13 best laptops (2024): MacBook, Windows, Chromebook, Copilot+ PC
Other good laptops to consider
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura version (Copilot + PC) for $1,300: The first Intel-based Copilot+ computer (7/10, WIRED Review) we tested is a winner on all fronts, boasting outstanding graphics and AI performance as well as the best battery life we’ve seen on Intel hardware. With a slightly quirky 15.3-inch display, it hits the mark without breaking the bank, although the fans are loud and the system may weigh you down more than you’d like.
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 for $399: This is the 15-inch Chromebook Plus model (8/10, WIRED recommended) with the same internal components as the Lenovo we recommend above. The battery life of this device is 8.5 hours of full-screen video playback. Acer offers an HDMI 1.4 output jack in place of the Lenovo’s microSD card slot, making this a better choice if you frequently need to give presentations or use the HDMI port. There are also smaller ones Chromebook Plus 514 ($380) that’s equally awesome.
Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra for $3,000: There’s a lot to love here (7/10, WIRED Review), but that price. Ouch. At least you get what you pay for, with the new Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, the current top processor in Intel’s Core Ultra CPU line, along with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card. The 16-inch AMOLED 2,880 x 1,800-pixel touch was great to work with, and the performance blew away everything else we tested. But that price.
Acer Swift Go 14 for $834: This is very similar to the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, our top budget laptop. We found the Asus to be a bit faster and have a much nicer build quality, but the Swift Go still offers outstanding performance, especially considering the price (7/10, WIRED Review). It also boasts an impressive 15-hour battery life. The downside is that the speakers aren’t great and the overall body feels a bit plasticky. But this is the cheapest Intel Core Ultra laptop we’ve tested by a few dollars, so if you’re on a tight budget, the Swift Go is worth considering.
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Copilot+ PC for $1,200: Slender Lenovo Slim 7x (7/10, WIRED Review) isn’t exciting, but it offers the best price-to-performance ratio of many Copilot+ PCs we tested. Battery life and performance are highlights, although the fans tend to run loud.
Microsoft Surface Laptop (7th Edition, 2024) for $1,600: Want a Windows laptop from the get-go? Buy Surface Laptop 7th edition (7/10, WIRED Review). Performance is solid as is battery life, and you get a smooth 120 Hz display. It’s too expensive for what you get. Read ours The best Surface laptop user guide for more.