Laptops are a practical alternative to desktops and are perfect for people on the go. Most laptops are compact and light enough to comfortably carry around, with high-end models offering performance and features to rival desktop PCs. So it's no surprise that laptops have quite quickly sured their desktop counterparts in popularity. There are laptops for all types of budgets and requirements, ranging from affordable laptops for everyday use to powerful but expensive options for gamers and creators.

RELATED: The 7 Best Touchscreen Laptops (Updated 2023)

With so many to choose from, finding the laptop that best suits your needs can be daunting. We're here to help! Here's a roundup of the best laptops for every type of to help make your choice easier.

Business travelers, students, and anybody on the go know the value of having a compact yet powerful laptop capable of handling any task. The Apple MacBook Air is the best option because of its all-around quality and performance in a lightweight and streamlined design.

It’s powered by Apple’s powerful M2 chip with an eight-core U and 10-Core GPU. Instead of RAM, the MacBook Air has 8GB of unified memory shared between the U and GPU and can also store long-term data instead of short-term only. The 512GB SSD is fine for app installations and everyday tasks, and most s probably save their data on the cloud anyway. An often-overlooked feature when buying a laptop is battery life. MacBook Air owners will have nothing to worry about, with the laptop rated for 18 hours of battery life.

Apple is known for its sleek designs, and the MacBook Air has a streamlined yet sturdy aluminum housing. The crystal-clear 13.5-inch Liquid Retina display provides a wonderful viewing experience, and the built-in 1080p webcam is more than enough to cover your video-calling needs. Connectivity is limited to a pair of Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, but that aligns with Apple’s minimalist aesthetics and helps keep the MacBook Air ultra-thin and light.

Creators, video and photo editors, animators, and graphics designers need enough power for complex imagery and a high-resolution display with good color accuracy. As its name suggests, the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED boasts a vivid display with top-of-the-range performance to handle the most demanding workloads.

There’s no worrying about processing power, with the laptop powered by the Intel Core i9-13980HX Processor paired with a whopping 32GB of RAM to complete any job. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU should be enough for resource-hungry graphics apps and AAA gaming. While the 1TB SSD is about standard, it should be more than enough to store most s’ photo or video libraries. This laptop has a stunning 16-inch OLED screen with a 3200 x 2000 resolution and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and is Calman-verified. It also has a fast 120 Hz refresh rate, ideal for animation or gaming. And the Harman Kardon speakers provide robust, clear sound.

The features extend to the tough chassis, meeting MIL-STD-810H standards for durability, and a sturdy Corning Gorilla Glass screen. There are also some standout features dedicated to creatives, like the dial near the touchpad that works with graphics and media apps and the haptic touchpad with for the included stylus. Connectivity to old and new devices is easy with the massive range of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4-compatible USB-C ports, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and an SD card reader

Apple’s MacBook Pro is a powerhouse laptop with enough power to handle anything you can throw at it and a stunning display with rich colors. It’s the company’s flagship model with the versatility to run anything from demanding creative programs to spreadsheets and light gaming without a sweat.

The MacBook Pro is powered by Apple's M2 Pro processor, but buyers have the option to upgrade it to the M2 Max for a hefty . The M2 Pro is a 12-core processor and is coupled with a with the 19-core GPU (The M2 Max version has a 38-core GPU) to deliver outstanding performance and visuals. The 16GB of unified memory and 512GB or 1TB SSD should be enough for most s, but can be upgraded to 32GB RAM and up to 8TB of SSD storage.

When it comes to styling, the MacBook Pro is available in Apple’s traditional Silver and Space Grey and features an eye-catching 16.2-inch (3456 x 2234) Liquid Retina XDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Connectivity options are also pretty good, with three Thunderbolt 4 compatible USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and an SDXC card slot. Between the three Thunderbolt 4 ports and HDMI, the MacBook Pro can up to four external displays, with three at 6K at 60Hz, and one at 4K at 144Hz.

High-end Windows laptops like the Dell XPS 15 are perfect for work and play and meet the needs of demanding s who want high-level performance and don’t mind paying a for it. It offers some of the best performance and includes touchscreen functionality in a sturdy design.

This laptop doesn’t compromise on performance and features the latest Intel i9-13900H U paired with a massive 32GB RAM that can run the most intensive tasks. The NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU with 6GB RAM makes it perfect for entertainment because it s the latest gaming titles, and the 1TB SSD is enough for large game and app installations. One of the best things about the XPS 15 is its customizability, so you can choose between various Us, GPUs, and memory configurations to suit your needs.

Another area where the XPS 15 stands out is its stunning 15.6-inch OLED touchscreen display. It offers up to 3.5K (3456 x 2160) resolution with rich, vibrant colors and a responsive touch feature making it easy to take notes or draw images. The build quality of the XPS 15 is second to none, with a sturdy aluminum design featuring numerous connectivity ports, including three USB-C ports, a 3.5-millimeter audio jack, and an SD card slot. Dells make it even more convenient for s by including a USB-C to USB-A adapter and an HDMI 2.0 adapter to connect older devices.

Convertible laptops like the HP Spectre x360 13-inch are popular because they offer two devices in one for buyers looking for versatility. Having a laptop and a tablet in one saves money and provides the best of both worlds in of design and performance.

For a compact laptop, the Spectre x360 has great performance with an Intel i7-1255U U and 16GB of RAM. The 512GB SSD is fine for everyday tasks and cloud-based apps, and there’s the option to up to 2TB on the HP site. While the Intel Iris Xe GPU is perfect for work and media, it won’t run some modern games that are more graphic-intensive.

This laptop comes in stylish Natural Silver, and options like Nightfall Black and Nocturne Blue are also available at an extra cost. Its sturdy aluminum body has a clean design with rounded edges and strong, 360-degree hinges to hold the responsive 13.5-inch (3000 x 2000) OLED touchscreen. The connectivity ports are about standard for this type of laptop and include a pair of Thunderbolt-compatible USB-C ports, a USB-A port, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio port. HP includes a rechargeable stylus pen for taking notes when using the laptop in tablet mode.

Alienware’s M18 is the company’s biggest and most powerful gaming laptop and can take on desktops as far as performance goes. However, while its power and features are impressive, its price point may limit its appeal.

There’s no doubt about the M18’s performance with an Intel i9 13900HX U and 32GB of RAM. Graphics are courtesy of the top-of-the-range NVIDIA RTX 4090, which can easily run the most demanding titles at ultra-high settings, and you won't have to upgrade it for years. The 2TB storage is perfect for large media and game installations. You can upgrade or downgrade every aspect of the laptop on Dell's website. The as-specced model with the highest specifications goes for a whopping $3,649, with the lower-end but still powerful models starting at $1,999.

Alienware takes things to another level with a massive 18-inch QHD (2560 x 1600) display with a 165Hz refresh rate and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility. It’s bigger than most gaming laptops and offers stunning in-game visuals. Another area where the M18 stands out is the option to include Cherry MX mechanical switches with a 1.8-millimeter actuation point for a faster response time.

Build quality is top-notch with a sturdy aluminum chassis, although there’s no getting around its sheer bulk. There are abundant connectivity options with three USB-A ports, three USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.1, a mini-DisplayPort, and an SD card reader to connect most peripherals.

Business laptops are meant to be durable workhorses that can handle most workloads while being durable enough to carry around for meetings. Lenovo’s Thinkpad range is synonymous with business and productivity, and the new T16 Gen 2 range ticks all the boxes for demanding everyday use.

The T16 Gen 2 includes the current-gen Intel Core i7-1365U vPro Processor with a solid 16GB of RAM. Its 512GB isn’t the biggest, but it’s more than enough for most business app installations and should be more than enough for buyers mainly using cloud-based apps. Like most business laptops, the T16 Gen 2 uses an entry-level GPU in the form of Intel’s UHD graphics, which is fine for work and media, but not for gaming. Everything looks crisp and clear on the 16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS display. It's large enough to fit multiple windows and includes touch functionality for taking notes.

The chassis has an aluminum lid with a plastic body but still looks and feels durable with minimal flex. Connectivity options are average, with two Thunderbolt-compatible USB-C ports, two USB-A 3.2 ports, an HDMI 2.0b port, and an SD card reader. Lenovo also includes some of its trademark features, like the red TrackPoint nubbin and clickable buttons on the touchpad for faster navigation.

Chromebooks are popular alternatives to conventional laptops because they are less expensive and offer fast and responsive performance. Many include a touchscreen and a convertible design for even more value. The ASUS Vibe CX34 is one of the best options because it offers incredible performance (for a Chromebook) in a sleek design.

Specs-wise, the Chromebook Vibe CX34 can rival many Windows laptops with an Intel Core i5-1235U Processor and 16GB of RAM. Its 512GB SSD is also pretty good and can be upgraded with a MicroSD card. Chromebooks aren’t known for their gaming prowess, and the Intel Iris Xe graphics is more suited for media consumption and productivity.

The standout feature of the Vibe CX34 is its large 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) display. Its compact size and stylus make it ideal for people on the move, and it also has a fast 144Hz refresh rate to handle online titles from cloud gaming services like NVIDIA GeForce Now. ASUS didn’t cut corners with the design either, and it features MIL-STD 810H durability and various connectivity port like two USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.1 ports, a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, and a MicroSD card reader.

Many buyers look for the perfect balance of price to performance to get the best value when searching for a laptop. Dell’s Inspiron 14 2-in-1 is a no-brainer because it offers great all-around performance for a price within reach of most s.

It’s a compact laptop featuring AMD’s powerful yet efficient Ryzen 7 7730U U with a capable 16GB RAM. There’s 1TB storage for apps and media libraries and a standard AMD Radeon GPU ideal for work or watching media. The specs should be able to handle most daily tasks like running apps and multiple browser windows, but it might struggle with intense graphics apps and AAA games.

The Inspiron 14 2-in-1 is compact enough to go anywhere thanks to its 14-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) touchscreen. It lives up to its name by allowing s to flip it over and work in tablet mode, a handy feature for light browsing and to watch videos. The aluminum chassis is sturdy and has classy silver styling, emulating more expensive rivals. Considering its compact size, the Inspiron 14 2-in-1’s two USB-C ports, HDMI 1.4, and single USB-A port are impressive and allow you to connect monitors and peripherals.

Students and other budget-conscious buyers usually look to get the most performance and specs for the least cash when shopping for a laptop. Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 3i is the top contender because it offers undeniable value thanks to its low price and capable performance.

As an entry-level option, it uses Intel’s Core i3-1315U U with a decent 8GB of RAM, which is fine for most apps, some browser windows, and other light work. The Integrated Intel UHD graphics is expected in this price bracket, and so is the 512GB SSD with enough space for many documents and smaller files.

One of the best things about the IdeaPad Slim 3i is its versatile screen size. The 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) display is big enough for work-related tasks and perfect for streaming movies or shows. It comes as no surprise that this laptop has a plastic chassis. However, it has a firm feel, and practical features include a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader. Despite its low price tag, the IdeaPad Slim 3i has a decent port selection, including a USB-C port, two USB-A 3.2 Gen1 port, an HDMI 1.4, and an SD card reader.

What Is The Best Laptop For You?

The best laptop depends on what you're looking for. The Apple MacBook Air (M2) is our pick for the best overall, because it ticks all the right boxes and offers a good mix of performance and features, all for a decent price tag. It may not have a specific focus, but the MacBook Air will do everything well.

Creators and artists may want to splurge a little more and get the ASUS ProArt StudioBook 16 with its impressive color accuracy and high-end performance, while gamers will have to spend the big bucks to get the best of the best in the Alienware M18.

All these options are understandably quite expensive, but not everyone needs to spend thousands of dollars on a new laptop, especially if the aim is casual usage, web browsing, and media consumption. Options like the Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 and the Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3i are excellent options with solid performance, good features, and more importantly, affordable price points.

FAQ

Q: What Size Laptop Should I Get?

A: Laptops generally vary between 13 and 18 inches. The best size depends on what you’ll be using it for. People on the go usually prefer smaller options because they are easily transportable. Gamers and people who enjoy watching content might prefer a larger 17.3-inch to enjoy all the small details. Most people find 14 or 15.6-inch screens the sweet spot, especially with the growing number of slim and light laptops with comparatively larger screens.

Q: How Much Storage Space Do I Need?

A: Again, this comes down to your requirements. Gamers and people with many music and video files need at least 1TB of space to store their data. Most people don’t need so much space, especially with so many cloud services available, and can make do with 512GB. Many entry-level options have smaller 128 to 256GB SSD, which should be enough for anyone using web-based apps and don’t need much onboard storage.

Q: What operating system should I choose for my laptop?

A: All the available operating systems are capable, and it depends on your preferences. Most laptops are Windows-based and offer excellent versatility because they most apps and come in many variants. Apple laptops tend to offer high performance and are suited to everyday tasks and more intensive applications. Chromebooks offer a lighter experience and are more suited to light to medium workloads, although this is slowly changing with many higher-performing options now available.

Q: Is it worth getting a convertible laptop?

A: Convertible laptops cost more than regular laptops, but they offer a two-in-one design and can double as a tablet and save money in the long run. They’re worth getting if you’ll use both functions and make the most of it. If not, getting a regular laptop and using the extra cash for something else might be better.

Q: How much should you spend on a laptop?

A: It depends on your budget and requirements. Laptop prices generally increase as the specs increase, and it’s worth getting the best you can afford to meet your requirements. Laptops are often more complicated to upgrade than desktops, and getting one with good specs that exceed your requirements is worthwhile because it will last longer.