This article has been just updated: January 15, 2024
Selecting the best laptop is getting harder and harder each year. No, laptops are not getting worse—quite the opposite! There are now so many excellent laptops on the market that it can be really difficult to narrow everything down to just a handful of models. However, that’s exactly what we’ve done, and here’s our list of top 7 best laptops you can buy this year.
1. Huawei MateBook X Pro
Best Laptop to Buy in 2024
13.9″ 3K Touch | 8th Gen i7-8550U | 16 GB RAM | 512 GB SSD | GeForce MX150
The Huawei MateBook X Pro is definitely the surprise laptop of this year. The Chinese company has accomplished something only a few thought possible: release a laptop capable of convincing diehard Mac users to purchase a Windows machine. This beautiful laptop is Huawei’s first device with FullView design, which essentially means that the borders around the touchscreen display are virtually non-existent.
Besides its gorgeous display and elegant body, the Huawei MateBook X Pro also helps you unleash your creativity with the latest processor from Intel and the NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card. The laptop can last up to 12 hours on a charge, so only you will decide when work stops.
2. Dell XPS 13
The Best Gaming Laptop of 2024
15.6″ FHD | 8th Gen Core i7-8750H CPU | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD | GeForce GTX 1050Ti
Dell has been improving its premium ultrabook, the XPS 13, for several years now, and we would dare to say that the company is approaching perfection. This 13.3-inch laptop has a stunning borderless display with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and dazzling brights. Under the hood of the XPS 13 is a powerful processor from Intel that delivers up to 44 percent improved performance over the last generation.
Despite its compact size, the Dell XPS 13 has three multi-use USB Type-C ports, one headset jack, one Noble lock slot, and a dedicated full-size SD card reader. The laptop can last up to 13 hours on a single charge when streaming Netflix content or browsing the web.
3. Acer Aspire E15
One of the Best Values on the Market
15.6″ Full HD | 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8130U | 6GB RAM Memory | 1TB HDD | 8X DVD
The Acer Aspire E15 is arguably far less exciting than our first two picks, but don’t let its modest appearance fool you: the value this laptop offers is simply astounding. If you’ve ever wondered whether a $600 laptop can be great, the Acer Aspire E15 proves that the answer is yes.
Available in a variety of vivid colors, the Acer Aspire E15 has a gaming-ready dedicated graphics card from NVIDIA, several reversible USB Type-C ports, a battery that can last up to 12 hours, speakers that deliver rich sound, and a large color-accurate display. The only real downside of the laptop is its plastic body and clumsy appearance. But if value is what you’re looking for, the Acer Aspire E15 is where you’ll find it.
4. Asus ZenBook UX330UA
The best Budget Laptop You Can Buy in 2024
14” FHD Nano-Edge Bezel| 8th-Gen Intel Core i7-8565U Processor| 16GB LPDDR3| 512GB PCIe SSD
If it wasn’t for the prominent Asus logo under the display, it would be easy to mistake the Asus ZenBook UX330UA for the MacBook Air. But this laptop is far more affordable than Apple’s ultra-lightweight laptop, yet it delivers a far greater bang for your buck. The Asus ZenBook UX330UA features a pin-sharp display with a resolution of 3200 x 1800 and Asus Tru2Life technology for vivid, lifelike colors and clear, sharp videos.
You can get it in two nature-inspired colors, Quartz Grey or Rose Gold, and it’s hard to decide which color looks better. Being a proper ultrabook, the Asus ZenBook UX330UA can last up to 12 hours on a charge, so it won’t have a problem accompanying you even during the longest working day.
5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
Best Business laptop of 2024
14″ FHD IPS Laptop| Intel Dual-Core i5-8250U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
Lenovo is known for its ThinkPad series of rugged productivity-oriented laptops that appeal to people who value reliability above style. But you wouldn’t think that looking at the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, which is a stylish ultrabook that successfully merges elegant design with Lenovo’s legendary durability to create the ultimate machine for on-the-go productivity.
Lenovo markets the laptop to IT admins and field professionals who are constantly on the move and need a lightweight yet powerful laptop with extensive connectivity options. That’s why the ThinkPad X1 Carbon can be equipped with an optional LTE-A card, which can keep you connected to the internet around the globe, even when there’s no Wi-Fi around.
6. Apple MacBook Pro
The Best Laptop for Graphic Design
13″ Retina or 15″ Retina| 2.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5| 8GB RAM| 256GB SSD
There’s no doubt that Apple is in a league of its own when it comes to laptop design. The latest MacBook Pro is an incredibly powerful machine with up to 32 GB of memory, a stunning Retina display, and Apple’s innovative Touch Bar.
The MacBook Pro is available in two sizes—13 inches and 15 inches—so there’s no need to make any compromises when it comes to portability and processing power. Of course, this engineering marvel isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s the most expensive laptop on this list. However, it’s the only laptop with macOS, and, form any people, that alone is a good reason to buy it.
7. Microsoft Surface Pro
The best 2-in-1 Laptop
12.3” Touch-Screen (2736 x 1824) Tablet PC | Intel Core M3 | 4GB Memory | 128GB SSD | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Microsoft has single-handedly reignited the Windows laptop market with its Surface line of devices. The Surface Pro is a versatile transformer that works just as great as laptop and as a tablet. With over 10 hours of battery life and three distinct work modes to choose from, the Surface Pro is everything you need to write documents, edit images, browse the web, or enjoy a movie after a long day at work.
To get the most out of the laptop, we highly recommend you purchase the optional type cover with a built-in keyboard, as well as the excellent Surface Pen, which allows you to draw and write naturally right on the display of the Surface Pro.
How to Choose a Laptop?
There are several questions you need to answer to get from seven down to just one laptop that’s best suited for your needs:
-
- What kind of user are you? Gamers, software developers, graphics designers, and students all need different laptops. If all you do is browse the web, write emails, and watch online videos, you most certainly don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a top-of-the-line laptop with a powerful graphics card and the latest processor. On the other hand, if you’re a professional and need all the processing power you can get to render video in high definition, compile software applications, or calculate the internal structure of protein cells, spending some extra money on a powerful laptop makes sense.
-
- How much money do you want to spend? If you have $1,000 in your budget, there’s no point in wasting time looking at laptops that cost more than that. These days, you can find an excellent laptop in nearly any price range, and you just need to know which features you’re willing to sacrifice to meet your budget. Should you discover that there’s simply no interesting laptop within your budget, you should consider buying a used laptop on eBay or Craigslist.
- How much money do you want to spend? If you have $1,000 in your budget, there’s no point in wasting time looking at laptops that cost more than that. These days, you can find an excellent laptop in nearly any price range, and you just need to know which features you’re willing to sacrifice to meet your budget. Should you discover that there’s simply no interesting laptop within your budget, you should consider buying a used laptop on eBay or Craigslist.
-
- Do you have a favorite operating system? Are you a diehard Mac user? If so, your options are quite limited. On the other hand, those who don’t care about the operating system that comes preinstalled on the laptop have quite a few options to consider, especially if they would also be happy with Chrome OS and Linux.
-
- Do you expect to travel with your laptop often? Traveling with a 17-inch laptop that weighs like a ton of bricks gets old quick. If you’re a student who travels from one end of the campus to another or a business person who travels from one end of the world to another, a smaller, lightweight laptop with a long battery life is a far more sensible choice than a power-hungry monster that’s too large to fit inside most laptop bags and too heavy to carry for any significant amount of time without equally significant amount of back pain.
- Do you already have a tablet? 2-in-1 laptops have become very popular over the past few years, offering all the processing power of regular laptops combined with the convenience of tablets, making them extremely versatile. However, if you already own a tablet that you’re satisfied with, spending extra money on a convertible laptop may not be the best idea.
FAQ
What are some of the top-rated laptops to consider purchasing in 2024?
The top-rated laptops of 2024 include the Apple MacBook Pro with its powerful M1 chip, the Dell XPS 13 known for its stunning display and build quality, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon which offers exceptional durability and keyboard comfort. Up there with these are the HP Spectre x360, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 for gaming enthusiasts, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 for its sleek design and versatility, and the LG Gram 17 for those seeking a larger screen without sacrificing portability.
Which laptop brands are typically known for their reliability and high-quality builds?
Brands such as Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and HP are well-reputed for their reliability and high-quality builds. These manufacturers consistently release laptops that perform well in terms of longevity, build quality, and user experience. Apple and Dell are particularly noted for their premium designs and solid construction.
For those who prioritize gaming, which laptop should they consider buying this year?
Gaming aficionados should consider the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. It is highly regarded for its impressive balance between performance and portability, sporting top-of-the-line graphics and processing capabilities without being overly bulky.
What makes the Apple MacBook Pro a standout option among 2024 laptops?
The Apple MacBook Pro stands out due to its powerful M1 chip, which delivers exceptional processing speed and efficiency. It also features a high-resolution display with vivid colors, significant battery life improvements, and an impressive build quality that Apple users have come to expect.
Is there a laptop that is recommended for those who need a device with a long battery life?
Individuals needing a laptop with long battery life should consider the LG Gram 17. This laptop not only offers an expansive 17-inch screen but also boasts remarkable battery life, making it ideal for users who work on the go without frequent access to a power source.
What laptop from this list would be suitable for business professionals and why?
Business professionals would highly benefit from the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. It is renowned for its solid build, excellent keyboard, comprehensive security features, and reliable performance – all crucial aspects for productivity in a business environment.
Can you suggest a laptop with exceptional display quality?
The Dell XPS 13 is known for its exceptional display quality. It features a virtually borderless InfinityEdge screen, providing vivid colors and sharp details, making it perfect for both media consumption and productivity tasks that require high visual fidelity.
For those interested in a 2-in-1 laptop, which device is recommended?
The HP Spectre x360 is a highly recommended 2-in-1 laptop. It offers versatility with its convertible design, top-tier build quality, and it’s equipped with powerful hardware to handle a variety of tasks while providing the functionality of both a laptop and a tablet.
Which laptop from the top list would be best for students?
Students will find the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 to be a great fit, as it blends performance, portability, and a touch-screen interface that’s useful for note-taking and creative work, all while being relatively affordable for the feature set it offers.
Are there any top laptops from this year that are especially light and portable?
The LG Gram 17 is notably light and portable, especially considering its large 17-inch screen. It’s one of the best options for those who want a spacious display without the typical weight and bulk associated with larger laptops.
What should a content creator look for in a laptop from the recent top models?
A content creator should look for a laptop with a powerful processor, high-resolution display, and plenty of RAM. Models like the Apple MacBook Pro with its vibrant display and powerful M1 chip are particularly suited for demanding multimedia tasks like video editing and graphic design.
Which laptop would be a good fit for someone with a tight budget?
For budget-conscious buyers, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 offers a good balance between performance and price. It may not have the bleeding-edge hardware of some other top-tier laptops, but it’s a solid performer with a premium design and is more affordable than some of its competitors.
How do the best laptops of this year stand up to intensive multitasking?
Most of the top laptops of this year, such as the Apple MacBook Pro and the Dell XPS 13, are equipped with powerful multicore processors and ample RAM, making them well-equipped to handle intensive multitasking and demanding applications without compromising performance.
Which laptop on the list has the best trackpad and keyboard experience?
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is renowned for having one of the best keyboard experiences on any laptop, and its trackpad is equally reliable and responsive. It’s a standout for users who type extensively and need a tactile, comfortable keyboard.
Are there any laptops from this lineup that particularly focus on sustainability or eco-friendliness?
While many laptop manufacturers are beginning to incorporate more sustainable practices, the LG Gram series has taken notable steps by using recyclable materials and offering high energy efficiency, which resonates with eco-conscious consumers.
Is there an option for creative professionals who frequently use design software?
Creative professionals who use design software would greatly benefit from the Apple MacBook Pro because its high-performance M1 chip and robust memory capabilities are well-tuned for running complex design applications smoothly.
What makes the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 a preferred choice for gaming?
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a preferred choice for gaming because it offers top-of-the-line AMD Ryzen processors and NVIDIA graphics, delivering high frame rates and crisp visuals. Plus, it has a sleek design and is relatively lightweight for a gaming laptop.
Can any of the top laptops double as tablets?
Yes, the HP Spectre x360 is a versatile 2-in-1 that can double as a tablet. It has a sturdy hinge that allows the screen to fold back entirely, offering a seamless transition between laptop and tablet modes.
Are there standout laptops for running complex engineering software?
Engineering software requires robust computing capabilities, so the Dell XPS 13 with its latest Intel processors and ample RAM is suitable for such tasks. Moreover, its compact size and solid build make it a portable option for engineers on the move.
What would be the top choice for a laptop with robust security features?
For robust security features, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the top choice. It comes with built-in security measures like fingerprint readers, dTPM 2.0 chips, and optional IR cameras for facial recognition, helping protect sensitive information.
