News

Even with today’s vast arsenal of cybersecurity tools and AI-enhanced threat detection, attackers continue to succeed – not because the technology is failing, but because the human link in the defensive chain remains exposed. Cybercriminals almost always take the path of least resistance to execute a breach, which often means targeting people rather than a system.According to McKinsey, a staggering 91% of cyberattacks have less to do with technology, and more to do with manipulating and taking advantage of human behavior. In other words, despite technologies like AI advancing at break-neck speed, cybercriminals are still more likely to hack people than machines.From a cybercriminal’s perspective, this makes sense. It’s the path of least resistance. Why spend resources hacking your way through a high-tech, AI-secured front door when there’s an open window around the back? This isn’t news to CISOs – according to a 2024 IBM survey, almost three-quarters (74%) now identify human vulnerability as their top security risk. They’re aware of the open window, and now they’re trying to secure it.Easier said than doneThat’s easier said than done, however. Whether it’s a well-timed phishing email, a spoofed call, a deepfake video, or a barrage of authentic-seeming push notifications designed to wear down a user’s judgment, attackers are adapting faster than defenses can compensate.The reality is that while security vendors race to outpace attackers with smarter algorithms and tighter controls, the tactics that most reliably lead to breaches are psychological, not technical. Threat actors are exploiting trust, fatigue, social norms, and behavioral shortcuts – tactics far more subtle and effective than brute-force code.It’s not a lack of technology leaving organizations vulnerable to these techniques, it’s a lack of alignment between those tools and the way people actually think and operate. In fast-paced, high-pressure environments, employees don’t have the bandwidth to second-guess every request or scrutinize every prompt.They rely on instincts, familiarity, and patterns they’ve learned to trust. But those very instincts are what attackers hijack, turning help desk tickets into access exploits, or mimicked CFOs into multi-million-dollar heists. As generative AI accelerates the realism and reach of these tactics, organizations face a critical question: not just how to keep the bad actors out, but how to better equip their people within. Because when breaches hinge on human decisions, cybersecurity isn’t just a technology issue – it’s a human one.Trust, bias, and the psychology of security breachesHuman behavior is a vulnerability, but it’s also a predictable pattern. Our brains are wired for efficiency, not scrutiny, which makes us remarkably easy to manipulate under the right conditions. Attackers know this and design their exploits accordingly. They play on urgency to override caution, impersonate authority figures to disarm skepticism, and drip-feed small requests to trigger consistency bias. These tactics are ruthlessly calculated, and they work not because people are careless, but because they’re human.In early 2024, a finance worker at a Hong Kong firm was tricked into transferring $25 million after attending a video call with what appeared to be the company’s CFO and other colleagues – each one a convincing AI-generated deepfake. The attackers used publicly available footage to clone faces and voices, creating a seamless illusion that exploited trust and familiarity with devastating effect.The eye-opening part is that these deepfake tools are now readily available. Modern social engineering doesn’t rely on obvious red flags. The emails aren’t riddled with typos, and the impersonations don’t sound robotic. Thanks to generative AI, deepfake technology, and access to vast training data, attackers can now create incredibly convincing personas that mirror the tone, behavior, and language of trusted colleagues. In this environment, even the most well-trained employee can fall victim without fault.Heuristics – mental shortcuts – are frequently exploited by attackers who know what to look for. “Authority bias” leads people to follow instructions from perceived leaders, like a spoofed email from a CEO. The “scarcity principle” ramps up pressure by creating false urgency, making employees feel they must act immediately.And “reciprocity bias” plays on basic social instincts – once someone has received a seemingly benign gesture, they’re more likely to respond positively to a follow-up request, even if it’s malicious. What so often looks like a lapse in judgment is often just an expected outcome of cognitive overload and the common, everyday use of heuristics.Where policy meets psychologyTraditional identity and access management (IAM) strategies tend to assume that users will behave predictably and rationally – that they’ll scrutinize every prompt, question every anomaly, and follow policy to the letter. But the reality inside most organizations is far messier. People work quickly, switch contexts constantly, and are bombarded with notifications, tasks, and requests.If security controls feel too rigid or burdensome, users will find workarounds. If prompts are too frequent, they’ll be ignored. This is how good policy gets undermined – not out of negligence, but because the design of the system clashes with the psychology of its users. Good security mechanisms shouldn’t add friction; they should seamlessly guide users towards better choices.Applying principles like Zero Trust, least privilege, and just-in-time access can dramatically reduce exposure, but only if they’re implemented in ways that account for cognitive load and context. Automation can help here: granting and revoking access based on dynamic risk signals, time of day, or role changes without requiring users to constantly make judgment calls.Done right, identity management becomes an invisible safety net, quietly adapting in the background, rather than demanding constant interaction. Humans shouldn’t be removed from the loop, but they should be freed from the burden to catching what the system should already detect.Building a security cultureTechnology may enforce access policies, but culture determines whether people follow them. Building a secure organization has to be about more than simply enforcing compliance. That starts with security training that goes beyond phishing drills and password hygiene to address how people actually think and react under pressure. Employees need to recognize their own cognitive biases, understand how they’re being targeted, and feel empowered – not penalized – for slowing down and asking questions.Equally important is removing unnecessary friction. When access controls are intuitive, context-aware, and minimally disruptive, users are more likely to engage with them properly. Role-based and attribute-based access models, combined with just-in-time permissions, help reduce overprovisioning without creating frustrating bottlenecks in the form of pop-ups and interruptions. In other words, modern IAM systems need to support and empower employees rather than make them constantly jump through hoops to get from one app or window to another.The human firewall isn’t going anywhereThe biggest takeaway here is that cybersecurity isn’t just a test of systems, AI-driven or not – it’s a test of people. The human firewall is arguably an organization’s biggest weakness, but with the right tools and policies in place, it can become its greatest strength. Our goal should not be to eliminate human error or change the innate nature of humans, but to design identity systems that make secure behavior the default – easy, intuitive, and frictionless.We list the best employee recognition software.This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Choosing the best laptop can be a bit of a challenge — there are so many models, sizes and specs out there that it’s easy to feel lost in the shuffle. But the good news is that modern laptops are better than ever. Whether you're looking for a powerful AI PC, a travel-ready ultrabook or an affordable machine that can handle everyday tasks, there's something out there for everyone. Today’s systems combine improved performance, longer battery life and smarter features in sleek, lightweight designs that are built to keep up with work, play and everything in between.Out of all of the notebooks we've tested and reviewed recently, we consider Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air M4 to be the best laptop for most people, and this is still the case for our top picks to start off the new year. It's powerful enough to handle most tasks (even light video editing); it has a great screen and built-in speakers; and its battery could last over 18hours (depending on what you're doing, of course). The MacBook Air M4 is also one of the lightest and thinnest systems we've reviewed, and it's dead silent, thanks to a fanless design.Of course, not everyone wants a MacBook, and there are excellent Windows laptops and Chromebooks out there, too. Windows systems offer a range of configurations, from budget to high-end UHD screens with stunning IPS panels that boast high nits for vivid brightness. Chromebooks, on the other hand, tend to be more affordable and are great for users who mostly work online. Whether you need a powerhouse for creative work, a compact system for note-taking, or a laptop that can handle family movie night, there’s something for everyone in today’s laptop market.

Table of contents

Best laptops of 2025

How we test and pick laptops

Factors to consider when choosing a laptop

Best laptops specs comparison chart

Other laptops we’ve tested

Laptop FAQs

Recent updates

Best laptops of 2025

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How we test laptops

Engadget has been reviewing laptops for two decades, and while the definition of what a portable PC is has changed considerably since, our obsession with testing their limits and serving up informative buying advice remains the same. Be it a hybrid tablet like Microsoft's Surface machines, a rotating 2-in-1 convertible like HP's Spectre x360s or a plain old clamshell notebook, our review process follows similar beats. How does it look and feel? How fast is it? Whether it’s a Windows device powered by an Intel Core i5 or higher, a MacBook or a Chromebook, we aim to answer the most important question: Is it actually worth your hard-earned cash? We also pay close attention to portability, webcam quality and display features, including IPS panels and nits of brightness, as they can make a big difference in daily use.

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Factors to consider when choosing a laptop

Price

You can expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,800 for a new laptop these days, depending on the configuration. If you're looking for more of a workhorse, that could cost you well over $2,000 for additional RAM, storage, as well as a beefier graphics card and CPU. But you can also find some good laptops under $1,000 if you're willing to overlook build quality (or buy a refurbished or previous generation machine, which we highly recommend). Systems with AMD chips tend to come in cheaper than their Intel counterparts, but the bulk of their cost will come down to other components like RAM and storage.

I’ve included our favorite affordable model in this best laptop buying guide, but we have a list of the best budget laptops that you can check out as well.

Operating system: Apple, Windows or Chrome OS

There's a good chance you've already committed to an operating system, but my advice is to be as flexible as possible. These days, most major software is compatible with both Macs and PCs. (Of course, it's another story if you've become dependent on an Apple-only app like Final Cut Pro.) Web-based apps, naturally, will work on any platform with an internet browser.

If you're an Apple-loyalist, there aren't many reasons to consider Windows laptops (unless you want a secondary gaming machine). But for Windows users, macOS is becoming more tempting every year. Apple's MacBooks, powered by its M-series Silicon chips, are among the fastest and most efficient laptops we've ever seen. They're incredibly well-built and have outstanding battery life to boot. MacOS itself is also an easy platform to learn, especially if you're used to iOS and iPadOS.

That brings up another point: iPhone users may want to consider Macs because of the seamless integration with Apple's other platforms. You can't respond to iMessage conversations easily or hop into FaceTime chats on Windows PCs, but doing so is simple on Macs. (Microsoft's Phone Link app lets you send iOS users individual texts, but not media or group chats.) Android users, meanwhile, may be better off with Windows, as Phone Link can make calls, synchronize all your texts and also access your phone's photos.

If cloud gaming is your priority, Windows laptops with NVIDIA’s GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming compatibility may offer more flexibility and decent performance, especially when paired with fast internet speeds. Chromebooks also make a compelling case here as an affordable, lightweight solution for casual cloud gaming sessions.

As for whether you’ll want a PC with a dedicated Copilot AI button on the keyboard, that depends on how often you see yourself using Microsoft’s generative tools. Given we’re only just seeing the first slate of AI PCs, it would be wiser to wait out the hype and see what improvements might come over time.

And what about ChromeOS? Chromebooks are a smart and (typically) inexpensive way to do things like web browsing and hopping on a few video chats, but for most, they're not the best choice as a primary computer. There aren't many apps or games that work offline, and they also don't work with powerful software suites like Adobe's (you can use the stripped-down Adobe Express and Photoshop online tools, though).

Chromebooks are great secondary machines to use alongside a more powerful Mac or PC, and they're popular in schools because they're cheap and easy for IT workers to manage. And if all you need is web browsing access, or a notebook for a kid, a Chromebook might be enough.

If, for some reason, you’re looking for a powerful ChromeOS system, there are also Chromebook Plus models to consider. These machines sport faster processors and more RAM than typical Google notebooks, and they can also tap into a few of the company’s online AI features, like AI image generation and photo processing.

Ports and connectivity

These days, most laptops ship with a few USB-C ports, which can handle both charging and speedy data transfers. Apple's MacBooks also include a separate connection for MagSafe power, and you'll find custom power connections on some PCs like Microsoft's Surface. Older USB Type-A connections are less common now, but they still pop up in systems like HP's Spectre x360 14, as well as many models from ASUS.

For gamers or creators who rely on discrete graphics, ensuring your laptop has the right ports for external monitors or GPUs is crucial. DisplayPort or HDMI connections can also ensure you’re ready for dual- or multi-screen setups for more immersive experiences. Similarly, if you want to save high-resolution files or install multiple games, you might need to consider additional hard drive space; external hard drives are pretty affordable, as long as you have a proper port to connect them.

If you're a fan of wired headphones, it's worth keeping a close eye on headphone jack availability. Many lightweight laptops, like Dell's XPS 13, don’t have the 3.5mm socket entirely. They usually include a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, but that's a clunky solution, and it also takes up a USB port. Sure, most people use wireless earbuds and cans today, but it's still helpful to have a wired one around for when those devices run out of juice.

Most laptops today offer Wi-Fi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or later, which should mean faster and more stable connections if you have compatible routers and devices. While Wi-Fi 7 routers have started appearing, that spec hasn't made its way into laptops yet. As for cellular coverage, there are notebooks like the Surface Pro 9 and Samsung Galaxy Book models that offer integrated 5G. But from our testing, that feature may not be worth the cost of a separate data plan. Instead, you could tether to your smartphone or invest in a wireless hotspot that can keep multiple devices online.

Laptop size and weight

So how portable do you want your laptop to be? That's the ultimate question you need to ask when choosing between various screen sizes. 13-inch machines have become a solid starting point for most shoppers — it's enough real estate for the majority of tasks like emailing and writing, and it also helps keep machines relatively light (typically between two to three pounds). Thanks to manufacturing advancements, these dainty machines sometimes even come with larger screens (the smaller MacBook Air actually has a 13.6-inch display).

If you have trouble seeing fine text, we’d recommend going for a display larger than 13 inches. ASUS’s Zephyrus G14 is a solid 14-inch option for gamers, and we’re also seeing more productivity-focused machines aim for that size, like the XPS 14 and MacBook Pro. While 14-inch notebooks are a bit heavier than 13-inch models, coming in between three to four pounds, their screens are noticeably roomier.

For artists, or anyone else who needs a large canvas, a 15-inch laptop may make the most sense. They typically weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 pounds, but that extra heft may be worth it to fit wider video editing timelines or Photoshop windows. And, as you'd expect, you'll also pay a bit more for a 15-inch notebook compared to smaller ones (the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,199, while the smaller model goes for $999). PC makers are also replacing 15-inch systems with 16-inch versions, which will give you even more space to work.

If you're in the market for a business laptop, size and portability might be key considerations. A lightweight yet powerful system with a long battery life can make a world of difference if you travel frequently for work.

You can still find laptops with 17-inch or 18-inch screens, but those are typically gaming systems or souped-up workstations. They're not meant for mere computing mortals.

Battery life

A laptop's battery life depends on several factors: The power draw from the screen and other hardware, the optimizations used to avoid unnecessary power drain, and, of course, the size of the actual battery. One of our favorite systems, the Dell XPS 13, lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes in the PCMark 10 battery benchmark. In real-world testing, I was able to use it for a day and a half without needing a recharge. The MacBook Air 13-inch, meanwhile, more than 18 hours in our benchmark and kept running for more than two work days of my typical workflow. In general, you should expect a modern laptop to last at least eight hours.

If battery life is your absolute priority, I'd strongly suggest looking at Macs over Windows PCs. Apple's M-series chips are essentially mobile hardware, with all of the power efficiency you'd expect from something originally designed for phones. Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon chips could help Windows PCs compete with Apple’s astonishing battery life, but we’ve yet to see those in action. Chromebooks also typically get decent battery life (as long as you don’t overstuff them with power-draining tabs).

Refresh rate

A laptop's refresh rate refers to the amount of times its screen is cycled every second. Modern displays like IPS LCDs and OLEDs support 60Hz refresh rates at a minimum, but we're seeing more devices offering 120Hz, 240Hz and beyond. The higher the number, the faster the screen is refreshed, which ultimately leads to a smoother experience while mousing around or scrolling through web pages. (If you want to get a sense of what a slow refresh rate looks like, just grab an e-reader like the Kindle and try to flip between book pages.)

While high refresh rates used to be reserved for gaming laptops, nowadays we're seeing more mainstream machines like the XPS 13 offer 120Hz (or variable rates that move between 60Hz and 120Hz). If there's one knock against the MacBook Air, it's that it's still stuck at 60Hz.

CPU

If you’re buying a new laptop, you’ll want to make sure it’s powered by the latest CPUs. For Windows PCs, that includes Intel’s Core Ultra chips for thin-and-light machines or the 14th-gen HX chips for beefier systems. The Core Ultra series have NPUs for handling AI tasks, while the HX hardware does not – they’re based on Intel’s previous chip architecture, and they’re more focused on delivering raw horsepower. Intel's older 13th-gen and 12th-gen laptop chips also don't have NPUs, so keep that in mind if you're looking at used systems.

You'll also see AMD's Ryzen 8000 and 9000 chips in plenty of new systems like the ASUS Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14. Those CPUs mainly target gaming laptops and high performance systems, while you'll still find AMD’s older Ryzen 7000 chips in ultraportables. AMD's main advantage is that its chips also include Radeon graphics, which are far more capable than Intel's Arc hardware (though those are getting better).

Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus are also an option in Copilot+ PCs (more on those below). Since they’re based on mobile chip designs, they’re likely also more power efficient than AMD and Intel’s hardware. In the past, we’ve avoided recommending Snapdragon chips because they led to a slow and frustrating Windows experience. But Microsoft claims it’s rebuilt Windows 11 around Snapdragon’s Arm-based architecture, which should lead to far faster performance and better app compatibility.

As for Apple's laptops, you'll be choosing between the M4, M4 Pro and M4 Max, each of which is progressively more powerful.

GPU

A GPU, or graphics processing unit, is the component that communicates directly with a laptop's display. Laptop CPUs all have some form of integrated GPU: Intel has either its standard graphics or beefier Arc hardware, while AMD's chips include fast Radeon mobile graphics. If you want to play demanding games at high speeds (measured in frames per second, or fps), or if you need some extra power for rendering video or 3D models, you can configure a laptop with a dedicated GPU like NVIDIA's RTX 40-series hardware or AMD's Radeon RX 7000. Just be sure to leave room in your budget if you want a powerful GPU, as they typically add $300 or more to the cost of a laptop.

Apple's M-series chips, meanwhile, have GPU cores that can perform as well as NVIDIA’s and AMD's lower-end dedicated GPUs. That's quite the accomplishment for systems like this (especially the MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro), and it's another reason we highly recommend Apple's notebooks.

AI PCs, NPUs and Copilot+

Simply put, an AI PC is a computer equipped with a neural processing unit (NPU), which is designed to handle AI-related tasks. Much like how GPUs tackle heavy-duty gaming and rendering workloads, NPUs are designed to handle the complex math necessary for AI workloads. They’re also far more power efficient than CPUs or GPUs, which could lead to better battery performance in laptops. While many factors go into NPU performance, for the most part we measure their potential speed by TOPS (tera operations per second).

We were primed for AI PCs based on the chips Intel and AMD announced in 2023. Intel unveiled its "Core Ultra" CPUs in December, its first to include an NPU for AI work. AMD also announced its Ryzen 8040 AI mobile chips that month (and it couldn't help but say they were faster than Intel's new hardware). But in May, Microsoft announced its Copilot+ initiative, which is pushing major PC makers to deliver premium AI PCs with specifications including 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSDs and NPUs with at least 40 TOPS of AI performance.

Copilot+ is more than just a marketing term: Microsoft is also launching AI-powered features in Windows 11 that take advantage of powerful NPUs. That includes Recall, which can help you locate anything you’ve done on your PC (whenever it finally launches), as well as Cocreator in Paint, which can generate AI images based on text prompts and doodles.

If you buy an AI PC that isn’t Copilot+ certified, you’ll still be able to use some features like Windows Studio Effects, which can blur your background in video calls or keep you in frame. Developers like Adobe and Audacity are also building features into their apps that can take advantage of NPUs.

At the time of this post, Chromebook Plus notebooks can also access a few of Google’s online AI features, like image generation and photo processing.

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Other laptops we tested that didn't make the cut

ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED

Aside from its lovely OLED screen, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED doesn't stand out from the crowded laptop field in any way. It just looks dull and boring, especially compared to the strikingly beautiful ASUS Zephyrus G14, which also came out this year. While you can probably find the Zenbook 14 for a decent price, I'd recommend holding out for something with a bit more personality (and with a less wobbly screen hinge).

Razer Blade 14

The Razer Blade has almost everything you'd want in a 14-inch gaming notebook, but it's far pricier than the Zephyrus G14 on this list, and it doesn’t even have an SD card reader. It would be a solid competitor once its price falls a bit, and it's certainly a great option if you just have to have a jet-black laptop.

Framework Laptop 16

Framework gave its modularity magic to the Laptop 16, delivering a gaming notebook where almost every single component is user replaceable. But you'll have to pay a pretty penny to snag it with upgraded hardware, and its optional Radeon 7700S GPU was surprisingly slow.

Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware m16 r2 has been revamped with a slimmer case, but it’s otherwise a fairly typical gaming laptop. It’s a solid option for Alienware fans, but you’ll find better hardware and deals elsewhere.

ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024)

The Zenbook Duo is a fascinating dual-screened notebook, and according to my colleague Sam Rutherford it’s the first of its kind that’s worth buying. But its unique hardware isn’t really meant for mainstream consumers, and Windows 11 still doesn’t support multi-screen setups well enough to make full use of the Zenbook Duo’s ample canvas.

Dell XPS 16

Dell’s XPS 16 is big and beautiful, but it’s far too expensive compared to the competition. Plus, it uses a capacitive row of function keys that you basically can’t see under bright light and has too few ports for a machine of this size.

See Also:

Best Gaming Laptops for 2025

Best Cheap Windows Laptops

Best 2-in-1 Laptops for 2025

Best Chromebooks

Best Laptops for College Students

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Laptop FAQs

What is the average battery life of a laptop per charge?

It’s hard to come up with an average battery life for laptops, since that will ultimately depend on what you’re doing with them. An ultraportable like the MacBook Air that sips power can last around 20 hours in our battery benchmark, and around two full work days of real-world usage. But a gaming laptop may last only a few hours if you’re actively playing something while on battery. At this point, Macs are delivering far better battery life than PCs, thanks to Apple’s Silicon chips, but Microsoft claims Copilot+ systems with Qualcomm chips will also get over 20 hours of batter life.

How much RAM do I really need?

The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do simultaneously. For that reason, we recommend buying PCs and Macs with at least 16GB of RAM. That gives you enough memory to have several applications open at once, as well as web browsers filled with RAM-hogging tabs. Many PC games also require at least 16GB of RAM. While you could use a system with 8GB of RAM for basic tasks, you’ll quickly run into slowdowns and error messages as your apps stack up. Many laptops, especially ultraportables, don’t let you upgrade RAM, too – so you’ll have to buy an entirely new computer if you didn’t equip enough memory at the start.

If you’re a hardcore gamer, programmer or planning to render videos or 3D models, then you may want to go for 32GB of RAM or more. And if you just need a secondary laptop for lighter work – perhaps a no-frills system for writing – then you can probably get by with 8GB. Just be sure to keep those browser tabs in check.

What is the best storage capacity for a laptop?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to laptop storage. You’ll typically find configurations between 256GB and 1TB SSDs (solid state drives) on most laptops, and I’d recommend most people get at least 512GB. That’ll be enough space for large apps, music and video files without stressing your system too much. If you’re a media hoarder, or want to play a ton of games, then it’s definitely worth getting a 1TB SSD.

If you’ll mainly be streaming your shows and music, and would rather invest in RAM or other hardware, then 256GB of storage would be serviceable. I’d recommend staying away from any machine with 128GB of storage though. Most of that will be taken up by the operating system, and you’ll likely run into issues cramming in large apps after a few months.

We recommend springing for extra built-in storage or investing in a portable SSD for backing up your most important files. It's also worth noting that Chromebooks tend to come with less built-in storage — 32GB, 64GB or 128GB — since ChromeOS encourages users to save their files in the cloud rather than on the device. In that case, 128GB is plenty.

What's a good price range for a decent laptop in 2025?

You can expect to spend between $1,000 and $1,800 for a typical 13-inch laptop today. As I explained above, you'll pay more if you want to stuff in more RAM or better GPU hardware. But you can also find deals below $1,000 if you look for refurbished or older-generation models.

What’s the difference between macOS and Windows? Which is better?

Simply put, macOS is the operating system in all of Apple's notebooks and desktops, while Windows powers the vast majority of PCs. You'll also find Chromebooks running Google's ChromeOS, but those are basically just web browsers running on top of Linux.

Debating the differences between Windows and Macs is something PC nerds have been doing since the '80s, so we won't be declaring a winner here. There are some small, negligible distinctions, like using a Command versus a Control key, how file explorers work and concerns about viruses and security. For the most part, those are minor issues or have become moot thanks to better built-in security.

But if you care more about playing the newest games, you'll want to have a Windows system. If you're more focused on creative apps, like Photoshop, Premiere and Final Cut Pro, then macOS may be a better fit (especially if you're running an iPhone).

What are the best laptop brands?

There is no single "best" laptop brand, but judging from this guide alone, we're generally impressed by notebooks from Apple, Dell and ASUS. They all offer fast, reliable and sturdy machines. HP also makes some eye-catching devices if you want an option that’s the most aesthetic. Those four brands, along with Lenovo and Acer, dominate laptop sales worldwide. We'd avoid systems from any retail store brands, or companies that don't have a major presence in the US.

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Best laptops specs comparison chart

Product

Tested configuration

Tested battery life

Rated battery life

Apple MacBook Air M4 (13-inch)

Apple M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

18.25 hours

Up to 18 hours

Dell XPS 13

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

13 hours

Up to 18 hours

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070

7.5 hours

10 hours

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

13th-gen Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage

6 hours

10 hours

HP Pavilion Aero

AMD Ryzen 5800U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

Up to 9.75 hours

Up to 10.5 hours

Apple MacBook Pro M4 (14-inch)

Apple M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

34 hours

24 hours

HP Spectre x360 14

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD

5 hours

Up to 13 hours

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 1

Intel Core Ultra 7 165U, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD

Up to 13 hours

"All day battery life"

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Recent updates

May 2025: Updated to ensure top picks and details are still accurate.

March 2025: Updated to include the M4-powered MacBook Air.

November 2024: Updated to include the M4-powered MacBook Pros.

August 2024: Updated to include the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12.

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WhatsApp Business now supports voice and video calls, and even in-message voice notesAI agents suggest chat follow-ups and product recommendationsMeta claims 1.5 billion people use WhatsApp every single dayA series of new WhatsApp updates will make it even easier for businesses to communicate with their customers directly on the platform with the launch of voice calling features.At its global Conversations conference, the company announced firms using the WhatsApp Business Platform will now be able to use more of the features everyday users have on the messaging platform, including receiving and making voice calls with customers and even sending and receiving voice messages.Furthering this, customer service teams operating across sectors like remote healthcare can also make video calls on the platform in what could be seen as a huge update for the Business Platform.Huge updates come to the WhatsApp Business PlatformAt the same time, WhatsApp also confirmed it would be expanding its Business AI capabilities by introducing automated follow-ups and support via WhatsApp chats and rolling out product recommendations on merchant websites.The company explained its new voice and video calling features not only improve current support, but "[pave] the way for AI-enabled voice support in the future."(Image credit: Meta)Finally, the social networking giant confirmed it would be centralizing its marketing and campaign management tools across other core platforms – Facebook and Instagram – to make it easier for companies to use shared creatives, budgets and flows across all three platforms.Besides sharing resources across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, businesses will "soon" be able to create ads for WhatsApp Statuses directly in Ads Manager to reach even more customers.Already a popular business networking app for customer support in Brazil and India, WhatsApp is seeing healthy growth across other markets, now counting more than 200 million monthly Business users and 1.5 billion daily users in total.The news comes just a couple of weeks after WhatsApp announced updates to its Channels, including paid subscriptions and the option for businesses to promote channels.You might also likeThese are the best customer experience toolsTake even more transactions with the best payment gatewaysWhatsApp has just dropped these 9 new features – including 2 that I'm not happy about

Unidentified threat actors target Qantas call centerThis allows it to gain access to sensitive customer dataThe attack is most likely the work of Scattered Spider, experts claimYet another major airlines has been hit by a major cyberattack after Qantas, the largest flight provider in Australia, confirmed it had been targetedIn a press release published on the company’s website, Qantas said it spotted the intrusion after a threat actor targeted a call center, and accessed a third-party customer servicing platform.The name of the platform was not disclosed, but Qantas said six million customers have service records there.Get 55% off Incogni's Data Removal service with code TECHRADAR Wipe your personal data off the internet with the Incogni data removal service. Stop identity thievesand protect your privacy from unwanted spam and scam calls.View DealScattered Spider“We are continuing to investigate the proportion of the data that has been stolen, though we expect it will be significant,” the press release reads.“An initial review has confirmed the data includes some customers’ names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates and frequent flyer numbers.”However, credit card details, personal financial information, and passport details, were not stolen, since these are not even held in this particular system. Therefore, passwords, PIN numbers, log in details, and frequent flyer accounts, remain uncompromised, the company confirmed.Qantas also said the system is now contained, and that it notified relevant authorities, as well as affected individuals. The airline’s operations and safety were not endangered at any time.The company did not say who the threat actors were, or if they tried to deploy any ransomware.However the incident shares many similarities with other attacks recently made by the group known as Scattered Spider.This group has not yet claimed responsibility for this attack - but in recent weeks, multiple reports have emerged of airlines being hit by cyberattacks, with Hawaiian Airlines confirmed suffering an attack and both WestJet and GlobalX suffering the same fate recently too.Via BleepingComputerYou might also likeThis popular Windows software used by millions has a serious security vulnerability - here's what you need to knowTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers