A great laptop offers the flexibility to take high-quality computing wherever you go, appealing to users across the board. With an overwhelming array of choices, finding the perfect device can be daunting. Whether you're seeking a versatile all-arounder like my top pick, the MacBook Air, or a student-friendly blend of portability and performance with a touch of entertainment in the Microsoft Surface Pro 11, I've got you covered. As a professional laptop reviewer, I'm here to guide you through the noise and help you find the ideal laptop for your needs in 2025.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Laptops We've Tested:
Our Top Pick### Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
0See it at AmazonSee it at Apple
### Asus VivoBook S 15
0See it at Best BuySee it at Asus
### Razer Blade 16 (2025)
0See it at Razer
### Asus Zenbook S 16
0See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at Asus
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0See it at AmazonSee it at MicrosoftLaptops come in various forms, each designed to cater to different needs. The best ones integrate seamlessly into your daily routine without drawing attention to their presence. They provide excellent battery life and performance, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.
No matter your requirements, I've tested and evaluated laptops to ensure you get the best value and performance for your money.
MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos
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1. Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
The Best Laptop
Our Top Pick### Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
0This year's MacBook Air is better than ever, thanks to its powerful M4 chip. It's a stellar system for all types of productivity, including creative work. See it at AmazonSee it at AppleProduct SpecificationsDisplay13.6” (2560x1664) CPUApple M4 (10 cores)GPUApple M4 (8-10 cores)RAM16-32GBStorage256GB - 2TBWeight2.7 poundsDimensions11.97” x 8.46” x 0.44"PROSStellar battery lifeExceptionally thin and lightExcellent everyday performanceCONSLimited gaming abilityUpgrades get expensive quicklyApple's MacBook Air is renowned for its performance, portability, and battery life. The 2025 model features the latest M4 chip, enhancing its capabilities while maintaining its hallmark efficiency. This laptop excels at handling everything from daily tasks to creative projects, offering superior performance and longer battery life compared to similarly priced Windows laptops.
The MacBook Air continues to challenge the norms with its thin and light design. This year's model is even lighter at just 2.7lbs, making it incredibly easy to carry. The evolutional refinement seen in the Air series is evident in its fanless design, which relies on passive cooling and maintains a silent operation while offering a sleek aesthetic.
While it may not match the MacBook Pro in raw performance due to its lack of active cooling, the MacBook Air is designed as an everyday companion, perfect for most users. The M4 chip offers a 20% performance increase over its predecessor, ensuring it can handle most daily tasks with ease. The display, though similar to the previous model, provides high pixel density and vibrant colors, enhancing the overall user experience.
On the downside, connectivity is limited, with only two USB Type-C ports, a MagSafe connector, and a headphone jack. For users with multiple accessories, a docking solution may be necessary. Despite this, the MacBook Air's silent operation, responsiveness, and ease of use make it an excellent choice for most users, except for those focused on gaming.
2. Asus VivoBook S 15
Best Budget Laptop
### Asus VivoBook S 15
0This well-priced notebook offers great performance, an OLED display, and exceptional portability on a budget. See it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay15” (2880x1620) OLED 120HzCPUQualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1PGPUIntegrated (Qualcomm Adreno)RAM16GB LPDDR5X Storage512GB NVMe SSDWeight3.13 poundsDimensions13.88" x 8.93" x 0.58" - 0.63"PROSExcellent performance for productivity tasksGreat battery lifeKiller displayCONSApp compatibility could be an issue (but likely not)Asus's VivoBook S 15 is an impressive budget laptop, starting well below $1,000 while offering high-end features. It shares DNA with the more premium ZenBook S 16 but at a more accessible price. Its OLED screen is stunning, and its lightweight design makes it easy to carry throughout the day without sacrificing performance.
The VivoBook line balances value and affordability, and the S 15 is no exception. At just over 3lbs and less than an inch thick, it's easy to forget you're carrying it. It's equipped with 16GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM, a 512GB NVMe SSD, and the efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P processor, ensuring excellent power efficiency and performance.
The high-resolution OLED touchscreen display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a crisp 2880x1620 resolution, making it ideal for both productivity and entertainment. In my testing, the laptop delivered over 16 hours of battery life, allowing for intermittent charging throughout the week.
While the Snapdragon processor offers benefits, it uses a different architecture, which may lead to app compatibility issues. However, most major productivity and creative apps should work fine, so it's worth checking the Windows on ARM compatibility list before purchasing. If compatibility isn't a concern, the Asus VivoBook S 15 is a fantastic value for most users.
Razer Blade 16 (2025) – Photos
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3. Razer Blade 16 (2025)
Best Gaming Laptop
### Razer Blade 16 (2025)
0This year's Blade 16 is a masterclass in balancing form factor, performance, and user experience in a premium package. See it at RazerProduct SpecificationsDisplay16-inch (2,560x1,600) OLED CPU AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUUp to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090RAMUp to 64GBStorageUp to 4TBWeight4.7lbsDimensions13.98 x 8.68 x 0.59 - 0.69 inchesPROSFantastic performance in a surprisingly thin and light bodyStunning OLED displayImpressive battery life while gamingIt's a joy to useCONSVery expensiveFor sheer FPS, there are better options out thereThe Razer Blade 16 (2025) is the best laptop Razer has ever produced, combining top-tier performance with a remarkably thin and light design. It features the latest Nvidia graphics and a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU, though it may not lead in sheer FPS, it excels as a complete package.
Crafted with a CNC-milled aluminum chassis, the Blade 16 is both durable and surprisingly light at 4.7lbs. My review highlighted its balanced system, with the RTX 5090 enabling ultra settings gaming, yet its design makes it more enjoyable to use than most gaming laptops. Razer achieved this by limiting the graphics card's wattage, which might disappoint those seeking the highest possible FPS, but at its native resolution, the Blade 16 is still incredibly powerful.
The 16-inch OLED display with a 2560x1600 resolution is another highlight, offering exceptional responsiveness and motion clarity at up to 240Hz. Though it may not reach 4K, its performance at 1,600p is unmatched. Overall, the Razer Blade 16 stands out for its design and performance balance, making it the best gaming laptop of the year for those who can afford it.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos
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4. Asus ZenBook S 16
Best Laptop for Work
### Asus Zenbook S 16
0The Asus ZenBook S 16 is an excellent work laptop due to its spacious, clear display, highly portable design, and snappy performance. See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (2880x1800)CPUAMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUAMD Radeon 890MRAM32GB LPDDR5XStorage1TB PCIe SSDWeight3.31 poundsSize13.92" x 9.57" x 0.47" - 0.51"Battery lifeAround 15 hoursPROSStellar portabilityBeautiful OLED touchscreenStylishly elegant design Capable of light gamingCONSHigh surface temperaturesThe Asus ZenBook S 16 is my top pick for work laptops, offering a spacious 16-inch OLED touchscreen, an elegant design, solid battery life, and impressive performance. Its larger screen and 16:10 aspect ratio maximize workspace, perfect for productivity tasks.
During my review, I compared it to Apple's MacBook line, noting Asus's unique touches like the durable Ceraluminum lid. Inside, the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU handles demanding tasks with ease, offering around 15 hours of battery life. While not as powerful as Apple's chips, it's more than capable for most work-related tasks, including light gaming.
However, prolonged intensive tasks can cause the laptop to heat up, potentially requiring a laptop cooler. Despite this, the ZenBook S 16 is an excellent choice for professionals seeking a balance of performance and portability.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 – Photos
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5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Best Laptop for School
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0This versatile 2-in-1 is the perfect blend of performance, reliability, and entertainment value for demanding students. See it at AmazonSee it at MicrosoftProduct SpecificationsDisplay14” OLED (2880x1920) 120Hz, 10-point touchCPUSnapdragon X EliteGPUIntegratedRAM16-64GB (LPDDR5)Storage256GB - 1TBWeight1.97 poundsSize11.3" x 8.2" x 0.37"PROSVery portable for easy transport between classesResponsive performance: Microsoft's best to dateHigh quality OLED touchscreen, great for productivity as well as entertainmentWorks well for game streamingCONSApp compatibility is still developingKeyboard case and stylus accessories are quite expensiveThe Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the ideal laptop for students, offering versatility, performance, and entertainment in a compact, portable package. This year's model reinvents the 2-in-1 tablet PC, delivering high performance without sacrificing battery life or screen quality.
Powered by either a Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite processor, the Surface Pro 11 offers responsive performance. The OLED touchscreen display, available with the X Elite model, provides a crisp 2880x1920 resolution, enhancing the viewing experience for both productivity and entertainment.
While the Surface Pro comes with the tablet only, the optional keyboard folio case and Surface Pen are additional costs. However, third-party options are available for those looking to save. App compatibility remains a consideration, but most academic and creative apps should work well. For gaming, the Surface Pro supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, offering a viable alternative to local gaming.
Overall, the Surface Pro 11 is an excellent choice for students seeking a versatile and reliable device that can handle a full day of learning and entertainment.
How to Choose the Best Laptop in 2025
Choosing the best laptop in 2025 involves understanding key specifications that align with your needs. Here's what to consider:
Display: Your laptop's display is crucial. Most laptops feature IPS displays, while OLED or mini-LED options offer superior visuals at a higher cost. For productivity, Full HD (1080p) resolution is often sufficient, but for gaming or entertainment, an OLED display with a higher refresh rate (up to 120Hz or more) can enhance your experience.
Platform/OS: The operating system is your daily interface. Choose between Windows, available on most laptops, or Mac, exclusive to Apple devices.
Processor: The processor, or CPU, is your laptop's brain. Opt for at least a six-core processor, with eight or more recommended for future-proofing. Intel, AMD, and Snapdragon are the main contenders.
Memory: RAM is essential for multitasking. A minimum of 16GB is recommended for school and productivity, while 32GB is better for gaming or intensive tasks like video editing.
Storage: Storage capacity affects how many files you can store locally. Start with at least 512GB for productivity, and 1TB for gaming or large file storage.
Graphics: Graphics cards, or GPUs, come in integrated and dedicated forms. Integrated GPUs suffice for productivity, but dedicated GPUs are necessary for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks.
Portability: Consider the laptop's weight and size. Thin and light laptops (3.5lbs or less) are ideal for productivity, while gaming laptops are typically heavier due to their performance components.
Laptop FAQ
Which laptop is best for work, school, or gaming?
For work and school, focus on laptops with at least an 8-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Additional RAM and storage can be added as your budget allows. For gaming, consider laptops with dedicated GPUs to enhance graphics settings and performance.
Why do laptops get slow?
Laptops can slow down due to outdated hardware, dust buildup causing heat issues, or simply because their compact design may not be as durable as desktops over time.
Should I get a laptop or a desktop?
Choose a laptop if you need portability, especially for gaming on the go. A desktop is better if you're staying put, offering better performance at a lower cost for similar specs. Consider your need for portability versus stationary use when making your decision.
