The Best Laptop Models You Can Buy in 2025

echnology is rapidly evolving, and laptops are becoming more powerful every day. New-generation laptops, especially those powered by artificial intelligence, can optimize battery life, boost performance, and improve camera quality during video calls. If you’re looking for a long-term investment, you can check out our guide. Here are the best laptop models to buy in 2025.

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air M3

Apple’s MacBook Air M3 is one of the best laptops on the market. Apple hasn’t made any major design changes, but that’s not surprising since the previous model already received its biggest refresh in a decade. This new model boasts a speed boost thanks to the M3 chip. It also adds Wi-Fi 6E support and allows for dual external monitors when the laptop is closed. The black “midnight blue” color, in particular, comes with a special fingerprint-resistant coating, and it really works!

The M3 processor is about 20% faster than the previous-generation M2 and offers a significant leap in graphics performance. It also supports real-time ray tracing. The laptop stands out with its long battery life. Of course, there are some minor drawbacks. The charging and USB-C ports are only on the left side, which can make charging a bit of a hassle when your plug is on the right. Thankfully, the 3.5mm headphone jack is still present, as it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see on ultra-thin laptops.

Pros and Cons

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is an ultrabook that stands out with its sleek, minimalist design. Its new Intel Core Ultra 7 processor delivers high performance, while its built-in NPU (neural processing unit) allows it to run AI-powered tasks more efficiently. This feature reduces the strain on the processor and battery, especially when using AI-powered effects like Windows Studio Effects for video calls.

Design-wise, it stands out with its nearly bezel-less “InfinityEdge” display, comfortable keyboard with large keys, and large trackpad hidden within the wrist rest. The premium design approach that the XPS series has maintained for many years is evident in this model.

Compared to the previous-generation XPS 13 models, this model has both improved performance and a more stylish look. However, the invisible trackpad may take some getting used to. Furthermore, the limited ports may be a drawback for some users. If you need a larger screen and more powerful hardware, there’s also an XPS 14 equipped with NVIDIA RTX 40 series graphics. However, if portability and lightness are more important to you, the XPS 13 remains one of the best Windows ultrabook options.

Pros and Cons

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, with its powerful hardware and portable design, is an ideal choice for both gamers and content creators. Its new aluminum unibody chassis feels sturdy and stylish, while its 120Hz refresh rate OLED display delivers vibrant colors and a smooth viewing experience. One of its biggest advantages is its extensive port selection. Compared to its competitors, it offers greater flexibility with ports like HDMI 2.0b, USB 3.2, and DisplayPort. Additionally, the presence of a built-in microSD card reader is a major advantage for content creators.

The audio performance is also quite impressive. The powerful stereo speakers positioned on the top provide a much better audio experience than its competitors. Battery life is sufficient for a portable gaming PC, with around 10 hours of use. However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The RTX 4080 GPU used in the previous model has been replaced by the RTX 4070, which may be disappointing for some users. Furthermore, the soldered RAM limits upgrade options.

Pros and Cons

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is an affordable laptop designed for basic needs. Its 14-inch Full HD touchscreen and backlit keyboard provide a more than adequate experience for everyday use. Equipped with a 13th-generation Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, this model delivers fast and smooth performance for basic tasks.

The device’s 360-degree hinge offers flexibility, allowing it to be used in tablet mode. The presence of USB-A and two USB-C ports is an added bonus. However, battery life is average and the device is a bit heavy.

Pros and Cons

HP Pavilion Aero 13

The HP Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent choice for those looking for a lightweight and portable laptop. The LAtop model stands out with its 16:10 aspect ratio Full HD display and thin bezels. Its AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor and Radeon graphics deliver powerful performance for everyday tasks and light multitasking. Its extensive port support and all-day battery make it a highly practical choice. However, its design may be a bit plain and understated. The backlit keyboard is only available for special orders.

Pros and Cons

Apple MacBook Pro 2024

Apple’s 2024 MacBook Pro may look relatively unchanged, but thanks to the M4 chip inside, it’s making a huge leap in performance. The M4 Pro’s multi-threaded performance in Geekbench and Cinebench tests, in particular, shows it’s twice as powerful as some Windows competitors. New Thunderbolt 5 support also allows for faster accessory connections.

Additionally, the screen brightness has been increased, a new 12MP Center Stage camera has been added, and battery life has increased to an incredible 30 hours.

Pros and Cons

HP Spectre x360 14

The HP Spectre x360 14 is one of the best options in the 2-in-1 laptop category. Its screen swivels into various modes, making it incredibly flexible and easy to use in tablet mode. This device is especially ideal for tasks like reading PDFs and taking notes. Its OLED display also delivers incredibly vibrant colors.

This laptop not only offers convertibility but also delivers good performance with its powerful Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and 16GB of RAM. It also excels at portability, but its battery life lags behind its competitors.

Pros and Cons

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 offers excellent performance and battery life with its Arm-based processor. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip, in particular, ensures a fast and quiet experience for everyday tasks and most applications. The Prism emulator also allows x86 applications to run smoothly. The screen’s brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and robust build make the Surface Laptop 7 a standout in the ultraportable PC category. However, some games and apps may be incompatible with the Arm-based processor, and an OLED display is not an option.

Pros and Cons

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 is an excellent choice for business users. Equipped with the new Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and advanced NPU, it can handle even heavy workloads smoothly. Furthermore, the improved keyboard and large trackpad provide a highly comfortable experience for extended use.

Its matte screen performs well even in low-light conditions, and its 13-hour battery life is sufficient for extended work. However, it lags behind its competitors in some performance tests. Furthermore, the placement of the power button on the side of the laptop can be unfamiliar to some users.

Pros and Cons

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Laptop

There are many factors to consider when choosing a laptop. Choosing a laptop that meets your needs will not only provide a productive user experience but also increase your long-term satisfaction. Performance, battery life, screen size, portability, and price are important factors to consider when making your selection. When purchasing a laptop, you should consider the following criteria.

Operating System: Apple, Windows or Chrome OS

We assume most of you have already decided on an operating system, but I recommend being as flexible as possible. These days, most major software works with both Macs and PCs. Of course, if you’re relying on an Apple-only application like Final Cut Pro, that might be different. Web-based applications will work on any platform with a web browser.

There’s little reason for Apple users to switch to Windows laptops (unless you want a gaming machine). However, Windows users may find that macOS becomes more attractive with each passing year. Apple’s MacBooks, with their M-series chips, are incredibly fast and efficient systems. They also boast exceptional battery life. MacOS is also a fairly easy platform to learn if you’re already using iOS and iPadOS.

Ports and Connection

Most laptops today come with USB-C ports for both charging and fast data transfer. Apple’s MacBooks also feature a MagSafe power connector, and some PCs like the Microsoft Surface have dedicated power connectors. Older USB Type-A connectors are less common now, but are still found on some devices like the HP Spectre x360 14.

Laptop Size and Weight

How portable you want your laptop to be is a key factor in choosing one. A 13-inch device is an ideal starting point for most users. This size provides enough screen real estate for tasks like emailing and browsing the web, while also offering the added benefit of being lightweight. If you prefer more comfortable viewing, consider a screen larger than 13 inches.

Battery Life

A laptop’s battery life depends on the power consumption of the display and other hardware, power-saving optimizations, and, of course, the battery size. If battery life is your priority, you might want to consider a Mac model.

Screen Refresh Rate

A laptop’s screen refresh rate refers to how often the screen refreshes every second. Modern displays have a refresh rate of at least 60Hz. However, devices offering higher refresh rates like 120Hz or 240Hz are also available today. Higher refresh rates provide a much higher-quality experience, especially for users playing games or watching fast-moving content.

Processor

When buying a new laptop, you should make sure it features the latest processors. For Windows PCs, this could be Intel’s Core Ultra chips or the more powerful Intel HX series processors. Apple users can choose from the M3, M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. These chips are generally noted for their low power consumption and high performance.

Graphics Processor (GPU)

The GPU is the component that communicates directly with the laptop’s display. Laptops typically come with integrated graphics, though there are also options with dedicated graphics cards like Intel and AMD chips with Radeon graphics, or NVIDIA’s RTX 40 series. If you plan on doing graphics-intensive tasks like gaming or video editing, you should opt for a system with a powerful GPU.

AI PCs and NPUs

An AI PC contains a neural processing unit (NPU) designed to handle AI tasks. NPUs are optimized for processing AI tasks and operate much more efficiently than CPUs or GPUs. Such devices can offer significant advantages, particularly in terms of battery life. Microsoft’s Copilot+ program is promoting such devices and enabling the use of AI features in Windows 11. Beyond improving system speed and operating more efficiently, AI support can make everyday tasks much easier for users.

Other Laptop Models Not Listed

Other laptop models that are not included in our list but preferred by users are as follows:

Apple 15-inch MacBook Air M3

This Apple laptop is a larger version of the 13-inch MacBook Air. Weighing in at 1.5 kg, it’s a popular choice among many users. You can equip the 15-inch Air with 24GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. If you need a larger screen in your Mac, consider this model.

ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED lacks any noteworthy features aside from its stunning OLED display. It looks rather bland and boring, especially compared to the stunningly beautiful ASUS Zephyrus G14, released this year. While the Zenbook 14 is affordable, it has received negative reviews from many users, particularly due to its hinge mechanism.

Razer Blade 14

The Razer Blade has almost everything you need for a 14-inch gaming laptop. However, it’s significantly more expensive than the Zephyrus G14 and doesn’t include an SD card reader. While the laptop’s price is a bit higher, its color options are impressive.

Framework Laptop 16

Framework has added modularity to the Laptop 16, offering a gaming laptop with nearly every component replaceable by the user. However, the laptop comes with new hardware options and a higher price tag.

Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware m16 r2 has been redesigned with a thinner chassis, but its features make it a typical gaming laptop. While it’s a solid option for Alienware fans, better hardware and deals can be found elsewhere.

ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024)

The Zenbook Duo is a worthwhile purchase thanks to its dual-screen design. However, its unique hardware isn’t yet fully appealing to consumers. Furthermore, Windows 11 doesn’t support multi-screen setups on the Zenbook Duo’s large screen.

Dell XPS 16

Dell’s XPS 16 is big and beautiful, but it comes at a significantly higher price than its competitors. It also has capacitive function keys that are barely visible under bright light. While the Dell XPS 16 is a large device, it’s often criticized by users for its lack of ports.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laptop Models

What is the average battery life of a laptop?

Laptop battery life varies depending on its intended use. For example, models like the MacBook Air can offer approximately 20 hours of battery life. However, a laptop used for gaming can run out of battery in just a few hours. Currently, Macs offer significantly better battery life than PCs thanks to Apple’s silicon chips. Microsoft, however, claims that its Copilot+ systems, powered by Qualcomm chips, offer over 20 hours of battery life.

How much RAM do I need?

RAM determines how much RAM your computer can handle simultaneously. A minimum of 16GB of RAM is generally recommended for both PCs and Macs. This amount will allow you to open multiple applications and multiple browser tabs without any problems. Most PC games also require at least 16GB of RAM. If you’re looking for a laptop for basic tasks, 8GB of RAM will do the trick. However, you may experience significant slowdowns over time. Many laptops don’t allow you to upgrade the RAM, so it’s important to get enough RAM from the start.

If you’re going to be gaming professionally, planning to do video editing, or interested in 3D modeling, you might want to consider 32GB of RAM or more.

What is the best storage capacity for a laptop?

Most laptop models offer storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB SSD. A minimum of 512GB is recommended. If you store a lot of media or plan to play a lot of games, you might want to consider a 1TB SSD.

What’s the difference between macOS and Windows? Which is better?

macOS is the operating system used on all of Apple’s laptops and desktops, while Windows is included on most PCs. Chromebooks also run Google’s ChromeOS operating system, but these are essentially Linux-based web browsers.

The differences between macOS and Windows have been debated for many years. However, these differences are often minor and unimportant, such as the difference between the Command and Control keys, differences in file explorer usage, and concerns about viruses. These issues have become less significant over time because both operating systems have strong security features.

If your goal is to play the latest games, Windows is a step ahead. If you’re interested in creative software like Photoshop, Premiere, or Final Cut Pro, macOS might be a better choice (especially if you use an iPhone).

What are the best laptop brands?

We can’t definitively state the best laptop brand in the world. We strongly recommend that users consider their needs when purchasing a laptop. Today, many laptop companies, including brands like Apple, Dell, and ASUS, offer fast, reliable, and durable models that meet their customers’ needs.

Best Laptop Features Comparison Table

Choosing the best laptop for 2025 depends entirely on your needs. If you’re looking for a fast, lightweight, and durable laptop, the MacBook Air M3 might be the right choice for you. For more features and budget-friendly options, you can also consider Windows and Chromebook models.