Best Laptops 2023 – Our Top Picks

Here are our recommendations for the Best Laptops of 2023.

Laptops come in various brands, prices, and features. Whatever you are looking for, you want a good keyboard and trackpad, a sharp display, a long-lasting battery, and other features. Here are our suggestions – five Best Laptops of 2023 for you – each unrivaled in its own category.

Apple MacBook Air (M2)

Apple MacBook Air (M2). Image credit: Apple

Laptops from Apple have always been popular among those who value good design and build quality.

The latest MacBook Air includes 8GB of RAM memory and an 8-core CPU. It has lots of well-known MacBook features, such as MagSafe charging, Touch ID, and the scissor-switch keyboard. It is fast and powerful, and its battery lasts long. It is also equipped with either 256GB or 512GB of SSD storage.

M2 microprocessor is a bit slower than M1 Pro or M1 Max, but if you need greater processing power you will also need to choose larger MacBook Pro models. But don’t be mistaken: MacBook Air M2 is still fast, and extremely portable.

HP Spectre x360 14

HP Spectre x360 14. Image credit: HP

Strong overall contender, worthy to be among the best laptops of 2023.

This HP laptop is equipped with Intel’s latest 11th Gen processors and Iris Xe integrated graphics. Its battery lasts for an average of 10 hours, which is simply great. It also provides you with a pleasant experience because of its comfortable keyboard, smooth touchpad, bass-heavy audio, and practical port selection.

By the way, this laptop has a great look too. If you need (and have a sufficient budget), you can also choose a version with an OLED or 1,000-nit brightness screen.

Dell XPS 13

Dell XPS 13. Image credit: Dell

It is an exceptionally good multi-purpose laptop.

This model, Dell XPS 13, is an excellent choice for general-purpose users. It is sleek and compact, has a great keyboard, an excellent 16:10 display, and great performance. XPS 13 is also reliable, does quite well in gaming, and easily deals with any media content.

If you have more financial freedom, you may go for Dell XPS 13 Plus. For a premium, you can get additional features such as an OLED display, LED touch function keys, and more.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3. Image credit: Lenovo

It is a tiny budget laptop – the best budget laptop, actually, that comes under $400.

If we calculate the cost-to-performance ratio, nothing beats Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3. And that is why we have included it in our list of Best Laptops 2023. It is provided with a magnetic detachable keyboard and supports USI styluses which can be purchased separately.

This machine has a sharp, bright 11-inch screen, a comfortable keyboard, and weighs only 2.09 pounds (roughly just below 1 kg) with the keyboard attached. There are very few models that can boast the same

Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED

Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED. Image credit: ASUS

It is a lightweight laptop with an excellent OLED touch display.

Asus Zenbook S 13 weighs 2.43 pounds and is just over half an inch thick, which is quite impressive. It also has a LED number pad built into its touchpad. The laptop is powered by excellent, speedy Ryzen 6000 processors. You also get some proprietary features from Asus, such as a touchpad with an integrated LED number pad. And of course, its OLED display is one of the best.

If you still wish to make your own informed choice about which laptop is the best for you, we can help with this, too. In all computers, there are certain parameters and technological capabilities that are considered a good choice. Therefore, when choosing the best laptops, you should consider these key aspects:

1. Performance: A good laptop should have a modern and powerful processor (e.g., Intel Core i5 or i7, AMD Ryzen) and sufficient RAM (at least 8GB or more) to handle various tasks smoothly, including multitasking, running demanding software such as 3D design tools or computer games, and handling multimedia content.
2. Storage: Ample storage space is crucial for storing files, applications, and media. Solid State Drives (SSDs) are preferable over traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) due to their faster read/write speeds and improved overall performance. Their capacities have increased lately, while prices went down. The laptop of your choice should have SSD, not HDD.
3. Display: A high-quality display enhances the overall user experience. Look for laptops with no less than Full HD (1920 x 1080) or higher resolution screens, good color reproduction, and adequate brightness levels. Screen size and touchscreen functionality are subjective preferences depending on the user’s needs. For example, do not choose a large screen if you plan to travel a lot.
4. Battery Life: Long battery life is desirable for portable laptops. Look for laptops that offer at least 8 hours of battery life to ensure productivity on the go without constant reliance on power outlets. This factor may not be that important if you are certain that the power outlet will always be there for you.
5. Portability: If you need to carry your laptop frequently, consider its weight and dimensions. Ultrabooks or slim and lightweight laptops are designed for portability without sacrificing lots of performance. But you should note that top performance does not come with small laptop packages.
6. Connectivity: A good laptop should have a variety of ports and connectivity options, such as USB Type-A and Type-C ports (preferably, with Power Delivery function), HDMI, headphone/microphone jacks, and an SD card reader. Additionally, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities are essential for wireless connectivity.
7. Keyboard and Touchpad: A comfortable and responsive keyboard with good key travel, large enough key size, and fast response makes typing easier. At the same time, having a precise and smooth touchpad greatly enhances the navigation, control, and overall usability of any laptop.
8. Build Quality and Durability: Look for laptops made of sturdy materials that can withstand everyday use. It’s also worth considering laptops with features like spill-resistant keyboards or rugged designs if durability is a priority. The best laptops are sturdy enough to resist occasional minor mechanical hits and bumps.
9. Operating System: Choose an operating system based on your preferences and requirements. Popular options include Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS. Each has its own software ecosystem and user interface.
10. Additional Features: Depending on your needs, other features to consider may include a dedicated graphics card for gaming or graphic-intensive tasks, a backlit keyboard for improved visibility in low-light environments, and built-in security features like fingerprint readers or facial recognition.

Written by Giedrius Pakalka and Alius Noreika