10 Best Laptops 2026 in the United States

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a sleek and highly portable laptop weighing just 2.73 pounds, making it easy to carry around for work or school. It features a vibrant 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with sharp 2560x1664 resolution and support for 1 billion colors, which makes photos, videos, and text look crisp and colorful. Powered by Apple's new M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and GPU, this laptop delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and even some light video editing or gaming. The 16GB unified memory ensures apps run smoothly without slowing down, while 512GB of fast SSD storage offers ample space for files and quick access to data.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours for video streaming, so you can work unplugged for a full day without worry. The keyboard is backlit for comfortable typing in dim environments, and the Force Touch trackpad responds precisely to your gestures. It also includes Touch ID for easy and secure login. For connectivity, the MacBook Air provides two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack, and MagSafe charging, alongside modern Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support. Some users might find only two USB-C ports somewhat limiting if they need to connect many accessories simultaneously.

The 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support and a high-quality microphone array enhance video calls, making it a solid choice for remote work or study. The MacBook Air excels at integration with other Apple devices and runs macOS smoothly, but it comes at a premium price compared to some Windows alternatives. This laptop is suited for users who prioritize portability, excellent display quality, strong battery life, and a seamless Apple ecosystem experience, while it may be less suitable for those needing extensive port options or a budget-friendly option.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 is a premium laptop that blends strong performance with excellent portability. Its latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor offers fast and efficient multitasking, suitable for demanding office work and creative tasks. With 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, it delivers smooth performance and ample storage for heavy users. The 14-inch WUXGA (1920x1200) display with 100% sRGB coverage provides sharp visuals and vibrant colors, great for detailed work and media viewing.

At just 2.14 pounds and under 0.6 inches thin, this laptop is very light and easy to carry, making it ideal for professionals on the move. The keyboard features tactile bumps, enhancing typing comfort, and the larger glass touchpad supports precise control. It also comes equipped with a solid selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, and HDMI, allowing connection to multiple devices without extra adapters. Video calls are clear thanks to the Full HD IR camera and dual microphones. Battery life is optimized by minimal preloaded apps, so you can expect a full day of use in typical office scenarios.

The integrated graphics limit gaming or heavy 3D work capabilities, and the price may be higher than entry-level laptops. Also, the screen resolution, while sharp, is not 4K, which might matter for some creative professionals. This ThinkPad is an excellent choice for business users and anyone needing a powerful, lightweight laptop with a strong focus on build quality, productivity, and portability.

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) is a powerful gaming laptop designed to handle demanding games and multitasking with ease. Its Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU delivers excellent speed and graphics performance, making it well-suited for gamers seeking smooth gameplay and high frame rates. The 32GB of DDR5 memory is generous, ensuring quick responses and the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously without slowdowns. Storage is ample with a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, offering fast load times and plenty of space for games and files.

The 16-inch ROG Nebula display stands out with a sharp 2.5K resolution, a fast 240Hz refresh rate, and low 3ms response time. This means visuals are crisp and animations look fluid, which is a big plus for gaming and video enjoyment. The display also reduces glare, making it easier to see in different lighting conditions. ASUS’s advanced cooling system with vapor chamber and liquid metal helps keep the laptop quiet and cool during intense sessions, which is crucial for comfort and performance.

Connectivity options include the latest Wi-Fi 7 for fast internet and several USB 3.0 ports, supporting a range of accessories. The laptop runs on Windows 11 Home, offering a familiar and user-friendly interface. Design-wise, it includes a customizable RGB light bar for gamers who like personalization, with a stealth mode to turn off lighting for a more professional look. One convenient feature is the tool-less upgrade system, allowing easy memory or storage upgrades without needing special tools. The laptop weighs about 6 pounds, which is typical for high-performance gaming machines, though it may be less convenient for daily portability. Battery life is generally shorter on gaming laptops due to powerful components. The included 3-month PC Game Pass adds extra value for gamers wanting access to many titles.

This ASUS ROG Strix G16 is an excellent option for those seeking a high-end gaming laptop with outstanding speed, visuals, and upgrade flexibility, but it might not be the best choice if lightweight design or extended battery life are top priorities.