Best laptops of 2025
The 2025 laptop market is defined by a fierce competition across all segments, with Apple's M4-equipped MacBooks setting a high bar for efficiency and performance in the premium ultraportable category. The MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is consistently named the best overall laptop, offering a superb balance of power, battery life, and a refined design. This model, often available at a lower price point than its predecessor, makes macOS a highly compelling choice for most users seeking a portable and powerful daily driver.
For the majority of users, the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) remains the gold standard. Its fanless design, exceptional battery life (often exceeding 15 hours in real-world use), and the prowess of the M4 chip make it a benchmark for performance in a thin-and-light chassis. Close behind in the premium Windows space is the Dell XPS 13 with the Snapdragon X Elite processor, showcasing incredible battery endurance and speedy performance in an equally sleek, easy-to-carry design. This rivalry highlights the trend toward highly efficient, powerful ARM-based processors in ultraportable devices.
A defining feature of the 2025 market is the heavy integration of dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs). Intel's Core Ultra (Series 2) and AMD's Ryzen AI processors, alongside Apple's M-series chips, dedicate silicon to accelerating AI workloads directly on the device. This enables features like instant-on wake, highly sophisticated webcam noise reduction, background blur, and local language models for fast, private search and content generation without relying on the cloud, transforming the user experience.
High-end laptops are increasingly adopting OLED displays. These panels offer superior color accuracy, true blacks, and incredibly high contrast ratios, making them essential for creative professionals and a major advantage for media consumption and gaming. We see OLED extending beyond the most expensive models, appearing in mid-range ultrabooks like the Acer Swift Edge 16 and the ASUS Zenbook series, often paired with high-refresh rates (up to 120Hz or more) for a smooth visual experience.
Efficiency is paramount, thanks in part to the competition from Apple Silicon. Windows PC makers are now focusing heavily on maximizing battery life. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips, featured in devices like the Dell XPS 13 and Lenovo ThinkPad T14s (Gen 6), challenge the M-series with "extraordinary battery life" for a Windows device, pushing some ultraportables to last beyond a typical full workday on a single charge.
The market continues to see innovation in convertible designs. Top 2-in-1s like the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition offer dazzling OLED touchscreens and powerful performance in a versatile form. Furthermore, companies like Framework are gaining traction with their fully modular and highly upgradeable laptops, catering to a growing demand for sustainability and user repairability in premium hardware.
For users who prioritize budget without compromising too heavily on performance, the options are strong. The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is frequently highlighted as the best value laptop, offering a blend of stylish design, solid performance, and impressive battery life for a mid-range price. On the low-end, the Acer Aspire Go 15 is the new budget champion, offering a Windows 11 experience at a Chromebook-like price, making it an excellent choice for basic schoolwork and everyday tasks.
The Chromebook segment has significantly matured with the introduction of Chromebook Plus specifications, ensuring a better minimum standard for performance. The HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is a top pick, offering robust build quality and dependable performance. For students needing more power and versatility, the slightly older but still highly capable Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) remains a strong contender due to recent price cuts and its overall reliability and battery life.
No single laptop is perfect for everyone. The best choice depends on the workload. Creators and Gamers should prioritize high-end GPUs, at least 32GB of RAM, and a vibrant, high-resolution/high-refresh-rate screen. Business Users need a great keyboard, top-tier security (like TPM and facial recognition), and all-day battery life. Everyday Users can focus on the core CPU (M4, Intel Core Ultra, or AMD Ryzen AI), at least 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage for a smooth, future-proof experience.
The competition between Apple's M-series, Intel's Core Ultra, and AMD's Ryzen AI has created an exceptionally strong market in 2025. This dynamic environment means buyers have a wide range of powerful, efficient, and specialized laptops, ensuring that there is a top-tier option for every need, from the sleekest ultrabook to the most powerful mobile workstation.