UPDATE: Dec. 14, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EST To find the best laptops, we’re currently in the process of testing a slew of new PCs, including the Dell Latitude 9440 2-in-1, the HP Chromebook 14 Plus x360, and the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i — check back soon to see if any of them were worthy of spots on this list. We’re also on the hunt for a new budget pick, as the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2’s specs are pretty outdated. (Its successor, the Surface Laptop Go 3, impressed us in testing, but it’s a tad too expensive to take its place.)

Finally, we’ve finished testing the new M3-powered Apple MacBook Pro. It’s a really nice laptop — a Mashable’s Choice Award-winner, even — but we still think the M2 MacBook Air is a better buy for most users.

Shoppers will confront a lot of fantastic laptop deals in December as lingering Cyber Week doorbusters merge with holidays markdowns, making this one of the best times of the year to upgrade. But picking the right PC to add to your cart can be a complicated decision: Not all laptop brands or specs are created equal, and the sheer number of models out there is enough to make anyone’s head spin. (To put things in perspective, Apple‘s lineup now includes three MacBook Airs and two MacBook Pros across three generations of M-something chips.)

Ultimately, choosing the right laptop for you will come down to three main questions:

  1. How are you going to be using your laptop?

  2. What’s your preferred operating system — macOS, Windows, or ChromeOS?

  3. And perhaps most importantly, how much are you willing to spend?

If you’re trying to get the most bang for your buck, know that the bulk of the best holiday laptop deals are found on brands’ direct websites or at Best Buy; the electronics retailer tends to put MacBooks, high-end Windows models, and premium gaming PCs on sale at deep discounts this time of year. Those who prioritize bargains over current specs should also keep an eye on Walmart, which loves to sell older and discontinued laptops at ultra-cheap prices (think $300 or less).

Not sure which models to look out for? Continue reading for Mashable’s guide to the best laptops of the year, including two Apple MacBooks and several Windows models by Dell, Microsoft, and Lenovo.

Note: All listed specs and prices apply to each model’s base configuration.


How we tested

Mashable staff or contributors have personally hands-on tested the M2 Apple MacBook Air, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, and the Surface Laptop Studio 2, as well as previous versions of the Lenovo Legion Slim 7i and the Framework Laptop 13. Meanwhile, the experts at our sister site, PCMag (which is owned by Mashable’s publisher, Ziff Davis), have thoroughly reviewed the Dell XPS 15, the Lenovo Yoga 9i, the M2 Max MacBook Pro, and last year’s Acer Chromebook Spin 714.

Each model snagged a spot on this best laptop guide for different reasons related to their specific use cases, but all of them hail from reputable brands and supply solid value for their features, with specs that should last you for years to come. They also have reliable availability and are easily found in stock on their brand/manufacturer’s website or at major retailers as of 2023.

The specific specs we took into consideration when choosing these laptops include the following:

  • Processor: The central processing unit (or CPU) is a chip inside a laptop’s motherboard that’s responsible for executing all tasks and commands — it’s often referred to as the machine’s brain or control center. The newer and more powerful it is, the faster your laptop will be.

  • Graphics processor: The graphics processing unit (or GPU) is a specialized chip that’s responsible for rendering visuals. It’s especially important for gaming and photo/video editing.

  • RAM: A laptop’s random-access memory is where it temporarily stashes the data its CPU needs for any active applications. The more RAM a machine has, the more tasks it can handle simultaneously.

  • Storage: A laptop’s storage is where it keeps long-term data. SSD (solid-state drive) storage is faster than is eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) flash storage, and 256GB is going to be a good starting point for most people.

  • Resolution: The higher your screen’s resolution, the sharper its picture is going to be. Full HD (or 1920 x 1080 pixels) should be your baseline if you’re going to be using your laptop for streaming or gaming.

  • Refresh rate: A laptop screen’s refresh rate (measured in hertz) refers to the number of times it updates its picture per second; the higher the refresh rate, the smoother motion looks. 60Hz is pretty average for an everyday laptop, while nice gaming laptops range from 120Hz to 480Hz.

  • Webcam: While still pretty common in newer laptops, 720p cameras are just passable. We suggest aiming for 1080p (Full HD) if you strategize on using your computer for regular video calls.

  • Ports: Different types of ports let you connect different accessories and peripherals to your laptop (admire headphones and monitors).

  • Battery life: Eight to ten hours should get you through a day’s work or play, but generally speaking, more is more.

  • Weight: Laptops that weigh three pounds or less will be easiest to take on the go, but usually less powerful than their heftier peers.


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