Choosing a laptop shouldn’t be complicated. But with so many models, price points, and flashy features, it often feels that way. Does a larger screen really make you more productive? Do you actually need the firepower of a dedicated graphics card?
That’s where we step in.
We’ve cut through the clutter to bring you the top laptop picks across every category–from budget Chromebooks to powerhouse gaming machines, all thoroughly tested by our expert reviews team.
Why you should trust PCWorld for laptop reviews and buying advice: It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (Aura Edition) – Best laptop overall
Pros
- Long battery life (almost 24 hours in our test)
- Beautiful OLED screen
- Great webcam
Cons
- Lunar Lake’s multithreaded performance isn’t ideal for some workloads
- Glossy screen can be difficult to read in harsh lighting conditions
Price When Reviewed:
$1,749
Best Prices Today:
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5x | Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 14-inch, 2880×1800 OLED | Battery life: Almost 24 hours | Weight: 2.91 lbs
Who should buy the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (Aura Edition)?
This Yoga is easily one of the best Windows laptops you can get right now and this is why: it looks great, it lasts forever, and it has a gorgeous screen. The display is a 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED with HDR that can hit up to 120Hz. Inside you get an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and Intel Arc 140V graphics. That’s fast enough for work, streaming, and everyday use. It also weighs under three pounds and the battery can last up to 23 hours.
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (Aura Edition): Further considerations
The 2-in-1 form factor really adds something extra here. It flips all the way around so you can use it like a tablet or prop it up like a tent. The keyboard is also comfortable to use for long periods of time, the trackpad feels smooth under your fingertips, and the Yoga Pen conveniently sticks to the top of the laptop via magnets. Ports are also decent: You’re getting two Thunderbolt 4, one USB-C, one USB-A, plus a combo audio jack. No HDMI or microSD, though.
Read our full
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 review
Acer Aspire Go 15 – Best budget laptop
Pros
- Great value
- Sharp display
- Generous RAM and storage for the price
- Reasonable webcam and mic
Cons
- Slow Intel N-series CPU
- No fingerprint reader or facial recognition
- Middling battery life
- No keyboard backlight
Price When Reviewed:
$499
Best Prices Today:
$329.99
$329.99
$345
CPU: Intel Core i3-N355 | RAM: 16GB DDR5 | Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 15.6-inch, 1920×1080 IPS | Battery life: 6.5 hours | Weight: 3.74 lbs
Who should buy the Acer Aspire Go 15?
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is one of those laptops that gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Equipped with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and a spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display, it’s got enough storage and memory to handle the day-to-day stuff like web browsing and streaming without choking. The port selection is also diverse: USB-C charging, two USB-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a Kensington lock slot.
That said, where it shines is in its value. You’re getting a big screen, lots of RAM, and a roomy SSD for under $500. You don’t see this combination at this price point very often. If you need a laptop for work or everyday tasks, the Acer Aspire Go 15 will easily cover your needs.
Acer Aspire Go 15: Further considerations
This laptop isn’t a speed demon and that’s perfectly fine. It runs on a budget Intel N-series CPU, so heavy gaming or 3D design is a no-go. Battery life is just okay, too. You can expect around six to seven hours on a single charge, which is most of a workday. Display-wise, it’s a clear 1080p IPS panel, but it’s not an OLED, so don’t expect rich colors.
In short, it’s a dependable machine that’s fast enough for daily use and it’s got a fair amount of room for your files and apps.
Read our full
Acer Aspire Go 15 (2025) review
Alienware 16X Aurora – Best gaming laptop
Pros
- High-end CPU performance
- Bright and beautiful display
- Great gaming experience
- Very competitive price
Cons
- You can get better gaming performance with a faster GPU (of course)
- Some hot air blows out the sides
Price When Reviewed:
$1,999.99
Best Prices Today:
$2,248.69
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 RAM: 32GB DDR5 | Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 16-inch, 2560×1600 IPS | Battery life: Just under 7 hours | Weight: 5.86 lbs
Who should buy the Alienware 16X Aurora?
The Alienware 16X Aurora delivers serious speed with its Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and RTX 5070 GPU. It’s perfect for gamers who want to run modern titles without bleeding their wallets dry. It’s currently $1,649.99 at Dell. The 16-inch 2560×1600 display keeps every frame looking buttery smooth thanks to its 240Hz refresh rate, and its subtle Interstellar Indigo finish makes it look sharp in just about any setting, whether it’s in a dorm or office space.
Alienware 16X Aurora: Further considerations
Alienware packs in plenty of goodies here, like a crisp 1080p webcam (with Windows Hello facial recognition), Wi-Fi 7 for super fast connectivity, and a wide variety of ports. The full-size keyboard has a number pad and customizable backlighting. And you get nearly seven hours of battery life, which is awesome, since long runtimes aren’t common in gaming laptops.
Read our full
Alienware 16X Aurora review
Acer Nitro V 16 AI – Best budget gaming laptop
Pros
- Large touchpad compared to alternatives
- 16-inch 1200p display at a low price
- Lots of physical connectivity
- Impressive battery life for a budget gaming laptop
Cons
- Sub-par CPU performance
- Terrible audio quality from built-in speakers
- Wireless connectivity stuck on the Wi-Fi 6 standards
- Slightly more expensive laptops offer better value
Price When Reviewed:
$899
Best Prices Today:
$1,199.99
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 240 | GPU: Nvidia RTX 5050 RAM: 16GB LPDDR5-5600 | Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 16-inch, 1920×1200, 180Hz IPS-LCD | Battery life: 8 to 12 hours | Weight: 5.38 lbs
Who should buy the Acer Nitro V 16 AI?
The Acer Nitro V 16 AI, which can occasionally be found as low as $629 at times, delivers great 1080p gaming performance–making it a great choice for gamers who don’t want to spend a ton. Its RTX 5050 outperforms other (older) entry-level graphics like the 4050, hitting an average 72 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077. Surprisingly, for a gaming laptop, the battery life is surprisingly good, lasting eight to 12 hours with light use.
Acer Nitro V 16 AI: Further considerations
The 16-inch 1920×1200 IPS display offers more vertical space than standard 1080p panels, and the 180Hz refresh rate keeps things snappy during fast-paced games. The audio isn’t the best, but you can always hook up to external speakers. Overall, though, the Acer Nitro V 16 AI really hits the sweet spot between performance and affordability.
Read our full
Acer Nitro V 16 AI review
Acer Swift 16 AI – Best college laptop
Pros
- Sleek, sturdy design
- Sharp OLED screen
- Pleasantly tactile keyboard
- Good battery life
Cons
- AI features still lacking
- Some keyboard keys too cramped
- Too many pre-loaded apps
Price When Reviewed:
$1,199.99
Best Prices Today:
$999.99
$1021.24
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 16-inch, 2880×1800 OLED | Battery life: 17.5 hours | Weight: 3.37 lbs
Who should buy the Acer Swift 16 AI?
If you need a laptop for college that won’t kill your back and doesn’t look boring, the Acer Swift 16 AI is worth checking out. It’s only 3.37 pounds, and the 16-inch OLED screen looks really sharp. Inside you get an Intel Core Ultra 7, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Not the fastest thing ever, but it handles schoolwork and big files without complaint.
The 70Wh battery will get you through a full day of classes (we clocked it at 17.5 hours), and you can charge it via either of the USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports. There’s also two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 5.4.
Acer Swift 16 AI: Further considerations
The OLED screen is such a lovely thing to behold–it’s bright, colorful, and sharp. The keyboard feels good for long typing sessions and, although the trackpad is on the smaller side and may feel cramped to some, it works fine for daily use. If you want a laptop that’s portable and won’t die on you halfway through the day, the Acer Swift 16 AI is the one to spring for.
Read our full
Acer Swift 16 AI review
Microsoft Surface Pro – Best lightweight laptop
Pros
- Compact and well-built
- Great office performance
- All Copilot Plus features available
- Good battery life
Cons
- Narrow screen to work on
- No HDR support
- No charger included
Price When Reviewed:
$799.99
Best Prices Today:
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X | Storage: 512GB SSD | Screen: 12-inch, 2196×1464 IPS | Battery life: Up to 2 hours at full brightness, up to 19 hours with light use | Weight: 1.51 lbs
Who should buy the Microsoft Surface Pro?
If you’re always on the go — whether it’s the train, a coffee shop, or just hopping around the house — the Surface Pro is pretty much made for that. It’s super light (under two pounds!) and still powerful enough to handle all the usual stuff like emails and Zoom calls.
With its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus CPU, it’s great for anyone who wants something that works like a laptop but feels like a tablet. You can doodle or get work done, all without feeling like you’re lugging around a heavy brick.
Microsoft Surface Pro: Further considerations
The smaller screen might not be great if you’re juggling a bunch of stuff all day, and there’s only two USB-C ports (so you’ll probably need a dock or something). Battery life can last a while, but honestly, it’s kind of all over the place. Expect around two hours at full brightness under heavy use or up to 19 hours with lighter tasks.
Still, if your work mostly lives in the cloud and you value portability above raw power, this is the best ultraportable Windows device you can get right now.
Read our full
Microsoft Surface Pro 2025 review
HP OmniBook 5 14 – Best for battery life
Pros
- Enjoyable keyboard
- Attractive 1200p OLED display
- Incredible battery life
- Ships with small GaN charger
Cons
- Though attractive, build quality doesn’t stand out
- Connectivity is limited
- So-so performance
Price When Reviewed:
$899.99
Best Prices Today:
$579.99
$699.79
CPU: Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 | RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X-8448 | Storage: 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 14-inch, 1920×1200 60Hz OLED | Battery life: 25 hours | Weight: 2.98 lbs
Who should buy the HP OmniBook 5 14?
Looking for a Windows laptop that never dies? The HP OmniBook 5 14 is the one to pick. I mean, the battery life is just insane–we’re talking 25 hours in our video playback test. It’s also got a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 chip, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage, so it’ll breeze through the day-to-day stuff. The 14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen delivers rich colors and deep contrast, too.
HP OmniBook 5 14: Further considerations
This isn’t a gaming rig or a 3D workstation, but for streaming and everyday tasks it’s more than fine. The keyboard’s comfy, the OLED display pops, and the ports are basic but usable (two USB-C, one USB-A, headphone jack).
The main draw? Ridiculous battery life and an attractive OLED screen–all for under $900.
Read our full
HP OmniBook 5 14 review
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Best Chromebook
Pros
- Zippy processor performance
- Memorable keyboard
- A wide array of connectivity options
- Chic design
Cons
- Battery life isn’t competitive
- The display’s 16:9 aspect ratio feels a little cramped
Price When Reviewed:
$499
Best Prices Today:
$236.99
CPU: Intel Core i5-1335U | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB (universal flash storage) | Screen size: 14-inch, 1920×1080 touchscreen | Battery life: 13 hours | Weight: 3.17 lbs
Who should buy the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34?
If you need a zippy Chromebook for everyday tasks, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 won’t let you down–it’s simple, reliable, and ready to handle whatever your day throws at it. This machine will easily crush your daily workflow thanks to its Intel i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. The 14-inch 1080p display also looks sharp, and the 1080p webcam is perfect for Zoom calls.
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34: Further considerations
While the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 offers smooth performance and a pretty design, there are minor trade-offs to be aware of like the non-competitive battery life (13 hours) and the lack of a touchscreen. You’ll also need to be comfortable with ChromeOS. If you prefer Windows or macOS, we’d recommend looking elsewhere.
Read our full
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review
MacBook Air (M4) – Best MacBook
Pros
- Can drive two external displays at 6K/60Hz
- M4 provides a performance boost
- New 12MP Center Stage camera
Cons
- No more Space Gray option
Price When Reviewed:
$1,399
Best Prices Today:
CPU: 10-core M4 | RAM: 16GB unified memory (120GBps memory bandwidth) | Storage: 512TB SSD | Screen: 15.3-inch, 2880×1864 Liquid Retina LED backlit | Battery life: 18 hours | Weight: 3.3 lbs
Who should buy the MacBook Air (M4)?
The new MacBook Air M4 is a fantastic option if you want something light but still strong. It’s running a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine–that’s a lot of muscle for such a slim laptop. Day-to-day stuff feels effortless, and when you need to push it harder, it holds its own way better than you’d expect from a MacBook Air.
Apple also fixed one of the Air’s biggest limitations—you can finally run two external 6K displays with the lid open, which is a game-changer if you love a multi-monitor setup. The 12MP Center Stage webcam makes video calls look sharper, and in our battery tests, it lasted about 18 hours, so you can leave the charger at home most days.
MacBook Air (M4): Further considerations
This thing is crazy light at just over three pounds and thin at under half an inch, so it basically disappears in your bag. The new Sky Blue finish looks slick, and pricing starts at $999 for the 13-inch or $1,199 for the 15-inch. Even better, the base models now ship with 16GB of RAM, so you don’t have to immediately think about upgrading memory.
The only real tradeoff? Battery life is about an hour shorter than the M3 model in video loop tests. But honestly, with nearly 18 hours on tap, it’s still more than enough to power you through a full day (and night).
Read our full
MacBook Air (M4) review
Framework Laptop 13 – Best laptop for upgrading
Pros
- Repairable and upgradeable
- Great keyboard
- Display is easy on the eyes
Cons
- High up-front cost
- Battery life lags way behind
- Not quite seamless design
Price When Reviewed:
$1,946
Best Prices Today:
CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 | RAM: 16GB DDR5-5600 | Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Screen: 13.5-inch, 2880×1920 IPS | Battery life: Just over 11 hours | Weight: 2.99 lbs
Who should buy the Framework Laptop 13?
Need a laptop that’s super easy to upgrade and tough enough to stick around? The Framework Laptop 13 is where it’s at. You can swap out pretty much anything—RAM, storage, even the motherboard if you want! It runs on an AMD Ryzen AI 300 processor and is slim enough to toss in your bag and go wherever.
Framework Laptop 13: Further considerations
The price might sting a bit upfront, and the built-in graphics are okay for everyday stuff, but don’t expect much gaming performance. Battery life’s decent, but nothing groundbreaking.
Read our full
Framework Laptop 13 (2025) review
Other notable laptops we’ve tested
These laptops didn’t crack the top of our list, but they’re still excellent picks. The Dell 14 Premium is an elegant machine, pairing a vibrant 3200×2000 OLED display with strong CPU performance and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. The HP EliteBook 8 G1a, meanwhile, is a 16-inch professional workhorse, offering nearly 16 hours of battery life and an AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 350 processor that makes it ideal for heavy multitasking. The HP OmniBook 7 Aero also stands out thanks to its ultra-light 13.3-inch design and premium white finish.
If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the Asus Chromebook Plus CX14 is worth a look as well–it’s currently available for $299.99 at Walmart.
How we test laptops
The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests.
For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.
Who curated this article?
Hi, I’m Ashley Biancuzzo, and I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage at PCWorld. While you’ll see me review Chromebooks on occasion, I’m also deeply immersed in the broader world of consumer tech. I spend a lot of time writing and thinking about where laptops are headed–from AI and sustainable designs to long-term trends. When I’m not deep in the world of tech, you’ll probably find me gaming, getting lost in a book, or chilling with my rescue greyhound.
How to choose the best laptop
What’s the best laptop style?
Regular ones are fine for everyday stuff. 2-in-1s are cool because the screen flips around. Chromebooks are cheap and good if you mostly do web browsing.
How much power?
Depends on what you’re doing. For basic web or email, an Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 3 works fine. If you’re into video editing or creative stuff, an i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9 is better. And if you’re handling heavy 4K editing or lots of apps, a Ryzen 9 is your best bet.
Discrete graphics vs. integrated graphics?
Gamers and video editors need a legit graphics card—Nvidia, AMD, something with real muscle. But if all you’re doing is YouTube, emails, and Netflix, the built-in graphics won’t hold you back.
How much RAM?
8GB of RAM is plenty for most stuff. If you’re gaming, 16GB is better, and 32GB will keep you covered for a while. Content creators should try to get as much RAM as they can.
What’s the right display size?
Doing video edits? Go bigger—15 or 17 inches helps a ton. For everyday use, 13 or 14 inches usually does the trick. Light enough to toss in your bag, not a pain to carry, and still plenty of space to get stuff done.
Battery-life expectations
If you’re gonna carry your laptop around, try to get one that lasts 10 to 12 hours on a charge. That’s usually enough for a long flight or a full day of classes. Some of the new Snapdragon laptops are even crushing that, with one going up to 25 hours thanks to their super-efficient chips. Just remember, bigger batteries usually mean heavier laptops.
Laptop pricing guide
A decent laptop usually runs $500 to $750. If money’s tight, a Chromebook or a basic work laptop under $500 will get you by. Push closer to $1,000 and you’ll start seeing nicer screens and more speed, but it really depends on what you need.
Don’t forget the ports
I like laptops with lots of ports so you don’t need adapters. Having both USB-C and USB-A is great. An HDMI port is especially useful for hooking up to an external monitor, especially if your laptop display just isn’t cutting it the way you want it to.
FAQ
What is the best laptop?
PCWorld calls the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition the best overall laptop. It handles regular stuff pretty easily, the battery can go up to 23 hours if you play your cards right, and the screen’s this bright 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED with HDR and a 120Hz refresh rate–it looks top-notch!
What is the best cheap laptop?
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is PCWorld’s favorite budget pick. It’s got an Intel Core i3-N355, a 1080p screen, and a varied port selection.
What is the best gaming laptop?
The Alienware 16X Aurora is a powerful gaming laptop that handles modern games with ease and makes them look amazing. It’s got an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU and RTX 5070 graphics, so performance is top-notch without going overboard on price.
When is the best time to buy a laptop?
The best time to buy a laptop is usually during big sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Back-to-school season’s also good.
What is a 2-in-1 laptop?
A 2-in-1 is a flexible laptop that can flip and fold, more or less–basically, the acrobat of the laptop world. Want to kick back and watch Netflix? Prop it up like a tent. Need to take notes at your next meeting? Fold the keyboard back and jot things down on the touchscreen. They’re a hit with students and creatives who want a bit of everything in one device.
What is a Copilot+ laptop?
A Copilot+ laptop is a PC with AI built right in. It helps you draft emails, generate images, and more. Since the AI runs locally, AI performance should be snappier. But at the end of the day, it’s still just a normal laptop (more or less), with a little helper that makes life easier to manage. To qualify as a Copilot+ laptop, though, it needs an NPU that can meet 40 TOPS of performance.
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