Advantages

• fast CPU
• Beautiful 3.5K OLED display
• Excellent audio

Disadvantages

• Only two USB-C ports
• Average battery performance
• It does not have an audio input for headphones

The Dell XPS is an excellent ultra-thin laptop that features advanced performance and an incredible OLED display. The 14-core Intel Core i7-1280P CPU ensures high-performance processing. Not only is it ideal for general use, but it is also capable of easily handling photo editing tasks. This device comes with Intel Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. Although its size is only 13.4 inches, the OLED touchscreen is absolutely stunning, with a resolution of 3456x2160 offering sharp and vibrant images. Unfortunately, due to its compact design, it lacks some connectivity options and its battery life is simply average. If you can overlook these limitations, then the Dell XPS 13 Plus is a great option for those who need a laptop for traveling.

pros

• Premium materials
• Powerful AMD Ryzen chip
• Amazing four-speaker setup
• Good battery life
• High degree of value for the dollar

cons

• All keys on my HP keyboard should be remappable
• There are no user-updatable components
• Does not have a headphone jack
• Only 2 high-speed USB-C ports

If you're looking for an eye-catching design, outstanding efficiency, and rugged performance similar to the MacBook Pro, but on a Windows device, you should definitely consider the HP Dragonfly Pro.

Advantages

• Attractive and slim design
• Excellent OLED screen
• All USB-C ports support display, power
• Touch screen with active pen included

Disadvantages

• Unimpressive graphical performance
• Only one USB-A port
• More expensive than the 2022 model

Lenovo Yoga laptops have always proven to be excellent 2-in-1 convertibles, but the latest Gen 8 version has managed to surpass them. Lenovo's new Yoga 9i not only remains one of our favorites when it comes to convertibles, but it also manages to raise the bar set by previous versions. Inside, it features solid performance features like a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Additionally, the Yoga 9i features a slim design that is just over half an inch thick and weighs around 3 pounds. And if that wasn't enough, it also comes with some cool add-ons, like a 1080p webcam and a stunning 2880x1880p OLED touchscreen. It is true that it is a little more expensive than previous versions of Yoga, but its performance and features make it an excellent investment in terms of quality-price.

pros

• Great processor performance
• Durable and premium design
• High quality keyboard and touchpad
• Two USB-C ports with Power Delivery
• Long battery life

cons

• A little heavy for a 2-in-1 device
• The screen could be brighter
• Game performance on Android is unreliable
• Expensive compared to Windows alternatives

For people who enjoy the simplicity and convenience of cloud-based ChromeOS on top of Windows, the Acer Chromebook Spin 514 is a worthy option. It certainly breaks the stereotype that Chromebooks are inferior laptops, with a sophisticated and rugged design, spirited CPU performance, and a spectacular keyboard and touchpad. On top of that, it features two USB-C ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode, meaning you can use either port to power and charge the device, or to stream video to a secondary USB-C monitor. The Spin 514 comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 5625C CPU, AMD Radeon graphics, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD storage. The screen, which folds 360 degrees thanks to the 2-in-1 form factor, has a resolution of 1920x1080 and is touch-sensitive. Of course, this degree of capability and versatility comes at a higher price than other, more basic Chromebook versions. But if you can face the price of $699.99, this machine will not disappoint you.

pros

• Powerful CPU and GPU performance in a very compact design
• AniMe Matrix screams unique
• It has a webcam

cons

• half-permanent RAM
• Keyboard backlight is mediocre

The ROG Zephyrus G14 is light and powerful, a very rare combination. It weighs just over three pounds, making it a travel-friendly laptop. Between the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor and the AMD Radeon RX6800S GPU, you can also expect strong performance. The only weakness is the keyboard. It feels a little soft and the backlighting is pretty unimpressive. That said, if you're in the market for a laptop that offers fast performance, the Zephyrus G14 is an excellent choice.

pros

• Good productivity performance
• Excellent screen
• Robust design
• Great battery life

cons

• boring aesthetic
• 720p webcam not impressive
• Unreliable fingerprint reader
• Poor port selection

Are you looking for an affordable and reliable gaming laptop? The ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 OLED is a fantastic option. According to our tester, this laptop is ideal for “gaming, streaming, and everyday productivity.” Thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB GDDR6) graphics card, we were able to reach 60 frames per second at 1080p on high graphics during the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark. Plus, the OLED display is absolutely gorgeous and the battery life is surprisingly good. However, there are some small drawbacks. The overall design is a bit plain and the port selection is limited, plus you'll have to go down to medium or high graphics in demanding modern AAA games on the RTX 3050. Aside from those minor details, if you're looking for reliable performance in a beautiful OLED display, the VivoBook Pro 15 is where the fun is. If you don't mind giving up those stunning OLED visuals for a little more graphical power, you should take a look at the Acer Swift X.

pros

• The cyberpunk style seems very attractive
• The laptop makes excellent use of its high-performance hardware
• The screen is bright and handles movement well

cons

• A cluster of ports on the left side may not be suitable for left-handed people
• Battery life is mediocre
• There is more plastic in the chassis than in some competitors

It might seem like something out of a cyberpunk dream, but the Asus ROG Strix G16 features our favorite gaming keyboard on any laptop so far. A cluster of programmable hotkeys, a numeric keypad cleverly hidden in the trackpad, and keys with a generous 2mm offset, make this all-round keyboard and trackpad ideal for competitive gaming. The Asus ROG Strix G16 backs up its style with substance. Combining the latest Core i7-13650HX processor with an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU means you'll have power to spare. We were also impressed by the vivid 16-inch display with 2560x1600p resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate. Sure, the chassis has a little more plastic than we'd like and the battery life sits firmly in the average category, but those details are forgotten as soon as you turn on this neon-lit beauty.

pros

• CPU and GPU produce impressive power
• The 18-inch QHD+ screen is large and brightly colorful
• Aura Sync RGB Light Bars Make Things Clearer

cons

• Battery life is only average
• The trackpad is too firm to use all day
• A 1080p webcam would have made it more suitable for creators

Do you want a huge 18-inch screen on your laptop? What if that giant screen is a QHD+ with a 240Hz refresh rate? Well, you already had us with the 18-inch screen. The Asus ROG Strix 18 comes very close to being the ideal desktop replacement. This laptop comes loaded with excellent performance features including a Core i9-13980HX processor, an RTX 4090 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. But that's not the best, the ROG Strix 18 comes with an impressive 18-inch QHD+ display (2560x1600) with ROG Nebula panel with 100% DCI-P3 and sRGB coverage and a 240Hz refresh rate. At first glance, the price of the Asus ROG Strix 18 may put some off, but it can be found much cheaper than some models from competitors such as Razer and MSI with the same configuration. Size can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on what you're looking for in a laptop, but if you want a desktop replacement with an exceptional display then there's currently nothing better than the Asus ROG Strix 18.

Advantages

• Large 17-inch 16:10 screen
• Slim chassis
• Incredible battery life

Disadvantages

• High price without OLED screen
• Low-power GPU limits 3D performance
• Low resolution 720p webcam

Dell's updated 1TB SSD giving you plenty of storage for all of them. By packing its 4K touchscreen into such a compact laptop and filling the notebook itself with all the features pros ask for (hello, SD card reader and plentiful Thunderbolt 4 ports), the XPS 17 is the poster child for what you should be a robust laptop for content creation. The only real downside is that the XPS 17 weighs just under five and a half pounds, making it a real beast. The webcam is only 720p, which can be a disadvantage if you have to do online classes or video conferences. Buy if you can live with those small disadvantages, the latest XPS 17 is a phenomenal choice for all content creators.

Advantages

• Solid chassis and build quality
• Large, attractive 16-inch 1080p display
• Nice keyboard and touchpad
• USB-C with charging and DisplayPort

Disadvantages

• Webcam, microphone and speakers do not impress
• Intel processor falls behind AMD alternatives
• Disappointing battery life
• Lots of unnecessary software

If you're looking for a big screen on a moderate budget, the Acer Swift 3 is a fantastic option. It has an attractive 16-inch screen with 1080p resolution, a solid chassis, and a nice keyboard and touchpad. Battery life is below average, however, so you'll want to keep the charger on hand. This is unfortunate, as the Swift 3's slim profile makes it a good laptop for travel. If you don't care about battery life, this is a great laptop for watching movies and streaming shows.

pros

• Incredible battery life
• Large touchpad
• 1080p webcam
• Lovely screen

cons

• Heavier than expected
• Screen is too bright in outdoor environments
• Average performance

If you're looking for incredible battery life, then your best option is the Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip. The fantastic battery life of this Chromebook seems to have no end. In fact, it lasted an incredible 19 hours on a single charge in our tests; Even to make sure, we run the benchmark twice. On most laptops, it's impressive if you can get 10 hours out of a single charge, the CM34 Flip almost doubles that number. Despite its affordable price, in terms of performance it is not far behind. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 7320C processor and 16GB of RAM. This 2-in-1 also comes with a colorful touch screen, a comfortable touchpad and a high-quality 1080p webcam. Weighing just over 4 pounds, it's not the most portable. But if you're looking for a rugged machine for everyday use that won't empty your pockets, you won't find anything better than the CM34 Flip.

pros

• Excellent matte screen
• Solid design
• Easy repair and upgrade
• Powerful Intel chips across the range
• Nice keyboard
• Electrical disconnections for microphones and camera

Cons

• Low battery life
• Expansion modules increase price for some ports
• Noisy fan activates under moderate load

If you are one of those who like to tinker with their computers to continually improve them, repair broken parts or add the latest high-performance components, then the Framework Laptop 13 is like a dream come true. Framework not only makes repairability possible, it makes it a core feature that anyone can do as long as they have a screwdriver, which is included with the laptop. It even comes with interchangeable modular ports that can be changed as needed. You can also purchase motherboards with new processors installed, achieving the desired goal of a truly upgradeable laptop. Plus, beyond its DIY capabilities, the Framework laptop is just an overall great laptop right out of the box. It comes equipped with the latest 13th generation Core i7-1360P processor, integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a respectable 512GB SSD. It also features a surprisingly good 3:2 IPS panel with a resolution of 2256 x 1504p that comes with a matte screen that reduces glare. In short, it's a laptop that not only performs right out of the box, but promotes upgradeability and repairability that should serve you well for many years.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 – The best detachable notebook

pros

• Superior screen: larger, higher resolution, higher refresh rate
• Writing is a pleasure
• Good audio, with louder speakers
• New optional keyboard cover integrates the pen well

cons

• Webcam may need some adjustments
• Pen and keyboard still cost extra
• It's still expensive

Microsoft's Surface tablets were already at the top of our list of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but Microsoft remade the Surface Pro 8 in a number of ways by adding a larger, higher-resolution and faster screen, a pair of Thunderbolt ports that replace the old Surface connector, and a new pen experience, among other features. Although this generation of the Surface Pro tablet dispenses with an always-connected LTE option, as well as the choice of a cheap Core i3, performance still skyrocketed to the top. Benefits like how the screen's higher refresh rate improves typing are subtle improvements that matter, too. It's the most dramatic overhaul of a Surface in years, and it's for the better. Read our complete Surface Pro 8 Review

Best Notebooks of 2023 – Laptop FAQs

Ah, here we are with the million dollar question. Do you buy a basic Chromebook or do you lean towards a Windows laptop with more features? Well, it really depends on your personal lifestyle and what you plan to use your laptop for. For example, Chromebooks are a great low-cost option for those who just want the basics. I use a Chromebook as my main work laptop as it has everything I need for editing and writing. If you travel a lot for work, it's probably a good idea to invest in a laptop with good battery life. If you're still not sure, don't worry. I've put together a list of quick tips below.

What type of laptop should you buy?

The first question you should ask yourself is what type of laptop you are looking for. There are traditional laptops, 2-in-1s, Chromebooks, and much more. Convertible laptops (also known as 2-in-1s), for example, can rotate 360 degrees. This allows you to use the laptop as a tablet. They can also be placed as a tent to watch movies or participate in video calls. Chromebooks, on the other hand, only run Google's web-focused Chrome OS and are generally used for everyday tasks. All you need is a Gmail account and voila, you're in. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of them. Chromebooks are affordable and generally have good battery life, while convertibles are typically lightweight and portable.

How much processing power will I need?

If you are looking for processor power, choose those with higher numerical names. A Core i7 is better suited for gaming and more intense work than everyday tasks. Intel processors are available in Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i9. The higher the number, the more powerful the processor. If you don't need a lot of power, Intel Core i5 processors are your best option, as they offer good performance at a decent price. A Core i3 works perfectly for basic office work and web browsing. As for AMD options, the Ryzen 3 is good for basic productivity and web browsing, while the Ryzen 5 chips are a solid rival to Intel's Core i5. If you need more power, the Ryzen 7 chip is suitable for content creation such as video editing.

What is the difference between discrete and integrated graphics?

You'll need a discrete graphics card for hardcore gaming or video editing. It is separate from the processor, so you can expect superior performance. On the other hand, integrated graphics are attached to the processor and as a result consume less power, which is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks.

What about memory?

8GB of RAM is enough for general use. If you have a gaming laptop, 16GB of RAM is ideal.

How big should my screen be?

If you are a video editor or someone who does a lot of multimedia work, you should opt for a screen that is between 15 and 17 inches. However, the sweet spot is really between 13 and 14 inches. The larger the screen, the heavier your laptop will be.

How long should my laptop last on a single charge?

If you plan to take your laptop with you anywhere, look for something that can last 10 to 12 hours on a single charge. That's more than a full work day, so theoretically it should help you survive long flights or a day of school. Obviously, more battery time is always better. Just keep in mind that the larger the battery, the heavier the laptop will be.

How much should I spend?

The price really depends on your budget. If you're strapped for cash (I've been there, trust me), opt for a Chromebook or entry-level business laptop. These laptops are good options for students or young professionals. If you can afford to spend more, the versatility of a 2-in-1 laptop is really worth it.

What about connectivity?

A wide variety of ports is always a plus in my opinion as it eliminates the need for an adapter. I would recommend a laptop that has both USB-C and USB-A. An HDMI port is good too. This is especially useful when you want to connect to an external monitor.