64GB
Storage: Up to 1TB
Battery life (TechRadar test): 10 hours and 10 minutes
Size: 11.85 x 8.67 x 0.69 inches (301mm x 220 x 17.5mm) / 12.96 x 9.42 x 0.72 ins (329 x 239.3 x 18.3mm)
Weight: 2.7 lbs (1.24kg) / 3.67lbs (1.66kg)
After several MacBook Air models reigned this year, Microsoft shocked everyone with the announcement of the Surface Laptop. This gadget is powerful, stylish, and has a long-lasting battery, earning it the title of best laptop for most people in 2024.
Microsoft is referring to the 2024 edition of the Surface Laptop as just the Surface Laptop in an effort to emphasize that, even though this is the seventh generation, it’s a significant redesign—and, for once, this isn’t just a bluff. In addition to Windows 11 feeling snappy and quick, the new Surface Laptop’s groundbreaking Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip also provides incredibly long battery life. The fans also don’t always come on, so you won’t be distracted by their whirling.
The Surface Laptop, a flagship model in a new line of “Copilot+ PCs,” also has highly integrated AI (Artificial Intelligence) capabilities, like the Copilot assistant and Cocreator tool, which transforms your Paint scribbles into AI-generated art. Because the Snapdragon X chip allows you to conduct most of this on-device, you don’t need an internet connection, and your data is safe and secure. The Surface Laptop is an amazing gadget that will be the perfect laptop for most people even without the AI functions, which are still in their infancy and far from critical. Microsoft has at last developed a rival to the MacBook.
2.Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 OLED Chromebook
Pros
- You’re looking for an OLED Chromebook. Since Chromebooks rarely have OLED displays, this is your best option if that’s what you’re searching for.
- You require a long battery life: With the correct settings, you can get more than 16 hours of battery life out of this Chromebook.
- You desire a more powerful system than what iOS or Android can provide: Even with their recent technological advancements, Android and iOS are still significantly more limited than Windows, macOS, or Linux OS.
Cons
- You have less manual dexterity: Some people might find the Duet’s keyboard to be a little bit narrow for comfort. Should you find yourself in that situation, a larger laptop like the Acer Swift 3 (go on to that article) might be a better choice.
- You have a limited budget: For the premium features it provides, the Duet 5 Chromebook is very reasonable, but it’s not the ideal choice for individuals on a strict budget.
- You like a conventional laptop operating system: Chrome OS isn’t designed to be as powerful as Windows 10 or macOS. A Chromebook will only take you so far toward a regular laptop environment, which might not be sufficient to meet your needs.
Specifications
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2
Screen size: 13.3-inch RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Battery life (TechRadar test): 16 hours 20 minutes
Size: 12.04 x 7.35 x 0.28 inches (305.86 x 186.74 x 7.23mm)
Weight: 2.24lbs (1.02kg)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is an excellent replacement for the original IdeaPad Duet and the greatest ultra-low cost laptop available. Even though it has been around for a while, Chromebooks hold their value longer than Windows laptops, and this particular model is still among the best that we’ve tried. The IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook has the potential to win over even the most skeptical Chromebook users. Its detachable keyboard allows it to function as a tablet as well as a laptop, and its battery life is remarkably long. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook has a battery life of over 16 hours, which is unmatched by any Windows 11 laptop, especially for this budget. It’s an excellent option in especially for students who
3.Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
Pros
- You’re looking for the most affordable MacBook: We would now suggest the new MacBook Air 13-inch to almost anybody because of its fantastic design, outstanding performance, and reasonably low cost.
- You wish to take a laptop on your travels: This is a great laptop for traveling with because of its fashionable, lightweight, thin design and long battery life.
- You desire power, but not excessive power: The MacBook Air’s latest M3 CPU excels in AI and video editing in addition to daily chores.
Cons
- The only MacBook that fits within your budget is this one: The price of the MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) has just decreased, but the M2 model—which is also included in this list—is now the least expensive MacBook available.
- You desire an abundance of ports: Once again, there are simply two Thunderbolt connectors on the MacBook Air (M3). You will need to utilize an adaptor or hub if you have a lot of peripherals that need to be plugged in.
- You desire a larger screen: The new MacBook Air’s 13-inch screen is convenient and portable, but some users may find it too tiny for comfortable use; in that case, the 15-inch model might be a better option.
Specifications
Processor: Apple M3
Screen size: 13.6-inch
RAM: 8GB – 24GB
Storage: 256GB – 2TB
Battery life (TechRadar test): 14 hours and 19 minutes
Size: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (304 x 215 x 11.3mm)
Weight: 2.7 lbs (1.24kg)
The greatest MacBook available at the moment is the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3). This slimline laptop’s design keeps it light, thin, and fashionable while packing Apple’s newest M3 CPU, which provides outstanding performance for daily chores. It even performs admirably when handling heavier workloads, including editing films. For those seeking an excellent all-around laptop, the entry-level model’s new reduced price makes it an easy recommendation, but be aware that the base model’s features, particularly the 256GB SSD storage and 8GB of RAM, feel a little antiquated in 2024.
4.Dell XPS 14 (9440)
Pros
- You’re looking for a potent Windows 11 laptop, and the Dell XPS 14 has some of the greatest mobile hardware available.
- You want a long-lasting battery: The Dell XPS 14 comfortably outperforms the majority of Windows 11 laptops in terms of battery life, while it doesn’t quite match the MacBook Pro’s standards.
- What is the greatest laptop running Windows 11? The Dell XPS 14 is the greatest Windows 11 laptop available because of its brilliant screen, great performance, and sturdy, elegant, and lightweight design.
Cons
- You’re looking for extraordinary performance: Although the Nvidia RTX 4050 and Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processors that come with the Dell XPS 14 are powerful, they aren’t the most powerful available.
- You detest using adapters: In order to utilize the Dell XPS 14 to its full potential, you’ll need an adapter or hub because it doesn’t have many ports.
- Your budget laptop of choice is: Since the Dell XPS 14 is a high-end laptop with a price tag to match, many consumers might find it to be prohibitively expensive. The good news is that Windows 11 laptops at a great price are widely available.
Specifications
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7
Screen size: 14.5-inch
RAM: 16GB – 64GB
Storage: 512GB – 4TB
Battery life (TechRadar test): 9 hours 35 minutes
Size: 12.59 x 8.5 x 0.74 inches (320 x 215.98 x 19mm)
Weight: 3.97lbs (1.80kg)
Dell is the firm to beat when it comes to producing the greatest Windows laptops. Over the years, this guide has featured the XPS 13 series on a number of occasions. The new XPS 14, which maintains the XPS laptops’ signature thin and light design while increasing screen size, carries on this good heritage. With its sleek design that outshines even MacBooks and its state-of-the-art Intel and Nvidia hardware, the Dell XPS 14 gives you the greatest Windows 11 laptop experience available. It is a strong worker that can manage even the most demanding creative workloads in addition to daily responsibilities.
5.Acer Aspire 5
Pros
- Your budget laptop of choice is: For far less money than other Windows 11 laptops, the Acer Aspire 5 is a functional notebook with few bells and whistles.
- You’re searching for an extremely little laptop: It’s comfortable to take around with you all day long because this inexpensive laptop is remarkably light without feeling cheap and gaudy.
- You don’t want a Chromebook: Although they are less expensive, Chromebooks aren’t suitable for everyone because of ChromeOS’s drawbacks. Although it costs less, the Acer Aspire 5 also runs Windows 11.
Cons
- You’d want a laptop for gaming: Although the Acer Aspire can be ordered with a discrete GPU, doing so increases the cost and does not make the laptop suitable for gaming.
- You want a lengthy battery life: The battery life isn’t bad at six and a half hours, but it’s also not great. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet, pictured above, has significantly longer battery life.
Specifications
Processor: Intel Core i5
Screen size: 14-inch
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB
Battery life (TechRadar test): 6 hours 37 minutes
Size: 0.71 x 12.9 x 8.8 inches (18 x 327.7 x 223.5mm)
Weight: 3.75lb (1.7kg)
As long as your expectations are reasonable, the Acer Aspire 5 will continue to be the most affordable laptop available in 2024. Its huge screen size makes it comfortable to work on, its design is lightweight without feeling cheap, and you can even set it up to include an Nvidia GPU. But don’t mistake this for a laptop meant for gaming. However, the Aspire 5 can outperform its competitors in terms of video editing because to the GPU. You’ll be pleasantly surprised for the cost.
How to pick the ideal laptop for your needs:
Which brands of laptops are the best?
All of the main laptop brands—Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and HP—have their advantages. For instance, Dell offers an excellent selection of high-end ultrabooks in addition to reasonably priced devices and Chromebooks, while Apple creates incredibly thin and light laptops. Not only does Lenovo have a solid reputation for producing business laptops, but it also makes some excellent 2-in-1 laptops. Lately, HP has also been producing some very beautiful laptops that are among the best laptops available.
The top laptop brands for gaming are Alienware, Asus, and Acer.
How much RAM is required for a laptop?
Random Access Memory, or RAM, is a crucial feature to search for in a laptop. For a Windows laptop, you should have at least 4GB of RAM, while many users actually benefit from having 8GB. As a result, the laptop will continue to function properly for many years. Low-cost Chromebooks can get by with 1 or 2GB of RAM less.
Considerations for battery life And lastly, battery life. When making your laptop purchase decision, this is perhaps one of the most crucial factors to take into account. The best laptops should be able to accommodate extended periods of work and play without requiring you to constantly search for a power source. The increasing power efficiency of modern laptops has resulted in longer battery lives. A laptop must have a battery life of at least five hours in order to be listed among our top laptops.
What to watch out for:
Battery life: One of the best things about laptops is their portability; you can use them virtually anywhere, so it’s always important to check how long they last. Although Apple’s most recent MacBooks with M1, M2, and the brand-new M3 CPUs come close, with well over 10 hours of battery life, Chromebooks are still the finest computers available for pure battery life. On the other hand, gaming laptops typically trade performance for longer battery life.
Performance: You should take into account a possible purchase’s performance while deciding which laptop best suits your demands. A laptop that starts to slow down after a few years is not something you want to be stuck with. When purchasing a Windows laptop, try to get one with an AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor or a recent 14th generation (or 13th) Intel CPU. Choose an M1, M2, or the recently released M3 model of MacBook to take advantage of Apple’s potent CPUs designed specifically for its notebooks.
Additionally, you ought to aim for at least 8GB of RAM (but 16GB is more future-proof). Microsoft has proposed that the upcoming generation of “AI laptops” should have at least 16GB of RAM. 4GB of RAM, however, is sufficient for Chromebooks.
Which kind of laptop suits you the best?
General laptops: These are the most affordable laptops, with an emphasis on functionality above design, portability, or power. Not that they can’t be quick, but for less than $600 or £400, you can usually find a clamshell laptop that isn’t an Ultrabook that has an HD screen and spinning drive-based storage.
Ultrabooks: This category includes thin and light notebooks with SSD storage and screens larger than 1080p. The greatest Ultrabooks will set you back a good coin, ranging from $700 or £500 to $2,000 or £1,800, but they will come with strong, yet mobile-centric, components and an exceptionally extended battery life.
Laptops that combine two functions into one: detachable and 360-degree rotating hinges allow the best 2-in-1 laptops to function as tablets. These hybrid computers offer the most flexible method to use a touchscreen to enjoy Windows 10 (or Chrome OS).
Chromebooks: The finest With a recent addition of Android app compatibility on touchscreen devices, Chromebooks running Chrome OS are able to perform many of the same browser-based tasks as Windows and macOS, with an emphasis on cloud storage over local storage. Most of them are under $300 or £200, and some are even durable enough to survive a minor struggle.
Gaming laptops: Do you need a laptop that can play games almost as well as a high-end desktop computer? Then one of the finest gaming laptops is what you should have. These devices typically range in price from $800 or £600 to as much as $3,000 or £2,800, and they will probably be the first to benefit from AMD’s Ryzen laptop processors. You can go through the greatest offers on inexpensive gaming laptops if money is truly tight.
Laptop-tablet hybrids: Developed with a tablet-first design philosophy, the greatest Windows tablets have beyond-HD touchscreens, occasionally featuring built-in kickstands or keyboard coverings. These often have stylus compatibility and fall between the entry-level and premium pricing points.
How we evaluate the top laptops
How we assess the best laptops
Since a new laptop can be an expensive purchase, our staff has carefully examined every laptop on our list (see our methodology for testing computers). We incorporate industry standard benchmarks such as GeekBench, PCMark, 3DMark, and the most recent PC gaming benchmarks into our daily routines to thoroughly assess these laptops’ performance.
As part of our assessment, we consider a laptop’s design, giving special attention to its portability, general comfort, and aesthetics. We also consider any additional security and accessibility features, such fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, illumination on the keys, physical privacy shutters for the built-in webcam, etc.
Regarding performance, we measure the laptops’ skills using both artificial benchmarks and real-world tasks. To guarantee consistent comparisons across reviews for the laptops you may be considering, we evaluate every model year of laptop using the same benchmark versions. Furthermore, we use our experience to interpret benchmark scores, which can occasionally be challenging to understand, so you can compare the performance of competing laptops in straightforward language.
We also measure battery life, which is another crucial component. We keep track of how long each laptop lasts before requiring a recharge. We also run our own battery life test using the PC Mark 10 battery life benchmark, which mimics real-world activity including web browsing and document creation, a proprietary web surfing script, and looping a 1080p movie until the battery runs out. These tests give us a precise idea of how long each laptop’s battery will last.
Lastly, we compile all of our results and contrast them with the laptop’s cost to see if it provides the best value for buyers.