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-slim laptop that boasts advanced performance and an amazing OLED display. The 14-core Intel Core i7-1280P CPU ensures high-performance processing. Not only is it great for general use, but it’s also capable of easily handling photo editing tasks. This device comes with Intel Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. Although it’s only 13.4 inches in size, the OLED touchscreen is absolutely stunning, with a 3456x2160 resolution that delivers crisp, vibrant images. Sadly, due to its compact design, it lacks some connectivity options, and its battery life is just average. If you can look past these limitations, then the Dell XPS 13 Plus is a great choice for those who need a laptop for travel.

Pros

• Premium materials
• Powerful AMD Ryzen chip
• Amazing quad-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.
• It doesn't have a headphone jack
• Only 2 high-speed USB-C ports

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

Advantages

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

Disadvantages

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

Lenovo Yoga laptops have consistently proven to be excellent 2-in-1 convertibles, but the latest Gen 8 version has managed to top them all. Not only does Lenovo’s new Yoga 9i remain one of our favorites when it comes to convertibles, but it also manages to raise the bar set by previous versions. Inside, it’s packed with solid performance specs like a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Plus, the Yoga 9i features a slim design that’s just over half an inch thick and weighs in at around 3 pounds. And if that wasn’t enough, it also comes with some cool extras like a 1080p webcam and a stunning 2880x1880p OLED touchscreen display. Admittedly, it’s a bit more expensive than previous Yoga versions, but its performance and features make it an excellent value for money.

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 bit 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 choice. It certainly breaks the stereotype that Chromebooks are inferior laptops, with a sophisticated, sturdy design, zippy CPU performance, and a killer 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 display, which folds 360 degrees thanks to the 2-in-1 form factor, features a 1920x1080 resolution and is touch-enabled. Of course, this degree of capability and versatility comes at a premium to more basic Chromebook versions. But if you can afford the $699.99 price tag, this machine won't disappoint.

Pros

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

Cons

• Permanent average RAM
• The keyboard backlight is mediocre

The ROG Zephyrus G14 is both 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 bit mushy, and the backlighting is fairly 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 aesthetics
• Not impressive 720p webcam
• Unreliable fingerprint reader
• Poor port selection

Looking for a budget-friendly, reliable gaming laptop? The ASUS VivoBook Pro 15 OLED is a fantastic option. According to our tester, this laptop is great for “gaming, streaming, and everyday productivity.” Thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 (4GB GDDR6) graphics card, we were able to hit 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 battery life is surprisingly good. There are a few minor drawbacks, though. The overall design is a bit plain and the port selection is limited, plus you’ll have to drop down to Medium or High graphics in demanding modern AAA games on the RTX 3050. Those minor nitpicks aside, if you’re looking for reliable performance on a gorgeous OLED display, the VivoBook Pro 15 is where the fun is at. If you don't mind giving up those stunning OLED visuals for a little more graphical power, you should check out the Acer Swift X.

Pros

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

Cons

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

It might look like something out of a cyberpunk dream, but the Asus ROG Strix G16 features our favorite gaming keyboard on any laptop so far. A bevy of programmable hotkeys, a number pad cleverly hidden in the trackpad, and keys with a generous 2mm travel make this a full-featured keyboard and trackpad ideal for competitive gaming. The Asus ROG Strix G16 backs up its style with substance. The combination of 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 a 2560x1600p resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. Sure, the chassis is a little more plasticky than we’d like, and battery life sits firmly in the average category, but those details are forgotten as soon as you fire up this neon-lit beauty.

Pros

• The CPU and GPU produce impressive power
• The 18-inch QHD+ display is large and brilliantly colorful
• Aura Sync RGB light bars make things clearer

Cons

• Battery life is just 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 massive 18-inch display on your laptop? How about that massive display being a QHD+ with a 240Hz refresh rate? Well, you already had us with the 18-inch display. The Asus ROG Strix 18 comes pretty close to being the ideal desktop replacement. This laptop comes loaded with great performance specs including a Core i9-13980HX processor, an RTX 4090 GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. But that’s not the best part, the ROG Strix 18 comes with a stunning 18-inch QHD+ (2560x1600) display with a ROG Nebula panel with 100% DCI-P3 and sRGB coverage and a 240Hz refresh rate. At first glance, the Asus ROG Strix 18's price tag may put some people off, but it can be found for much cheaper than some models from competitors like Razer and MSI in the same configuration. The 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 display
• Slim chassis
• Incredible battery life

Disadvantages

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

Dell’s updated XPS 17 features a massive 17-inch display, a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700H CPU, and a GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. Not only is that enough performance to power through all of your content projects, but it also includes a 1TB SSD, giving you plenty of storage to go around. By packing its 4K touchscreen into such a compact laptop and packing the notebook itself with all the features professionals want (hello, SD card reader and plentiful Thunderbolt 4 ports), the XPS 17 is the poster child for what a rugged content creation laptop should be. 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 drawback if you have to do online classes or video conferencing. Buy if you can live with those minor drawbacks, 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 are not impressive
• Intel processor lags behind AMD alternatives
• Disappointing battery life
• Lots of unnecessary software

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

Pros

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

Cons

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

If it’s incredible battery life you’re after, then your best bet is the Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip. This Chromebook’s fantastic battery life seems to never-ending. In fact, it lasted an incredible 19 hours on a single charge in our tests—we even ran the benchmark twice to make sure. On most laptops, it’s impressive if you can squeeze out 10 hours on a single charge, and the CM34 Flip nearly doubles that number. Despite its affordable price, it’s no slouch when it comes to performance. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 7320C processor and 16GB of RAM. This 2-in-1 also comes with a colorful touchscreen, a comfortable touchpad, and a high-quality 1080p webcam. Weighing in at just over 4 pounds, it’s not the most portable. But if you’re looking for a rugged, everyday machine that won’t break the bank, you can’t do 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 the price for some ports
• Noisy fan activates under moderate load

If you’re someone who likes to tinker with their computers to continually improve them, fix 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, but 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 swappable modular ports that can be swapped out as needed. You can also purchase motherboards with new processors installed, achieving the coveted goal of a truly upgradeable laptop. Plus, beyond its DIY capabilities, the Framework Laptop is simply an excellent overall laptop right out of the box. It comes equipped with the latest 13th Gen Core i7-1360P processor, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a respectable 512GB SSD. It also features a surprisingly good 3:2 IPS panel with a 2256 x 1504p resolution that comes with a matte screen that reduces glare. In short, this is a laptop that not only performs right out of the box, but promotes upgradability and repairability that should serve you well for many years to come.

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 – The Best Detachable Notebook

Pros

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

Cons

• The webcam may need some adjustments
• The 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, faster display, a pair of Thunderbolt ports that replace the old Surface Connector, and a new pen experience, among other features. Though this generation of the Surface Pro tablet forgoes an always-connected LTE option, as well as the choice of a cheap Core i3, performance still shot to the top. Benefits like the way the higher refresh rate of the display improves writing 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 full review Surface Pro 8 Review

Best Notebooks of 2023 – Laptop FAQ

Ah, here we are with the million-dollar question. Do you buy a basic Chromebook or go for 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 simply want the basics. I use a Chromebook as my primary 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 unsure, don’t worry. I’ve put together a list of quick tips below.

What type of laptop should I buy?

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

How much processing power will I need?

If you're looking for processor power, go for 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 bet, 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 like 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's separate from the processor, so you can expect superior performance. On the other hand, integrated graphics are tied to the processor and as a result consume less power, which is perfectly suitable for everyday tasks.

What about memory?

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

How big should my screen be?

If you're a video editor or someone who does a lot of multimedia work, you should aim for a screen that's between 15 and 17 inches. However, the sweet spot really is 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 on taking your laptop with you anywhere, look for something that can last between 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 classes. Obviously, more battery life is always better. Just keep in mind that the larger the battery, the heavier the laptop.

How much should I spend?

Price really depends on your budget. If you're strapped for cash (I've been there, trust me), opt for a Chromebook or an 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 also nice. This is especially useful when you want to connect to an external monitor.