Core i5 or higher: We suggest going with at least an Intel Core i5, though an i7 will give you more power, which you'll be glad you have if you're doing anything taxing, like editing video or even processing large batches of photos.Tenth-generation or higher: There are dozens of chips on the market, but we prefer tenth-generation or higher Intel chips (12th is the latest generation).RAM: Make sure you get at least 8 GB of RAM-16 GB would be even better.

We recommend sticking to these guidelines: To help you make smart choices, we put together a complete laptop buying guide. If none of these laptops quite rings your bell, that's OK! There are far more laptops out there than we have time to test. Specs to look for: Intel Core i5, 16-GB RAM, 128-GB SSD There are two USB-Cs, a USB-A, a headphone jack, a microSD, and even an HDMI. The port selection is strong, with a focus on variety. The display won’t knock your socks off but it is one of the better 1080p panels I’ve used and gets bright enough for most typical conditions. With 16-GB RAM and 11th Gen Core i7, our review model has a lot in the tank for a device that’ll just be used for web browsing and productivity tasking. There’s nothing else quite like it on the market.ĭown to the nitty gritty. The typing on this Chromebook is a dream and so is the material used on the inside-its soft touch and immensely smooth.

I could happily type for hours on end on this device. The typing is often the first to get trashed when manufacturers seek to save money, but Asus has clearly focused on this area-a ton of travel and a satisfying click. There's a lot to love with this Asus Chromebook. Scott Gilbertson, Brenda Stolyar, and Andrew Williams contributed to this guide. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. com and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated December 2022: We’ve added the Asus ZenBook S 13 OLED, HP Spectre x360 14, Asus Chromebook Flip CX5, and some honorable mentions. And check out our many other computing guides, including the Best MacBooks, Best Gaming Laptops, Best Cheap Laptops, and Best Laptop Backpacks. If you don’t know exactly what you need, or what all the various hardware jargon means, be sure to read our guide on How to Buy a Laptop. These are our top picks for the very best laptops you can buy right now. Lucky for you, we’ve tested many of the new releases in the past year. You may end up using it for several years before getting another, and there are many makes, models, and chip configurations to choose from.

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