# The Best Laptops of 2026: Our Buying Guide for Every Budget, Student and Gamer Our picks for the best laptops of 2026 in the US: best overall, best Windows laptop, best MacBook, best under $700, best for students, best gaming laptop, best 2-in-1, best Chromebook, best for creators and best by screen size. - Canonical: https://reviewblip.com/articles/best-laptops-2026-buying-guide/ - Published: 2026-11-04T14:00:58.654Z - Updated: 2026-11-04T14:00:58.654Z - Author: ReviewBlip - Category: Technology - Type: Article Updated November 2026 · US market As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 2026 has been a strange and exciting year for laptops. Apple finally launched a truly affordable MacBook, Intel's new Core Ultra Series 3 chips made Windows ultraportables fast and long-lasting again, and a global memory shortage pushed prices up almost everywhere. To cut through the noise, our team went through this year's lineups from Apple, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, HP, Samsung and others, compared performance, battery life, screens, build quality and street prices, and narrowed everything down to the laptops we'd actually tell a friend to buy. Below you'll find our quick picks, a closer look at each laptop, our recommendations by need and screen size, and a short guide on what really matters before you buy. **A note on prices:** Laptop prices have climbed in 2026 because of higher memory and storage costs, and Apple raised MacBook prices mid-year. At the same time, discounts are common, especially around Black Friday (November 27) and Cyber Monday (November 30). We show approximate price ranges. Always check the exact configuration (chip, RAM and storage) before buying. ## Our quick picks {#quick-picks} | Category | Our pick | Why we like it | |---|---|---| | **Best laptop overall & best MacBook** | [Apple MacBook Air M5](#macbook-air-m5) | Fast, light and silent | | **Best Windows laptop** | [Dell XPS 14 (2026)](#dell-xps-14) | Great redesign, tandem OLED option, huge battery life | | **Best budget laptop (under $700)** | [Apple MacBook Neo](#macbook-neo) | A real MacBook for around $699 | | **Best budget Windows & for students** | [Dell XPS 13 (2026)](#dell-xps-13) | Premium build and 2.5K touchscreen for around $700 | | **Best for creators & battery life** | [Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Pro)](#macbook-pro-16) | Pro-level power | | **Best gaming laptop** | [Asus ROG Zephyrus G14](#zephyrus-g14) | Up to RTX 5080 in a sleek 14-inch body | | **Best 2-in-1 & dual-screen** | [Asus Zenbook Duo (2026)](#zenbook-duo) | Two 14-inch OLED screens and all-day battery | | **Best Chromebook** | [Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14](#chromebook-plus-14) | OLED screen and premium build | | **Best for work & travel** | [Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition](#thinkpad-x1-carbon) | Just 2.15 pounds with a superb keyboard and webcam | Best laptop overall ## Apple MacBook Air M5 {#macbook-air-m5} The laptop we'd recommend to most people, and our favorite MacBook ![Apple MacBook Air M5 laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/1005ad5fc8da805161c1bf890114fdedd5c6dab1652b9edac0a160372f17304f) - **Screen:** 13.6" (2560 x 1664) or 15.3" (2880 x 1864) Liquid Retina, 60Hz - **Chip:** Apple M5 (10-core CPU, 8- or 10-core GPU) - **Memory:** 16GB to 32GB - **Storage:** 512GB to 4TB - **Weight:** 2.7 lbs (13-inch) - **Battery:** 15+ hours of real-world use - **Price range:** $$$ (13" around $1,299, 15" around $1,499, often discounted) The MacBook Air M5 is our best overall laptop pick this year. The M5 chip breezes through everyday work, handles photo and video editing with ease and can even run some demanding games, all in a fanless design that stays completely silent. Apple also doubled the base storage to 512GB and added Wi-Fi 7. The catch is price: after Apple's 2026 price increases, the Air now starts around $1,299 for the 13-inch model and $1,499 for the 15-inch. It's still the best balance of performance, portability and build quality you can buy, and it goes on sale often. #### What we like - Fast M5 performance in a fanless design - Excellent battery life - Light, sturdy aluminum build - 512GB storage as standard #### What we don't - More expensive than last year - Only two Thunderbolt ports - 60Hz screen, no touchscreen - Small upgrade if you own an M4 or M3 Air **Want a bigger screen?** The 15-inch MacBook Air M5 has the same chip and battery life with more room for side-by-side windows, and it's only a little heavier. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GR19X8DC?tag=reviewblip-20) Best Windows laptop ## Dell XPS 14 (2026) {#dell-xps-14} The XPS is back, and it's the Windows laptop we'd buy ![Dell XPS 14 (2026) laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/628e3d434941196ef3da32b709b7f237fa904d99704a8c57921606c4509d2d2d) - **Screen:** 14" 2.8K tandem OLED touch (120Hz) or 1920 x 1200 LCD (1–120Hz) - **Chip:** Up to Intel Core Ultra X7 358H (Panther Lake) - **Graphics:** Up to Intel Arc B390 (integrated) - **Memory:** Up to 32GB - **Weight:** 3 lbs - **Price range:** $$$ (starts around $1,599) Dell listened to its fans. The 2026 XPS 14 drops the controversial touch-sensitive function row of recent models and brings back physical function keys and a touchpad with visible borders, while keeping the slim, premium aluminum design. Inside, Intel's Panther Lake chips deliver strong performance for work and even some light gaming. It's a true MacBook alternative for Windows users who want a thin, light machine that's as good on the road as it is at a desk. Just know that it's not cheap, and the low-travel keyboard takes a few days to get used to. #### What we like - Practical redesign with a real function row - Bright, vivid tandem OLED option - Exceptional battery life (especially LCD) - Surprisingly good speakers #### What we don't - Starts around $1,600 - Low-travel keyboard needs getting used to - No microSD card slot **Other Windows options:** the Dell XPS 16 (2026) gives you the same design with a bigger screen. For a premium 16-inch machine with an Nvidia RTX GPU and a stunning AMOLED display, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra is excellent, but it costs around $2,450. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HGLXGQRB?tag=reviewblip-20) Best budget laptop ## Apple MacBook Neo {#macbook-neo} The best laptop you can buy for around $700 ![Apple MacBook Neo laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/789c32f8385d713922cbf319efed608af4a821cdf4292bb2feda519059188547) - **Screen:** 13" Liquid Retina (2408 x 1506), 60Hz - **Chip:** Apple A18 Pro (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU) - **Memory:** 8GB - **Storage:** 256GB or 512GB - **Weight:** 2.7 lbs - **Price range:** $ (around $699; about $100 less with education pricing) Apple's first true budget laptop changed the rules for cheap laptops this year. The MacBook Neo uses the A18 Pro chip originally designed for the iPhone, but it runs full macOS smoothly for browsing, email, documents, streaming and schoolwork. What really sets it apart is everything around the chip: an all-aluminum body, a sharp and bright screen, loud speakers, a good webcam and fun colors (Silver, Indigo, Blush and Citrus). Nothing at this price in the Windows world feels this premium. Apple did cut some corners to hit the price. The keyboard isn't backlit, Touch ID costs extra, one of the two USB-C ports runs at slow USB 2 speeds, and 8GB of memory can feel tight if you're a heavy multitasker. It launched at $599 and now sells for around $699 after Apple's price hike, but it's still the best value laptop we know. #### What we like - Premium, sturdy aluminum design - Bright, vivid display - Long battery life - Full macOS experience for less #### What we don't - Keyboard isn't backlit - Touch ID only on pricier model - One slow USB 2 port, no Thunderbolt - 8GB of memory limits heavy multitasking [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GR6F79MT?tag=reviewblip-20) Best budget Windows & for students ## Dell XPS 13 (2026) {#dell-xps-13} A premium-feeling Windows laptop at a budget price ![Dell XPS 13 (2026) laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/0611add8dcdddbd9ea91ed31bf4b46c70afa51a12030f5787bd363b568d94b3a) - **Screen:** 13.4" 2.5K (2560 x 1600) touchscreen, 30–120Hz - **Chip:** Intel Core 5 320 - **Memory:** 8GB to 32GB - **Storage:** Up to 1TB - **Weight:** 2.2 lbs - **Price range:** $ (starts around $700) Dell's answer to the MacBook Neo is a stripped-down XPS 13 that still looks and feels like a high-end machine. At just 2.2 pounds with a sturdy aluminum chassis, it's easy to carry between classes all day, and its sharp, bright 2.5K touchscreen is something you rarely see at this price. Everyday performance is quick: 15 browser tabs and a video playing in the background don't slow it down. Our advice is to step up to the 16GB model if you can, because 8GB of memory isn't really enough for Windows 11. The webcam is mediocre and you only get two USB-C ports and no headphone jack, so budget for a small hub. #### What we like - Thin, light, well-built design - Vibrant 2.5K touchscreen - Excellent battery life - Strong performance for the price #### What we don't - Blurry webcam - Only two USB-C ports, no headphone jack - Base 8GB model feels limited **Also great value:** the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus with a Snapdragon X Plus chip is a thin, affordable MacBook Air alternative with standout battery life. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dell+XPS+13+%282026%29&tag=reviewblip-20) Best for creators & battery life ## Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Pro) {#macbook-pro-16} The laptop for video editors, designers, developers and anyone who never wants to charge ![Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Pro laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/35816f441df0ca50bfa0eb5932abd3d8a175bf44f3987d4b5b7a384cb160189b) - **Screen:** 16.2" Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED (3456 x 2234), 120Hz - **Chip:** Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) - **Memory:** 24GB to 64GB - **Storage:** 1TB to 2TB - **Weight:** 4.7 lbs - **Battery:** 21+ hours of real-world use - **Price range:** $$$$ If your work involves 4K video, big photo libraries, 3D, music production or compiling code, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro is the laptop we'd buy. It's a powerful laptop for creative work. Add a gorgeous, bright mini-LED display, excellent speakers, full-size function keys and plenty of ports (including HDMI and an SD card slot), and it's a complete package for pros. It's expensive, and memory and storage upgrades cost a lot. Also note that Apple has just announced M6 MacBook Pro models: if you're not in a hurry, it may be worth waiting to see how they perform and whether M5 Pro models get discounted. #### What we like - Blazing performance for creative work - Industry-leading battery life - Beautiful 120Hz mini-LED display - Great speakers and port selection #### What we don't - Very expensive, and pricier than last year - Costly RAM and storage upgrades - Heavy for a daily carry **Smaller and cheaper:** the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the base M5 chip adds a 120Hz screen, a fan for sustained performance and a third Thunderbolt port over the Air. **Prefer Windows?** The Asus ProArt P16 with Nvidia's RTX Spark chip and a 4K OLED touchscreen is one of the most powerful creator laptops on Windows right now. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GR1JKMBV?tag=reviewblip-20) Best gaming laptop ## Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 {#zephyrus-g14} Serious gaming power you can actually carry around ![Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/44ea8a6035f39765225dfeb06b8322ed82ad45ce765b7db66f99272533bdef98) - **Screen:** 14" 3K OLED (2880 x 1800), 120Hz - **Chip:** AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 - **Graphics:** Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 - **Memory:** Up to 64GB - **Storage:** Up to 2TB - **Weight:** 3.5 lbs - **Price range:** $$$ (around $1,800 and up, depending on GPU) The Zephyrus G14 is our favorite gaming laptop because it doesn't forget the "laptop" part. It packs a Ryzen AI 9 processor and up to an RTX 5080 into a CNC-milled aluminum chassis that looks more like a MacBook Pro than a typical gaming rig, so it doesn't look out of place in a classroom or coffee shop. With the top GPU and DLSS 4, it can run the latest AAA games at high frame rates, and the 3K OLED screen makes them look fantastic. As with every gaming laptop, battery life is the weak spot. The webcam is also grainy. A refreshed 2026 version with the same sleek design is now on sale as well. #### What we like - Excellent gaming performance - Sleek, premium, understated design - Gorgeous 120Hz OLED display - Portable enough for daily carry #### What we don't - Short battery life - Mediocre webcam - Top configurations get expensive **Want maximum power?** The Razer Blade 16 (up to an RTX 5090) and Razer Blade 18 (with a dual-mode 4K 240Hz / 1080p 440Hz screen) are the best high-end gaming laptops, but they cost several thousand dollars. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCPP5K2R?tag=reviewblip-20) Best 2-in-1 & dual-screen ## Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) {#zenbook-duo} Two OLED screens, one bag-friendly laptop ![Asus Zenbook Duo (2026) dual-screen laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/acffc35d70a9359a6c3a2cec7d7b4e49ac172938aebe33e3fbeb37dd374758b3) - **Screen:** Dual 14" 3K OLED touchscreens, 120Hz - **Chip:** Up to Intel Core Ultra X9 388H - **Graphics:** Up to Intel Arc B390 (integrated) - **Memory:** Up to 32GB - **Storage:** Up to 2TB - **Weight:** 3.65 lbs - **Price range:** $$$$ (around $2,099) The Zenbook Duo is the most versatile laptop on our list. It has two 14-inch OLED touchscreens and a detachable keyboard, so you can use it as a regular laptop or set the two screens up in landscape or portrait as a mini dual-monitor workstation. The 2026 redesign makes it thinner and sturdier, and the trackpad and keyboard are much improved. Intel's Core Ultra X9 chip is the star: it's fast, its integrated graphics can handle games. It's pricey and the dual-screen workflow takes some getting used to, but for multitaskers there's nothing like it. #### What we like - Two gorgeous OLED displays - Excellent performance and efficiency - Flexible: laptop or portable dual-monitor setup - Improved keyboard and trackpad #### What we don't - Expensive - Thicker and heavier than a regular ultraportable - Dual-screen setup has a learning curve **Prefer a classic convertible?** The MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ folds back into a tablet or tent, uses the same generation of Intel Core Ultra chips and promises up to 30 hours of battery life. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJHNW3VK?tag=reviewblip-20) Best Chromebook ## Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 {#chromebook-plus-14} The Chromebook that feels like a premium laptop ![Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/ce4f9d75744cbf4b853e09b46ff55ba1035b99a89bc0d48ff966c8061093c147) - **Screen:** 14" OLED (1920 x 1200), 60Hz - **Chip:** MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 - **Memory:** 16GB - **Storage:** 256GB - **Weight:** 2.78 lbs - **Price range:** $ (around $649) If you live in the Chrome browser and Google's apps, the Chromebook Plus 14 is the best laptop for you. It drops the usual Chromebook compromises: you get an aluminum design, a vivid OLED screen, great speakers, a sharp webcam, a comfortable keyboard and a fast, efficient MediaTek chip that runs ChromeOS smoothly. Google's built-in AI tools are also genuinely useful here. The trade-offs: it costs more than most Chromebooks, storage is limited, and you're still limited to ChromeOS apps and web apps. It's ideal for students and families who want something simple, secure and long-lasting. #### What we like - Premium build and great ergonomics - Beautiful OLED display and good speakers - Long battery life - Useful built-in AI tools #### What we don't - Pricey for a Chromebook - Small storage - Limited to ChromeOS apps **Cheaper Chromebooks:** the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch offers a big screen and premium feel for less, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook adds a 360-degree hinge for tablet use. **Android user?** The new Lenovo Googlebook 15 links tightly with Android phones. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVXQM75V?tag=reviewblip-20) Best for work & travel ## Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition {#thinkpad-x1-carbon} The business laptop to beat, and one of the lightest we know ![Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition laptop](https://reviewblip.com/editorial-images/b8d33bcfcc9d39e41ee34c5e9c1fe260d0cad2438ac6ba4678b5ef7cbe8928e8) - **Screen:** 14" OLED (2880 x 1800), 120Hz VRR - **Chip:** Intel Core Ultra 7 355 - **Graphics:** Intel Graphics (integrated) - **Webcam:** 1440p - **Weight:** 2.15 lbs - **Price range:** $$$$ (over $2,200 with 32GB of RAM) The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has long been the ideal Windows business laptop, and the Gen 14 Aura Edition is the best one yet. At just 2.15 pounds, you'll barely notice it in your bag, yet it has a gorgeous OLED screen, one of the best keyboards on any laptop and the classic red TrackPoint. Its sharp 1440p webcam and solid audio make it excellent for video calls from home, the office or a hotel room. The only real downside is price: configured with 32GB of RAM, it costs well over $2,000. If your company is buying, it's the one to ask for. #### What we like - Ultralight design - Vivid OLED display - Excellent keyboard and TrackPoint - Sharp webcam and impressive audio #### What we don't - Pricey, especially with more memory - Integrated graphics only **Ultralight for less:** the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition weighs the same 2.15 pounds, has a beautiful OLED touchscreen, for around $1,500 with 32GB of RAM. [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFT7M5GP?tag=reviewblip-20) ## Best laptops by need and screen size {#by-need} | Need / size | Our pick | Alternative | |---|---|---| | **13-inch** | MacBook Air M5 (13") | MacBook Neo, Dell XPS 13 (2026) | | **14-inch** | Dell XPS 14 (2026) | ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14, Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 | | **15-inch** | MacBook Air M5 (15") | Lenovo Googlebook 15 (for Android users) | | **16-inch** | MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Pro) | Dell XPS 16 (2026), Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra | | **Students** | MacBook Neo | Dell XPS 13 (2026), Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 | | **Under $700** | MacBook Neo | Dell XPS 13 (2026), Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 | | **Longest battery life** | MacBook Pro 16-inch (M5 Pro) | Dell XPS 14 (LCD model), MacBook Air M5 | | **Gaming** | Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 | Razer Blade 16, Razer Blade 18 | | **Travel (lightest)** | ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition | Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition | **Which size is right for you?** 13- and 14-inch laptops are the sweet spot for most people: light enough to carry every day, big enough to work on. Go for 15 or 16 inches if your laptop rarely leaves your desk or you edit photos and video. For frequent travel, prioritize a lower carrying weight, including the charger. ## How to choose a laptop: 7 things that actually matter {#how-to-choose} ### 1. macOS, Windows or ChromeOS? **MacBooks** (Air, Neo, Pro) offer the best mix of performance, battery life and build quality, and are ideal if you have an iPhone. **Windows** laptops give you the most choice in designs, prices, touchscreens and gaming. **Chromebooks** are simple, secure and affordable, but only make sense if you mostly work in the browser. ### 2. The processor Apple's M5 chips lead in efficiency and power. On Windows, Intel's new Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) chips are the big story of 2026, with strong performance and much better battery life than before. AMD Ryzen AI and Qualcomm Snapdragon chips are also good choices, though Snapdragon (Arm) laptops can still have occasional app compatibility issues. ### 3. Memory (RAM) For Windows laptops, get at least 16GB; 8GB isn't really enough for Windows 11 anymore. On a Mac, 16GB is the norm, and the MacBook Neo's 8GB is fine for browsing, documents and streaming. RAM is usually soldered and can't be upgraded later, so buy what you'll need for the next few years. ### 4. Storage 512GB is a comfortable minimum for most people; 256GB fills up quickly with photos and apps. If you work with video, aim for 1TB or use an external SSD. ### 5. The screen OLED screens offer perfect blacks and vivid colors but use more battery. A 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel smoother. Look for at least 1920 x 1200 resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio, which gives you more vertical space for documents and web pages. ### 6. Battery life and weight Today's best laptops last a full workday and then some: 15 hours or more is no longer rare. Gaming laptops are the exception, typically lasting only a few hours. If you travel a lot, aim for 3 pounds or less. ### 7. Ports and when to buy Many thin laptops only have USB-C ports, so check whether you need USB-A, HDMI, an SD card slot or a headphone jack, or plan to buy a small hub. As for timing, prices have gone up in 2026, so the best deals are around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, back-to-school season (July–September), and right after new models launch, when last year's models get discounted. ## Frequently asked questions {#faq} ### Is the MacBook Neo good enough for most people? For browsing, email, documents, streaming, video calls and schoolwork, yes. It feels far more premium than other laptops at its price. If you edit video, run many apps at once or want a backlit keyboard, the MacBook Air M5 is worth the extra money. ### Why are laptops more expensive in 2026? A shortage of memory chips has pushed up the cost of RAM and storage, and many manufacturers, including Apple, raised prices this year. The good news is that discounts are frequent, so it pays to wait for a sale if you can. ### Should I wait for the new M6 MacBook Pro? If you need a laptop now, the M5 Pro MacBook Pro is still outstanding. If you can wait, the new M6 models have just been announced, and the arrival of new models often brings discounts on the previous generation. ### Which laptop is best for college students? The MacBook Neo is our top pick for most students thanks to its price, build quality and battery life (and its education discount). Windows users should look at the Dell XPS 13 (2026), and the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is a great choice if you mostly work in Google Docs and the browser. ### Is a gaming laptop a good everyday laptop? Most gaming laptops are heavy and have short battery life. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is the exception: it's slim and sleek enough to use for work and class, though you'll still want to carry the charger.