Best 17 Laptops in 2024: Budget, for gamers and everything in between

Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by tech-n-design

Choosing the best laptop to buy demands savvy shopping—understanding what you get for your money is key. The best tech advances in laptops include new CPUs and GPUs, as well as the latest displays, keyboards, webcams, I/O ports, and more.

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Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Model

Understanding what’s under the hood is the first step in selecting the right model. The processor is the heart and soul of your laptop, and the choice heavily depends on your usage. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is typically sufficient for average tasks. However, if you demand more from your device, say, high-end gaming or professional video editing, an Intel Core i7 or Ryzen 7 could be your best bet due to their increased speed and number of cores.

Shifting our focus to RAM now, a minimum of 8GB RAM is recommended for smooth operation, with 16GB or more ideal for multitasking and demanding applications. However, be wary of LPDDR RAM, as it is soldered and can’t be upgraded. This essentially means that whatever amount of RAM you purchase initially is what you’re stuck with, so choose wisely!

Moving on to the display, High pixel density is crucial for enhanced screen sharpness, particularly for discrete graphics cards like those found in premium laptops such as the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra. Optimal display clarity is facilitated by a pixel density that enables sharper text and interface elements, as can be seen in models with specifications like a 13.5-inch 3:2 display with 2,256 x 1,504 pixels.

But the internals aren’t the only factor. Building quality features, such as:

• a robust webcam

• durable hinge

• sizable trackpad

• comfortable keyboard layout

• overall thoughtful design

affect the overall user experience and should be carefully considered. After all, a laptop is a long-term investment.

Your choice of laptop should also factor in the ecosystem you belong to. MacBooks are your best bet for seamless integration if you’re already deep into Apple’s ecosystem with an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. A Windows laptop would be a better fit if you’re more inclined towards Windows or Android devices. Those who primarily use their laptop for web browsing and light productivity tasks, then Chromebooks are a more affordable option.

Laptops range from budget to premium and are categorized into the following types:

• Entry-level

• Mainstream

• Premium

• 2-in-1s

• Ultrabooks

• Business laptops

• Gaming laptops

Editor’s Choice: The Leading Laptops of the Year

Dell XPS 15

Apple MacBook Air M2

Top-rated laptops also feature impressive display specifications, such as the 13.3-inch 1080p OLED display, which enhances users’ visual experience. It works for editing photos, watching movies, or browsing the web.

However, the screen isn’t the only consideration. High-quality stereo bi-amplified speakers, 1080p 60fps webcams with a privacy switch, and 155° hinges are among the features highly reviewed by consumers, reflecting the meticulous design and consideration for user privacy and ergonomics in the latest models.

Unparalleled Performance: Powerhouse Picks for Professionals

Lenovo ThinkPad X1

Dell Precision 5570

Apple’s MacBook Pro M3

Enduring Power: Laptops with the Longest Battery Life

Given the fast-paced nature of today’s world, battery life has become an essential laptop feature. After all, what good is a powerhouse laptop if it can’t last through your workday? Laptops powered by Intel’s 13th Generation Core and AMD’s Ryzen 7000 processors, including Intel’s Core Ultra ‘Meteor Lake’ chips, are among the longest-lasting models on the market.

HP Elite Dragonfly G3

Getac S410 G5

LG Gram Pro 17

On-the-Move Computing: Top Lightweight Laptops

ASUS ZenBook 14X

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

Best Budget-Friendly Laptops: Quality at an Affordable Price

High quality doesn’t necessarily equate to a hefty price tag. A reliable budget laptop for average work, home office, or school tasks is between $700 and $800, reflecting higher-end components such as faster processors and premium design elements are increasingly common within the $500 to $1,000 price range.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i

Gateway 14

Gaming Glory: The Ultimate Gaming Laptops

A dedicated gaming laptop is indispensable for gaming enthusiasts. These machines come equipped with discrete graphics cards from AMD or Nvidia that offer the necessary performance to handle the demanding graphics of modern games.

Creative Powerhouses: Top Laptop for Architectural Visualization

Asus ROG Strix Scar

Check out our review on the Asus ROG Strix Scar, which provides creative professionals with dedicated graphic cards offering a significant performance edge over integrated solutions for tasks such as video editing and high-fidelity design.

Work and Play: The Best 2-in-1 Convertible Laptops

A 2-in-1 convertible laptop is the ideal solution for those seeking the best of both worlds. These laptops cater to versatility and are sought after for their combined productivity and entertainment capabilities, including touchscreen and detachable or folding keyboard features.

Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8

The Chromebook Champions: Best for Web Browsing and Light Tasks

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

The Innovators: Modular and Repairable Laptops

Modular and repairable laptops, driven by innovation, are leading the laptop industry. Framework’s mission revolves around extending the longevity of consumer electronics with their modular laptops, which are designed to be easily upgraded, customized, and repaired.

Framework Laptop 16

The bar chart visually represents the laptop preferences of different demographic segments in the US and Europe, based on simulated data.

It categorizes buyers into age groups (Young Adults, Adults, Middle-aged, Seniors), occupations (Students, Professionals, Gamers, Casual Users), and income levels (Low, Medium, High), showing the percentage that prefer various types of laptops like mainstream, premium, ultrabooks, business laptops, entry-level laptops, Chromebooks, and gaming laptops.

Key insights include a strong preference for gaming laptops among Gamers (100%), a significant inclination towards Chromebooks for Seniors (50%), and a notable trend of premium laptops being favoured by adults (25-44) and high-income individuals.

The chart effectively illustrates how laptop preferences vary widely across different demographics, highlighting the impact of factors such as age, occupation, and income on consumer choices in the laptop market. This visualization aids in understanding the diverse needs and preferences within the laptop-buying population, providing valuable insights into market trends and consumer behaviour.

FAQs: Best Laptops in 2024

What Makes a Laptop Truly “Future-Proof” in 2024?

A future-proof laptop in 2024 isn’t just about meeting today’s needs; it’s about staying relevant in the fast-evolving tech landscape. Look for laptops with the latest processors, options for upgrading components, and strong software compatibility to ensure your device remains competitive.

Can Your Laptop Choice Impact the Environment?

Yes, choosing a laptop with a smaller environmental footprint matters. By selecting a laptop that focuses on sustainable production practices, energy efficiency, and recyclability, you contribute to a more sustainable tech ecosystem.

How Does the Right Laptop Enhance Remote Work Productivity?

The ideal remote work laptop boosts productivity through long battery life, various connectivity options, and an ergonomic design. These features help adapt to different working environments, ensuring efficiency no matter where you are.

Is a High-End Gaming Laptop Worth the Investment for Non-Gamers?

For creative professionals and multitaskers, high-end gaming laptops offer significant advantages. Their superior graphics performance, cooling systems, and fast refresh rates make them appealing beyond gaming, supporting intensive creative tasks and multitasking.

What Are the Hidden Costs of Choosing a Budget Laptop?

Opting for a budget laptop might seem cost-effective initially, but it can lead to hidden expenses. Over time, you might face the need for upgrades, encounter maintenance issues, or deal with performance limitations, impacting the laptop’s cost-effectiveness and longevity.

How Do Laptops Drive Innovation in Education and Learning?

Laptops are pivotal in making learning accessible, interactive, and personalized. They support various educational tools and platforms, making some models particularly well-suited for students and educators to enhance the educational experience.

Why Should Your Next Laptop Purchase Be 5G-Ready?

Investing in a 5G-ready laptop unlocks the benefits of faster connectivity, reduced latency, and new possibilities in mobile computing and IoT integration. It’s about staying ahead and making the most of the latest in connectivity technology for more seamless experiences.

Conclusion

As we’ve explored the standout laptops of 2024, it’s clear there’s something out there for every one of us. But here’s a thought that keeps nudging me: maybe the best laptop isn’t just about the tech specs. Perhaps, it’s more about how this piece of technology fits into our lives and impacts the world around us.

I’m starting to think that the real question isn’t “What’s the best laptop I can buy?” but “What’s the best choice I can make?” Imagine if our choice of laptop could reflect more than just our need for speed or our budget constraints. What if it could also mirror our commitment to a healthier planet?

The idea of choosing a laptop based on a company’s dedication to sustainability—how they source materials, their energy consumption, or their recycling policies—feels revolutionary. It’s a shift from seeing technology as a tool for personal gain to viewing it as part of a larger ecosystem, where every purchase has a ripple effect.

So, as we ponder over processors and pixel density, let’s also consider our planet. Choosing a laptop that aligns with our environmental values might seem like a small step. But it’s these small steps that lead to giant leaps towards a more sustainable future. After all, the best laptop for 2024 could be the one that not only meets our needs but also contributes to the well-being of our world.