A great laptop offers the flexibility to take high-quality computing wherever you go, making it an appealing choice for every type of user. With an overwhelming array of options available, finding the right laptop can be daunting. For many, a versatile all-arounder like my top pick, the MacBook Air, might be all you need. If you're a student looking for a blend of portability, performance, and entertainment, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 could be a better fit. As a professional laptop reviewer, I'm here to help you navigate through the choices and find the perfect laptop for your needs, whether it's for work, school, or gaming. Here are the top laptops of 2025.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Laptops We've Tested:
Our Top Pick### Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
0See it at AmazonSee it at Apple
### Asus VivoBook S 15
0See it at Best BuySee it at Asus
### Razer Blade 16 (2025)
0See it at Razer
### Asus Zenbook S 16
0See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at Asus
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0See it at AmazonSee it at MicrosoftLaptops come in various forms, designed to cater to a wide range of needs. The best laptops integrate seamlessly into your daily life, offering excellent battery life and performance without letting you down after a significant investment.
No matter what you're looking for, I've conducted thorough testing to ensure you get the best value and performance for your money.
MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos
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1. Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
The Best Laptop
Our Top Pick### Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
0This year's MacBook Air is enhanced with its powerful M4 chip, making it a top choice for any productivity task, including creative work. See it at AmazonSee it at AppleProduct SpecificationsDisplay13.6” (2560x1664) CPUApple M4 (10 cores)GPUApple M4 (8-10 cores)RAM16-32GBStorage256GB - 2TBWeight2.7 poundsDimensions11.97” x 8.46” x 0.44"PROSStellar battery lifeExceptionally thin and lightExcellent everyday performanceCONSLimited gaming abilityUpgrades can become costly quicklyApple's MacBook Air has long been a staple in the laptop market, consistently earning high marks for performance, portability, and battery life. The latest iteration of the ultra-portable MacBook Air features the new M4 processor, which enhances its capabilities, enabling users to handle work, school, and creative projects more efficiently and with less battery consumption compared to similar Windows laptops.
The MacBook Air continues to embody the best qualities of its predecessors, offering reliable performance and battery life in a sleek, lightweight package. This year's model is even lighter at just 2.7 pounds, making it incredibly easy to carry.
Our reviewer, Jackie Thomas, affectionately called it an "oldie but a goodie" due to its refined evolution. The MacBook Air retains its fanless design, relying on passive cooling through its metal frame, which ensures silent operation and a clean aesthetic without visible fan vents.
While it may not match the performance of the MacBook Pro, which uses active cooling, the MacBook Air excels as a daily companion for most users, excluding creative professionals and gamers. The M4 chip, an upgrade from the M3, provides a performance boost of approximately 20%, ensuring it can handle most daily tasks with ease.
The display remains similar to its predecessor, maintaining high pixel density and vibrant colors on its 13- or 15-inch screen with a 2560x1664 resolution. However, it offers limited connectivity, with two USB Type-C ports, a MagSafe connector, and a headphone jack, often requiring a dock for additional accessories.
Overall, the MacBook Air excels in silence, responsiveness, and daily usability, making it an ideal choice for most users, despite its limitations in gaming.
2. Asus VivoBook S 15
Best Budget Laptop
### Asus VivoBook S 15
0This well-priced notebook delivers great performance, an OLED display, and exceptional portability on a budget. See it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay15” (2880x1620) OLED 120HzCPUQualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1PGPUIntegrated (Qualcomm Adreno)RAM16GB LPDDR5X Storage512GB NVMe SSDWeight3.13 poundsDimensions13.88" x 8.93" x 0.58" - 0.63"PROSExcellent performance for productivity tasksGreat battery lifeKiller displayCONSApp compatibility could be an issue (but likely not)Asus's VivoBook S 15 offers a tempting entry point for budget-conscious buyers, starting well below $1,000. It provides many of the same benefits as the more expensive ZenBook S 16, including a fantastic screen and a thin, lightweight design. Despite its lower price, the S 15 doesn't compromise on performance.
The VivoBook line strikes a balance between value and affordability. While sharing design elements with the ZenBook series, the VivoBook S 15 offers a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing style or performance. Weighing just over 3 pounds and less than an inch thick at its thickest point, it's easy to carry around.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P processor, the S 15 efficiently handles performance and power consumption. It features 16GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, ensuring smooth operation.
The OLED touchscreen display is a highlight, offering a high-resolution 2880x1620 screen with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth animations and scrolling. This display delivers outstanding picture quality for both productivity and entertainment.
In my testing, the VivoBook S 15 achieved over 16 hours of battery life in normal use, reducing the need for frequent charging. The Snapdragon processor contributes to this impressive battery life, although it introduces some app compatibility concerns due to its different architecture. Most major productivity and creative apps should work, but checking the Windows on ARM compatibility list is advisable.
Overall, the Asus VivoBook S 15 is a fantastic value, offering impressive features for its price point.
Razer Blade 16 (2025) – Photos
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3. Razer Blade 16 (2025)
Best Gaming Laptop
### Razer Blade 16 (2025)
0This year's Blade 16 strikes a perfect balance between form factor, performance, and usability in a premium package. See it at RazerProduct SpecificationsDisplay16-inch (2,560x1,600) OLED CPU AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUUp to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090RAMUp to 64GBStorageUp to 4TBWeight4.7lbsDimensions13.98 x 8.68 x 0.59 - 0.69 inchesPROSFantastic performance in a surprisingly thin and light bodyStunning OLED displayImpressive battery life while gamingIt's a joy to useCONSVery expensiveFor sheer FPS, there are better options out thereThe Razer Blade 16 of 2025 is a standout in the gaming laptop market, offering a blend of high performance and a sleek, lightweight design. Equipped with the latest Nvidia graphics and a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU, it delivers excellent gaming performance at ultra settings, despite its thinner and lighter build.
Crafted from CNC-milled aluminum, the Blade 16's premium chassis is durable yet weighs only 4.7 pounds. It's quieter than most gaming laptops, adding to its overall appeal.
In my review, I was impressed by the system's balance. The RTX 5090 graphics card allows for gaming at high settings, while the laptop's design enhances its usability. Although Razer limited the graphics card's wattage to achieve this form factor, the Blade 16 still delivers beastly performance at its native resolution.
The 16-inch OLED display, with a resolution of 2560x1600, offers excellent visuals and can reach a 240Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay. While it might not match the raw FPS of some competitors, the overall package makes the Razer Blade 16 the best gaming laptop of the year for those who can afford it.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos
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4. Asus ZenBook S 16
Best Laptop for Work
### Asus Zenbook S 16
0The Asus ZenBook S 16 is an excellent choice for work, offering a spacious, high-resolution display, a portable design, and strong performance. See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (2880x1800)CPUAMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUAMD Radeon 890MRAM32GB LPDDR5XStorage1TB PCIe SSDWeight3.31 poundsSize13.92" x 9.57" x 0.47" - 0.51"Battery lifeAround 15 hoursPROSStellar portabilityBeautiful OLED touchscreenStylishly elegant design Capable of light gamingCONSHigh surface temperaturesThe Asus ZenBook S 16 is a favorite for productivity, portability, and light gaming. Its 16-inch OLED touchscreen, elegant design, solid battery life, and impressive performance make it a top choice for work.
The ZenBook S 16's larger 16:10 aspect ratio screen maximizes workspace, ideal for reports and presentations. The touchscreen enhances navigation and integration into workflows.
The laptop's design, inspired by Apple's MacBook, features a unique Ceraluminum lid that blends ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. The vented area above the keyboard adds a premium touch.
Powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, the ZenBook S 16 handles demanding tasks and multitasking well, although it's not as powerful as Apple's M3 or M4 chips. It offers around 15 hours of battery life, making it efficient for most tasks, including video editing.
While capable of light gaming, the ZenBook S 16 can get warm during intensive use, suggesting the use of a laptop cooler. However, for typical productivity tasks, this is not a significant concern.
Overall, the ZenBook S 16 is a well-balanced laptop for work, offering a compelling mix of performance and portability.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 – Photos
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5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Best Laptop for School
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0This versatile 2-in-1 offers the perfect blend of performance, reliability, and entertainment for students. See it at AmazonSee it at MicrosoftProduct SpecificationsDisplay14” OLED (2880x1920) 120Hz, 10-point touchCPUSnapdragon X EliteGPUIntegratedRAM16-64GB (LPDDR5)Storage256GB - 1TBWeight1.97 poundsSize11.3" x 8.2" x 0.37"PROSVery portable for easy transport between classesResponsive performance: Microsoft's best to dateHigh quality OLED touchscreen, great for productivity as well as entertainmentWorks well for game streamingCONSApp compatibility is still developingKeyboard case and stylus accessories are quite expensiveThe Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an ideal laptop for students due to its versatility and ability to adapt to various tasks. It seamlessly combines note-taking, productivity, and entertainment in a compact, portable package.
This year's Surface Pro reinvents Microsoft's 2-in-1 tablet PC, delivering high performance and solid battery life without sacrificing its form factor. It's powered by either a Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite processor, with the latter recommended for its enhanced performance and OLED display.
The OLED touchscreen, with a resolution of 2880x1920, offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast, enhancing the viewing experience for movies and shows. The Surface Pro's screen also supports a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion.
The Surface Pro 11 does not include a keyboard or Surface Pen by default, adding to its cost if purchased separately. However, third-party options are available for those looking to save money.
App compatibility is a consideration due to the Snapdragon processor, but most academic and creative apps should work well. For gaming, the Surface Pro supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, making it a viable option for students who enjoy gaming.
Overall, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an excellent choice for students needing a versatile, high-performing laptop.
How to Choose the Best Laptop in 2025
Choosing the right laptop in 2025 can be challenging, but understanding key specifications can help. Here's what to consider when selecting one of the best laptops:
Display: The display is crucial. Most laptops use IPS panels, but OLED or mini-LED displays offer superior visuals at a higher cost. For work or school, a standard display may suffice, but for gaming or entertainment, an OLED can significantly enhance your experience. Consider the resolution and refresh rate; 1080p is sufficient for most productivity tasks, while higher refresh rates improve gaming and scrolling.
Platform/OS: The operating system is your daily interface. Choose between Windows and Mac, with Mac exclusive to Apple devices.
Processor: The processor is the heart of your laptop, handling all computations. Intel, AMD, and Snapdragon are the main contenders. For productivity, aim for at least a six-core processor, with eight or more recommended for future-proofing.
Memory: RAM affects how many tasks your laptop can handle simultaneously. 16GB is recommended for school and productivity, while 32GB is better for gaming and intensive tasks.
Storage: Storage capacity determines how many files you can keep locally. 256GB is the minimum, but 512GB or 1TB is recommended for most users.
Graphics: Graphics cards come in integrated and dedicated forms. Integrated GPUs are sufficient for productivity, while dedicated GPUs are essential for gaming.
Portability: Consider the laptop's weight and size. Thin and light laptops are ideal for productivity, while gaming laptops tend to be heavier.
Laptop FAQ
Which laptop is best for work, school, or gaming?
For work or school, focus on an 8-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. For gaming, consider a dedicated GPU to enhance visuals and performance.
Why do laptops get slow?
Laptops can slow down due to outdated hardware, dust buildup affecting cooling, or the natural limitations of their form factor compared to desktops.
Should I get a laptop or a desktop?
If you need portability, a laptop is ideal. For stationary use and potentially better performance, a desktop is a better choice.
