Choosing the right laptop can be overwhelming with the myriad of options available. Whether you’re a student, professional, gamer, or casual user, this guide will help you find the perfect laptop to suit your needs.
Quick Links to Cyber Monday Laptop Deals
Here are some of the best Cyber Monday deals available:
- Dell XPS 13: Was $1,049, now $715 at Dell
- Apple MacBook Pro (M1): Was $1,499, now $1,299 at Amazon
- Acer Swift 3 (Refurbished): Was $725, now $679 at Best Buy
- Apple MacBook Air (M1): Was $999, now $899 at Amazon
- Acer Chromebook 713: Was $569, now $539 at Amazon
- Asus Zenbook 13: Was $899, now $799 at Newegg
- HP Envy 13: Was $1,049, now $879 at Amazon
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio: Was $1,799, now $1,699 at Amazon
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga: Was $2,649, now $1,049 at Lenovo
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G15: Was $2,364, now $2,249 at Amazon
- Samsung Galaxy Book Flex 2: Was $849, now $599 at Best Buy
- Dell XPS 15: Was $1,959, now $1,861 at Dell
- HP Spectre x360: Was $1,099, now $849 at HP
- Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable: Was $1,819, now $1,036 at Lenovo
- Alienware x17: Was $2,318, now $2,155 at Dell
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Was $2,459, now $999 at Lenovo (use code THINKBFDEAL16)
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet: Was $299, now $229 at Lenovo (use code IDEATHANKSDB1)
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 4: $200 off select models at Microsoft
- Dell XPS 17: Was $2,099, now $1,861 at Dell
Note: Prices are subject to change. Please check the retailer’s website for the most current pricing.
Top Laptops of 2024
After reviewing over 150 laptops this year, we’ve curated a list of top performers across various categories. Each laptop has been evaluated based on design, performance, battery life, and value.
1. Dell XPS 13
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB M.2 SSD
- Display: 13.4-inch, 1200p
- Weight: 2.8 lbs
Pros:
- Premium aluminum chassis; compact and lightweight for portability.
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7 offers excellent multitasking capabilities.
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics handle basic photo editing and casual gaming.
- All-day battery life.
Cons:
- Lacks legacy ports like HDMI and USB-A; requires dongles.
- Not suitable for high-end gaming.
Ideal For: Professionals seeking portability and performance without heavy gaming requirements.
2. Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1)
Specifications:
- CPU: Apple M1 SoC
- GPU: Integrated Apple M1 GPU
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1600p
- Weight: 3 lbs
Pros:
- M1 chip delivers exceptional performance across various tasks.
- Battery life exceeds 17 hours.
- Runs iOS apps on macOS, enhancing versatility.
Cons:
- Design may feel outdated with thicker bezels.
- Limited to two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports; additional dongles needed.
Ideal For: Creative professionals handling media-intensive tasks like video editing and graphic design.
3. Acer Swift 3 (Late 2021)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch, 1080p
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
Pros:
- Offers strong performance at an affordable price.
- Lightweight and compact; ideal for students and professionals on the move.
- Impressive battery life exceeding 10 hours.
Cons:
- Display is dim compared to competitors.
- Chassis lacks a premium feel.
Ideal For: Budget-conscious users needing reliable performance for everyday tasks.
4. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
Specifications:
- CPU: Apple M1 SoC
- GPU: Integrated Apple M1 GPU
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 13-inch, 1600p
- Weight: 2.8 lbs
Pros:
- M1 chip significantly enhances performance.
- Fanless design ensures quiet operation.
- Battery life exceeds 15 hours.
Cons:
- Limited to two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports.
- Design remains unchanged from previous models.
Ideal For: Users seeking an affordable entry into the Apple ecosystem with robust performance for daily use.
5. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 13.4-inch, 1200p
- Weight: 2.9 lbs
Pros:
- Versatile 2-in-1 form factor with touch and pen support.
- Premium build quality.
- Solid performance for productivity tasks.
Cons:
- Display could be brighter for outdoor use.
- Higher price point.
Ideal For: Professionals needing a flexible device for both work and creative tasks.
6. Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.5-inch, 1504p
- Weight: 3.2 lbs
Pros:
- High-resolution screen with 3:2 aspect ratio.
- Capable of running Android and Linux apps.
- Battery life over 10 hours.
Cons:
- Price: Higher than typical Chromebooks but justified by its features.
Ideal For: Users looking for a Chromebook with advanced features and performance for multitasking and productivity.
7. Asus ZenBook 13 (OLED)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch OLED, 1080p
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
Pros:
- Exceptional OLED display with deep blacks and vibrant colors.
- Lightweight and compact, making it ultra-portable.
- Over 13 hours of battery life, ideal for long days.
Cons:
- Lacks a headphone jack, requiring wireless or USB-C headphones.
Ideal For: Media enthusiasts and professionals needing a stunning display for entertainment and work.
8. HP Spectre x360 14
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Intel Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 13.5-inch OLED or FHD
- Weight: 3 lbs
Pros:
- Luxurious, premium design with a convertible form factor.
- Stunning OLED display with vibrant colors.
- Long battery life for all-day use.
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to competitors.
- Bulky in tablet mode.
Ideal For: Users seeking an elegant 2-in-1 experience with premium build quality and performance.
9. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 10)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1260P
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14-inch, 2.2K or 4K
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
Pros:
- Lightweight, slim design perfect for business professionals.
- Long battery life and robust build quality.
- Excellent keyboard and security features.
Cons:
- Expensive for its specifications.
- Limited graphics performance.
Ideal For: Business professionals needing a lightweight, portable, and secure laptop for productivity tasks.
10. Alienware x17
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: Dual 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs
- Display: 17.3-inch, 4K
- Weight: 6.7 lbs
Pros:
- Exceptional gaming performance with high-end specs.
- Slim design for a gaming laptop.
- Vibrant 4K display for immersive gaming.
Cons:
- Price is steep, even for premium gaming laptops.
- Tends to run warm under load.
Ideal For: Gamers seeking top-tier performance and a premium design.
11. Samsung Galaxy Book Flex 2
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch QLED, 1080p
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
Pros:
- Stunning QLED display offers vivid colors and exceptional brightness.
- Long battery life exceeding 15 hours.
- Includes S-Pen for note-taking and creative tasks.
Cons:
- Quiet speakers that may underwhelm during media playback.
- Fingerprint scanner placement could be more intuitive.
Ideal For: Creative professionals or users seeking a vibrant display and stylus functionality for drawing or taking notes.
12. Dell XPS 15 (OLED)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch 3.5K OLED
- Weight: 4.3 lbs
Pros:
- Beautiful 3.5K OLED display perfect for video editing and content creation.
- Solid performance for productivity and light gaming tasks.
- Premium, slim design with excellent build quality.
Cons:
- Battery life is below average compared to competitors.
- Heavier than other 15-inch ultrabooks.
Ideal For: Creative professionals and business users needing a high-performance laptop with a stunning display.
13. Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 12.3-inch, 3:2 aspect ratio, 1280p
- Weight: 1.7 lbs (tablet only)
Pros:
- Detachable design makes it versatile as a tablet or laptop.
- Excellent keyboard, even in its compact form factor.
- Long battery life ensures productivity throughout the day.
Cons:
- Subpar speakers limit media consumption experience.
- Lacks USB Type-A ports, requiring adapters.
Ideal For: Business users needing a lightweight, portable laptop with tablet capabilities.
14. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-11370H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14.4-inch, 2400×1600, 120Hz refresh rate
- Weight: 3.8 lbs
Pros:
- Innovative design with a versatile hinge for studio and tablet modes.
- Sharp display with a high refresh rate and excellent color accuracy.
- Solid performance for creative and productivity tasks.
Cons:
- High starting price compared to traditional laptops.
- Slightly bulky for its category.
Ideal For: Creative professionals, particularly digital artists or designers, who value versatility and display quality.
15. Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
Specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 2560×1440, 165Hz refresh rate
- Weight: 4.2 lbs
Pros:
- Outstanding gaming performance with top-tier specs.
- Long battery life for a gaming laptop.
- Premium design with a sleek Moonlight White finish.
Cons:
- Lacks a built-in webcam.
- Display brightness could be better.
Ideal For: Gamers seeking high performance and long battery life in a sleek design.
16. HP Envy 13 (2023 Edition)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1255U
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch, 2.2K
- Weight: 2.9 lbs
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight, perfect for on-the-go professionals.
- Excellent keyboard and touchpad for seamless productivity.
- Good value for the price with updated specs and build quality.
Cons:
- No discrete GPU limits graphics-intensive tasks.
- Limited port selection.
Ideal For: Professionals and students seeking a premium ultrabook experience without breaking the bank.
17. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
Specifications:
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
- GPU: Integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB eMMC
- Display: 13.3-inch OLED, 1920×1080
- Weight: 2.2 lbs
Pros:
- Affordable and lightweight 2-in-1 Chromebook.
- Vivid OLED display with excellent contrast and color accuracy.
- Long battery life for all-day use.
Cons:
- Limited storage options.
- Performance is basic, suitable only for light productivity and web browsing.
Ideal For: Budget-conscious users looking for a simple, portable device for everyday use.
18. Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13900H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 16-inch, 3K AMOLED, 120Hz
- Weight: 3.9 lbs
Pros:
- Top-tier specs for creators and power users.
- Stunning AMOLED display with a high refresh rate.
- Slim and lightweight for a performance-focused laptop.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to similar high-performance laptops.
- Battery life is decent but not exceptional.
Ideal For: Creators and professionals who need premium performance and display quality for demanding tasks.
19. Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1255U or ARM-based SQ3
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe or Adreno 690 (SQ3)
- RAM: Up to 32GB
- Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
- Display: 13-inch, 2880×1920, 120Hz
- Weight: 1.94 lbs
Pros:
- Ultra-portable and versatile design.
- Supports 5G connectivity on ARM model.
- Excellent display with high resolution and refresh rate.
Cons:
- ARM model has limited app compatibility.
- Expensive for its category.
Ideal For: Professionals and creatives needing a tablet-laptop hybrid with premium performance and portability.
20. Asus TUF Gaming F15
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920×1080, 144Hz
- Weight: 5.07 lbs
Pros:
- Great performance for mid-range gaming.
- Durable design with military-grade build quality.
- Good value for gamers on a budget.
Cons:
- Fans can get loud under load.
- Display brightness could be better.
Ideal For: Gamers looking for a reliable, budget-friendly gaming laptop with solid performance.
21. LG Gram 17 (2023)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1360P
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 17-inch, 2560×1600
- Weight: 2.98 lbs
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight for a 17-inch laptop.
- Large, vibrant display with great resolution for productivity.
- Long battery life for its size.
Cons:
- Integrated GPU limits performance for creative tasks.
- Expensive for its category.
Ideal For: Professionals needing a large screen for productivity without compromising portability.
22. Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model (2023)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13950HX
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch, 4K OLED, 240Hz
- Weight: 4.4 lbs
Pros:
- Unmatched gaming performance with cutting-edge specs.
- Stunning 4K OLED display with a high refresh rate.
- Sleek, durable design with excellent build quality.
Cons:
- Premium price tag.
- Can run warm during extended gaming sessions.
Ideal For: Hardcore gamers and professionals needing extreme power in a portable package.
Final Note:
Choosing the perfect laptop depends on your unique needs, whether it’s for gaming, creativity, or productivity. Use this guide to find the best match for you in 2024, and don’t forget to explore deals for added value. Stay tuned for updates as new models are released!
