Find the best laptop in 2026

Best laptops under $500 for everyday use

Best Pick

Lenovo LENOVO THINKBOOK 15 G2 ITL 15.5" FHD INTEL 11TH

70.7 Score
15.5" I5-1135G 40GB RAM 1024GB SSD AMD Graphics
Why we recommend this

Its standout 40GB of RAM and 1TB NVMe SSD provide exceptional multitasking headroom and fast storage for demanding applications. The inclusion of a Thunderbolt port and Windows 11 Pro makes it a versatile tool for connectivity and enterprise management. This laptop is best for business analysts or data scientists who need to run multiple virtual machines or large datasets locally.

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ASUS - Vivobook 14 14" FHD+ Laptop - Copilot+ PC -

68 Score
14" Snapdragon X 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Qualcomm X1
Why we recommend this

Its Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip and integrated X1 graphics deliver strong AI-assisted performance and efficiency in a 1.49kg chassis, making it exceptionally portable. The laptop's robust connectivity, including four USB-A ports and HDMI, provides excellent legacy compatibility for a modern thin-and-light device. This Copilot+ PC is best for students and developers who prioritize long battery life and AI-enhanced Windows workflows over gaming performance.

Apple MacBook Air MWTJ2LL/A 13.3" 8GB 256GB SSD

67.9 Score
13.3" AMD Ryzen 5 1600 8GB RAM 256GB SSD AMD Graphics
Why we recommend this

Its 13.3-inch 2560x1600 IPS display provides sharp visuals for a compact laptop, though it's powered by a dual-core Intel Core i3 processor. The 8GB of RAM and integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics make it suitable for basic tasks and media consumption, not demanding workloads. This MacBook Air is best for students or business users who prioritize portability and screen quality for everyday productivity and entertainment.

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 13.5" Touch 8GB 128GB

61.7 Score
13.5" AMD Ryzen 5 4680U 8GB RAM 128GB SSD AMD Graphics
Why we recommend this

Its AMD Ryzen 5 4680U processor and integrated graphics provide solid performance for everyday tasks within its sleek, 13.5-inch touchscreen form factor. The high-resolution PixelSense display offers excellent clarity and a premium touch experience for a laptop in this class. This model is best for students or business users who prioritize portability and a responsive touch interface over high-performance gaming or heavy multitasking.

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Best laptops under $1000 for everyday use

Best Pick

Lenovo - Yoga 7 2-in-1 - Copilot+ PC - 14" 2K OLED

86 Score
14" AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 16GB RAM 1024GB SSD AMD Radeon 860
Why we recommend this

Its discrete AMD Radeon 860 graphics and 14-inch OLED touchscreen provide vibrant visuals for media consumption. The 70Wh battery and WiFi 7 connectivity support reliable, all-day portable use in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor. This laptop is best for business travelers and entertainment users who prioritize a vivid display and flexible design over raw processing power for intensive development tasks.

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Price $940
Lenovo Yoga laptop

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ASUS 14" Vivobook S14 Laptop Copilot+ PC

82.9 Score
14" AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 24GB RAM 512GB SSD AMD Radeon Graphics 880M
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the AMD Radeon 880M integrated graphics paired with a 14-inch 2880x1800 OLED 120Hz display, delivering vibrant visuals for media consumption. The laptop's 1.30kg weight and 75Wh battery make it highly portable for on-the-go use. This device is best for students and commuters who prioritize a premium, high-resolution screen for streaming and productivity in a compact form factor.

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ASUS Vivobook laptop
Price $928

Microsoft 13.8" Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC (7th

82.2 Score
13.8" Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 16GB RAM 1024GB SSD Qualcomm X1
Why we recommend this

Its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip delivers excellent battery life and efficient performance in a slim, premium aluminum chassis. The 13.8-inch 120Hz touchscreen is sharp and responsive, enhancing the premium Windows-on-Arm experience. This laptop is best for students and business travelers who prioritize all-day battery life and portability over high-performance gaming.

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LG 14" gram Laptop

77.3 Score
14" Intel Core Ultra 5 225H 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Intel Arc Graphics
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with integrated Arc graphics, enabling strong on-device AI performance within an exceptionally light 1.12kg chassis that meets military-grade durability standards. This combination of power and portability is further enhanced by a 72Wh battery, promising excellent all-day mobility. It is best for students and professionals who prioritize a feather-light, durable laptop for productivity and AI-assisted tasks over gaming performance.

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LG Thin laptop
Price $929

Best laptops under $2000 for everyday use

Best Pick

Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M5, Silver)

91.1 Score
14.2" Apple M5 32GB RAM 1024GB SSD Apple (10-Core)
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the powerful Apple M5 chip paired with a 14.2" Mini-LED display with 120Hz ProMotion, delivering exceptional performance and visual smoothness. The combination of 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD in a durable aluminum chassis makes it a highly capable and portable workstation. This laptop is best for creative professionals like video editors and 3D animators who need sustained power and a brilliant, color-accurate screen for demanding projects.

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Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 (14″ AMD) Mobile Workstation 21RVCTO1WWUS1

90.7 Score
14" AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 64GB RAM 1024GB SSD AMD Graphics
Why we recommend this

Its 64GB of RAM and integrated AMD graphics with 48GB of dedicated VRAM provide exceptional memory for demanding professional software. The 14-inch, 500-nit touchscreen display in a 1.39kg chassis offers excellent portability and outdoor visibility for a mobile workstation. This laptop is best for architects and engineers running complex CAD simulations or data scientists working with large datasets locally.

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MSI Creator M14 A13V A13VF-081US 14" 2.8K Laptop,

85.7 Score
14" Intel Core i7 13620H 32GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
Why we recommend this

Its 14-inch 2.8K display and RTX 4060 graphics provide a potent, portable package for creators needing color accuracy and GPU power. The 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB SSD offer excellent multitasking headroom and storage for large project files. This laptop is best for digital artists and content creators who prioritize a high-resolution screen and strong performance in a compact, sub-4-pound chassis.

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HP 14" ZBook Ultra G1a Multi-Touch Mobile

83.4 Score
14" AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 380 16GB RAM 1024GB SSD AMD Radeon
Why we recommend this

Its 14-inch 120Hz OLED touchscreen and powerful AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 chip deliver exceptional visual quality and processing for creators. The robust build quality and integrated AMD Radeon 8040S graphics with 48GB VRAM provide strong mobile performance for demanding tasks. This workstation is best for digital artists and content creators who prioritize color-accurate touchscreens and need reliable GPU power on the go.

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HP ZBook laptop
Price $1,079

Premium laptops for everyday use

Best Pick

Apple 14" MacBook Pro (M4 Max, Silver)

100 Score
14.2" Apple M4 Max 128GB RAM 8192GB SSD Apple (40-Core)
Why we recommend this

Its M4 Max chip and 128GB of RAM deliver immense power for intensive tasks like 3D rendering and scientific computing, supported by a 72Wh battery for sustained performance. The 14.2-inch Mini-LED display offers exceptional 1000-nit brightness and ProMotion smoothness, all in a highly portable 1.6kg chassis. This laptop is best for professional researchers, data scientists, and engineers who require extreme computational power and a premium, color-accurate screen in a mobile form factor.

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Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (16 83F50019US

94.3 Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 64GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
Why we recommend this

Its 24-core Intel 275HX CPU and NVIDIA RTX 5090 graphics deliver top-tier performance for demanding AAA gaming and 3D rendering. The 16-inch OLED display offers exceptional contrast and a 240Hz refresh rate, wrapped in a surprisingly portable 2.72kg chassis. This machine is ideal for competitive esports players and professional animators who require maximum graphical fidelity and processing power in a relatively mobile package.

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Lenovo Legion Pro Series laptop
Price $3,320

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403 14" 2.8K 120Hz OLED

92.7 Score
14" AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 32GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
Why we recommend this

Its compact 1.57kg chassis houses a powerful AMD 370 12-core CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, delivering top-tier gaming performance in a highly portable form factor. The standout feature is its vibrant 14-inch 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering exceptional contrast and smooth motion for both games and media. This laptop is best for gamers and content creators who prioritize a premium, high-performance machine in a remarkably portable package.

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MSI 16" Vector 16 HX AI Gaming Laptop

89.6 Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 32GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080
Why we recommend this

Its Intel 275HX processor and RTX 5080 graphics deliver top-tier performance for demanding games and creative tasks. The 16-inch 240Hz QHD display offers a smooth, bright visual experience, supported by a robust port selection including Thunderbolt and WiFi 7. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and 3D artists who require maximum frame rates and rendering power in a desktop-replacement form factor.

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