Key Points
- HP Inc is the best overall laptop brand, known for advanced, reliable laptops, including the HP Newest Pavilion, with robust specs and considerable battery life.
- Lenovo is the best budget brand, offering a wide range of robust laptops catering to different budget preferences.
- Asus consistently delivers high-performance laptops, like the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2023) Gaming Laptop, with advanced features and cooling systems.
- Samsung produces 2-in-1 laptops, which is best exemplified by the SAMSUNG Galaxy Book2 Pro 360.
- Apple Inc., renowned for its design and functionality, leads in sleek designs and battery life with models like the MacBook Air 15-inch M2.
The best laptop brands have found the perfect balance that leaves buyers spoiled for choice when considering style, performance, and reliability. The thrill of putting your brand-new gadget to use and reveling in its sleek design are the things we appreciate the most. But with so many options, how can you decide on the best laptop brand to offer you the most bang for your buck?
After careful review and thorough analysis of several best laptop brands, we have ranked each in different categories. We’ll cover various features, from processing power to display quality, effectively highlighting what makes these laptops stand out in their respective categories. Let’s break down the absolute best laptop brands today to help you pick the right one for you.
- Best Overall: HP, Inc.
- Best Budget-Friendly: Lenovo
- Best for Gaming: Asus
- Best for 2-in-1 Laptops: Samsung
- Best Battery Life: Apple, Inc.
#1 Best Overall: HP, Inc.
- 15.6-inch HD touchscreen with anti-glare
- Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor up to 4.1GHz
- 16GB RAM
- 1TB SSD storage
- Up to 11 hours of battery life
- Type-C HDMI
- Windows 11 Home
HP, Inc. has continuously risen above the competition to establish itself as the best overall laptop brand in the market.
Founded in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and David Packard, HP’s roots stretch back to a humble garage in Palo Alto, California, where the duo began their technological ventures.
One example of HP’s excellence is the HP Newest Pavilion, a powerhouse with an Intel Core processor that can clock up to 4.1GHz, 16GB of RAM, and a whopping 1TB SSD storage. It also provides up to 11 hours of battery life, ensuring uninterrupted productivity. Plus, it features Type-C and HDMI ports packed into an elegant silver chassis that runs on the latest Windows 11 Home.
In addition to its high-end features, HP caters to users seeking affordable yet high-performing machines. HP is one of the best laptop brands that delivers powerful laptops with exceptional features, making it the best overall in the market.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| AMD CPUs in most models offer rapid processing power. | Certain models, like the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15, have a dull and dim display, making it hard to see in bright light. |
| NVIDIA dedicated graphics provide substantial capabilities. | Some HP Pavilion laptop batteries struggle to last through a full movie. |
| The computers maintain their performance and rarely throttle. | The speakers on the Pavilion Gaming Laptop don’t produce loud volume. |
| The IPS panels offer reasonable contrast ratios. | The HP Chromebook x360’s non-backlit keyboard is tiring and requires adapting time. |
| They operate silently during idle times or light workloads. | HP Chromebooks have a small touchpad, which makes gesture use difficult. |
| The battery is capable of lasting through shorter school days. | |
| The laptops are remarkably lightweight and portable. | |
| The webcam and microphone quality are suitable for online classes. |
Check out this HP laptop on Amazon today.
Best Budget-Friendly: Lenovo
- 17.3" FHD screen
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625U
- 24GB RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- Fingerprint
- Full-size KB
- Webcam
- Wi-Fi 6
- HDMI, Type A & C
- Windows 11
Among many laptop brands available, Lenovo stands out as the very best budget-friendly brand.
The Lenovo Ideapad 3 17.3″ FHD Business Laptop is an excellent choice from this brand. This laptop is priced at just $629 but boasts the features of higher price points, like an AMD Ryzen 5 5625U processor, 24GB RAM, and 1TB NVMe SSD. These specs outperform other brands that offer similar specifications at significantly higher prices.
Another testament to Lenovo’s exceptional value for money is the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15.6″ Laptop. At an astonishingly low price of $299, this model provides premium features such as a 15.6-inch HD Anti-Glare Display, an Athlon Silver 3050U processor, and a 256GB PCIe SSD and 128GB eMMC.
Lenovo has consistently committed to delivering quality laptops that cater to a broad range of budgets. This explains its widespread acclaim and recognition as one of the best laptop brands on the market.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lenovo offers an expansive range of laptops, including budget-friendly Chromebooks and high-end mobile workstations. | Consumers might find Lenovo’s model naming conventions confusing as the same product sometimes goes by different names. |
| One of Lenovo’s unique selling propositions is its provision of pre-installed laptops with Linux (Ubuntu), an option not often offered by many manufacturers. | Although beneficial, a single laptop model’s broad array of configuration options can overwhelm buyers and complicate their purchasing decisions. |
| Lenovo hosts a comprehensive online database providing intricate specifications for most laptop models. | |
| The budget models offered by Lenovo are known for their robust build quality, often outclassing their competitors in this segment. |
Check out this Lenovo laptop on Amazon today.
Best for Gaming: Asus
- 16inch FHD screen with 165Hz
- GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card
- Intel Core i9-13980HX processor
- 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD
- Wi-Fi 6E connectivity option
- Windows 11 comes installed
Asus is not just a laptop brand; it’s a trusted name in the realm of high-quality computers and related peripherals, consistently ranking as the best laptop brand with the best gaming specs.
Models such as the ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop are a testament to Asus’s dedication to superior gaming performance. This model has a powerful processor, 16GB of DDR5-4800MHz memory, 1TB of PCIe 4×4, and an advanced cooling system. Moreover, it offers a fast and smooth gaming experience that is hard to rival.
Adding to its impressive features, this model flaunts a swift FHD 165Hz panel that perfectly covers 100% of the sRGB color space. Moreover, it incorporates advanced characteristics such as Dolby Vision and Adaptive-Sync support, greatly enhancing its functionality. It achieves a 90% screen-to-body ratio, providing a sublime gaming and viewing experience that truly sets it apart.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most models are equipped with sharp OLED displays with full coverage of DCI P3. | Many models, such as the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED, only offer a 60Hz refresh rate and lack Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). |
| The unique dial on these models provides straightforward access to various settings and functionalities. | Some of these models experience CPU throttling under heavy workloads. |
| These models boast a comprehensive selection of ports, including HDMI 2.1 and USB-C/Thunderbolt 4. | An inherent risk with these models is the potential for permanent burn-in on the OLED display. |
| Most models are commendable for handling load without becoming excessively hot or noisy. | |
| An added advantage is the option for users to replace memory and storage drives independently. |
Check out this Asus laptop on Amazon today.
Best for 2-in-1 Laptops: Samsung
- 15.6" FHD AMOLED touchscreen
- 12th generation Intel 12-core i7-1260P
- 16GB RAM
- 1TB SSD
- Backlit keyboard
- Fingerprint
- Thunderbolt, USB-C, HDMI
- Win11
Samsung is the brand to beat for 2-in-1 laptops, and the brand’s focus on innovation is indisputable.
One of the best of the best is the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 with a 15.6″ FHD AMOLED touchscreen, 12th Generation Intel 12-Core i7-1260P, a whopping 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD. It also boasts a backlit keyboard and fingerprint recognition and comes with Thunderbolt USB-C HDMI and Windows 11.
Samsung doesn’t just manufacture 2-in-1 laptops; it perfects them. In fact, they took the classic laptop and thought to shake things up a notch higher and produced the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360. Samsung excels in making 2-in-1 laptops that boost portability without skimping on top performance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The construction of metal and plastic imparts a sense of robustness. | There are models with substandard keyboards that lack backlighting. |
| Most models, including the Samsung Chromebook 4, have a battery life that can sustain a full day’s light productivity tasks. | Certain models, such as the Chromebook 4, have small touchpads that may exhibit occasional tracking issues. |
| Their impressive lightness and portability are key attributes. | During periods of intense multitasking, the performance can degrade and slow down. |
| The quality of the webcam and microphone is outstanding. | The screen’s brightness level doesn’t get exceptionally bright. |
Check out this Samsung 2-in-1 laptop on Amazon today.
Best Battery Life: Apple, Inc.
- 15.3" Liquid Retina Display
- 8GB Unified Memory
- 256GB SSD Storage
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera
- Touch ID
- Space Gray
Apple, Inc. has undoubtedly earned its reputation as the world’s premier design brand thanks to a long-standing commitment to produce aesthetically pleasing, intuitively designed products.
How else could we explain the MacBook Air 15-inch M2‘s captivating blend of design and functionality? It weighs just 3.3 pounds and measures a remarkably slender 13.4 x 9.3 x 0.45 inches. This makes it the daintiest 15-inch laptop on the market. This model also boasts a strong performance most brands in this category cannot meet.
Further, it deftly juggles multiple tasks, handling everything from internet browsing to video streaming, all while staying as cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce. As for the battery life, it’s a true marathon runner, averaging nearly 15 hours. Apple excels in providing cutting-edge designs that enhance user experience, transforming the user’s interaction from simple use to an event to be savored.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The design is robust yet portable. | Users cannot replace the memory and storage themselves. |
| You can count on the battery to last throughout a typical workday involving light tasks. | Most models have a limited number of USB-C ports, usually two. |
| The display offers crisp, vibrant, and bright visuals. | The M2 SoC strictly supports just one external display. |
| The M2 SoC excels at managing moderately strenuous workloads. | |
| The keyboard is wide and provides a pleasing tactile experience. | |
| It features a substantial haptic touchpad. |
Check out this Apple laptop on Amazon today.
©Kinga/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best Laptop Brand Today: Step-by-Step
Picking out the perfect laptop is tough, given the seemingly endless choices available. You should be careful before making your choice. Think about different elements to guide your decision.
Let’s break down in detail the key features and considerations to keep in mind.
Portability
Before comparing laptop brands, assessing your portability needs is vital. Portability is generally a trade-off with screen size, and laptops are generally classified according to their display size.
For instance, laptops with 11 to 12-inch screens are the most lightweight and compact. They typically weigh 2 to 3 pounds, making them ideal for those constantly on the go. 13 to 14-inch laptops strike a balance between portability and usability. These laptops are perfect if you need a portable laptop but require a more substantial display. Usually, these laptops weigh less than 3.5 pounds, making them reasonably light to carry around but not compromising on-screen visibility.
Operating System
The operating system forms the bedrock of your laptop’s functionality and should be carefully considered before purchasing. Also, understanding the software you need to run and which operating system supports it is crucial in deciding your hardware needs.
For instance, Windows is the workhorse of operating systems, best for those who need Microsoft apps like MS Office, Access, or Outlook. The operating system provides many Windows laptop choices, offering more flexibility when selecting your laptop.
While more beginner-friendly, macOS is strictly limited to Apple’s MacBook range, which uses unique chips. Apple’s OS tightly integrates with its hardware, which makes it slightly different from other operating systems. On the other hand, Chrome OS is ideal if you do most of your tasks in a web browser. However, remember that high-powered apps like Adobe’s Creative Suite or Microsoft Office won’t run on Chrome OS.
Processing Power
When purchasing a laptop, it’s crucial to consider the device’s processing power regardless of your chosen brand. If you frequently use a web browser, Microsoft Office, or do some photo editing, consider an Intel Core i5 processor. Specifically, a ninth-generation or later should meet your needs well.
Alternatively, an Intel i7 chip would be a significant upgrade for those who can stretch their budget, injecting an invigorating snappiness to your laptop experience. Nonetheless, the augmented processing prowess might take a toll on your battery life, so keep that balance in mind depending on your usage requirements.
Moreover, if you’re a gaming enthusiast, an i7 or i9 chip would be your go-to, while for less demanding tasks, an i3 or i5 should suffice. On the AMD front, the Ryzen 5000 series works fine for an average user, but the Ryzen 7000 series makes a great upgrade — yet again, at the cost of battery life.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard and touchpad dictate your interaction with the machine and can significantly impact your comfort and productivity.
If you anticipate doing substantial work on your computer, ensure the keyboard provides solid tactile feedback. It should also have plenty of essential travel (about 1-2mm) and adequate space between keys. If you’re considering purchasing a Windows laptop, consider laptops with precision touchpad drivers. An optimal touchpad delivers precise tracking, preventing cursor jitteriness, and reliably reacts to multitouch gestures such as the pinch-to-zoom function.
Battery Life
The battery life of a laptop is an essential feature to consider before making a purchase. If you’re eyeing a larger, bulkier notebook or a gaming rig that you’ll primarily use near a power outlet, battery life might not be a huge concern. However, if you plan to use the laptop at home, the office, or on the go, you’ll want at least 7 hours of endurance, ideally pushing towards 9+ hours.
Budget
Budgets play a critical role here, and understanding what you get for your money is vital. For instance, laptops falling into the $150-$250 range, such as the HP Stream 11 or Lenovo Chromebook Duet, might serve as suitable secondary devices but typically come with basic display resolutions and weaker performance.
In contrast, if you can stretch your budget to around $600, you’ll see laptops like Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook or Samsung Galaxy Book that offer better resolution and performance. Stepping further into the $600-$900 bracket, the MacBook Air M1 and Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA offer high-resolution displays worth the splurge.
What to Know Before Buying the Best Laptop Brand Today
Before diving headfirst into checkout, you must understand the significance of a laptop’s graphics card. All laptops technically have graphics cards, but the major difference is whether they are “integrated” or “discrete.”
Integrated graphics are usually fine for regular tasks, like watching HD movies or playing casual games. However, if you’re an enthusiastic gamer or into heavy video editing, a laptop with a discrete graphics card from AMD or NVIDIA, especially the NVIDIA GeForce Max-Q line, can offer much more power.
Moreover, another vital aspect to consider is the random access memory (RAM), the laptop’s short-term memory. Your laptop needs adequate RAM to handle open applications efficiently.
Ideally, 8GB of RAM suffices for an average user, but upgrading to 16GB or more can significantly enhance your laptop’s capability. It’s worth checking if the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, as this will prevent future upgrades. Remember to aim for DDR4 RAM, which is faster and more common nowadays.
Consider an SSD with at least 256GB for quicker data transfers, preferably with an NVMe connection. You may encounter eMMC storage in budget laptops. However, it offers slower speeds and no upgrading option, limiting its usability in the long run. Having adequate storage space becomes crucial if you install a lot of software or save multiple files.
Pay attention to practical aspects like the laptop’s webcam and hinge. In the era of remote work and video conferencing, having a laptop with at least a 720p webcam is essential. Furthermore, inspect the laptop’s hinge, if possible, in person. Although it might seem trivial, the smoothness of opening your laptop with one hand can add to the overall user experience. It’s about balancing your needs, the laptop’s specs, and your budget.
Using the Best Laptop Brand: What It’s Like
When you enter the world of the best laptop brands, it feels like stepping into a wonderland of high-tech innovation. From the get-go, these powerful machines engage you in their unique blend of elegance and performance. The seamless startup that greets you first is just a teaser of the speed and smoothness that these machines can offer.
In fact, you enjoy it even more when bouncing from one application to another. The short response time almost makes you forget you’re working with complex technology.
Besides the visual spectacle, the premium, tactile feel of the keyboards cannot go unmentioned. Whether crafting an email or coding the next big software, each keystroke feels satisfying, encouraging you to dive deeper into your work. With their long-lasting battery life, these laptops assure you of a reliable companion, accommodating even your longest workdays or movie marathons.
Summary Table
| Rank | Brand | Category |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | HP, Inc. | Best Overall |
| #2 | Lenovo | Best Budget-Friendly |
| #3 | Asus | Best for Gaming |
| #4 | Samsung | Best for 2-in-1 Laptops |
| #5 | Apple, Inc. | Best Battery Life |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©LStockStudio/Shutterstock.com.
