The past year has been huge for laptops. With so many new models, identifying the best laptop for you can be overwhelming. Our experts have tested some of the best laptops of the year, like the latest Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell’s XPS lineup, and the creative powerhouse Asus ProArt P16. We reviewed spec sheets to evaluate random access memory (RAM) and storage, build quality, portability, and value, in addition to testing some of the best affordable laptops.
Using industry-standard benchmarking programs, we test all laptops to measure performance, battery life, and display quality. After going hands-on with dozens of models, we found the best laptop to be the MacBook Pro M4 for its fantastic battery life, fast performance, and sleek, portable form factor.
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What is the best laptop right now?
Our pick for the overall best laptop is the M4 MacBook Pro. It possesses nearly everything you could ever want in a laptop: a long-lasting battery, generation-defining artificial intelligence features, top-tier performance, and a vibrant display. This laptop checks off all the boxes and looks as good as it performs. As great as it may be, the M4 MacBook Pro isn’t for everyone, and there are other options worth highlighting.
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The best laptops of 2025
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Taking the top spot as the best laptop of 2025 is Apple’s M4 MacBook Pro. This may surprise some people, as we’re sure a few were expecting the M4 Pro or M4 Max version, but there is a good reason why we went with the base model. It perfectly balances the lines between power and affordability.
The M4 is the latest chipset in Apple’s silicon line. It comprises a 10-core central processing unit (CPU) and a 10-core graphics processing unit (GPU). Supporting the hardware are 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Kerry Wan, the Senior Reviews Editor at ZDNET, said the base configuration can arguably meet the needs “for 90% of users” and says “most people will be delighted by the… overall computing experience”. Whether for photo editing, video work, or light gaming, the M4 handles everything smoothly, even outperforming the old M1 Pro chip.
Review: MacBook Pro (M4)
Artificial intelligence also plays a big role in the M4 ecosystem. It enables the new ChatGPT-powered Siri, allowing the AI assistant to “answer… sophisticated queries instead” relying on Google Search. Writing Tools is another notable feature that can craft messages across various tones. Image Playground creates AI-generated artwork, which can be useful for professionals who need an image for work.
I also want to shout out the nano-texture display, which is capable of staying “clear and pristine” even “after a week of intensive use”. If money is not an issue, you can purchase the MacBook Pro housing the M4 Pro or M4 Max chipset. These two provide an even better user experience, although be prepared to pay much more.
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MacBook Pro M4 specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: Liquid Retina XDR | Resolution: 3024 x 1964 pixels | RAM: Up to 24GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | CPU: 10-core M4 | Battery life: Up to a purported 24 hours
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With so many fantastic Windows laptops out there, it was hard to pick just one, but we had to give it to Dell’s XPS 16. It succeeds on multiple fronts. This machine has a stunning 4K resolution display surrounded by thin bezels. Being surrounded by a thin frame makes the screen appear significantly more prominent than it is.
What’s more, it’s supported by several image-enhancing features like Dolby Vision which delivers “vibrant shades of color” as well as a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. The latter ensures images output high amounts of detail.
Review: Dell XPS 16 (2024)
Under the hood, the XPS 16 houses an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series graphics card. My review unit came with an RTX 4070 GPU. Combine these specs with its 32GB of RAM, and you’re looking at a laptop that can easily handle all demanding workloads, from gaming to video editing. It’s nothing if not a powerhouse.
The XPS 16 also has a stylish design. The zero lattice keyboard and the function key touch panel give it a distinct look seen nowhere else. On the sides of the keys are the device’s room-filling speakers.
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We want to warn you that the XPS 16 is rather heavy and doesn’t have a wide array of ports, so you may need a docking station. Be sure to check out ZDNET’s list of the best laptop docking stations for recommendations.
Dell XPS 16 specs: Display size: 16.3 inches | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 4TB SSD | Battery life: 12 hours
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MSI’s Stealth A16 AI Plus is a gaming laptop that excels as a desktop replacement. This is mainly due to its top-tier hardware: an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, and a solid 32GB of RAM. AMD’s Ryzen CPU, as its name reveals, utilizes artificial intelligence to boost performance, while freeing up processing power to allow the Stealth A16 to earn high marks on performance tests.
Review: MSI Stealth A16 AI Plus
Admittedly, many laptops, including some work machines, have similar hardware, so MSI’s machine isn’t unique in that regard. What makes it special is that all its components are paired up with a 16-inch QuadHD (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) display running at 240Hz. A high refresh rate ensures smooth on-screen animation: action sequences from video games run smoothly and the whole experience feels more responsive than laptops with slower displays.
Additionally, the laptop sports unique optimization features. MSIHybrid, for example, is a mode that balances performance and battery efficiency. Its SteelSeries keyboard is another standout feature, offering comfortable typing. If longevity is a concern, the Stealth A 16 comes with Integrated Graphics mode to extend the battery life, pushing the battery to over 11 hours on a single charge.
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MSI Stealth A16 AI Plus specs: Display size: 16 inches | Display type: QHD | Resolution: 2560 x 1600 | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9-365 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery life: 10.5 hours
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Acer Aspire Go 15 stands tall as the best budget laptop. For less than $300, you get a portable notebook built to cover the basics. What it lacks in fancy aesthetics or premium features, this device makes up for it by being a solid secondary computer for students or professionals.
Powered by an Intel Core i3-N305 and 8GB of RAM, the device can handle lightweight productivity tasks reasonably well. Its 15-inch 1080p display provides decent viewing angles and sufficient contrast with a modest level of brightness.
The company opted for a utilitarian design when creating the Aspire Go 15, featuring a full-sized keyboard alongside a well-placed trackpad. Battery life is another standout feature, lasting over 10 hours straight during our video playback tests. That number does drop down to about eight hours of typical use. What’s more, the laptop can be versatile thanks to a humble selection of ports, including USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI.
Review: Acer Aspire Go 15
Amazon sells multiple configurations of the Aspire Go 15. If you want a version with more power behind it, the retailer has the 2024 Performance model. It comes with an Intel Core i5-13420H and a touchscreen. There’s also the 2023 Browse version if you want to save more money.
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Acer Aspire Go specs: Display size: 15 inches | Display type: LCD | Resolution: 1080p | CPU: Intel Core i3-N305 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 125GB SSD | Battery life: Up to 11 hours
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When Asus officially announced the
Made of Asus’ proprietary ceraluminum material, the Zenbook A14 is exceedingly light, weighing just 2.1 pounds. For reference, the 13-inch MacBook Air is 2.7 pounds. When you set it down, the device opens easily with the lift of a single finger, revealing the brilliant organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.
Review: Asus Zenbook A14
It’s a sleek and lightweight laptop for the modern professional who lives in the cloud, works remotely, and values a nice display. In addition, the Zenbook A14 boots quickly, loads apps swiftly, and navigates the web without lag. It runs silent and cool, generating almost no heat — even with the slim form factor.
Hands down, the best part of this laptop is the outstanding battery life. Asus advertises up to 32 hours on a single charge. Although that’s the top end of the estimation, it’s not far off from what you can expect with everyday use.
Asus Zenbook A14 specs: Display size: 14 inches | Display type: OLED | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 (Full HD+) | RAM: 16GB or 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | CPU: Snapdragon X or X Plus | GPU: Qualcomm Adreno | Battery life: Up to 32 hours of video playback | Weight: 2.1 lbs
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Asus’ ProArt P16 is a laptop designed primarily for content creators who demand a machine with robust hardware to support their work. Powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and an Nvidia GeForce 4060 GPU, this device excels at handling tough workloads like video editing and graphic design. The hardware ensures seamless multitasking, while the 16-inch Active-Matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) touchscreen delivers vibrant visuals in crisp detail.
Artists, in particular, will appreciate this display’s glossy surface, which responds well to styluses. The Asus DialPad integrated into the trackpads allows users to create customized controls to streamline workflows.
Review: Asus ProArt P16
Other customization options include DialPad and Performance Profiles, which let you prioritize certain aspects of the laptop depending on the situation. For example, if you have a busy workflow and need a performance boost, you could have the hardware prioritize battery life for better longevity or processing power. The MyAsus app also helps on this front, as it offers tools to manage updates or monitor performance.
Of course, I can’t forget to mention Vivobook Pro’s top-notch design. It boasts good ergonomics and a sturdy hinge that prevents unnecessary movement. Its keyboard is notably quiet, so you won’t disturb the people around you when typing. The ProArt P16 is a good alternative to either the M3 or M4 MacBook Pro, although getting the most out of it requires precise optimization.
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Asus ProArt P16 specs: Display size: 14 inches | Display type: AMOLED | Resolution: 3840 x 2400 | CPU: AMD Ruzen AI 9 HX 370 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Battery life: 10 hours
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Lenovo’s sixth-generation ThinkPad T14s is an excellent choice for professionals seeking a fast laptop that can tackle intensive productivity tasks. It performs well thanks to the recently released AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 processor, the integrated AMD Radeon 880M graphics card, and of course, the ample 32GB of RAM. Hardware like this delivers exceptional multitasking capabilities.
Benchmark results highlight its power, scoring over 9,300 points in PCMark 10’s Essential Productivity tests. Cinebench results show image rendering is remarkably fast, further demonstrating the efficiency of the Ryzen AI processor. If that wasn’t enough, the neural processing unit (NPU) boosts the computer’s hardware even further as the component offloads work and stress from the main processor.
Review: Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6
Beyond its hardware, the T14s Gen 6 sports a lightweight design, typical of other models in its line, and a solid 12-hour battery life. I also appreciate how fast the battery charges, reaching 70% in about an hour. Other notable features include a 5MP webcam for clear video calls in 1440p, Thunderbolt 4 ports for quick file transfer, and Dolby Atmos, enabling immersive sound. Lastly, it supports Wi-Fi 7, so users can ensure speedy wireless speeds.
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Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 features: Display size: 14 inches | Display type: WUXGA | Resolution: 1920 x 1200 | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: up to 1TB SSD | Battery life: 12 hours
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Chromebooks hit their stride last year as third-party manufacturers introduced beefier hardware and cool features to the devices. Once relegated to tablets and devices with very limited use, the upgrades have allowed Chromebooks to become a valid third option alongside MacBooks and Windows laptops.
One of the better Chromebooks released in 2024 was Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus, a lightweight device with a brilliant OLED display and a handful of AI-powered features. The new Quick Insert key on the Galaxy Chromebook lets users bring up a control panel for mobile devices to help multitask, while the Help Me Read feature scans and summarizes websites, articles, and text files. Even better, these functions are built into the device at the OS level.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
The Galaxy Chromebook Plus looks great with its vivid 15.6-inch display. It is well-rounded enough for various use cases — even cloud gaming — which only a few years ago was not something you’d think about doing on a Chromebook. Praise must be levied at its design, too. My colleague, Kyle Kucharski, complemented Samsung for foregoing the implementation of a touchscreen. Doing so allowed the tech giant to develop a Chromebook that is thin and relatively easy to use.
The best part about all of this is that the device is affordable, at $699, which is a competitive price for a portable workstation, gaming machine, or main driver.
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Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus specs: Display size: 15.6 inches | Display type: AMOLED | Resolution: 1920 x 1080 | CPU: Intel Core 3 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB eUFS | Battery life: 12 hours
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ZDNET’s top pick for the best laptop is Apple’s MacBook M3 Max, which features a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, great performance, and promises 22 hours of battery life. This chart breaks down how the laptop stacks up with the top features on other devices, from price to CPU/GPU, screen size, and display resolution.
| Best laptop | Starting price | Processor/GPU | RAM/Storage |
| MacBook Pro (M4) | $1,399 | Apple M4 SoC | Up to 24GB, up to 1TB |
| Dell XPS 16 | $1,699 | Intel Core Ultra 7 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | Up to 64GB, up to 4TB |
| MSI Stealth A16 AI Plus | $1,999 | AMD Ryzen AI 9-365 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | 32GB, 1TB |
| Acer Aspire Go 15 | $255 | Intel Core i3-N305 | Intel UHD | 8GB, 128GB |
| Asus Zenbook A14 | $1,099 | Snapdragon X Plus | Qualcomm Adreno | 32GB, 1TB |
| Asus ProArt P16 | $1,649 | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | 32GB, 1TB |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 | $1,401 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite | Integrated Qualcomm GPU | Up to 32GB, up to 1TB |
| Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus | $699 | Intel Core 3 | 8GB, 256GB |
The main question when buying a laptop is: “What do you want to do with it?” Once you’ve established that, you can focus your research on finding the right machine for you.
For example, if you’re on the move a lot, you’ll want a good combination of flexibility, sturdiness, connectivity, security, and a long battery life. However, you should opt for a laptop with powerful hardware if you’re a largely deskbound graphic designer or content creator. Devices with top-tier processors and graphics cards tend to be heavier than most.
Here’s a well-researched (and tested) list of our favorite laptops for a wide array of use cases.
| Buy this best laptop… | If you need… |
| MacBook Pro (M4) | A powerful, well-rounded laptop for the office and home. The MacBook Pro with the M4 chip brings performance for nearly everything from simple spreadsheets and video calls to video editing. |
| Dell XPS 16 | A Windows-based laptop with seriously powerful hardware and lots of different options for customizing it to your needs. |
| MSI Stealth A16 AI Plus | A top-notch gaming laptop with a fast screen running at a 240Hz refresh rate. |
| Acer Aspire Go 15 | A seriously inexpensive laptop that has all the basics for everyday use. |
| Asus Zenbook A14 | A lightweight and well-designed laptop with a gorgeous OLED display and marathon battery. |
| Asus ProArt P16 | A laptop designed specifically for content creators with a brilliant OLED display and a ton of customization options. |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 | An ultraportable laptop for work. It houses the latest AI-powered AMD processor and a fast charging battery. |
| Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus | An affordable, lightweight Chromebook with a gorgeous display |
We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system’s metrics under the hood and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop — usually a week or two — using it the same way a normal consumer would, to assess its portability, form factor, and how well the battery actually holds up. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive laptop testing methodology.
- Benchmarking: First, we run a series of tests to put the computer’s hardware through the wringer in order to see what it’s capable of. Cinebench is one of the most commonly used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop’s rendering performance on single and multiple central processing unit (CPU) cores. PCMark 10 is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace, and there are many others that we use in tandem to gather as much data as we can. Some components we run tests on include:
- Processor: The “brain” of the laptop and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers that make most of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple — in Apple machines only. This is tested in benchmarking software.
- The display: The size of the display — measured diagonally from corner to corner — is also what dictates the laptop’s overall size and plays a big role in the device’s cost. Brightness is measured in “nits,” and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.
- The graphics processor (GPU): Whether it’s integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback.
- Physical form factor: Finally, the laptop’s overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.
- Battery testing: We test a unit’s battery in a few ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also will just let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. We ensure screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off, set the display’s brightness and audio at 50%, load up a livestream on YouTube in Chrome, and wait ’til the end.
- The human element: As we mentioned earlier, metrics and system data is important, but numbers alone don’t give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about.
Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that real people find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team’s decades of experience.
Multiple factors influence the choice of laptops for this list. We look for machines with great designs, performance, and effective storage and RAM. We also considered the different purposes for which you may need or use your laptop and the overall value — including the price point — that the laptop promises.
- Design: Whether your laptop is your ultimate workstation or source of entertainment, its design, display, and portability determine how you interact with the unit.
- Performance: For many, laptops are essential for workflow and communication. The best laptops promise efficient speed and performance, powered by the greatest and latest chipsets — like the Apple M3 Max.
- Storage and RAM: It’s likely you’ll use a laptop to store key documents or memories, and the best models have plenty of room for you to do so.
- Purpose: We strive to answer the question, “What laptop should I get if ___” as we know you have different workflow and entertainment needs and preferences, from graphic design to gaming.
- Value: The best laptop can be a pricey investment, so we considered qualities that assure you’ll get your money’s worth.
While the desktop form factor, especially in the form of all-in-one (AIO) devices, still exists, laptops come in various sizes and cover many use cases. They range from thin, light, and ultraportable to bulky, powerful, and deskbound. Because of how good laptops are nowadays, most people opt for sticking with a laptop to serve as their main computer. If a small laptop screen is an issue, an external monitor can be connected.
While every computing platform has its loyal supporters, most people end up using a particular operating system because of key applications running on it, employer preferences, or budgetary constraints. Windows, which ranges from budget to premium, and Apple’s MacOS, which is exclusive to premium devices, cover a broad spectrum. ChromeOS is mostly limited to mid-range devices.
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All Windows devices listed here meet the requirements for Windows 11. If you purchase a device with Windows 10 installed, you will be able to upgrade to Windows 11 if you choose to do so. Note that after October 14, 2025, Windows 10 support will end, and there will be no further security patches or feature updates.
In general, the leading PC vendors have the most extensive range of offerings and the best-documented track records for product development and customer relations. Therefore, if you do not have a specialized use case or budgetary constraints, you will typically consider vendors such as Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, or Asus. These vendors currently lead the PC market in terms of shipments, along with several other well-known brands.
The good news is that you don’t need to have the biggest, best, newest components to get a decent gaming laptop. To play most triple-A and indie titles, we recommend a rig with at least 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 120Hz refresh rate for the display, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card.
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And if you want to try your hand at content creation, something like the Corsair Voyager a1600 is a sure bet. You might also want to consider equipping with accessories. An Elgato Steam Deck integration, for example, can offer streamlined workflows when editing videos, livestreaming, and even setting up video calls with channel moderators or collaborators.
It really depends on the student, but there are some common factors to consider when shopping for a laptop for school. You’ll want something small and lightweight for easier commutes to and from school and between classes.
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You’ll also want something with at least eight hours of battery life to get through a typical school day without needing to plug in. This is excellent for younger kids who may be forgetful and leave their charging cable at home. Also, look for a laptop with at least 4GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and cloud-storage backup to create duplicate copies of important files and classwork. You’ll also want to avoid laptops with dedicated graphics cards aimed toward gaming to help cut down misuse and procrastination.
Whether you’re looking for a single laptop for yourself or a fleet for your business, the best laptops for work offer great performance, multiple connectivity options, and durable builds.
You’ll want to look for a model with at least 8GB of RAM, a 256GB storage drive, a quad-core CPU, and a display large enough to work on without being too bulky to travel with. You’ll also want a model with at least eight hours of battery life to get through a typical day of work without needing to recharge constantly.
We strongly recommend getting an M4 MacBook and purchasing Final Cut Pro, an editing software exclusive to the Mac ecosystem. Buying the 2023 MacBook Pro is another good option. It sports an M2 Max chip and offers great performance for content creators. The machine can handle 4TB of footage with ease.
Review: The best laptops for video editing: Expert tested
Therefore, Apple MacBook Pros are a popular choice as are any laptops with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and high-resolution displays such as the Dell XPS 13 and 15.
Other laptops we’ve tested
ZDNET writer Taylor Clemons also contributed to this list.
Laptops Reviewed & Compared
