The Ultimate Guide to the Best Laptops of 2024: Top Picks for Every Budget

We’ve tested over $100,000 worth of laptops in the past year, and it’s clear which ones shine and which fall short. Here’s our detailed guide to help you choose the best laptop for your needs in 2024.

Key Takeaways

• Budget Shoppers: HP Pavilion Plus 14 and ASUS ZenBook 14
• Value Shoppers: Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 16
• Casual Users: HP Spectre x360 14 and MacBook Air
• Gamers: HP Omen Transcend 14, Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14, Legion 7i, ASUS Zephyrus G16, and Alienware x16 R2
• Professionals: MacBook Pro 14 & 16 and Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i

Budget Shoppers

HP Pavilion Plus 14

• Price: Often under $800
• Pros: High-resolution OLED display, various configuration options
• Cons: Cheap build quality, occasional fan noise

ASUS ZenBook 14

• Price: Often under $800
• Pros: Premium feel, default OLED display
• Cons: New models have less comfortable keyboards compared to older ones

Value Shoppers

Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 16

• Price: Around $1,000
• Pros: Powerful processors, 16GB memory, RTX 4050 graphics, decent 16-inch display
• Cons: Not specialized in any one area, poor webcam quality

Casual Users

HP Spectre x360 14

• Price: $1,600 for 16GB RAM, 1TB model (often on sale)
• Pros: Premium look, excellent OLED display, good performance, convertible to tablet
• Cons: Palm rejection issues with the trackpad, heavier than competitors

MacBook Air

• Price: Starts at $1,100 (limited 8GB RAM, 256GB storage)
• Pros: Silent, cool to the touch, long battery life, powerful M-series processors
• Cons: Expensive upgrades, low-travel keyboard, 60Hz display

Gamers

Portable Gaming Laptops

• HP Omen Transcend 14
• Pros: Balanced power and portability, reasonable performance
• Cons: Underpowered GPU
• Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14
• Pros: Better performance, larger screen
• Cons: Less portable

16-Inch Gaming Laptops

• Lenovo Legion 7i
• Price: $2,000 for high-end specs
• Pros: Powerful CPU and GPU, stunning screen, comfortable keyboard, upgradeable memory and storage
• Cons: Runs warm, less efficient CPU

Max Gaming Performance

• ASUS Zephyrus G16
• Pros: Slim, stunning OLED screen, good performance
• Cons: Loud high-pitched fan noise, only recommended for higher-end models
• Alienware x16 R2
• Pros: Cool and quiet, excellent keyboard, powerful CPU
• Cons: Dim screen, expensive, large size

Professionals

MacBook Pro 14 & 16

• Pros: Powerful M3 Pro and Max chips, excellent battery life, high-resolution screens, best-in-class speakers and trackpad
• Cons: Expensive, minor real-world performance improvement over M2 models

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i

• Price: $1,900
• Pros: Strong performance, bright high-resolution display, runs cool, fans only activate when needed
• Cons: Limited high-end configuration options in the USA, dated design

Conclusion

Did we miss your favorite? Search for your laptop on our website to see why it might not have made this list or to request a review. Got a different opinion? Share it in the comments!

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This guide aims to provide clear, actionable insights into the best laptops available in 2024 across different categories, ensuring you find the perfect match for your needs and budget.