Best 15-Inch Laptops for 2022: Why buy a 15-inch laptop? Well, not only are they bigger than the best 13 or 14-inch laptops, but they are also usually much more powerful. They don’t always have to be big and clunky, either.
Take, for example, our pick for the best overall 15-inch laptop, the Dell XPS 15 . It’s still our top pick at this size for its ability to pack all that power into a relatively small form.
After hundreds of hours of testing with the best 15-inch laptops, here is our list of the best you can buy.
Dell XPS 15
Why you should buy this: It’s the best overall 15-inch laptop you can buy.
For whom it is? Anyone who needs a lot of power on the go but doesn’t want to take up too much space in a backpack.
Why we picked the Dell XPS 15 :
There is no firmer hand in the 15-inch laptop market than Dell, and its XPS 15 exemplifies the reputation that 15-inch laptops have rightly earned: they’re reliable, powerful, and rugged. The latest Dell XPS 15 features up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor (from i5-11400H) and graphics up to an Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti. The XPS 15 is best when packed with powerful components, as it isn’t as thin or light as some of the other laptops on this list.
That is not to say that it is large in terms of volume; in fact, the XPS 15’s footprint remains one of the smallest on this list thanks to its ultra-slim bezels. The 16:10 aspect ratio ensures you have plenty of screen real estate too.
Read our detailed Dell XPS 15 review
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4
Why you should buy this: It is one of the most powerful 15-inch laptops you can buy that is not a workstation.
For whom it is? Anyone who wants high-end components in a package that is still relatively thin and light.
Why we picked the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4:
You can configure the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 up to an 11th Gen 8-core / 16-thread Intel Core i9-11950H CPU with vPro, 64GB RAM, 4TB fast PCIe solid state disk storage thanks to the Dual SSD slots and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPUs. The laptop gets pricey, but that’s a lot of power for a business-class laptop that’s reasonably thin and light. If you’re a creative or scientific type who needs a lot of power in a (relatively) portable package, this is the laptop for you.
It also has great options for the 16-inch screen (still considered a member of the 15-inch class) that has a productivity-friendly 16:10 aspect ratio. You can choose between an IPS WQXGA (2560 x 1600) non-touch panel, an IPS WQUXGA (3840 x 2400) non-touch panel with Dolby Vision and HDR 400, and a QWUXGA touch screen with Dolby Vision and HDR 400. It promised a brilliant display on all scopes, with great colors and contrast and some of the best high dynamic range (HDR) media for bingeing Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Connectivity is also a strength: two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, a full-size HDMI port, two USB-A 3.2 ports, and a full-size SD card reader, along with the fastest wireless connectivity available on Wi-Fi. Fi 6E. Lastly, you will also find the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 to offer excellent build quality that should stand up to significant abuse.
Read our detailed Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 review
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Why you should buy this: It’s the best 15-inch ultra-slim laptop you can buy.
For whom it is? Those who want a highly portable laptop that still has a big screen.
Why we picked the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4:
Most people who buy a 15-inch laptop are looking for an additional level of performance, which is why the Dell XPS 15 is our first choice. However, if you want a 15-inch laptop primarily for the larger screen and don’t need the extra power that a discrete GPU provides, the Surface Laptop 4 is a fantastic option. The high resolution 3: 2 display is glorious and easily one of the best displays to work with.
So while you can’t fit a more powerful GPU on this system, the Surface Laptop 4 has some decent processor options in its latest update. The AMD Ryzen 7 model we tested provides eight processing cores and turns this extremely slim laptop into quite a powerful machine in certain workflows. Battery life is pretty good too, lasting more than a full day on a single charge.
But obviously the size of the Surface Laptop 4 is its greatest strength. The 0.57-inch thickness and weight of just 3.4 pounds make it an extremely portable laptop, perfect for taking your work on the go without sacrificing a large screen.
Read our detailed Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 review
razor blade 15
Why you should buy this: It’s the best 15-inch gaming laptop you can buy.
For whom it is? Any gamer who wants a powerful gaming laptop but doesn’t want to carry anything too flashy.
Why we picked the Razer Blade 15 :
Finding a 15-inch gaming laptop is pretty easy – it’s where you’ll find most of them, to be honest. Some reach 14 inches, like the 2017 Razer Blade 14, while others venture into 17-inch territory and up, like the Razer Blade Pro. For the most part, however, the best balance of performance and factor. shape can be found in the 15-inch range. Unsurprisingly, that’s precisely where Razer placed its latest Blade machine, the Razer Blade 15 which has been significantly improved for its 2020 version. It’s relatively slim, looks amazing, and sports great build.
But most importantly, it works great too. The laptop packs a 10th Gen Intel Core processor with up to 5.1GHz in turbo mode, an excellent GeForce RTX 2080 Super with 8GB of VRAM and 16GB of RAM. A 512GB SSD covers the storage. The Blade 15 also supports Chroma RGB lighting for whatever customization you want. Ports now include Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI, and the laptop is Wi-Fi 6-ready. There’s even some improved cooling to help keep the laptop running efficiently.
Its display options range from 240Hz Full HD to 4K OLED (our Amazon pick includes the 4K OLED option), which means you can dial in exactly the perfect screen performance for your gaming needs. The Razor Blade 15 is a bit pricey, but it packs a stunning look that suits both a boardroom and LAN party.
Read our detailed Razer Blade 15 review
HP Spectrum x360 15
Why you should buy this: It’s a great alternative to the Dell XPS 15.
For whom it is? Anyone who needs a big powerful laptop and loves Specter brand extra design embellishments.
Why we picked the HP Spectrum x360 15 :
The HP Specter x360 15 is another great 15-inch Windows laptop. It’s similar to the XPS 15, but certainly has a more dazzling design. The style of the color options and the gold accents make it stand out from the crowd, there’s no question about that.
More than that, the Specter x360 15 has a few key features that are missing from the XPS 15. It has a numeric keypad, which some people may prefer to have. It also has a 360-degree hinge and a touchscreen in all settings, which is another feature that many people will appreciate. Lastly, the Specter x360 15 has a better selection of ports, offering two USB-A ports and one HDMI port in addition to the USB-C that the XPS 15 offers.
You can choose between 10th generation Intel H-series processors and a discrete GTX 1650 Ti GPU, or an 11th generation Core i7-1165G7 with Intel Irix Xe graphics or an Nvidia GeForce MX330 GPU. Note that if you like the design and spirit of the Spectrum x360 15 , you can opt for the smaller and taller Specter x360 14 or the speedy HP Envy x360 15 instead.
Read our detailed HP Specter x360 15 review
Samsung Chromebook 4+
Why you should buy this: It’s the best budget 15-inch laptop.
For whom it is? Anyone looking for a cheap 15-inch laptop that still has a big screen.
Why we picked the Samsung Chromebook 4+:
Inexpensive laptops always come with compromises, and 15-inch laptops are no exception. If you’re looking for an entry-level laptop to help you out, the Samsung Chromebook 4+ is a great option. It’s a surprisingly stylish-looking laptop, resembling a device not that different from a MacBook Pro. Even the bezels around the screen are pretty cropped, making it a modern laptop that you never would have imagined would be so cheap.
It comes with a 1080p screen, 6GB of RAM, and an Intel Celeron processor. The Chromebook 4+ performance won’t take you out of the water, but Chrome OS makes good use of even lower-powered processors like the Intel Celeron. If your needs are quite limited, you will find it difficult to find another 15-inch laptop that good at such a low price.
Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2
Why you should buy this:
For whom it is? Creative and scientific dudes who need to be able to set up a really powerful laptop.
Why we picked the Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2:
Today’s thin and light 15-inch laptops can get quite powerful, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4. However, sometimes you need to be able to configure an even more powerful machine, and that’s where the Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 comes in. . It’s a thick and heavy old-school workstation that can be configured to the extreme.
For example, you can select up to an 11th Gen 8-core / 16-thread Intel Xeon W-11955M CPU, 128GB of RAM, 16TB of storage via the two PCIe SSD slots, and an Nvidia Quadro RTX A5000 GPU. You will spend quite a bit of money, but if you are editing 8K video or running machine learning algorithms then you will appreciate all this power.
You’ll also appreciate the display options, including Full HD 16: 9 IPS, FHD IPS with Dolby Vision, UHD (3840 x 2160) IP with Dolby Vision and HDR 400, and UHD OLED touch, Dolby Vision, and HDR 400. The Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 is a true workhorse that can meet the most demanding performance needs.
Read our detailed Lenovo ThinkPad P15 Gen 2 review
Research and Buying Tips
What are the benefits of a 15-inch laptop?
Quite simply, the 15-inch laptop benefits from its screen size. First, you get plenty of screen real estate to get your work done, no need to move to a massive 17-inch laptop. Second, the chassis is naturally larger, providing more space for powerful components and plenty of battery capacity. This will allow you to run more windows at once and comfortably divide them on your screen while enjoying ultra-fast processors and GPUs that will keep your applications running.
Should you buy a 15-inch laptop or a 13-inch laptop?
If you crave a highly portable laptop that’s fine for general productivity tasks, then a 13-inch laptop will get the job done. And today’s 13-inch laptops are great. You won’t want the typical 13-inch laptop if you’re a creative guy who needs to edit complex photos and videos, but for productive users, a 13-inch laptop is a great option.
If you want a powerful laptop that can handle demanding creative tasks, as well as provide tons of screen real estate for multitasking, then a 15-inch laptop is the best option. It will be bigger and heavier, but much more capable.
What should you look for in a 15-inch laptop?
There’s no reason to choose a 15-inch laptop if it doesn’t meet your needs for performance and display quality. So look for a laptop that can configure fast CPUs and discrete GPUs if you need power, although a very thin and light 15-inch laptop with less powerful components can still be valuable. That’s where the display comes in – you’ll want a high-quality IPS or OLED display that offers high enough resolution for your needs and, if you’re creative, wide, accurate colors with lots of contrast.
Otherwise, you’ll want to go for the same things as with any laptop. You’ll want a solid build quality, a great keyboard and touchpad, and a long-lasting battery – or at the very least, a long-lasting battery given the powerful components and power-hungry display you can configure. In general, 15-inch laptops are no different from other laptops when it comes to basic quality and functionality.
