Whether you’re a businessperson, an artist, or a student, a laptop is a must-have device. The best laptop for you will depend on your budget, the features you need, and your favorite operating system.
The following laptops are top-rated in 2021. This list includes Windows business laptops, MacBooks, gaming laptops, laptops for school or college, 2-in-1 laptops, and Chromebooks.
If you prefer to get the best all-around laptop, the Dell XPS 13 is the laptop for you. It offers all of the latest features and software, promising durability, and excellent performance.
Price | $$$$ |
Screen Size | 13.4 in |
Screen Type | Ultra-Sharp QHD + Infinity Display (with touch screen) |
Weight | 2.8lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 Pro |
CPU | Intel Core i7 -1185G7 11th Gen, 3 GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | 0.92 MP |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | 1 Lithium-Ion Battery (included) |
Hard Disk | 512GB SSD |
The Dell XPS 13 is our top pick for the all-around best laptop. With a slim, stylish build, the Dell XPS 13 is light and portable and boasts an impressive selection of features. Ideal for busy professionals, the built-in Alexa allows you to quickly and easily make appointments, set reminders, create to-do lists, and more.
The new thermal engineering keeps your laptop at optimum temperature at all times. The laptop also comes with a 17% larger touchpad and 9% larger keycaps compared to earlier models. This means that typing and navigating on your laptop is more comfortable and easier than ever before.
For flexibility on a budget, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex is the perfect buy. Not everyone can afford to spend a lot of money on a device, but nobody wants to sacrifice quality. Simple and versatile, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex is a good choice for senior or first-time users.
Price | $$ |
Screen Size | 14 in |
Screen Type | Anti-Glare LED |
Weight | 3.63lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 Home |
CPU | Intel Core i5-1035G1, 1 GHz Core |
Camera/Webcam Specs | Privacy shutter on webcam, plus a fingerprint reader for additional security |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | 1 Lithium Polymer |
Hard Disk | Flash Memory Solid State |
If you’re looking for a slim and stylish laptop, the Lenovo IdeaPad will suit you. It works quickly and well, with good speakers and Bluetooth features. Light and portable, it’s great for busy professionals on the go. It can be used for photo and picture editing, although this laptop isn’t our top pick for creative workers.
The Lenovo IdeaPad can handle gaming, but it’s not an ideal laptop for professional gamers.
Combining practicality with style, the Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 is a top pick for anyone who’s always on the go. It’s also a great choice for students, or anyone who would prefer just one device instead of using both a laptop and a tablet.
Price | $$$$ |
Screen Size | 14 in |
Screen Type | Anti-reflective, anti-glare |
Weight | 4.8lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 Pro |
CPU | Intel Core i7-8665U, 1.9 GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | 780p HD (user-facing) |
Bluetooth | No |
Battery Type | 1 Lithium Polymer |
Hard Disk | Flash Memory Solid State 512GB |
For users who need flexibility, the Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 is an ideal choice. However, it isn’t quite as light as its design would suggest.
Its ExpressSign-in feature is designed to help you get in and out of your laptop without having to type in a password. When you move away from your device, the laptop automatically locks. However, it registers when you return, and unlocks your laptop, ready for use.
If you often work on the go, this is the best device for you. Its 2-in-1 style allows for easier notetaking and great editing features.
The Acer Swift 3 is light, portable, and flexible. This makes it an ideal choice for students, or any professional whose work involves photo and video editing.
Price | $$ |
Screen Size | 14 in |
Screen Type | LCD ComfyView Matte |
Weight | 2.65lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 4500U, 2.3 GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | 1080p HD |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium-Ion |
Hard Disk | 512GB SSD |
The Acer Swift 3 is a well-designed, stylish laptop. It offers high performance and all the newest features, such as fingerprint reading, high-powered graphics, and long battery life.
If you’re looking for a laptop to last all day without needing to be charged, the Acer Swift 3 should suit you well. It easily lends itself to any number of college or work-related tasks, such as photo and video editing. It can also work as a great laptop for your downtime, with gaming, streaming content, and more.
If speed and efficiency are your primary concerns, consider an Apple MacBook. While these laptops can be more expensive than others, MacBooks can often be a worthwhile investment in the future. Durable, fast, and innovative, the Apple MacBook Air M1 isn’t the latest model, but still manages to make the list of best laptops in 2021.
Price | $$ |
Screen Size | 13.3 in |
Screen Type | Retina Display, LED Backlit Widescreen Display |
Weight | 2.8lbs |
Resolution | 2650 x 1600 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Mac OS |
CPU | Apple M1 Chip, 8-core CPU, 1.1GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | FaceTime HD Camera |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium Polymer |
Hard Disk | 512GB SSD |
The M1 chip found in MacBooks is known to be faster and more durable than its Intel counterpart. Apple products are fast, innovative, and have plenty of storage.
However, there are downsides. Expanding or modifying an Apple device is virtually impossible. Because the 2020 Air M1 isn’t the most recent version, Apple updates may eventually stop supporting the older MacBooks. This could leave you with a perfectly good laptop that’s rapidly going out of date.
Especially if you’re using a laptop for work or school, you need a device that’s affordable but isn’t cheap quality. The Asus Vivobook offers quality on a balanced budget.
Price | $$ |
Screen Size | 14 in |
Screen Type | Anti-Glare IPS LCD Display |
Weight | 3.75lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 90 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 2.1 GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | HD Webcam with Microphone |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium Polymer |
Hard Disk | 512GB SSD |
The Asus Vivobook 2021 has a beautiful lightweight, ergonomic design. It’s ideal for an upcoming professional on the go, due to its ability to juggle applications and browser tabs. It’s also a good choice for somebody working from home, as well as students.
The handy fingerprint reader makes signing in and out of your laptop much easier, and the keyboard is backlit for better visibility and practicality.
Buying a good gaming laptop can be tricky, as regular laptops often don’t have the speed and graphics capabilities to run popular games. Gaming laptops can be expensive, but the Acer Nitro 5 17.3 offers the gaming experience you need without clearing out your wallet.
Price | $$$$ |
Screen Size | 17.3 in |
Screen Type | Full HD IPS LED Backlit Display |
Weight | 4.85lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 |
CPU | Core i5 Intel, 2.5 GHz |
GPU | GTX 1650Ti |
Camera/Webcam Specs | HD |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium-Ion |
Hard Disk | 2 TB Hybrid |
The Acer Nitro 5 is ideal for gaming. Designed to handle modern PC games, it’s also perfect for streaming content and other entertainment.
There are customizable options when you buy this laptop. For example, you might prefer the bigger 64GB laptop instead of the 32GB.
While most laptops come with some form of media editing, not every laptop is equipped for serious editing. The HP Spectre X360 is specially designed to suit creative workers and professional artists.
Price | $$$$ |
Screen Size | 13.3 in |
Screen Type | 4K UWVA BrightView micro-edge AMOLED Multitouch |
Weight | 2.93lbs |
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 |
CPU | Intel i7-1065G7, 1.3 GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | HP Truevision HD IR Camera |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium-Ion |
Hard Disk | 1TB SSD |
One of the key selling points of the HP Specter 360 is its flexible build and 360-degree hinge. For creative workers, such as artists, architects, and professional photographers, this is a great device to slip in your work bag and take with you.
It’s clearly aimed towards professionals, with media editing in mind. Discounts may be available, allowing you to buy this impressive laptop even when you’re working on a budget.
Touch screen laptops can streamline workflow, making them ideal for many professionals. This allows you to combine a laptop’s power and durability with the convenience of a tablet. The Dell XPS 13 successfully combines a touch screen with the flexibility of a 2-in-1.
Price | $$$ |
Screen Size | 13.4 in |
Screen Type | FHD+WLED Touch Display |
Weight | 3.7lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 Home |
CPU | Intel Core i7-1065G7, 3.9GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | HD |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium-Ion |
Hard Disk | 256 GB SSD |
The Dell XPS 13 allows you to work how you want, and where you want. A touchscreen can offer top-quality detailing and work performance for artists and creative workers, although it’s recommended to use a stylus.
While this laptop doesn’t offer the best in innovation and power, it’s more flexible than most laptops on the market. Lightweight and portable, this is the perfect laptop for an artist on the go.
While mid-range laptops work fine for streaming and entertainment, business laptops are the highest range available, offering power and reliability. While the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8 is certainly at the top end of the price range, it offers enough to make the price tag worthwhile.
Price | $$$$$ |
Screen Size | 14 in |
Screen Type | IPS 400nits Anti-Glare |
Weight | 4.05lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 Pro 64 |
CPU | Intel CORE I7-10610U, 10th Gen |
Camera/Webcam Specs | HD |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium |
Hard Disk | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 8) is a top-rated model, offering powerful performance. Depending on where you buy this laptop, it also comes with an impressive three-year warranty.
Battery life is another factor to consider here, as the Lenovo ThinkPad offers approximately sixteen hours of charger-free time.
Lightweight but with a substantial screen size, the Asus VivoBook Pro 17 is ideal for artists or creative workers of any kind. While it’s not best for traveling or workers on the go, this is a powerful laptop that can be useful for anyone working from home.
Price | $$ |
Screen Size | 17.3 in |
Screen Type | IPS LCD with anti-glare |
Weight | 5.07lbs |
Resolution | 1600 x 900 pixels, 90 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7-3700U, 2.3 GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | HD |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium |
Hard Disk | 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
For busy professionals on the go, the VivoBook isn’t the best choice. It’s large and heavy, although not as heavy as other laptops of its size.
The VivoBook is ideal for creative workers such as artists, architects, and other professionals who can work from home. It can also work for day-to-day usage, streaming entertainment, and editing media.
The best pick for creative workers is the HP Envy X 360. It’s a new model, boasting the latest technologies. It’s also a 2-in-1 laptop, allowing for versatility. Light, portable, and with a stylus pen included, this is a device you should consider if you use your laptop or tablet for creativity or art.
Price | $$$ |
Screen Size | 15.6 in |
Screen Type | Full HD IPS anti-glare Micro-Edge WLED Backlit Touchscreen |
Weight | 4.41lbs |
Resolution | 920 x 1080 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 |
CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U, 2GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | HD |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium-Ion |
Hard Disk | 256GB SSD |
The HP Envy x360 is a mid-range alternative to the HP Specter, mentioned earlier in this review as the best laptop for photo and video editing. If you’re working to a budget, but still a laptop capable of photo and video editing, the HP Envy will work better for you.
Thin, light, and easily portable, the HP Envy is ideal for working into your schedule. It also boasts the famous 360-degree hinge, allowing for maximum flexibility.
The Asus Chromebook Flip makes an excellent budget buy, without sacrificing any practicality. This is a great device to use while traveling, and it’s even suitable for older children.
Price | $ |
Screen Size | 14 in |
Screen Type | Touchscreen FHD, 4-way NanoEdge display |
Weight | 2.9lbs |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Chrome OS |
CPU | Intel Core m3-8100Y, 3.4GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | HD |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium |
Hard Disk | 64GB SSD |
Like many other hinge laptops, the Asus Chromebook is excellent for creative work. While this means it can appeal to artists, architects, or even upcoming amateurs, the Chromebook Flip can also be handy for students and children at school.
The impressive 360-degree hinge means that this laptop is durable – but not indestructible. If you’re going to let your children use an Asus Chromebook for schoolwork, make sure they’re old enough not to damage the device.
Most schoolwork now requires children to use a laptop or some other mobile device. The Goldengulf Windows 10 Mini is designed for simple home use and is ideal for children.
Price | $ |
Screen Size | 10.1 in |
Screen Type | HD |
Weight | 2.43lbs |
Resolution | 1200 x 800 pixels, 60 Hz |
OS | Windows 10 |
CPU | Intel Z8350, 1.96GHz |
Camera/Webcam Specs | Front camera built-in, 1.3m pixels |
Bluetooth | Yes |
Battery Type | Lithium-Ion |
Hard Disk | 32GB SSD |
The Goldengulf Windows 10 Mini provides the perfect starter laptop for a school-age child. The laptop allows media streaming, casual gaming, and internet use. While it’s not a competitor to larger, more powerful laptops, this device is good for children, or even as a simple laptop to use at home.
It’s a small model, but this means that your child will feel more comfortable using the input devices.
Since a new laptop is a considerable expense, it’s important that you know exactly what you need before you begin shopping. Always look at the specs before buying a new laptop. For example, 8 or 16GB of storage often comes as standard. If you’re using your laptop for basic, at-home use, 8GB will be fine. However, if you’re a working professional, 16, 32, or even 64GB would be a better choice.
You shouldn’t choose anything below a 1080p screen resolution. For a gaming laptop, you’ll want an even higher screen resolution.
If you’re not sure what to choose, 16GB storage, 1080p screen resolution, and anything 256 SSD or over should be fine.
Always set your budget before you begin shopping. Laptops vary wildly in price, and cheaper laptops sometimes turn out to be a bad investment.
Do some research, then decide how much you can afford. Setting a range rather than a specific price is best.
For gaming, business, or media editing, a larger screen size is best. This allows you to see the big picture of your work, instead of having your projects crammed into a smaller screen.
However, make sure that the screen resolution matches the size. Low resolution with a larger screen will turn out bad picture quality.
A “clamshell” refers to a traditional open-and-shut laptop, whereas the 2-in-1 acts like a laptop and tablet built into one. If your work or hobbies require you to use a tablet as well as a laptop, 2-in-1 is the best choice.
Since 2-in-1 laptops are often lighter and more durable, they’re the better choice if you’re often traveling. However, 2-in-1 devices often sacrifice high performance for their famous flexibility. So, if you’re working from home or mostly from one place, or need a powerful device, clamshell laptops are your best choice.
If you work near a plug point for most of your day, battery life won’t be a huge concern for you. But if you don’t often have charging options during your work or study, you’ll need a laptop with long battery life.
Be aware that while a laptop may advertise up to 8 hours of battery life, it’s unlikely you’ll get the whole 8 hours, especially if you’re using your laptop constantly. When your laptop ages, battery life suffers. That promised 8-hour battery life may end up being no more than 5 or 6 hours, and it won’t last you all day.
If you’re not sure how much storage to choose from, the standard 8GB is usually fine. However, 16GB tends to be the safer option. Most laptops have several options for you to choose from, each with different features and storage. While more storage will make the laptop more expensive, it reduces the chances of clutter and your laptop slowing down.
If you’re not sure what kind of RAM to choose, make sure the specs in your laptop use the fourth-gen DDR4. Most modern devices use this. The higher the GB attached to your RAM, the better.
When choosing a CPU, AMD has become more popular in recent years. However, Intel is still a well-known CPU name. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is suitable for most average laptop users.
If you’re looking for a gaming or media editing laptop, you’ll need a high-quality graphics card. Otherwise, a standard graphics card will do just fine.
Replacing or upgrading the existing graphics card in your laptop can be very expensive, so it’s wise to take some time and check out the graphics card before you buy.
Shopping for a laptop is straightforward if you know what you’re doing. Don’t assume that a high price or a new feature makes one laptop the best choice for you. Here’s what you need to consider before buying a laptop:
Graphics designers, gamers, professional artists, and other professionals should consider wider screens, better quality graphics cards, and higher screen resolution. They’ll also need more powerful devices.
Set a budget before you begin shopping. The higher quality laptop you need (for example, high specs for a gaming laptop) the more you’ll need to spend. If you set a very low budget, you will need to compromise on some of the features you want.
If you’re going to travel with your laptop, it’s best to choose a smaller, lighter device. It should also have longer battery life. 2-in-1 devices offer the portable versatility you need.
New laptops are generally more expensive, while old laptops can work just as well. However, older laptops may be incompatible with modern technology, or can quickly go out of date.
Regardless of your needs, there’s a laptop out there for you. Follow the guidance in this best laptops list to make a smart investment that you can appreciate for years to come.
Marcus has a graduate degree in computer engineering and has many years of experience in cutting-edge technology research and development in both startups and Fortune 500 corporations. In his free time, he enjoys RTS gaming.