Shopping for a laptop can be overwhelming, with dozens of major manufacturers releasing new models every year. While some brands are known for their high-quality products, even the best companies occasionally produce models with flaws or compromises. Additionally, complaints about quality control, inadequate after-sales support, and durability issues can vary across manufacturers.
Ultimately, there isn’t a single “best” laptop brand—it all depends on your needs and preferences. However, some brands, including Apple, ASUS, Dell, and Microsoft, consistently stand out. After testing over 145 laptops from various manufacturers, we’ve compiled our top recommendations for the best laptop brands. These brands are listed alphabetically rather than ranked in any particular order. For additional options, check out our recommendations for the best laptops, best business laptops, and best gaming laptops.
1. Acer Swift Go 14 (2024)
Acer, founded in 1976 as Multitech before being renamed in 1987, has long been known for its budget-friendly laptops. However, the company now offers a diverse selection, including the productivity-focused Aspire and Swift series, the gaming-oriented Nitro and Predator lines, and the creator-centric ConceptD lineup. Acer is also a major player in the Chromebook market, producing popular models like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2020) and the gaming Chromebook 516 GE (2022).
The best Acer laptop we’ve tested is the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024), a 14-inch ultraportable featuring Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs. This compact device is excellent for everyday productivity tasks such as document editing and spreadsheets, as well as more demanding activities like programming and light video editing. It comes with two display options: an FHD+ IPS and a 2.8K OLED panel, both of which provide sharp visuals and sufficient brightness to combat glare in most indoor settings. The keyboard is spacious but slightly mushy, while the touchpad is large and responsive. Other notable features include Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, a 1080p webcam, and a variety of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 and an HDMI.
For those on a budget, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (2024) is an excellent choice. This 14-inch 2-in-1 device allows users to flip the screen for tablet use. It boasts an impressive FHD+ display, a comfortable keyboard, and a high-quality 1440p webcam. Equipped with an Intel Meteor Lake CPU, it handles most Chromebook-compatible tasks efficiently. However, keep in mind that Windows and macOS applications do not run on Chrome OS, so ensure your workflows are compatible with browser-based tools or Android apps.
2. Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024)
Apple is one of the most recognizable electronics brands, known for its exceptional build quality and outstanding customer support. Since 2020, Apple has been producing its own processors, making MacBooks some of the most powerful and energy-efficient laptops available. Another advantage of MacBooks is their seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem, offering features like Continuity Camera, AirDrop, and Handoff. While gaming on macOS has traditionally been limited, Apple has made strides in improving game compatibility with tools designed to help developers port games to macOS.
The best Apple laptop we’ve tested is the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024). This premium model delivers immense processing power, making it ideal for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. It offers an exceptional user experience, featuring a robust aluminum build, a stunning 120Hz Mini LED display, a tactile keyboard, a large haptic touchpad, and powerful speakers. Notable upgrades in this model include a brighter display (up to 1000 nits outdoors), a 12MP camera with Center Stage support, and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. Battery life is impressive, lasting nearly 16 hours on light use.
If you’re looking for a more affordable Apple laptop, consider the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2024). Designed for lighter workloads such as web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, it features Apple’s M3 chip, which can still handle occasional video editing. The MacBook Air’s IPS display is sharp, though not as vibrant as the Mini LED panel on the Pro model. Additionally, it features the same spacious keyboard and haptic touchpad found on the MacBook Pro.
3. ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024)
Founded in 1989 by former Acer employees, ASUS has grown into one of the world’s largest laptop manufacturers. The brand is well-regarded in the gaming industry, frequently sponsoring esports events and players. ASUS produces a wide range of laptops, including ultraportables, mobile workstations, gaming rigs, and Chromebooks. The company is also known for its innovation, introducing unique features such as dual-screen laptops, touchpads with built-in numpads, and customizable dials for creative professionals.
The best ASUS laptop we’ve tested is the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (2024). This 14-inch ultraportable boasts a stunning OLED display, a comfortable keyboard, a large touchpad, and a variety of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 and an HDMI. Like many Zenbook models, the touchpad can double as a virtual numpad, a clever and convenient feature. Performance is excellent, thanks to the Intel Meteor Lake processor, which can handle everyday productivity tasks and more demanding workloads like photo editing and programming. The battery lasts around eight hours under light use, and the laptop supports USB-C charging.
For gaming enthusiasts, we recommend the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024). This 14-inch powerhouse is available with AMD Ryzen 7 or 9 processors and NVIDIA GPUs (up to RTX 4070), providing smooth performance at 1080p and 1440p resolutions. The laptop features a 120Hz 2.8K OLED display with a fast response time and G-SYNC support, a tactile keyboard, and an excellent speaker system for a Windows machine. Additional features include Wi-Fi 6E, a facial recognition camera, and a well-rounded port selection with two USB-A, two USB-C, and HDMI 2.1. However, some users may find the OLED display’s 120Hz flickering noticeable.
