Buying a laptop in 2025 feels a bit like standing at the counter of your favourite bakery—you think you know what you want, but then you’re bombarded with too many options, weird terminology, and a lingering fear of picking the wrong thing. Do you go for a powerful gaming rig, a sleek AI-driven ultrabook, or something that won’t break the bank but still runs Zoom without a meltdown?
With new AI-infused processors, foldable screens, and battery life that (finally) lasts all day, today’s laptops are smarter and more capable than ever. But choosing the right one? That’s where things get tricky. Don’t worry—we’ve done the homework so you don’t have to. Whether you need a workhorse for productivity, a creative machine, or just something to binge-watch Netflix on, we’ll help you find the laptop that fits your needs (and your budget).
Best Laptop Overall– Apple 13-inch MacBook Air M3
The latest MacBook Air checks all the right boxes—it’s our top pick for the best laptop, the best for students, and the best MacBook for most people. Apple didn’t change much this time (because why mess with near perfection?), but the upgrades are solid: a faster M3 chip, support for dual external monitors (if the lid is closed), Wi-Fi 6E, and a fingerprint-resistant midnight finish that actually works!
The M3 chip delivers a 20% speed boost over the M2, plus a GPU upgrade with real-time ray tracing. Battery life? Still unbeatable, lasting multiple workdays. The keyboard is a dream to type on, the trackpad is silky smooth, and even the speakers put other laptops to shame.
The only gripe? All the ports are on the left, making charging awkward if your outlet is on the right. But hey, at least it still has a headphone jack! Need more screen space? The 15-inch model offers a bigger display and even better sound, though it’s slightly heavier.
The Best Chromebook for Most People- Lenovo’s Flex 5
Lenovo’s Flex 5 Chromebook is hands-down our top pick, and for good reason—it punches way above its weight in performance, design, and value. Engadget’s Chrome OS guru Nathan Ingraham even called it a tremendous value, and we couldn’t agree more.
Under the hood, it’s packing a 13th-gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, making it one of the snappiest Chromebooks in its price range. Multitasking? No problem. Streaming, browsing, and running Android apps? Smooth as butter.
The 14-inch Full HD touchscreen is crisp and responsive, and with its 360-degree hinge, you can flip it into tablet or tent mode for a more flexible experience. Typing is a pleasure, thanks to the excellent backlit keyboard, and Lenovo throws in a nice mix of ports: two USB-C, one USB-A, and a headphone jack—a rare find on budget-friendly Chromebooks.
Battery life clocks in at around six hours, which isn’t all-day endurance but is respectable for a Chromebook at this price. If you’re a Chrome OS fan—or just need a solid, no-fuss laptop that won’t break the bank—the Flex 5 Chromebook is the one to beat.
Best Windows Laptop- Dell XPS 13
The XPS 13 (formerly the XPS 13 Plus) is back with a Core Ultra 7 processor, making it an official “AI PC.” Thanks to its built-in neural processing unit (NPU), it can handle AI tasks—like Windows Studio Effects for video calls—without draining your CPU or battery. But beyond the AI smarts, it’s still the ultra-premium Windows laptop we know and love.
It rocks a borderless Infinity Edge display, a gorgeous edge-to-edge keyboard with spacious keys, and a huge, seamless trackpad hidden within the glass wrist rest. This design-first approach makes it stand out from the sea of ultraportables—and Dell is fully embracing it by retiring the thinner, weaker XPS 13 of years past.
Need more power? The new XPS 14 brings a bigger display and RTX 40-series graphics, though at over a pound heavier, it’s not as travel-friendly. For most, though, the 2.6-pound XPS 13 is more than enough—and once you adjust to its unique trackpad, you might never look back.
Bets Gaming Laptop- Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9
Move over, ROG Strix Scar 16—the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 has taken the crown for the best high-end 16-inch gaming laptop. With boosted performance, a refined design, and a slicker chassis, it’s the top pick for 2024.
Despite its hefty 2.79kg weight, it feels surprisingly compact thanks to its tapered front edge and clever build. The aluminum chassis is rock-solid, the lid stays firm, and the RGB lighting—with per-key illumination and a front LED strip—looks premium without being over-the-top.
The 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz display gets a serious upgrade with 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy, making games pop with rich, vibrant hues. The springy, tactile keyboard is among the best, while the port selection includes two USB-C (one Thunderbolt 4) and four USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports—plenty for gamers, though newer high-speed peripherals might not hit peak speeds.
Performance? It’s a beast. In benchmarks, the Legion Pro 7i outperforms the Scar 16 and even challenges some RTX 4090 setups. Expect 97-195fps at 1080p Ultra and 71-184fps at QHD Ultra, making this the best RTX 4080 laptop out there—and a serious competitor to pricier machines.
Best Budget Laptop- Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 OLED Chromebook
If you think Chromebooks aren’t for you, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook might just change your mind. This 2-in-1 laptop/tablet hybrid is an absolute steal, packing an ultra-long 16+ hour battery life, a vibrant 13.3-inch OLED touchscreen, and a detachable keyboard—all for a price that puts most budget Windows laptops to shame.
Sure, it’s been around for a while, but Chromebooks age like fine wine, and the Duet 5 is still one of the best we’ve tested. It’s perfect for students, casual users, and anyone who wants a lightweight, no-fuss machine that’s easy to carry and lasts all day.
Performance-wise, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor keeps things smooth, whether you’re streaming, browsing, or working in Google Docs. And unlike clunky budget Windows machines, the OLED display delivers deep blacks and punchy colors that make videos and web pages pop.
Simply put, you won’t find a better budget-friendly Chromebook with this much versatility, battery life, and eye-catching screen quality. If you’re after an affordable, reliable workhorse, the Duet 5 is the one to beat.
Best High-End Laptop- Apple 2024 MacBook Pro with M4 chip
If you want the absolute best high-end laptop in 2025, look no further than the 2024 MacBook Pro with Apple’s beastly M4 chip. This machine is a powerhouse in a sleek aluminum shell, delivering mind-blowing performance, jaw-dropping battery life, and a mini-LED display so stunning it makes reality look dull. The M4 chip isn’t just faster—it’s a quantum leap in efficiency, crushing 4K video edits, AI workloads, and intensive coding sessions without breaking a sweat. And with Apple’s legendary build quality, whisper-quiet cooling, and industry-leading trackpad and keyboard, the MacBook Pro isn’t just a laptop—it’s a statement. Whether you’re a creative pro, software engineer, or just someone who refuses to settle for less, this is the ultimate laptop experience. Just be prepared for some serious tech envy wherever you take it.
