Best Gaming Laptop Brands In 2022 ~ Gadget Review
When looking through all the different best gaming laptop brands in 2022, sometimes it can be hard to know which companies are producing solid machines with screaming specs, and which are just trying to use the “gamer” tag to pump out an otherwise mediocre machine.
Old brands that used to be the best in the business have fallen off their game, while other unknowns have risen up through the ranks to take their rightful place at the top. So which gaming laptop brand takes the top spot in 2022? Read on in our guide to find out! If you want more options, also check out our guide to the best gaming laptops.
Top-Rated Gaming Laptop Brands of 2022
Our Favorite Models: GT80S 980M SLI, GS72 6QE Stealth Pro 4K
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Powerful gaming laptop line with experimental and unique designs.
In just the past 12 months, MSI has released some of the best looking, best performing gaming laptops on the market. Nearly all of its entries have been solid, and have proved a hit with first-time and lifelong gamers alike, as reflected in our best gaming laptops of 2022 list.
But what really sets MSI apart from the pack is how willing the company is to take risks on gaming laptop categories that didn’t even exist until the company itself thought to whip them up in the lab.
Big, brazen plays like the GT80S line of ultra-powered mobile PCs shows the company isn’t worried about catering to the widest audience just for the sake of sales. It wants to show that it can be experimental and still come out the other side shining, whether it’s by cramming two full-sized GTX 980 GPUs into a single chassis or adding an actual mechanical keyboard to a segment of the gaming hardware market that’s sorely lacked their presence until now.
MSI has quickly rocketed to the top of the pile over the past few years when it comes to gaming laptops, and doesn’t look to be in a position to give up its crown anytime soon. If you like laptops that double up as tablets, check out our review of the best 2 1 gaming laptops.
Our Favorite Models: Predator 17, Acer Aspire V17 Nitro, Predator 15
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Sleek machines with serious power to back them up.
If you would have asked us just a year ago which companies we liked for the top five gaming laptop brands, Acer wouldn’t have been anywhere near that list. Sure, the company was great for making a regular laptop and its entries into the crowded Chromebook space – case in point the Acer Chromebook 15 – rate off the charts, but gaming? We would have said “leave that up to the professionals”.
In 2016 however, the company stepped up its game completely with the Predator lineup of gaming laptops, and they really are something else to behold. The Predator lineup exudes quality from every key and through every spare draft port, with innovative features like the FrostCore technology that keeps your laptop cool even under the strain of millions of pixels being pushed through the pipes at once. They seem to have taken all the good parts from other laptops and combined them into one, undeniably perfect package, as though the Predator was a hybrid of what made every other gaming laptop successful up until now.
Plus, while the Aspire V17 Nitro may not be a “classical” gaming laptop, that doesn’t mean it’s still not one of the best options for the price you’re going to find. And, if you are a Fortnite fan, check out the best gaming laptop for Fortnite.
Our Favorite Models: ROG G752VT, ROG GL552VW
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Huge amount of variety in models and laptop styles.
ASUS has been full steam ahead this year and for all of 2015 with its gaming offerings, including four distinct models that all fill their own respective roles handily. While we may not have been the biggest fans of the G752VT’s color scheme, it’s difficult to deny the unabashed, unrestricted, pedal-to-the-metal power that ASUS somehow managed to cram into such a small space.
The ASUS G751 on the other hand has all the design elements we love, and even though the raw specs might be a little less powerful, its portability and case design is more than enough to make up for any shortcomings in might have in the power department. Through and through ASUS has shown that its got a lot of faith in its Republic of Gamers branding, and has no intentions of cheapening their products through the shortcuts that other laptop makers take on a daily basis.
No matter what kind of gaming experience you’re looking for or amount of money you’re trying to spend, ASUS and its ROG lineup have a laptop that’s waiting for you and everything you want to do.
Our Favorite Models: Razer Blade, Razer Blade Stealth Pro
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Stalwart dedication to making the sexiest machines on shelves today.
Razer is one of the oldest names in the game of gaming peripherals and accessories, churning out some of the best gaming mice, keyboards, and headsets since before half the entries on this list were even in the business.
And while Razer may only have one real gaming laptop in its roster this year – the Razer Blade – man oh man, is it one heck of a machine. Though its specs aren’t all that much to write home about, from a design perspective alone the Blade Stealth seems to defy modern physics at an impossibly light profile of just 4.47lbs and a little over half an inch thick.
The Blade proves that gaming laptops don’t have to take up an entire backpack or wear your arm down throughout the day to run some of the best AAA games out there, and when you add in the pedigree for long-term reliability that Razer has spent over a decade building up for itself, you’ve got a combination that’s pretty difficult to beat.
Our Favorite Models: Alienware 15, Alienware 17
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Best brand to get gaming laptops into every home.
Oh Alienware, how the mighty have fallen. If you’re curious why Alienware isn’t at the top of this list, it’s not that the company’s laptops are bad, per se, it’s just that they aren’t nearly as groundbreaking or innovative as they were five years ago. The company has stalled on introducing products that absolutely blow our minds the way they used to, and it’s a shame because the brand itself is easily one of the most (if not the most) recognizable to the layman in the space of gaming machines.
All that said, both the Alienware 15 and 17 are both still leaders in their class, with a respectable set of specs held inside a chassis that’s somehow retro, yet modern all at the same time. Plus, we love the addition of the new “Graphics Amplifier” technology, which allows you to hook up an external graphics card (or two) to your laptop through the Thunderbolt 3 port just to give it that extra bit of umph when you need more power in a pinch.
Alienware may not be the best in the business anymore, but they’re still able to produce machines that get the job done when you need them to, and we couldn’t realistically ask them for more than that.
Which Gaming Laptop Brand is Right For Me
Ultimately, it comes down to what features you’re looking for the most and the price range you’re shopping in. If you want something that offers the absolute best bang for your buck, almost all the Acer laptops we’ve tested combine solid specs with a sticker price that won’t give your wallet a hard square punch in the nose.
Both Razer and Alienware are obsessed with portability and style, making sure that whenever you plan to open up a game of Counter Strike at your local Starbucks that your score on the leaderboard won’t be the only thing there turning heads. ASUS is a good all around company with a solid lineup of reliable devices. This brand is a great option if you’re needing it for certain games, like how ASUS made it onto our list of the top options for the best laptop for Roblox. And of course there’s MSI, a company that’s unafraid to redefine what the industry thinks about when you say the words “mobile gaming powerhouse”.
Gaming laptops in 2022 are better than they’ve ever been before, and we don’t mean that purely from a power perspective either. Whether it’s the sultry design lines of the Alienware 15 or the extreme portability of the Razer Blade, we’ve finally reached a point where just because you go gaming, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or portability to get the power you need on the road or at home.
Best laptops for music production 2022: portable computers for musicians, producers and DJs
For years now, Apple has produced some of the best laptops for music production. As the only portable platform for Logic Pro X, the MacBook Pro is synonymous with the craft of music-making. By comparison, those of us using a PC have traditionally been chained to the desktop format, but that has changed considerably in recent years. Dell, Microsoft, Razer, Lenovo and others big tech brands are all muscling in to give Apple a serious run for its money, and some of them have proper music-making clout too. All of which is great for the consumer, as it gives us genuine choice when it comes to music production.
Regardless of which platform you opt for, there are some considerations which remain consistent. When it comes to choosing the best music production laptop for your home studio, you'll want to pay close attention to the power and memory specs of the machine you're eyeing up. While the basic requirements for most DAWs is a multi-core processor, around 4GB of RAM and a few gigabytes of storage, this won't be enough for real-world applications.
Buying a music laptop based on the ‘minimum recommended’ specs is a recipe for future angst and a need for an early upgrade. Instead, you need a laptop with enough power to handle the latest software and expanding file sizes, with enough juice in the tank to cope with whatever you may need down the line.
For any DJs or traveling musicians reading this guide, weight - and portability - is likely to be another major factor. Some of the highest spec, beefiest laptops also weigh a fair amount, and your shoulders will quickly tire of lugging those behemoths around.
So, the best laptop for music production should be powerful and lightweight, while also rocking a good battery capacity, for those situations where you’re away from mains power. if you want more guidance, head to our buying advice section. Keep scrolling for our recommendations...
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Best laptops for music production: Our top picks
While we have music production laptops for most pockets in this buyer's guide, there's a good chance that you will need to shell out quite big numbers for the kind of power that your mobile music production demands.
We'll start our recommendations at this more expensive end, then, and that inevitably means Apple. There's still one machine that stands out on the Pro side, and that's the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021). The numbers it puts up in terms of sheer production grunt are impossible to ignore. It’s also a music laptop you can buy and then not have to think about again for another five years.
If you want something a little more lightweight, there are two MacBook Airs now vying for your cash. The latest MacBook Air M2 version is a genuinely capable proposition as a music-making laptop for most users and the original MacBook Air M1 will deliver decent power for less outlay.
For Windows users, the Dell XPS 13 OLED is still a super solid player, and more than capable of withstanding some hefty DAW sessions without breaking a sweat.
We'd also recommend looking to the world of gaming laptops. Don't be put off by their visual stylings - gamers require lots of power and very quick processors, which is good news for music producers too. For our money, we're taken with the Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition. It’s incredibly powerful, looks amazing and would make a worthy studio powerhouse across a range of creative pursuits.
We would also recommend considering the 2-in-1 laptop tablet route, as these machines offer some benefits of touch operation (Bitwig's Studio DAW is particularly well designed for this) or standard laptop use - you decide. Microsoft's Surface Pro 8 is still one of the best for combining power, a great design and mobility, although it does cost.
If you're on a strict budget, we'd point you towards our full round-up of the best budget laptops for music production.
Best laptops for music production: Product guide
(Image credit: Apple)
1. Apple M1 MacBook Pro 14" The best all-rounder, but you’ll pay for the privilege Specifications CPU: M1 Pro Graphics: M1 Pro RAM: 16GB - 32GB Screen: 14” Liquid Retina Storage: 512GB - 8TB Reasons to buy + As powerful as you’ll find anywhere + Reliable + No Touch Bar! Reasons to avoid - So expensive!
If you’ve used Apple MacBook Pro models in the past, you’ll be well aware of the striking industrial design, Retina screens and the optimised marriage of in-house hardware and software combining to make a highly desirable, hugely capable laptop for music production. So to look at the 2022 Apple MacBook Pro 14”, you might feel a little underwhelmed - we certainly were. It doesn’t have a flashy new design, or a vastly upgraded screen. But what has happened out of sight, within the body of the machine, has been completely enhanced though.
Making use of the newest M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, the 14” model now has enough in the way of processing power and cutting-edge performance to suit even the most demanding of creative professionals. Configurable to include some frankly crazy specs, like up to 64GB of RAM and 8TB of SSD storage, this is a laptop for music production unlike any other. Yes, it’s expensive - maxing out the configurator on Apple’s website shows you could be paying around £/$6,000 for the highest spec version, but if you can afford it there is literally no other machine capable of doing what this laptop can do. You can read the full results of our testing in the review, linked below.
Read the full Apple MacBook Pro 14” review
(Image credit: Dell)
2. Dell XPS 13 OLED (2021) Still one of the best Windows laptops for music production Specifications CPU: 12th Generation Intel Core i5-1230U Graphics: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 8GB - 32GB Screen: 13.4 (1900 x 1200) 500-Nit Storage: 256GB to 1TB PCIe NVMe Reasons to buy + Sleek, grown-up design + Quite unbelievable screen Reasons to avoid - Still expensive - More ports would be welcome
The Dell XPS line has built up a strong reputation thanks to its sleek design, gorgeous screens and powerful spec. They are billed as the ideal laptops for on-the-go creatives who don’t fancy signing up to the Apple walled-garden, and the closest Windows alternative to an Apple MacBook Pro.
The XPS range delivers similar levels of style, quality and performance to the MBP, but using Windows as its OS. As it stands, other than looking at high-spec elite gaming laptops, you’re not going to get a much better package for the money.
The latest model features a 12th-generation Intel Core i5-1230U, and a fantastic InfinityEdge Anti-Glare display. This might not be the show stopping headline feature a music maker will go for, but if the laptop is to serve other purposes like watching films or generally staring at in wonder, then this just be the perfect option.
There’s a beefier 15” model further up the range, but for most people the XPS 13 makes for a pretty compelling package.
Read the full Dell XPS 13 9310 OLED (2021) review
(Image credit: Apple)
3. Apple MacBook Air M2 This could be the music production laptop you've been waiting for Specifications CPU: Apple M2 Graphics: Apple M2 RAM: 8GB - 24GB Screen: 13.6” Liquid Retina (2560 x1664) Storage: 256GB - 2TB SSD Dimensions: 30.41 x 21.5 x 1.13cm Weight: 1.24kg Reasons to buy + Lightest and thinnest Apple laptop + Silent and powerful + Lovely screen and speakers Reasons to avoid - Not a huge step up from the M1 for audio
Apple's latest M2 MacBook Air feels like a new chapter of Apple use, and one that will drag your laptop music making to another level. At just 1.24kg, the MacBook Air M2 is Apple's lightest machine and also its thinnest, just 11.3mm deep. The all-new colours are great too (we opted for the light gold Starlight, although the Midnight option was a tempter).
The sound emanating from the Air's four speakers (which also support Spatial Audio) is so much better than a small form device like this should be capable of. You're not going to be using it for detailed mastering, granted, but it's almost good enough to mix with and very decent just for music listening. The battery life of the Air is good, although at a quoted 18 hours it's not quite up there with the 20 hours you get on a new M2 13-inch MacBook Pro. You also only get two Thunderbolt USB 4 ports on the MacBook Air, so if you want more than a monitor and said interface connected, you might need to think a little outside the (small) box.
Some have said that not having a fan to cool it down is a big disadvantage when you compare this MacBook Air to the latest MacBook Pro. As music producers we'd disagree, to a point, and say that having no fan is a huge advantage, just in terms of noise. Does the new Air get hot though? For performance tests, we used the benchmark projects from (opens in new tab) and (opens in new tab) and found an 8% uplift for the M2 Air chip over our M1 Mac Mini in both Logic and Ableton Live tests. During these tests the Air did get warm, but not spectacularly so.
The M2 MacBook Air is beautiful, powerful and just about the best silent laptop you can buy for music production. One final footnote is that several sites have reported that the base model Air M2 (with a 256GB drive) is one to avoid as it suffers from the same speed problem as the M2 MacBook Pro 256GB (because of its chip configuration), so make sure you spec yours up to at least 512GB. Otherwise, we can safely say that, after making music on laptops for more than 20 years, the Air M2 is the music production laptop we've been waiting for.
Read the full Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) review
(Image credit: Apple)
4. Apple MacBook Pro M2 13” The next stage in the evolution of a music-making laptop? Specifications CPU: Apple M2 Graphics: Apple M2 RAM: 8-246GB Screen: 13.3” Retina display (2560 x 1600p) Storage: 256GB – 2TB Reasons to buy + Great performance + Top notch battery life Reasons to avoid - Ageing design - Still only two Thunderbolt 3 ports
Apple's latest 13" MacBook Pro is - alongside the Air M2 above - the company's latest laptop to feature the M2 processor and it certainly packs a punch in speed tests for musicians. However, while it outperforms the Air on some tasks it's not by the country mile you might have been expecting.
The latest MacBook Pro M2 also still carries some of the baggage from previous designs - the infamous Touch Bar being a prime example. This was dropped from the latest 14" and 16" MacBook Pros but still lingers on with the 13". It's a divisive feature that may or may not sway you either way. Personally, we think it delivered solutions to problems we didn't know we had, so we are quite happy to see it absent on the Air M2 and 14" Pro, which are our current favourite Apple laptops for music production.
You'll get the speed uplift with the Pro 13" for some tasks, then, but we'd still opt for either of these other two Apples for now.
(Image credit: Future)
5. Apple MacBook Air M1 M1 variant is still a serious contender for music production Specifications CPU: Apple M1 Graphics: Apple M1 RAM: 8GB - 16GB Screen: 13.3” Retina (2560x1600) Storage: 256GB - 2TB SSD Reasons to buy + Light as a laptop could possibly be + Cheaper than Pro range Reasons to avoid - A bezel only a mother could love
It used to be that if you were a serious music maker, anything under Apple’s MacBook Pro line simply wouldn’t cut it for the processor and RAM intensive tasks put upon it by audio production. With the M1 chip inside the 2021 Apple MacBook Air however, we were convinced that this argument could largely be put to bed, at least for the majority of home producers. Add into that the inherent benefits of the Air - slim form factor, weighs the same as a crisp packet - and you’ve got a pretty formidable production machine, particularly if your workflow involves travelling around.
If we were being picky we could say it’s slightly disappointing there hasn’t been a design revolution - it looks largely the same as the Air range always has - and a few more USB ports would always be nice, but opting for Apple’s cheaper model no longer means missing out on production performance in the way it once might have done.
You should also now consider the new M2 MacBook Air M2 over this M1 Air. However, while it will give you extra speed, it does cost considerably more, and the Air M1 is still the cheapest way to get into Apple's more stylish world of mobile music production.
Read the full Apple MacBook Air M1
(Image credit: Razer)
6. Razer Blade 15 Studio Edition Gaming specialists branch out into creative Specifications CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i7 Graphics: Up to Quadra RTX 5000 RAM: 32GB to 64GB Screen: 15.6” OLED 4K Touch Storage: 1TB SSD Reasons to buy + Enormously powerful + Apple-tier design flourishes Reasons to avoid - Overkill for many
Think of a gaming laptop, and you probably imagine garish colours, RGB lights all over the shop and enough power under the hood to light up a continent. With the Razer Blade 15 Studio, however, we have a monstrously powerful laptop with its origins in the gaming world, but with its sights very much set on creative pursuits. There are some nice visual touches, from the customisable RGB backlighting on the keys, but otherwise this is a strong, slick studio beast which demands attention.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
7. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 A seriously capable laptop for music production Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7 Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics (i5, i7) RAM: Up to 32GB Screen: 13” Storage: 256GB - 2TB Reasons to buy + Super fast processors + Great new design + Large display + Includes Thunderbolt 4 Reasons to avoid - Expensive
If you are a Windows fan and music software user then you can also consider crossover, 2-in-one tablet laptops. And they don't come much more refined than the daddy of them all, the Microsoft Surface Pro. You can buy it without the keyboard, although we consider that a must-have accessory. It will therefore be weightier on both your pockets and wallet but, as the keyboard is detachable, you can run the device just as a tablet while out and about.
With the 8th incarnation, we get some much needed improvements and a completely modernised design. The biggest feature for musicians is the inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 which should keep it relatively future proof in terms of adding music production peripherals. This comes at the expense of USB-A though, so check your connectivity needs before buying
Even with its design changes - like thin bezels and rounded edges - Surface Pro 8 is still very much recognisable as part of Microsoft's famous line of tablets. Yet it also acts and feels like a new generation, with some of the fastest hardware that's ever been seen in a Windows tablet. This all makes it the best Surface Pro we’ve ever seen, despite losing some legacy ports.
Of course, all of these additions and enhancements come at a price - a lot more than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 7, and you can expect to pay well over $/£2k if you really up the specs. Yet Surface Pro 8 really is the update we've been waiting for and a truly powerful Windows laptop and tablet for musicians.
(Image credit: Samsung)
8. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro A beautiful Apple laptop alternative Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G Graphics: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 16GB (min 8GB) Screen: 13.3” to 15.6" Storage: 512GB (min 256GB) Reasons to buy + Great performance + Fantastic battery life + Thin and light Reasons to avoid - Design is a little dull
The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro is a reasonably expensive laptop as it is touted as a 'flagship' of the Samsung range. We have the 16GB RAM/512GN hard drive model here, although you can go cheaper by halving both specs. The good news is that the price is pretty much justified, as you get a thin and light laptop, great battery life and good performance.
There's a wide selection of ports for musicians too, including an HDMI and two USB-C ports on the left plus an audio jack and USB-A port on the right, so you can connect a decent number of both old and new audio interfaces, for example.
The screen is bright and vibrant, the keyboard feels very solid and in use the laptop is very capable, handling multiple applications with ease. It also integrates well with other Samsung devices like smartphones - the company is clearly trying to make the process as straightforward as Apple's device integration.
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro is powerful and portable, and delivers most of what you need for music. It's a little pricey but a great option for people with other Samsung devices. It's a solid laptop with a lightweight feel and extended battery life that justify the price.
(Image credit: ASUS)
9. Asus Rog Strix Scar III Laptop One of the best laptops if you're doing serious production work Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-9750H Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660Ti 6GB RAM: 16 GB (base) Screen: 15.6” Full HD Storage: 1TB SSD Reasons to buy + Monstrous performance + Upgrade potential + Cool under pressure Reasons to avoid - Not the most discreet!
At the higher end of the gaming PC spectrum - not a bad place for music producers to look when sheer power is required - there are some serious studio contenders. The Asus Rog Strix Scar is evidence of this; with an Intel i7 processor and a base spec of 16 GB of RAM, you know this machine can chew through any audio production task you throw at it.
Hudson Mohawke, the Scottish electronic producer, is a known fan, and with good reason. Once you get past the garish colour scheme and 'edgy' gamer branding, you have an immensely capable, lightweight computer that would rival many traditional desktop arrangements.
(Image credit: MSI)
10. MSI GF63 Laptop This gaming laptop heavyweight packs a big punch for musicians Specifications CPU: Up to 9th Gen. Intel Core i7 Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4 GB RAM: 8 GB (max 64 GB) Screen: 15.6” Full HD display/120 Hz Storage: 256 GB SSD Reasons to buy + Performance in the right areas + Upgradable RAM slots Reasons to avoid - Battery life could be better
MSI is one of the more respected names in gaming PCs, so it figures that their flagship mid-range offer features some decent internals. The MSI GF63 is the ideal blend of performance and aesthetics, and would make a superb laptop for anyone using their laptop for live performance or as a portable studio on account of its thin form factor and cooling features.
Performance-wise, it's packing a 2.4 GHz i5 processor, so solid enough to cope with most tasks. We liked the potential for upgrading though; it ships with 8GB of DDR4 RAM installed, but with space to house up to 64GB so the potential for future-proofing your rig is clear. As your live sets or studio sessions grow in size, so too can your laptop.
(Image credit: Lenovo)
11. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Powerful 2-in-1 laptop tablet for music making Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics RAM: 16GB Screen: 14” Storage: 512GB Reasons to buy + Fantastic display + Great performance for music + Excellent battery life Reasons to avoid - Expensive - Rather plain design
Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Yoga is the latest refresh for the company's flagship laptop and is the most expensive, although we also rate cheaper machines in the X1 Yoga range. As it features a touch-screen in its 2-in-1 design it is also a tablet. It runs Windows so will take on the most advanced music production applications, and the addition of Intel's 11th-gen Tiger Lake processors means it will run them with ease.
ThinkPad X1 Yoga comes loaded with connectivity for additional music peripherals. You get two USB Type-A ports in addition to the two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-Cs, as well as an HDMI 2.0. The display is outstanding, a 16:10 touch screen - great for software that is optimised for touch. You might want to up the memory to 16GB and storage to 512GB from the standard spec (which is half these) but then you are adding to an already high price tag.
If you want the touch screen portability of tablet music making on top of a laptop/Windows OS experience, they don't come much more powerful. Just be prepared to lay out some cash.
(Image credit: Asus)
12. Asus ZenBook Flip S UX370 Laptop An absolutely incredible 2-in-1 laptop Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-855OU Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 RAM: 16GB Screen: 13.3-inch full HD touchscreen Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD Reasons to buy + Super thin and light + Powerful core components Reasons to avoid - Not the cheapest convertible - Fingerprint magnet
Asus has struck gold with its new refresh of its ZenBook Flip S 2-in-1 laptop, with the Asus ZenBook Flip S UX370 impressing us so much it's made it's way into our list of the 10 best laptops for music production you can buy right now.
With a new Kaby Lake R 8th-generation processor powering the device, plenty of RAM and a super-fast PCIe SSD in certain models, this is an absolutely stunning addition to our rundown of the best laptops for music production.
Its 2-in-1 design means you can use it as both a laptop and a tablet, and while it's not as affordable as some machines on this list, if you have the budget you'll be really happy with this fantastic device.
(Image credit: Acer)
13. Acer Swift 3 The best budget Ultrabook Specifications CPU: Dual-core Intel Core i3 – i7 Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 RAM: 4GB – 8GB DDR4 Screen: 14-inch full HD (1920 x 1080) ComfyView IPS Storage: 128GB – 256GB SSD Reasons to buy + Powerful for the price + Stellar battery life Reasons to avoid - Boring looks - Down-firing speakers
While you may have been convinced that ‘budget Ultrabook’ was an oxymoron up until this point, the Acer has turned this common misconception on its head with the Swift 3. That’s because the company has taken the all-aluminum chassis of the Acer Swift 7 and stuffed some more affordable components inside for everyone to enjoy.
It doesn’t run macOS, but the Acer Swift 3 does put the age-old MacBook Air to shame in about every other regard, including the nigh-unbeatable price tag. Of course, in the process of demolishing the competition, Acer did have to cut a few corners in order to keep the price so impressively low.
So although you can’t expect much in the way of an Ultra HD display or quality onboard sound, the performance benchmarks alone give even the Surface Laptop a run for its money.
Best Laptops for music production: Buying advice
(Image credit: Future)
How to choose the best laptop for music production
Why you can trust MusicRadar Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Choosing a laptop capable of running CPU-intensive audio production work can be tricky. Some options focus heavily on battery life. Others major on performance, and favour higher-grade processors (CPUs) to ensure operations run snappily. Add into that differences in screen sizes, aesthetics and any number of other variables and we can easily see how it’s hard to justify buying one model over another.
There are certain characteristics you’ll look for in a laptop, regardless of whether it’s for producing music or editing video. Namely, you are looking for that sweet spot of power, performance and price. We all wish that last part wasn’t a factor, but it is. Not to worry though, as there are supremely capable laptops coming in at some very sensible prices right now. So what are the specifics that make a great production laptop?
Ultimately, when we say performance, in this context we mean how fast the laptop can process things, and how quickly it can access, write and modify stored data. If you’re a sample-based producer and have gigabytes of stored loops and one-shots, then you will want to focus on a machine that offers super-snappy access to your stored media. And, while they come in a little bit more expensive than traditional hard disc drives (HDD), the only real option nowadays is a laptop that comes with a solid-state drive (SSD). Solid-state means there are no moving parts - so nothing to go wrong or fail - but with rapid data transfer speeds so you’re not waiting on that pesky progress bar.
Which CPU is best for music production – Intel, AMD or Apple? Essentially, a faster processor (or CPU) means two things; your computer can handle more tasks being thrown at it, and it can 'process' those things a lot quicker. You may see only small differences; perhaps an audio file will render one minute quicker using the faster of two processors, but over time this clearly adds up. In the CPU world, there are two major players. Intel is the big name, with a huge share of the market. Intel’s range goes from i3 – the least powerful – all the way up to i9. Most common in mid-to-upper tier laptops, however, are the i5 and i7 variants, and within that sphere you have different speed ratings, measured in gigahertz, as well as the option to turbo-boost when you’re placing the computer under major stress. The other name to look out for is AMD, which produces the Ryzen processors. These follow a similar nomenclature to the Intel versions, so R3, R5 and so on, and are popular amongst the gaming crowd. There is another path to consider though. Apple has a great heritage in producing machines designed for creative pursuits, and just as the rest catch up with them, it flips the script again. You may have seen newer Apple machines with something called an M1 chip inside them. This essentially combines many of the laptops internal components onto a single chip, resulting in incredible power and overall system efficiency. This has since been further succeeded on Apple’s newest machines with the M1 Pro, M1 Max and now M2 chips. The good news is that these gains absolutely benefit producers, offering best-in-class performance and processing grunt, while also delivering longer battery life and other optimisations. Put simply, Logic Pro X users on an M1-based machine are at the head of the DAW pack right now. The bad news, however, is that many third-party software brands haven’t yet made the switch required to make the most of it. More are catching on, with big names like Ableton and Akai offering full native support. The best advice we can give is to do your research - all of the major developers are aware of the new chips, and are likely working on native support, so it depends on your current setup and desire to rock the boat. If you can, and don’t anticipate major problems, then we’d absolutely advise looking at these new breeds of MacBook. Read on for more detail on Apple's latest processors...
(Image credit: Apple)
What do I need to know about Apple's new processors? Until late 2020 Apple computers used Intel processors – the same type that you'll find in most PCs. Since then the company has been introducing its M range of chips, so far the M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, and the M2. These combine both CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphical processing unit) on one chip, with each indicated by a number of cores - and the more of these, the better in terms of power. The base M1 processor has seven or eight cores of each and is found in the original Air, 13" MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Mini. The M1 Pro processor ups the number of cores to 10 CPU and 16 GPU and is found in the 14" and 16" MacBook Pros. These can also be configured with the M1 Max processor which handles up to 10-core CPU and 32-core GPU. The Mac Studio also features the M1 Max, but can also be configured with the top of the line M1 Ultra chip that goes up to 20-core CPU and 64-core GPU. The Mac Pro, meanwhile, is in a different league, offering Intel Xeon CPU processors and Radeon graphics options that can set you back up to $/£50k, so we'll stick with the M range for now! Finally the all-new M2 processor boasts up to 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, and while it outperforms the original M1 (by anything up to 18%), it doesn't get close to higher M1 chips like the Ultra. However, it is designed more for mobile use as it doesn't require the kind of fan cooling that the Ultra does, so it currently resides in the all-new MacBook Air and Pro 13" models. If all of this talk of M-range processors is baffling, just take away one fact from it. In our tests the M range outperformed the original Intel Mac processors by at least three to one, so whichever M chip you choose, expect a big power boost over your old Intel Mac.
(Image credit: Future)
How much RAM does your music making laptop need? With RAM, as we mentioned, you can ignore the 'minimum specs' listed on the websites of the major DAWs. Anybody who tries to run a multitrack Ableton Live session on a laptop with 4GB of RAM is braver (or more patient) than we are. That’s because RAM is effectively the short-term memory of your machine. With audio applications, particularly those involving lots of recorded audio, a higher amount of RAM means your audio playback is buttery smooth and glitch-free because the computer isn't having to 'grab' the audio from the hard drive each time it wants to play. If you're buying now, with the next few years of use in mind, we'd suggest 8GB of DDR4 memory is the absolute minimum you should be looking for. Ideally, you'd want 16GB, as this will handle much larger arrangements, although there is a cost to this extra resource. It's also worth investigating whether the laptop you choose can be upgraded with extra RAM in the future. Apple laptop fans won't have this luxury, due to their sealed chassis, but laptop PC users might.
How much storage do I need?
Storage memory comes a close second. For audio applications, particularly those involving sample libraries where audio is streamed from disk, you'll want to use a solid state drive (SSD). The benefit of these drives is the rapid data transfer, meaning files load quicker, although they are slightly more expensive than their hard disk drive (HDD) equivalent. For music production applications, however, the extra expense is totally justified.
It's not uncommon however to see a combination employed – a HDD for storage of files, photos and videos, and an SSD for tasks where more instantaneous responses are required. The alternative involves using external hard drives; SSDs, particularly those that take advantage of USB-C technology, are more than capable of the types of transfer speeds required for music production.
How we choose the best laptops for music production
So, clearly there is a lot to think about when choosing the best laptop for music production.
It's easy to see why a good all-round laptop can fetch a premium price tag, but, as with anything from the best samplers and studio monitors to home studio mixers, you get what you pay for, so it's always wise to get the best you can afford, rather than skimping and regretting your purchase later (often quicker than you thought). Our price comparison software will come in handy here. Next to each product entry on this guide our price widgets will display the best deals online right now to save you shopping around.
In this guide we don’t focus on various legacy ins and outs, such as the number of USB sockets, or lack of, for your audio interface, and so on. With so many dongle and docking options available, this shouldn’t be a deciding factor in your purchasing journey. In this guide we're talking sheer horsepower for music-making. For example, can your portable rig cope with large multitrack sessions, running handfuls of plugins and MIDI instruments?
(Image credit: Apple)
How we test laptops for music production
When testing a laptop for music production, we take into account a variety of design aspects, features and power. On a basic level, a music production laptop must be portable and powerful. For the latter consideration, that's why we often include those gaming laptop PCs as they are designed to deliver clout.
Obviously a lightweight design is great, but we also need connections - Thunderbolt, USB-C or even A for older interfaces. Really the more the better, although most Apple laptops now only feature a couple of Thunderbolt 3 ports which you can just about get away with for music.
In terms of power, it is often difficult to compare processors just on their specs as they can work very differently in a real world music production environment. With that in mind, where possible we compare and contrast by using standard DAW projects from the likes of (opens in new tab) and (opens in new tab). Here you simply run the project and add audio tracks until your machine falls over. You then get an idea of the power of a particular processor in a real production scenario.
Finally we'll also look at screen and speaker performances. Certainly Apple excels at these with recent speaker designs that can be (just) used for mixing plus vibrant screens that help you see everything your DAW has to offer.
Read more about how we test music making gear and services at MusicRadar.
Related buyer's guides
Best laptop 2022: 15 laptops for every use case and budget
Laptops. There are just so many of them. But what's the best laptop for you? Is it a business notebook, a powerful gaming laptop, or a Chromebook? We know the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming, which is why we made this list.
We've created this handy, dandy guide so you'll know all the ins and outs of your prospective system before you make the decision to hit the buy button. From advice on choosing screen size, to selecting between an SSD and HDD, to insider scoops on where to find the best prices on laptops, here are some essential tips for finding the right system for you.
Over the course of a year, we review over 150 laptops covering every price point and use case. Whether you’re looking for a productivity workhorse, a badass gaming system, or a multimedia machine to kick back and watch a movie or two, we can help you find your ideal match.
In order to make our Best Laptop of 2022 list, the system needs to score at least 4 out of 5 stars on our reviews and deliver on the things shoppers care about most. In our evaluations, we focus on design and comfort, display quality, the keyboard and touchpad, performance, battery life, and especially value.
The Dell XPS 13 is currently our top overall pick for the best laptop of 2022. For our Apple aficionados, the new must-have is the latest MacBook Air now with the company's new M2 processor or if you're a power user or content creator, the MacBook Pro 13 can stand up to your workload. Looking for something more affordable? The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 2-in-1 delivers an OLED display and over 13 hours of battery life for under $500.
The best laptops you can buy today
Dell XPS 13 open on an outdoor table with the back of the lid and the glinting silver Dell logo facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
1. Dell XPS 13 OLED (2021) The best overall laptop you can buy Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-1185G7 GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD Display: 13.4-inch, 2160 Size: 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.8 pounds Today's Best Deals View at Laptops Direct (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Breathtaking 3.5K OLED display + Striking, ultra-thin design + Fast performance Reasons to avoid - Battery life takes a hit with OLED - Limited port selection - No webcam shutter
The Dell XPS 13 OLED is what happens when the best laptop meets the latest display technology. Combining the two creates something close to magic — an ultra-portable device capable of running most tasks while providing a cinema-like viewing experience. Everything we love about the other XPS configurations remains, including the fast performance, striking design, and top-rate touchpad.
The latest XPS 13 model debuts a gorgeous OLED panel that provides rich picture quality for when you're streaming movies at home or editing videos for work. Is it worth the tradeoff to battery life? If you need a high-res display, then yes. The 3.5K OLED display outlasted the 4K IPS config in our battery test and is capable of producing a wider range of colors. Equipped with an Intel Core i7-1185G7 CPU with 16GB of RAM, the XPS 13 is small but mighty.
Overall, the XPS 13 OLED brings an excellent display upgrade to what was already our favorite laptop, and it does so without too many sacrifices.
See our full Dell XPS 13 OLED (2021) review.
13-inch MacBook Pro M2 at an angle on a desk with the display facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
2. Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2) The best MacBook on the market Specifications CPU: Apple M2 GPU: Apple M2 GPU RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB Display: 13.3-inches, 1600 Size: 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches Weight: 3 pounds Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent battery life + Elegant redesign + Good performance Reasons to avoid - Stagnant design - Not enough ports
The next chapter in Apple computing continues and the company's bet on custom silicon continues to hit the jackpot. M2 is 18% more powerful than its ancestor with an 8-core CPU. M2 is also bringing a new 10-core GPU that's 35% faster than the previous model. And yes, M2 definitely continues its Windows PC. And if that isn't enough to get you excited, Apple has found a way to improve on the laptop's power efficiency, delivering over 18 hours of battery life.
It delivers impressive performance and has the longest battery life I’ve seen on a Mac. If that’s not enough, paired with Ventura, you get blistering webpage load times and a better webcam experience –– all thanks to Apple Silicon. In short, the new MacBook Pro is everything Apple said and more.
See our full Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022) review.
Acer Swift 5 2022 laptop open on a bench with an explosion displayed on screen (Image credit: Future)
3. Acer Swift 5 (2022) Best Acer laptop Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-1260P GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD Display: 14-inch, 2560 x 1600 Size: 12.2 x 8.4 x 0.59 inches Weight: 2.65 pounds Today's Best Deals View at Acer UK (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Rival-beating performance + Zippy video transcoding + Fast file transfer rates + Ultra-fast SSD Reasons to avoid - Speakers could be louder
The Acer Swift 5 blew us away this year. So much so, it earned a 4.5-out-of-5 score and an Editor's Choice badge due to its lightning-fast performance. It beat many of its rivals on our testing, it has a zippy SSD, rapid video-transcoding rates, and rapid file-transfer rates. To sum it all up, the Swift 5 is as fast as Roadrunner with its Intel Core i7-1260P CPU.
Its battery life is also impressing, surpassing 11 hours during our in-house testing. If you're looking for a super fast laptop that's no pricier than $1,500, the Swift 5 is your guy. Lagging, slowdowns, and waiting will be a thing of the past. One minor quibble we have is its quiet speakers, but other than that, the Swift 5 is definitely one of the best laptops of the year.
See our full Acer Swift 5 review.
MacBook Air M2 on a glass outdoor table with the lid and Apple logo facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
4. MacBook Air M2 Our favorite Apple laptop Specifications CPU: Apple M2 GPU: Apple M2 GPU RAM: 8 GB Storage: 1TB SSD Display: 13-inch, 1664p Size: 12 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches Weight: 2.7 pounds Today's Best Deals View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Elegant redesign + Good performance + Excellent battery life Reasons to avoid - Only two ports - SSD somewhat slower than M1 Air
The latest chapter in the MacBook Air’s saga is compelling to say the least. The laptop eschews the wedge design of old for a look that puts it squarely in MacBook Pro territory. But staying true to its name, the Air is 20% smaller than its predecessor in terms of volume. You even get some snazzy new colors to choose from this time around. Apple’s also added a few other new goodies such as a 1080p webcam, a new speaker setup and a bigger display.
But the real star of the show is the Apple’s M2 chip, which offers great performance for an ultraportable laptop. It’s faster and more powerful than the previous model and is ideal for anyone looking for a super-light workhorse. Plus, it lasted over 14 hours on our battery test and has fast charging. It’s a tantalizing mix of portability and performance that makes it perfect for work and play.
See our full MacBook Air M2 review.
HP Envy 13 (2021) open on an outdoor wooden table at an angle with the display facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
5. HP Envy 13 (2021) The best sub-$1000 mainstream laptop Specifications CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 GPU: Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 16GB Storage: 256GB SSD Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p Size: 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches Weight: 2.9 pounds Today's Best Deals View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright, vivid display + Core i5 CPU is speedy + 11+ hours of battery life Reasons to avoid - Plastic touchpad - No IR camera option
The HP Envy 13 continues its long reign as the king of sub-$1,000 laptops. The latest iteration of the laptop keeps all of the things we love about it, including its premium design, surprisingly powerful performance and serious battery life. What's new is the addition of Intel's 11th Gen processors and integrated graphics. Everything else about the Envy 13 is either better or as good as it was before. The 1080p display is bright and vivid, the keyboard is a joy to type on, and you still get a Thunderbolt 4 input along with two USB Type-A ports for connecting mice, keyboards or webcams.
HP addressed almost every shortcoming of the previous Envy 13, a laptop that already had very few faults. Bringing an 11th Gen Intel CPU onboard has improved a winning formula. Our Core i5 model impressed in real-world and benchmark tests, and the Envy 13 lasted for almost 11 hours on a charge.
See our full HP Envy 13 (2021) review.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 slightly open on an outdoor table with the angled lid and Windows logo facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
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6. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch, AMD) This is the one to buy Specifications CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4980U GPU: AMD Radeon RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD Display: 15-inch, 1504p Size: 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.6 inches Weight: 3.4 pounds Today's Best Deals View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Speedy performance + Long battery life + Great 15-inch display Reasons to avoid - Short on ports - No discrete graphics option - Bezels could be thinner
Yes, the Surface Laptop 5 is available now, but Microsoft took a few steps back with its latest update, so for most users we are still recommending the Surface Laptop 4. The 15-inch Surface Laptop 4, with its sleek design, colorful display, and excellent keyboard and touchpad remain a shining star in Microsoft's lineup. It should be on every shopper's shortlist as one of the best laptops on the market.
The Surface Laptop 4 addressed the major flaws we found in the Surface Laptop 3 by delivering faster performance and longer battery life. With the right CPU, the Surface Laptop 4 is a laptop with very few downsides. The sleek, sturdy design is as stylish as ever, the 15-inch panel is bright and vivid, and the keyboard and trackpad are darn-near class-leading.
If you are tempted by that higher number, here's a closer look at why we recommend the Surface Laptop 4 over the Surface Laptop 5.
See our full Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch, AMD) review.
Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 open on a table with the S Pen resting on the touchpad and the display facing the camera (Image credit: Laptop Mag/Sean Riley)
7. Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 Best 2-in-1 laptop Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-1260P GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB Display: 15.6-inch, 1080p, AMOLED Size : 14 x 9 x 0.46 inches Weight: 3.1 pounds Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at Argos (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Stunning, portable design + Impressive performance + Vivid, bright Super AMOLED screen + S Pen included Reasons to avoid - No S Pen silo
The Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is the best 2-in-1 laptop you can get. When we reviewed the Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360, shocked by its approximate 12-hour runtime and amazingly thin-and-light form factor. On top of that, for those who love watching Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max (or any other streaming app) on their laptops, they'll appreciate the Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360's colorful, bright and vivid display.
As a cherry on top, you don't have to buy a stylus separately. It comes with the beloved S Pen, so you can sketch, draw and take notes to your heart's desire.
See our full Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 review.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 open on an outdoor table with the display facing the camera (Image credit: Phillip Tracy/Laptop Mag)
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8. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (9th Gen) The best business laptop Specifications CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5/Core i7 GPU: Iris Xe RAM: 8GB/16GB/32GB Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB SSD Display: 14-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel 16:10 Size: 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.5 pounds Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Laptops Direct (opens in new tab) View at CCL (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Slim, lightweight design + Good 14-inch, 16:10 FHD+ display + Class-leading keyboard + Great quad speakers + Epic battery life Reasons to avoid - Poor 720p webcam - No card slot
Lenovo's 9th Gen edition of its flagship business laptop delivers fast performance from 11th Gen Intel CPUs, you get longer battery life (15 hours!), powerful quad speakers, a new 14-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and plenty of ports, all in an impossibly lightweight chassis (2.5 pounds).
But it's still those classic ThinkPad features — a durable design (with MIL-STD-810G strength), best-in-class keyboard and stealthy black/red aesthetics — that carry the X1 Carbon to greatness.
Yes, we wish the ThinkPad X1 Carbon had a better webcam and hadn't ditched the SD card reader in the previous. Also, top configurations can get very expensive; still, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better business laptop.
See our full Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 (Gen 9) review.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 6) in tent mode on an outdoor wooden table with the display facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
9. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 6) The best business 2-in-1 laptop Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 GPU: Intel Iris Xe graphics RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD Display: 14-inches, 1200p Size: 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches Weight: 3 pounds Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at (opens in new tab) View at (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Speedy performance + Long battery life + Built-in stylus slot Reasons to avoid - Heavier than some competitors - No SD card slot - Expensive
If you need a portable 2-in-1 laptop — for business or otherwise — and aren't on a tight budget, the X1 Yoga Gen 6 is one to consider. There simply aren't many weaknesses to this convertible. The 11th Gen Intel CPUs provide fast performance and epic endurance, while the sleek chassis is slim enough to take on a business trip or to the cafe when you're working remotely. The X1 Yoga separates itself from others in the field with a bounty of extra features, from the IR camera and fingerprint sensor to the garaged stylus and webcam cover.
If you're a business user who wants a portable 2-in-1 laptop, or an IT admin setting your team up with the very best hardware, then the ThinkPad X1 Yoga is a first-rate choice. It even lasts for nearly 15 hours on a charge. These perks are packaged in a sleek aluminum chassis with a convenient 2-in-1 design and a handy stylus slot.
See our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 6) review.
Asus ZenBook 17 Fold OLED open on a glass table showing off the folding display (Image credit: Future)
10. Asus ZenBook 17 Fold OLED The best dual-screen laptop Specifications CPU: ntel Core i7-1250U GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM : 16GB Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 SSD Display: 17.3-inch, 1920 Size : 14.9 x 11.3 x 0.3~0.5 inches, 11.3 x 7.5 x 0.7~1.4 inches (folded) Weight: 3.3 pounds, 4 pounds (ErgoSense keyboard) Today's Best Deals Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Smart, versatile design + Beautiful OLED display + Solid performance Reasons to avoid - Below-average battery life - Only two Thunderbolt ports - Expensive
After years of teasing, the world’s first foldable 17.3-inch laptop is here and there is plenty to like. The Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED is a multi-pronged solution to work and play thanks to Asus’ proprietary hinge and a foldable OLED display created by both Asus and Intel. Speaking of Intel, the Core i7 U-series processor is no slouch, delivering a surprising amount of power for a chip that’s known for its focus on power efficiency.
It’s an elegant conversation starter, drawing all the oohs and ahhs as it transforms from a ginormous tablet to a dainty laptop. But most importantly, it’s easy to use. Like a lump of clay, you can bend and shape the Fold into whatever you need it to be for work or play. Need to bang out a paper? Try Laptop or Desktop Mode. Want to watch movies? Bask in the OLED goodness in tablet mode. Gotta multitask? Try Extended mode or connect a monitor, smartphone or tablet. Hell, you can even use it to curl up with a book.
See our full Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED review.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 on a kitchen counter with the white lid facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
11. Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 The longest battery life ever in a gaming laptop Specifications CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 RAM: 32GB Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD Display: 5.6-inch, 2560 x 1440, 165Hz Size: 14.0 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches Weight: 4.2 pounds Today's Best Deals View at Ebuyer (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Ebuyer (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Killer AMD and Nvidia performance + Amazing battery life + Elegant Moonlight White design Reasons to avoid - Display could be more vibrant - No webcam
The Zephyrus G15 offers amazing performance from its AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU. It even boasts a similarly long-lasting battery life, a clicky keyboard, a 15.6-inch, 1440p display and a set of powerful speakers wrapped up in an even more elegant Moonlight White design.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 (GA503Q) totes around some of the most powerful components you can get right now. Almost every part of this machine is surprisingly great and well worth the money you’ll be paying. Plus, it lasted 8 hours and 6 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test, crushing the premium gaming laptop average. Regardless, the Zephyrus G15 is one of the few best gaming laptops that you can buy with an RTX 3080 GPU
Read our full Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 review.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon open on the corner of a table with the display facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
12. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon Best AMD laptop Specifications CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800U GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB Display: 14 inches, 1800p Size : 12.3 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches Weight: 2.4 pounds Today's Best Deals Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Bright, colorful display + Comfortable keyboard + Strong performance Reasons to avoid - Below-average battery life
If you’re looking for a great all-around laptop that’ll get you through the day, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon may be the notebook for you. It features powerful performance combined with a gorgeous 14-inch OLED display, Dolby Atmos speakers and a comfortable keyboard. Between the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon’s performance and gorgeous display, it’s hard to say no to this machine.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon’s 14-inch, 2800 x 1800 OLED display is not only gorgeous, but it’s also super smooth thanks to its 90Hz refresh rate. The laptop has a comfy and punchy keyboard and great speakers. Even better, it dominated on our overall benchmark tests. It has a respectable battery life and is a great sub-$1,500 laptop.
See our full Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Carbon review.
HP Spectre x360 13.5-inch in tent mode on the edge of a table with the display facing the camera (Image credit: Future)
13. HP Spectre x360 13.5-inch (2022) Best 14-inch laptop Specifications CPU: Intel Core i7-1255U GPU: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB SSD Display: 13.5-inch, 2000p Size: 11.7 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches Weight: 3 pounds Today's Best Deals View at HP Store (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) View at Argos (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Stunning 3:2 aspect ratio OLED touch screen + Excellent performance + All-day battery life Reasons to avoid - Pricey - Lack of discrete GPU option
The latest edition of the HP Spectre x360 13.5-inch easily earns our Editors' Choice badge due to it being in the upper eschelons of the premium 2-in-1 laptops to beat. Its elegant, sturdy design, boasting a fine chrome diamond cut look, belongs on a runway.
The laptop features solid performance thanks to its strong 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, and while it may not dish out the fastest processing speeds we’ve tested, it still delivers superb document-pushing power. Even better, its dazzling OLED touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio is wonderful to devour video content on. It's a slam dunk for on-the-go power users that require 2-in-1 flexibility, longevity and power.
See our full HP Spectre x360 13.5-inch (2022) review.
Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook open on a coffee table with keyboard attached and the display facing the camera (Image credit: Laptop Mag/Sean Riley)
14. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 The best Chromebook overall Specifications CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 RAM: 8GB Storage: 128GB eMMC Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p Size: 12 x 7.4 x 0.28 inches Weight: 2.24 pounds (with keyboard/case); 1.5 pounds (tablet only) Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent battery life + Detachable 2-in-1 design + Bright, vivid OLED display Reasons to avoid - Stylus not included - Weak performance for the price
The Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook is a significant departure from last year’s affordable Chromebook Duet. It still features a fabric rear case and keyboard cover like the previous model, but open it up and the 13.3-inch OLED display will make you check that sub-$500 price again. The changes run deeper than that with a dramatically improved Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor, while also delivering over 13 hours on a single charge.
While you can see the DNA of the Chromebook Duet in the Duet 5, it’s an astounding transformation, more reminiscent of a Pokemon evolution than a natural generational upgrade. The larger display also allows for a full-size keyboard, which is a night and day difference from the original Chromebook Duet’s Lilliputian keys. From the vivid OLED display to the over 13 hours of battery life, you won’t find a Windows 11 laptop that comes close for under $500.
As long as you are willing to live the Chrome OS life, and aren’t trying to run Linux on it, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 belongs on the shortlist for anyone in the market for a 2-in-1 Chromebook.
See our full Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook review.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio open at an angle on a desk with the keyboard covered showing the display and large touchpad (Image credit: Future)
15. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio The best laptop for creative professionals Specifications CPU:: Intel Core i7-11370H GPU:: Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti RAM:: 32GB Storage:: 1TB SSD Display:: 14.4-inch, 1600p Size:: 12.7 x 9 x 0.8 inches Weight:: 4 pounds Today's Best Deals View at Scan (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at John Lewis (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Clever hinge enables new modes + Gorgeous 14.4-inch, 120Hz display + Long battery life Reasons to avoid - Thick chassis - Not enough ports - Performance is short of class-leading
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is an excellent choice for creative professionals. It can be transformed into a digital drawing board, but it does so without compromising the standard laptop mode. This flexibility, along with excellent performance and long battery life, makes the Surface Laptop Studio a compelling option for creative professionals. Add in a fantastic keyboard/touchpad combo, powerful speakers, and a 1080p webcam, and the Surface Laptop Studio finds its place as one of the best laptops for creatives and anyone else searching for an extra-versatile laptop.
With its Core i7-11370H CPU and RTX 3050 Ti graphics, the Surface Laptop Studio can handle the most demanding tasks and even play some recent AAA games. Despite having so much power under the hood, the Laptop Studio lasts a full day on a charge, and its 14.4-inch display is excellent, with the 120Hz refresh rate giving it an edge over the competition. Microsoft didn't just get the big things right — it put care into each element of this laptop. The keyboard and touchpad are fantastic, the speakers are crisp and powerful, and even the webcam is decent.
See our full Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio review.
Why trust Laptop Mag
Why you can trust Laptop Mag Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing laptops for three decades. We test over 150 different models per year, subjecting each system to a series of rigorous benchmarks that provides a complete picture of performance, battery life and usability.
Our expert reviewers also use each product to see how it looks and feels in everyday situations. Because we see so many different notebooks, we can compare each to its direct competitors and give you an idea of how it stacks up to the average laptop in its price band.
How we test laptops
Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing laptops for three decades. We test over 150 different models per year, subjecting each system to a series of rigorous benchmarks that provides a complete picture of performance, battery life and usability.
Our expert reviewers also use each product to see how it looks and feels in everyday situations. Because we see so many different notebooks, we can compare each to its direct competitors and give you an idea of how it stacks up to the average laptop in its price band.
When we bring a laptop into our laboratory, our goal is to see how it would work if you brought it into your home or office. While we use a number of industry standard benchmarks such as Geekbench and 3DMark, we focus heavily on real-world tests that we have developed in-house.
To test endurance, the Laptop Mag Battery test surfs the web at 150 nits of brightness until the system runs out of juice. To judge pure processing power, we use a giant spreadsheet macro that matches 65,000 names with their addresses, a video transcoder that converts a 4K video to 1080p and the Geekbench 4 synthetic test. We measure graphics prowess with both 3DMark Ice Storm / Fire Strike and a series of actual game titles.
We use a colorimeter to measure screen brightness and color gamut while other instruments help us determine a laptop's key travel and ambient heat. See this page on How We Test Laptops for more details on our benchmarking procedures.
How to find the right laptop
When shopping for a laptop, there's a lot to consider. To help you choose a system, we've put our up-to-date list of favorite notebooks above, along with five points to keep in mind when choosing a system.
Budget: What you get for the money.
You can find good cheap Windows laptops and high-quality Chromebooks for under $500. However, better mainstream laptops usually cost more than $700 and premium Ultrabooks can run over $1,000. The best gaming laptops can cost $2.000 and up, but you can play the latest titles at decent frame rates on gaming laptops under $1,500 as well as the best gaming laptops under $1,000.
Screen Size: 12 to 14 inches for Portability
Knowing a laptop's screen size tells you a lot about its portability overall. If you want to use your computer on your lap or carry it around a lot, go for one with a 12, 13 or 14-inch display. If you want to use the computer on tables and desks and won't carry it around much, a 15-inch model may give you more value. Some gaming rigs, media machines and workstations even have 17 or 18-inch screens, but those are hardest to carry.
2-in-1 or Clamshell?
More and more of today's laptops are 2-in-1s with screens that either bend back 360 degrees or detach so you can use them as tablets. If you like the idea of using your laptop in slate mode for drawing, media consumption or just using it standing up, a 2-in-1 could be for you. However, you can often get better features or a lower price by going with a traditional clamshell-style laptop.
Battery Life: 8+ Hours for Portability
Unless you only plan to use your laptop on your desk, battery life matters. Even within the home or office, having plenty of juice enables you to work on the couch or at the conference table, without being chained to the nearest outlet. For the best portability, we recommend getting a laptop that lasted over 8 hours on the Laptop Mag Battery Test. The longest-lasting laptops endure for over 10 hours.
Specs: 1080p / Core i5 / 8GB Are Best Bets
You can spend a lot of time delving into specs, but here are the key components to think about. If you just want really good mainstream performance, go for a Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and a 1080p screen.
