← All guides
The buyer's guide
The best laptops for most people
A clear, honest take on the laptops worth your money in 2026 — from ultraportables to creative workstations.
Start the questionnaire →
6 questions · about a minute
What's in our catalog
6 picks
The best laptop for most people
Apple MacBook Air 13" (M3)
Silent, fast, and gets a full workday on battery. The default pick unless you have a specific reason to look elsewhere.
For creative pros
Apple MacBook Pro 14" (M4 Pro)
Serious power for video, code, and music — with a stunning mini-LED display and the best speakers in any laptop.
The best Windows ultraportable
Dell XPS 13
Premium build, gorgeous OLED option, and a compact footprint. The Windows answer to the MacBook Air.
For business and typing
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11
The keyboard road warriors swear by, in a light chassis with all the ports you need.
For gamers and creators
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16
A 16-inch OLED with serious GPU power, in a chassis that doesn't scream "gamer."
The best budget pick
Acer Aspire 5
Genuinely capable everyday laptop under $600. No frills, no nonsense.