Our Picks for Top 10 Best Laptops
Last Updated - 24/09/2026 | Based on hours of expert research.
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#1
Apple
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
Viewed 150 times this week
Passed around the team, the weight distribution felt perfect. The Magic Keyboard is snappy, and the fanless design meant it stayed dead silent even with 20 Chrome tabs open. The Midnight color is stunning but a fingerprint magnet, so we generally recommend the lighter colors for a cleaner look.
Why we love it
- Processor: Apple M3 (8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU).
- Battery: 15-18 hours real-world usage.
- Design: Fanless (silent), 0.44 inches thin.
- Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina (500 nits).
9.62
Exceptional
Our Rating
#2
Apple
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 Pro/Max)
Viewed 150 times this week
It feels like a tank. The Mini-LED screen is startlingly good; blacks are so deep we initially thought the screen was off. We love the utilitarian design and the return of HDMI saves us from carrying dongles. It handles our heaviest creative workloads without breaking a sweat.
Why we love it
- Display: Liquid Retina XDR (Mini-LED), 120Hz, 1000 nits.
- Ports: HDMI 2.1 and SDXC slot included.
- Power: Handles 8K video on battery without throttling.
9.45
Excellent
Our Rating
#3
ASUS
ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED
Viewed 150 times this week
We doubted the 'premium' feel at this price, but the metal chassis and popping OLED colors proved us wrong. The keyboard is decent, though the layout feels slightly cramped. The trackpad number-pad is gimmicky but actually proved helpful for quick data entry during our benchmarks.
Why we love it
- Value: Best performance-per-dollar ratio.
- Display: 14-inch 3K 120Hz OLED touch.
- Battery: 12+ hours productivity.
9.15
Excellent
Our Rating
#4
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
Viewed 150 times this week
This thing is impossibly thin for a 16-inch laptop. We loved using the included S Pen for quick sketches—it feels more natural than the stylus on most rivals. The AMOLED screen is the best we've tested for watching movies, with perfect blacks. The keyboard travel is a bit shallow compared to a ThinkPad, but the massive trackpad makes navigation a breeze.
Why we love it
- Screen: Stunning 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen.
- Input: S Pen included in the box (no extra purchase required).
- Ecosystem: Seamless integration with Samsung Galaxy phones/tablets.
9.05
Excellent
Our Rating
#5
ASUS
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)
Viewed 150 times this week
A gaming laptop that doesn't scream 'gamer.' The OLED screen made Cyberpunk look unbelievable with zero ghosting. It gets hot above the keyboard, but the fans are a consistent 'whoosh' rather than a high-pitched whine. The speakers and build quality are exceptional for this class.
Why we love it
- Build: CNC-milled aluminum, lightweight
- Visuals: OLED G-Sync panel
- Performance: Up to RTX 4070
8.92
Very Good
Our Rating
#6
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch)
Viewed 150 times this week
The first Windows laptop to match MacBook's instant-on responsiveness. The 3:2 screen is a joy for editorial work. We feared app compatibility issues with the ARM chip, but everything ran perfectly. It remained whisper-quiet throughout our entire testing cycle.
Why we love it
- Chip: Snapdragon X Elite (ARM)
- Battery: 20+ hours video playback
- Ratio: 3:2 productivity screen
8.78
Very Good
Our Rating
#7
Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13
Viewed 150 times this week
It messes with your brain—looking solid but feeling lighter than a tablet. The soft-touch coating is grippy and lovely. The keyboard travel is shallower than older models but still beats the competition. We surprisingly liked the new haptic trackpad, though the red nub remains for purists.
Why we love it
- Weight: Under 1.1 kg (2.5 lbs)
- Durability: MIL-STD 810H rated
- Input: New 'communications bar', haptic trackpad
8.65
Very Good
Our Rating
#8
Lenovo
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon)
Viewed 150 times this week
Impossibly thin; it disappeared in our bags. The OLED screen is blindingly bright, usable even outdoors. The 'Cosmic Blue' is a nice change. Like the Surface, general web work felt faster on this Snapdragon chip than our Intel desktops.
Why we love it
- Mobility: 12.9mm thick
- Display: 14.5-inch 3K OLED (1000 nits)
- Efficiency: All-day ARM battery life
8.55
Very Good
Our Rating
#9
Dell
Dell XPS 13 (9340)
Viewed 150 times this week
Looks like a sci-fi prop. The design is breathtaking, but the learning curve is steep; we missed clicks on the invisible trackpad constantly. The typing is unique—fast and flat. You buy this for the ultra-compact style, not ergonomics.
Why we love it
- Design: Invisible glass trackpad
- Size: Smallest 13-inch footprint
- Screen: InfinityEdge (zero bezel)
7.95
Good
Our Rating
#10
Acer
Acer Swift Go 14
Viewed 150 times this week
It feels more utilitarian than luxurious, with some lid flex. However, the OLED panel makes you forget the build quality. Having dedicated HDMI and USB-A ports is fantastic. The fan is loud under load, but for the price-to-performance ratio, we forgive it.
Why we love it
- Price: High specs for mid-range
- Ports: HDMI 2.1, USB-A, MicroSD
- Screen: 2.8K OLED
7.80
Good
Our Rating