Best laptop 2022: 15 best laptops you can buy

Best laptop 2022: 15 best laptops you can buy

1. MACBOOK AIR

THE BEST LAPTOP OF 2022

The best laptop you can buy is the MacBook Air, which is powered by Apple’s M1 processor. The entry-level model, which includes 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, costs $999.

This laptop looks a lot like Apple’s Intel-powered MacBook Air from earlier this year, with the same 2560 x 1600 screen, Touch ID, 720p webcam, fingerprint sensor, and scissor-switch keyboard.

But it’s the new processor that steals the show here; it’s lightning fast. It handled intensive photo- and video-editing workloads better than almost any Intel-powered laptop we’ve tried this year in our testing. It could also run Shadow of the Tomb Raider at near-playable frame rates, which is quite impressive for integrated graphics. These apps hadn’t yet been optimized for the M1 processor and were running through Apple’s Rosetta 2 translation layer when they were released, but they still worked fine.

And the processing power didn’t even deplete the battery life: we got between eight and ten hours of continuous use.

Another advantage of the M1 processor is that it allows the MacBook Air to run native iPhone and iPad apps on macOS. As of this writing, there is still a limited number of mobile apps available, and some of those that have been released aren’t quite optimized for the laptop screen. Still, it’s something to look forward to as time passes.

Overall, there’s no reason why a customer looking for a general-purpose computer shouldn’t consider the MacBook Air. It’s a dependable device with excellent performance and the build quality that Apple is known for. Power users who require a MacBook Pro are probably aware of who they are; everyone else should be fine with the Air.

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Best laptop 2022: 15 best laptops you can buy

2. MACBOOK PRO (16-INCH)

THE BEST CREATOR LAPTOP

The 16-inch MacBook Pro is Apple’s most powerful laptop to date. If you’re willing to pay the price (which is quite high), you’ll almost certainly be pleased with what this machine can do.

The MacBook Pro 16 performed better than any laptop we’ve ever used in our benchmarks, which test a variety of creative tasks such as encoding, playback, and export time — the only other machines that have come close to matching this thing in some of our benchmarks are high-end desktop PCs. The battery life is also astounding. In my testing, the 16-inch configuration with the M1 Pro processor lasted 16 hours, making it the longest-lasting laptop we’ve ever reviewed. (The M1 Max configuration does not last as long, but it gets us through a work day.)

Other than that, we have almost no complaints about the new MacBook Pro. It has a stunning display that can reach 1,000 nits when watching HDR content. It combines this with the best laptop speakers we’ve ever heard. The MacBook Pro 16 is the best device for you if you need a machine that can handle a demanding workload while also serving as an excellent multimedia device when you’re not working.

Best laptop 2022: 15 best laptops you can buy

3. MACBOOK PRO (14-INCH)

A GREAT CHOICE FOR MAC POWER USERS

If you’re a creative professional who doesn’t want to pay the price of the MacBook Pro 16, or if you want something more compact, the 14-inch MacBook Pro is probably a better fit. This device is thinner, lighter, and less expensive than its 16-inch counterpart, but it has the same monster processor options and stellar screen, albeit in a smaller size.

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We didn’t notice much of a difference in benchmark scores between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBooks with the same processors — in some cases, the 14-inch outperformed the 16-inchers. Aside from the sizes of these devices, the main difference to consider is battery life. The 16-inch chassis allows for a significantly larger battery, and the 16-inch M1 Pro model lasted several hours longer in our testing than the 14-inch M1 Pro model.

On the surface, Apple has addressed many of the issues that previous MacBook Pro models had. This device has a plethora of ports, including an HDMI port, an SD slot, and multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports. The much-maligned Touchbar is also no longer available. While there are plenty of great 14-inch laptops for half the price of this MacBook, if money is no object, this is the one to get.

Best laptop 2022: 15 best laptops you can buy

4. HP SPECTRE X360 14

THE BEST WINDOWS LAPTOP

It’s difficult to find a single complaint about the Spectre x360 14. It’s a stunning machine with a solid build and a premium look and feel.

But the Spectre x360 14 is more than just a pretty face: it’s also a joy to drive on a daily basis. Intel’s latest 11th Generation processors and Iris Xe integrated graphics deliver snappy performance with no noticeable slowdown or freezes. And the device provided an average of 10 hours of battery life, which is one of the best results we’ve ever seen.

On the outside, the Spectre has a large 3:2 display, and if FHD resolution isn’t your thing, there are OLED and 1,000-nit options. There’s even a stylus included, which magnetically attaches to the side of the Spectre — useful if you’re using the device as a tablet. Almost every other aspect of this laptop rivals or exceeds the best convertibles on the market, from its comfortable keyboard and smooth touchpad to its bass-heavy audio and practical port selection.

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Such a comprehensive set of features is not cheap, and many customers will find everything they require in a less expensive product. The Spectre x360 14 is, however, the new gold standard in Windows convertibles. Overall, it is the best Windows laptop available.

Best laptop 2022: 15 best laptops you can buy

5. ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15

THE BEST GAMING LAPTOP IN 2022

The Zephyrus G15 is one of the lightest 15-inch gaming laptops available, weighing just over four pounds. However, you are not sacrificing performance for portability. The G15 is powered by the best mobile chips from AMD and Nvidia, and it comes with a fast 165Hz QHD display. During our testing, the system was able to run even the most demanding AAA titles at QHD resolution.

Almost everything else about the G15 is excellent: the audio is excellent, the keyboard and touchpad are among the best on the market, the port selection is extensive, and the battery can last for more than eight and a half hours on a single charge. The Zephyrus G15 should be at the top of your list if you want a high-powered gaming machine that also works well as a daily driver.

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