Mashable has been reviewing mobile computers for over 10 years. Over the past two years alone, the team and I have researched dozens of models and tested more than 80 of the most promising configurations available. We use a rigorous testing process that involves real-world stress testing and synthetic benchmarks to evaluate our competitors based on performance, battery life, design/build quality, and price.
This regularly updated guide serves as our laptop trophy case, highlighting the best models we’ve tested in every category below. For more recommendations, check out my dedicated guides to the best MacBooks, the best Windows laptops, the best cheap laptops, and the best Chromebooks.
A note about laptop prices
Recent advances in AI data center architecture have resulted in a global shortage of RAM and SSD chips (often referred to as “RAMageddon”). As a result, many consumer technology devices that use these components, including the best laptops, have seen price increases this year. The deficit is expected to worsen and could continue until 2028, pushing up prices and making good prices for the budget and the middle and middle classes even more scarce. Apple was the most recent brand to raise laptop prices, with MacBooks getting a $100 to $300 increase.
This is something the Mashable team considers as we review laptops and choose which ones to recommend to our readers. In addition, we went back and re-evaluated a few models that have become more expensive since we first reviewed them. At the time of writing, only one top pick has been so unreasonably expensive that we think it’s no longer worth buying. That would be the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, which jumps from an already high $750 to $1,000 as tested. We’ve since replaced it with a more expensive and pointless option, but still suitable for most Chromebook users. You can read more about it and our other current picks below.
One thing you should know before buying a Windows laptop
Most of the Windows laptops we tested ran on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X and X2 chips, which use an ARM-based architecture instead of the standard x86 architectures like Intel and AMD chips. The Zenbook A14 and A16 are two good examples of outstanding ARM laptops.
These Qualcomm chips are great because they offer amazing performance and battery life, but they are not compatible with some specialized software and PC games. Having said that, ARM support is getting better and should improve significantly in the near future. Right now, I would only avoid ARM laptops if you are a college student, or if gaming is the main thing you do on your PC. You can read more about this in my guide to laptops for Windows.
Latest updates to this guide
I added two new options to this guide in late July 2026:
-
I Asus ExpertBook Ultra it’s our favorite new business laptop in its glory Very slim and light design with impressive brawn.
-
I Asus Zenbook A16 it joins the ranks as the best 16-inch laptop for most people: It’s also very portable, its day-to-day performance is almost unmatched, and it’s an amazing value to boot.
-
I removed the Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop because the configuration we tested was out of stock at the time of writing. We are currently evaluating possible replacements.
I’ve also adjusted the prices for the three MacBooks included in this guide. Apple made them more expensive by $100 to $300 in mid-June due to ongoing memory shortages.
