The best laptops you can buy (and which operating system to choose)

My pick for the best laptop is the Dell XPS 17. It's the latest iteration of a long line of reliable laptops with either a 12th or 13th generation Intel Core CPU, GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The 17-inch display gives you excellent 4K resolution for everything from streaming movies and shows to gaming, video calls, virtual learning, and streaming videos.

The key question when buying a laptop -- as with any product -- is: "What do you want to do with it?" Once you've established the use case, you will have a focus for your research, and should quickly get a feel for the key features to look out for. If you're a mobile knowledge worker, for example, you'll want a usable and performant combination of lightweight, flexible configuration, sturdy build, connectivity, security, battery life, and design credibility. But if you're a largely desk-bound graphic designer or creator who occasionally needs to visit a client with a laptop in tow, your priorities will be different.

Once you have a long list of potential candidates, your budget will likely trim it down at the top end, while your cautionary instincts should kick in at the bottom end (if something appears too good to be true, it probably is). Armed with a well-researched shortlist, you should have a good chance of ending up with a laptop that will satisfy your requirements.

Since the 1990s, I have been writing, commissioning, and editing reviews of laptops, along with many other types of tech products. The selection process for this "Best" list is based on a combination of personal usage and experience, participation in the ZDNET reviews process, and analysis of other reviews and roundups.

For most people these days, a "computer" is a type of laptop. While the desktop form factor, especially in the form of all-in-one (AIO) devices, still exists, laptops come in various sizes and cover many use cases (as mentioned above). They range from thin, light, and ultraportable to bulky, powerful, and deskbound. If a smaller laptop screen is an issue, an external monitor can always be connected. Additionally, many hybrid 2-in-1 devices straddle the divide between laptop and tablet. 

While every computing platform has its loyal supporters, most people end up using a particular operating system because of key applications running on it, employer preferences, or budgetary constraints. Windows, which ranges from budget to premium, and Apple's MacOS, which is mostly available in premium devices, cover a broad spectrum, while Chrome OS is mostly limited to affordable devices.

Also: Comparing the best Macs: Is a MacBook or Mac Studio right for you?

All Windows devices listed here meet the requirements for Windows 11. If you purchase a device with Windows 10 installed, you will be able to upgrade to version 11 if you choose to do so. Note that after October 14, 2025, Windows 10 support will end, and there will be no further security patches or feature updates.

In general, the leading PC vendors have the most extensive range of offerings and the best-documented track records for product development and customer relations. Therefore, if you do not have a specialized use case or budgetary constraints, you will typically consider vendors such as Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple, and Asus. These vendors currently lead the PC market in terms of shipments, along with several other well-known brands.

The good news is that you don't need to have the biggest, best, newest components to get a decent gaming laptop. To play most triple-A and indie titles, you'll need a rig with at least 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, a 120Hz refresh rate for the display, and at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card. 

Also: Best gaming laptops you can buy right now

And if you want to try your hand at content creation, something like the Corsair Voyager a1600 is a sure bet with Elgato Steam Deck integration for streamlined workflows when editing videos and thumbnails, going live for streams, and even setting up Zoom meetings and video calls with channel moderators or collaborators.

It really depends on the student, but there are some common factors to consider when shopping for a school-specific laptop. You'll want something small and lightweight for easier commutes to and from school, as well as between classes. 

Also: Students, take note: These are the best laptops for college

You'll also want something with at least an 8-hour battery life to get through a typical school day without needing to plug in (which is great for younger kids who may be forgetful and leave their charging cable at home). Also look for a laptop with at least 4GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and cloud-storage backup to create duplicate copies of important files and classwork. You'll also want to avoid laptops with dedicated graphics cards that are aimed towards gaming to help cut down misuse and procrastination.

Whether you're looking for a single laptop for yourself or a fleet for your business, the best laptops for work not only give you great components but also tons of connectivity options as well as robust, durable builds. 

You'll want to look for a model that has at least 8GB of RAM, a 512GB storage drive, quad-core CPU, and a display that is large enough to work on without feeling bulky and clunky to travel with. You'll also want a model with at least an 8-hour battery life to get through a typical shift without needing to plug in.

Tech YouTuber and CEO of NBT Inc, Jacklyn Dallas, prefers to edit her videos on an M2 14-inch MacBook Pro as she uses Final Cut Pro, an editing software exclusive to the Mac ecosystem. 

Review: Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro (M2 Max, 2023): A content creator's dream machine

Therefore, Apple MacBook Pros are a popular choice as are any laptops with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and high-resolution displays such as the Dell XPS 13 and 15. 

There are many laptops on the market other than those listed above. If you're still looking around, consider these alternative best laptops listed below.