Are The Best Home Computers Windows Or Mac
Now thats the million dollar question. These days, its mainly a matter of personal preference. Both Windows 10 and MacOS are great operating systems. In terms of pure power, customization, and value for money, Windows PCs are generally better than Macs. Likewise, if you want a gaming PC you should really get a Windows PC as many games and platforms like Steam just work better on PC.
On the flip side of things, Macs are far generally more aesthetically pleasing and better optimized than Windows PCs. The MacOS is slick and looks great, and while Macs cost more than PCs for equivalent specs, they tend to get more out of their hardware than PCs because Macs are tailor made by Apple, rather than a collection of parts that a PC manufacturer threw together.
What about things like video editing and photo editing? Well, traditionally Apple has the edge here, as creative apps like the Adobe suite are designed to perform efficiently on Macs. That has, again, changed with Windows 10, but you need a better PC to run creative apps than the equivalent Mac. Wed say that the playing field is pretty even here, when you factor in cost. However, wed also add that if youre spending more money to run creative apps like the Adobe suite, youll actually get a more versatile Windows computer for the money, which means – for us – PCs just edge this battle.
What Is A Good Price For A Laptop
For general tasksediting documents and spreadsheets, browsing the internet, doing homework, and communicating using apps such as Slack or Zooma cheap but usable laptop should cost between $400 and $600, a good laptop $700 or $800, and a great laptop at least $1,000. More powerful, specialized laptops, such as gaming notebooks or laptops for professional photo and video editing, start in the range of $1,000 to $1,500. If you have $500 or less to spend, Chromebooks tend to look, feel, and run better than equivalently priced Windows laptops. If youre looking for a Mac, expect to pay at least $1,100 for our recommended MacBook Air configuration. Keep an eye on our Deals page if youre able to wait for a better price on a specific laptop.
The Best Windows Laptops You Can Buy Right Now
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Dell XPS 13 is one of our favorite laptops thanks to its excellent performance, beautiful display, and svelte design. While the battery life isn’t as good as some other laptops of similar price, it’s usually more than enough to get you through a day of work without scrambling for a charger.
Plus, in 2021 Dell began offering the XPS 13 with a 3.5K OLED touchscreen option. If you can afford it it’s well worth the investment, as the OLED’s deep, inky blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast ratios really shine when mounted in the XPS 13’s thin-bezelled InfinityEdge design. We like this laptop so much we awarded it best laptop and best laptop display in our Tom’s Guide Awards 2021.
Not interested in OLED? Don’t miss our Dell XPS 13 review.
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio is a reimagined Surface Book with a more MacBook Pro-like design and an eye-catching hinged display. This is Microsofts flagship device for Windows 11, which promises to make Windows a more inviting place for both work and play. Like Windows 11, the Surface Laptop Studio is advertised as a one-stop shop for productivity, entertainment and creative work.
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Read Also: Sell Used Hp Laptop
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus
There are plenty of 15.6-inch laptops, but 16-inch models like the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus are something of a rarity. The 16-inch display is a great size since the laptop is barely bigger than a 15.6-inch model, but you get more room for work and a roomier keyboard and touchpad along with it. For this Inspiron, Dell packed in performance parts including Nvidia discrete graphics and the display covers 100% sRGB and 81% AdobeRGB color gamuts, which is good enough if you’re getting started with creating web content. Also, the laptop has a more premium fit and finish than we’re used to seeing in the Inspiron line.
Should I Buy A Laptop Or A Tablet
As we mentioned above, you can get a tablet that can morph into a laptop just by attaching a keyboard. And so if you really want the power of Windows in a form factor thats easier to carry around, then you can select a tablet 2-in-1. With the advent of Windows 11, its finally starting to become a better software platform for tablets. If you want the utmost in simplicity and an even smaller device, then a pure tablet like the iPad can be great for web browsing, triaging email, consuming media, and other tasks that dont require the full power of a real PC.
So, where doesnt a tablet work? If youre a hardcore gamer, need a laptop that can churn through video and huge photos, or do a lot of multitasking. Tablets are very thin and tend to use slower CPUs and integrated graphics that wont accelerate creative applications or power modern games. Meanwhile, the software on these devices isnt as full-featured as a desktop operating system like Windows 10 or MacOS.
Also Check: Where Can I Take My Laptop To Get Fixed
Best 4k Laptops Buying Guide: What To Look For
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best 4K laptops online. Heres what you need to know.
Storage: Storage is important, especially if you plan to download high productivity apps or games onto your laptop. For your convenience, weve listed laptops with 1TB to 2TB storage capacity. For everyday use, a 4K laptop with lower storage capacity is acceptable, but if youre looking to replace your desktop setup with a laptop, go with a higher storage capacity.
Display: Every laptop we recommended has at least a 4K resolution . Weve also included 4K laptops with a wide range of screen sizes, from 15-inch to 17-inch.
Battery: If youre in the market for a laptop, you dont want to worry about recharging it constantly. All the 4K laptops mentioned below feature decent battery life, with some clocking in at six hours and others running for as long as eight hours.
RAM: RAM determines your 4K laptops ability to multitask and handle high productivity apps without lagging or freezing. Every 4K laptop we recommend features at least 16GB of RAM, which is just enough to get you multitasking at work, or casually gaming. If youre a serious gamer or are using your laptop primarily for heavy video editing, remember to choose a 4K laptop with a higher RAM capacity .
Best Budget Gaming Laptop For First
Pros
- High-refresh display with support for AMD FreeSync
- Potent Ryzen 4000 series processor
- 16GB of RAM in under-$1000 test configuration
- Good battery life and speakers
- Wi-Fi 6 support
- Single-color keyboard, versus RGB keyboard of the Alpha 15
- CPU runs hot under load
- Can’t quite match gaming frame rates of GeForce GTX 1660 Ti notebooks
Don’t Miss: How To Free Up Storage On Hp Laptop
Should I Wait For Windows 11
Now everything is a bit up in the air at the moment when it comes to Windows, as Microsoft has just announced that Windows 11 is still rolling out into 2022. It brings an overhauled design and a bunch of new features. Fortunately, Windows 11 is a free upgrade for all Windows 10 owners, so there is no reason to hold off on buying a Windows 10 PC now.
Do keep in mind that not all PCs will be able to run Windows 11. Microsoft has released a list of minimum system requirements, along with a Windows 11 compatibility check tool that will let you test whether your current PC can run Windows 11. If youre buying a new PC, it will almost certainly blast past these minimum specs, so youve got nothing to worry about there.
Why Trust Laptop Mag
Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing laptops for over two decades. We test over 150 different models per year, subjecting each system to a series of rigorous benchmarks that provides a complete picture of performance, battery life and usability.
Our expert reviewers also use each product to see how it looks and feels in everyday situations. Because we see so many different notebooks, we can compare each to its direct competitors and give you an idea of how it stacks up to the average laptop in its price band.
You May Like: How Do You Connect Airpods To Dell Laptop
Which Best Laptops In 2022 Are Right For You
The most important factor to consider when looking at the entries in the best laptop 2022 list is ensuring that you find a unit that will perform the tasks that you need. Some people will want a two-in-one that they can use as a tablet or a laptop. Others may want more of a gaming laptop, which will require top-end processing power and plenty of RAM. Or you could be someone who needs a laptop thats extremely versatile, offering the ability to perform numerous different tasks without being heavily weighted toward one type of task. Before shopping, make a list of the things you need to have in a laptop and set a maximum budget, and youre sure to be able to find a great laptop that can work for you! Some popular best laptops of 2020 currently are the HP Spectre x360, HP Elite Dragonfly, Macbook Pro 16-inch and the Zephyrus g14.
How Did We Choose These Laptops
I have been writing, commissioning and editing reviews of laptops since the 1990s. The selection process for this ‘Best’ list is based on a combination of personal usage and experience, involvement in the ZDNet reviews process, and analysis of other reviews and roundups.
Must read:
Also Check: How To Ship A Laptop Usps
The Best Windows Laptop
Its hard to come up with a single complaint about the Spectre x360 14. Its a drop-dead gorgeous machine with a sturdy build and a premium look and feel.
But the Spectre x360 14 isnt just pretty to look at: its also a pleasure to use as a daily work driver. Intels latest 11th Gen processors and Iris Xe integrated graphics deliver snappy performance with no slowdown or freezes that we observed. And we got an average of 10 hours of battery life out of the device one of the best results weve ever seen.
On the outside, the Spectre includes a roomy 3:2 display, and if FHD resolution doesnt suit your fancy, there are OLED and 1,000-nit options available. Theres even a packaged stylus, which attaches magnetically to the side of the Spectre handy if youre using the device as a tablet. Pretty much every other aspect of this laptop, from its comfortable keyboard and smooth touchpad to its bass-heavy audio and practical port selection, rivals or exceeds the best convertibles on the market.
Such an exceptional package of features doesnt come cheap, and many customers will find everything they need in a less expensive product. But the Spectre x360 14 is the new gold standard of Windows convertibles. Overall, its the best Windows laptop you can buy.
The Best Laptop For College
The Dell XPS 13 is a compact and reliable laptop. Its beautiful chassis, excellent 16:10 display, and great performance make it an excellent choice for general-purpose users.
This late-2020 model comes with Intels new Tiger Lake processors, from a Core i3-1154G4 up to a Core i7-1165G7. It starts at $999, so its a bit cheaper than the 2-in-1.
My review unit blew through the work tasks I needed it to do without any slowdown or heat. It did quite well, and handily beat its 10th Gen predecessor in both gaming and media work. It didnt do as well as the XPS 13 2-in-1, which is why that model is ranked higher on this list. But if you like the look and feel of the XPS 13 and would prefer a clamshell model , this XPS is still a great option.
Theres an OLED model of the XPS 13 as well, which costs $300 more than the FHD model. This model has worse battery life, but does deliver a stunning picture.
Don’t Miss: Can Airpods Connect To An Hp Laptop
Best Business Laptops In 2021
The best business laptops based on our testing
Included in this guide:
ThinkPad X1 Carbon
ThinkPad X1 Yoga
ZBook Studio G8
Whether you’re buying a fleet of laptops for your employees or just looking for a productivity system for yourself, you’ll want one of the best business laptops as they are typically durable, powerful, secure and easy to use.
We review dozens of business laptops each year and the models that make our best business laptops list offer a combination of comfort, performance and battery life. Don’t forget about security and durability business laptops typically come with fingerprint sensors, IR cameras and security chips, and many have military-grade durability. Newer models should even feature webcam sliders and displays with built-in privacy filters.
If you need something with a bit more oomph than your traditional business laptop, then check out our best workstations page. If you’re not sold on a business laptop, read our general best laptops page which features many devices that could do for work. Looking for more specific recommendations? See our best Lenovo ThinkPad and best Dell Latitude and Precision laptops guides.
- Lenovo ThinkBook 13x review: Is this business laptop worth $1,200?
- The best laptop deals in December 2021
How To Choose The Best Macbooks For You
We have a separate guide on how to decide which MacBook is right for you. The TL DR version is to consider how much power you need and what you are willing to spend.
For us, the MacBook Air is an easy choice. It comes in at $999 yet sports similar performance and endurance to the MacBook Pro thanks to its M1 processor. It’s also the most portable of the bunch, and the improved 13.3-inch display is great for watching TV shows or movies.
If you want a bit more endurance and better performance over longer periods, get the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M1. It lasts for a remarkable 16 hours and 32 minutes on a charge and scored benchmark numbers that blow away the competition.
Those two options should cover at least 90% of users. However, if you need either a larger screen or vastly more power for professional apps then the 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro with either the M1 Pro or M1 Max chip are outstanding, if expensive, options.
Don’t Miss: How To Fix A Cracked Monitor Screen Without Replacing It
What Is The Average Life Of A Laptop For Home Use
There is no specific or fixed lifespan. It depends on how much care you take while handling it and keeping it while not in use. The one thing that wears out is the battery. If you are using the laptop only at home and it remains plugged to a power source, even that part is taken care of. Some minor hardware issues can be addressed through repairs. You should be able to extract a life of at least 3 years with a good laptop if you use it responsibly.
The Best Ultraportable Laptops For 2021
Need a featherweight laptop that lasts all day on a single battery charge? Thin, light, and power-efficient, these ultraportables are our top performers in testing.
Pros
- Lively performance
- Attractive and solidly built
- Lower-resolution IPS screen offers superior battery life
- Ports limited to two Thunderbolt 4
- No LTE mobile broadband option
Don’t Miss: Screenshot Acer Laptop
Lenovo Yoga 920 2 In 1 Laptop 139 Inches
It is a laptop that also has tablet functionality in a 360 degrees hinged device. It is a premium laptop with a full HD display and 8 GB of RAM. The hard drive storage is 256 GB SSD and it is powered by 8th generation Core i5 chipset.
It is sturdy but also rather heavy at 3.02 pounds and is sleek at 0.5 inches. The dimensions of the Yoga 920 are 12.7 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches. There is a pen included in the package, which is a 3D plastic pen that can be clipped to the USB A port on the laptop. All inputs are accurate, including the touchscreen the keyboard the touchpad and the active stylus. It operates on Windows 10 OS.
The laptop is powered by the 8th gen Intel i7-8500U processor clocking at a speed of 1.8 GHz that can be turbo boosted up to 1.99 GHz. The IPS technology display screen has a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and viewing angles are good. You can flip the laptop into a tent mode for watching movies. The web camera is 720 pixels. The battery life is around 15.5 hours.
As for connectivity, it has 4 ports, one USB 3.0 2 Thunderbolt 3 / USB C ports and an audio jack of 3.5 mm.
Recommended For:
- Those who want a robust and premium laptop for home use, which can also be used as a tablet.
- Those who would like a stylus for doodling.
- Those who are looking for a home and business laptop offering good productivity, multitasking abilities and good battery life.
- Solid pick for students, creative people, for home use and for those want a functional 2 in 1.