the best laptops you can get Choosing the right laptop can be a daunting task, given the multitude of options available in the market today.
the best laptops you can get
Understanding Your Needs
When considering a laptop, it’s essential to evaluate your specific needs. Are you a student requiring a portable device for note-taking and research? An artist in need of a powerful machine for graphic design? Or perhaps a gamer looking for high-performance hardware? Understanding your requirements will help narrow down your choices significantly.
We at The Verge have rigorously tested various laptops to identify the best options for different user profiles. Our top recommendation remains the MacBook Air, specifically the M4 model as of March 2025. This laptop stands out for its portability, excellent battery life, and solid performance in productivity tasks, making it an ideal choice for most users.
The Best Laptop: Apple MacBook Air 13 (2025, M4)
Score: 9
- Pros:
- Easily lasts a full day on battery
- Excellent choice for everyday needs
- Thin and lightweight design
- Cons:
- Starts with only 256GB of storage
- Limited port options
- Can throttle under heavy workloads
Where to Buy: $999 at Amazon, $999 at Best Buy, $999 at B&H Photo
The M4 MacBook Air is the best laptop for most users, including Mac enthusiasts and those who prefer a straightforward machine without bloatware. With a 13-inch model starting at $999 and a 15-inch version available for $1,199, it offers a compelling combination of performance and battery life.
Apple has a long-standing reputation for quality, and the M4 MacBook Air continues this tradition. It features a smooth trackpad, a comfortable keyboard, and a bright display. The M4 generation also introduces a 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam and the ability to connect two external monitors, enhancing its versatility.
However, for users requiring more power for tasks like video editing or gaming, the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 is a better option. Priced at $1,599, it offers additional features such as a third USB-C port and an SD card slot, making it suitable for creative professionals.
Best Chromebook: Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14
Score: 9
- Pros:
- Impressive tech specs
- Long software support
- Good performance for multitasking
- Cons:
- Limited USB-C speeds
- Some app compatibility issues
Where to Buy: $749 at Best Buy
The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 stands out as the best Chromebook we’ve tested in 2025. Its 14-inch FHD OLED touchscreen display offers excellent color and contrast, while the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 processor ensures smooth multitasking. With 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it can handle a variety of tasks without lag.
One of the significant advantages of this Chromebook is its long software support, with Google guaranteeing 10 years of automatic updates for devices released after 2021. This means that the Chromebook Plus 14 could remain a reliable machine for a decade, making it a smart investment.
Best Snapdragon X Laptop: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition
Score: 8
- Pros:
- All-day battery life
- Great performance for most applications
- 16GB of RAM in the base model
- Cons:
- Limited gaming support
- Some AI features feel gimmicky
Where to Buy: $1199.99 at Amazon, $1199.99 at Microsoft
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a strong contender among Snapdragon X laptops. It offers a balance of performance, exceptional battery life, and quality components, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer a Windows environment. The 13.8-inch touchscreen display is bright and responsive, enhancing the overall user experience.
However, users should be aware that while most everyday applications run smoothly, some content creation software may not perform as well due to compatibility issues with Windows on Arm. Additionally, if gaming is a priority, laptops with Intel or AMD chips may provide better performance.
Best 16-inch Windows Laptop: Asus Zenbook S 16
Score: 8
- Pros:
- Stunning design
- Thin and lightweight for a 16-inch laptop
- Great performance across various tasks
- Cons:
- Shorter battery life compared to competitors
- Some features, like StoryCube, are underwhelming
Where to Buy: $1799.99 at Asus, $1799.99 at Best Buy
The Asus Zenbook S 16 is a visually striking laptop that excels in performance. With a 16-inch OLED touch display and AMD Ryzen AI processors, it can handle everything from basic tasks to graphic design and light gaming. However, its battery life, at around 11 hours, is shorter than some of its competitors.
Best Laptop for High-End Gaming: Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 (2025, RTX 5080)
Score: 8
- Pros:
- Exceptional graphics performance
- Multiple ports for connectivity
- Easy access to upgrade RAM and SSDs
- Cons:
- Hefty and expensive
- Battery life is not impressive
Where to Buy: $3299.99 at Walmart, $3299.99 at Asus
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is designed for gamers who demand high performance. Equipped with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, it delivers impressive graphics capabilities for the latest games. While it may not have an OLED display like some competitors, its Mini LED panel still offers vibrant colors and sharp visuals.
Best MacBook for Photo and Video Editing: Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro / Max, 16-inch)
Score: 9
- Pros:
- Powerful performance for creative tasks
- High-resolution, color-accurate display
- Excellent battery life
- Cons:
- High starting price
- Configurations can become expensive
Where to Buy: $2499 at Amazon, $2499 at Best Buy
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro or M4 Max processors is the ultimate choice for professionals in creative fields. With configurations offering up to 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage, it can handle demanding tasks like 3D rendering and high-resolution video editing with ease.
In our benchmarks, the MacBook Pro consistently outperformed other laptops, making it a top choice for professionals who require a reliable and powerful machine. The battery life is also impressive, ensuring that you can work all day without needing to recharge.
Conclusion
In summary, selecting the right laptop involves understanding your specific needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for a portable device for everyday use, a powerful machine for creative work, or a high-performance gaming laptop, there are excellent options available across various price points. The laptops highlighted in this article represent some of the best choices currently on the market, catering to a wide range of users.
Source: Original report
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Last Modified: September 19, 2025 at 12:36 am
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