best laptops 2023

 

srcset="https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/89ad80ef5e62511b5aa4a3fe55a1e0b81463995d/2022/10/05/3d233bf8-95fc-4c1a-98a2-1bfebe867fa0/macbook-air-m2-2022-770x433.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=360&width=640" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; outline: 0px;">Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
ZDNET
pros & cons
pros
  • Remarkably slim and light
  • Larger, brighter Retina display than M1 model
  • 1080p webcam
cons
  • More expensive than its predecessor
  • Battery life takes a modest hit
more details

Tech specs:

  • Operating System: MacOS (Ventura)
  • CPU: Apple M2 (8-core)
  • GPU: Apple M2 (8 or 10 cores)
  • RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 24GB
  • Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
  • Screen: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, 2560 x 1664 (224ppi), 500 nits
  • Wireless: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
  • Ports and slots: 2x Thunderbolt 3/USB4, MagSafe 3
  • Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD
  • Audio: 4 speakers, 3 mics, 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Battery: 52.6Wh (18h movie playback, 15h web browsing)
  • Dimensions: 304.1mm x 215mm x 11.3mm (11.97 inches x 8.46 inches x 0.44 inches)
  • Weight: 1.24kg (2.7 pounds)
  • Price: Starting from $1,199 (8-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD), $1,499 (10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

Apple's M2 MacBook Air offers a larger (13.6-inch), brighter (500 nits) screen than its M1-based predecessor in a sleek redesign that's actually 20% smaller by volume. Despite its thin-and-light chassis, the M2 MacBook Air is sturdily built and fanless, making it silent in operation. It is equipped with a quad-speaker system, two Thunderbolt 3/USB4 ports, and a MagSafe power connector. Additionally, there's a welcome upgrade to a 1080p webcam.

Read the review: M2 MacBook Air review

The M2 MacBook Air delivers excellent performance with its 52.6Wh battery, powering the system for nearly 16 hours -- equivalent to two full working days -- in ZDNET's rundown test.

Rated as "Outstanding" and "one of the lightest and most elegant ultraportable laptops we've seen," the M2 MacBook Air is not only ZDNET's choice for the best overall laptop but also ZDNET's Product of the Year.

Also recommended: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10

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Best laptop for working from home and best Windows laptop

Dell XPS 13
ZDNET
pros & cons
pros
  • Good CPU and GPU performance
  • Excellent keyboard
  • Slim but solid build
cons
  • No mobile broadband option
  • No 3.5mm audio jack
  • No OLED screen option (yet)
more details

Tech specs:

  • Operating System: Windows 11 (Home, Pro), Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-1230U, Core i7-1250U
  • GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • RAM: 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB, 1 TB
  • Screen: 13.4-inch InfinityEdge, FHD+ (1920 x 1200, 169 ppi), non-touch/touch, 500 nits
  • Wireless: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
  • Ports and slots: 2 USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, MicroSD
  • Camera: HD (720p) RGB and IR
  • Audio: 2 microphones, stereo speakers, USB-C to 3.5mm headset adapter
  • Battery: 51Wh
  • Dimensions: 295.4 mm x 199.4 mm x 13.99 mm (11.63 in. x 7.86 in. x 0.55 in.)
  • Weight: from 1.17 kg (2.59 lbs)
  • Price: From $749 (Core i5), $999 (Core i7)

Knowledge workers spend a significant amount of time staring at their screens and typing on their keyboards while running a combination of productivity and collaboration apps. Along with a decent screen and keyboard, knowledge workers require a well-rounded performance, a spare connection for an external monitor (if necessary), and a high-quality webcam/microphone/speaker combination for handling video calls, which is especially crucial for those working remotely. Although numerous devices could fulfill these requirements, the Dell XPS 13, in our opinion, leads the field.

Read the review: Dell XPS 13 review

The 2022 model (9315) is lightweight, durable, and compact, and it is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors with integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics. The minimal-bezel InfinityEdge display is available in a 16:10 FHD+ resolution with 500 nits of brightness, with or without touch capability, while the keyboard is both responsive and well laid out. This model does not have a 3.5mm audio jack, but it comes with a USB-C adapter in the box. Performance is suitable for mainstream productivity workloads, and the 51Wh battery should provide all-day battery life, depending on the workload mix and screen brightness setting.

Dell offers a variant of the previous-generation XPS 13 (9310) with a 3.5K (3456 x 2160 pixels) OLED touch display with 400 nits of brightness. At the time of writing, an OLED version of the 9315 model is not available.

Also recommended:

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Best business laptop

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 10): keyboard
ZDNET
pros & cons
pros
  • Compact, lightweight and durable
  • Plenty of configuration options
  • Excellent keyboard and speakers
  • 1080p webcam with privacy shutter
cons
  • Small trackpad and wrist rest
  • Disappointing battery life
  • No SD/MicroSD card slot
more details

Tech specs:

  • Operating system: Windows 11 (Home, Pro), Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-1230U, Core i7-1250U
  • GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • RAM: 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB
  • Storage: 512 GB, 1 TB
  • Screen: 13.4-inch InfinityEdge, FHD+ (1920 x 1200, 169 ppi), non-touch/touch, 500 nits
  • Wireless: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
  • Ports and slots: 2 USB-C/Thunderbolt 4, MicroSD
  • Camera: HD (720p) RGB and IR
  • Audio: 2 microphones, stereo speakers, USB-C to 3.5mm headset adapter
  • Battery: 51Wh
  • Dimensions: 295.4 mm x 199.4 mm x 13.99 mm (11.63 in. x 7.86 in. x 0.55 in.)
  • Weight: from 1.17 kg (2.59 lbs)
  • Price: From $749 (Core i5), $999 (Core i7)

The 14-inch ThinkPad X1 Carbon from Lenovo sets the standard for business laptops, and the latest Gen 10 model features 12th-generation Intel Core processors, an OLED screen option, Wi-Fi 6E (with 6GHz support), and a 1080p webcam. In addition to these features, you get a compact, lightweight, and durable design, a good selection of ports including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI, and optional LTE or 5G mobile broadband.

Read the review: ThinkPad X1 Carbon review

As expected from a ThinkPad, the keyboard is top-notch, and the Dolby Atmos quad-speaker system provides excellent audio quality for a laptop of its size. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 performs adequately when running mainstream productivity apps and undemanding games, but its integrated GPU precludes more serious graphics-intensive workloads. Battery life is arguably the main drawback of this superb laptop, and it may be challenging to get a full day's work out of it away from a power source. Additionally, it does not have an SD or MicroSD card slot.

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