Shopping for a laptop can be overwhelming, with numerous manufacturers releasing new models each year. While some brands have a reputation for high-quality products, even the best brands occasionally release models with design flaws or compromises. Quality control, after-sales support, and overall reliability vary across manufacturers, making it difficult to pinpoint the “best” brand. Instead, the right choice depends on individual needs and preferences. However, certain brands like Apple, ASUS, Dell, and Microsoft consistently stand out.
After testing over 145 laptops from various manufacturers, we have compiled recommendations for the best laptop brands. The order in which they appear is alphabetical and does not reflect any ranking. If you’re looking for specific recommendations, check out our guides on the best laptops, business laptops, and gaming laptops.
Acer
Acer, founded in 1976 as Multitech and renamed Acer in 1987, is a Taiwanese company known for budget-friendly laptops. Despite its reputation for affordability, Acer offers a diverse range of products, including productivity-focused Aspire and Swift series, gaming-oriented Nitro and Predator lines, and the creator-centric Concept series. Acer is also a leading Chromebook manufacturer, producing models like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2020) and gaming Chromebooks such as the Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022).
The best Acer laptop we’ve tested is the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024), an ultraportable 14-inch laptop featuring Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs. It handles general productivity and more demanding tasks like programming and light video editing with ease. It offers two display options: an FHD+ IPS and a 2.8K OLED panel, both sharp and bright. Other features include a 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and a variety of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4s and an HDMI.
For those on a budget, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024) is a great option. This 14-inch 2-in-1 laptop features an FHD+ touchscreen, an excellent keyboard, and a 1440p webcam. Powered by Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs, it can handle most Chrome OS tasks efficiently. However, Chrome OS limitations mean that many Windows and macOS applications are incompatible, so ensure your workflow suits a Chromebook before purchasing.
Apple
Apple is one of the most well-known electronics brands, recognized for premium build quality and excellent customer support. Since 2020, Apple has been producing its own chips, making MacBooks some of the most powerful and energy-efficient laptops available. Integration with the Apple ecosystem allows for seamless features like AirDrop and Handoff. However, gaming on MacBooks remains limited due to software compatibility issues.
The best Apple laptop we’ve tested is the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024). This premium model offers exceptional performance, a stunning 120Hz Mini LED display, a tactile keyboard, a large haptic touchpad, and immersive speakers. The M4 chip ensures fast processing, while upgrades like a 12 MP camera with Center Stage and Thunderbolt 5 enhance functionality. Battery life is impressive, lasting nearly 16 hours on light use.
For those with lighter workloads, the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2024) is a popular choice. It is ideal for web browsing, text processing, and video playback, while its M3 chip can handle tasks like video editing, albeit with slower rendering times. The IPS display is bright and colorful, and the keyboard and touchpad offer a comfortable experience. If you prefer a larger screen, the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024) provides additional screen space and improved speakers but at a higher price.
LASUS
Founded in 1989 by former Acr employees, ASUS is a leading laptop manufacturer, particularly in gaming. The company produces a wide range of laptops, from ultraportables to gaming machines and mobile workstations. ASUS often experiments with innovative designs, such as dual-screen laptops and gaming tablets like the ASUS ROG Flow Z13.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024) is the best ASUS laptop we’ve tested. This ultraportable 14-inch model features a stunning OLED display, a large touchpad with a virtual numpad feature, and a solid keyboard. It is powered by Intel’s Meteor Lake processors, offering great performance for productivity and light creative work. Battery life is around eight hours of light use, and USB-C charging is supported.
For gaming, we recommend the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024). This 14-inch powerhouse comes with AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs (up to an RTX 4070), making it ideal for 1080p or 1440p gaming. The 120Hz 2.8K OLED display provides smooth visuals, and features like G-SYNC support and a high-quality speaker system enhance the experience. However, the OLED display’s 120Hz flicker might be an issue for users sensitive to PWM flickering.
Dell
Founded in 1984, Dell is one of the biggest laptop manufacturers. The company produces a wide range of products, including desktops, monitors, and peripherals. Dell acquired Alienware in 2006, strengthening its position in the gaming market. Dell laptops often feature unique designs but can be challenging to repair due to proprietary parts.
Our top Dell pick is the Dell XPS 16 (2024), a premium 16-inch laptop with a sturdy build and high-end specs. Available with Intel Meteor Lake CPUs (up to Core Ultra 9) and NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs (up to a 4070), it excels in demanding workloads. Users can choose between an FHD+ IPS or a 4K+ OLED display, with the latter being ideal for color-sensitive work.
For gaming, the Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024) stands out. This 18-inch laptop is equipped with Intel 14th Gen CPUs and high-end NVIDIA GPUs. Display options include a 480Hz FHD+ and a 165Hz QHD+ panel, both supporting G-SYNC. The RAM and storage are user-upgradable, though the laptop is bulky and has limited battery life.
HP
HP (Hewlett-Packard), founded in 1939, is one of the oldest tech companies and a major player in the laptop market. HP produces various laptops for business, content creation, and gaming, as well as Chromebooks ranging from budget-friendly to premium models.
The best HP laptop we’ve tested is the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024), a premium 2-in-1 successor to the HP Spectre x360 14. It features an OLED display with stylus support, a great keyboard, haptic touchpad, full-sounding speakers, and an outstanding 4K webcam. Battery life is around 10 hours of light use.
For gaming, the HP OMEN Transcend 14 (2024) is a versatile choice. This 14-inch model is designed for both gaming and content creation, featuring Intel Meteor Lake CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs (up to an RTX 4070). The 120Hz 2.8K OLED display is bright and colorful, but lacks VRR support. Gaming battery life is short, so it’s best used plugged in.
HP has rebranded its lineup, placing all personal laptops under the OmniBook brand. More details are available in our best HP laptops guide.
