Buzz
Fast, sleek, and affordable, the HP Envy x360 15-inch is a dream for those in need of a larger laptop without breaking the bank. Inside its stunning body, the Envy 15-inch is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor that rivals those twice its price, perfect for photo editing, light gaming, and even light video editing.
The 15-inch display of the HP Envy is large, vibrant, and touchscreen-enabled. While its overall size is quite bulky for tablet mode, you can also prop it up tent-style for comfortable usage. Most impressively, after satisfying all criteria from configuration, performance to screen quality, this laptop still boasts a very generous battery life, around 7 hours. It's definitely one of the best 15-inch laptops in its price range.
2. Apple MacBook Air (2020)
With a battery life of nearly 13 hours, the M1 processor is extremely powerful, and the trackpad and keyboard are incredibly smooth, it's no surprise the MacBook Air M1 ranks among the top business laptops.
The Air has ditched Intel processors for Apple's own M1 chip. Apple claims this new M1 chip will be so great that we want to ditch our old Intel Macs. It's distributed, with the M1 processor packing over 60% more energy than its predecessor. The only processors competing with M1 in raw performance are the top Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 9 processors. Essentially, this laptop outperforms most laptops twice its price.
But it's not just about speed. The most incredible feature of the MacBook Air is its battery life. Our battery test is designed for real-world performance rather than optimized scenarios, so we expected the advertised 15-hour battery life to translate to 9 hours—instead, we got nearly 13 hours. It has broken the record for the longest battery life we've ever seen from a Chrome-running laptop. The only laptop that can beat the Air is the M1 MacBook Pro 13, giving you an extra hour of battery life but at a slightly higher cost.
The MacBook Air M1 comes with the same aluminum chassis and Retina display we loved in the previous Intel MacBook Air 2020, although we'd like to see a redesign for the next iteration of the MacBook Air (maybe thinner bezels?). This is one of the most surprising releases we've seen in years, and we can't imagine anyone not loving the M1 MacBook Air.
3. Apple MacBook Pro (2020)
While the M1 MacBook Air offers the best performance and value for most people, the M1 MacBook Pro 13 adds a little extra. Apple's top-of-the-line M1 processor has shattered our records in both benchmark testing and real-world usage. Its power rivals the top Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 9 processors, yet the MacBook Pro 13 is actually quite affordable.
However, what's truly impressive is its battery life. The MacBook Pro 13 lasts fourteen hours in our Chrome-based battery test, consistently outlasting competitors. The longest-standing Windows competitor, the HP Spectre 14t, lasts 9 hours before giving in.
The M1 MacBook Pro 13 ships with the same number of ports and fan as the basic Intel MacBook Pro 13: two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a single fan. However, unlike its predecessor, the M1 MacBook Pro 13 rarely needs the fan because of its super-efficient processor, which remains cool even during demanding tasks like video editing.
If you're considering buying a new MacBook, there are only two reasons to pass on the M1 MacBook Pro 13. Either you need an Intel-based Mac or a discrete GPU (i.e., the MacBook Pro 16), or you're weighing the M1 MacBook Air 13. The MacBook Air 13 offers nearly identical features at a more modest price. Upgrades over the Air include the Touch Bar, a larger battery (the Air lasts one hour less than the Pro in our battery test), and a fan. For most people, the Air will be the better choice, but it might be worth buying the Pro if you have the means and want some extra features.
If you're debating between an M1 MacBook and a high-end Windows laptop, the M1 MacBook will win out. They're more powerful, have significantly better battery life, and offer superb user experience and aesthetics. Unless you're using Windows-specific apps and features, we advise you to go with the MacBook Pro 13 or MacBook Air.
4. Laptop Microsoft Surface 4
If you spend all day typing, you'll love the light but tactile keyboard of the Surface Laptop 4. It's perfectly suited for fast and accurate typing without finger fatigue. Meanwhile, its 3:2 aspect ratio display is sharp and vibrant, with plenty of vertical space to get work done.
We tested the Intel Core i7 model, which is one of the fastest laptops we've reviewed to date, but there's also an AMD Ryzen model available with even better performance and battery life. We only managed eight hours of battery life from our device, but many users claim they can get ten hours or more. This discrepancy makes it the best Windows laptop we've tested, but it's still a solid laptop overall.
5. Asus Zenbook 14
Compared to the previous generation Zenbook 13, the Zenbook 14 utilizes aluminum chassis and a gorgeous display for noticeably better performance and battery life—all while maintaining the admirable portability of the Zenbook line. While slightly disappointed to see the premium build quality slightly diminished, it remains a good mid-range product with decent battery life and a compact form factor.
Its keyboard is deep and easy to type on, not as cramped as the Zenbook 13's keyboard. The extra inch makes a difference. While its touchpad isn't a glass trackpad like Macbook's, it's still comfortable to use thanks to its width and excellent finger detection.
Honestly, we're not impressed with the Zenbook 14's display. The black levels of this 1080p matte panel appear darker than the glossy display of the previous generation, but it's also 70 nits dimmer at maximum brightness. Its colors also appear slightly duller compared to the Zenbook 13's display.
One aspect where the Zenbook 14 surpasses its predecessor by far is performance, purportedly the aspect that most impacts your laptop experience. Its new Ryzen 5 4500U processor is blazingly fast, outperforming the old Intel Core i5-8500U in benchmarks and lower power consumption means the Zenbook 14 boasts a battery life of nearly 8 and a half hours. If you're looking for a laptop that can help you get through long days on a large screen, the Zenbook 14 is an excellent choice.
