A great laptop is essential for taking high-quality computing on the go, appealing to all types of users. With a vast array of options available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. For many, a versatile all-arounder like my top pick, the MacBook Air, is ideal. Students looking for a blend of portability, performance, and entertainment might find the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 more suitable. As a professional laptop reviewer, I'm here to help you navigate through the options and find the perfect laptop for your needs, whether it's for work, school, or gaming. Here are the best 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
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### 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 and designs, catering to a wide range of needs. The best laptops seamlessly integrate into your daily routine, offering excellent battery life and performance that justify their investment.
No matter your requirements, 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 better than ever, thanks to its powerful M4 chip. It's a stellar system for productivity and creative work, offering exceptional performance and efficiency. 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 get expensive quicklyApple's MacBook Air continues to be a top choice for its performance, portability, and battery life. The latest iteration features the M4 chip, enhancing its capabilities for work, school, and creative tasks. It maintains the MacBook Air's signature thin and light design, now even lighter at just 2.7 pounds, making it incredibly easy to carry.
Our reviewer, Jackie Thomas, praised it as an "oldie but a goodie," highlighting its fanless design that ensures silent operation and a sleek aesthetic. While it may not match the MacBook Pro's performance due to its passive cooling, the MacBook Air excels as a daily companion for most users.
The M4 chip offers a 20% performance boost over the M3, handling everyday tasks with ease. The display remains similar to its predecessor, offering a crisp and color-rich 13- or 15-inch screen with a 2560x1664 resolution.
However, connectivity is limited, with only two USB Type-C ports, a MagSafe connector, and a headphone jack. For those with multiple accessories, a dock may be necessary.
Overall, the MacBook Air excels in being silent, satisfying, and responsive, making it an excellent choice for most users, though it's not ideal for gaming.
2. Asus VivoBook S 15
Best Budget Laptop
### Asus VivoBook S 15
0This well-priced notebook offers 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 compelling entry point below $1,000, providing many benefits similar to the more expensive ZenBook S 16. Its OLED screen is fantastic, and its thin and light design makes it easy to carry. Despite its affordable price, it doesn't compromise on performance.
The VivoBook line balances value and accessibility, sharing design elements with the ZenBook series. While the ZenBook offers a more elegant design, the S 15 is a budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on looks or performance.
Weighing just over 3 pounds and less than an inch thick, it's highly portable. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P processor, it offers efficient performance and long battery life, exceeding 16 hours in normal use.
The high-resolution OLED touchscreen display runs at 120Hz, providing smooth animations and crisp visuals at 2880x1620 resolution, ideal for both productivity and entertainment.
However, app compatibility might be a concern 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 great value, offering impressive features for its price.
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 is an exemplary balance of form factor, performance, and user experience, all 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 is the best laptop Razer has ever released, combining fantastic performance with a thin and light design. It features the latest Nvidia graphics and a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU, though it may not offer the highest fps compared to bulkier gaming laptops.
Its premium aluminum chassis is CNC milled for durability and weighs only 4.7 pounds, making it lighter than most high-performance gaming laptops. The RTX 5090 allows for gaming at ultra settings, and its 16-inch, 2560x1600 OLED screen offers exceptional visuals and responsiveness with a 240Hz refresh rate.
While its graphics card wattage is limited to achieve its form factor, the Blade 16 remains a beast at its native resolution. It's a well-balanced laptop that offers a superior user experience, making it the best gaming laptop of the year, despite its high cost.
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, crystal-clear display, extra-portable design, and snappy 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 top pick for work, featuring a spacious 16-inch OLED touchscreen, elegant design, and solid battery life. Its 16:10 aspect ratio maximizes screen space, perfect for productivity tasks.
The ZenBook S 16's design echoes Apple's MacBook, with a unique Ceraluminum lid that blends ceramic and aluminum for durability and style. Inside, the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU handles demanding tasks efficiently, offering around 15 hours of battery life.
It's also capable of light gaming, though it may require lower settings or resolutions. However, it can become warm during intensive tasks, so using it on a desk or with a laptop cooler is recommended.
Overall, the ZenBook S 16 is a versatile and stylish laptop that excels in productivity and light gaming.
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 is the perfect blend of performance, reliability, and entertainment value for demanding 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 ideal for students, offering versatility and performance in a compact package. It excels in note-taking, productivity, and entertainment, making it a great choice for student life.
This year's Surface Pro features the Snapdragon X Elite processor, ensuring responsive performance without lag. The OLED touchscreen display offers a crisp 2880x1920 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing both productivity and entertainment.
Note that the Surface Pro comes with the tablet only, and the keyboard folio case and Surface Pen are additional purchases. While these add to the cost, third-party options are available. The official accessories provide a seamless experience, with the keyboard case magnetically attaching and including a compartment for the Surface Pen.
App compatibility is a consideration, but most common academic and creative apps should work well. For gaming, the Surface Pro supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, though local gaming performance may be limited.
Overall, the Surface Pro 11 is an excellent choice for students needing a versatile and portable laptop.
How to Choose the Best Laptop in 2025
Choosing the right laptop can be complex, but key specifications can guide your decision. Here's what to look for when selecting one of the best laptops in 2025.
Display: The display is crucial. Most laptops use IPS panels, while OLED and mini-LED offer superior visuals at a higher cost. For work or school, a Full HD (1,080p) screen is usually sufficient. For gaming or entertainment, an OLED display can significantly enhance your experience. Consider the resolution and refresh rate; higher refresh rates improve motion smoothness, beneficial for gaming and productivity.
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 computer's brain, handling computations. Intel, AMD, and Snapdragon are the main options. For general use, a six-core processor is a minimum, with eight or more recommended for future-proofing.
Memory: RAM affects multitasking. For school and productivity, 16GB is ideal; for gaming or intensive tasks, 32GB is recommended.
Storage: Storage capacity is important for local file storage. A minimum of 512GB is recommended for productivity, and 1TB for gaming or if you store many files locally.
Graphics: Graphics cards render visuals. Integrated GPUs are sufficient for productivity, while dedicated GPUs are necessary for gaming.
Portability: Consider the laptop's weight and size. Thin and light laptops weigh 3.5lbs or less, ideal for daily carry. Gaming laptops are typically heavier due to their components.
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 graphics settings and performance.
Why do laptops get slow?
Laptops can slow down due to outdated hardware, dust buildup causing heat throttling, or the natural shorter lifespan of laptops compared to desktops.
Should I get a laptop or a desktop?
Choose a laptop for portability and gaming on the go. A desktop is better for stationary use at home, offering better performance for the price and easier upgrades.
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