Purchasing a subpar laptop is becoming more difficult, but what distinguishes the finest laptops from the good ones is how they strike a balance between power, efficiency, mobility, and comfort. The two fundamental factors that make a laptop superior to a smartphone or tablet are its excellent keyboard and trackpad. Jagged edges and visible pixels shouldn’t disturb you on its screen because it should be easy on the eyes, bright, and clear enough. With the exception of playing complex games and editing videos in great detail, it ought to be powerful enough for the majority of tasks. It should be simple to transfer from one location to another and shouldn’t require any recharging during the day.
Top laptops for 2022
Macbook Air from Apple (M2)
The most recent MacBook Air, which includes an Apple M2 processor, is what most people should purchase.
The base model, which costs $1,199, has an 8-core CPU, an 8-core GPU, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM. Priced at $1,399 is a variant with 512GB of storage. Because it allows you to use the laptop for longer, this is the model we advise for the majority of users.
Even while the Air no longer has the wedge-shaped design that made it so well-known for years, it still has all of its previous top qualities, like Touch ID, MagSafe charging, and the scissor-switch keyboard. It comes in two new colours and boasts a new 1080p webcam.
Although the M1 Pro or M1 Max processors in the larger, more expensive MacBook Pro models are faster and more powerful, the M2 CPU inside is still quite quick. In our tests, it was able to do a lot of office work without overheating or slowing down. This machine gives you a power and portability combination that you won’t find in many other computers because it is small and light.
The M2 Air’s battery life in our rundown testing wasn’t nearly as long as the 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook’s, but most users should still be able to use it continuously for a full day.
MacBook Pro 2. (14-inch and 16-inch)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is the most powerful laptop Apple has ever made. You’ll probably be pleased with what this machine can achieve if you’re ready to pay the hefty price, which is required.
The MacBook Pro 16 performed better than any other laptop we’ve ever used in our benchmarks, which assess various creative tasks like encoding, playback, and export time. Only high-end desktop PCs came close to matching this beast in several of our benchmarks. Additionally, the battery life is unprecedented. The M1 Pro-powered 16-inch model was the longest-lasting laptop we’ve ever looked at, lasting 16 hours during my tests. (The M1 Max configuration doesn’t last as long, but it still saw us through the day at work.)
There aren’t really any additional issues with the new MacBook Pro. It has a stunning screen that, when HDR content is being played, can exceed 1,000 nits. Additionally, it features the greatest laptop speakers we’ve ever heard. These Pro variants can send their output to several external displays, unlike the Air models.
If you need a computer that can handle a lot of work and is also a terrific multimedia device when you’re not at work, the MacBook Pro 16 is the ideal option for you.
MacBook Air 3. (M1)
The 2020 M1 MacBook Air, which Apple is still offering, would be a better option if you want a portable MacBook but lack the funds for the Air. The cheapest model costs $999 and has 256GB of storage capacity and 8GB of RAM.
The earlier Air includes a 13.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, Touch ID, a 720p webcam, a fingerprint sensor, and a keyboard with a scissor switch.
The M1 is nonetheless swift, despite not being as swift as the M2. It performed better at photo and video editing throughout our testing than practically every slim and light Intel-powered laptop we’ve used this year. For integrated graphics, it was also capable of running Shadow of the Tomb Raider at frame rates that were nearly playable.
Additionally, although it comes very close, the battery life isn’t nearly as fantastic as the M2. We put in between eight and ten continuous hours of work.
Asus Q535
If you need a strong but portable laptop for business or gaming on the road, the ASUS 2-in-1 15.6″ 4K Ultra HD Touch-Screen Laptop with Intel Core i7 and 16GB Memory is the finest option. It has a 2TB hard disc, a 256GB SSD, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics card (HDD).
The Asus Q535 can be used as a tablet or a laptop. Because it features a touch screen interface and a turnable hinge, this gadget may be moved and utilised in a variety of ways. The Asus 2-in-1 Q535 includes an Intel Core i5 processor, a 256GB solid-state drive, and 8GB of RAM, among other features.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 can both be used on this machine. Additionally, it may function as a standard desktop PC because it already includes a USB Type-C port. The Asus 2-in-1 Q535’s NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 performs adequate graphics work, and the 4GB of VRAM may be expanded. All over asus q535 is powerful machine with high specs.
The 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8550U Processor in the Asus 2-in-1 Q535 is a potent processor that easily completes even the most difficult jobs. The integrated Nvidia GeForce MX130 graphics card provides excellent visual performance. The Q535-powered Asus convertible sports a Thunderbolt 3 port and a lit keyboard.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
One of the lightest 15-inch gaming laptops available is the Zephyrus G15. It is just over four pounds in weight. But in order to make it lighter to carry, you’re not sacrificing performance. The fastest mobile CPUs from AMD and Nvidia power the G15, which also sports a quick 165Hz QHD display. Even the most challenging AAA titles could be played at QHD quality during our tests.
The G15 excels in practically every other area as well: the battery can last for more than eight and a half hours on a single charge, the keyboard and touchpad are among of the best available, the connectors provide almost everything you could ever need. If you want a strong gaming computer that also functions well as a daily driver, the Zephyrus G15 should be at the top of your list.
