Best Laptops (Updated 2020)
Whether you are a student, a business professional, or looking to play games on the go, a laptop is an essential part of your daily tech. While many people can get by with their smartphones or tablets, there are still those that need a dedicated yet portable computer. Laptops have made major strides in the past several years, and the best stand toe to toe with their desktop counterparts. There are also more unique options on the market, which means anyone can find a laptop that perfectly suits their needs. With so many options, though, it can be difficult to choose which one is best for you. We've done the work for you, though, and compiled the best laptops of 2020 for anyone to use.
Microsoft has been fleshing out its Surface line of products for years, and now the family has gotten rather large. After experimenting with and fine-tuning 2-in-1 products through the Surface Book and Surface Pro series, Microsoft finally released a dedicated Surface laptop a few years ago. The laptops were heralded for their beautiful design and solid specs that made them ideal for students and mainstream consumers.
With the Surface Laptop 3, Microsoft has done some major fine-tuning while still maintaining what makes their laptops so great. There are still the Alcantara fabric models that have a unique and comfortable feel to them, along with the more premium aluminum models. The displays are as vibrant and beautiful as ever with a 3:2 aspect ratio and 2256 x 1504 resolution. While it all looks beautiful, it also isn't really that different from what was found on the Surface Laptop 2.What makes this model different is what's underneath the hood. The Surface Laptop 3 runs 10th generation Intel processors, which gives a significant boost in performance from the year before. While it isn't optimal for these tasks, the Surface Laptop 3 can be used for light gaming, mild video editing, and maybe a touch of Photoshop. Users will see improved performance with the i7 variants, but these still aren't the ideal tasks for heavy users.
The Surface Laptop 3 is the perfect laptop for students and business professionals looking to do light work. Their signature aesthetic is just the icing on the cake of this solid and dependable machine.
Read More Key FeaturesRazer has been a leader in the PC gaming industry for years. At first, they fine-tuned accessory products and peripherals, particularly their impressive line of mechanical keyboards. A few years ago, they launched full force into the computer world with their Razer Blade series. Since the first iteration, Razer has continued to fine tune and improve the laptop line, and it has culminated into the elegant and understated Razer Blade 15 Advanced. This is an impressive laptop that has all the power of a gaming machine without all the flash and gaudiness commonly associated with those devices. It is a gaming machine you could take to the office without blushing.The Blade 15 Advanced has a lovely display. There are two options, a 1080p and a 4K option. Combined with the 144hz display, and the user experience for the Razer Blade 15 is buttery smooth no matter what task you throw at it.That's also because of the added horsepower in the computer. The Advanced model is refreshed with the RTX Super cards, which means they can handle even modern games at high settings. Combined with the 144hz display, and you have a top tier gaming experience period, let alone one for a laptop. However, all that power comes with a drawback. Battery life on the Razer Blade 15 Advanced is mediocre, topping at six hours. That means you will want to lug your charger around all day, which makes it less than ideal for professionals on the move a lot.Still, for a gaming laptop that can also do lots of video editing and other intense tasks, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced is a tough one to beat.
Read More Key FeaturesWhen Chromebooks were first introduced on the market, they were considered novel but not overly functional. However, as technology and the industry has shifted to cloud-based work, Chromebooks are beginning to make their case as legitimate computing devices. Now that some Chromebooks can also run Android apps, it is now more justifiable than ever to invest in a Chromebook.
The Pixelbook Slate was Google's latest foray into the premium laptop market. Although it was impressive, there were some problems that held it back from being one of the best laptops on the market. That honor goes, instead, to its toned-down cousin, the Google Pixelbook Go M3 Chromebook. It isn't as sleek or flashy as the Slate, nor can it use the solid Pixelbook pen, but the Go is a dependable and entirely impressive machine.
Chromebooks are most ideal for students, who spend a lot of their time doing emails, taking online classes, and writing papers. Google's suite of apps like Docs, Sheets, and Slides are more than sufficient for most students. Many business professionals are also making the jump, since Chromebooks are dependable and often a more affordable option.
However, there is nothing cheap about the build quality of the Pixelbook Go. While its design isn't anything inspiring, it is well built. The display is also impressive, despite the thick bezels. The Pixelbook Go also has impressive speakers that go toe to toe with all the best laptops. If your work is primarily done online and you need a dependable laptop with a solid build quality and long battery life, this Pixelbook Go is tough to beat.
Read More Key FeaturesDell's XPS series has been the leader of the business professional laptop industry for several years. The laptop line has been known for having impressive specs and performance in a thin and powerful form factor. Dell puts all of that and more into their latest XPS 13. Unlike prior XPS models, though, this laptop is also a -2in-1 with a 1900x1200 touchscreen. This model also comes loaded with the latest 10th generation Intel Core i7, making it one of the most powerful ultrabook 2in1s on the market. The XPS 13 2-in-1 can also get the most out of its powerful process thanks to its advanced cooling system. It also has integrated Intel Iris graphics, which isn't superb but more than enough for some light video editing and photo editing. If you are looking for the best in class screen, the Dell XPS 13 2in1 can be upgraded to a vivid 4K panel, all without sacrificing the fluidity and smoothness of their other display. Just expect the upgrade to take a hit on battery life.
With its small form factor and 2-in-1 functionality, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is great for professionals on the go. It's ideal for coffee shops, laps, and any other nook and cranny that the traveling worker might expect. And with two Thunderbolt compatible USB-C ports, it is easy to hook up to a dock or monitors for more comprehensive work. If that sounds like the work you do, then the XPS 13 2-in-1 is the device for you.
Read More Key FeaturesApple has a longstanding reputation as the top manufacturer for workhorse laptops, and for good reason. The MacBook Pro series has been heralded by creatives and professionals for its next-gen aesthetics, vivid displays, and powerful specs. The latest generation of Macbook Pros has seen some fumbling, mainly due to the butterfly switch keyboard that was prone to failure. In their latest iteration, though, Apple has returned to form with the MacBook Pro with a 16-inch display. It is sleek, powerful, and, without a doubt, one of the best laptops on the market.
One of the most notable things about the Macbook Pro 16" is the keyboard. Apple has ditched the problematic butterfly switches for the scissor switches found in their incredible magic keyboard lineup. Everything is well spaced and travel distance is incredible, making it one of the single most enjoyable typing experiences on the market right now.
Apple has also improved the speakers of the traditional MacBook. Apple has always been one of the leaders in creating loud onboard speakers with decent bass, and the latest iteration only improves that reputation. The six speakers have force canceling woofers, which stops the bass from blowing out the rest of the sound and ruining the sound quality. It is really impressive to hear.
Now combine all of that with this MacBook Pro's gorgeous display, which is larger without making the computer clunky. That's because of the thin bezels along the side. Under the hood, you can get up to a 10th-gen Core i7 and up to 8TB of SSD storage.
With the Macbook Pro 16", Apple has delivered another stellar laptop that is difficult to beat.
Read More Key FeaturesThere is a lot of stiff competition in the premium laptop market. So the fact that HP can create a laptop that stands above its own impressive line of products along with everyone else's is truly impressive. The HP Elite Dragonfly Notebook has a beautiful and distinct design without being gaudy. And beneath its beautiful exterior is a powerful machine that can handle just about anything you throw at it.
The design is truly unique with the Elite Dragonfly. It's stunning blue chassis is made of magnesium and recycled ocean plastics. In fact, the whole thing is made of recycled materials. That makes for a computer that is both beautiful and eco-friendly.
HP has several options for a display, with the 1080p panel with 400 nits of brightness, a Sure View 1080p panel with 1,000 nits, or a stunning 4K display with 550 nits. The Elite Dragonfly also has robust security features like a fingerprint scanner, Windows Hello, and a Tile tracker if the laptop is lost or stolen. Combine that with the laptop's 5G connectivity and robust series of ports, and this is truly a laptop designed for traveling professionals.
The Elite Dragonfly is also a workhorse, with the top models boasting 16GB of RAM and powerful 10th-generation Intel processors. No matter what you do for work, the Elite Dragonfly can handle it.
For a laptop meant to go anywhere and do anything, the HP Elite Dragonfly is best in its class.
Read More Key FeaturesLenovo has been the top dog in the business-class laptop industry for a long, long time. That's thanks to its X1 Carbon series, with its no-nonsense aesthetics, top-in-class keyboard, and incremental improvements in display quality and weight. However, with so much competition these days, will the X1 Carbon still make a mark?
The answer is "yes." While Lenovo is slow to update the design of the X1 Carbon, there also isn't much to fix. The carbon fiber chassis looks good enough, and business professionals more concerned with performance aren't going to sweat it over a bland aesthetic. Lenovo has instead made improvements where it counts most.
One of those improvements comes in the display. With a 4K model available, the X1 Carbon now has HDR400 support, which improves the contrast and color the display. That makes the screen pop, perhaps letting users forget the boring design. Combine that with the powerful Intel processors, and the X1 Carbon is still a staple device for most business professionals. It also has plenty of connectivity options with 2 USB-C ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, and an ethernet jack. That's the type of I/O serious business professionals are looking for. The only true drawback is battery life. On the 4K model, battery life tops out at seven hours. Though, if you get the FullHD option, that doubles to fourteen hours.
When it comes to being the best laptop for professionals, Lenovo is taking a "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" approach. And that approach works here in spades.
Read More Key FeaturesLG came out with a surprising device last year with the LG Gram. It was lightweight and had an impressive processor making it ideal for heavy workloads. The 2020 Gram is a refinement of last year's model. While there aren't any dramatic changes this year, it is hard to do a major upgrade on a device that was already exceptional.
The LG Gram earns its name. It is incredibly lightweight at 2.5 pounds, and its thin profile makes it perfect for travel or working on an airplane or in a coffee shop. While it is still lightweight and the build is solid, it does already look little dated. The bezels are thick on the display and LG still didn't beef up the speakers, which sound thin and tinny.
However, minor drawbacks aside, the appeal for the LG Gram comes in performance and battery life. The LG Gram has been updated to 10th-generation Intel processors. While the base clock speeds aren't significantly different from the 8th-gen counterparts, that is nothing to scoff at. These are incredibly powerful processors that can handle video and photo editing with a breeze.
The battery life is also impressive. While most of the competition averages around 10-12 hours of battery life, the LG Gram tops out at 18.5 hours. That makes the LG Gram a must have for professionals on the go who don't want to pull out their charger constantly.
If battery life and performance are your top priorities, the LG Gram is a must have.
Read More Key FeaturesUltrabooks are great for professionals who don't want to lug around a heavy backpack all day, but they aren't always ideal for everyone. That portability usually comes with a sacrifice in performance, particularly when it comes to thermal throttling. Those thin designs usually lack the fans for proper cooling. That can make it difficult to do heavy duty work without the computer overheating. In this sense, sometimes it is nicer to have something more heavy duty.
Introducing the Acer Aspire 5. It isn't as thin and light as other laptops on the market, but it easily holds its weight in performance. That's because of the impressively fast 10th-gen Core i5 processor and the discrete Nvidia MX250 graphics card. The added horsepower of a graphics card makes the Aspire 5 great for creatives who need to render videos or do some photo editing.
The Acer Aspire 5 also comes with an impressive array of ports. Many ultrabooks sacrifice these ports to be thin and light, but many professionals are frustrated by the amount of dongles they have to lug around to make them functional. The Acer Aspire 5 doesn't have this problem. It has a host of USB ports, including one USB-C. It also includes an HDMI port.
The Acer Aspire 5 may not be as lightweight, nor is it as elegant as some other options. However, impressive specs combined with robust port options makes it a compelling option for creatives and professionals alike.
Read More Key FeaturesIf there is one thing HP does exceedingly well, it is making business-oriented laptops look beautiful. In the case of the HP Spectre x360, it does that and everything else very effectively. The Spectre isn't only a beautiful looking 2-in-1, but it is uncompromising in its quality and performance. The Spectre x360 gets its name from the hinge that converts it into a tablet when flipped completely around. This has been a standout feature for HP for several years, which made them one of the first major names in the 2in1 market. The x360 also has the added benefit of being one of the best looking 2in1s around. Its gold trim and futuristic angled edges make it an appealing and eye-catching device.
That beauty continues with the updated display. The 4K panel is AMOLED. With a nearly bezel-less screen, the blacks are black and the whites are white, and every color between is as vibrant as they possibly could be.
On other devices, this type of screen quality would greatly reduce battery life to below ten hours. But the HP Spectre can last as long as eleven hours with the right settings and conditions.
In terms of performance, the x360's 10th gen Intel processors are just as powerful as anything else in the top tier. It doesn't have a discrete graphics card, so it isn't ideal for gaming. But this device isn't aimed at gamers on the go. The HP Spectre x360 is meant for business professionals who want the most powerful and best looking device available.
Read More Key FeaturesThere are a lot of things to consider when deciding what the best laptop is for you. Everyone's needs and lifestyles are different, and you need to find a device that appropriately suits the work and environment you will be using it in.
Not all laptops are built the same, and as such not all of them are optimized for the same tasks. If you are looking for a basic device to stream Netflix and shoot off some emails, you don't need a powerhouse computer. On the flip side, if you plan on doing any video rendering or photo editing, you don't want to skip out on a computer with a beefy processor. Before you make any decisions, you need to think long and hard about the daily uses you expect from your new computer.
Once you have determined how you will use your new laptop, it is time to determine what specs you will need in the device. There are several things to consider, and it can seem kind of overwhelming. Without getting too technical, here are some things to consider.
Size and WeightAll laptops are portable, but some are more so than others. If you will be using your laptop in one place, getting a small and lightweight device isn't as necessary. However, if you travel a lot or work in cramped quarters, getting something smaller and more lightweight is preferred. This also applies to screen size. The most common screen sizes are between thirteen and fifteen inches, with some gaming laptops reaching seventeen inches. As the size of the screen goes up, so too does the size and weight of the rest of the computer. Think long and hard about how you plan on carrying your device around and how often you will be doing it.
RAM and StorageRandom Access Memory (RAM) is effectively the short-term memory of your computer, as it determines how many tasks you can run at once. Most laptops have at least 4GB of RAM, though it is becoming more common to start with 8GB. If you plan on doing heavy video editing or gaming, 8GB is the minimum you should have, though you should aim for 16.
Storage is not the same as memory. Storage is the actual hard drive that houses the data from your computer. Most laptops use solid state drives (SSDs), or M.2 now, which are faster and lighter in weight than disk drives. This switch is why most laptops can be so thin and light now. 128GB is usually the base size for SSDs, though it is rarely enough for even moderate users. It is recommended to get at least 256GB of storage.
GPUMost laptops do not have a graphics processing unit (GPU). They usually rely on integrated graphics through the CPUs, which allow for light gaming and editing. However, if you want to play the latest games or get the most powerful experience, you will want to look for a computer that has a dedicated graphics card.
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