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The Insider Pick:
If you’re looking for the best laptop out there, there are a ton of different choices. However, there's none better than the Dell XPS 13 with its incredibly gorgeous edge-to-edge screen, powerful processor options, and sleek portable design.
A great laptop is essential when it comes to studying and working — and one that doesn’t work well can bring plenty of unwanted distractions.
If you’re looking for a new laptop, there are quite a few things to consider. After all, laptops are pretty complex machines. Here are a few key terms and features to keep in mind when you’re looking for a laptop:
- Operating system: While you will want to consider hard specs, the way that you interact with your laptop is through the operating system. You’re probably familiar with Windows, which is by far the most popular computer operating system, but there’s also Apple’s macOS, which is also very capable. Last but not least is Chrome OS, which is best for those who want a simple, affordable, no-fuss laptop for web browsing and other basic tasks.
- Specs: Computers vary widely in terms of processing power and other specifications. The processor and RAM will essentially dictate how fast your computer is, while the storage will determine how many files you can store on the computer. The screen resolution is another important spec, and you'll probably want at least a Full HD, 1080p resolution. Battery life should be at least eight to ten hours.
- Size: Another thing you’ll want to think about is how big the computer is. A smaller laptop will ultimately be more portable, but a larger one will have a larger display, which is better for watching movies and video production. Common sizes for laptops are 13 inches and 15 inches, though 11 inches and 17 inches also appear every now and then.
Of course, apart from all these things, you’ll want to think about price. Although the very best laptops will cost you $1,000 or more, we’ve tried to offer a range of different laptops in different price ranges in this guide. You can also check out the best Chromebooks and the best budget laptops if money is tight.
Updated on 03/15/2018 by Christian de Looper: Added the Dell XPS 13 as the top pick, updated prices, and removed out of stock items.
SEE ALSO: The best budget laptops you can buy
The best laptop overall
Why you'll love it: The Dell XPS 13 has awesome specs, but it’s also beautifully designed with an edge-to-edge screen and slim profile for portability.
The Dell XPS 13 has long been a top choice for those of you who are looking for a great new laptop, but the 2018 model of the XPS 13 really pushes it over the edge into best laptop territory. Why? It’s beautifully designed, extremely powerful, and very portable.
Let’s start with the design, which is one of the best things about this laptop. While edge-to-edge screens are now commonplace in the smartphone industry, they’re not as common in computers. The XPS 13, however, is one of the few laptops to break that trend. It has a beautiful big display with tiny bezels.
Sure, that means the webcam has been moved to a less than flattering position under the screen, but many will find it worth it. That display is absolutely beautiful, too. While the base model of the computer has a Full HD resolution, you can swap it out for a 4K resolution if you want to go all out.
The laptop can also be configured to be very powerful. The base model packs an 8th-gen Intel Core i5 chip, along with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive. If you want to spend more to get more power, the XPS 13 can be configured with up to an 8th-gen Intel Core i7 chip, with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB solid-state drive.
Around the edges, the laptop has two ThunderBolt 3 ports, along with one USB-C 3.1 port, and a microSD card slot.
So what are the downsides? Well, apart from the webcam placement, there aren’t many. It can get a little pricey, but then again that’s to be expected from a top-of-the-line laptop like this.
Pros: Beautiful big display, nice design, highly powerful
Cons: Webcam placement is awkward
The best 13-inch laptop
Why you'll love it: The HP Spectre x360 13t is well-designed, high-powered, and versatile thanks to its convertible design.
HP has been a top company in the computer industry for some time now, and for good reason. The company has long offered computers that aren’t just high-powered and extremely capable, but that also come at a great price. The HP Spectre x360 13t is no exception to that rule.
The HP Spectre x360 13t comes in a few different variants, and the one we’re looking at is decked out with Intel’s latest 7th-generation i7 chip, a nice 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of solid-state storage. Beyond the hard specs, though, this computer has a lot more to offer. Like, for example, its 1,920 x 1,080-pixel touch-enabled display.
The laptop is convertible, too – that’s to say, you can use it in laptop mode, or you can flip the keyboard around to use it in tablet mode – which is great for watching Netflix in bed or drawing with the included stylus. It’s a perfect size for that, too, coming in at only 0.55 inches thick.
As far as ports go, the HP Spectre x360 13t comes equipped with two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, as well as a USB 3.1 Type-A port. And, you’ll get a headphone/microphone port. It also has built-in Bang & Olufsen quad speakers, so if you’re not using the headphone jack, the sound should still be relatively good.
Not everything is perfect though. While there are a good amount of USB ports, there’s no SD card slot or other ports, so you’ll need adapters if you have any peripherals that use ports other than USB. And, the computer isn’t necessarily cheap, either. It comes at $1,568.88 on Amazon, though you can get less high-powered versions for less.
Expert reviewers give this laptop high praise, including PCMag, Laptop Mag, and CNET.
Pros: High-powered, convertible, plenty of USB ports, touch display
Cons: Expensive, no SD card slot
The best lightweight laptop
Why you'll love it: The Huawei MateBook X is super slim and lightweight, so you can carry it with you all day without breaking your back.
Huawei is new to laptops, but its new lineup of MateBooks is impressive. Of the three new models, the most portable, powerful, and attractive one is the MateBook X. At first glance, you'll think it's a MacBook because it is so slim and gorgeous in gold or dark gray.
If you want a portable laptop that won't weigh you down, the MateBook X delivers. It weighs just 2.3 pounds and measures 12.5mm thick. Huawei brags that it's the size of a magazine, and it truly is. The 2K screen has a resolution of 2,160 x 1,1440 pixels and a 4.4mm bezel to give you a gorgeous 13-inch screen that's great for watching Netflix, or you know, doing actual work.
You can get the MateBook with your choice of 7th Generation Intel processors, including Core i5 or Core i7. Both models have 8GB of RAM, but the Core i7 version gets 512GB of storage to the Core i5's 256GB of storage. The Core i5 version should be more than enough for most people, and you'll save $200 if you opt for it over the Core i7 MateBook X.
Rounding out the specs are a Dolby Atmos Sound System, a slick fingerprint sensor, and Windows 10 Home. We tested the MateBook X and came away impressed by the slick design, slim build, gorgeous screen, and fast fingerprint sensor. Our favorite thing about it is undoubtedly its portability. When you have to carry your laptop to work or school every day, this is exactly what you want: a laptop that weighs just 2.3 pounds and takes up very little space in your bag.
The only tangible downsides to the MateBook X— besides its high price tag — is its lack of ports. It only has two USB-C ports: one for charging and the other for your peripherals. That means you need a dongle or a dock to connect to anything that's not USB-C. Luckily, Huawei remedies that problem with an included Mate Dock 2, which includes a USB-A port, USB-C port, HDMI port, and VGA port.
Expert reviewers agree that the MateBook X is a great buy for those who prioritize style and portability, including Digital Trends, TechRadar, The Guardian, and Laptop Mag.
Pros: Super slim and lightweight, powerful, attractive display, portable, good speakers
Cons: Expensive, few ports
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