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Whether it’s in anticipation of the holiday season or you just need a new machine for work, a new laptop computer may be near the top of your shopping list right now. Given we’re still dealing with the global chip supply shortage, you might find yourself concerned about rising prices or what might be in stock. Good news is that companies continue to make new laptops. There are many models to choose from, including the budget HP Pavilion Aero 13 and the convertible Microsoft Surface Pro 9, as well as our overall favorite, the Apple MacBook Air M2. It’s easier than ever to find the right laptop for you.
Engadget’s Picks
What to Expect
You should have an idea about your budget. However, the average laptop with top-ofthe-line specs will cost around $1,800 to $2,000 today. That doesn’t mean you won’t find a good system for under $1,000 — a grand is the base price for a lot of premium ultraportables in the 13-inch category, with chips like Intel’s Core i3 or i5 series. And if that’s too expensive, you’ll still have respectable options in the $600 to $800 range, but they might come with older, slower processors and dimmer screens. I’ve included our favorite budget-friendly model in this best laptop roundup but we have a list of more-affordable laptops that you can check out as well.
After working out how much money you want to spend, the laptop’s operating system is usually the first thing you have to narrow down. People who prefer MacBooks have it slightly easier. Now that Apple has brought its M-series chips to its whole lineup — your only real considerations are budget, screen size and how much power you need.
Over on Team Windows, however, the shift to ARM-based chips hasn’t been as smooth. Though Apple has been able to bring huge increases in battery life while maintaining (and in some cases improving) performance with its own silicon, PC makers have been limited by Windows’ shortcomings. Microsoft released Windows 11 last year, and it’s supposed to run better on ARM-powered machines. Like these laptops have been around since the beginning. Lenovo’s ThinkPad X13sOr 10w tablet, haven’t been available for review yet, we can’t tell how well the system runs. Of course, you can upgrade to Windows 11 on existing ARM-based PCs, but for now, it’s still safer to stick with an Intel or AMD processor.
Let’s not forget there’s a third and fairly popular laptop operating system: Chrome. A Chromebook is a good choice if you do most of the work online (lots of Google Drive and email research), and it can often be more affordable.
As for other things to look out for, it’s worth pointing out that a couple of laptops coming out this year are doing away with headphone jacks. Though this doesn’t seem to be a prevalent trend yet, it’s a good reminder to check that a machine has all the connectors you need. Many laptops will have Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 6E in 2022. This should allow for faster connections and better performance if you have compatible routers. 5G coverage is becoming more widespread in 2018, but it depends on how often you travel.
It is important to consider where your laptop will be used. Numerous companies released new 14-inch laptops in the last year. They straddle the line between lightweight and more bulky 15-inch models. A 14-inch screen will be a good compromise for most people. But if you’re worried about weight, a 12- or 13-inch model will be better. People who require larger displays and more powerful processors will be happier with the 15- or 16 inch versions.
Overall, MacBook Air M2 is the best MacBook Air
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
Windows users are reluctant to call an Apple MacBook the best laptop overall. But I can’t deny that Apple’s transition to its own Silicon has made its machines better. The latest MacBook Air M2It is a worthy follow-up to the M1It was released in 2020 and offers a new design and performance boost that everyone will love.
That’s not to say the M1 was a sluggish machine — quite the contrary. We found it to be incredibly fast and very responsive. M2This stellar performance only adds to it. Although it’s probably too much for a MacBook Air this means that it will be able to serve most people for work and play. The 16.5-hour battery should provide enough power for most people to do a full day of work.
Apple has taken a uniformly thinner approach to its design and discarded the old model’s wedge shape. The M2 Air’s 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is beautiful, and only the top notch houses its 1080p Webcam. The quad-speaker system is a significant improvement, and all these hardware improvements make the machine look and feel more unique than what you might expect from its predecessor. Both the M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Air laptops are solid machines. With the M2 starting at $1,199, people with tight budgets might be willing to forgo some design changes in order to save money and still get a fast laptop.
Amazon: MacBook Air M2 – $1199
Amazon: MacBook Air M1 for $999
Best Windows: Dell XPS 13 plus
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
The best PC has long been Dell’s well-rounded XPS 13 series and I still recommend it to anyone that doesn’t want a Mac. Yes. New XPS 13 Plus lacks a headphone jack, and we haven’t got one in to test yet. However, the XPS 13 Windows laptop is well-built and one of the most beautiful PCs on the market.
The new model is similar to its predecessors. XPS 13 PlusIt features a beautiful OLED screen and a comfortable, spacious keyboard. The design is modernized with a minimalistic new look. I’m not sure about the row of capacitive keys at the top in lieu of traditional function keys, but I’m confident that the laptop’s 12th-gen Intel Core processors will provide a healthy performance boost from the last model.
If you’re not sure about the changes Dell has made to the XPS 13, or if you definitely need a headphone jack, the older generations are still solid options. There’s also the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro seriesThe OLED screens are stunning and the webcams are sharper in small and light frames. I also like Microsoft’s Surface Laptops, and The most recent editionIt offers excellent performance and battery life, even though it is an old design.
Razer Blade 15 Advanced is the best gaming mouse:
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Gamers should search for machines that have responsive screens and plenty of ports to store their accessories. This will help them win against their virtual enemies. Devindra Hardawar, my colleague, goes in more detail about the things to consider. Guide to purchasing a gaming laptopThis article will provide information about the different CPUs, GPUs, minimum specifications, and other details. The following is our top choice for the best gaming laptop. Razer Blade 15 AdvancedThe consists of an Intel Core i7 processor and an analogue display. NVIDIA graphics RTX 3070Get it for as low as $2,500
It’s the most expensive item on this list, but you also get a 15-inch quad HD screen that refreshes at 240Hz. There are many configurations available depending on your preferences, including Full HD 360Hz or a Full HD 144Hz version. The following are the options available: Blade seriesIt is also one the most elegant gaming laptops available.
The is a great option for those looking for something less expensive and more portable. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14It was Our favourite modelLast year. The 2022 refresh was nearly $600 more expensive, and this is what caused it to be lowered a bit. It’s still a solid gaming laptop though, with an excellent display, roomy trackpad and plenty of ports in spite of its thin profile.
Razer Blade 15 Advanced – $2500
Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook: The Best Chromebook
Nathan Ingraham/ Engadget
Our top Chromebook choice is Lenovo’s Flex 5 Chromebook, which Engadget’s resident Chrome OS aficionado Nathan Ingraham described as “a tremendous value.” This laptop nails the basics, with a 13-inch Full HD touchscreen, a fantastic keyboard and a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor. Although the Flex 5’s 4GB RAM and 64GB storage might sound small, it performed well in our tests. It’s also nice to see one USB-A and two USB-C ports, eight-hour battery life and a 360-degree hinge that makes it easy to use the Flex 5 as a tablet. That’s a bonus, especially now that Chrome OS supports Android apps.
Though the Flex 5 is almost two years old by now, it’s a solid deal at around $400. It’s sometimes on sale for as low as $300. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a simple browser-based machine that is still affordable.
Amazon Flex 5 Chromebook – $430
HP Pavilion Aero 13 is the best budget option
Daniel Cooper / Engadget
If you’re looking for something under $800, your best bet is The HP Pavilion Aero 13. For around $750, you’ll get a Full HD screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio and surprisingly thin bezels, as well as a comfortable keyboard and spacious trackpad. Importantly, you get the following: Aero 13It has a Radeon graphics and an AMD Ryzen 5500 series processor, which are both more powerful than other components in this price range. It has enough juice and ports to power your entire day.
Buy Pavilion Aero 13 at HP starting at $739
Best convertible: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
The Surface Pro series is an excellent choice for those who want their laptops to double as tablets. Tablets with kickstands are lighter and slimmer than notebooks with rotating hinges. The Surface Pro 9This is Microsoft’s latest model. If you have been eyeing a Surface for a while now, it’s time to know that the Intel version will be more appealing than the ARM. Our testingThe 5G ARM Pro 9 proved to be slower than a flagship model. This was due to many Windows apps that run on Intel’s x86-based hardware having to be emulated on Microsoft’s ARM SoC. You might consider getting a Surface Pro 9 model that has the least limitations, as you will be paying at least $1,000.
We have some reservations about the Pro 9’s ergonomics but it is undeniably the lightest and thinnest laptop you can buy. It is attractive, with a 13-inch display. We still consider Microsoft’s Type Cover to the best. These covers will be more expensive, however, so expect to pay $100-$180 extra. Microsoft’s Slim Pen 2 will be another highlight. It is a must-have accessory for anyone who loves to draw and/or takes handwritten notes. If you’re looking for a machine which can easily switch between tablet and laptop, the Intel Surface Pro 9 might be your best choice. You should also consider the iPad Pro if you love Apple products.
