Choosing the right laptop in 2024 can be tough with so many options available. After testing over 59 different models, I’ve narrowed it down to the best choices that stand out for their performance, battery life, and overall value. Whether you need a laptop for school, work, or gaming, there’s something here for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 offers the best battery life, lasting up to 23 hours.
- The MacBook Air M3 is perfect for those who want a lightweight laptop without sacrificing power.
- Dell’s Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 is a great choice for those needing strong performance at a reasonable price.
- For gamers, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 delivers top-notch graphics and speed.
- The HP Spectre x360 14 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop with impressive features.
1. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a standout choice for anyone looking for a reliable and stylish laptop. With its sleek design and impressive performance, it has quickly become a favorite among users. Here are some key features:
- Battery Life: The Surface Laptop 7 boasts an incredible battery life, lasting up to 23 hours on a single charge. This makes it one of the best options for those who need a laptop that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
- Performance: Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processor, this laptop delivers smooth and fast performance for everyday tasks.
- Display Options: Available in both 13-inch and 15-inch models, the touchscreen display offers vibrant colors and sharp images.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | Up to 23 hours |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon X |
| Display Size | 13-inch or 15-inch |
| Weight | Approximately 2.96 pounds |
The Surface Laptop 7 is not just about looks; it provides a fantastic user experience with its sturdy build and anti-fingerprint chassis.
However, it does have some downsides:
- Limited ports (only USB-C available)
- Not suitable for heavy gaming
- Some AI features may feel unnecessary
In summary, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a top contender for the best laptop of 2024, thanks to its never-ending battery life and engaging performance.
2. MacBook Air M3
The MacBook Air M3 is a standout choice for anyone seeking a reliable laptop. With its sleek design and powerful performance, it has quickly become a favorite among users. Here’s what makes it special:
- Performance: The M3 chip offers up to 13 times faster performance than older Intel models, making it perfect for multitasking and demanding applications.
- Battery Life: Users can enjoy up to 15 hours of battery life, ensuring you can work all day without needing to recharge.
- Display: The 13.6-inch screen boasts a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels, providing a bright and vibrant viewing experience.
Key Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Apple M3 |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 1 TB SSD |
| Weight | 2.7 pounds |
| Thickness | 0.44 inches |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Excellent battery life
- Bright display
Cons:
- Limited ports
- Higher price point
The MacBook Air M3 has captured the top spot on our list of the best laptops of 2024. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a do-it-all laptop that doesn’t sacrifice performance for portability.
In summary, the MacBook Air M3 is a powerful, lightweight laptop that excels in performance and battery life, making it a top choice for students and professionals alike.
3. Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable laptop. It offers a good balance of performance and price, making it a great option for everyday tasks. With its Snapdragon processor, it handles most productivity needs well, although it may not be the fastest option available.
Key Features
- Battery Life: This laptop boasts an impressive battery life, lasting close to 24 hours on a single charge, which is longer than many competitors.
- Build Quality: The Inspiron 14 Plus has decent build quality, featuring a sturdy design that feels reliable.
- Display: It comes with a bright 14-inch display, making it suitable for both work and entertainment.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Long-lasting battery life
- Good performance for everyday tasks
- Comfortable keyboard for typing
Cons:
- Not the fastest laptop for power users
- Limited upgrade options
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 is a well-rounded laptop that is perfect for students and professionals alike. Its affordable price and excellent battery life make it a top contender in the market.
4. Acer Swift Go 14
The Acer Swift Go 14 is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a reliable laptop in 2024. With its sleek design and solid performance, it stands out in the crowded laptop market. Here are some key features:
- Display: The laptop features a stunning 14-inch OLED screen that offers vibrant colors and sharp images. Many users appreciate the screen quality, making it great for both work and entertainment.
- Performance: Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS processor, the Swift Go 14 handles everyday tasks with ease. It’s a versatile daily driver that can tackle productivity tasks without breaking a sweat.
- Build Quality: The laptop has a sturdy metal chassis, which gives it a premium feel. Customers have noted that it feels more durable than many other laptops in its price range.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS |
| Display | 14-inch OLED |
| Weight | 2.9 pounds |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 hours |
| Price | Starting at $749 |
The Acer Swift Go 14 is a great value-for-money laptop that offers a beautiful display and enough power for daily tasks.
In summary, the Acer Swift Go 14 is a well-rounded laptop that combines style, performance, and affordability. It’s perfect for students and professionals alike, making it one of the best options of 2024.
5. Asus Zenbook 14 OLED
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is a standout choice for anyone seeking a powerful and stylish laptop. With its gorgeous OLED display, this laptop offers vibrant colors and sharp images, making it perfect for both work and play. Here are some key features:
- Performance: Equipped with a 16-core Intel Ultra 7155H processor, it handles multitasking with ease.
- Battery Life: Lasting up to 16 hours on a single charge, it’s ideal for students and professionals on the go.
- Design: The sleek and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 14″ WUXGA OLED touchscreen |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD |
| Weight | 3 pounds |
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is built well, offering a beautiful OLED touchscreen and plenty of ports, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable laptop.
In summary, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED ticks all the boxes for a modern laptop, combining performance, battery life, and a stunning display. Whether you’re a student or a professional, this laptop is sure to impress with its top-notch ergonomics and overall functionality.
6. LG Gram SuperSlim
The LG Gram SuperSlim is a standout in the world of laptops, known for being the world’s thinnest laptop. Weighing just over 2 pounds, it is incredibly portable, making it perfect for students and professionals on the go.
Key Features:
- Display: 15.6-inch OLED, 1080p resolution for vibrant visuals.
- Performance: Powered by an Intel Core i7-1360p processor and 32GB of RAM, it handles multitasking with ease.
- Storage: Comes with a 512GB SSD, ensuring quick access to your files.
Specifications Table:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1360p |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM | 32GB |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Weight | 2.18 pounds |
| Thickness | 0.49 inches |
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Excellent battery life, lasting over 11 hours.
- Extremely lightweight and thin, making it easy to carry.
- High-quality display with rich colors.
Cons:
- The keyboard may feel a bit shallow for some users.
The LG Gram SuperSlim is a great choice for anyone needing a lightweight laptop without sacrificing performance.
In summary, the LG Gram SuperSlim is a powerful and portable laptop that excels in performance and battery life, making it a top contender for anyone looking for a reliable device in 2024.
7. MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max
The MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max is a powerhouse that stands out in 2024. With its impressive performance, it’s hard to find a laptop that can compete. Here’s what makes it special:
- Performance: Equipped with a 16-core M3 Max CPU and a 40-core GPU, this laptop excels in speed and efficiency. It can handle demanding tasks like video editing and gaming with ease.
- Battery Life: One of the best features is its battery life, lasting up to 22 hours on a single charge, which is remarkable compared to other premium laptops.
- Display: The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina Display offers stunning visuals at a resolution of 3,456 x 2,234, making it perfect for creative work.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | 16-core M3 Max |
| GPU | 40-core |
| RAM | Up to 128GB |
| Storage | Up to 8TB |
| Battery Life | Up to 22 hours |
The MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max is not just a laptop; it’s a tool for professionals who need the best performance.
Pros:
- Blazing-fast performance
- Incredible battery life
- Beautiful display
Cons:
- High price point
- Might be overkill for casual users
In summary, the MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max is the [best overall Mac workstation laptop](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-laptop/) for 2024, offering unmatched performance and battery life. If you need a laptop that can handle anything you throw at it, this is the one to choose!
8. Asus ROG Strix Scar 18
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is a powerful gaming laptop that stands out for its impressive performance and design. With an 18-inch display, it offers a visually stunning experience for gamers and creators alike. Here are some key features:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13900HX
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: Dual 1TB SSD in RAID 0
- Display: 2560 x 1600 resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate
Performance
The laptop delivers blazing-fast performance that can handle any gaming or work scenario. It features:
- 32GB of DDR5 memory for smooth multitasking
- 2TB of PCIe storage for quick file access
- Liquid metal cooling for optimal thermal management
Design
The design of the Strix Scar 18 is both flashy and functional. It has a high build quality and a gaming aesthetic that appeals to many users. However, some users may find the webcam lacking, as it only supports 720p resolution.
Battery Life
While the performance is top-notch, the battery life is somewhat below average, lasting around 4.5 hours. This is decent for a gaming laptop, but users should be prepared to charge it frequently.
Overall, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is a top contender in the gaming laptop market, offering a premium experience for those who demand power and performance.
9. HP Spectre x360 14
The HP Spectre x360 14 is a standout 2-in-1 laptop that combines style and performance. With its sleek design and powerful features, it’s perfect for both work and play. Here are some key highlights:
- Display: The 14-inch OLED screen offers vibrant colors and sharp images, making it great for watching movies or editing photos.
- Performance: Equipped with the latest Intel Core Ultra CPU, this laptop delivers excellent speed and efficiency, ensuring smooth multitasking.
- Battery Life: Users can enjoy over 11 hours of battery life, which is impressive for a device of this caliber.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 14-inch |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1800 |
| Weight | 3.2 pounds |
| Battery Life | 11+ hours |
| Webcam | 9MP with noise reduction |
The HP Spectre x360 14 is not just about looks; it also offers a fantastic user experience with its comfortable keyboard and large touchpad.
In summary, the HP Spectre x360 14 is a top choice for anyone looking for a versatile laptop that excels in both performance and design. Its color-accurate display and solid build quality make it a worthy investment for 2024.
10. Acer Chromebook Spin 714
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a fantastic choice for students and professionals alike. With its lightweight design, this 2-in-1 laptop is perfect for on-the-go use. It features an Intel Core i5-1335U processor, which makes it capable of handling everyday tasks with ease.
Key Features:
- Battery Life: Lasts nearly 13 hours, making it ideal for long days.
- Display: A bright 14-inch screen that offers a resolution of 1600p.
- Weight: Weighs only 3.2 pounds, making it easy to carry.
Performance:
The Spin 714 scored impressively on various benchmarks:
| Benchmark | Score |
|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 | 6,335 |
| JetStream 2.0 | 250.2 |
| Battery Test | 12h 43m |
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- Cons:
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a well-rounded device that builds upon the strengths of its predecessors, making it a great option for anyone looking for a reliable laptop.
Final Thoughts on the Best Laptop of 2024
Choosing the right laptop can be tough, especially with so many choices available. After testing many models, it’s clear that the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 stands out as the best option for 2024. It offers amazing battery life, lasting up to 23 hours, which is perfect for students and professionals alike. Its performance is top-notch, handling everything from schoolwork to streaming with ease. Plus, its sleek design makes it easy to carry around. Whether you’re a gamer, a student, or just need a reliable laptop for everyday tasks, the Surface Laptop 7 is a fantastic choice that won’t disappoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laptop of 2024?
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is considered the best laptop of 2024 due to its impressive performance and battery life.
How do you choose the best laptop?
To choose the best laptop, consider factors like battery life, performance, design, and your specific needs.
Is the MacBook Air M3 worth it?
Yes, the MacBook Air M3 is a great choice for those looking for a portable laptop with excellent performance.
What makes the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus stand out?
The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is known for its strong performance and long battery life, making it a solid choice for many users.
Why is battery life important in a laptop?
Good battery life allows you to use your laptop for longer without needing to charge, which is great for on-the-go use.
Are Chromebooks good for students?
Yes, Chromebooks are usually affordable and perfect for students who mainly use web-based applications.
What features should I look for in a gaming laptop?
For gaming laptops, look for a powerful graphics card, fast processor, and good cooling systems.
How often should I upgrade my laptop?
You should consider upgrading your laptop every 3 to 5 years, depending on your needs and how well it performs.
