A great laptop offers the convenience of high-quality computing on the go, appealing to users of all kinds. With an overwhelming array of options available, finding the perfect laptop can be challenging. For most users, a versatile all-arounder like the MacBook Air is an excellent choice. Students seeking 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 guide you through the noise and help you select the ideal laptop for your needs, whether for work, school, or gaming. Here are the top laptops for 2025.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Laptops We've Tested:
Our Top Pick### Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
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### Asus VivoBook S 15
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### Razer Blade 16 (2025)
0See it at Razer
### Asus Zenbook S 16
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### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
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Laptops come in various forms, each designed to meet different needs. The best laptops seamlessly integrate into your daily life, offering excellent battery life and performance that justifies their investment. No matter your requirements, I've tested these laptops 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 enhanced by its powerful M4 chip, making it a stellar choice for productivity and creative work. 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 can get expensive quicklyApple's MacBook Air has long been a staple in the laptop market, consistently earning high praise for its performance, portability, and battery life. The 2025 iteration features the latest M4 processor, enhancing its capabilities for both work and creative projects while maintaining impressive battery efficiency compared to similar-priced Windows laptops.
The MacBook Air retains its signature qualities of being thin and light, with Apple even managing to reduce its weight slightly to just 2.7lbs. Its fanless design, relying on passive cooling through its metal frame, ensures silent operation and a sleek aesthetic without fan vents.
While it may not match the MacBook Pro in terms of raw performance due to its lack of active cooling, the MacBook Air excels as a daily companion suitable for most users. The M4 chip provides a significant performance boost, making it capable of handling everyday tasks with ease.
The display remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, but its high-resolution 13- or 15-inch screen with a 2560x1664 resolution ensures crisp, vibrant visuals. However, the MacBook Air offers limited connectivity options, with only two USB Type-C ports, a MagSafe connector, and a headphone jack, which might necessitate the use of a dock for multiple accessories.
Overall, the MacBook Air nails the essentials of being silent, satisfying, and responsive, making it an ideal choice for most users as a daily driver.
2. Asus VivoBook S 15
Best Budget Laptop
### Asus VivoBook S 15
0This budget-friendly laptop offers impressive performance, an OLED display, and exceptional portability. 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 might be an issue (though unlikely)Asus's VivoBook S 15 offers a compelling package starting well below $1,000. It shares many benefits with the more premium ZenBook S 16, including a fantastic screen and a thin, light design that's easy to carry. Despite its budget price, it doesn't skimp on performance.
The VivoBook line balances value and affordability. It shares design and specs with the ZenBook series, but the VivoBook S 15 offers a more cost-effective option without compromising on looks or performance. Weighing just over 3lbs and with a thickness of just over half an inch, it's easy to carry.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P processor, the VivoBook S 15 combines power efficiency with strong performance. It also features a high-resolution OLED touchscreen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, delivering outstanding picture quality for both productivity and entertainment.
In my tests, the VivoBook S 15 exceeded 16 hours of battery life in normal use, reducing the need for frequent charging. However, the Snapdragon processor's unique architecture might lead to app compatibility issues, so it's wise to check the Windows on ARM compatibility list before purchasing.
Overall, the Asus VivoBook S 15 is a fantastic value that should impress most users.
Razer Blade 16 (2025) – Photos
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3. Razer Blade 16 (2025)
Best Gaming Laptop
### Razer Blade 16 (2025)
0The Razer Blade 16 for 2025 strikes a perfect balance between performance, form factor, and user experience 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 thin and light bodyStunning OLED displayImpressive battery life while gamingIt's a joy to useCONSVery expensiveFor sheer FPS, there are better optionsThis year's Razer Blade 16 is the best laptop the company has ever produced. It combines outstanding performance with a surprisingly thin and light design, featuring the latest Nvidia graphics and a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU. While it may not offer the highest fps in every game, its overall package is exceptional.
The Razer Blade 16 is a premium laptop with a CNC-milled aluminum chassis, offering durability and a reasonable weight of 4.7lbs. Its balanced design makes it quieter and more portable than most gaming laptops, despite some performance trade-offs.
The RTX 5090 graphics card enables gaming at ultra settings, and the 16-inch, 2560x1600 OLED screen provides stunning visuals. With a refresh rate up to 240Hz, it ensures smooth gameplay and excellent motion clarity. While it might not lead in raw fps, the Razer Blade 16's design and performance balance make it the best overall gaming laptop of 2025.
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, featuring a spacious, high-resolution display, exceptional portability, and strong 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, offering a large 16-inch OLED touchscreen, elegant design, solid battery life, and impressive performance. Its 16:10 aspect ratio maximizes screen space, perfect for productivity and presentations.
The ZenBook S 16's design draws comparisons to Apple's MacBook, featuring a unique Ceraluminum lid that combines ceramic and aluminum for durability and a fingerprint-resistant finish. The interior boasts a vented area above the keyboard, enhancing its premium look.
Powered by AMD's Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, this laptop handles demanding tasks and multitasking efficiently. While it doesn't match Apple's M3 or M4 chips in power, it's more than capable for most tasks, including video editing, and offers about 15 hours of battery life.
It also supports light gaming at lower settings or 1,200p resolution. However, prolonged intensive use can cause the laptop to heat up, so using it on a desk or with a cooling pad is recommended. Despite this, the Asus ZenBook S 16 is an excellent work laptop, balancing form and function effectively.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 – Photos
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5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Best Laptop for School
### Microsoft Surface Pro 11
0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an ideal choice for students, offering versatility, performance, and entertainment in a portable package. 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 transportResponsive performance: Microsoft's best to dateHigh quality OLED touchscreen, great for productivity and entertainmentWorks well for game streamingCONSApp compatibility still developingKeyboard case and stylus accessories are quite expensiveThe Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the top choice for students due to its versatility and ability to handle various tasks. It seamlessly blends note-taking, productivity, and entertainment into a compact, portable package.
This year's Surface Pro 11 reinvents the 2-in-1 tablet PC, offering high performance without sacrificing battery life or screen quality. It's powered by either a Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite processor, with the latter recommended for its superior performance and upgraded OLED display.
The OLED screen offers crisp visuals, vibrant colors, and smooth motion with a 120Hz refresh rate. While the Surface Pro 11 does not come with a keyboard folio case or Surface Pen by default, these accessories enhance the user experience significantly, albeit at an additional cost.
Like other Snapdragon-based laptops, app compatibility should be verified, though it's generally not an issue for academic and creative applications. For gaming, the Surface Pro 11 supports cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, providing a viable alternative to local gaming.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is an outstanding choice for students seeking a versatile laptop that can handle a full day of learning and entertainment.
How to Choose the Best Laptop in 2025
Choosing a laptop in 2025 can be daunting, but focusing on key specifications can help you make an informed decision. Here's what to consider when selecting one of the best laptops for your needs.
Display: The display is crucial for your laptop experience. Most laptops feature an IPS display, but OLED and mini-LED options offer superior visuals at a higher cost. For work and school, a Full HD (1,080p) resolution is typically sufficient, while higher resolutions and refresh rates enhance gaming and entertainment. Consider whether a higher refresh rate, up to 120Hz or more, is beneficial for your use case.
Platform/OS: The operating system is your daily interface. Choose between Windows, available on most laptops, and Mac, exclusive to Apple devices like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
Processor: The processor is the brain of your laptop, handling all computations. Intel and AMD are the dominant players, with Snapdragon emerging as a competitive option. For general use, opt for at least a six-core processor, with eight or more recommended for future-proofing.
Memory: RAM determines how many tasks your laptop can handle simultaneously. Aim for at least 16GB for school and productivity, and 32GB for gaming or intensive tasks like video editing.
Storage: Storage capacity affects how many files you can keep locally. A minimum of 512GB is recommended for productivity and school, while 1TB is better for gaming and storing larger files.
Graphics: Graphics cards render everything on your screen. Integrated graphics are sufficient for productivity, while dedicated GPUs are essential for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
Portability: Consider the weight and size of the laptop. Thin and light models typically weigh 3.5lbs or less, making them ideal for daily carry. Gaming laptops are usually heavier due to their components and cooling systems.
Laptop FAQ
Which laptop is best for work, school, or gaming?
The requirements for work and school laptops are similar, focusing on an 8-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. For gaming, consider a laptop with a dedicated GPU to enhance visual quality and performance.
Why do laptops get slow?
Laptops may slow down due to outdated hardware, dust buildup affecting cooling, or simply because their compact design limits their lifespan compared to desktops.
Should I get a laptop or a desktop?
Choose a laptop for portability, especially if you need to take it on the go. A desktop is more suitable if you're staying at home and prioritize performance and upgradability.
