The 9 best laptops of 2024, tested by Mashable staff

Note: We'll soon review the next-gen Framework Laptop 16.

Read Mashable's review of the Framework Laptop (2021).

Who it's for:

DIYers, tinkerers, and anyone sick of buying a new laptop every few years will consider the Framework Laptop a sweet buy (or a sweet relief). We've also pegged it as a good budget laptop, as its long-term value is unrivaled.

Why we picked this:

Repairability doesn't seem like a big deal until your MacBook's battery dies and you have to haul it into the Genius Bar to replace the entire bottom half of the machine. The Framework Laptop 13 is the current version of a previous Mashable Choice Award-winning device that's specifically designed to be fixable at home, even if you have zero prior repair experience, with replaceable CPUs, memory, storage, keyboards, displays, and even expansion cards for ports. What's more, these components can all be individually upgraded whenever Framework introduces new ones — it doesn't get more future-proof than that.

The pre-built, ready-to-use Framework Laptop 13 features a 13.5-inch matte display, improved hinges, and a better battery life than the previous iterations, and it starts with a 13th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage space, and Windows 11 Home. You can also opt for the DIY Edition, which can be customized with the specs (even operating system) of your choosing.

Read Mashable's full review of the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024).

Who it's for:

Prolific multitaskers who want a nontraditional (but ungimmicky) Windows laptop will delight in Asus' dual-screened Zenbook Duo. It's a convenient all-in-one package with a futuristic look but a down-to-earth price.

Why we picked this:

Decked out with a pair of 120Hz OLED displays that make it easy to bounce between different apps, the Zenbook Duo dazzles. "[Single-screen] laptops are now cancelled," Gedeon gushed, adding that she would "gladly give up my M2 MacBook Air for Asus’ dual-screen beauty." Moving under its hood, the Zenbook Duo is powered by a new Intel Core Ultra CPU, and we got nine-ish hours of battery life out of the starting 7 155H configuration. Considering it's powering two screens at once, that's commendable. It also has a surprisingly good array of ports for a hybrid device that can switch between laptop, dual-screen, desktop, and sharing/laid-flat modes.

But what's extra great about the Zenbook Duo is that it includes compatible accessories like a built-in kickstand, a stylus, and a clicky detachable keyboard (complete with a full touchpad), so you don't have to spend any more cash on top of its extremely reasonable $1,500 entry fee. Too bad about its quiet speakers and dull webcam, but those are just minor nit-picks that don't distract from its productivity potential and general cool-as-hellness. It should come as no surprise that the Zenbook Duo is a Mashable Choice Award-winner.

Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.

Who it's for:

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is an unconventional and versatile machine for deep-pocketed professional artists. Gedeon also "[recommended] this laptop for differently abled users who could take full advantage of [its] adaptive touch trackpad feature."

Why we picked this:

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is, as its name suggests, a laptop. But the unique pull-forward design of its 120Hz, 14.4-inch touchscreen display means it can also "transform into a digital easel and a tablet," said Gedeon, "[making] it an artist's playground." Just like its predecessor from 2021, it's fine-tuned for drawing, sketching, and other creative work — though it still doesn't come bundled with a stylus, which feels like a silly omission on Microsoft's part. (It does have built-in storage and charging for the Surface Slim Pen 2, at least.) Notably, though, its silky-smooth haptic touchpad has an adaptive touch mode for users with limited mobility; it's the same one on the Surface Laptop 7.

Things start looking more familiar once you move inside the Surface Laptop Studio 2, as far as higher-end laptops go. There's a desktop-grade Intel Core H-Series processor and an Intel Iris Xe graphics card in the base model, which you can opt to upgrade to a dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU for more oomph. It's not technically a Copilot+ PC, since it doesn't have a Snapdragon X Series CPU, but it does have an NPU that equips its 1080p webcam with Windows Studio Effects. It also counts a microSD card reader among its ample array of ports. All that machinery means it's quite a bit heavy and doesn't last very long away from a power supply, so it'll probably pass on plein air doodling sessions in favor of staying parked on a desk.

Read Mashable's full review of the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro. Read our deep dive into the differences between the M3 MacBook Pro and the M3 MacBook Air while you're at it, too.

Who it's for:

The M3 Apple MacBook Pro is probably overkill for casual users, and it can get expensive fast once you start adding more memory. That said, it's a great investment for creative professionals who run intense apps and software on a regular basis.

Why we picked this:

The M3 chipset in the current MacBook Pro "translates to an uptick in performance" over the previous M2 generation, wrote Gedeon, "whether you're diving into photo retouching, video editing, [or] other tasks." Its 10-core GPU features hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing so that games can render more realistic-looking lighting effects. And it's incredibly power-efficient: We got over 16 hours of battery life out of it.

On the outside, you're looking at a pretty standard MacBook Pro — albeit one with a bright and gorgeous 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display; that's Apple-speak for a mini-LED screen with ProMotion technology, aka a 120Hz refresh rate. Gedeon called the accompanying speakers "immaculate," adding: "I see why the MacBook Pro is highly recommended for music producers, podcast hosts, and other audio-focused professionals." There's also a good array of ports built into its base, including an HDMI port and an SDXC card slot.

We do think Apple should add more RAM and a USB-A port the next time it revisits the MacBook Pro, but this was another Mashable Choice Award shoo-in.

Read Mashable's full review of the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch.

Who it's for:

HP's Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is a low-cost, large-screened laptop for those who work in the Google productivity ecosystem and watch a lot of YouTube in their free time. If you like numpads, all the better.

Why we picked this:

This HP Chromebook Plus is helmed by a huge, vibrant display that blew me away when I reviewed it: "The colors are intense, with good contrast and rich blacks, and an anti-reflective panel preserves that quality at most viewing angles," to quote my write-up. I loved using it for movie-watching and light gaming (via Xbox Game Pass). On the clock, it was fast enough to handle my daily workflow, which involves a lot of Gmailing and Google Meeting, though its battery life disappointingly drained before the end of my eight-hour shift. I also found it hard to listen to anything playing on it while naked-eared: Its speakers stink.

As one of eight new Chromebook Plus devices, this puppy comes with some interesting new software extras like File Sync, AI-powered webcam settings, and support for some multimedia tools (including Google Magic Eraser and Adobe Express). None of them felt revolutionary in my testing, but they're decent value-adds for such a cheap machine.

Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3.

Who it's for:

While incredibly well-made, Microsoft's current entry-level laptop won't meet the needs of power users. But it can be worthwhile "if you’re a student who needs a snappy keyboard that can keep up with you while typing notes," said Gedeon, especially if you typically work remotely.

Why we picked this:

The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a compact Windows laptop with the essence of a MacBook Air — minus the peppy M-something chip. It's a lightweight looker above all, with a polished, durable aluminum-slash-plastic design featuring a responsive 12.4-inch touchscreen and an absolutely fantastic keyboard. "For a notebook that starts at $800, the Surface Laptop Go 3 feels like a $1,200 laptop," Gedeon wrote.

Its internals left a different impression, and it wasn't a great one. The Surface Laptop Go 3 has an outdated 12th-generation Intel Core processor and lasted less than eight hours on a single charge in our battery life test. It also comes with a 720p webcam, which is simply unacceptable in the year of our Zooming lord 2024. We wouldn't call it a stellar value at full price, suffice it to say, but fortunately it's easy to find on sale for at least $100 off at Amazon and Best Buy.

Read Mashable's full review of the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air.

Who it's for:

Apple's older M2 MacBook Air remains an excellent laptop despite losing its "best Macbook" title, especially now that its base configuration is only $999. (The arrival of the M3 version prompted a permanent $100 price drop.) But if you're not on a strict budget, the brand-new M3 model is the MacBook most people should buy in 2024. That includes "creatives, professionals, and students who need robust performance that can handle their multifaceted workflows," Gedeon said.

Why we picked this:

The new 15-inch MacBook Air deserves way more fanfare than Apple gave it at launch. (Seriously? Just a blog post?) Its M3 chip was about 20 percent faster than the previous-generation M2 chip in our testing, and it brings new support for WiFi 6E as well as two external displays — though its lid has to stay closed when you use it that way. Plus, the midnight finish now comes with an anodization seal to avoid picking up fingerprints.

The M3 MacBook Air is otherwise a carbon copy of its predecessor, but that's actually a plus: Apple didn't need to change anything about its vibrant display, 1080p webcam, rich speakers, or snappy Magic Keyboard. (It could still use more ports and start with a bit more RAM, though.) Its price has also carried over from the M2 era. As a complete package, it's a decidedly "worthy refresh" that continues the MacBook Air line's Mashable Choice Award-winning streak, Gedeon said.

Note that the M3 MacBook Air also comes in a 13-inch size that starts at $1,099; it has two fewer speakers (four instead of six).

Read Mashable's full review of the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.

Who it's for:

Fast and fresh-feeling, the Mashable Choice Award-winning Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is a huge W for the Copilot+ PC series and a worthy short-list candidate for most shoppers looking to upgrade to a modern-era laptop. Just make sure it works with your favorite apps.

Why we picked this:

How much time do you have? "Apple must be sweating through its armpits with the launch of the Surface Laptop 7 because — holy cow — this is one hell of a laptop," wrote Mashable tech editor Kim Gedeon.

The upgraded Snapdragon X Elite variant we tested went nearly 23 hours on a single charge, and it cruised past all the latest Apple M3 MacBooks in our performance benchmark to become the second-fastest laptop we've ever tested (after the luxe Lenovo Legion 9i, an expensive Intel-powered gaming PC). It has a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to support some new AI features that "make Windows fun again," said Gedeon. Its stylish and sturdy aluminum design is available in four fingerprint-resistant aluminum finishes. Its 120Hz touchscreen display is plenty bright. And you can choose from 13- and 15-inch sizes starting at just $999.99 with base specs.

There's a tiny asterisk next to our recommendation of the Surface Laptop 7, which is that some apps aren't compatible with its ARM chip. (Google Chrome, Adobe Photoshop, Spotify, Netflix, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Zoom are all a go, for what it's worth.) Double-check before you commit to it, but if you don't think you'll run into any workflow hangups, the Surface Laptop 7 is the PC to beat in 2024.

Read Mashable's full review of the Alienware M16 R2.

Who it's for:

Dell's latest Alienware m16 R2 is a competent, fairly priced Triple-A machine for those who usually wear headphones while gaming and rarely play on the go. Maybe you need a new everyday (non-gaming) laptop, too — know that it's also easily tone-down-able.

Why we picked this:

The m16 R2 might best be described as the Clark Kent of gaming laptops. Its 2024 redesign brings a smaller footprint (sans thermal shelf) and a "Stealth Mode" hotkey that ditches its RGB lighting, so it can be as subtle or showy as you'd like. It also includes an MUX switch that lets users switch between its integrated and dedicated GPUs for different tasks. (Nvidia's Advanced Optimus feature can do this automatically, too.) It's basically designed to lead a double life as an everyday workhorse and gaming champ.

Going deeper into the gaming front, our review unit "[output] impressive performance numbers on demanding games" for its mid-range specs, said Gedeon. (It packed an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and an RTX 4070 GPU.) While its 240Hz display felt a tad bit dim to her, it was otherwise smooth and punchy: "I was impressed with the contrast and vivid colors" while playing CyberPunk 2077 on it, she wrote. Its springy keyboard and responsive touchpad also got her seal of approval.

Some of the bigger bummers about the m16 R2 are its tinny speakers, shoddy webcam, and lousy battery life; it only lasted 51 minutes in our video rundown test. It also weighs in at a hefty 5.75 pounds, so forget about taking it on the go — whether you use it for work or play, it'll shackle you to an outlet. Yet none of these were dealbreakers in the eyes of Gedeon, who ultimately deemed the m16 R2 "the ultimate RTX 4070 beast of a gaming laptop you can get." It's a Mashable Choice Award winner.