Best SSD (Solid-State Drive) Laptops – 7 Top Picks In 2021

TOP PICK
ASUS VivoBook S Ultra Thin and Portable Laptop, Intel Core i7-8550U Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB SSD+1TB HDD, 15.6” FHD WideView Display, ASUS NanoEdge Bezel, S510UA-DS71
RUNNER UP
2018 HP Pavilion 15.6 Inch Notebook Laptop Computer (Intel Core i7-8550U 1.8GHz, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, B&O Play Dual Speakers, NVIDIA GeForce 940MX 4GB, HD Webcam, Windows 10)
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5"(Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB), silver
ASUS UX550GE-XB71T Zenbook Pro 15.6" UHD 4K Touch Laptop, Intel Core i7-8750HK, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Win10 Pro, GTX1050Ti
Apple MacBook Pro (13-Inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage) - Silver (Previous Model)
BLW's Score
91
88
84
82
82
MSRP
$1,199.77
$999.99
$585.00
$2,399.00
Price not available
Processor
Intel Core i7-8550U 1.8 GHz
Intel Core i7-78550U 1.8 GHz
Intel Core i5 3.5 GHz
Intel Core i7-8750HK (up to 4.1 GHz)
Intel Core i5
RAM
8GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
8GB LPDDR3
16GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
512GB SSD
256GB SSD
512GB SSD
128GB SSD
Display
15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080)
15.6" FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
13.5'' QHD+ (3000 x 2000)
15.6'' FHD (1920 x 1080)
13'' Retina (2560x1600)
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
Intel HD Graphics 620
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645
OS
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Pro
Windows 10 Pro
MacOS
Weight
3.7 pounds
4.67 pounds
3.38 pounds
4 pounds
3.02 pounds
Battery Life
8 hours
7.75 hours
17 hours
4 hours
10 hours
TOP PICK
ASUS VivoBook S Ultra Thin and Portable Laptop, Intel Core i7-8550U Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB SSD+1TB HDD, 15.6” FHD WideView Display, ASUS NanoEdge Bezel, S510UA-DS71
BLW's Score
91
MSRP
$1,199.77
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-8550U 1.8 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
Display
15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Home
Weight
3.7 pounds
Battery Life
8 hours
RUNNER UP
2018 HP Pavilion 15.6 Inch Notebook Laptop Computer (Intel Core i7-8550U 1.8GHz, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, B&O Play Dual Speakers, NVIDIA GeForce 940MX 4GB, HD Webcam, Windows 10)
BLW's Score
88
MSRP
$999.99
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-78550U 1.8 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
15.6" FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
OS
Windows 10 Home
Weight
4.67 pounds
Battery Life
7.75 hours
Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5"(Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256 GB), silver
BLW's Score
84
MSRP
$585.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5 3.5 GHz
RAM
8GB LPDDR3
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.5'' QHD+ (3000 x 2000)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Pro
Weight
3.38 pounds
Battery Life
17 hours
ASUS UX550GE-XB71T Zenbook Pro 15.6" UHD 4K Touch Laptop, Intel Core i7-8750HK, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Win10 Pro, GTX1050Ti
BLW's Score
82
MSRP
$2,399.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-8750HK (up to 4.1 GHz)
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
15.6'' FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
OS
Windows 10 Pro
Weight
4 pounds
Battery Life
4 hours
Apple MacBook Pro (13-Inch, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage) - Silver (Previous Model)
BLW's Score
82
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD
Display
13'' Retina (2560x1600)
Graphics
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645
OS
MacOS
Weight
3.02 pounds
Battery Life
10 hours

These days there are hundreds of best SSD laptops available on the market in many price ranges.

A couple of years ago, SSDs were only found in high-end and slim ultrabooks, but many well-known brands are utilizing it in their budget to medium-end notebooks.

More recently, in many schools and colleges, laptops with SSD are appreciated because of the reliability. It's not nearly as easy to destroy the disk drive from a drop or rough handling as it was with mechanical hard drives. It also improves the launching speed of any software and will boot your computer quickly.

These types of notebooks apparently make sense given their reading and writing speed is almost five times faster and mechanical hard drives. The good news is that every year the price on these fast data storage drives is dropping.

Gamers often prefer laptops with an SSD and if you are one of them then feel free to check our guide of budget gaming laptops under $500.

Have a look at our guide of best laptops with SSD.

Why Choose SSD Over HDD?

SSD In laptops

When it comes to a storage device, SSD is a lot better than HDD and can boost your computing tasks including the boot time and loading of any application and game.

Classic hard drives do a lot of spinning which causes heat issues and requires a fan in a laptop. SSD is a solid state drive which doesn’t have to spin to save your data and makes it blazingly fast and cold.

Also, SSD is a lot more reliable and durable compared to HDD and has a lot less chance of failure. Unlike HDD, it can easily last for around 6 to 7 years and is a lot lighter which will make your laptop thin and lightweight.

What are the benefits of SSDs?

As already discussed, SSD will make your laptop a lot faster and take it to a whole new level.

It’s helpful for professionals, gamers, businessmen, graphics designers and video editors. Other than making your PC faster, it will also prevent noises that traditional hard drives used to create.

In case you’re an online gamer then SSD is necessary for you as it shows your computer’s speed to other players. It’s usually equipped with most of the high-end gaming laptops as well as ultrabooks, but there are many budget laptops as well that include this kind of storage. Most of the budget laptops that come with an SSD will cost you around $400 to $500.

Our Top Picks For Best Laptops With Solid-State Drive (SSD)

1. ASUS VIVOBOOK S

ASUS VivoBook S S510UA-DS71

Specs:

  • Intel Core i7-8550U processor
  • 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
  • 8GB DDR4 RAM

The ASUS VivoBook S is a great value device and is among the best SSD laptops. With its Intel Core i7 processor, 128 GB SSD, 1 TB HDD and 8 GB RAM, it’s a perfect combination of power and performance.

Its appearance is pretty stylish in gold color and simply can’t be compared to other laptops of this price range. Its full HD display is ideal for gamers and multimedia users. For just around $800, you’re getting a notebook that is very portable as well as powerful.

However, it’s hard to tell which one is the best SSD laptop as everyone’s needs are different. It will also be able to handle light games that are usually played to pass the time.

With that in mind, one can also play games like The Sims 4, World of Warcraft and Minecraft. Overall, it manages to get all your work done and is one of the best SSD laptops in our list.

2. HP Pavilion 15

HP Pavillion 15

Specs:

  • Intel Core i7-8550U processor
  • 512GB SSD
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM

The HP 15 is a great PC sporting a 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor,  16 GB of Memory and 512 GB of SSD. When it comes to performance, it’s a high-end laptop that can also be used for playing the latest games.

Its display is 15-inch wide and can be viewed from different angles. It features a full-size keyboard and touchpad which are both accurate and responsive. It also boasts NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics that’s good for playing games as well as programs like Adobe Photoshop.

Its full HD backlit display is incredibly sharp and bright. One can use this laptop just about anywhere as it delivers the battery life of up to 7 hours. If you have a decent budget and want a reliable laptop with an SSD then this is what you need.

3. MICROSOFT SURFACE BOOK 2

microsoft surface book 2

Specs:

  • Intel Core i5
  • 256GB SSD
  • 8GB DDR4 RAM

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is a super high-end laptop from Microsoft and performs like a working beast. It’s famous for its classy and futuristic design. It’s mostly preferred by artists and painters that love to draw on their tablet.

The only difference between Microsoft Surface Book 2 and ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW is of specifications and design, the Surface Book might not be all powerful but can attract a lot of customers compared to ZenBook Pro. 

However, only people with a lot of money can afford this as it packs decent specifications for a very high price. It’s a versatile device that can be used in three different modes like laptop, tablet, and book. So if you want a well-designed device more than power and want a highly attractive SSD laptop, then you should unquestionably go with it. 

Overall, it’s also available in 5 different variants including the Intel Core i7 processor model and in 15-inch as well but that will cost you over $2000.

4. ASUS ZENBOOK Pro

Specs:

  • Intel Core i7-8750H processor
  • 512GB SSD
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM

For around $1500, you’re getting a top-notch gaming laptop that features NanoEdge full HD display, Thunderbolt ports and NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti GPU. 

Other than gaming, one can use it for business work as well as college studies. There’s a 512 GB of SSD and Intel Core i7 processor inside it making it one of the best SSD laptops we've seen.

When it comes to specifications, it’s very similar to high-end gaming notebooks such as Alienware and MSI. It features a conventional ZenBook design with a full aluminum body and also includes a passive cooling system. In my opinion, this is as good as its competitors, and it’s not a smart move to spend a lot of money just for design and brand.

This laptop is great for tasks like photo editing and animation design, but would also do well for mid-level gaming.

5. APPLE MACBOOK PRO 13

MacBook Pro 13

Specs:

  • Dual-core Intel Core i5
  • 128GB SSD
  • 8GB DDR4 RAM

Apple needs no introduction when it comes to futuristic gadgets, and the MacBook Pro is no exception.

They are mostly known for their iPhones and iPods that changed the world of technology. It packs Intel Iris Plus 645 graphics which is more than good for playing games on medium settings and run applications like Sony Vegas and Adobe Photoshop.

Its appearance is very stunning, and with full aluminum body with the Apple logo (not backlit) on the back. We think it's one of the best looking laptops is our list. It sports a 13.3-inch display with Retina technology featuring over 5 million pixels, and everything seems very real and sharp on it.

It includes an ultrafast 128 GB SSD and two ThunderBolt 3 (USB-C) ports. Overall, the MacBook Pro is powerful enough to handle your day to day tasks and is among the best SSD laptops.

6.  Dell XPS 13" InfinityEdge Touch Screen Laptop

Specs:

  • 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1021U Processor
  • 8GB RAM
  • 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD

This is one of the best SSD laptops featured on this list. It is designed with style in mind and has a very sleek screen and thin keypad that is easy to take from place to place. 


The 10 Gen processor is extremely good at multitasking. This laptop is an excellent choice for working from home if you need to do some light web browsing or some light to medium gaming. 

We should mention that this laptop hasn’t got perfect battery life. You certainly won’t be able to get much done if you take it out without the charger, which is a big let down. 

Specs:

  • Newest Intel 10th Gen i7-10510U
  • NVIDIA GeForce MX330 (2GB)
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM (2x8GB)
  • 1TB PCI NVMe M.2

This lightweight laptop weighs in at less than 5 pounds. It has a very luxurious and expensive feel to it, and it definitely feels like a pleasure to work and brows the web on. 


We must say that this laptop has one of the best displays of any laptop that we have reviewed. Still, because of this and many other battery-draining features, the battery doesn’t last long at all, making this high-ticket laptop a terrible choice if you are going to be away form a power source for a long period of time. 


You can buy more RAM and storage if you feel you need to. Having such a versatile laptop that can be adapted to your needs is a real bonus for anyone looking for a great SSD laptop that is good for work and play.

Alternative to SSD Storage

Some laptop models with SSD can have their SSD memory upgraded. Older models will have the option to upgrade their memory with SATA-based hard drive replacements or HHDs, while other, newer laptops can upgrade their storage with M.2 SSDs.

Benefits of upgrading

  1. Speed

We can assume that everyone wants a faster laptop, right?  Upgrading your memory storage to SSD will make your laptop perform up to three times faster than it would have with a HDD. 

  1. Battery Life 

SSDs use up far less battery than HDDs, which is a deal-breaker for most laptop users. 

  1. Small Footprint 

SSDs are very small and will fit into pretty much any device. Newer laptops are thin, lightweight, and compact, so HDDs are less appropriate for these laptops than SSDs. 

  1. Back-Up Data 

SSDs can back up data if the computer fails or the voltage drops. This is a brilliant feature and means that anything you work on will be saved no matter what happens to your laptop. 

Best Storage Upgradable Laptops 

We have chosen five of our favorite storage upgradable laptops for you to look at great alternatives to the laptops in the reviews above. Take a look and see what you think of their top features.

Specs:

  • 8GB RAM
  • 256GB SSD
  • 1TB HDD
  • Latest 9th Generation Intel Core i5 Processors
  • Intel Quad-Core i5-9300H(Beats i7-7700HQ)
  • 2.4 GHz base frequency up to 4.1 GHz
  • Intel Turbo Boost Technology
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB Graphics

Specs:

  • Quad-core AMD Ryzen 7 3750H Processor
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB GDDR6
  • 16GB DDR4
  • 512GB PCIe SSD
  • Five hours of battery life
  • Windows 10 Home operating system

Specs:

  • 10th Gen Intel Quad Core i7-10510U 1.80GHz
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
  • 4GB graphics memory
  • Intel HD Graphics 530
  • 8GB RAM
  • 1TB SSHD

Specs:

  • 15" HD Touch Screen Laptop
  • Intel 10th Gen i5-1035G1 Processor
  • 12GB RAM, 256GB SSD
  • 1-Month BDQPOWER Support
  • 256 Solid State Drive

Specs:

  •  Latest Intel Celeron Processor N Series
  • Intel Dual-Core N4000
  • 1.1 GHz base frequency
  • up to 2.6 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology
  • 4 MB Intel Smart Cache
  • Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600

Conclusion

So if you’re looking for a laptop with latest features and technology, then the first thing you should look for is an SSD.

Here we have listed 5 of the best SSD laptops, and you can buy any of them without any concerns about disk drive speeds.

An SSD can help in a lot of ways including the boot time and overall performance. These kinds of notebooks are also recommended to professional gamers as they certainly appreciate the fast game load times.

Hopefully, our guide helped you choose the right laptop for you and if you have any doubts or questions feel free to contact us.

About the Author Marcus

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.

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