10 Best Laptops of 2024: Find the Perfect Match

We regularly test promising models - from ultra-thin to gaming. This ranking lists the winners in each category and provides tips on how to choose the right laptop for your needs. 

Let's start our rating with the TOP-10. Here is the list of the best laptops.

1. Dell XPS 13 is the best ultrabook
2. Apple MacBook Air 13 - the best MacBook
3. Asus ZenBook 13 - budget ultrabook
4. Google Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook
5. Asus VivoBook Flip 14 - state employee on Windows
6. Acer ConceptD 7 Pro - Windows laptop for photo and video
7. Dell G3 15 3590 - budget gaming laptop
8. Alienware m15 R4 is the best gaming laptop
9. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook 8th Gen - business option
10. HP Specter x 360 13 - 2-in-1 laptop

Which is better to choose: Mac or Windows laptop?

Many already understand what exactly they want to buy - a MacBook or a Windows laptop. If you are familiar with both operating systems, then you know that they are quite similar in their work. Most popular programs work the same on both operating systems or have analogs. Simply put, if you want to change platforms, it won't cause as many problems as it did in the past.

If you're planning on moving to a Mac but still need to run Windows-specific programs from time to time, you can do so using Apple's Boot Camp feature or software like Parallels. But there is no such simple way to run programs for macOS in “windows”, unfortunately.

If you are not tied to a specific OS, then the main factor in choosing will be how easy it is to get support when working with the system. How many people in your community use a Mac? Do you have an Apple Store nearby? Will your company's IT department be able to service such a machine?

If you want a better service, definitely take a Mac - you can buy it, and then, if necessary, take it to any Apple store for repairs. No other manufacturer provides this kind of support.

Since you can now perform most tasks in the browser without downloading various programs and applications, you may not need a "traditional" operating system. In this case, an inexpensive Chromebook will do just fine.

Let's find the best laptops for 2023 or the best laptop you can buy in 2023. Here is the details of those laptops we recommend to you buy. 

1. Dell XPS 13: The best laptop for everybody (ultrabook)

 Who Ultrabooks are for:  Ultrabooks are ideal for many, including students, office workers, and those who work on the go. Also, this one is a lightweight laptop. This model comes with a great keyboard and screen and offers excellent battery life while remaining thin and light, as befits an ultrabook. Paying $900-$1300 for the Dell XPS 13, you can be sure that you are getting an excellent super portable laptop on the Windows platform, which will last at least 3-4 years.

Configuration:

What you need to be prepared for:  Good ultrabooks sometimes cost more than many of us are willing to give up, even if they make the job easier and last longer than budget models. They also lack the performance to run modern games and perform resource-intensive tasks like video editing and 3D modeling. If you need a laptop cheaper or more powerful one, you should refer to the devices listed below.

Why this particular model: The  Dell XPS 13 answers the question of why ultrabooks are so popular. It is as light and compact as possible, and its battery will allow you to use the laptop all day long, plus it has a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. It is worth noting the good performance of this model and a large (for such dimensions) screen, sharpened for browsing websites and working with documents.

The machine only has 2 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports. Of course, I would like the "thirteenth" to also have a USB-A output, but this shortcoming is compensated by the bundled USB-C / USB-A adapter. As a last resort, you can use a hub or docking station.

2. Apple MacBook Pro 13: The best value of MacBooks.

Who the MacBook is for:  If you're a macOS fan, then the MacBook is the only choice. A balance of dimensions, weight and performance distinguishes models with a diagonal of 13″. They are ideal for working with electronic documents. Modification with the characteristics we have proposed will cost you about $1100.

Configuration:

What you need to be prepared for:  Macbooks are more expensive than any ultrabooks on another platform. Upgrading memory will also cost a lot: the cost of replacing an SSD with Apple technology is so inhumane that it’s easier to use cloud services or an external drive. Also, the MacBook configuration recommended by us may not be suitable for someone due to the lack of computing power for resource-intensive games and programs, but it is not intended for this.

Why this particular model: The  2020 MacBook Air is Apple's best laptop in years. Its performance is sufficient for most tasks, the price (with some caveats) is acceptable, and you do not need to overpay for an adequate amount of internal memory. The keyboard has been nicer since Apple replaced the problematic "butterflies" with firmer, more comfortable scissor switches.

Like other Apple laptops, the presented model has a small number of ports of the same type. There are only a couple of Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C, so it is unlikely that you will be able to get away from adapters or the use of hubs. But the MacBook Air is really light, has a solid design, as well as impeccable technical support - all this makes it an excellent laptop for owners of "apple" gadgets.

3. Asus ZenBook 13: Best budget Ultrabook in 2023, One of the thinnest laptops and best battery life 

Who's a Budget Ultrabook for Entry-level Windows-based models are often heavy and bulky, with short battery life. An ultrabook like the ZenBook 13 is another matter entirely. This device weighs about a kilogram, works throughout the day, and has good performance. A good option for those who are willing to pay a little more than a budget laptop.

Configuration:

What you need to be prepared for: A matte display with a brightness of less than 400 nits is a bit dull. In addition, 8 GB of RAM is considered the minimum for modern Windows laptops. There are 16 GB configurations on the market, but they are more expensive. Another small minus is the weak speakers of the laptop.

Why choose this model: The ultrabook is equipped with the latest generation Intel processor with Iris Xe graphics core, the performance of which is enough for games 5-10 years ago. And with minimal graphics settings, even modern projects are launched.

This is the best laptop for autonomy with a colossal battery life without recharging. The keyboard features customizable backlighting and an ErgoLift hinge for a more comfortable typing experience. The huge touchpad can be turned into a calculator if you often have to deal with numbers. Wi-Fi 6 support, a microSD card slot, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports are provided.

4. Google Pixelbook Go: Best Chromebook

High build quality, a beautiful chassis, a backlit keyboard, and good speakers are the Pixelbook Go. Choosing the entry-level option, the user will get a good laptop for basic tasks, and take the Core i7 model, the most powerful Chromebook on the market.

Who the Chromebook is for: It's great for students or travelers. Unlike similarly priced Windows models, it offers a lightweight chassis and good battery life. Also, if you can afford to pay more, you can get a PixelBook Go with a 4K display as a multimedia device.

Configuration:

What you need to be prepared for: The performance of the model with the Intel Core m3 processor is not impressive, but it still manages to cope with dozens of open tabs in the browser. If you want a more powerful option, you will have to pay extra: versions with Core i5 or i7 are quite expensive.

Another characteristic feature of the device is a small amount of storage. This is due to the fact that Chromebooks were originally designed to work with Google services, including cloud storage, where user files are uploaded.

Why choose this model: The laptop has a bright Full HD screen and a responsive touchpad. The silent keyboard is backlit and good for typing. Unfortunately, the Chromebook doesn't support the latest connectivity standards, limited to the still current but not cutting-edge Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. There are 3 USB-C ports and a headphone or microphone jack.

5. Asus VivoBook Flip 14: Best laptops for 2023

Surprisingly elegant for a budget employee, VivoBook Flip received a bright display and a backlit keyboard and one of the fastest laptops. But here's the multitasking mode, he does not pull. Yes, and the touchpad is slippery, which is why the cursor misses all the time. However, in tablet mode, the touch screen makes you forget about this problem altogether.

Configuration:

Who's it for budget Windows laptops:  If you're looking for a Windows laptop for basic tasks, you can find a good $450-$600 option if you're on a budget. Such models are ideal for students, surfing the Internet and simple entertainment. Alas, cheap laptops are too weak for more complex use cases.

What you need to be prepared for:  If you want to get a laptop with sufficient performance at a low price, you will have to make a number of compromises. Most budget employees with decent specifications have 15″ displays, weigh 2-3 kg and cannot be compared with ultrabooks in autonomy.

Also, some inexpensive modifications still use a magnetic hard drive instead of an SSD, which makes them slower than an Ultrabook with a similar CPU and memory, but an SSD.

Why choose this model:  Asus VivoBook Flip offers the highest performance in its price segment. Its keyboard is responsive, its touch screen is bright, and it's more reliable than other cheap Windows laptops.

Alas, the VivoBook's 4GB of RAM limits the computer's ability to multitask a bit. The touchpad here is slippery and cranky, and the battery won't last until the end of the working day, as in the Chromebook presented above.

Also, the model comes with ballast programs and the "ten" Windows version S on board. It works exclusively with products from the Microsoft Store and imposes a number of restrictions on browsing Microsoft Edge pages. However, there is the possibility of a free upgrade to Windows 10 Home.

Choosing a budget laptop is tricky as there are hundreds of different configurations in this market segment. Their prices are constantly changing, and companies launch and stop production of these models as they please.If the laptop version we recommend is not available, look for an all-in-one low-cost laptop with the following features:

6. Acer Concept D 7 Pro: The best Windows laptop for photography and video

The relatively thin and light laptop impresses with both its screen and performance. A solution that only professionals will fully appreciate - the device will not suit other users.

Configuration:

Who laptops are suitable for working with graphics and video: Designers, designers or other representatives of creative professions. They need not just a Windows-based laptop, but a real mobile workstation. Models like the ConceptD 7 Pro come with a powerful graphics card and processor, as well as a large, high-quality, high-resolution screen.

What you need to be prepared for: The main point is the price. This configuration costs more than 400 thousand rubles, but this option is certainly ideal for those who need maximum performance. More affordable modifications have a smaller amount of drives, a previous generation processor or a video card one step lower.

In addition, high performance requires an efficient cooling system, which means that the laptop will have a lot of weight and very modest autonomy.

Why this particular model:  ACER generally produces the best laptops for work. Different configurations are equipped with the latest Quadro RTX graphics cards optimized for professional software. The recommended RTX 5000 offers 16GB of VRAM, twice the amount of VRAM available on the gaming RTX 2080 Super.

A high level of performance is supported by the 10th generation 8-core Core i7. An excellent 4K display with a first-class IPS matrix has excellent color reproduction. The laptop is equipped with an impressive number of available connectors, including USB-C and HDMI 2.0, supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6.

7. Dell G3 15 3590: Best gaming laptop you can buy today

This device has an excellent ratio of cost and power. The laptop will handle both games and some professional applications, making it a good option not only for gamers.

Configuration:

Who gaming state employees are suitable for: Not every laptop can be called gaming. To do this, the device must be equipped with a good discrete graphics card. Budget models are no exception. The Dell G3 handles most games at medium or high settings, although the most modern projects will have to be run at minimum settings. The model is suitable for anyone who wants to have a productive device at hand outside the home.

What to be prepared for: Good performance in the budget category means compromising something else. This laptop suffers from a dull display and short battery life. Therefore, it is worth taking a charging cable with you everywhere. If you need even more power, then you will have to spend more money and choose the maximum option with the GTX 1660 Ti.

Why this particular model: The GTX 1650 configuration produces decent frame rates in many games, even at 144Hz, which is an optional screen rate. The display has a slim design with thin bezels. The laptop offers a wide range of ports plus a memory card slot, while the Alienware Command Center app lets you fine-tune performance and audio for every game.

8. Alienware m15 R4: Best for gaming 

If you want maximum performance at any cost and looking for a gaming laptop, this laptop is the one to go for. Excellent performance, functionality and high build quality are lubricated only by high cost and short battery life, which is to be expected.

Configuration:

Who the top gaming laptops are for: Many advanced gamers will want a laptop that compares to a good desktop. But even they should not overpay, for example, for the RTX 3080 if a configuration with a Full HD display is purchased. This graphics card adds even more to the price, but the performance differences compared to the RTX 3070 are subtle at this resolution.

What you need to be prepared for: If a gamer still spent money on this laptop, it should be borne in mind that the battery life here is very small. A model with a 300Hz display will hardly last 3 hours without load, and in games the energy will run out in an hour or even faster. Therefore, a laptop is more suitable instead of a desktop assembly - using such a device on the road is problematic. To slightly increase autonomy, it is recommended to take the option equipped with a display with a reduced frame rate - 144 Hz instead of 300.

Why this particular model:  Alienware has positioned itself from the outset as the best laptop for gamers. A fast processor and one of the most powerful graphics cards on the market gives the laptop tremendous performance even in ray-traced games. The sleek body of the model is lightweight, and the touchpad and keyboard are comfortable to work with. All the latest connection technologies are supported, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

9. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook 8th Gen: One of the longest-lasting laptops

Configuration:

A beautiful laptop with a solid chassis, comfortable keyboard and excellent display - you can hardly find something cooler. The model does not lag behind competitors either in terms of performance or battery life.

Who business laptops are for:  Lenovo has long learned to produce the best laptops for a small price, but for a separate audience it created a line of business laptops. Such models are not intended for ordinary users, but they are a very popular technique for various companies that provide devices to their employees. For ordinary people, if you want to get a light and stylish device, we would recommend taking a more affordable ultrabook.

What you need to be prepared for: The model is expensive, like any business laptop. But the security of the device is at a high level. Access to the system is carried out in different ways: a webcam recognizes the face, alternatively, a fingerprint scanner is used to enter. There is also a slot that secures the security cable.

Why choose this model: An impeccable lightweight design is what you need for a status laptop. Despite its low weight, the reinforced construction does not feel flimsy and withstands strong shocks, vibrations, and high temperatures. A very comfortable keyboard and a beautiful display allow you to work comfortably in any environment. A good range of ports are provided for connecting peripherals, including two Thunderbolt 3. Unfortunately, there is no slot for a memory card.

10. HP Spectre x360 13: The best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy

The HP Specter x360 comes with a stylus, and its touch screen allows you to freely switch to tablet mode. However, it is heavier than our favorite ultrabook, although it is not capable of transformation.

Configuration:

What is a two-in-one laptop?  You may come across two variants of 2-in-1 laptops. The first are ultrabooks with a full-swivel hinge that allows you to unfold the screen, using it as a very thick tablet or in any position in between.

Devices of the second type are almost independent tablets with a detachable keyboard. As a rule, they turn out to be not very convenient (at least in one of two scenarios), and their OS is focused on working in either laptop or tablet mode - there are no universal solutions.

Who convertible laptops are for:  A two-in-one laptop is a good choice if you need a laptop that will sometimes be used as a tablet. For example, the tent mode is convenient for watching movies. The transformer is also suitable for people who will mainly work with it in tablet mode and only occasionally use the keyboard. If you don't need touchscreen features at all, there's simply no point in buying a 2-in-1 model.

What you need to be prepared for:  Even the most compact transformer is a bulky likeness of a tablet with correspondingly limited capabilities. Styluses for touch screens of such models usually cost more - in addition to an expensive device. The model we recommend is primarily a laptop, just with advanced features.

Why this model: The  HP Specter x360 is an excellent ultrabook with a hinge. True, the transformer turned out to be a little heavier than the classic Dell XPS 13, which has the same dimensions. But it does offer extended battery life, a solid keyboard, a bright touchscreen, and comes with a stylus. The device has a pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports, one USB 3.1 (Gen 1) and a fingerprint reader for logging in.

Why do you need a laptop?

• For office work
• I use for graphics/video editing
• just to play
• Watching movies on the road
• Helps in study

Buyer's Guide: How to choose a laptop?

When the user decides on the budget and tasks for which the device is purchased, one should move on to a number of key characteristics of laptops. This will help you choose the model of the desired type and level. Which laptop is better to buy for a student, and which one for a designer?

Display

If you are a designer or like to watch movies, then before choosing a laptop, check out the characteristics of the monitor. Not only image quality depends on the screen, but also the dimensions, weight of the model, and also - in many ways - battery life.

Screen size

There are compact devices on the market with a display diagonal of 10-12 inches . These models are not always laptops in their purest form, sometimes they are a tablet with a detachable keyboard, which is good for children or as a replacement for the main laptop somewhere on the road. In other cases, we recommend choosing a larger screen.

Many ultraportable models are limited to 13 or 14 inches , but a laptop with a 14-15-inch display will be the best option for most users . Such a screen best maintains a balance between image size and device dimensions, which is also noted by buyers: according to M.Video-Eldorado statistics , in 2020, Russians more often chose devices with a display of 13.5 inches or more.

At the other end of the range are models with a 17-inch display . They are suitable for professionals who edit graphics, as well as avid gamers. A laptop with such a screen will be a good replacement for a desktop computer, but you will have to pay for a larger diagonal not only in size and weight, but also in a very moderate battery life: the larger the screen, the faster the battery runs out. Although there are exceptions everywhere.

Matrix type and resolution

Diagonal is not everything. Image quality is of the utmost importance and depends on several factors.

The first is the display matrix . She is responsible for the brightness, color reproduction, contrast and viewing angles of the screen. In laptops, matrices of different types are installed:

Most often, the basis is an LCD matrix built on IPS technology . The quality of such displays varies, but all of them are characterized by large viewing angles - that is, the image does not change or deteriorate depending on which angle and from which side a person looks at the screen. Apple equipment is equipped with Retina displays , but this is just a brand name for the same IPS matrix.

Another type is TFT - the picture here looks much worse if you look at it from an angle. Because of this, you should not take a laptop with such a matrix when you often have to show other people an image, for example, when making presentations from a laptop. A TFT screen is not suitable for outdoor use in bright daylight either.

Some displays are made using OLED technology , which is also found in advanced smartphones. OLED screens produce a first-class picture and are distinguished by excellent color reproduction. Due to the high price, the matrix is ​​\u200b\u200binstalled in expensive laptops.

Displays with a high-quality matrix are especially important for gamers or professionals working with graphics or video.    

Another important factor is display resolution . The higher the resolution, that is, the number of displayed pixels, the clearer the image on the screen.

The cheapest laptops are equipped with TFT displays with low resolution: 1366 × 768 pixels or even less. This means that the picture will not be bright and clear enough, but quality can be sacrificed, for example, for the sake of higher performance.
Most laptops are equipped with a Full HD (1080p) resolution display - that is, 1920x1080 pixels , or in some cases 1920x1200 pixels . This is the minimum option for a good model that claims to be something more than working in text applications or browsing a browser.

Laptops with QHD (about 2560 × 1440 ) or 4K resolution - 3840 × 2160 pixels provide maximum clarity and picture quality. Devices with such a screen will be a great option for movie lovers, content creators and gamers. High-resolution displays are most often based on IPS-matrix, but there are also OLED among them.

Important! The higher the resolution, the more power the laptop needs and the faster it drains.

In addition, regardless of screen type, users planning to use the device in a brightly lit room or outdoors should purchase models with a maximum display brightness of at least 500 nits .

Screen refresh rate

Mid-range and high-end gaming laptops often offer displays with high refresh rates above the standard 60Hz. This is useful for advanced gamers or e-sportsmen who want to get the smoothest possible picture, which will give a slight advantage in games.

But there is one important point here: before spending money on such a display, evaluate the performance of the selected configuration. With a weak video card, the model simply cannot cope with the gameplay at an increased frequency.

When do you need a touch screen?

To take advantage of the touch display found on Windows 10 and Chrome OS laptops, you'll need an appropriate model and possibly a digital stylus.

Taking a regular clamshell laptop (rather than a 2-in-1) for the sake of a touch screen is not worth it: there will be no benefit from this solution, but the battery life will be reduced by 1-2 hours.

Some devices are available in two versions: with and without touch support, so you need to carefully check the specifications before buying.

Keyboard and touchpad

Poor ergonomics is a serious problem for any device. Users buying a laptop as their primary work tool should ensure that the keyboard has good tactile feedback, has plenty of key travel - typically 1 to 2mm - and enough footprint to avoid hitting multiple buttons with a single press.

The laptop's touchpad should respond well to multi-touch gestures, such as zooming.

For business models , a strain gauge joystick will be an advantage , which will be a convenient replacement for a mouse. It allows you to move the cursor without taking your fingers off the keyboard.

Processor

Let's move on to the most important thing - the stuffing of the laptop. The processor is the "brain" on which the speed of the device depends. Its most important parameters:

Computing Cores . Each core is an element that executes a separate thread of commands. Usually more cores mean better performance, but not always. Here you need to consider a specific processor model.

The clock frequency is specified in gigahertz (GHz) - the higher this value, the greater the performance with the same microarchitecture and number of cores.

All processors are developed by two main companies - Intel and AMD. Both companies produce dozens of models, divided into several lines, according to their purpose and speed.

Intel processors are more common, but the latest AMD models are in no way inferior to competitors, and often surpass them in multi-threaded performance.

Processor 

Peculiarities

• Intel Atom
• Celeron
• Pentium

AMD A-series

Budget laptop processors. They have the lowest performance and are suitable only for simple tasks: editing documents and surfing in the browser. Not the best choice if the user is going to deal with complex programs or multimedia content.

• Intel Core i3
• AMD Ryzen 3

One step up. These processors are conditionally suitable even for games at low graphics settings. They cope well with most everyday tasks in "home" laptops.

• Intel Core i5
• AMD Ryzen 5 

Optimal balance of performance and price. A laptop with this processor will handle almost any task, so it's a great choice for most users.

• Intel Core i7-i9
• AMD Ryzen 7-9

The most powerful processors with incredible performance. Installed in expensive gaming laptops or serious workstations where maximum performance is required.

• Apple M1

Found only on Apple devices: MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The processor has a fairly high performance and does not require a lot of energy.

Higher model numbers (say, Intel Core i5-10400H versus Core i5-10300H) indicate better performance. In this case, the first one or two digits indicate the generation of the processor.

In the case of the above CPUs: Core i5-10XXX is the 10th generation of Intel. AMD Ryzen processors have similar designations. The first number indicates the generation, the second indicates the model level, for example Ryzen 5700U.

The latest Intel processors on the market are 10th and 11th generation, AMD Ryzen is the 5th. They have the highest performance, functionality and longer battery life.

In addition to generations, processors also have a letter designation. With the help of them, you will not only be able to distinguish between processors, but also understand how to choose a laptop according to the parameters of the CPU - whether it is low power consumption or an unlocked multiplier.

Intel has:

• K is an unlocked multiplier variant suitable for overclocking.
• H is a powerful processor for the most advanced laptops.
• F - a chip without an integrated graphics core (only for models with a discrete graphics card).
• G 1 - G 7 - marking is found in the latest processors and means different levels of integrated graphics, where G7 is the maximum step.
• U , Y - models with reduced power consumption (and, accordingly, performance).
• L - processors with maximum energy efficiency.
• M stands for "mobile processor".
• m - designed for ultra-thin ultrabooks, have minimal heat and do not require cooling fans. True, and their performance is at a low level.

In the marking of chips, combinations of these letters are also possible. Let's say HK means - a powerful processor that is suitable for overclocking.

AMD processor markings are slightly different:

• H - high-performance mobile processors.
• HS is AMD's standard for lightweight and powerful laptops.
• X - the processor is overclocked by the manufacturer.
• G is a processor with an integrated graphics core.
• GE - also integrated graphics, but with reduced power consumption.
• U is a variant of the designation of mobile processors.

Letter combinations are also possible.

Any laptop processors are slightly weaker than desktop counterparts of a comparable class, although in most cases this is not too critical. In addition, laptops simply do not have truly super-performing HEDT-level options. And judging by the latest processor test results , this situation will continue for a long time.

Video card

The integrated graphics core , which many processors are equipped with, can handle simple tasks . Finding out if a laptop has such a core is simple: the model specifications should indicate HD Graphics, UHD Graphics or Iris for laptops with an Intel processor, or Radeon Graphics for AMD processors.

A completely different matter is a discrete graphics card . It will be needed by gamers or professionals working with “heavy” graphics. Even a budget discrete graphics card gives a huge advantage over laptops with an integrated core when it comes to gaming or working with visual content.

But there are exceptions: GeForce MX graphics cards are only slightly ahead of integrated graphics and are not designed for serious games. Avid gamers should look for Nvidia's GeForce RTX graphics cards or AMD's latest models.

Video cards

Peculiarities

• Nvidia GeForce MX

Low performance. Even older games are difficult to handle.

• Nvidia GTX 1050, 1050Ti, 1650и 1650Ti
• AMD Radeon RX 5300M

The minimum level of graphics cards for gaming laptops. They will cope with the games of recent years at low graphic settings at Full HD resolution.

• Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti,
• RTX 2060, RTX 3050 Ti, RTX 2070, RTX 3060
• AMD Radeon RX 5600M

An excellent choice at a reasonable price. Such video cards are often installed in good gaming models and draw almost all games on a Full HD display.

• Nvidia RTX 2080, RTX 3070, RTX 3080
• AMD Radeon RX 6600M

The highest performance and comfortable gameplay at maximum settings. But QHD and 4K resolution can cause FPS issues even with serious laptops.

• Nvidia Quadro
• AMD Radeon Pro

Multi-level video cards for workstations. “Sharpened” for professional software and most of the users are simply not needed.

Sometimes powerful discrete video cards are installed not only in expensive laptops, but also on simpler models. At the same time, you have to make compromises: high graphics performance will be balanced, for example, by a mediocre screen.

More balanced laptops are expensive. But even the most stuffed devices have their drawbacks: powerful components require an efficient cooling system that requires a lot of space, which makes the laptop bulky.

The level of video card required by the user largely depends on the games that will run on the laptop. Here it is better to rely on reviews and game tests.

It is worth noting that mobile video cards (unlike mobile processors) are quite comparable in terms of characteristics with full-size models. So, the most powerful RTX 3080 Mobile in the Technical City tests shows results identical to the good RTX 3060 Ti for desktop computers.

Drives

Most modern laptops above the entry level already use solid-state drives (SSDs) for storage, rather than classic hard drives (HDDs). The latter may soon completely disappear from laptops as the main storage, as the Context research bureau, which studies the IT market, has already warned about (source: MicroScope tech magazine ).

Access to information from an SSD is much faster than conventional hard drives. In addition, SSDs are more resistant to shock and vibration. But it is worth remembering that not all SSDs are the same:

It is preferable to buy laptops with a drive that uses the latest and fastest PCI Express NVMe standard , rather than the old SATA interface.
Even worse is the slow eMMC - a kind of flash drive for budget laptops (most often 32, 64 or 128 GB).

Some laptops, especially gaming laptops, come with two types of drives: small SSDs are used to install the operating system and frequently run applications, and larger HDDs are used for the bulk of user files, music, movies, and more.

As a result, it turns out that the HDD is a good option only when you need to store a lot of information or you have to save a lot. Otherwise, it's easier to use only SSD or both types of drives at once.

Free space

The minimum amount of disk space that you should start from in most cases is 256 GB . This is enough for operating system updates, and for applications like Microsoft Office, and for user files.

People with a large collection of music, photos or videos should look for models with at least 512 GB of free space.

High-end laptops offer 1TB or larger SSD configurations, which is the choice for gamers or those who need a lot of space for files. But such a capacious SSD seriously increases the price of a laptop.

A reasonable option is to get a 512 GB SSD and add an external hard drive if you really need extra space to store large files.

RAM

RAM is important for laptop multitasking - the larger its amount, the more applications will work simultaneously without freezing.

For most tasks , 8 GB is enough , but mid-range models and above are desirable to have 16 GB to guarantee comfortable work in all applications in the coming years. In addition, it is a good bar for gamers.

The extra benefit of more than 16 GB of RAM will only be seen by professionals working in professional applications on mobile workstations.

The other extreme is 4 GB for budget laptops . This is too little for comfortable multitasking in Windows. At the same time, 4 gigs is enough for Chromebooks. ChromeOS requires less computing resources, so this amount is enough to view several dozen tabs in the browser at the same time.

Communications and ports

Most laptops have USB -3.0 ports and an HDMI output for connecting to a TV or monitor. Increasingly, USB - C or compatible Thunderbolt 3-4 connectors are being used , which allow the laptop to connect to a universal charger or docking station.

Other useful features include an SD card slot and a headphone jack. The Ethernet port for wired Internet connection is especially useful for gamers or business users.

Video outputs are represented not only by the mentioned HDMI, but also by the DisplayPort connector, as well as compact micro HDMI and Mini DisplayPort. They require a special adapter, which is not always included.

If you plan to use your laptop on the road, you should consider purchasing a 4G LTE or 5G model where the network is supported. This will allow you to access the Internet away from the router. Other connectivity options offered by modern laptops include:

Wi - Fi 6 (802.11ax) is a wireless LAN standard that provides increased bandwidth and a more stable connection than Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Older standards are still occasionally encountered, but still try to avoid them.

Bluetooth 5  and above is the latest standard in wireless technology, offering improved connectivity with compatible devices such as headphones or mice.

High end laptops have special features. For example, gaming models are sometimes equipped with Killer Networks - this technology allows you to more precisely control the priority of wired or wireless traffic when connecting to the Internet.

Battery life

It is difficult to accurately determine the battery life of a device without recharging, since each person uses a laptop in his own way. But models with great autonomy are found in any price category. They can work all day away from the outlet, even when resource-intensive applications are running.

The optimal time for most laptops is 8-9 hours; for gaming models, about 5 hours is considered a good result.

As mentioned above, laptops with a large screen and QHD or 4K resolution can hardly last 8 hours. And a significant part of these models (especially gaming ones) are discharged much earlier.

But some laptops have learned to recognize when maximum performance is not needed. At the right time, the device reduces power consumption, which allows you to increase battery life.

FAQs: Best Laptop 2023

Which laptops are the most durable?

Depending on what you buy and how you use it, a good laptop with proper care can last at least 3-5 years. High-quality ultrabooks, business models or MacBooks are stronger and more reliable in operation. In any case, the device that you use mainly at home will last longer than the "exit".

Business or video-editing laptops are easier to upgrade with more RAM or a replacement hard drive so they can handle increasingly complex tasks for longer. Gaming machines become obsolete faster, as new games every year only become more demanding on the characteristics and resources of the computer.

What is the best price / quality ratio for a laptop?

For basic tasks (document and spreadsheet editing, web browsing and communication), a cheap but usable laptop will cost between $400-$600. A really good model will cost from $700 to $800, but an average laptop with a good margin of performance can cost $1,000 or more.

More powerful specialized laptops, such as gaming or professional photo and video editing devices, cost between $1,000 and $1,500. If you only have $500 or less, Chromebooks are better than similarly priced Windows laptops in many ways. Well, if you're looking for a Mac, get ready to shell out at least $1,100 for our recommended MacBook Air configuration.

How much RAM do I need?

We recommend 8 GB of memory - enough for web browsing, editing electronic documents, light games and occasional video or photo editing. Upgrading to 16GB of RAM is worth considering if you regularly use resource-intensive applications like Adobe Photoshop or Premiere, play heavy games, work in 3D, or do web development.

Many laptops don't have RAM expandability, so get the 16GB model now if you think you'll need it sooner or later. And get ready for the fact that this will add 100-200 dollars to the price of the laptop.

Does a laptop need an optical drive?

It depends on the user, but most likely not. All software, movies, games are available for download from the Internet, and user files are transferred using a flash drive. In addition, you can always purchase an external drive that connects to the USB port. Because of this, the optical drive is found in fewer and fewer models and is definitely not an important factor influencing the choice of a laptop.

Should I get a laptop with more RAM?

Many laptops don't have RAM expandability, so get the 16GB model now if you think you'll need it sooner or later. Especially if you plan to use resource-intensive applications like Adobe Photoshop or Premiere, play heavy games, work with 3D or web development. And get ready for the fact that this will add 100-200 dollars to the price of the laptop.