Purchasing a brand new laptop can be overwhelming. Questions about storage capacity, GPU options, and model numbers can be daunting. If you’re feeling lost, don’t worry! We’re here to help. Whether you’re in the market for a high-performance gaming laptop or a lightweight 2-in-1 for work, we have options for every type of user.
Why Trust Us: At PCWorld, laptops are our expertise. With more than 70 laptop reviews conducted annually since 1983, we strive to provide comprehensive and reliable information. Every laptop listed below has been thoroughly tested and evaluated by our experts, who apply not only performance benchmarks but also stringent usability criteria. We aim to cover laptops across all price ranges to help you find the best machine within your budget.
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Updated: March 27th, 2024: We have added the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024) to our lineup. This laptop offers remarkable performance and battery life at a reasonable price, earning it the title of Best Overall pick. Additionally, we have refreshed our list of recent laptop reviews with several new models.
The Best Laptops We’ve Tested
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (2024) – Best overall
Pros
- Strong performance
- Exceptional battery life
- Wonderful typing experience
Cons
- CPU throttles under heavy loads
- No user upgrades
Why we like the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a well-rounded laptop offering strong performance, exceptional battery life, and a vibrant display at a reasonable price point. It outperformed competitors like Acer Swift Go 14 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon in PCMark 10 benchmarks, scoring 7,061. With a battery life of 17 hours, it’s perfect for a full work or school day without recharging.
Who should buy the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus
This laptop is ideal for anyone seeking a high-performance, long-lasting machine. The 14-inch 1400p display is suitable for office work and static imagery. While the design may not be the most appealing, the hardware capabilities and exceptional battery life make it a top choice.
Read our full Dell Inspiron 14 Plus review
Acer Aspire 3 – Best budget laptop
Pros
- Reliable performance
- 1080p display
- HD webcam
- Solid build
Cons
- Speakers sound tinny when playing music
- A little heavy
Price When Reviewed:
606 Euro
Why we like the Acer Aspire 3
The Acer Aspire 3 offers reliable performance, a sturdy build, and an affordable price tag. It’s suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, watching videos, and checking emails. With a Cinebench R15 score of 1,925, it outperformed competitors like Acer Aspire Vero 14. The 1080p screen and HD webcam make it a great choice for students and remote workers.
Who should buy the Acer Aspire 3
This budget-friendly laptop is ideal for students and remote workers looking for solid performance without breaking the bank. The HD webcam and reliable performance make it a versatile choice.
Note March 18th, 2024: Although the HP Laptop 14 didn’t make the cut, it deserves a special mention for its strong performance and compact design. With over 15 hours of battery life, it’s a great option for users on a budget.
Read our full Acer Aspire 3 review
MacBook Air (M3) – Best MacBook
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Great combination of price, features, and performance
- 256GB SSD is now two NAND chips, maintaining performance
Cons
- Expensive memory upgrades
- Dual external display support requires closed lid
Why we like the MacBook Air (M3)
The MacBook Air (M3) offers great value for the price, with an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU providing solid performance. The absence of fans results in a quieter operation, while the impressive battery life of 19 hours ensures long-lasting usage. The 15-inch Liquid Retina display provides a vibrant visual experience, and the overall slim and lightweight design makes it a convenient choice for MacOS enthusiasts.
Who should buy the MacBook Air (M3)
Users who prefer MacOS will appreciate the MacBook Air (M3) for its outstanding battery life, compact form factor, and competitive pricing. The 15-inch display, although not the highest-end, offers great visuals for everyday use. Overall, it’s a well-rounded MacBook for various tasks.
Read our full MacBook Air (M3) review
Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630 – Best midrange laptop
Pros
- All-day battery life
- Good graphics performance
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Light on ports
- Gets warm under heavy workloads
Why we like this Dell Inspiron Plus 16
The Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630 offers a balance of power and affordability with an Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. The 1600p display and all-day battery life make it suitable for various tasks, including gaming. With a 3DMark Time Spy result of 8,754, it delivers respectable graphics performance for its price range.
Who should buy the Dell Inspiron Plus 16
This laptop is recommended for young professionals, students, and budget-conscious users seeking a capable and versatile machine. The long-lasting battery and ability to handle gaming make it a solid choice for a wide range of tasks.
Read our full Dell Inspiron Plus 16 7630 review
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus – Best Chromebook
Pros
- Snappy day-to-day performance
- Versatile 2-in-1 design
- Good typing experience
Cons
- Stylus not included
- Heavier than expected
Price When Reviewed:
649 Euro
Why we like the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus boasts a convertible design, a touchscreen display, and snappy performance at an affordable price. The 2-in-1 functionality allows for versatile usage, while the quick boot-up times enhance user experience.
Who should buy the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
If you’re in the market for a premium Chromebook for work or personal use, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a solid choice. While priced on the higher end for Chromebooks, it offers a well-rounded feature set and reliable performance.
Read our full Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review
HP Dragonfly G4 – Best ultraportable
Pros
- Fast performance
- Lightweight
- Sure View privacy filter
- Lots of connectivity options
Price When Reviewed:
2500 Euro
Why we like the HP Dragonfly G4
The HP Dragonfly G4 is a lightweight yet powerful ultraportable laptop with an impressive battery life of 17.5 hours. The Sure View privacy filter and range of connectivity options add to its appeal for frequent travelers and business professionals. While the laptop excels in office applications, it may struggle with demanding video editing tasks.
Who should buy the HP Dragonfly G4
The HP Dragonfly G4 is an ideal choice for travelers and office workers in need of a compact and functional laptop. The privacy features and long battery life make it suitable for on-the-go professionals. Although priced higher than some alternatives, the performance and design justify the investment.
Note February 27th, 2024: The recently reviewed HP Elitebook 640 G10, while a solid choice, did not surpass the HP Dragonfly G4 in terms of display quality and performance. The Dragonfly’s taller display and privacy features set it apart from competing ultraportable laptops.
Read our full HP Dragonfly G4 review
Acer Swift Edge 16 – Best budget ultraportable
Pros
- Gorgeous OLED display
- Lightweight
- Strong CPU performance
Cons
- Mediocre battery life
- Weak speakers
- Keyboard and touchpad are just OK
