1. Dell XPS 13
Dell's Ultrabook is a masterpiece that's ahead of the curve
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 – Intel Iris Graphics 540 |
RAM: 4GB – 8GB |
Screen: 13.3-inch FH (1,920 x 1,080) – QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) |
Storage: 128GB – 256GB SSD
- Gorgeous bezel-less display
- Lightweight, compact frame
- Off-center webcam
- Small frame limits battery life
The
Dell XPS 13 is, bar none, the best laptop you can buy today. It
features a revolutionary design that's astonishingly thin and light.
Fitting a 13.3-inch screen into an 11-inch frame is no small feat;
however, Dell has managed to pull off a miracle with its nearly
borderless Infinity display. It's a powerful and long-lasting machine
even by today's Ultrabook standards. The XPS 13 comes outfitted with
Intel's latest Skylake processors plus lighting, quick storage and
memory, all while coming in at a very affordable starting price. It
should comes as no surprise, then, that we've ranked it as the
best Ultrabook, the
best Windows laptop and the best laptop overall.
2. Asus ZenBook UX305
Better than the MacBook and at a fraction of the price
CPU: Intel Core Intel Core M3-6Y30 – M7-6Y75 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 |
RAM: 8GB |
Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – QHD+ (3200 x 1800) IPS display |
Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
If
you're looking for a Windows alternative to Apple's latest rose-tinted
MacBook, the Asus ZenBook UX305 might be more your speed. Though it
looks like a Cupertino design from every angle, it's actually superior
to Apple's creations in almost every way. From its purple-tinged
aluminum design to its sharp display and hearty helping of built-in
storage space, the UX305 puts Windows back in style, fanless design,
long battery life and all. And, while the low-cost is enticing, if
you're shopping for something with a bit more horsepower (not to mention
an even more compact design), look no further than the
Asus ZenBook 3.
Read the full review: Asus ZenBook UX305
3. HP Chromebook 13
Chromium eye candy for a lofty asking price
CPU: Intel Pentium – Intel Core m7-6Y75 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 |
RAM: 4GB – 16GB |
Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) eDP UWVA WLED |
Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Ultra-thin and sharp design
- Tactile keyboard
- Lacks touchscreen
- QHD+ display price hike
Though
it’s a little on the pricey side when you opt for a faster processor or
a higher screen resolution, the HP Chromebook 13 is one of the more
stylish notebooks money can buy. You won’t look out of place in a coffee
shop full of MacBooks, and your wallet will thank you for choosing the
HP Chromebook 13 instead. What’s more, the it's even comfortable to use.
The keyboard feels sturdy but compact. At the same time, the option of a
QHD+ display provides users with the space and clarity required to pull
off just about anything without the unnecessary eyestrain induced by
more economical alternatives.
Read the full review: HP Chromebook 13
4. Razer Blade Stealth
The gaming Ultrabook you’ve been waiting for
CPU: Intel Core i7 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 |
RAM: 8GB – 16GB |
Screen: 12.5-inch, QHD+ (2,560 x 1,440) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) IGZO LED-backlit multi-touch |
Storage: 128GB – 1TB SSD
- Captivating, colorful display
- Greatly improved battery life
- Cumbersome charger
- Keyboard needs more travel
The
Razer Blade Stealth is an exceptional Ultrabook hindered only by its
efforts in trying to be a gaming laptop. Price-wise, it has the
upperhand against key competitors, but don’t be fooled – with an Intel
Kaby Lake Core i7 processor, the latest Blade Stealth is more powerful
and power-efficient than ever. Better yet, this laptop can change the
lighting of each key on its keyboard, with more than 16.8 million colors
to choose from. Plus, if you mind the integrated graphics from Intel,
you can attach a (albeit rather pricey) Razer Core external GPU
enclosure for boosted performance when stationary.
Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth
5. Samsung Notebook 9
Greatness doesn't need to break the bank
CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-6200U |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 |
RAM: 8GB |
Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED anti-reflective display |
Storage: 256GB
- Competitively priced
- Nearly perfect display
- Micro-sized video ports
- Short battery life
The
Samsung Notebook 9 may not be the flashiest title on the list, but at
$949 it does offer more bang for the buck than you'll see in most
laptops. That's because unlike much of the competition now, it's an
Ultrabook with a full-fledged Core i5 Skylake processor. That alone
makes it effectively more powerful than a MacBook Air with a better
screen resolution and price point to boot. On the downside, it's the
battery life that takes a hit as a result.
Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9
6. Surface Book
The ultimate Windows 10 hybrid laptop
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 |
Graphics: Intel HD graphics 520 – Nvidia GeForce graphics |
RAM: 8GB – 16GB |
Screen: 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense Display |
Storage: 128GB – 256GB PCIe3.0 SSD
- Futuristic design
- Seamless tablet separation
- Battery life falls well below promises
- Major updates are still in tow
If
you're looking for a more traditional notebook, Microsoft knocked it
out of the park with its first laptop ever, the Surface Book. Though it
has a peculiar 3:2 aspect ratio and 13.5-inch screen that's outside of
the norm for most Ultrabooks, it's one of the best designed convertible
laptops ever created. As a standalone tablet, otherwise known as the
Clipboard, it's the most powerful and thinnest Windows 10 computers in
the world. Then docking the screen into the keyboard base affords it
even more performance by way of a discrete GPU.
Read the full review: Surface Book
7. HP Spectre
Thin, powerful and delightfully chic
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 |
RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 SDRAM |
Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS UWVA WLED |
Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
- Tasteful glitz and glam
- Tactile keyboard
- Below average battery life
- Spongy trackpad
One
glance at the HP Spectre, and you'd think it belongs in a mansion. What
you may be surprised to discover is that not only does it boast a
premium appearance, but the HP Spectre is actually more powerful than
the latest MacBook and for a lower price at that. From the beautifully
designed gold hinge to the optional Intel Core i7 configuration to the
trio of USB-C ports, you'll not only look like you have one of the most
capable (not to mention future-proof) laptops around, but you actually
will. Although it only boasts a 1080p screen , that criticism is trumped
by a work of supreme industrial design.
Read the full review: HP Spectre
8. Samsung Notebook 7 Spin
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U |
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 940MX (2GB DDR3L); Intel HD Graphics 520 |
RAM: 12GB – 16GB |
Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) LED with touch panel |
Storage: 1 TB HDD – 1TB HDD; 128GB SSD
- Excellent value
- HDR display
- Hefty weight
- Graphics narrowly miss the mark
If you've ever wanted a
MacBook Pro
without selling a kidney to afford it, the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin not
only delivers the style and glitz of Apple's professional-level laptops,
but it even adds a touchscreen to the mix for an approachable starting
price. For a hefty 2-in-1 with a Core i7 CPU, 12GB of RAM and even a
discrete Nvidia GPU, the Samsung Notebook 7 provides top of the line
specs considering its value. But why stop there?
Samsung even went
as far as to include an HDR display despite offering only a 1080p
resolution. Though not many services actually support the technology
(yet), some argue that it's more essential than a higher resolution
anyway. Deeper blacks, more vibrant color – the works.
Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 7 Spin
9. HP Spectre x360
Thinner, sexier and faster than ever
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 |
RAM: 4GB – 16GB |
Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) IPS UWVA-backlit multi-touch |
Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSD
- Snappy keyboard
- Long-lasting and quick charging battery
- Lacks SD card reader
- Especially thick bottom bezel
HP
has nailed its 2016 revision to the Spectre x360, and thanks in part to
Kaby Lake, it brings an assortment of new goodies to the table that
were previously absent. The battery life, for instance, now exceeds the
8-hour mark, while multi-core processing and low to mid-level graphics
have seen dramatic improvements as well. Not only has the battery
improved, but so too has the time required to charge the device: USB-C
quick charging can see the HP Spectre x360 go from zero to 90 in just 90
minutes. That said, don’t expect more than a single standard USB port
on the x360, as we’re faced with yet another effort towards USB-C, this
time with a 2-to-1 ratio techies will love despite the inconvenience for
most other folks.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x360
10. MacBook (2016)
Gorgeous, thin and light
CPU: Intel Core m3 – m5 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 |
RAM: 8GB |
Screen: 12-inch, 2304 x 1,440 LED-backlit IPS display |
Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
- Terrific design
- Surprisingly good speakers
- Processor is still slow
- High cost for low performance
Apple
has updated its most attractive laptop yet with an Intel Skylake Core M
processor. Still clocking in at 1.1GHz to start, the 2016 MacBook aims
at those who don't need power as much as portability and pizazz. The
stylish, aluminum unibody design and the Retina display are all back,
too. Aside from a 3.5mm headphone jack, the only connector port remains
USB-C, though the reversible interface has
gained traction
since last year's debut. If you're willing to lug cable adapters and
take a performance hit in the name of stellar design, the brand new,
appetizing Rose Gold finish might be just for you.
Read the full review: MacBook
11. Lenovo Yoga 900
A thoughtfully refined 2-in-1 convertible
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6560U |
Graphics: Intel Iris Graphics 540 |
RAM: 8GB – 16GB |
Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ 3,200 x 1,800 IPS display |
Storage: 512GB – 1TB SSD
- Gorgeous display
- Slim design
- Shallow keyboard
- Display drivers issues
The
Lenovo Yoga Pro 3
had a winning design and underwhelming performance, but the Yoga 900 is
the full package. By integrating more powerful Intel Core i-series
processors and a larger battery, Lenovo's latest flagship convertible
can stand toe-to-toe with most Ultrabooks and even Microsoft's latest
Surface Book. All this extra power has only made the Yoga 900 slightly
thicker and heavier, however it still largely retains a very thin and
flexible frame for folding back into tablet mode. For those looking for
the thinnest and lightest convertible machine, Lenovo has made an even
more compact
Yoga 900S.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 900
12. HP Chromebook 14
A fun, bright and affordable Chromebook
CPU: 1.83GHz Intel Celeron N2940 processor |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics |
RAM: 4GB DDR3 |
Screen: 14-inch 1,920 x 1,080 display |
Storage: 16GB eMMC
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad
- Crisp, vivid screen
- Not as powerful as some higher-end Chromebooks
- Average battery life
With
a 14-inch screen, this HP Chromebook isn't the smallest or lightest
Chrome OS device out there. However, it strikes a good balance between
ample screen space and portability. A top-notch keyboard and trackpad,
coupled with a great screen, makes the Chromebook 14 a joy to write and
browse the web on for very little money at all. On the other hand, if
you're willing to shell out a bit more for an aluminum design and
upgraded performance, the smaller HP Chromebook 13 might be more your
style.
Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14
13. MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016)
Bigger isn’t always better, but for the MacBook Pro it is
CPU: Intel Core i7 |
Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 450 – 460 |
RAM: 16GB |
Screen: 15.4-inch Retina (2,880 x 1,800) LED-backlit IPS |
Storage: 256GB – 2TB PCIe SSD
For
media production, the 15-inch MacBook Pro has been the go-to for many
years now. Slight design changes have annually accompanied CPU upgrades,
making every new MacBook Pro that comes out a subtle rewrite of its
predecessor. This year, however, Apple has made changes – for better or
worse – that will dramatically change how the MacBook Pro is used
altogether. To Apple outsiders, the decision to omit all the standard
USB ports and SD slots in favor of four USB-C connections is baffling.
For the fans, however, it’s a strategic means of future-proofing.
Regardless of how you feel about the concessions, the MacBook Pro’s most
alluring invention is the Touch Bar, which replaces the function keys
and, in turn, introduces a layer of functionality only possible with the
latest MacBook Pro.
Read the full review: Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016)
14. HP Spectre x2
A budget Windows tablet filled to the gills with tech
CPU: Intel Core m5 – m7 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 |
RAM: 8GB |
Screen: 12-inch, 1,920 x 1,280 WUXGA+ IPS WLED-backlit touchscreen |
Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSD
- Ultrathin design
- Exceptional Core M performance
- Massive bezels
- Recessed kickstand
While
the Surface Pro 4 has established itself as one of the very best
Windows 10 tablets on the market, the HP Spectre x2 is another standout
device that comes at a very attractive price. This Intel Core M-powered
12-inch tablet is a smidge thinner while, of course, exerting an
extensive battery life. Aesthetically, the Spectre x2 feels like an even
more premium device with a solid metal body and stylish bar-shaped
kickstand. It also comes jam-packed with cutting-edge tech including a
quadruple speakers and a total of three cameras – that said, if you're
looking for the best stylus experience, the Surface Pro 4 still takes
the cake.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x2
15. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga
A 2-in-1 made for enterprise
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 |
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 |
RAM: 8GB |
Screen: 14-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – WQHD (2560 x 1440) IPS touchscreen |
Storage: 180GB – 512GB NVMe SSD
- QHD display
- Impressive performance
- Pricey
- Battery life is disappointing
Historically,
Lenovo has made itself known for its premium class of business-grade
laptops. That continues to be the case with the ThinkPad X1 Yoga, the
high-performing 2-in-1 complete with a 2,560 x 1,440 (OLED optional)
display that's admittedly difficult to look away from. Though the
absence of USB-C is questionable, as is the inclusion of Windows 10 Home
in favor of Pro, its 14-inch screen is uncommon enough to keep
professionals enticed. Unfortunately, the battery life, a mere 3 hours
and 29 minutes according to our PCMark 8 test, is the most concerning
factor here. If you've got a power outlet nearby though that concern is
easily mollified.
Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga
If you're looking for a Windows alternative to Apple's latest rose-tinted MacBook, the Asus ZenBook UX305 might be more your speed. Though it looks like a Cupertino design from every angle, it's actually superior to Apple's creations in almost every way.
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