Top best laptops of 2022
We live in a world where smartphones are commonplace, tablets are common, and smartwatches are something that people talk about on a regular basis. But, despite all of these advancements, the humble laptop has persisted — and for good reason.
When it’s time to get to work, whether it’s editing photos, writing a lot of emails, composing documents, or staying in touch with colleagues and family, we’re here to help you find the best laptop for the job.
It’s becoming more difficult to purchase a bad laptop, but what distinguishes the best laptop of 2022 from good laptops is how they balance power, efficiency, portability, and comfort. The best laptop should have an excellent keyboard and trackpad, as these are the two main reasons you’d choose a laptop over a smartphone or tablet.
Its display should be easy on the eyes, bright, and sharp enough that jagged edges and visible pixels do not distract you. It should be capable of handling most tasks, with the exception of intensive video editing and advanced gaming. It should be lightweight and portable, and it should be able to last all day without needing to be charged.
The HP Envy x360 13 is, in our opinion, the best laptop for budget shoppers. It provides performance comparable to much more expensive laptops for a price of less than $1,000.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G15, the MacBook Pro 16, and the HP Spectre x360 14 are our other picks for the best laptops, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1s in 2022.
If you’re looking for a powerful machine that doesn’t sacrifice portability, check out the full list of best laptop picks below or our roundup of the best gaming laptops.
BEST LAPTOPS 2022
1.MACBOOK AIR
THE BEST LAPTOP OF 2022
The best laptop you can buy is the MacBook Air, which is powered by Apple’s M1 processor. The entry-level model, which includes 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, costs $999.
This laptop looks a lot like Apple’s Intel-powered MacBook Air from earlier this year, with the same 2560 x 1600 screen, Touch ID, 720p webcam, fingerprint sensor, and scissor-switch keyboard.
But it’s the new processor that steals the show here; it’s lightning fast. In our testing, it outperformed almost every Intel-powered laptop we’ve tried this year when it came to heavy photo and video editing workloads.
It could also run Shadow of the Tomb Raider at near-playable frame rates, which is quite impressive for integrated graphics. These apps hadn’t yet been optimised for the M1 processor and were running through Apple’s Rosetta 2 translation layer when they were released, but they still worked fine.
And the processing power didn’t even deplete the battery life: we got between eight and ten hours of continuous use.
Another advantage of the M1 processor is that it allows the MacBook Air to run native iPhone and iPad apps on macOS.
As of this writing, there is still a limited number of mobile apps available, and some of those that have been released aren’t quite optimised for the laptop screen. Still, it’s something to look forward to as time goes on.
Overall, there’s no reason why a customer looking for a general-purpose computer shouldn’t consider the MacBook Air. It’s a dependable device with excellent performance and the build quality that Apple is known for. Power users who require a MacBook Pro are probably aware of who they are; for everyone else, the Air should suffice.
2.MACBOOK PRO (16-INCH)
THE BEST CREATOR LAPTOP
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is Apple’s most powerful laptop to date. If you’re willing to pay the price (which is quite high), you’ll almost certainly be pleased with what this machine can do.
The MacBook Pro 16 performed better than any laptop we’ve ever used in our benchmarks, which test a variety of creative tasks such as encoding, playback, and export time — the only other machines that have come close to matching this thing in some of our benchmarks are high-end desktop PCs.
The battery life is also unrivalled. In my testing, the 16-inch configuration with the M1 Pro processor lasted 16 hours, making it the longest-lasting laptop we’ve ever reviewed.(The M1 Max configuration doesn’t last as long, but it gets us through a workday.)
Aside from that, we have almost no complaints about the new MacBook Pro. It has a stunning display that can reach 1,000 nits when watching HDR content. It combines this with the best laptop speakers we’ve ever heard.
The MacBook Pro 16 is the best device for you if you need a machine that can handle a demanding workload while also serving as an excellent multimedia device when you’re not working.
3. MACBOOK PRO (14-INCH)
A GREAT CHOICE FOR MAC POWER USERS
If you’re a creative professional who doesn’t want to pay the price of the MacBook Pro 16, or if you want something more compact, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is probably a better fit. This device is thinner, lighter, and less expensive than its 16-inch counterpart, but it has the same monstrous processor options and stellar screen, albeit in a smaller size.
We didn’t notice much of a difference in benchmark scores between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBooks with the same processors — in some cases, the 14-inch outperformed the 16-inchers. Aside from the sizes of these devices, the main difference to consider is battery life. The 16-inch chassis allows for a significantly larger battery, and the 16-inch M1 Pro model lasted several hours longer in our testing than the 14-inch M1 Pro model.
On the surface, Apple has addressed many of the issues that previous MacBook Pro models had. This device has a plethora of ports, including an HDMI port, an SD slot, and multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports. The much-maligned Touchbar is also no longer available. While there are plenty of excellent 14-inch laptops available for less than half the price of this MacBook, it is the one to get if money is no object.
4 .HP SPECTRE X360 14
THE BEST WINDOWS COMPUTER
It’s difficult to find a single flaw with the Spectre x360 14. It’s a stunning machine with a solid build and a premium look and feel.
But the Spectre x360 14 is more than just a pretty face: it’s also a joy to drive on a daily basis. Intel’s latest 11th Generation processors and Iris Xe integrated graphics deliver snappy performance with no noticeable slowdown or freezes. And the device provided an average of 10 hours of battery life, which is one of the best results we’ve ever seen.
On the outside, the Spectre has a large 3:2 display, and if FHD resolution isn’t your thing, there are OLED and 1,000-nit options. There’s even a stylus included, which magnetically attaches to the side of the Spectre — useful if you’re using the device as a tablet. Almost every other aspect of this laptop rivals or exceeds the best convertibles on the market, from its comfortable keyboard and smooth touchpad to its bass-heavy audio and practical port selection.
Such a comprehensive set of features is not cheap, and many customers will find everything they require in a less expensive product. The Spectre x360 14 is, however, the new gold standard of Windows convertibles. Overall, it is the best Windows laptop available.
5.ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15
IN 2022, THE BEST GAMING LAPTOP
The Zephyrus G15 is one of the lightest 15-inch gaming laptops available, weighing just over four pounds. However, you are not sacrificing performance for portability. The G15 is powered by the best mobile chips from AMD and Nvidia, and it comes with a fast 165Hz QHD display. During our testing, the system was able to run even the most demanding AAA titles at QHD resolution.
Almost everything else about the G15 is excellent: the audio is excellent, the keyboard and touchpad are among the best on the market, the port selection is extensive, and the battery can last for more than eight and a half hours on a single charge. The Zephyrus G15 should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for a high-powered gaming machine that also works well as a daily driver.
6.ASUS CHROMEBOOK FLIP CX5
THE BEST 15-INCH CHROMEBOOK
This year, Asus surprised us with the Chromebook Flip CX5, a stunning $800 laptop that runs Chrome OS. It’s as tough and well-made as any other Windows laptop at a higher price point, and it has a distinct smooth texture. It has full laptop specifications, such as Intel’s 11th-Gen processors and a 57Wh battery, which provide fast performance, long battery life, and quick charging.
There are numerous ports available, including an HDMI port and a microSD slot. The speakers sound fantastic, and the keyboard is extremely comfortable. Asus hasn’t skimped on the CX5’s chassis or performance — it’s unquestionably the product to buy if you want a Chromebook with a large screen.
7.LG GRAM 17
THE BEST LAPTOP IN 2022 FOR BIG-SCREEN FANS
Even if you’ve used a lightweight laptop before, it’s difficult to put into words how light the LG Gram 17 is. It has a massive 17-inch display but only weighs three pounds. Picking it up confuses your mind; you feel as if you aren’t holding anything.
The weight of the Gram 17 isn’t the only distinguishing feature. It also has some of the best battery life available, lasting more than 12 hours in our tests. There’s very little not to like about this device, which has a great keyboard, a solid port selection, quiet fans, and a fast processor.
Not everyone requires a 17-inch display, and many of those who do are looking for a heavier-duty workstation that is unlikely to be moved frequently. However, if you simply want a large screen for your daily office work and Netflixing, you’re the machine’s target demographic. It’s a niche device, but it’s a truly impressive one with little real competition in today’s market.
8.HP ENVY X360 13
THE BEST LOW-COST LAPTOP IN 2022
You don’t have to spend $1,000 to get a premium-looking and feeling laptop. Because of its sturdy and compact build, chic convertible design, and excellent performance, the HP Envy x360 is the best budget laptop you can buy.
HP has ported over a number of elements from its excellent 2019 flagship, the Spectre x360, including the thin-and-light chassis and nearly bezel-free display with an 88 percent screen-to-body ratio, which contributes to the Envy’s greatness. The touchscreen (which accepts HP’s MPP2.0 pen) is bright and attractive. (You have the option of a 300-nit, 400-nit, or 1,000-nit panel.) In addition, HP has added a row of useful hotkeys to the keyboard, including kill switches for the microphone and webcam.
The most exciting feature, however, is found on the inside: the new Envy x360 is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 4000 series processors. The Ryzen 5-4500U in my model performed admirably under a fairly heavy load of multitasking. And AMD’s integrated Radeon graphics outperformed a lower-powered discrete GPU in terms of gaming performance.
9.DELL XPS 13 2-IN-1
A SUPERB TWO-IN-ONE LAPTOP
If you’re looking for a convertible laptop that can do it all, we recommend Dell’s latest XPS 13 2-in-1. It has a strong and well-built chassis, a nearly bezel-free 16:10 touch display, and Intel’s latest 11th Gen processors.
For $1,099, the base model includes a Core i3-1154G4, 8GB of RAM, a 1920 x 1200 display, and a 256GB SSD. You can order it with a 3840 x 2400 display, a Core i7-1165G7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. There are also various add-ons, such as a $50 white model and a $60 upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. In general, there is something for everyone.
Since last year’s model, Dell has made a few minor changes to the 2-in-1. The webcam is now compatible with Windows Hello, and the RAM and microSD reader have been upgraded. The new chip, and particularly Intel’s new integrated graphics, is the exciting news. On our Adobe Premiere Pro export test, the XPS 13 2-in-1 outperformed any 10th Gen laptop with an iGPU. This thing can even play games: it managed 60 frames per second in Rocket League, League of Legends, and Overwatch, and 36 frames per second in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at its lowest settings. That’s an improvement over the results we saw with 10th generation systems, and it also outperforms some 11th generation systems (including the clamshell Dell XPS 13).
Of course, it is not without flaws. The port selection is limited (as is typical for modern XPS models), and the keyboard is a little flat for my liking. However, the 2-in-1 outperforms on the fundamentals: build quality, display, performance, and battery life. What more could you ask for?
10.DELL XPS 13
THE BEST COLLEGE LAPTOP
The Dell XPS 13 is a small and dependable laptop. Its lovely chassis, excellent 16:10 display, and excellent performance make it an excellent choice for general-purpose users.
This late-2020 model is equipped with Intel’s new Tiger Lake processors, ranging from the Core i3-1154G4 to the Core i7-1165G7. It starts at $999, making it slightly less expensive than the 2-in-1.
My review unit (an i7 model) sped through the work tasks I assigned it with no hiccups or heat. It performed admirably, easily outperforming its 10th Gen predecessor in both gaming and media work. It did not perform as well as the XPS 13 2-in-1, so it is ranked higher on this list. However, if you like the look and feel of the XPS 13 but prefer a clamshell model (or require a bouncy keyboard), this XPS is still a great choice.
The XPS 13 also comes in an OLED model, which costs $300 more than the FHD model. This model has a shorter battery life but produces a stunning image.
11.LENOVO THINKPAD X1 NANO
THE BEST BUSINESS TRAVEL LAPTOP
In many ways, the ThinkPad X1 Nano is a standard ThinkPad. It has a sturdy chassis, discrete clickers, a physical privacy shutter, a red TrackPoint in the centre of the keyboard, and a slew of business-specific security and management features.
The Nano, on the other hand, is unique in that it is Lenovo’s lightest ThinkPad to date. It’s also one of the lightest laptops available, weighing only 1.99 pounds. You’re not sacrificing performance to get that incredible weight: the Nano handled our rigorous testing workloads with no fan noise or noticeable heat. This is the laptop for you if you need a dependable business laptop that will fit in your briefcase like a glove.
12.LENOVO CHROMEBOOK DUET
THE BEST STUDENT LAPTOP
Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet is an excellent convertible laptop for children or anyone looking for a dependable secondary driver for browsing and gaming. It’s a well-designed, well-made 10-inch device with a detachable keyboard and kickstand.
The Duet is designed for use around the house and on the go, weighing only 2.03 pounds and providing more than 11 hours of battery life. Its MediaTek processor isn’t designed to handle heavy loads, but it’s more than adequate for browsing in multiple tabs, watching Netflix, or playing Android games — it even handles photo editing fairly well. The Duet also includes a new “tablet mode” for Chrome OS, which includes an Android-inspired gesture navigation system and a unique Chrome layout designed specifically for tablet use.
The Chromebook Duet is an absolute steal for its low price, and it is the Chromebook to get if you’re on a tight budget.
13. RAZER BOOK
A STYLISH, POWERFUL PRODUCTIVITY LAPTOP
Razer is best known for its gaming laptops, but with its new Razer Book 13, the company is making a big splash in the business and productivity space. The Book 13 is a portable workstation with a gorgeous and sturdy aluminium build that measures 0.6 inches thick and weighs 3.09 pounds. It has a good port selection, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI 2.0, and a microSD slot, and it’s one of the few non-gaming laptops with a per-key RGB keyboard.
This laptop is even more impressive on the inside. On our Premiere Pro media export test, its powerful chip outperformed any other Windows laptop of its size. And, while the Book 13 isn’t a gaming laptop, it has some of the best gaming performance I’ve seen from integrated graphics — it can even run Shadow of the Tomb Raider at over 30 frames per second. While the Razer Book 13’s high price means it won’t be suitable for everyone, it’s still an excellent laptop in every other way, combining a high-quality chassis with powerful productivity performance.
14. LENOVO YOGA 9i
THE BEST MULTIMEDIA COMPUTER
Most thin and light laptops have one major flaw: thin, tinny audio. The Lenovo Yoga 9i is not one of them. This 14-inch convertible has a rotating soundbar in its hinge, so the speakers face outwards regardless of how it’s positioned. Whether you use the 9i as a tablet, tent, or clamshell, you can expect clear, booming sound.
There’s a lot more to like, too. You get a great 1080p touch display as well as a built-in stylus for simple artwork and note-taking. The 11th-Gen processors provide adequate performance as well as all-day battery life. The audio quality, screen, and convertible form factor all add up to an unbeatable multimedia entertainment machine.
15. RAZER BLADE 17
A GREAT CHOICE FOR GAMERS
The Razer Blade 17 is a surprisingly cool and quiet gaming rig for its size and power. It combines Intel’s 12th-generation Core processors with Nvidia’s RTX 3000 series graphics cards. The display on our model was QHD 240Hz. At 0.78 inches thick, it’s quite portable for such a powerful gaming laptop. It also only requires one charging brick, allowing you to transport it in a backpack or briefcase without sacrificing power.
There are other things to enjoy as well. It has an RGB keyboard, which adds a splash of colour to the Pro’s design without being too distracting for the workplace. Even outside of the gaming laptop realm, we believe it has one of the best keyboard and trackpack combinations on the market. While the Blade Pro 17 is not inexpensive, it is the laptop to get if you want the best of the best.