Laptops
Best Picks
Best Student Laptops of 2026
The Ultimate Student Laptops Built for Long Days, Real Workloads, and Budget Realities
Best Chromebooks of 2026
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Reliable Chromebook
Best 2-in-1 Laptops of 2026
Convertible Laptops That Balance Versatility with Performance
Best Budget Laptops of 2026
Affordable Performance: Balance Power, Portability, and Everyday Durability
Best Video Editing Laptops of 2026
Professional-Grade Portability Meets Studio-Level Performance
Best Battery Life Laptop of 2026
Laptops That Actually Last All Day
Best Gaming Laptops of 2026
The Definitive Gaming Laptops That Deliver Console-Crushing Performance on the Move
Reviews
Apple MacBook Air (M1)
The MacBook Air with M1 chip represents a watershed moment in laptop design, delivering performance that rivals or exceeds traditional pro-level machines while maintaining the Air's signature portability and adding unprecedented battery endurance. Apple's custom ARM-based M1 processor combines an 8-core CPU, 7 or 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine in a unified architecture that eliminates the need for active cooling, resulting in a completely fanless design that never compromises on speed. Critics consistently praised its ability to handle demanding workflows including 4K video editing, heavy multitasking with dozens of browser tabs, and professional creative applications without thermal throttling or performance degradation. The machine delivers 14-18 hours of real-world battery life, outpacing Windows competitors by substantial margins while maintaining a slim 1.3 kg unibody aluminum chassis. Even years after its 2020 launch, the M1 Air continues to receive strong recommendations from both critics and long-term users who report minimal performance degradation and exceptional reliability for everyday productivity tasks.[^3][^4][^5][^6][^7][^8][^9][^10][^11][^1]
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 represents a significant advancement in budget-friendly Chrome OS computing, offering double the performance standards previously expected in this category. This 14-inch laptop delivers responsive everyday performance through Intel Core processors, ample connectivity options, and Google's Chromebook Plus features including built-in AI capabilities. The device targets students, home users, and business professionals who need a reliable machine for web-based productivity without requiring Windows or macOS-specific applications. While it faces minor limitations in battery endurance and display aspect ratio, the CX34 establishes itself as a compelling option through its comfortable keyboard, touchscreen capability, and military-grade durability testing.[^1][^2][^3][^4][^5]
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 represents a thoughtful evolution in detachable Chrome OS devices, pairing premium build quality with a standout 13.3-inch OLED display that punches well above its weight class. The device ships with a magnetic keyboard and kickstand cover included, transforming from tablet to laptop mode seamlessly. At its core sits a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor paired with 8GB of RAM, delivering adequate performance for web browsing, document editing, and media streaming while maintaining battery life that routinely exceeds 10 hours of continuous use. The full HD OLED panel supports 100% DCI-P3 color coverage and reaches 400 nits brightness, flanked by quad speakers that enhance the media consumption experience. This convertible Chromebook serves mainstream users well, particularly those prioritizing portability and screen quality over raw computing power, though its ARM-based architecture and occasional input responsiveness issues reveal limitations that power users should carefully consider.[^1][^2][^3][^4][^5][^6]
Lenovo Legion 5i
The Lenovo Legion 5i represents a compelling mid-range gaming laptop that balances performance with affordability. Across its Gen 9 and Gen 10 iterations, the Legion 5i delivers strong gaming capabilities powered by Intel's 13th and 14th generation processors paired with Nvidia RTX 40 and 50 series graphics cards. The standout feature remains its OLED display, which offers exceptional brightness, color accuracy, and fast refresh rates that elevate both gaming and productivity work. While critics praise its quiet cooling system and solid build quality, the laptop faces criticism for short battery life and Lenovo's confusing pricing structure. Consumer feedback reveals generally positive experiences with gaming performance and thermal management, though some users report reliability concerns and quality control issues. The Legion 5i succeeds as a desktop replacement for gamers who prioritize performance and display quality over portability.[^1][^2][^3][^4][^5][^6]
Acer Chromebook Plus 514
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 emerges as a compelling budget Chromebook that delivers meaningful value through thoughtful component selection rather than flashy features. With configurations offering either Intel Core i3-N305 or AMD Ryzen processors, 8GB of RAM, and storage options ranging from 128GB to an impressive 512GB SSD, this device addresses the common shortcomings that plague many budget Chromebooks. The 14-inch WUXGA display delivers sharp visuals, and the comprehensive port selection including dual USB-C and dual USB-A connections provides flexibility rarely seen at this tier. While compromises exist in display brightness, speaker quality, and keyboard refinement, the Chromebook Plus 514 demonstrates that budget devices can prioritize the fundamentals that matter most for productivity and daily use.[^2][^3][^4][^5][^1]
Acer Predator Triton 14 AI
The Acer Predator Triton 14 AI represents a successful attempt to deliver serious gaming performance in an ultraportable package that doesn't compromise on build quality or features. At 0.71 inches thick and 3.5 pounds, this 14.5-inch gaming laptop rivals ultrabooks in portability while housing an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU capable of handling modern AAA titles. The laptop distinguishes itself with a stunning 2880 x 1800 OLED touchscreen, premium aluminum and glass construction, and thoughtful extras including an active stylus and haptic touchpad. Powered by Intel's Core Ultra 9 288V processor, the system prioritizes efficiency and AI capabilities over raw CPU power, making it ideal for users who value mobility and balanced performance rather than maximum desktop-replacement specifications. The inclusion of graphene thermal interface material represents an industry first, contributing to quiet operation and effective cooling in demanding scenarios.[^1][^2][^3]
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 positions itself as a capable mid-range productivity laptop that prioritizes practicality over premium features. Available in multiple configurations with Intel and AMD processors, the series delivers consistent performance for everyday computing tasks while maintaining a professional aesthetic. The laptop stands out for its surprisingly high-quality keyboard and comfortable typing experience, often rivaling more expensive alternatives. However, cost-cutting measures appear in display brightness, connectivity options, and the decision to solder RAM, limiting upgradeability. For users seeking a reliable workhorse for office productivity, multitasking, and light creative work at a competitive price point, the IdeaPad Slim 5 represents solid value, though it won't satisfy those demanding premium build quality or extensive expansion capabilities.[^1][^2][^3][^4][^5]
Lenovo Yoga 9 14 2-in-1 G10
The Lenovo Yoga 9 14 2in1 G10 represents the latest evolution of Lenovo's premium convertible lineup, built around Intel's efficient Lunar Lake Core Ultra 7 258V processor. This 14-inch 2-in-1 combines a sturdy aluminum chassis with improved battery efficiency and quieter operation compared to its predecessor. The laptop features a 4K OLED touchscreen, 32GB of LPDDR5x-8533 RAM, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and an included Lenovo Slim Pen for stylus input. While the convertible excels in build quality and everyday performance, professional reviewers note that its 60Hz 4K display lacks the color accuracy and refresh rate expected at this tier. The device positions itself as a versatile productivity tool with solid battery life, weighing just 1.32kg, making it one of the lightest premium convertibles available.[^1][^2][^3]
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI positions itself as an accessible entry into high-performance gaming with Intel's Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti GPU. The 16-inch OLED panel running at 240Hz represents a standout feature rarely found at this price point, delivering deep blacks and exceptional color accuracy across 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut. Performance tests show the laptop handles demanding titles like Doom: The Dark Ages at native resolution with frame rates hovering around 70fps on Ultra settings, jumping to 180fps with 4X frame generation enabled. However, the slim 19.9mm chassis forces thermal compromises that result in lower sustained clock speeds compared to competing laptops with the same processor, with CPU averaging 3362 MHz under prolonged loads versus 3903-4178 MHz in rivals. Battery life remains a persistent weakness, with most users reporting under three hours of mixed use and less than two hours when the 240Hz refresh rate stays locked.[^1][^2][^3][^4][^5][^6][^7]