A great laptop empowers you with high-quality computing wherever you go—an attractive proposition for any user. With so many options available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. For most people, a well-rounded device like my top pick, the MacBook Air, will cover all your needs. If you're a student looking for a balance of portability, performance, and entertainment, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 might be the ideal fit.

I spend my time testing and reviewing laptops to help you find the perfect match—whether it's for work, school, or gaming. These are the best laptops of 2025.

TL;DR – Top Picks for Best Laptops in 2025:

Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
[See it at Amazon] [See it at Apple]

Asus VivoBook S 15
[See it at Best Buy] [See it at Asus]

Razer Blade 16 (2025)
[See it at Razer]

Asus Zenbook S 16
[See it at Amazon] [See it at Best Buy] [See it at Asus]

Microsoft Surface Pro 11
[See it at Amazon] [See it at Microsoft]

Laptops come in various designs tailored to different lifestyles. The best ones blend into your daily routine, offering long battery life and consistent performance without drawing attention to themselves.

No matter what you're after, I’ve tested each of these models to ensure you get the best value and performance for your budget.

MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos

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1. Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)

The Best Laptop Overall

This year’s MacBook Air is more powerful than ever thanks to its new M4 chip. It’s an excellent choice for productivity, creative tasks, and everyday use.
[See it at Amazon] [See it at Apple]

Product Specifications:

• Display: 13.6” (2560x1664)
• CPU: Apple M4 (10 cores)
• GPU: Apple M4 (8–10 cores)
• RAM: 16–32GB
• Storage: 256GB–2TB
• Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Dimensions: 11.97” x 8.46” x 0.44"

Pros:

• Exceptional battery life
• Ultra-thin and lightweight
• Smooth daily performance

Cons:

• Limited gaming capabilities
• Upgrades can be expensive

The MacBook Air remains one of the most popular laptops on the market due to its unmatched portability, efficiency, and performance. This year, Apple equipped it with the new M4 processor, delivering even faster speeds while maintaining impressive energy efficiency.

Its fanless design keeps things quiet and sleek, making it ideal as a daily companion for students, professionals, and casual users alike. While not designed for heavy gaming or professional-grade video editing, it handles most tasks with ease.

Despite minimal changes to the exterior, the updated internals make this the best MacBook Air yet. Its 13.6-inch Retina display offers sharp visuals, and two USB-C ports provide modern connectivity—though those needing more ports may want a dock.

Overall, the MacBook Air is the best laptop for most people who prioritize mobility, reliability, and macOS integration.

2. Asus VivoBook S 15

Best Budget Laptop

Packed with value, the Asus VivoBook S 15 delivers strong performance, a vibrant OLED display, and solid portability—all at an affordable price.
[See it at Best Buy] [See it at Asus]

Product Specifications:

• Display: 15” (2880x1620) OLED 120Hz
• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P
• GPU: Integrated (Qualcomm Adreno)
• RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X
• Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
• Weight: 3.13 pounds
• Dimensions: 13.88" x 8.93" x 0.58" – 0.63"

Pros:

• Excellent productivity performance
• Beautiful OLED screen
• Long battery life

Cons:

• ARM app compatibility concerns

The Asus VivoBook S 15 offers a compelling mix of power, display quality, and affordability. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus processor, it runs Windows efficiently while offering over 16 hours of real-world battery life.

Its 15-inch OLED touchscreen delivers stunning visuals with deep blacks and rich colors, making it great for both work and media consumption. Despite being a budget option, it doesn’t skimp on specs, offering 16GB RAM and a fast 512GB SSD.

While there may be some concerns about application compatibility due to its ARM-based architecture, most productivity tools run smoothly. It’s a fantastic option for students and remote workers seeking a lightweight, capable laptop without breaking the bank.

3. Razer Blade 16 (2025)

Best Gaming Laptop

Combining raw power with a sleek design, the Razer Blade 16 sets a new standard for premium gaming laptops.
[See it at Razer]

Product Specifications:

• Display: 16-inch (2560x1600) OLED
• CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
• GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
• RAM: Up to 64GB
• Storage: Up to 4TB
• Weight: 4.7lbs
• Dimensions: 13.98 x 8.68 x 0.59 – 0.69 inches

Pros:

• Outstanding performance
• Stunning OLED display
• Premium build and design

Cons:

• High price tag
• Not the fastest frame rates

The Razer Blade 16 redefines what a gaming laptop can be. Featuring the latest AMD Ryzen CPU and top-tier Nvidia GPU, it delivers exceptional performance in a surprisingly slim chassis.

Its OLED panel offers a 2560x1600 resolution with vibrant colors and smooth 240Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for both gaming and content creation. Despite its power, the system remains relatively quiet and cool during use.

Though it sacrifices a bit of raw frame rate performance in favor of a thinner design, the overall experience is still top-notch. If you’re looking for a high-end, portable gaming rig that looks and feels premium, the Razer Blade 16 is the way to go.

4. Asus ZenBook S 16

Best Laptop for Work