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Looking for the best laptop to buy? Then you’re on the right page. We’ve researched over 80 laptops and compiled the 13 best laptops that meet all kinds of needs and budgets, so regardless of what brand and specs you’re looking for, you will find one that suits your need.
The 13 best laptops 2022:
1. MacBook Air (M1, 2020): View at Amazon
2. MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021): View at Amazon
3. Microsoft surface laptop 4: View at Amazon
4. LG Gram 17 (2021): View at Amazon
5. MacBook Pro 13 (M1, 2020): View at Amazon
6. Google Pixelbook Go: View at Amazon
7. Acer Swift 3 (AMD): View at Amazon
8. HP Envy x360 (2020): View at Amazon
9. Asus’s ROG Zephyrus G15: View at Amazon
10. Acer Chromebook Spin 713: View at Amazon
11. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1: View at Amazon
12. Dell XPS 13 9300: View at Amazon
13. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 2-in-1: View at Amazon
The best laptop is essential if you want the best result in whatever you are using it for, whether for business, studying, gaming, or video editing. A subpar laptop can be slow, stressful, and may not be sufficient enough for your needs.
With all the different laptop brands and models out there, buying the best laptop that meets your needs and budget has become an awful time-consuming process.
We’ve done all the necessary research and dug through the web so you don’t have to — from the best laptop great for college students to the best budget laptop money can buy to the best gaming laptop and Chromebooks. This overview covers everything you need to help you choose the best laptop that fits your everyday needs.
Based on detailed research and web reviews, the best laptop right now is still the MacBook Air (M1, 2020). It’s a powerful machine that comes with Apple’s very own M1 processor, beautifully designed with incredible battery life. The MacBook Air is easily the best laptop on the market at the moment. Making it to the second spot on our list is the MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), a powerhouse beast that’s actually more superior to the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and should be number one on this list but slumped to the second spot due to its steep price.
Certainly, the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) isn’t the only powerful laptop right now. Also on this list are some of the most impressive Windows laptops on the market, such as Microsoft’s powerful Surface laptop 4, which made it to the third spot on our list. Ranking fourth is the new LG Gram 17, definitely a contender for the best laptop in 2022, and on the fifth spot is the late 2020 MacBook Pro 13. Wrapping up the top six is the Google Pixelbook Go, which in our view, is the best Chromebook for 2022 – it’s powerful and boasts of performance that’s on par with some of the more expensive laptops out there.
Another impressive option for those hunting for a more affordable laptop is the Acer Swift 3, a reasonably priced device that delivers performance and is great for productivity and browsing – definitely one of the best laptops for students.
Contents
The best laptop you can buy in 2022
Also making it to our list of the best laptops, Ultrabooks, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1s of 2022 includes the HP Envy x360 (2020) which made it to the 8th position in our ranking. Others are Asus ROG Zephyrus G15, Acer Chromebook Spin 713, Dell XPS 13 2020, and more. Read on for the full list of our picks for the best laptops.
1. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Best laptop for 2022
The most recent MacBook Air M1, 2020 isn’t just another laptop made by Apple; it’s the best laptop Apple has ever built – all thanks to the M1 processor, Apple’s very own chip for Macs. This is game-changing and an impressive achievement, allowing Apple to finally ditch Intel for all its new laptops going forward.
The ARM-based 5-nanometer chip is the lead star here; it comes with 16 billion transistors. In addition, the SoC (system on chip) has an eight-core processor, an integrated memory framework, an impressive image signal processor, plus Apple’s Neural Engine and Secure Enclave. The result is a powerful laptop with a fantastic battery life that’s faster than any laptop ever made by Apple, offering outstanding performance that rivals at times the M1-based MacBook Pro.
In addition to running both new and old Mac apps, the new MacBook Air also runs iOS apps for iPhones and iPads with access to lots of excellent mobile apps and games.
The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) base model includes 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, with pricing starting at $999, an incredibly competitive price compared to other impressive Windows 10 rivals like the Dell XPS 15.
The MacBook Air (M1, 2020) is competent, reliable, and worth buying even if you are a loyal Windows user. It’s the best value among Apple macOS laptops at the moment.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 8GB – 16GB | CPU: Apple M1 | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD | Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU | Screen: 13.3-inch; 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display (IPS technology) | Weight: 2.8 pounds | Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), 3.5mm headphone jack | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 | Camera: 720p FaceTime HD webcam | Size: 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61cm; W x D x H)
2. MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)
Best MacBook 2022
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is a creative powerhouse thanks to the M1 Max chip, beautiful display, and the best speakers you’ll ever hear on any laptop.
The productivity level of this laptop is incredible. The new purpose-built 16-inch Pro is a whole sturdy computer. if you are looking for a laptop just to check your email, social media, or do other less powerful tasks, then this might not be the laptop for you cause it’s quite expensive. Those with deep enough pocket to purchase this top-notch premium Mac will be very happy they did cause the price is worth it.
With a starting price of $2,499, the 16-inch MacBook Pro comes equipped with three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI port, a MagSafe 3 port, an SDXC card slot. In addition to a 3.5mm headphone jack, Force Touch trackpad, a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, and a 140W USB-C power adapter – you can also charge using USB-C. The touchpad is a mammoth 3.9 inches tall and 6.3 inches wide and covered in glass.
The battery life on this beast is remarkable, lasting 15 hours and 30 minutes during testing (that’s higher than Apple’s claim of 14 hours). The fast charging via MagSafe 3 is great for power users. You can charge up the battery quickly from zero to 50% in about 30 minutes.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro has no Face ID support, leaving you with Touch ID as your only option for biometric authentication. The expensive price also means it’s not for everyone. But when you factor in its beautiful liquid retina XDR display, plus remarkable performance that beats the competition, outstanding battery life on a single charge, great speakers, and a comfy keyboard, the MacBook Pro 2021 (16-inch) is definitely one of the very best laptops in 2022. It should be number one on this guide but for the price.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Screen: 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3456×2244 pixels, 120 Hz Pro Motion) | Webcam: 1080p FaceTime HD camera | Memory: 16GB to 64GB | Ports: Thunderbolt 4 (x3), HDMI, SDXC memory card slot, headphone jack, MagSafe 3 | Storage: 512GB to 8TB | CPU: Apple M1 Max 10-core CPU | Graphics: 32-Core GPU | WiFi: 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 | Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 | Dimensions (WxDxH): 14.91 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches / 355.7 mm x 248.1 mm x 16.8 mm | Weight: 4.8 pounds / 2.17 kg | Operating System: macOS Monterey | Power Adapter: 140 watts | Battery size: 100WHr
3. Microsoft surface laptop 4
Best Windows laptop 2022
The new Microsoft surface laptop 4 is an impressive machine with fine design and excellent quality.
This Surface laptop is thin and lightweight but powerful enough to do most daily workloads. It has an impressive battery life that can last more than 13 hours and comes with a gorgeous PixelSense touchscreen that clearly sets it apart from other rivals including Apple laptops.
The Surface keyboard is top-notch and very comfortable to type on. If you are a writer that’s going to be typing a lot, getting your hands on this laptop is a no-brainer.
The best part is the price is reasonably competitive (at $999) for what it offers, you get a 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 4 with 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, a Ryzen 5 processor, and more.
Even though this is one of the best Microsoft Surface laptops with strong performance, there are not enough ports, you only get the Surface Connect port on the right, one USB-A, one USB-C, and a headphone jack.
SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: Intel Core i7-1185G7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | Screen: 13.5-inch PixelSense (2,256 x 1,504) touch | RAM: 16GB LPDDR4x | Storage: 512GB SSD (PCIe, NVMe, M.2) | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0 | Ports: 1 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, combi audio jack, Surface Connect | Camera: 720p IR Webcam | Weight: 2.79 pounds (1.27 kg) | Size: 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches (308 x 223 x 14.5 mm; W x D x H)
4. LG Gram 17 (2021)
Best laptop for big screen
The new LG Gram 17 is a productivity powerhouse with a massive 17-inch screen that somehow weighs only 2.98 pounds (1.35kg). The LG Gram 17 is very light, it’s fascinating how light the LG Gram 17 is, especially given the extra weight that 17-inch display provides.
But weight isn’t the only biggest selling point for this productivity masterpiece. The battery life is easily the standout feature here, lasting over 13 hours, that’s more than enough to last for a full day at work or school.
Another feature worth writing about is its keyboard design that makes typing satisfyingly and not a chore. Add a great power button, which doubles as a fingerprint scanner, a fast sensor, a fast processor, and sturdy port options for slotting in portable storage and connecting devices, and there’s very little to dislike about this laptop.
Not everyone needs an expensive bigger screen laptop. While you certainly get what you pay for, the LG Gram 17 is likely not an option if you’re on the hunt for a device just to get the work done.
If the expensive price is a concern and you don’t care much about size, then the more compact LG Gram 16 (2021) will be a cheaper option, starting at $1,299. That’s a pretty hefty saving, especially if you consider the LG Gram 16 (2021) also has the same feature of 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, and 1TB SSD.
But if you are a lover of big screens for watching movies or daily office work, with multitasking a priority, then this impressive machine is worth taking a look. It’s a top-notch device that stands above its competition in today’s market.
SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, 1 x HDMI, 2 x USB 3.2, 1 x microSD slot, 1 x audio jack | Screen: 2560 x 1600 WQXGA LCD | Camera: 720p webcam | Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6 | Size: 15 x 10.3 x 0.7 inches (381 x 261 x 17.78mm) | Weight: 2.98 pounds
5. MacBook Pro 13 (M1, 2020)
Best longest-lasting battery
The late 2020 MacBook Pro 13 is a beast from Apple, a powerful device designed for intensive tasks. It’s a slight upgrade from the entry-level 2020 MacBook Air.
The MacBook Pro comes with several additional features than the Air, such as the Touch Bar and a built-in fan, which allows it to maintain intense workloads for a long time without heat issues affecting its performance.
Both the Macbook Pro 13 and the late-2020 MacBook Air run the same Apple M1 processor, but the Pro has a slightly higher performance level than the Air, which you won’t notice much unless you regularly carry out intense workloads for hours non-stop. It also costs $230 more than the Air, with a starting price of $1,229.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 8GB – 16GB | CPU: Apple M1 | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD | Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU | Screen: 13.3-inch; 2,560 x 1,600 | Weight: 3 pounds
6. Google’s Pixelbook Go
Best chromebook 2022
The Google Pixelbook Go isn’t just another Chromebook, it’s the best Chromebook in the world right now and the best Chromebook ever made, in many ways. This exceptionally portable Chromebook stands out in every area with a lightweight slim design that weighs just over 2 pounds.
The original Google Pixelbook is a masterpiece but this latest release is even better and that shouldn’t be a surprise, it’s Google!
The Pixelbook Go battery life is incredible at over 11 hours on the go, dusting many rival traditional laptops, enough to do a full day at school or work without a charge.
The awesome keyboard is also worth writing about, a joy to type on. If you are going to be doing a lot of school or office work, you definitely going to love the Pixelbook. Add the 1080p webcam, impressive performance, solid battery life, a dazzling and colorful display plus a touchscreen that’s super responsive, and you get the best Chromebook with very little not to like about.
Even though the Pixelbook Go can handle more work than most of its Chromebook’s competitors, it’s still not going to replace, for example, a MacBook Pro machine.
SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-8220Y | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615 (300MHz) | RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 | Storage: 128GB eMMC | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac, 2×2 MIMO, dual-band); Bluetooth 4.2 | Ports: 2 x USB-C 3.1 (charging and display out), 3.5mm headphone jack | Screen: 13.3-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080; 166 ppi) LCD touchscreen (16:9; 72% NTSC) | Weight: 2.3 pounds (1,061g) | Cameras: 1080p Duo Cam (2MP, 60 fps) | Size: 12.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches (311 x 206.3 13.4mm; W x D x H)
7. Acer Swift 3
Best laptop for college students
If you are tight on budget and hunting for a $500 price range laptop with premium features and performance, then the Acer Swift 3 compact and lightweight masterpiece is worth a look — although at a slightly higher price of $679.
The Acer Swift 3 comes with a performance that gets surprisingly close to far more expensive laptops on this list at a jaw-dropping price.
Running on the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U processor and Radeon Graphics, this exceptionally built laptop gives the likes of Dell XPS 13 and the MacBook Pro 13 a run for the money.
It has a fantastic battery life that runs 11 hours on a roll and has more ports than most Intel-powered laptops on the market. You get a USB Type-C, HDMI, and a USB-A. You also get a fingerprint reader too.
The only downside is its dim display, which is not as bright and colorful as its more expensive counterparts listed above. But that’s a minor flaw for the price of $679 and a robust processor that powers it above all its competitors. The Acer Swift 3 definitely deserves its position on this list.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 8GB | CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4700U | Storage: 512GB SSD | Graphics: AMD Radeon | Screen: 14-inch; 1080p | Weight: 2.7 pounds
8. HP Envy x360 (2020) convertible
Best budget laptop under $700
The HP Envy x360 is easily one of the best laptops under $1000 at the moment, a premium all-round laptop available at a competitive price of just $699.
Part of why the Envy x360 is so great is the improvement on a few several elements from the flagship Spectre x360, including the slick chassis, bezel-free display, and other nifty features, all at an exceptional price.
What really makes the HP Envy x360 stand out is the feature inside — It’s powered by AMD’s new Ryzen 4000 series, which allows it to deliver excellent performance at under $700.
The touchscreen is bright and supports HP’s MPP2.0 pen. You also get integrated USB Type-A ports and some useful security components such as a fingerprint scanner and kill switches for the webcam and microphone.
It’s difficult to figure out how HP is selling the Envy x360 for $699. It’s undoubtedly the best budget laptop based on features and components compared to what’s available in the general market.
If you are a student hunting for the best college laptop at an affordable price, look no further than the HP Envy x360.
This Ryzen-powered Envy x360 offers fast performance, a slick chassis, nifty features, and a budget-friendly price. It’s an excellent midrange 2-in-1 convertible laptop.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 8GB – 16GB | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U | Storage: 256GB NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD | Graphics: AMD Integrated Radeon | Display: 15.6″ diagonal FHD | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Touch Screen: Yes | Voice Assistant built-in: Amazon Alexa
9. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Best gaming laptop 2022
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 has now been succeeded with the ROG Zephyrus G15, a bigger and more powerful machine furnished with the most powerful AMD Ryzen and Nvidia RTX 3000 series, plus a fast 165Hz QHD (1440p) display. The G14 is still a great option for the best money value and also one of the best gaming laptops money can buy for a relatively low price compared with other gaming-focused laptops on the market.
It has an impressive battery life that can power through more than 10 hours. This excellent feat can be attributed to the pairing of AMD’s Ryzen 9-4900HS with the powerful Nvidia RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU, allowing it to handle demanding games like Resident Evil 3 and more at their highest settings without any issue.
The Zephyrus G14 is also a robust notebook great for those who want a powerful PC for business and everyday work.
The only flaw to this colossal beast of a gaming laptop is the lack of a webcam (no video calls or conferencing) and a Thunderbolt 3 port.
However, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is certainly a great choice – if you are looking for a gaming machine that offers incredible performance, including a 120Hz refresh rate display at an affordable price.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 16GB – 32GB | CPU: AMD Ryzen 9-4900HS | Storage: 1TB SSD | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q | Screen: 15.6-inch; 1080p | Weight: 3.5 pounds
10. Acer Chromebook Spin 713
Best budget Chromebook under $500
Chromebooks are portable and cheaper for high school and college students who don’t want to spend too much on laptops. Though Acer’s Spin 713 is not the most affordable Chromebook out there, it offers impressive performance at a jaw-dropping price compared to other Chromebooks and laptops.
There is a lot of versatility with the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 with various options no matter what you are using it for. The extra screen space and keyboard are great for typing, while avid streamers will love the additional capabilities of Google OS.
Additionally, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is a perfect notebook that can handle intense multitasking without slowing down; an excellent 2-in-1 convertible that offers a much more premium feel than its price suggest.
It’s a great choice for those looking for a Chromebook that’s great for daily use and offers the functionality of many premium laptops with standout performance and exceptional battery life.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 8GB | CPU: Intel Core i5-10210U | Storage: 128GB SSD | Graphics: Intel UHD | Screen: 13.5-inch, 1504p | Weight: 3 pounds
11. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1
The best 2-in-1 laptop
The new XPS 13 2-in-1 is unquestionably the best convertible laptop for the amazing features it offers at an astonishingly base price of $1,099.
The XPS 13 2-in-1 is a cleverly designed masterpiece crafted based on the XPS 13 model. The only difference is the ability to convert into a tablet.
The new XPS 13 2-in-1 comes with new features that make it even more powerful than before — including Intel’s newest 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors, an upgraded RAM and microSD reader, webcam support for Windows Hello, and more.
If you are looking for the best 2-in-1 laptop with a quality display, great performance, and long battery life, then the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is certainly one to consider.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 8GB – 16GB | CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 | Storage: 512GB SSD | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe | Screen: 13.4-inch | Weight: 2.9 pounds
12. Dell XPS 13 (2020)
Powerful laptop for productivity
The Dell XPS 13 is a gorgeous ultraportable masterpiece, with a beautiful screen, long battery life, and great performance. If you are looking for a well-designed laptop that’s powerful and reliable, look no further than the Dell XPS 13.
It’s relatively cheaper than the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (above) and comes with Intel’s advanced 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors, affirming its status as today’s most premium ultrabook.
The XPS 13 does come at a steep price, but the impressive specs make it a good value for money. You get the 11th-gen Intel Tiger Lake processor, up to 16GB RAM and up to a 2TB NVMe SSD, plus the amazing bezel-less InfinityEdge display that can be upgraded to 4K.
The downside to this almost perfect machine is the blurry webcam and slim port selection. Additionally, the price will likely be out of range for many on a tight budget.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 8GB – 16GB | CPU: 11th-Generation Intel Core i3-i7 | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD | Graphics: Intel UHD to Iris Xe | Screen: 13.4-inch; 1920×1200 | Weight: 2.64 pounds | Camera: 1080p IR Webcam | Ports: 2x USB-C 3.2 with Thunderbolt 4, microSD card reader, combi audio jack | Connectivity: Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650, 2 x 2, Bluetooth 5.0 | Size: 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.58 inches (296 x 199 x 14.8 mm; W x D x H)
13. Lenovo Chromebook Duet
Best Chromebook for kids under $300
Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a great 2-in-1 convertible laptop that definitely trumps its competitors in terms of value. It’s also a great budget laptop for kids. Apart from functioning as a tablet Chromebook, you also get a free keyboard compared to the iPad or any Surface, and even the cheaper Go.
You also get a full HD screen and an incredible battery life that’s very rare for that price. The Duet also features the new touchscreen tablet optimizations for Chrome OS.
The only downside is the keyboard buttons are somewhat cramped and might take some getting used to, especially for folks with a larger hand. But for this price point, the Chromebook Duet is an absolute bargain if you are on a limited budget.
SPECIFICATIONS:
RAM: 4GB | CPU: 2.0GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio P60T | Storage: 64GB eMMC, 128GB eMMC | Screen: 10.1-inch | Weight: 2 pounds
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