If you’re dealing with the aches and pains from sitting in an old office chair and are looking to replace it with a new one, you’ve come to the right place. Staples is currently selling the Hyken Ergonomic Mesh Swivel Task Chair for just $90 with the coupon code 94171 (it shaves off an additional $10), plus free shipping. This specific chair is the chair of choice among Reddit’s chair nerd hivemind at r/buildapc, so you know it has serious staying power.

Plus, I happen to own this exact chair model and can confidently vouch its comfort and ergonomics. I’ve been using it for years at this point! Back pain? Sore shoulder? Never heard of them.

Looking for more desk accessories? Check out real PC enthusiasts swear these 24 desk accessories changed their life.

The Union & Scale chair features a mesh back and seat, a swivel-tilt mechanism, and a tension knob that allows you to change the resistance for easy reclining. It’s capable of holding up to 276 pounds and it will require assembly. According to the Reddit wizards (aka commenters), this chair has a good mix of support and comfort, especially if you plan on sitting in it for a long time. I spend an embarrassing amount of time at my desktop computer and rarely do I feel any aches and pains from this chair. If I do feel pain, it’s usually my own doing, as I sit like a pretzel on occasion.

This is an awesome deal, so don’t sleep on it. Get it now before the chance to grab Reddit’s favorite desk chair for a pittance disappears.

Calling all engineering students! If you’re in the market for a laptop that can handle resource-intensive coursework, you’ve come to the right place. These laptops offer reliable performance as well as a portable form factor, which is important for when you’re running from class to class. We’ve also included budget-friendly machines and gaming rigs for those late night gaming sessions. Read on to learn more.

Why you should trust us: Hey, it’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.

Looking for great laptop deals? Check out our regularly updated list of the best mainstream, gaming, and 2-in-1 laptop deals.

Updated June 28, 2024: We added the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i as an alternative option underneath the Best Overall pick and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 as the Best Battery Life pick. We’ve also updated our list of recent laptop reviews, so be sure to check those out near the bottom of the page.

The best laptops for engineering students

Dell Inspiron Plus 14 – Best overall

Pros

• Strong performance
• Phenomenal battery life
• Fantastic typing experience

Cons

• CPU throttles under very heavy loads
• No user upgrades

Why we like the Dell Inspiron Plus 14

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is one of the most well-rounded laptops we’ve come across in recent months. This sub-$1,000 machine offers reliable performance, phenomenal battery life, and a gorgeous display. You really can’t get much better than that. With an exceptional PCMark 10 score of 7,061, it toppled comparable machines like the Acer Swift Go 14 and the more expensive  Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. This laptop also has a battery life of 17 hours on a single charge (a spectacular result!), so you don’t have trouble yourself with finding a wall outlet to juice up.

Who should buy the Dell Inspiron Plus 14

Anyone looking for a laptop that checks off all the right boxes. Battery life and overall performance are outstanding, sure, but don’t forget about the gorgeous 14-inch 1400p display, which is “exceedingly well suited to office work and static imagery,” according to our review. It has a maximum brightness level of 418 nits and an anti-glare coating, so you can use this laptop in various lighting conditions. The design is far from sexy, but its hardware capabilities and amazing battery life make up for the uninspired aesthetics.

Alternative option: If you’re willing to shell out the extra cash, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i ($1,699.99) is a more premium option. It’s loaded with a faster processor (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H), more RAM (32GB), and a higher resolution display (3200×2000). It also has a bigger screen that measures 16 inches and a killer keyboard. You can’t really go wrong here if you need high-end power for high-end engineering tasks.

Read our full Dell Inspiron 14 Plus review

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 – Best battery life

Pros

• Attractive, slim, and light
• Class-leading battery life
• Excellent wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi 7
• Good performance in real-world situations

Cons

• Vague keyboard falls short of competitors
• IPS touchscreen's image quality can't compare to OLED
• Gaming performance doesn't hold up

Best Prices Today: $999.99 at Amazon$999.99 at Best Buy

Why we like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Microsoft’s 2024 Surface Laptop is one of the first machines to release with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPU. While we really like its slim profile and reliable day-to-day performance, we’re absolutely astonished by the 20 hour battery life. The 54 watt-hour battery is small compared to the 90 watt-hour battery inside the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus, making the 20 hour battery life all the more impressive. According to our review, we strongly believe it poses a “significant threat to alternatives with AMD and Intel hardware.” The competition better watch out!

Who should buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Anyone that needs a long-lasting laptop. It’s a solid choice for those who travel often or those who don’t want to worry much about battery life. The Qualcomm chip isn’t the best for hardcore gaming, but it’s fantastic for battery life and daily activities. It also scores quite well in benchmarks with Arm support and wireless connectivity is excellent thanks to Wi-Fi 7, which is the latest Internet standard. If your workload includes heavy-duty tools designed to stress x86 chips, without a dedicated Arm version available, you’d probably be better off selecting a laptop with an Intel or AMD CPU inside however. The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is a great option with strong 16-hour battery life (though the Surface Laptop 7 lasted about 3 hours longer in our battery rundown test).

Read our full Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8″) review

Acer Aspire 3 – Best budget option

Pros

• Reliable performance
• 1080p display
• HD webcam
• Solid build

Cons

• Speakers sound tinny when playing music
• A little heavy

Best Prices Today: $299.99 at Amazon

Why we like the Acer Aspire 3

The Acer Aspire 3 laptop offers dependable performance at an affordable price. It’s fast enough for day-to-day tasks like checking e-mail, browsing the web, assembling code, and so on. You’re also getting a full-sized keyboard plus a 1080p screen. It even edged out the competition with a respectable Cinebench R15 score of 1,925, beating out the comparable Acer Aspire Vero 14. Cinebench, by the way, determines how well a laptop handles processor-intensive multi-threaded workloads by running all of the cores of a CPU.

Who should buy the Acer Aspire 3

Anyone who’s on a restricted budget! It’s a great value because of the low price tag and the good performance. The HD webcam also produces clean, crisp video, so you’ll always look your best in video calls, and the battery lasts about eight hours on a single charge. That’s more than enough battery life for a full day of learning!

Read our full Acer Aspire 3 review

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best for work and gaming on a budget

Pros

• All-day battery life
• Robust chassis
• Gorgeous 16:10 display

Cons

• 720p HD camera leaves little to be desired
• Keys feels a little soft

Why we like the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is something of a unicorn and I mean that in the best way possible. It exhibits strong graphics performance as well as long battery life. Long battery life? A gaming laptop? How preposterous! Well, not anymore! The Asus TUF managed an incredible 11 and a half hours on a single charge. Also, thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU inside, it achieved an impressive 123 frames-per-second in the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark. That’s nothing to sneeze at, especially for a sub-$1,000 gaming machine.

Who should buy the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is a good option for those on a tight budget. For under a grand, you’re getting reliable graphics performance, a spacious keyboard, and long battery life. It also works as a good general purpose machine, which is perfect for college students that want to work on homework during the day and then switch to gaming at night. With a Cinebench R20 score of 589, it should have “no trouble running lightweight apps and programs,” according to our review.

Alternative option: The Lenovo LOQ 15 is a good alternative option, as it comes with a slightly better GPU (RTX 4060). Despite getting a high rating, it didn’t make the cut because of poor battery life and limited connectivity options.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review

Acer Swift Edge 16 – Best ultraportable

Pros

• Gorgeous OLED display
• Lightweight
• Strong CPU performance

Cons

• Mediocre battery life
• Weak audio

Best Prices Today: $1,355.99 at Amazon

Why we like the Acer Swift Edge 16

The Acer Swift Edge 16 is lightweight, affordable, and powerful. It weighs just 2.71 pounds. The 3200x2000p OLED screen is super vibrant and, according to our review, “delivers an infinite contrast ratio and deep inky black levels that produce convincing shadows in dark scenes.” It even turned in a strong PCMark 10 score of 6,494, beating out the more expensive Acer Swift Go 16. That means the Swift Edge 16 is capable of out-performing some machines that cost hundreds of dollars more.

Who should buy the Acer Swift Edge 16

If you’re looking for a lightweight ultraportable with strong performance, the sub-$1,000 Acer Swift Edge 16 is the laptop you want. It’s light enough to take with you from class to class and the spacious 16-inch display is fantastic for school work, watching movies, and so on. Sure, the design is a bit bland and battery life is a disappointing six to seven hours (still not an awful result), but if you can handle those minor shortcomings, then the Acer Swift Edge 16 is the right pick for you.

Alternative option(s): If you’re able to stretch your budget a little further, then you should definitely consider picking up the Acer TravelMate P6. It’s a little lighter than our top pick at 2.65 pounds and has a bigger battery, but it’s more expensive and doesn’t have an OLED display. The HP Dragonfly G4 is another solid option, as it offers high performance as well as an LTE connection. That said, it’s very expensive.

Read our full Acer Swift Edge 16 review

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED – Best OLED display

Pros

• Robust build quality
• Attractive OLED touchscreen
• Good CPU and integrated GPU performance
• Outstanding battery life

Cons

• Uninspiring design
• Keyboard isn't memorable
• Mediocre connectivity options

Why we like the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED dazzled us with its peppy CPU performance, outstanding battery life, and slick-looking OLED touchscreen display. According to our review, “movies and games look realistic and vibrant” on the 14-inch 1980x1200p OLED touchscreen, although it can be difficult to view content in brighter environments because of the reflective surface. It also died at the 16 hour mark on a single charge, which is absolutely fantastic. That result outclasses comparable machines like the Lenovo Slim 7 14 Gen 9 and the HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 14. As for how it performs, you should have zero problems zipping through real-world tasks like web browsing, video conferencing, and so on.

Who should buy the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED

Anyone that’s looking to pick up an affordable laptop with an OLED display. It’s so much more than that, though. The build quality is solid and day-to-day performance is both fast and responsive. Connectivity options are a bit limited, but that’s not unusual for a laptop in this price range. Overall, this is an exceptional budget laptop, as you can’t really beat the price to performance ratio.

Read our full Asus Zenbook 14 OLED review

Recent laptop reviews

• Dell Inspiron 16 Plus: The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus is a powerful 16-inch workstation with a nice combination of performance, battery life, and build quality. It’s a good alternative to gaming laptops for people who want more power than the average laptop offers.
• Surface Laptop 7: The Microsoft Surface Laptop’s strong processor performance and top-tier battery life prove that Windows’ transition to Arm has staying power, but even the most casual gamers should think twice.
• Acer Aspire 3: The Acer Aspire 3 cuts performance to the bone as it limbos below a $500 MSRP.
• Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i is one of the best mainstream Windows laptops on the market, with great specs, a gorgeous display, and a killer keyboard.

How we test engineering laptops

The PCWorld team puts every Windows laptop through a series of intense benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.

Windows laptops

• PCMark 10: The PCMark 10 benchmark is how we determine how well the laptop handles general use tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, streaming, and so on.
• HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
• Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It renders a 2D scene over a short period of time.
• 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips. This is how we test a gaming laptop’s GPU.
• Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.

If you’re looking to score a fast laptop at a killer price, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re on the hunt for a blazing fast gaming rig, an affordable laptop under $500, or an everyday Chromebook, we’ve assembled a list of the best laptop deals available right now, using our finely honed editorial judgement (and thousands of hours of testing experience) to only recommend truly compelling deals on worthwhile notebooks.

We’ve separated the recommendations below by best laptop deals under $500, best home use laptop deals, best gaming laptop deals, and best premium laptop deals, to make it easier to find a notebook that fits your budget and needs. For more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.

Best laptop deals (at a glance)

• Lenovo Flex 3, $349 ($130 off at Best Buy)
• Lenovo IdeaPad 1, $479.99 ($320 off at Best Buy)
• Acer Aspire 3, $499.99 ($100 off at Adorama)
• HP Envy x360, $569.99 ($379.01 off at Adorama)
• Samsung Galaxy Book4, $599.99 ($300 off at Best Buy)
• Asus VivoBook S15, $649.99 ($200 off at Adorama)
• Lenovo Flex 7, $1,039.99 ($220 off at Adorama)
• Dell XPS 15, $1,099 ($200 off at Dell)
• Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1, $1,249.99 ($400 off at Best Buy)
• Alienware m16 R2, $1,299.99 ($300 off at Dell)

Best laptop deals under $500

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo Flex 3: $349 ($130 off at Best Buy)

Sometimes all you need is an affordable laptop for surfing the web and composing e-mail exchanges. If you’re in the market for such a laptop, the Lenovo Flex 3 is definitely worth considering. It’s powered by a Pentium Silver N6000 processor, which is suitable for general browsing and streaming Netflix, but not much else. It’s not the fastest processor we’ve ever seen here at PCWorld, but you’ve also got to temper your expectations, as this laptop is specifically designed with basic tasks in mind. However, according to Best Buy reviews, the 1080p touchscreen display is pretty darn crisp, making this machine an excellent value.

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo IdeaPad 1: $479.99 ($320 off at Best Buy)

The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is another nice laptop for everyday use, but the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U CPU is a better performer than the Flex 3’s Pentium Silver N6000. It’s not the newest technology out there, but it should be plenty speedy when running Microsoft Office, Adobe PDF, and so on. The 15.6-inch 1080p display is also touch-enabled with a 60Hz refresh rate, which is good enough for daily activities. Finally, the IdeaPad 1 is packing 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD–a good amount of memory and storage for the price. Don’t wait, pick it up now.

Acer

Acer

Acer

Acer Aspire 3: $499.99 ($100 off at Adorama)

I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but the Acer Aspire 3 is a truly fantastic sub-$500 laptop for casual use. The Intel Core i7-1165G7 is a few generations old at this point, but it’s fast enough to handle web browsing as well as office work. The laptop also comes loaded with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage–which is better than what we typically see in this price range (it’s usually 8GB of memory and 128GB of SSD storage). In addition to the 15.6-inch 1080p display, which is perfect for day-to-day activities like scrolling through your social media feed and watching Netflix, it also weighs approximately 3.75 pounds, making it a pretty travel-friendly machine.

Best for home use

Samsung

Samsung

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Book4: $599.99 ($300 off at Best Buy)

Here at PCWorld, we really like Samsung’s Galaxy Book series of laptops. The Galaxy Book4 Ultra, a top-tier configuration we reviewed in April, earned 4.5 out of 5 stars plus an Editor’s Choice Award. While we loved the Book4’s stunning OLED screen and phenomenal battery life, it’s prohibitively expensive. If you’re looking for a more affordable version and don’t need all the bells and whistles, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 is a good option for day-to-day use–it comes with an Intel Core 7 Series 1 150U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. Connectivity options include one HDMI, two USB-A 3.2, and two USB-C, so you shouldn’t have to carry an adapter around with you. At the end of the day, if it’s a reliable laptop you’re after, then look no further than the Galaxy Book4.

Asus

Asus

Asus

Asus VivoBook S15: $649.99 ($200 off at Adorama)

The Asus VivoBook S15 is a nice laptop for streaming your favorite shows, general web browsing, and so on. It comes loaded up with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and AMD Radeon Graphics, so it should be smooth sailing when it comes to your daily tasks. The 15.6-inch 1080p display is fine for movie watching or doom scrolling, but if you need a sharper screen for editing work, for example, you should hook up to an external monitor. Fortunately for you, the VivoBook S15 also comes with a wide array of connectivity options: you’re getting one HDMI, one 3.5mm combo audio jack, one USB 2.0 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, and two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C. Other features include a backlit chiclet keyboard and a 720p webcam with a physical privacy shutter.

Best gaming laptop deals

Dell

Dell

Dell

Alienware m16 R2: $1,299.99 ($300 off at Dell)

The Alienware m16 R2 is a powerful gaming laptop with a high refresh rate display. In addition to the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, you’re also getting a 16-inch display with a 2560×1600 resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate. So, what does it all mean? Basically, the hardware should have no problem running most games with the graphics dialed up. The visuals should look fluid, too–this is helpful when playing faster-paced titles. Plus, when we reviewed a similar configuration back in March, we awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars plus an Editor’s Choice award. The build quality and performance are truly top-notch.

Best premium laptop deals

HP

HP

HP

HP Envy x360: $569.99 ($379.01 off at Adorama)

The HP Envy x360 is powerful, lightweight, and versatile. The 2-in-1 form factor means you can fold the screen back and use the laptop like a tablet, and it comes equipped with a good amount of RAM (16GB) and storage (512GB SSD). The 1080p display is quite large at 15.6-inches and is touch-enabled, which is perfect for habitual notetakers and doodlers. The keyboard is also full-sized and has backlighting–this is great for when you’re using the laptop in low light environments.

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo Flex 7: $1,039.99 ($220 off at Adorama)

The Lenovo Flex 7 is a great laptop for those who want an affordable 2-in-1. You’re getting a lightweight design as well as a decent amount of power for just over $1,000. It has an Intel Core i7-1355U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. Zipping through spreadsheet work, light use tasks, and so on should be no problem for this machine. In addition to the 2-in-1 form factor, in which the screen swings back 360 degrees, it also weighs just 3.53 pounds. That means you can easily slip it in a backpack or messenger back and take it with you anywhere.

Dell

Dell

Dell

Dell XPS 15: $1,099 ($200 off at Dell)

Dell’s XPS line of laptops are known for their premium builds, lightweight form factors, and powerful internals. They’re also known for their jack of all trades performance, as they’re equipped to handle tasks both big and small. The Dell XPS 15 that’s on sale today, although we haven’t personally tested this configuration, shows a lot of promise given the specs. The Intel Core i7-13620H CPU is capable of tackling day-to-day work as well as more demanding applications. The 1200p display, which measures 15.6 inches, also has a maximum brightness of 500 nits. If that number holds true, then you’re in for a vibrant picture.

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1: $1,249.99 ($400 off at Best Buy)

The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 is a powerful, versatile machine with a stunning 4K display. What more could you ask for? Underneath the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core i7-1360P CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage–so it should have no issues zipping through daily activities, spreadsheet work, and so on. The 14-inch touch display, which has a resolution of 3840×2400 (4K!), is a real stunner, too. This is the kind of display that’s meant for watching movies, graphically-intensive work, and so on. It also comes with a stylus, which is great because you don’t have to pay extra for a standalone accessory.

For more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.

Chromebooks have undergone the most dramatic transformation over the years. No longer are they used to just running Google apps or accessing the internet. Nowadays, in addition to running everyday tasks like browsing the web and checking e-mail, you can also play the latest triple-A titles with cloud gaming. Because there’s such a wide variety now, we’ve curated a list of our top picks to help narrow things down. Whatever your needs may be, PCWorld has you covered with the best options on the market today.

If you still prefer Windows laptops, you’ll definitely want to check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available today.

Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been going strong since 1983, back in the days when print magazines were more common. Now that we’ve made the leap to digital, we’ve been reviewing more than 70 laptops every year. Every laptop that passes through our doors goes through an arduous testing process, in which we evaluate everything from processor performance to display quality. We’re committed to reviewing laptops in every price range too.

Update June 27, 2024: We updated the list of recent laptop reviews to include the Acer Aspire 3 ($499.99) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 ($999.99). The affordable Acer Aspire 3 offers plenty of RAM and storage, and the pricier Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 features the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Elite X processor.

Lenovo Flex 5i – Best overall Chromebook

Pros

• Good build quality
• Fantastic typing experience
• Vibrant touchscreen display

Cons

• Average battery life for a Chromebook
• Stylus not included

Why we like the Lenovo Flex 5i

The Lenovo Flex 5i is the best overall choice because of its 2-in-1 design, the peppy performance, exquisite typing experience, and so much more. The understated aluminum finished exterior helps make it feel like something three or four times as expensive. As for the convertible design, the 360-degree hinge feels incredibly sturdy, which is essential in a 2-in-1 laptop. Plus, the keyboard is a real joy to type on and the 1200p touch display produces crisp and vibrant visuals. The best part is that you’re getting all of these wonderful features for well under $500.

Who should buy the Lenovo Flex 5i

We feel as though the Lenovo Flex 5i is a good Chromebook for most people. The touchscreen and 2-in-1 design really gives it the edge, as you usually see these features in machines that cost much more. While the nine hour battery life is considered just average for a Chromebook, it’s still a great all-day result. It’s just not the whopping 19 hours we got out of the Asus Chromebook CM34 Flip. That said, the Lenovo Flex 5i’s list of compromises is quite small.

Read our full Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook – Best budget Chromebook

Pros

• Lightweight design
• Great battery life
• Attractive color scheme
• 1080p display

Cons

• Only 4GB of RAM
• 720p webcam is disappointing

Why we like the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook

For under $300, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook offers decent performance, fantastic battery life, and a lightweight form factor. Inside, you’ll find an MediaTek Kompanio 520 CPU, an ARM Mali-G52 2EE MC2 GPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. On paper, those specs may not look all that impressive. However, when it comes to real-world use, day-to-day performance is perfectly reliable. The 47 watt-hour battery also lasted 16 hours on a single charge and it weighs just under three pounds, making it a solid travel companion. Not bad for under $300, huh?

Who should buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook

Anyone looking for a cheap, serviceable Chromebook. It’s not the most innovative Chromebook we’ve ever seen, but it doesn’t have to be. It has plenty of power for light use and the battery will keep you going long after your workday or school day ends. The inclusion of a 1080p touch display is a nice touch as well, especially given the low price of the machine. The 720p webcam is disappointing and you’re only getting 4GB of RAM, but if you’re willing to taper your expectations a bit, then this is a machine that’s well worth considering.

Alternative option: If you’re willing to spend a little extra on a Chromebook with better performance, we’d recommend checking out the $399 Acer Chromebook Plus 515. Bootup times are lightning fast and browser-based tasks feel appropriately snappy. The typing experience is also lovely and the battery can last up to 13 hours on a single charge. The only trade-offs are the boring aesthetics and the thick bezels on the display.

Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook review

Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best Chromebook for gaming

Pros

• Attractive design
• Excellent CPU performance
• Loads of wired and wireless connectivity
• High resolution 1600p display

Cons

• Mediocre keyboard and touchpad
• Disappointing speakers and microphone
• Display falls behind in contrast, color vibrancy

Why we like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a good machine for gaming and day-to-day tasks. The Intel Core i5-1240P CPU is powerful enough for office work and everyday activities, and the display’s 120Hz refresh rate will produce smooth visuals. You can’t run games locally on this laptop, but you can use a cloud gaming service like Nvidia GeForce Now or Amazon Luna. According to our review, “gameplay felt perfectly smooth” and “Nvidia’s GeForce Now diagnostics panel flagged no problems.” Just make sure you’ve got a stable Internet connection! Fortunately, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE has an Ethernet port, which is about as stable as you can get.

Who should buy the Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Anyone that wants to game on a dependable Chromebook! The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a joy to game on and it’s zippy enough for productivity and day-to-day. Additional features include a 1080p webcam, a 65 watt-hour battery, and an attractive design. With an MSRP of $650, it’s a little expensive for a Chromebook, but it punches above the usual Chrome OS machine and is tailor made to deliver a high-quality cloud gaming experience.

Alternative option: If you’re looking for a Windows alternative that can run local games, you should check out the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition laptop. It’s currently our best budget gaming pick and for good reason! Our reviewer blitzed through the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark at 123 frames-per-second thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX RTX 4050 GPU. This laptop also managed an impressive 11 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is unheard of in gaming laptops.

Read our full Acer Chromebook 516 GE review

Framework Laptop Chromebook – Best Chromebook for tinkerers

Pros

• Upgradeable
• Hot-swappable ports
• 1080p webcam
• Reliable performance

Cons

• Expensive
• No touchscreen display

Why we like the Framework Laptop Chromebook

The Framework Laptop Chromebook is one of the more unusual entries on this roundup because it’s a modular laptop, which means you can replace or upgrade any part of it. Our reviewer, who wasn’t confident in her disassembling abilities, was able to crack open the laptop in a few simple steps. The hardware inside is marked with QR codes, which you can scan with your phone and be directed to the right spot on Framework’s website. The 1080p display is also a big draw and the hot-swappable ports allows you to mix and match where the ports slot in the laptop.

Who should buy the Framework Laptop Chromebook

Anyone who likes to get in there and tinker or extend the life of their laptop. The Framework Laptop Chromebook is designed with the ultimate customization and upgradability in mind. I will say, it’s definitely targeted to a specific niche of people, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Performance is strong due to the Intel Core i5 processor. In fact, our benchmarks show that it handles everyday tasks like surfing the web and watching streams like a real pro. The only caveat is that it’s expensive for a Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook Vero 514, for example, is just as fast as the Framework Laptop Chromebook and is hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Read our full Framework Laptop Chromebook review

Recent laptop reviews

• Dell Inspiron 16 Plus: The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus is a powerful 16-inch workstation with a nice combination of performance, battery life, and build quality. It’s a good alternative to gaming laptops for people who want more power than the average laptop offers.
• Surface Laptop 7: The Microsoft Surface Laptop’s strong processor performance and top-tier battery life prove that Windows’ transition to Arm has staying power, but even the most casual gamers should think twice.
• Acer Aspire 3: The Acer Aspire 3 cuts performance to the bone as it limbos below a $500 MSRP.
• Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i is one of the best mainstream Windows laptops on the market, with great specs, a gorgeous display, and a killer keyboard.

How we test Chromebooks

The PCWorld team puts each and every laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Due to the cloud-based nature of Chromebooks, they go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook as we use on laptops because they exclusively run a completely different operating system.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them.

Chromebooks

• CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark tests a Chromebook’s battery life.
• Speedometer 2.0: This test determines a Chromebook’s web browser performance. It simulates this by adding, completing, and removing a to-do list.
• Basemark Web 3.0: This benchmark gauges how well a Chromebook can handle web-based applications.
• Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript performance benchmark that measures browser speed.
• Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a combination of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This is a way to gauge how well a Chromebook runs advanced workloads.

For a more thorough explanation of our testing procedures, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.

What should I look for in a Chromebook?

If you’re looking for a Windows or MacBook alternative, you may want to consider a Chromebook. Equipped with low-power processors, they typically have good battery life and are usually silent in operation. They make great productivity machines, as they’re specifically designed for lightweight tasks like browsing the web, watching Netflix, and so on. Plus, they’re largely virus free. That said, most Chromebooks have minimal RAM and storage. If you’re a hardcore gamer or a video editor, you’re going to want something with a lot more power than a Chromebook is capable of providing.

Our guide to Chromebooks vs. Windows laptops can help you determine which operating system is best for your needs. For more options, you’ll want to check out our best laptops roundup.

• Operating system: Although every operating system has its pros and cons, I’d argue that Chrome OS is one of the most user-friendly ones out there. That said, with Chromebooks, you don’t have the option of picking another operating system, as they exclusively run Chrome OS. You’re stuck with it, bud.
• Processor: Shoot for a mid-range Chromebook if you can. They cost anywhere in the $400 to $600 range and many of them come equipped with Intel Pentium processors. These Chromebooks have better browser performance and are capable of running more intense gaming apps. It’s the best bang for your buck. Upper-end Chromebooks sometimes use Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors, which pack more of a punch.
• RAM: Many Chromebooks have 4GB of RAM, which isn’t a lot. Chromebooks are web-based machines, so you need a fair amount of RAM to keep those tabs open and running smoothly. If you can spend a couple of hundred extra, you’ll be able to find a mid-range Chromebook with 8GB of RAM.
• Storage: I recommend at least 64GB of storage. Since you’ll mostly be storing things in the cloud, you don’t a ton of local storage.
• Durability: Chromebooks are popular in the education market because they’re pretty darn robust. I’m not saying you should smack one around with a baseball bat or anything, but they’re durable enough to handle the daily abuses of life.

Picking up a brand new laptop can be a stressful experience. How much storage will I need? Which hardware is the best for my budget? The sight of the alphabet soup model numbers are enough to set your heart racing. If you’re not sure where to begin, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking for a lightning fast gaming laptop, a Chromebook, or a lightweight 2-in-1 for office work, we’ve tested hundreds of laptops to identify the best option no matter what you need.

Why you should trust us: It’s in our name. PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.

Looking for sweet discounts? Check out our regularly updated roundup of the best laptop deals available right now.

Updated June 26, 2024: We replaced the Best Midrange Laptop with the 2024 version of the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus ($1,499) and added the Microsoft Surface 7 ($999.99) as the Best Battery Life pick, as well as the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i ($1,699.99) as an alternative option underneath the Best Overall pick. We’ve also updated our list of recent laptop reviews, so be sure to check those out near the bottom of the page.

The best laptops we’ve tested

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024) – Best overall

Pros

• Strong performance
• Exceptional battery life
• Wonderful typing experience

Cons

• CPU throttles under heavy loads
• No user upgrades

Why we like the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is one of the most well-rounded laptops money can buy. It offers strong performance, exceptional battery life, and a vibrant display. The best part is that it costs about $1,000, which is a reasonable price point considering the price to performance ratio. In fact, it performed exceptionally in PCMark 10’s benchmark, according to our review. With a PCMark 10 score of 7,061, it beat out the Acer Swift Go 14, which has similar specs to the Dell, and the more expensive Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The Inspiron 14 Plus also lasted an impressive 17 hours on a single charge, which is definitely more than a full workday or school day. You don’t have to worry about finding a wall outlet to charge up.

Who should buy the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus

Anyone looking for a really good, well-rounded laptop. In addition to the impressive performance and battery life, it also has a lovely 14-inch 1400p display. According to our review, “the display is exceedingly well suited to office work and static imagery.” It has a peak brightness level of a stunning 418 nits as well as an anti-glare coating, which means you can use this laptop in different lighting environments. It may not have the prettiest design we’ve ever seen, but its hardware capabilities and astoundingly long battery life make up for the blah aesthetics.

Alternative option: If you’re willing to spend a little more, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i ($1,699.99) is another great option to consider. It has a more powerful processor (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H), more RAM (32GB), and a higher resolution display (3200×2000). The keyboard is absolutely killer, too. It’s a fantastic high-end laptop.

Read our full Dell Inspiron 14 Plus review

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED – Best overall runner-up

Pros

• Robust build quality
• Attractive OLED touchscreen
• Good CPU and integrated GPU performance
• Outstanding battery life

Cons

• Blah design
• Keyboard isn't memorable
• Mediocre connectivity options

Why we like the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED wowed us with its zippy CPU performance, phenomenal battery life, and attractive OLED touchscreen display. According to our review, “movies and games look realistic and vibrant” on the 1200p OLED touchscreen, although it can be difficult to use in bright environments due to the reflective surface. It also lasted 16 hours on a single charge, which is absolutely wild! That result really trumps otherwise excellent competitors like the Lenovo Slim 7 14 Gen 9 and the HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 14. As for performance, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED absolutely crushed the PCMark 10 benchmark with an impressive score of 6,772. That means it’s very fast and responsive during real-world tasks like web browsing, video conferencing, and so on.

Who should buy the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED

Anyone looking for a powerful, affordable laptop with an OLED display! It’s so much more than its OLED screen, though. The build quality is quite good and day-to-day performance is zippy. Plus, you won’t have to go looking for an outlet often thanks to the long battery life. Connectivity options are a bit limited, but that’s not unusual for a laptop in this price range. Overall, it’s a great Windows machine that hits all the right marks.

Read our full Asus Zenbook 14 OLED review

Acer Aspire 3 – Best budget laptop

Pros

• Reliable performance
• 1080p display
• HD webcam
• Solid build

Cons

• Speakers sound tinny when playing music
• A little heavy

Best Prices Today: $299.99 at Amazon

Why we like the Acer Aspire 3

The Acer Aspire 3 laptop offers both reliable performance and a rugged build at an imminently affordable price. It’s fast enough for everyday tasks like checking e-mail, watching Netflix, and browsing the web. You’re also getting a full-sized keyboard as well as a 1080p screen. The Aspire 3 also blew the competition out of the water with a Cinebench R15 score of 1,925, beating out the Acer Aspire Vero 14, which has similar hardware. Cinebench is designed to run all of the cores of a laptop’s CPU and determine how well a laptop handles processor-intensive multi-threaded workloads.

Who should buy the Acer Aspire 3

Anyone who’s on a restricted budget! To get more specific, we feel as though the Acer Aspire 3 is a good option for students and remote workers. It’s inexpensive and the HD webcam produces “clean, crisp video” according to our review, which means you’ll always look your best in videoconferencing calls. It also delivers strong performance for the price.

Alternative option: If you absolutely cannot spend $330 for the Acer Aspire 3, then you should check out the Acer Aspire Go 15–it’s about $30 cheaper and has better battery life (12 hours!).

Read our full Acer Aspire 3 review

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 – Best battery life

Pros

• Attractive, slim, and light
• Class-leading battery life
• Excellent wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi 7
• Good performance in real-world situations

Cons

• Vague keyboard falls short of competitors
• IPS touchscreen's image quality can't compare to OLED
• Gaming performance doesn't hold up

Best Prices Today: $999.99 at Amazon$999.99 at Best Buy

Why we like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite is finally here and ready to party. And boy, can it party. While we love its lightweight form factor and phenomenal wireless connectivity, you just can’t beat the 20-hour battery life. Given that the Surface Laptop 7 is packing a mere 54 watt-hour battery, that result is even more impressive. According to our review, we believe it’s a “significant threat to alternatives with AMD and Intel hardware.” You better watch your back, competitors.

Who should buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Anyone that needs a long-lasting laptop. It’s a great option for frequent travelers or those who just don’t want to worry about battery life. Although Qualcomm’s chip isn’t ideal for gaming, it’s fantastic for battery life and it performs very well in day to day tasks – a big departure from previous laptops with older Qualcomm chips inside. Those struggled mightily with software compatibility; the vast majority of programs just work, and well, on the Surface Laptop 7.

Read our full Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8″) review

Dell Inspiron Plus 16 – Best midrange laptop

Pros

• Excellent performance
• Good cooling avoids thermal throttling
• Long battery life

Cons

• Only one USB-C port, which is also used for charging
• No facial recognition (only fingerprint)
• Won't get Copilot+ PC features

Why we like this Dell Inspiron Plus 16

The Dell Inspiron Plus 16 brings a lot to the table: strong performance, long battery life, and top-notch build quality. Loaded with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, this machine turned in a fantastic PCMark 10 score of 7,101, so it should have no problem chewing right through general web browsing as well as office work, while the powerful discrete GPU aids with creative tasks. The real star of the show is the battery life, though. We managed to get 17 hours out of the enormous 90 watt-hour battery on a single charge. It’s a phenomenal result for a 16-inch laptop.

Who should buy the Dell Inspiron Plus 16

Anyone that needs more power than what your typical, day-to-day laptop offers. It’s powerful enough for more demanding applications and you can keep going and going thanks to the 17 hour battery life. If you’re looking to save a bit of money, the 2023 version of the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus ($1,249.99) is still a good option. While it gets a touch toasty under heavier loads, performance is reliable and it can pull double duty running games, if that’s your bag.

Read our full Dell Inspiron 16 Plus review

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus – Best Chromebook

Pros

• Snappy day-to-day performance
• Versatile 2-in-1 design
• Good typing experience

Cons

• Stylus not included
• Heavier than expected

Why we like the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

From the convertible design to the beautiful touchscreen, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus has a lot to offer, especially for under $500. The 2-in-1 design allows you to swing the screen around and use the laptop like a tablet, upping the versatility factor. You can also expect snappy day-to-day performance as well as lightning fast boot-up times.

Who should buy the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

If you’re looking to pick up a premium Chromebook for work or personal use, then the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a fine choice. While the $499 price tag is very much in the high end when it comes to Chromebooks, we feel the overall fit, finish, and firepower make it worth the extra cash.

Alternative option: If you’re looking for a cheaper Chromebook with a bigger screen, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE ($699.99) is a great option. The display measures 16 inches and it has a 2560×1600 resolution as well as a 120Hz refresh rate. According to our review, the “120Hz display is excellent and gives the laptop an edge if you’d plan to play games on a cloud gaming service that supports high refresh rates like Nvidia’s GeForce Now.” The only downside is that it’s a bit expensive for a Chromebook.

Read our full Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review

MacBook Air (M3) – Best MacBook

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Great combination of price, features, and performance
• 256GB SSD is now two NAND chips, maintaining performance

Cons

• Expensive memory upgrades
• Dual external display support requires closed lid

Best Prices Today: $1,499 at Amazon$1699 at Adorama$1699 at Apple

Why we like the MacBook Air (M3)

The MacBook Air (M3) has a lot to offer for the $1,299 price. In fact, it received high marks across the board thanks to the 8-core CPU (M3) and the 10-core GPU. It’s capable of chewing through office work as well as casual use tasks. While performance is comparable to the MacBook Pro (M3), there is one difference: the fans or lack thereof. The MacBook Air doesn’t have any fans, which results in quieter operation before heavy-duty tasks will likely put more pressure on the chip. That said, battery life is the real star of the show here. The MacBook Air (M3) breathed its last breath at the 19 hour mark, which is perfect for those with busy schedules.

Who should buy the MacBook Air (M3)

Anyone who prefers MacOS over competing operating systems. Battery life is outstanding and the laptop itself is both slim and light, weighing in at just over three pounds. The 15-inch Liquid Retina (LED) screen might be considered a step-down from the MacBook Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) display, but that doesn’t mean it’s a poor screen. It still looks fantastic for day-to-day use. The $1,299 price tag is also reasonable for the performance and features you’re getting.

Read our full MacBook Air (M3) review

Alienware m16 R2 – Best gaming laptop

Pros

• Solid gaming performance
• Rugged build quality
• Good battery life

Cons

• Display is dimmer than we like

Why we like the Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware m16 R2 delivers strong graphics performance and good battery life. This specific model comes loaded with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, which is nothing to sneeze at. It lasted a respectable 11 hours and fifteen minutes on a single charge and it averaged 144 frames-per-second when running the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark. According to our review, it’s only “four frames-per-second slower than the Razer Blade 16,” which has an RTX 4090 GPU and a price tag of over $3,000.

Who should buy the Alienware m16 R2

Anyone looking for a great gaming laptop. You’re getting strong graphics performance as well as long battery life, which is unusual for a gaming laptop, as most tend to die around the six hour mark. The 16-inch IPS display also has a resolution of 2560×1600 and a refresh rate of 240Hz, so gameplay should be nice and smooth. The picture quality is good, but it’s not an OLED panel. While it may not be the brightest or most color rich display we’ve ever seen, it’s perfectly fine for gaming. Besides, you can always plug into an external monitor if need be.

Alternative option: If you’re looking for a more lightweight option, you should definitely check out the $1,599 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. It weighs just 3.31 pounds, which means you can easily take it anywhere with you. That said, it didn’t make the cut because of ho-hum battery life. Plus, the Alienware m16 R2’s RTX 4070 GPU is more powerful than the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14’s RTX 4060 GPU. Alternatively, if you’re looking for even more firepower, the ROG Zephyrus G16 is a killer OLED-equipped laptop with RTX 4070, 4080, and 4090 options available.

Read our full Alienware m16 R2 review

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best budget gaming laptop

Pros

• Impressive all-day battery life
• Gorgeous 16:10 display
• Rugged chassis

Cons

• Keys feel a bit soft
• 720p webcam leaves little to be desired

Why we like the Asus TUF Gaming A16

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is something of a unicorn and I mean that in the best way possible. This specific machine exhibits strong graphics performance as well as long battery life. Long battery life? A gaming laptop? How preposterous. Well, not anymore! The Asus TUF managed an incredible 11 and a half hours on a single charge. Also, thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, the laptop achieved 123 frames-per-second in the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark. That’s impressive, especially for a sub-$1,000 gaming machine.

Who should buy the Asus TUF Gaming A16

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is a good option for those on a tight budget. For under a grand, you’re getting reliable graphics performance, a spacious keyboard, and long battery life. It also works as a good general purpose machine. With a Cinebench R20 score of 589, it should have “no trouble running lightweight apps and programs,” according to our review.

Alternative option: The $1,000 Lenovo LOQ 15 stands as another solid budget option. It’s more than capable of 1080p gaming and the design is very sci-fi inspired. It didn’t nab the top pick because of the poor battery life (not unusual for a gaming laptop) and limited ports, but if you’re looking for more raw GPU horsepower, its RTX 4060 is a step above the RTX 4050 included in the Asus TUF.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review

Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best gaming Chromebook

Pros

• Rigid build
• Fantastic CPU performance
• Plenty of wired and wireless connectivity
• High resolution 1600p display

Cons

• Disappointing speakers and microphone
• Display falls behind in contrast, color vibrancy
• Mediocre keyboard and touchpad

Why we like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE wins a lot of brownie points because it’s a reliable performer thanks to the Intel Core i5-1240P CPU and the 16-inch 1600p display’s fast 120Hz refresh rate. Compared to some Windows laptops, it’s reasonably priced as well. Not only does it fly through everyday tasks with ease, but it’s also a great machine for cloud gaming. As long as you’ve got a stable Internet connection and currently belong to a streaming service (Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, etc), you’ll blitz right through most triple-A games. In fact, according to our review, “gameplay felt perfectly smooth” and “Nvidia’s GeForce Now diagnostics panel flagged no problems.”

Who should buy the Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Anyone that wants to give cloud gaming a whirl or just a dependable machine for day-to-day use–the Acer Chromebook 516 GE can pull double duty in that regard. In addition to the smooth cloud gaming performance, it also features a wide array of connectivity options: two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, one HDMI, one Ethernet (wired connectivity is especially useful for cloud gaming), and one 3.5mm combo audio. Other goodies include a 1080p webcam, a 65 watt-hour battery, and a rugged design.

Read our full Acer Chromebook 516 GE review

Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra – Best content creation laptop

Pros

• Phenomenal battery life
• Solid GPU performance
• Gorgeous OLED screen
• Good audio

Cons

• Not a great keyboard
• Chargers keep getting bigger

Best Prices Today: $2999.99 at Best Buy

Why we like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra is the perfect laptop for content creation. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU will give you the extra boost you’ll need for intensive video or photo editing tasks and the 16-inch 1800p OLED touch display is sharp enough to get those little details just right. Plus, it comes with 1TB of SSD storage (you’ll need a good amount of space for your images and videos) and a microSD for easy offloading of photos. Battery life is top-notch, too. It lasted a total of 18 hours on a single charge, which is downright impressive. That said, if you’re editing a lot of photos with the brightness turned all the way up, you may see a shorter result.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra is a great laptop for content creators because of the powerful hardware (discrete graphics are a must!) and stunning OLED screen. It also has a diverse array of ports such as Thunderbolt 4, USB Type-A, HDMI 2.1, microSD, and headphone/mic. Although its OLED screen is high-resolution, it’s not 4K, so consider the similarly spec’d Dell XPS 17 below if editing 4K video is crucial to your workflow. Other cool features include a 1080p webcam, a fingerprint reader, and a lovely Moonstone Gray color scheme.

Alternative option: The Dell XPS 17 9730, with its powerful internal components and massive 17-inch 4K display, is still a good option for content creators. While we like the thin chassis and long battery life, it doesn’t have an OLED screen, which offers better color accuracy.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra review

Acer TravelMate P6 – Best ultraportable

Pros

• Long battery life
• Light and portable
• A good price for a business laptop

Cons

• Keyboard is a tad mushy
• No NPU for future Windows AI features
• Consumer laptops deliver similar specs for a lower price

Why we like the Acer TravelMate P6

The Acer TravelMate P6 is featherlight at just 2.65 pounds. The chassis is made of magnesium-alloy, which is a very light yet durable material. According to our review, “the ports are reinforced with additional metal brackets to hold up wear and tear.” In other words, this machine is built to last. It also has fantastic battery life, which is what you want in an ultraportable laptop. The 65 watt-hour battery lasted nearly 13 hours on a single charge–more than a full workday! This laptop offers reliable performance, too. The Acer TravelMate P6 turned in a respectable Cinebench R20 score of 3,065, which isn’t far behind the more powerful HP Pavilion Plus.

Who should buy the Acer TravelMate P6

Anyone looking for an affordable, lightweight ultraportable. In addition to the lightweight form factor, it also comes with a 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter and a 14-inch 1200p display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The taller screen makes it easier to scroll through documents or webpages, and the 1080p webcam will make you look good on videoconferencing calls. The keyboard provides a nice typing experience, too. It even boasts white backlighting, which is perfect for typing in low light environments.

Alternative option: If you’re interested in picking up a more high-end ultraportable, you should consider picking up the HP Dragonfly G4. It weighs same as the Acer TravelMate P6, but has much better battery life–it managed 17.5 hours on a single charge! The only downside is that it costs just over $3,000 thanks to its more potent components and support for mobile LTE connections. The Dell Latitude 7450 Ultralight is another great option, as it weighs 2.33 pounds, lighter than our top pick. But, similar to the HP Dragonfly G4, it’s just too expensive, costing north of $2,000.

Read our full Acer TravelMate P6 review

Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED – Best 2-in-1

Pros

• Long battery life
• Connectivity includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports
• Fast performance

Cons

• Function keys are small
• The display is a little dim

Best Prices Today: $1,199 at Amazon

Why we like the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED

When it comes to 2-in-1 laptops, the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED just gets it right at the start. It has a gorgeous OLED display, a zippy Intel Core i7-1360P CPU, and a versatile convertible design. You can flip the screen around 360 degrees and use it like a tablet or prop the device up like a tent if you so wish. Colors on the 1800p OLED display are also “remarkably bright and saturated,” according to our review. The battery died at the 12 hour mark, dominating laptops with similar hardware like the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i and the Acer Aspire Vero 14.

Who should buy the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED

The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip is a good option for business professionals because of its convertible, lightweight design and stunning OLED display. You can take this machine with you anywhere and you don’t have to worry about finding an outlet to charge up. How can you go wrong with that?

Alternative option: If your budget knows no bounds, then you should consider picking up the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 ($2,761). It lasted a whopping 17 and a half hours on a single charge, which is absolutely bananas. Although it’s a long-lasting machine, our review unit lacked an OLED display and the high price tag may deter some folks.

Read our full Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED review

Recent laptop reviews

• Dell Inspiron 16 Plus: The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus is a powerful 16-inch workstation with a nice combination of performance, battery life, and build quality. It’s a good alternative to gaming laptops for people who want more power than the average laptop offers.
• Surface Laptop 7: The Microsoft Surface Laptop’s strong processor performance and top-tier battery life prove that Windows’ transition to Arm has staying power, but even the most casual gamers should think twice.
• Acer Aspire 3: The Acer Aspire 3 cuts performance to the bone as it limbos below a $500 MSRP.
• Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i: The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i is one of the best mainstream Windows laptops on the market, with great specs, a gorgeous display, and a killer keyboard.

How we test laptops

The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.

Windows laptops

• PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we determine how well the laptop handles lighter tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and so on.
• HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It basically measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
• Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a short period of time.
• 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips.
• Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.

Chromebooks

• CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark tests a Chromebook’s battery life.
• Speedometer 2.0: This test determines a Chromebook’s web browser performance. It simulates this by adding, completing, and removing a to-do list.
• Basemark Web 3.0: This benchmark gauges how well a Chromebook can handle web-based applications.
• Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript performance benchmark.
• Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a combination of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This is a way to gauge how well a Chromebook runs advanced workloads.

Video editing can put quite a heavy burden on any computer. So, when shopping for a laptop for video editing, you’ll want to make sure you’re loading up on enough heavy hardware firepower to get the job done. While you might not need the absolute top-of-the-line gear, simply buying a gaming laptop and calling it a day is probably not going to cut it. Beyond just processor and graphics performance, serious video editors need to take into account a few things such as the quality of the display, port selection, and onboard storage capacity.

Why you should trust us: PCWorld has been covering PCs since 1983, and reviews more than 70 notebooks a year in our never-ending quest to find the best laptops. Our expert reviewers evaluate every machine using a combination of performance benchmarks and rigorous usability standards, with an eye toward identifying the best laptops for specific needs and at various price points. We also edit lots of videos ourselves, with the results appearing on PCWorld’s YouTube channel. Take a look at our top picks for video editing below, followed by buying advice and more details about our testing process.

If you’re on a budget or just looking to save some money, you may also want to check out our daily roundup of the best laptop deals to scope out any discounts on content creation notebooks.

Update June 20, 2024: In addition to updating the list of recent laptop reviews, we’ve also replaced the Best Ultraportable for Video Editing pick with the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 ($1,599.99). It’s far less expensive than our former pick and it’s lightweight and has a wide range of connectivity options.

The best laptops for video editing

Dell XPS 17 (2023) – Best laptop for video editing

Pros

• Expansive 17-inch 16:10 display
• Thin chassis
• Incredible battery life

Cons

• Expensive
• 720p webcam

Why we like the Dell XPS 17 (2023)

The Dell XPS 17 (2023) is a fantastic laptop for content creation because it has a gigantic display and a good amount of graphics firepower. The OLED touch display, which measures a massive 17-inches, features a crystal clear resolution of 3840×2400 and a maximum brightness of 550 nits. It’s perfect for media editing, multitasking, and so much more. The machine is also powered by an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, which means it’s more than capable of handling any video editing you throw at it. The specific configuration we reviewed will cost you well over $3,000, so it’s likely not a viable option for the budget-conscious, but if your time is money, the Dell XPS 17 is money very well spent.

Who should buy the Dell XPS 17 (2023)

We feel the Dell XPS 17 is a phenomenal option for serious or professional video editors. The 4K screen is divine and it has the perfect amount of horsepower as far as internal components go. It also includes an SD card reader and multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports for quickly offloading videos or photos. Finally, the Dell XPS 17 can run up to 11 hours on a single charge, eliminating the need to go outlet hunting. Although we would’ve liked to have seen this model with an OLED screen, it’s still a top-notch pick.

Alternative option: The Dell XPS 16 is another good option for content creators. In fact, the hardware is almost identical to our top pick. The only real difference is that the Dell XPS 16 has an OLED screen and the Dell XPS 17 9730 does not. That said, the Dell XPS 16 didn’t make the cut because it doesn’t have as many Thunderbolt 4 ports and the keyboard is a real headache to use due to stiff keys.

Read our full Dell XPS 17 9730 review

Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra – Best laptop for video editing (if you don't need 4K)

Pros

• Fantastic battery life
• Solid GPU performance
• Gorgeous OLED screen that can be used outdoors
• Great audio
• AI-powered Core Ultra inside

Cons

• Chargers keep getting bigger
• Still not a great keyboard

Best Prices Today: $2999.99 at Best Buy

Why we like the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra offers powerful performance as well as a gorgeous OLED display. Thanks to the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, it’s well equipped to handle any video editing task you throw at it. Plus, the 16-inch OLED display has a resolution of 2880×1800 and a refresh rate of 120Hz–so you can expect a crisp-looking picture with rich colors. Sure, it’s not 4K, but it’s still a fantastic screen for content creation. Battery life is absolutely absurd, too. This machine lasted a whopping 18 hours and 54 minutes on a single charge. Wall outlet? Who is she?

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra

Anyone looking for a powerful, long-lasting laptop and doesn’t need to edit 4K videos. In addition to the stunning OLED display and the long battery life, the audio is also quite punchy, sounding great up and down the audio range. If you switch on the Dolby Atmos feature, you’ll hear even richer sound. Though content creators may not necessarily need good audio (or likely use dedicated headphones), it’s still a nice perk.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra review

Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro) – Best MacBook for video editing

Pros

• Good performance
• 18GB of RAM
• Runs quiet

Cons

• Low performance advantage over M2 Pro

Best Prices Today: $1999 at Adorama$1999 at Apple$1999 at Best Buy

Why we like the Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro)

The Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro) will kick you in the teeth with its power (in the best way possible). Inside, you’ll find a 14-core GPU as well as 18GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. That amount of RAM will keep things running nice and smooth while the beefy GPU will chew right through any intense edits, though intense video editors will want to upgrade to a model with more storage or invest in an external SSD for added capacity. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display also has a ridiculously high resolution of 3024×1964, so editing should be a delightful experience. It even comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports for speedy data transfers.

Who should buy the Apple MacBook Pro (M3, Pro)

Anyone who prefers Apple’s ecosystem. This configuration shows a 44 percent increase in performance (according to Geekbench’s Compute Metal test) compared to the M3 (sans Pro) model. You’ll also be able to see every detail of your photo or video editing work thanks to the gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display. Battery life isn’t too shabby, either. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro will last you over ten hours on a single charge, which is more than a full work day.

Alternative option: If you’re looking for a bigger screen, then you should check out the MacBook Pro, M2 Pro. The Liquid Retina XDR display measures 16.2-inches and has a resolution of 3456×2234, so visuals should be sharp as knives. The M2 Pro also comes loaded with a powerful 19-core GPU.

Read our full Apple 14-inch MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 2023) review

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best budget laptop for video editing

Pros

• All-day battery life
• Stunning display
• Durable build

Cons

• 720p webcam
• Keys feel too soft

Why we like the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is a good option for those on a tight budget, as it ticks off all of the right boxes for a sub-$1,000 machine. For one, colors appear rich and varied on the 16-inch 1200p FHD display. Sure, it’s not 4K, but it’s still a good screen–our reviewer was surprised by the “depth of the blacks and greys.” As for internals, the AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU and the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU should blitz right through graphically demanding tasks like video editing. It also lasted a whopping 11 hours on a single charge, which is shocking for a gaming laptop.

Who should buy the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition

Anyone who’s looking to save money on a capable and long-lasting laptop. You don’t have to go outlet hunting because of the long battery life and the 1200p display offers nothing but stunning visuals. While the keys feel a bit mushy and the 720p webcam won’t be doing you any favors on video calls, we feel as though the pros far outweigh the cons, especially given the reasonable price point.

Alternative option: The Lenovo LOQ 15 is another good budget option to consider. It has a better GPU (RTX 4060) than our current top pick. Despite the high star rating, it didn’t end up making the cut because of the poor battery life (not unusual in a gaming laptop) and limited connectivity options. The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition just stands out from the pack, especially where battery life is concerned, but the Lenovo LOQ would be a good budget option if your workflow is accelerated by Nvidia features and technology.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 – Best ultraportable laptop for video editing

Pros

• Very light and compact design
• Excellent performance for its size
• Robust build
• Visually stunning display

Cons

• Keys feel soft and mushy
• The webcam isn't the best quality
• The downward facing woofers sometimes sound muddy

Best Prices Today: $1599.99 at Best Buy$2499 at Asus

Why we like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is “exceptionally sleek and compact,” according to our comprehensive review. Not only does it tip the scales at just 3.31 pounds, but you can easily pick it up with an index finger and a thumb. The slim form factor is impressive given the hardware inside, which consists of an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. That means it’s powerful enough to handle editing photos in Adobe Photoshop and playing games with the graphics turned up. The connectivity options are also quite good and the OLED screen has a high resolution of 2880×1800. It’s not 4K, but you can still expect a sharp picture. The port selection includes two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, one USB-C 4, one HDMI, one 3.5mm combo jack, and one microSD card reader.

Who should buy the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

Anyone that likes to work on-the-go. In addition to its slim form factor, it’s also quite tough with “premium CNC-milled aluminum alloy” throughout the chassis. It even achieved impressive frame rates in a couple of modern games. In fact, it managed 133 frames-per-second during the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark and 101 frames-per-second during Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark, which is newer and more demanding. If you’re looking for reliable gaming performance in a tiny package, look no further than the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.

Read our full Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review

Recent laptop reviews

• Acer Aspire Vero 16: The Acer Aspire Vero 16 is pretty average in most areas, but at just about every turn it avoids being bad. This makes for a good all-around package that’s pleasant to use and rarely feels like a letdown.
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1: Lenovo delivered a 2-in-1 ThinkPad with great build quality, a nice pen, and serious battery life. But you may want to wait for a next-generation model powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware.
• Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage.
• Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Lenovo’s ThinkBook is a better business laptop for most people than a top-of-the-line ThinkPad, but the lack of ports may be a problem.

How we tested

The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.

Windows laptops

• PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we determine how well the laptop handles lighter tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and so on.
• HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It basically measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
• Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a short period of time.
• 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips.
• Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.

Calling all gamers! Whether you consider yourself a competitive pro or someone who’s more casual, we’ve got quite the diverse list below. The best part is that every gaming laptop has been tested by a member of PCWorld and we’ve checked out everything from graphics performance and typing experience to connectivity options and image quality. These rigs can basically do anything a desktop PC can do, and we’ve tested dozens after dozens of them to bring you this roundup of the best gaming laptops around.

Why you should trust us: It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing gaming laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.

See our roundup of the best laptops for even more recommendations—premium laptops, ultraportables, Chromebooks, and more.

Update June 21, 2024: We’ve updated the list of recent laptop reviews to include the Acer Aspire Vero 16 and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1.

Alienware m16 R2 – Best overall gaming laptop

Pros

• Great gaming performance
• Durable
• Long battery life

Cons

• Dim display

Why we like the Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware m16 R2 is a well-rounded gaming laptop, especially for the price and performance. Not only are you getting great graphics performance, but you’re also getting long battery life, an unusual combination for a gaming laptop. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU are a powerful duo, as shown in our testing. It averaged 144 frames-per-second when running the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark, which is nothing to sneeze at. According to our review, it’s just “four frames-per-second slower than the Razer Blade 16,” which is rocking a more powerful RTX 4090 GPU and a $3,000+ price tag. It also lasted 11 hours and fifteen minutes on a single charge, which is more than a full work day.

Who should buy the Alienware m16 R2

Anyone looking for a fantastic gaming laptop. You can play most games on the High or Ultra graphics preset and the 90 watt-hour battery will keep you going long into the night. The 1600p IPS display is also quite spacious at 16-inches and the 240Hz refresh rate should result in smooth gameplay. The picture quality is quite good, but it’s not an OLED panel, where the colors would be more saturated. While it’s not the brightest or most color rich display we’ve ever tested, it’s still fine for gaming. Besides, if you’re really desperate, you can always plug into an external monitor.

Alternative option: If you’re looking for the same great Alienware package with a bigger screen, the Alienware m18 R2 is worth considering. It offers strong gaming performance, an 18-inch display, and a fantastic mechanical keyboard with Cherry switches. That said, it’s very expensive and the laptop itself weighs a colossal nine pounds (!!!). Talk about a back-breaker! Alternatively, if you’re looking for even more firepower, the ROG Zephyrus G16 is a killer OLED-equipped laptop with RTX 4070, 4080, and 4090 options available.

Read our full Alienware m16 R2 review

MSI Titan 18 HX – Best high-end gaming laptop

Pros

• Tons of connectivity options
• Rugged build quality
• Fantastic mechanical keyboard
• Phenomenal CPU and GPU performance

Cons

• Very expensive
• Mediocre touchpad

Why we like the MSI Titan 18 HX

The MSI Titan 18 HX is one hell of a powerhouse, so performance is no issue here, as it’ll run pretty much anything you throw at it. Inside the beast’s shell, you’ll find an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU, an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, 128GB of RAM, and 4GB of SSD storage. Holy cow. When we ran the Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition benchmark, it churned out an outstanding 87 frames-per-second at 1080p resolution with the Extreme detail setting switched on. Did we mention it also has a phenomenal 4K Mini-LED display?

Who should buy the MSI Titan 18 HX

If you’re after the ultimate gaming experience, the MSI Titan 18 HX will certainly deliver. In addition to the massive amount of power this thing generates, it also has loads of connectivity options for those times when you want to hook up to an external mouse or monitor. That said, it’s an incredibly expensive machine. If money is no object, then the MSI Titan 18 HX is the right pick for you. For those on a stricter budget, check out our best budget pick below.

Alternative option: We strongly considered putting the recently reviewed MSI Raider GE78 HX 14VIG on this list. It’s similar to the MSI Titan 18 HX as far as sheer power goes, but it didn’t make the cut because of the finicky rear power port and loud fan noise. That said, these nitpicks are relatively minor. I will say, the MSI Raider GE78 HX 14VIG is less expensive than the MSI Titan 18 HX at $3,799.99.

Read our full MSI Titan 18 HX review

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best gaming laptop under $1,000

Pros

• All-day battery life
• Robust chassis
• Gorgeous 16:10 display

Cons

• 720p HD camera leaves little to be desired
• Keys feel a little soft

Why we like the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is something of a unicorn and I mean that in the best way possible. It exhibits strong graphics performance as well as long battery life. Long battery life? A gaming laptop? How preposterous! Well, not anymore! The Asus TUF managed an incredible 11 and a half hours on a single charge. Also, thanks to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU inside, it achieved an impressive 123 frames-per-second in the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark. That’s nothing to sneeze at, especially for a sub-$1,000 gaming machine.

Who should buy the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is a good option for those on a tight budget. For under a grand, you’re getting reliable graphics performance, a spacious keyboard, and long battery life. It also works as a good general purpose machine, which is perfect for college students that want to work and play. With a Cinebench R20 score of 589, it should have “no trouble running lightweight apps and programs,” according to our review.

Alternative option: The recently reviewed Lenovo LOQ 15 is another good budget option. It’s affordable and it comes with a better GPU (RTX 4060). Despite getting a high rating, it didn’t earn the nod here because of poor battery life and limited connectivity options. If you plan on mostly staying plugged in and don’t need a long battery life, the Lenovo LOQ may be a better option due to its more capable graphics.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review

HP Omen Transcend 14 – Most portable gaming laptop

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Gorgeous OLED screen
• Good performance for the price

Cons

• Keyboard is a bit mushy
• Annoying bloatware

Why we like the HP Omen Transcend 14

The HP Omen Transcend 14 is a great machine because of its lightweight design (3.6 pounds!), stunning OLED display, and reliable performance for the price. Most gaming laptops tip the scales at around five pounds or more, so the fact that this machine is a little heavier than your standard ultraportable is downright impressive. In addition to its lightweight design, it also has an all-metal chassis, which means it’s rugged enough to handle the daily abuses of life. The hinge that connects the display to the keyboard deck also feels pretty solid. As for performance, it’s no slouch! Thanks to the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, it achieved a respectable 93 frames-per-second during the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark.

Who should buy the HP Omen Transcend 14

Anyone that likes to game on-the-go! It’s both lightweight and powerful, which is a rare combination when it comes to gaming laptops. Battery life is quite good, too. The HP Omen Transcend 14’s large 71 watt-hour battery lasted eight and a half hours on a single charge, which is impressive, as most gaming laptops tend to die at the four or five hour mark. The 14-inch 1800p OLED display is lovely as well. It has a maximum brightness level of 500 nits and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. According to our reviewer, who normally uses IPS displays on a day-to-day basis, “OLED displays like this one look incredibly beautiful” to him.

Alternative option: If you’re interested in an alternative option, check out the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. It weighs a scant 3.31 pounds, which is a little less than our current pick. Although it has a nice OLED screen, an exquisite and portable design, and packs a decent punch in the performance department, its ho-hum webcam lands it behind the HP Omen Transcend 14 here.

Read our full HP Omen Transcend 14 review

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 – Best connectivity features

Pros

• Reasonably priced
• Fantastic connectivity options, includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports
• CPU and GPU performance is strong for the price

Cons

• Off-center touchpad is awkward to use
• Audio is too quiet
• Display experienced some stuttering

Best Prices Today: $1199.99 at Acer$1,659 at Amazon

Why we like the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 comes packed with loads of ports and surprising gaming performance. Thanks to the Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU inside, you’ll get reliable performance for productivity tasks or gaming. Where the laptop really shines is its diverse selection of ports. It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB-A ports, an HDMI port, Ethernet, a Micro SD card slow, and a 3.5 combo jack for audio. The Thunderbolt 4 ports make “downloading files at up to 40Gbps while streaming to an external display as easy as pie,” according to our review.

Who should buy the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16

Anyone who needs a lot of connectivity options. Maybe you’re just the type of person that likes to hook up to an external keyboard, mouse, or monitor. If you look inside of yourself and find that to be true, then the Acer Helios Neo 16 is the one for you. It’s a bit unwieldy when on the go, but as far as connectivity and price-to-performance goes, you can’t get much better than the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16.

Alternative option: The Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 offers plenty of connectivity options, speedy performance, and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. It just has a bigger screen than our top pick, which some gamers may prefer.

Read our full Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 review

Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best gaming Chromebook

Pros

• Attractive design
• Excellent CPU performance
• Plenty of wired and wireless connectivity
• High resolution 1600p display

Cons

• Mediocre keyboard and touchpad
• Disappointing speakers and microphone
• Display falls behind in contrast and color vibrancy

Why we like the Acer Chromebook 516 GE

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE offers reliable day-to-day performance as well as smooth cloud gaming gameplay, thanks in part to its fast, high-resolution display. Just so we’re clear–Chromebooks aren’t designed to run games locally, so you’ll need to be a member of a cloud gaming service like GeForce Now or Amazon Luna. Fortunately, this Chromebook has an Ethernet port, which scores major brownie ports as far as stable Internet connections go. Plus, compared to other budget Windows laptops, the $650 MSRP isn’t bad.

Connectivity options are good, too. You’re getting two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, one HDMI, one Ethernet, and one 3.5mm combo audio. Additional goodies include a 1080p webcam, a 65 watt-hour battery, and a high refresh rate display (120Hz to be exact).

Who should buy the Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Anyone that wants to give cloud gaming a whirl on a reasonably priced Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE features strong day-to-day performance and, according to our review, “gameplay felt perfectly smooth” while playing on GeForce Now. That said, if you want to install and run games locally, or have a poor internet connection, one of the Windows-based budget gaming laptops above would be a better option.

Read our full Acer Chromebook 516 GE review

Recent laptop reviews

• Acer Aspire Vero 16: The Acer Aspire Vero 16 is pretty average in most areas, but at just about every turn it avoids being bad. This makes for a good all-around package that’s pleasant to use and rarely feels like a letdown.
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1: Lenovo delivered a 2-in-1 ThinkPad with great build quality, a nice pen, and serious 17-hour battery life. But you may want to wait for a next-generation model powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware.
• Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage.
• Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Lenovo’s ThinkBook is a better business laptop for most people than a top-of-the-line ThinkPad, but the lack of ports may be a problem.

How we test gaming laptops

The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them.

• PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we determine how well the laptop handles lighter tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and so on.
• HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It basically measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
• Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a short period of time.
• 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips.
• Gaming tests: We benchmark each gaming laptop using several titles.
• Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.

For a much more detailed explanation, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.

Buying Guide: How to pick the perfect gaming laptop

While there’s no such thing as a perfect gaming laptop, you can always find one that fits your budget and lifestyle. Need an affordable, entry-level gaming laptop? First of all, the GPU is the most important aspect to consider. If you think of a game like a vehicle, then the GPU is its driver. You’ll also need a good amount of SSD storage for your games library as well as a high refresh rate display, which keeps visuals looking nice and smooth.

For additional reading, be sure to check out this comprehensive guide on the gaming laptop features that matter most. If you’re on a strict budget, then you should dive into this piece about what a $1,000 gaming laptop really gets you. Otherwise, our FAQ below dives deep into several component considerations for gaming laptops

Ah, Roblox. Described as a game creation platform, you can do everything from design an amusement park to chat with friends at a virtual diner. It’s also a great way for kids to flex their creative muscles.

But what kind of laptop hardware does it take to run Roblox properly? Lucky for you, Roblox can practically run on a potato, so you don’t need an ultra-powerful laptop with the latest bling. An Intel Core i3 processor with a clock speed of 1.6GHz or higher will do you just fine!

So, here are the best cheap laptops to play Roblox on. Not only are they affordable, but they’re also decent everyday machines. We’ve personally tested and reviewed every single one of these.

Need even more options than this? Check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops under $500.

Acer Aspire 3

PCWorld / Robert Strohmeyer

PCWorld / Robert Strohmeyer

PCWorld / Robert Strohmeyer

The Acer Aspire 3 is a real standout for performance and features. In addition to earning 4 out of 5 stars in our comprehensive review, it also nabbed the top spot in our best laptops under $500 roundup.

Overall construction is quite sturdy for a $325 laptop, the full-sized keyboard is “a joy to type on,” and the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U CPU is powerful enough to handle Roblox. (The game’s minimum requirements call for an AMD Radeon R7 240 CPU or higher.)

You’re also getting a solid array of connectivity options, including one HDMI port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and one USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port. Not bad for a budget laptop.

Acer Aspire Go 15

IDG / Mark Knapp

IDG / Mark Knapp

IDG / Mark Knapp

If you’re working with a mega-strict budget, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is a great option—especially because you can pick it up for just $299 at Acer’s online store right now.

In addition to its 1080p display and 53.9 watt-hour battery, it also has a wide port selection and a comfortable keyboard. Again, you don’t need a powerhouse to run Roblox, so its Intel Core i3-N305 CPU should be more than enough, especially if you enjoy classic user-created games like Work at a Pizza Place and Royale High.

That said, according to our review, the Intel UHD graphics struggled “when running a YouTube video in one window and doing just about anything else in another.” As long as you temper your expectations and don’t have too many apps running at once, you can expect reliable performance out of this sub-$300 machine.

HP Laptop 14

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

Mattias Inghe

The HP Laptop 14 is a great choice for a long-lasting, sub-$500 laptop. In our review, it lasted a whopping 15 hours on a single charge with light use—a phenomenal result that means you don’t have to go looking around for an outlet so often.

As for hardware, it’s pretty darn good, especially for such an inexpensive laptop. You’re getting an Intel Core i3-1315U, Intel UHD Graphics 64EU, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. That’s more than enough power to play Roblox and plow through schoolwork on the side.

The HP Laptop 14 also weighs just a little over three pounds, so it’s a travel-friendly machine. Great for playing Roblox on the go!

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

If you like big screens and you cannot lie, then the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is the one for you.

The display is a sizable 16 inches with a resolution of 2560×1600 and a refresh rate of 120Hz, which “gives the laptop an edge if you’d plan to play games on a cloud gaming service that supports high refresh rates like Nvidia’s GeForce Now,” according to our review.

This laptop is also powered by an Intel Core 5 120U and it’s packing 256GB of SSD storage, which “feels roomy when the largest locally installed apps are just a few hundred megabytes.”

And in case you’re wondering, yes, you can play Roblox on a Chromebook—in fact, you can find it in the Google Play Store. Just make sure ChromeOS is up to date!

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

IDG / Matthew Smith

If the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE has too big of a screen for you, check out its smaller-screened sibling!

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is currently on sale for $350 at Amazon, so this is an economical option for tight budgets.

It comes with 8GB of RAM, which is “more RAM than similarly priced competitors,” according to our review, which is important for handling many simultaneous tasks. (According to Roblox‘s minimum requirements, you only need 1GB of RAM. But more is preferred, obviously!)

This laptop also comes with an Intel Core i3-N305 and 512GB of SSD storage—that’s enough power and storage for running Roblox. Roblox isn’t the most demanding game in the world, but it can sometimes bog down laptops. This laptop won’t feel a thing.

Connectivity is also great with two USB-C 3.2 ports, two USB-A 3.2 ports, one 3.5mm combo audio port, and one microSD card reader. This diversity of inputs will allow you to plug into a different monitor or keyboard, if your heart desires.

Gone are the days of backpacks overloaded with binders and the chronic hand-cramps from trying to write as fast as possible. Nowadays, a good laptop elevates your productivity and allows you to keep all your important lesson materials in one place. Whether you’re new to campus or heading into your final year, having a laptop that’s capable, sturdy, and portable — with good battery life, natch — will help keep you on top of your studies, or gaming (no judgement).

Why you should trust us: It’s in our name: PCWorld. We’ve been reviewing laptops for over 40 years, with exacting standards applied to all facets of the user experience, from performance benchmarks to features to the rigors of daily use. Our experts know their stuff and have curated a comprehensive list of the best laptops for college students, with their particular needs in mind.

After you finish looking over our recommendations, be sure to hit our daily updated roundup of the best laptop deals to try and score a great laptop on sale. Or check out our roundup of the best laptops for even more recommendations.

Updated June 14, 2024: In addition to updating our list of recent laptop reviews, we’ve also added the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 ($249.99 at Costco) as an alternative option underneath our Best Chromebook for Students pick. It’s a little less expensive than our current pick and it has a spacious keyboard layout as well as a wide array of connectivity options.

Best laptops for college students

Dell Inspiron Plus 14 – Best overall for students

Pros

• Fantastic performance
• Exceptional battery life
• Great typing experience

Cons

• CPU throttles under heavy loads
• No user upgrades

Why we like the Dell Inspiron Plus 14

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is one of the most well-rounded laptops available right now. You’re getting reliable performance, phenomenal battery life, and a superb-looking display. It only costs $999.99 too, which is several hundred dollars cheaper than our former top pick. With a PCMark 10 score of 7,061, it beat both the similarly spec’d Acer Swift Go 14 and the more expensive Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. (PCMark 10 gauges how well a laptop handles day-to-day tasks.) It also lasted a whopping 17 hours on a single charge, which is perfect for students looking for a long-lasting machine. You don’t have to go hunting for an outlet between classes, that’s for sure.

Performance and battery life are no doubt impressive, but the 14-inch 1400p display is also worth noting. According to our review, “the display is exceedingly well suited to office work and static imagery.” We measured a peak brightness level of 418 nits, which is plenty bright for writing papers and browsing the web. Plus, thanks to the anti-glare coating on the display, you can use this laptop in more natural lightning environments.

Who should buy the Dell Inspiron Plus 14

Students looking for a well-rounded and long-lasting laptop. The design is a bit boring, sure, but its hardware capabilities and long battery life make up for the staid aesthetics. You can’t really get much better than this–especially for $999.99.

Read our full Dell Inspiron 14 Plus review

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED – Best laptop for students runner-up

Pros

• Robust build quality
• Attractive OLED touchscreen
• Good CPU and integrated GPU performance
• Amazing battery life

Cons

• Blah design
• Keyboard isn't memorable
• Mediocre connectivity

Why we like the Asus Zenbook

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED really dazzled us with its peppy processor performance, outstanding battery life, and sublime OLED touchscreen display. Movies and games “look realistic and vibrant” on the 14-inch 1200p display and the 75 watt-hour battery ran for a whopping 16 hours on a single charge. This result really blows away competitors like the Lenovo Slim 7 14 Gen 9 and the HP Pavilion Plus Laptop 14. As for how it fares in the performance department, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is plenty fast during day-to-day tasks such as web browsing, chatting over video, and so on, delivering benchmark scores just a bit below our top pick.

Who should buy the Asus Zenbook

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is a fantastic choice for students because it offers outstanding battery life, speedy overall performance, and a lovely OLED display. It’s also cheaper than our current top pick. That said, it’s a runner-up for a reason. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, which is still the reigning champ, is the more well-rounded option of the two. It has twice the storage, a higher resolution screen, and a better keyboard. However, if you’re looking to save a hundred bucks or so, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is still a great option.

Read our full Asus Zenbook 14 OLED review

Acer Aspire 3 – Best budget laptop for students

Pros

• Spacious keyboard with number pad
• HD webcam
• Solid video playback performance
• Decent business app performance
• Workday-long battery life

Cons

• Small 128GB storage drive
• A little heavy

Best Prices Today: $299.99 at Amazon

Why we like the Acer Aspire

For under $330, the Acer Aspire 3 laptop provides reliable performance as well as a durable build. It’s zippy enough for day-to-day productivity like binging your favorite shows on Netflix, checking e-mail, and so on. There’s even a full-sized keyboard and a 1080p screen. The HD webcam also produces “clean, crisp video” according to our review, which means you’ll always look your best in remote learning sessions. The 40 watt-hour battery is quite good too, lasting a total of eight hours on a single charge, so you don’t have to stop and go outlet hunting as you’re traversing from class to class.

Those are all checkboxes you don’t often find in laptops under $500, much less all of them in a $330 notebook.

Who should buy the Acer Aspire

Anyone who’s on a restricted budget! To get more specific, we feel as though the Acer Aspire 3 is a good option for students because it’s affordable and a good performer.

Read our full Acer Aspire 3 review

Lenovo Flex 5i – Best Chromebook for students

Pros

• Great build quality
• Vibrant touchscreen display
• Fast performance
• Nice typing experience

Cons

• Stylus not included
• Average battery life for a Chromebook
• Heavier than expected

Why we like the Lenovo Flex

The Lenovo Flex 5i is a great Chromebook because of its convertible design, fast performance, superb typing experience, and touchscreen display. The chassis has a luxurious aluminum finish on it, which makes it feel three or four times as expensive. The 360-degree hinge that connects the display to the rest of the laptops feels strong and like it won’t wear out anytime soon. The keyboard is also a dream to type on and easy to adjust to, and the 1200p display produces sharp, colorful visuals. Sure, it’s heavier than we expected right out of the box and the stylus isn’t included, but those are small trade-offs in the grand scheme of things. Overall, this is a really well-rounded machine.

Who should buy the Lenovo Flex

We feel as though the Lenovo Flex 5i is a good option for those who prefer using Google’s ecosystem and can handle mostly working online. The beautiful touchscreen display and the convertible design really gives it the edge over other Chromebooks and even some Windows laptops, as you usually see those features in machines that cost much more. While the nine hour battery life is a little below average for a Chromebook, it’ll still last you a full school day and then some. At the end of the day, the Lenovo Flex 5i’s list of compromises is quite small.

Alternative option: If you’re dealing with an unforgiving budget (been there), the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 ($249.99) is worth picking up. It’s about $100 cheaper than our current pick and it comes with loads of connectivity options as well as an spacious keyboard and a sophisticated design. It’s not a 2-in-1 laptop like Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, but I wouldn’t consider that a deal-breaker, especially if you prefer traditional clamshells.

Read our full Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review

MacBook Air (M3) – Best MacBook for students

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Great combination of price, features, and performance
• 256GB SSD is now two NAND chips, maintaining performance

Cons

• Expensive memory upgrades
• Dual external display support requires closed lid

Best Prices Today: $1,129 at Amazon$1299 at Adorama$1299 at Apple

Why we like the MacBook Air

From the outstanding battery life to the spacious Liquid Retina display, the MacBook Air (M3) received high marks across the board. It comes with an 8-core CPU (M3) and a 10-core GPU as well as two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 66.5 watt-hour battery. Performance is similar to the MacBook Pro (M3), which means it can blitz through school work and casual use tasks. The only difference between the two is that the MacBook Air doesn’t have fans, resulting in quieter operation. This laptop also managed a whopping 19 hours on a single charge, which is great news for those with jam-packed schedules and have zero time to plug into the nearest outlet.

Who should buy the MacBook Air

Anyone who prefers MacOS over other operating systems! The battery life is incredible and the laptop itself weighs just a little over three pounds, which means you can easily take it anywhere with you. The $1,299 price tag is also reasonable for the performance and features. However, the 8GB of RAM is light compared to Windows-based alternatives.

Read our full Apple 15-inch MacBook Air (M3, 2024) review

Acer TravelMate P6 – Best ultraportable for students

Pros

• Long battery life
• Light and portable
• A good price for a business laptop

Cons

• Keyboard is a tad mushy
• No NPU for future Windows AI features
• Consumer laptops deliver similar specs at a lower price

Why we like the Acer TravelMate

The Acer TravelMate P6 is so lightweight that it might just float up into the stratosphere. It weighs just 2.65 pounds and is made of magnesium-alloy, which is a very light yet durable material. This is the kind of laptop you can easily toss in a bag and take with you from class to class. The 65 watt-hour battery also lasted nearly 13 hours on a single charge — more than a full school day! In the performance department, thanks to the Intel Core i5-1335U CPU, it’s equipped to handle coursework and day-to-day tasks. In fact, it managed a respectable Cinebench R20 score of 3,065, which isn’t far behind the more powerful HP Pavilion Plus.

Who should buy the Acer TravelMate

The Acer TravelMate P6 is a good option if you’re looking for a powerful, lightweight laptop. In addition to the slimmed-down form factor, it also features a 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter and a 14-inch 1200p display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The taller aspect ratio gives you more room to scroll through webpages and the 1080p webcam will make you look your best during remote sessions. Plus, the backlit keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience. What more could you ask for?

Alternative option: If you’re able to stretch your budget, you should consider picking up the Dell Latitude 7450 Ultralight ($2,663 at Dell). It weighs less than current pick at just 2.33 pounds and it has more RAM (32GB), a more efficient processor (Intel Core Ultra 7 165U), and a higher resolution display (2560×1600). That said, it’s more expensive than the Acer TravelMate P6 and may not be the best option for the budget-conscious.

Read our full Acer TravelMate P6 review

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best gaming laptop for students

Pros

• Impressive battery life
• Gorgeous 16:10 display
• Rugged chassis

Cons

• Keys feel a bit soft
• 720p webcam is disappointing

Why we like the Asus TUF Gaming

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is something of a rare gem in the sand dune. This specific model exhibits strong graphics performance as well as long battery life, which is unusual for a gaming laptop. Most gaming laptops last only a couple of hours on a single charge. Well, the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition and its 11 and a half hours of battery life is out here changing the script. That’s more than a full school day.

Also, thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU and the AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU, it also managed 123 frames-per-second in the Rise of the Tomb Raider benchmark. That’s pretty darn good, especially for a sub-$1,000 gaming laptop.

Who should buy the Asus TUF Gaming

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is a great option for those who like to game after class. The pricing is reasonable and you’re getting reliable graphics performance as well as a spacious keyboard and decent battery life. It’s also a good purpose machine, so you can use it for coursework and day-to-day productivity. If you’re a gamer who wants Nvidia features like DLSS or advanced ray tracing, however, this all-AMD system won’t cut it — opt for the alternative below instead.

Alternative option: The Lenovo LOQ 15 ($849) stands as another solid budget gaming laptop option. It’s more than capable of 1080p gaming, with an RTX 4060 GPU and access to Nvidia features like DLSS, while the design is very sci-fi inspired. That said, it didn’t nab the top pick because of the poor battery life (not unusual for a gaming laptop) and limited port selection.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review

Recent laptop reviews

• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1: Lenovo delivered a 2-in-1 ThinkPad with great build quality, a nice pen, and serious battery life. But you may want to wait for a next-generation model powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware.
• Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage.
• Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Lenovo’s ThinkBook is a better business laptop for most people than a top-of-the-line ThinkPad, but the lack of ports may be a problem.
• Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is a good option if you want a big-screen Chromebook.
• Dell Latitude 7450 Ultralight: Dell’s Latitude 7450 Ultralight is the lightest and thinnest of the three Latitude 7450 models. It’s a real go-getter in the performance stakes and ideal for mobile professionals.

How we tested

The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines.

Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.

Windows laptops

• PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we determine how well the laptop handles lighter tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and so on.
• HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It basically measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
• Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a short period of time.
• 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips.
• Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.

Chromebooks

• CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark tests a Chromebook’s battery life.
• Speedometer 2.0: This test determines a Chromebook’s web browser performance. It simulates this by adding, completing, and removing a to-do list.
• Basemark Web 3.0: This benchmark gauges how well a Chromebook can handle web-based applications.
• Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript performance benchmark.
• Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a combination of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This is a way to gauge how well a Chromebook runs advanced workloads.

What to look for in a laptop for college

The first thing to consider is budget. How much are you willing to spend on a laptop? If you’re working with an inflexible budget, Chromebooks are a good option. They’re affordable and designed to handle everyday tasks like writing papers, working on spreadsheets, and so on. Chromebook prices can range anywhere from $200 up to $1,000. If you want to spend a bit more, laptops with convertible touchscreens (otherwise known as 2-in-1s) offer a great deal of functionality. You can flip the screen around and use it like a tablet or prop it up like an easel for watching movies.

Things like navigating your e-mail or watching Netflix will require more RAM. We recommend springing for 8GB of RAM or more. 4GB of RAM is fine and good for web browsing and basic office work, but 8GB is better for having more tabs open and whatnot. Plus, applications like Google Chrome and Spotify tend to eat up a lot of memory. Most people can get by with 4GB in a pinch if you’re on a tight budget, but you won’t be able to multitask as much.

The final thing is a decent keyboard. In college, you’re going to be spending a lot of time typing. Depending on your personal preference, you may want either a full or short travel keyboard. Mechanical keyboards, for example, normally have longer travel. This helps prevent accidental keystrokes. The keys also give a lot of tactile feedback, as they bounce back after they’re pressed down.

If you’re in the market for an inexpensive laptop for day-to-day tasks, you’re in luck. We’ve got a list of our top picks below. That said, it’s important to be smart about your choices. Although you may need to deal with a couple of minor drawbacks like a dim display or short battery life, it’s still possible to score a sub-$500 laptop with strong performance.

Why you should trust us: It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.

If you can manage to stretch your budget a little bit further, check out our best laptops roundup for even more suggestions.

Updated June 13, 2024: In addition to updating our list of recent laptop reviews, we’ve also added the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 ($249.99 at Costco) as an alternative option underneath our Best Chromebook Under $500 pick. It features an enjoyable keyboard as well as an attractive design.

The best laptops under $500

Acer Aspire 3 – Best laptop under $500 overall

Pros

• Reliable performance
• 1080p display
• HD webcam
• Solid build

Cons

• Speakers sound tinny when playing music
• A little heavy

Best Prices Today: $299.99 at Amazon

Why we like the Acer Aspire 3

The Acer Aspire 3 laptop is a great machine that offers solid performance and a durable build at a reasonable price. It’s plenty zippy for daily tasks like watching Netflix, writing email, and so on. You’re also getting a full-sized keyboard as well as a 1080p screen.

Who should buy the Acer Aspire 3

Anyone who’s on a budget! To narrow it down some, we feel as though the Acer Aspire 3 is a good option for students and remote workers. You can’t argue with the price and the HD webcam produces “clean, crisp video” according to our review. That means you’ll always look sharp on video calls.

Read our full Acer Aspire 3 review

Acer Aspire Go 15 – Best laptop under $300

Pros

• Affordable
• Decent battery life
• Good display visibility

Cons

• Big and bulky
• Cheap build
• Limited performance

Why we like the Acer Aspire Go 15

For just $300, the Acer Aspire Go 15 offers speedy everyday performance, good battery life, and a clear-looking 1080p display. In our testing, the 53.9 watt-hour battery lasted almost 12 hours on a single charge, which is more than a full workday. The 15.6-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a modest brightness level of 284 nits. In use, the reviewer was still able to see the screen even with a light beaming down onto it. While the Intel Core i3-N305 CPU lags a little behind other laptops in its class, it’s suitable for everyday tasks like listening to Spotify, watching Hulu, and so on.

Who should buy the Acer Aspire Go 15

Anyone that’s on an ultra-strict budget. The Acer Aspire Go 15 is about $30 cheaper than our top pick (as of right now) and offers better battery life. It also has a nice keyboard that the reviewer was able to comfortably type “around 110 words per minute” on and the trackpad is nice and smooth. There’s even a decent array of ports available. You’re getting one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, one HDMI, one 3.5mm audio, one Kensington lock slot, and one DC barrel jack.

Read our full Acer Aspire Go 15 (2024) review

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus – Best Chromebook under $500

Pros

• Snappy day-to-day performance
• Versatile 2-in-1 design
• Good typing experience

Cons

• Stylus not included
• Heavier than expected

What we like about the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus packs in a lot of features for the low price. The 2-in-1 form factor allows you to flip the screen around and use it like a tablet or you can prop it up like a tent for watching movies or sharing information. You can also expect peppy everyday performance and blazing fast boot-up times.

Who should buy the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

If you need the versatility of a convertible laptop but want to stick to a more modest budget, then the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is the one to pick. It stands apart from the rest of the pack with its durable construction, affordable pricing, and versatile convertible design.

Alternative option: If you’re on a very tight budget, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 ($249.99) is worth checking out. It’s about $100 less than our current pick and it comes with loads of connectivity options as well as an enjoyable keyboard and an attractive design. It’s not a 2-in-1 laptop like Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus, but I wouldn’t consider that a deal-breaker, especially if you prefer traditional clamshells.

Read our full Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review

Acer Chromebook Plus 515 – Best audio

Pros

• Solid audio quality
• Fast general performance
• Includes a 1080p webcam
• Good typing experience

Cons

• Boring design
• Thick bezels

Why we like the Acer Chromebook Plus 515

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 has good audio for a laptop. The positioning of a laptop’s speakers can really impact the sound. Thankfully, the speakers on the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 fire upwards, which means the sound is coming at you. Highs and lows sound pretty darn crisp! This machine also provides a nice typing experience as well as fast general performance.

Who should buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 515

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a good option for the casual user, especially if you like watching movies or listening to music. The audio is impressive and performance is good enough for everyday activities. The 15.6-inch display is quite good as well because of the 1080p resolution.

Read our full Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review

HP Laptop 14-ep0865no – Best battery life

Pros

• Compact form factor
• Good everyday performance
• Long battery life
• Great keyboard and mouse

Cons

• Screen quality is mediocre
• Noisy fans

Why we like the HP Laptop 14

Although we love the HP Laptop 14’s compact form factor and comfortable keyboard, it’s the battery life that’s the real star of the show. It lasted about 15 hours on a single charge with light use, which is an incredible result for a sub-$500 Windows machine. This laptop also weighs just over three pounds, so it’s light enough to take with you from class to class or meeting to meeting. There’s even a 1080p webcam and, thanks to the Intel Core i3-1315U CPU, performance is zippy enough for browsing the web and whatnot. The subdued midnight blue color scheme is gorgeous, too.

Who should buy the HP Laptop 14

Anyone that needs a long-lasting, sub-$500 laptop! The 15 hours of battery life is more than a full work day (or school day), which means you don’t have to go hunting for an outlet. It’s also lightweight and slim, so you can easily stick it in a backpack or messenger bag and be on your merry way. While general use performance is fine, it’s not the best machine for multimedia tasks and the fan noise is a bit annoying to deal with. That said, those are reasonable compromises given the price.

Read our full HP Laptop 14 review

Recent laptop reviews

We’ve reviewed several new laptops recently, though many cost more than $500.

• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1: Lenovo delivered a 2-in-1 ThinkPad with great build quality, a nice pen, and serious battery life. But you may want to wait for a next-generation model powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware.
• Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is a decent budget Chromebook that beats competitors on RAM and storage.
• Lenovo ThinkBook 13x: Lenovo’s ThinkBook is a better business laptop for most people than a top-of-the-line ThinkPad, but the lack of ports may be a problem.
• Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE: The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is a good option if you want a big-screen Chromebook.
• Dell Latitude 7450 Ultralight: Dell’s Latitude 7450 Ultralight is the lightest and thinnest of the three Latitude 7450 models. It’s a real go-getter in the performance stakes and ideal for mobile professionals.

How we tested

The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested.

Chromebooks, on the other hand, go through a series of web-based tests. It wouldn’t be fair or possible to run the same kinds of tests on a Chromebook, as they’re Chrome OS-based machines. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.

Windows laptops

• PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we determine how well the laptop handles lighter tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and so on.
• HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It basically measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a beefy 30GB file.
• Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a short period of time.
• 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips.
• Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.

Chromebooks

• CrXPRT 2: The CrXPRT 2 benchmark tests a Chromebook’s battery life.
• Speedometer 2.0: This test determines a Chromebook’s web browser performance. It simulates this by adding, completing, and removing a to-do list.
• Basemark Web 3.0: This benchmark gauges how well a Chromebook can handle web-based applications.
• Kraken 1.1: Kraken 1.1 is a JavaScript performance benchmark.
• Jetstream 2: Jetstream 2 is a combination of WebAssembly and JavaScript benchmarks. This is a way to gauge how well a Chromebook runs advanced workloads.

What kind of laptop should you get?

Ah, here we are at the billion dollar question. Do you spring for a basic Chromebook or go for a Windows laptop with more features? Well, it really depends on your lifestyle and your expectations of a sub-$500 machine. At this price point, you’re not going to find a powerful workhorse. However, there are plenty of affordable laptops out there for those who need the basics.

Chromebooks, for example, are a great low-cost option and offer phenomenal battery life. I use a Chromebook as my primary work laptop, as it has everything I need for both editing and writing. If you travel for work, it’s probably a good idea to invest in a laptop that weighs less than three pounds. If you’re still unsure, don’t sweat it. I’ve put together a list of quick buying tips below.

• Laptop type: There are many different laptop types that fall in the sub-$500 category: clamshells, 2-in-1’s, Chromebooks, and much more. The displays on convertible laptops (aka 2-in-1’s), for example, can swing around 360 degrees. This allows you to use the laptop like a tablet. They can also be propped up like a tent for viewing movies or participating in video calls. Chromebooks come in various shapes and sizes, and exclusively run Google’s web-focused Chrome OS. With a Chromebook, all you need is a Gmail account and, boom, you’re in.
• CPU: When it comes to the sub-$500 Windows laptops, you can expect to find Intel Core i3 or i5 processors. An i5 processor obviously provides a little more oomph. That said, basic office and web work does just fine on a Core i3. As for AMD options, the Ryzen 3 is good for basic productivity and web browsing, while Ryzen 5 chips rival Intel’s Core i5 as solid all-arounders. For Chromebooks, Snapdragon and Pentium processors are more powerful than MediaTek chips.
• Graphics: At this price range, you probably won’t find a laptop with a powerful discrete graphics card. Instead, you’ll encounter laptops with integrated graphics, which are integrated with the CPU and use less power as a result. This is perfectly fine for everyday tasks, especially if you’re not doing anything that’s graphics-intensive—like 3D gaming.
• RAM: Always go for 8GB of RAM. That’s plenty enough for firing up applications and loading web pages. Most Chromebooks are equipped with 4GB of RAM, which is the bare minimum. You need a decent amount of memory on these machines, as they’re primarily web-based. If there’s an 8GB RAM option, I’d recommend springing for that.
• Display size: If you’re a video editor or someone who does a lot of multimedia work, you’ll want a display that’s anywhere from 15- to 17-inches (but these machines usually cost far more than $500). The sweet spot for budget laptops is really anywhere from 13- to 14-inches. The bigger the display, the heavier your laptop is going to be. A 13- or 14-inch display is the best in terms of portability and value.
• Resolution: I wouldn’t go for anything less than 1080p, as there’s nothing more annoying than a slightly fuzzy image. 1080p produces a picture that’s sharp enough for watching Netflix or working in Excel. At this price range, you won’t really find many (if any) laptops with 1440p resolution or higher.
• Battery life: If you plan on taking your laptop anywhere with you, aim for something that can last 10 to 12 hours on a single charge. That’s more than a full work day, so it should theoretically get you through long flights or a day of classes. Obviously, more is always better. Just know that the bigger the battery, the heavier the laptop.
• Price: The price really depends on your budget. If you’re strapped for cash (been there, trust me), go for a Chromebook or an entry-level business laptop. These laptops are a good choice for students or young professionals. If you shop smart, you can even find 2-in-1’s in the $500 range.
• Ports: A wide array of ports is always a plus, as it eliminates the need for an adapter. I’d recommend a laptop that has both USB-C and USB-A. An HDMI port is good, too. This is especially useful for hooking up to an external monitor.

Today at Computex, MSI announced a slew of new AI-ready gaming and content creation laptops. They’re powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra (codenamed “Lunar Lake”) and AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors, which are more power efficient, resulting in laptops with better battery life and thinner builds. When it comes to the war on chips, the NPUs (aka neural processing units) inside Qualcomm’s new Arm-based Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors have been taking the news circuit by storm, as it can deliver 45 TOPS of AI computing power. That’s impressive, but MSI’s new AI laptops, which contain both AMD and Intel processors, offer more than 100 combined TOPS of power. Pop off, sis.

Speaking of NPUs and AI features, Microsoft has been pushing its Copilot+ PCs with gusto and for good reason, too. These laptops use the NPU to bring you seamless AI experiences. Heck, they even work offline! Microsoft’s Recall feature, for example, takes snapshots of whatever you’re doing on your PC, which a locally run AI can use to answer practical, personal questions like “What is that movie Katherine from work recommended last week?” and bring you back to the item in question.

I could go on and on about AI, but I’m going to stop it right there. Let’s see what MSI’s bringing to the table this year.

Further reading: Best gaming laptops 2024: What to look for and highest-rated models

Laptops, laptops, and more laptops!

MSI

MSI

MSI

AMD offerings

AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 Series processors have new architecture, which is called XDNA 2. According to MSI, this new architecture delivers up to “three times the performance compared to previous products.” You can run generative AI or large language models directly on the laptops.

MSI Stealth A16 AI+

The MSI Stealth A16 AI+ gaming laptop is packing a lot of power in a relatively lightweight package. It features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU (top-tier configuration), an RGB backlit keyboard with a Copilot key, a massive 99.9 watt-hour battery, and a decent array of port selections. Connectivity options include one audio combo jack, two USB 3.2 Type-A, one USB-C, one RJ45, one HDMI, and one Kensington lock. Plus, thanks to the magnesium alloy chassis, it weighs just 4.62 pounds, which is lighter than most gaming laptops. For context, most gaming laptops tip the scales at six pounds or more.

MSI Summit A16 AI+

The MSI Summit A16 AI+ laptop is both versatile and powerful, and seems like it could be a fine choice for content creators. You can flip the screen around and use it like a tablet or prop it up like a tent for watching YouTube or sharing information with others. Inside you’ll find an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, AMD Radeon graphics, 32GB of RAM (maximum), and 1TB of SSD storage. The 16-inch 1600p display is also touch-enabled and has a 165Hz refresh rate, which should result in smooth-looking visuals.

MSI Prestige A16 AI

The MSI Prestige A16 AI laptop is near identical to the MSI Summit A16 AI+ as far as hardware goes. You’re getting an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor, 32GB of RAM (maximum), AMD Radeon graphics, and 2TB of SSD storage (maximum). However, the Prestige is a little lighter at 4.18 pounds. Other features include a white backlit keyboard with a Copilot key, an 82 watt-hour battery, and a physical webcam shutter.

Intel offerings

The latest Intel Core Ultra processor (codenamed “Lunar Lake”) is capable of generating “more than 100 TOPS of AI performance,” according to MSI. When it’s paired with a laptop that has Nvidia graphics, it’s capable of offering up to 542 TOPS, apparently!

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo

The MSI Prestige 13 AI+ Evo has the smallest display of the Prestige models, but it’s also the lightest at 2.20 pounds. You can easily toss this laptop in a bag and take it anywhere with you. Shoulder ache? Who is she? It also has an Intel Ultra Core processor, a 13.3-inch 2880×1800 OLED display, and a 75 watt-hour battery. Other neat features include Wi-Fi 7, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a white backlit keyboard with a Copilot key.

MSI Prestige 14 AI+ Evo

The MSI Prestige 14 AI+ Evo is rocking an Intel Core Ultra processor, 32GB of RAM (maximum), and a 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED display. The taller 16:10 aspect ratio makes it easier to scroll through longer web pages, too. Similar to the other versions of the Prestige, this model also comes with a white backlit keyboard as well as Wi-FI 7 and a physical privacy shutter for the webcam.

MSI Prestige 16 AI+ Evo

The MSI Prestige 16 AI+ Evo is a powerful, lightweight laptop with a big screen. It comes with an Intel Core Ultra processor, 32GB of RAM (maximum), and a 16-inch OLED display with 100 percent DCI-P3 support, which creators will especially appreciate. It also has Wi-Fi 7, a colossal 99.9 watt-hour battery, and a white backlit keyboard with the aforementioned Copilot key and 1.7mm of travel. It only weighs just 3.30 pounds, which is surprising given the giant battery and the 16-inch display.

MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo

The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a powerful convertible laptop. It’s powered by an Intel Core Ultra processor and it has up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage. That’s plenty of power for office work, editing photos, everyday activities, and so much more. The 13.3-inch display is lovely, too. It has an aspect ratio of 16:10 and it covers 100 percent sRGB, which means you can expect to see a pretty colorful picture.

Special edition laptops

MSI

MSI

MSI

MSI also announced three special edition laptops, which is good news if you like luxury cars and the Capcom game Monster Hunter. It’s not my cup of tea, but the Monster Hunter edition of the MSI Crosshair 16 HX does look pretty rad with its dragon carving on the lid. Read on to learn more details.

MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport

The MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport (say that five times fast) is equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, up to 96GB (!!!) of RAM, a giant 99.9 watt-hour battery, and Wi-Fi 7. The design is kind of comical, too. The power button is meant to look like the ignition button in a car. Is it cool? I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing.

MSI Stealth 18 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport

The MSI Stealth 18 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport is the bigger sibling of the 16-inch model. You’ll find, again, the latest Intel Core Ultra processor as well as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. This machine will basically chew through anything you toss at it. The 18-inch display has a 3840×2400 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, so game play should look fluid.

MSI Crosshair 16 HX (Monster Hunter edition)

The MSI Crosshair 16 HX sports an Intel Core i7 14700HX CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. In other words, this laptop should have no problem whizzing through most modern games. The 16-inch 1600p display also has an ultra-fast refresh rate of 240Hz–ideal for those who play first-person-shooters or faster-paced titles in which every second counts.

Price and availability

Intel

• MSI Summit E13 AI Evo: $1,299
• MSI Summit E13 AI Evo: $1,499
• MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo: $1,399
• MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo: $1,199

AMD

• MSI Stealth A16 AI+ (RTX 4070, GDDR6 8GB): $1,999
• MSI Summit A16 AI+ (AMD Radeon Graphics): $1,699
• MSI Prestige A16 AI+ (AMD Radeon Graphics): $1,599

No word yet on the pricing and availability of the special edition laptops, but when I get that information, I’ll be sure to update this article accordingly. MSI also didn’t confirm the availability of the laptops, so I reached out to a representative and hope to hear back soon.

Acer has unveiled their new TravelMate laptops mere days ahead of Computex. These business laptops are traditionally known for their slim form factor and long battery life. In fact, the 2023 version of the TravelMate P6 nabbed a top spot on our best laptops roundup, earning the title of “Best Ultraportable.”

The new models announced today come loaded with more power-efficient Intel Core Ultra CPUs as well as useful AI capabilities. There’s also a 2-in-1 version and a clamshell with a bigger 16-inch display, and they all use recycled materials in both design and packaging. Heck yeah.

Configurations, hardware, and availability

Acer

Acer

Acer

Acer puts forth three offerings on the table: Acer TravelMate P6 14, Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14, and Acer TravelMate P4 16.

Acer TravelMate P6 14

The Acer TravelMate P6 14, a traditional clamshell and the first to lead the charge, is powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and comes with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage.

The 14-inch touch-optional display is a real stunner with its 2880×1800 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, and 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut support for sharp-looking pictures with rich colors.

It even comes with Wi-Fi 7 (gotta go fast!) and Thunderbolt 4 support — both ideal if you’re connecting high-performing devices. It has a starting price of $1,429.99 and will be available to purchase in July 2024.

Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14

The Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 is the convertible version of the business lineup. That means you can swing the screen around a full 360 degrees and use it in various positions, like tent or tablet mode. It weighs 3.29 pounds, making it super travel-friendly.

The machine also comes with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, a 14-inch touch-optional 1200p display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. The taller aspect ratio makes scrolling through web pages a much more comfortable experience.

This versatile device has a starting price of $1,329.99 and is expected to launch in July 2024.

Acer TravelMate P4 16

Looking for a laptop with a bigger screen? The Acer TravelMate P4 16 is your girl. Like the other models above, it’s packing the latest Intel Core Ultra processor.

However, you can load this one up with up to 64GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage. 64GB is a lot of RAM — and that’s a good thing, especially if you typically work with video editing software.

The 16-inch display has a 1920×1200 resolution and 100 percent sRGB, so the picture and color quality should be quite good. The starting price is $1,229.99 and you can start ordering it in July 2024.

New AI capabilities

Everybody’s embracing AI these days, so it’s no surprise to see Acer jump on that bandwagon. You’ll find a number of AI features in the Acer Experience Zone on the TravelMateSense application.

Need to remove something in the background of a photo? Acer LiveArt has you covered. You can also generate “depth maps on 2D images,” according to Acer.

The TravelMate laptops also come with Acer PurifiedView 2.0, which uses the CPU’s neural processing unit to create more seamless, free-flowing AI experiences. This is useful for when you need to blur your background during a videoconferencing call.

Enterprise Chromebooks

Speaking of business laptops, Acer’s got two new business Chromebooks on tap: Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 515 and Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise Spin 514.

Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 515

The Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 515 has a spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display and an equally spacious keyboard with a number pad. The number pad is key for both workers and students alike, especially if your day-to-day consists of punching in numbers (data entry is no joke).

The Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise 515 has a starting price of $649.99 and will be available in June.

Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise Spin 514

The Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise Spin 514 is the convertible model, meaning you can prop it up like a tent or flip the screen around and use it like a handheld tablet. It also has Google AI-powered video call tools, which automatically enhances the webcam picture.

The Acer Chromebook Plus Enterprise Spin 514 will hit the market in August with a starting price of $749.99.

For regular customers, there’s also the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514. It comes with up to an Intel Core 7 150U processor and 16GB of RAM. It has a starting price of $549.99 and will become available in August.

Modular laptop maker Framework just announced the latest iteration of its Framework Laptop 13, now with the latest Intel Core Ultra processors and a high-resolution display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate.

We really vibe with Framework laptops here at PCWorld. In fact, in our review of the Framework Laptop 13’s bigger sibling, the Framework Laptop 16, we loved the well-rounded performance and easy upgradability so much that we gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Not only is Framework throwing a new laptop model into the mix, but they’re also introducing new configurations and customization options. Read on for the details.

Further reading: The absolute best laptops to get right now

Upgraded CPU, webcam, and display

The new Framework Laptop 13 is the fourth iteration and it comes equipped with the more-efficient Intel Core Ultra CPU, a webcam with a powerful 9.2MP image sensor, and an optional 2880×1920 display with a 120Hz refresh rate (for both AMD and Intel systems).

Framework

Framework

Framework

I’m especially impressed with the display’s high resolution and refresh rate, and I hope it looks as sharp as I imagine it to be. Framework even claims the webcam offers great 1080p performance in dimmer environments. Only time will tell!

There’s one strange thing to note, though. Well, it’s not really strange, it’s just a quirk. The corners of the new 2880×1920 display option are actually rounded, which Framework says is because they reworked a customized panel that was meant for a different company.

Better cooling, fan noise, and graphics

According to the Framework blog, they have also “upgraded nearly every part since first shipping in 2021,” which is pretty impressive. They’ve actually redesigned the thermal system to better cool down the hardware inside, and a new fan control algorithm means quieter operation.

Graphics got a face lift, too. The architecture contains up to six performance cores and eight efficiency cores. It can even support up to a colossal 96GB of DDR5 memory, which may very well have a positive impact on gameplay.

So, when can you pre-order the new Framework Laptop 13? Right now, actually! It’s available to pre-order here with a starting price of $1,099. Shipments will begin in August.

Framework’s new configuration options

Framework is introducing a new configuration of the Framework Laptop 13 Edition with AMD Ryzen 7040 Series GPU. It comes with the option of the new 2880×1920 display, the new webcam with better sensor, and a larger 61Wh battery.

The manufacturer also slashed the prices of the current Ryzen 7040 Series and 13th Gen Intel Core models. The prices are now $949 for the pre-built ones and $799 for the DIY Edition.

More customization, too

Framework laptops are unique for their modular design. You can easily swap out or replace any part of the laptop. The USB ports work much the same way. They look like little cards, and all you have to do is slot them into the machine.

Framework

Framework

Framework

Now you can get four new USB-C port colors, which you can see in the image above. Those little pops of color are nice and will stand out against the laptop’s silver color scheme. (Want more ports? The new SD Expansion card is also now available to pre-order.)

Further reading: The most important laptop features in 2024

If you’re a PC gamer, you know how expensive it can be. In addition to purchasing your favorite triple-A titles, you also need a powerful machine to run them on. When it comes to gaming laptops, it gets even more complicated, as it requires an intricate cooling system to handle the heat-generating components inside. Fortunately for you, there are some inexpensive options out there. In fact, when it comes to a sub-$1,000 gaming laptop, you don’t have to cut as many corners as you may think.

If you’re feeling totally lost, don’t worry–we did the hard work for you. The laptops below have been personally tested and vetted by members of the PCWorld team, so you know you’re getting a good machine. Just note that laptop prices can fluctuate, so our picks below may occasionally go over $1,000. For more recommendations on gaming laptops, see our roundup of the best gaming laptops across all prices, or take a look at our roundup of the best laptop deals.

Why you should trust us: Hey, it’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. All of the picks below have been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but rigorous usability standards. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.

Updated May 23, 2024: In addition to updating the list of recent laptop reviews, we’ve also added the Gigabyte G6X as an alternative option underneath the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus. Compared to the Dell, it has a higher refresh rate display as well as a more diverse range of ports.

Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition – Best overall

Pros

• All-day battery life
• Stunning display
• Durable build

Cons

• 720p webcam is less than impressive
• Keys feel too soft

Why we like the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition checks off a lot of boxes in terms of performance, battery life, and more. The massive 90 watt-hour battery lasted 11 hours on a single charge, which is impressive for a gaming laptop. Gaming rigs tend to fizzle out at the five- or six-hour mark. The Asus TUF is also capable of blazing through most modern games on the High or Ultra graphics setting thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU and the AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU.

Who should buy the Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition

The Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition is a fantastic option for 1080p gamers, especially those who enjoy untethered gaming on the go. You don’t have to go hunting for an outlet thanks to the long battery life and the 16-inch, 165Hz refresh-rate, 1200p display offers stunning visuals. It just goes to show you that budget gaming laptops don’t have to skimp on performance.

Alternative option: The Lenovo LOQ 15 is another great budget gaming laptop to consider. It has a better GPU (RTX 4060) than our current top pick, so it will deliver faster 1080p frame rates if raw performance is your key factor. But compared to the Asus TUF, it offers poor battery life (not unusual in a gaming laptop) and limited connectivity options. If you plan on using your gaming laptop mostly in like a gaming desktop, constantly on your desk and plugged into a wall, the Lenovo LOQ 15 may be a better option; but if you use your laptop out and about, the Asus TUF’s spectacular battery life earns our nod here.

Read our full Asus TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition review

MSI Thin GF63 (2023) – Most portable

Pros

• Good 1080p gaming
• Attractive backlighting
• Rugged build

Cons

• Not the most color-accurate screen

Best Prices Today: $998 at Amazon

Why we like the MSI Thin GF63

The MSI Thin GF63 weighs just over four pounds, which is lightweight for a gaming laptop. For context, most gaming laptops tip the scales at five or six pounds. In addition to the MSI Thin GF63 being portable, it’s also packing a good amount of power. Between the Intel Core i5-12450H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, you should be able to run most games on the Medium or High graphics preset. The 1080p display is also spacious at 15.6-inches with a refresh rate of 144Hz.

Who should buy the MSI Thin GF63

The MSI Thin GF63 is a good option for college students, as it’s light enough to take with you from class-to-class. It’s also powerful enough for everyday tasks like watching Netflix, writing papers, and so on. It’ll scratch the gaming itch, too.

Read our full MSI Thin GF63 (2023) review

Acer Nitro V 15 – Best connectivity

Pros

• Solid build quality
• Loads of connectivity options
• Good gaming performance

Cons

• Mediocre display
• Small amount of RAM

Why we like the Acer Nitro V 15

The Acer Nitro V 15 is a well-rounded gaming laptop with a ton of connectivity options, which may appeal to those who prefer to plug into an external monitor or mouse. Most of the ports live on the left side of the laptop. Those are one Gigabit Ethernet, one HDMI 2.0, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, and one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2. You’ll also find an additional USB-A 3.2 and one 3.5mm audio jack, which brings the total of USB-A ports to three. That’s excellent news, especially if you want to connect to “a keyboard, mouse, and still have room left over for a webcam or external hard drive,” according to our review.”

As for the guts, the Acer Nitro V 15 is rocking an Intel Core i5-13420H CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4050 6GB GPU, which is more than enough graphics firepower. In fact, this machine hit an average of 105 frames-per-second during the Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark, which is a sizable improvement over laptops with RTX 3050 and 3050 Ti graphics. The only caveats are the limited amount of RAM and the mediocre display.

Who should buy the Acer Nitro V 15

Anyone that needs a good amount of connectivity options in their life. Overall, the Acer Nitro V 15 delivers respectable gaming performance for a fair price. In addition to that, it also comes loaded up with a wide array of ports, which is good news for those who want to have a wired connection or plug into a monitor. The RAM is light at 8GB and the display is just okay, but if you can live with those minor nitpicks, then the Acer Nitro V 15 is a fantastic option.

Read our full Acer Nitro V 15 review

Dell Inspiron 16 Plus – If you're willing to spend a little more…

Pros

• Metal build
• Long battery life
• Respectable graphics performance

Cons

• Light on ports
• Gets loud under heavier workloads

Why we like the Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630

The Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630 is something of a sleeper hit due to its powerful internal components and high refresh-rate display. Inside, you’ll find an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, which delivers solid gaming performance. The reviewer was able to play Cyberpunk 2077 at a respectable 30 frames-per-second at 1080p with the Ray Tracing: Ultra preset turned on. In addition to the good performance, you’re also getting a quality metal build as well as good battery life.

Who should buy the Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630

If you’re able to stretch your budget another $200 or so, we feel as though the Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630 is a good option for college students and remote workers. It can handle anything from multimedia applications and day-to-day productivity as well as some gaming. It’s a little light on the port selection and it can get loud under heavier loads, but those are minor nitpicks in the grand scheme of things.

Alternative option: The $1349 Gigabyte G6X is a great alternative option to the Dell Inspiron Plus 16. It’s similar to the Dell in terms of sheer power, but it has a higher refresh rate display (165Hz) as well as a wider array of connectivity options.

Read our full Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630 review

Recent laptop reviews

We’ve reviewed several new laptops recently, though many cost more than $1,000.

• Gigabyte G6X: The Gigabyte G6X delivers a great GPU and CPU at a good price — and it comes with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, too! Everything else is fine, but it’s not flashy or premium feeling.
• Gigabyte Aorus 16X: The Gigabyte Aorus 16X is a solid gaming laptop that offers competitive performance for its price range, although the power adapter is lacking some polish. If you can find it at a price that beats the competition, it’s a fine choice.
• Acer Swift X 14 (2024): Acer’s Swift X 14 is a solid choice if you want great performance in a modestly priced 14-inch laptop, but it struggles to stand out from the competition.
• Dell XPS 13 (2024): The Dell XPS 13 has been a force to reckon with some years, but this isn’t one of them. It’s performance lags behind its cheaper competitors, and it doesn’t lead them in the battery department either. It may be thin and light, but by a narrow margin that doesn’t make up for its shortcomings.

How we test gaming laptops under $1000

The PCWorld team puts each and every Windows laptop through a series of benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and so on. The idea is to push the laptop to its limits and then compare it against others we’ve tested. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of each test and the reasons why we run them. For a much deeper look at our review methodology, check out how PCWorld tests laptops.

Windows laptops

• PCMark 10: PCMark 10 is how we determine how well the laptop handles lighter tasks like web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and so on.
• HandBrake: HandBrake is more intensive than PCMark 10. It basically measures how long a laptop’s CPU takes to encode a hefty 30GB file.
• Cinebench: Cinebench is a brief stress test of the CPU cores. It does this by rendering a 2D scene over a short period of time.
• 3DMark: 3DMark checks if 3D performance remains consistent over time by running graphic-intensive clips.
• Gaming tests: We benchmark each gaming laptop using several titles.
• Video rundown test: To gauge battery life, we loop a 4K video using Windows 10’s Movies & TV app until the laptop dies.

What you should look for in a budget gaming laptop

When it comes to picking the right gaming laptop, it really depends on what you want to do with it. Do you plan on playing lightweight indie titles like Stardew Valley (no shade, I love this game) or something more visually demanding like Cyberpunk 2077? Are you going to use the machine for work as well as play? It’s possible to get reliable performance out of a gaming laptop that costs under a grand, but you’ll need to take a hard look at the individual components.

You don’t need a powerful GPU for something like Fortnite. You can run even most of the newest games very well at 1080p resolution with even entry level graphics cards if you don’t mind dialing down the in-game visual settings from Ultra to more-reasonable High to Medium settings. You’ll almost certainly need to do so to hit 60 frames per second in modern games on a gaming laptop under $1,000, but the good news is they should still look good, especially on a laptop display.

• GPU: The thing about the GPU is that it can’t be swapped out and upgraded later, so you need to be real choosy about which one you pick, as this component will determine how well your machine runs games. Luckily, you don’t need the best of the best to get reliable gaming performance. The GTX 1650 is an entry-level GPU that’s affordable and good enough for 1080p gaming with low-to-mid graphics settings. That said, expect lower frame rates on newer titles. If you’re looking for a bit more power, the more modern RTX 4050 and 4050 Ti are preferred options, and commonly found in gaming laptops under $1,000. These perform well at Medium to High settings at 1080p. You may occasionally find a deal on an RTX 3060- or 4060-powered laptop under $1,000, but they’re relatively rare, and your best option for 1080p gaming with few compromises.
• CPU: Like the GPU, the processor can’t be upgraded either, so you’ll want to be selective. For Intel, we’d recommend an 13th-gen Intel Core i5 or i7 or newer. For AMD, you’ll want to spring for a Ryzen 5000 or 7000. A processor with at least four cores is good, but six cores or more is better.
• RAM: You’ll want at least 8GB of RAM. If you can afford 16GB of RAM, it’s highly recommended. Memory is normally upgradable, so you can always swap it out and add more later on.
• Storage: Storage impacts how many games and applications you can install on your laptop. Like RAM, storage is often upgradable and can be swapped out later. However, you should aim for at least 512GB of SSD storage plus a hard drive, as AAA titles tend to eat up a lot of space. SSDs load games faster, as data is stored on chips rather than spinning disks.
• Display: 1080p is what you can expect at this price range, either with a 60Hz or 144Hz (preferred) refresh rate. Budget gaming laptops don’t always have the best displays, as that’s where manufacturers tend to cut corners to keep the cost low. If you’ve got a dim display, you can always pick up an external monitor to plug into it.
• Battery life: Generally speaking, gaming laptops are known for having poor battery life. That’s because they use a ton of power. They also tend to be heavier than other laptops because they need more space for heatsinks and other cooling components. Depending on the use, most will last anywhere from four to six hours on a single charge. That said, there are a few exceptions.

For a deeper dive into the nitty-gritty details, check out our guide on the specifications you want in a sub-$1,000 gaming laptop.

If you’re looking to pick up a brand new laptop, there’s no better time than Memorial Day weekend. HP is throwing a huge Memorial Day weekend sale that saves you up to 65 percent off on laptops and other tech products, as well as 40 percent off of accidental damage protection and 30 percent off of all commercial PC Care Packs.

So if you’re looking for a killer laptop for cheap, this is a great time to buy one. From chic 2-in-1’s to powerful gaming machines, we carefully curated a list of the best HP laptop deals we could find.

HP laptop deals

• HP Spectre x360, $1,099.99 ($500 off): This 2-in-1 laptop is packing a spacious 16-inch touch display and the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU. For a laptop with a bigger screen, it’s surprisingly lightweight at just 4.3 pounds as well.
• HP Pavilion Laptop, $549.99 ($450 off): Need a zippy laptop for day-to-day tasks and office work? The HP Pavilion may very well be your answer. It boasts a powerful Intel Core i7-1355U processor and a 1080p display.
• HP Envy Laptop, $799.99 ($500 off): This is a great machine for those who need a big screen. The 1080p measures a roomy 17.3-inches and the bezels are so skinny they’re hardly there. This particular model also comes equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, so it’s also capable of handling some photo or video editing tasks, as well as PC gaming at modest graphics settings.
• HP Omen Gaming Laptop, $1,049.99 ($400 off): This is a solid gaming laptop for most people. You’re getting an Intel Core i7-14700HX CPU plus an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, a good entry-level combination. That means it’s capable of blitzing through many modern games on the medium graphics settings.
• HP Victus, $699.99 ($300 off): This is a great entry-level machine for the budget-conscious gamer. It features an Intel Core i5-13500H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. It’s not the fastest gaming laptop we’ve ever seen, but it’s certainly capable. You’ll probably need to dial back the graphics on more visually demanding games, though.

HP’s Memorial Day weekend sale ends, well, after the holiday! So you should definitely swoop in sooner rather than later to take advantage of these scrumptious deals.

Samsung recently announced the Galaxy Book4 Edge line of laptops at Microsoft’s Surface event, now equipped with Qualcomm’s hotly anticipated Snapdragon X Elite processors. In addition to the more efficient and AI-infused processor, they’re also featherlight and come with a slew of practical AI tools like Live Caption and Windows Recall.

They also come with AMOLED touch displays, which look superb and are capable of up to 500 nits of brightness. If you pre-order the Galaxy Book4 Edge right now, Samsung will even toss in a free 50-inch TV. Wow.

Further reading: Microsoft’s new Surface laptops are bursting with AI power

Specifications and configurations

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge comes in two sizes: the 14-inch is designed for those who prefer a more portable machine and the 16-inch is meant for those who want a bigger screen. Both configurations are packing 12-core 3.4GHz Snapdragon X Elite processors (X1E-80-100) as well as Qualcomm’s Hexagon NPUs and Qualcomm’s Adreno GPUs. The 16-inch configuration has the option of the more powerful Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100, if that’s your cup of tea. Note that while Qualcomm says the Snapdragon X series beats Intel’s Core Ultra CPUs in some tasks, independent reviewers (like us!) have yet to be able to test those claims.

Both models also feature 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of SSD storage, and AMOLED touch displays with 2880×1800 resolution and 120Hz refresh rates. AMOLED displays are known for producing great contrast, which enhances the clarity and depth of the projected image. That’s great news for movie buffs and content creators!

Light as a feather

Samsung

Samsung

Samsung

Here at PCWorld, it’s no secret that we love the Galaxy Book line of laptops. In fact, in our recent review of the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 14, we rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars plus an Editor’s Choice award. We really liked the lightweight form factor as well as the superb OLED screen. At the end of the day, it’s just a spectacularly elegant machine that’s perfect for either business professionals or creative folks. The Galaxy Book4 Edge continues to follow the same blueprint as its predecessors and we’re not mad about it.

The 14-inch variant weighs just 2.55 pounds and measures 10.9mm in thickness, which is ridiculously light and slim. Sore shoulders? Never heard of them. This is the type of laptop you can easily commute into the office with or take with you when you’re running from class to class. The 16-inch model, on the other hand, weighs a bit more at 3.41 pounds and is thicker at 12.3mm. That’s still pretty light for a laptop with a bigger screen, but the 14-inch configuration is definitely more travel-friendly.

AI integration

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably sick and tired of hearing about the next generation of AI PCs. Well, Samsung’s hopping on that bandwagon too. The Galaxy Book4 Edge has a number of interesting AI features and tools, but the coolest one is Windows Recall, which allows you to easily track down everything you’ve done or seen on your laptop. All you have to do is describe whatever it is you’re looking for and the PC will retrieve it for you. This tool even provides a timeline of snapshots that you can scroll through–useful if you’re a visual person.

This laptop also comes with Live Caption, which transforms spoken words into English subtitles in real-time, as a debut Windows Copilot+ PC.

Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge is set to launch on June 18th with a starting price of $1,349.99 for the 14-inch model and a starting price of $1,449.99 for the 16-inch. If you pre-order the laptop, you’ll get a free 50-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV as well. That’s one heck of a deal right there!

If you’re unable to drop thousands of dollars on a souped-up gaming rig, you’re not alone, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a below average machine. Right now you can pick up the Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 for just $749 at B&H. That’s $560 off the usual price!

This laptop wields Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4050 graphics as well as a sizeable, 15.6-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Although you may need to taper your expectations depending on the type of game you’re playing, $749 is a damn good price for a gaming laptop. These often start around $1,000 and only go up from there.

The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 is packing an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. Depending on the graphic demands of the game, you may need to dial back the graphics on faster-paced titles. However, with older games, you should be able to bump up the graphics preset to High or Ultra. The 1080p display also has a maximum brightness of 350 nits. We’ve seen brighter displays, sure, but it’s perfectly fine for most games. Besides, you can always plug into an external monitor if need be. Other cool features include a 1080p webcam for videoconferencing and dual 85-blade fans for when things get red hot.

Bottom line? You almost never see gaming laptops selling for this cheap — at least not new. Grab it before it’s gone.

If you’re looking for a powerful laptop with an absolutely stunning OLED screen (4K!!!), you’ve come to the right place. Best Buy is selling the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 for $1,199.99, which is a huge savings of $450. Not only does this laptop have a 4K touch display and powerful hardware, but it’s also a convertible, meaning you can swing the screen back 360 degrees. Want to snuggle up with your favorite person and watch a movie? Cue tent mode. What about when you’re in the mood for some doodling? Fold the laptop up and boom! You’ve got a tablet.

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is packing some decent hardware for the price. Underneath the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core i7-1360P CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage–so it should have no issues zipping through day-to-day tasks, spreadsheet work, and so on. The 14-inch 4K OLED touch display also has a maximum brightness of 400 nits and a refresh rate of 60Hz. This is the kind of display that’s meant for graphically-intensive work, watching movies, and so on. In other words, it should produce better colors and detail than your usual notebook fare. The stylus also comes with the laptop, which is a great because you don’t have to pay extra for a standalone accessory.

Seriously, this is an awesome deal. Don’t miss out.

If you love competitive games where every second matters, you’ve come to the right spot. You’ll need a fast gaming monitor that can keep up with the intense gameplay. Luckily for you, Amazon’s selling the Acer Nitro WQHD for $179.99, which is 38 percent off of the original $289.99 price. This monitor has a blisteringly fast refresh rate of 180Hz as well as a response time of 0.5ms, meaning it should produce buttery smooth visuals during competitive gaming sessions.

The Acer Nitro measures 27-inches and has a resolution of 2560×1440, so smaller details should look clear. This resolution is the sweet spot where performance and visual quality meet, as you don’t need the latest and greatest hardware for it. It also comes with AMD FreeSync Premium, which syncs the monitor’s refresh rate with your PC’s GPU. According to Amazon reviewers, the color accuracy is quite good and games look pretty darn sharp.

This is a great deal, but Amazon deals tend to come and go like the wind, so don’t miss your chance.

Folks, I’m buzzing with excitement today. One of our favorite laptops, the Acer Swift Go 14, is on sale for just $799.99 at Amazon right now. We awarded it 4 out of 5 stars in our review, praising how well-rounded it is. It features plenty of connectivity options, a wonderful typing experience, marathon battery life, a zippy processor, and much more. The model that’s on sale today has slightly less storage than the one we reviewed, but other than that they’re pretty much identical. Plus, it currently rivals our top pick in our best laptops roundup.

The Acer Swift Go 14 is packing some solid hardware. You’re getting an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor (16 cores plus 22 threads), 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. According to our review, it outperforms other laptops with the same processor. You should be able to fly through office work, coursework, everyday tasks, and so on. The 14-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1200 and is touch-enabled. It’s fine for casual use, but we found that “black colors are washed out, contrast is just so-so, and colors aren’t all that vibrant.” Other goodies include a 1400p webcam, a 65 watt-hour battery, and a fingerprint reader.

This is a fantastic deal, so you better jump on it sooner rather than later.