10 Best PC laptops 2026 in the United States

The 2025 Apple MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a strong choice if you want a lightweight, highly portable laptop that excels in everyday tasks and creative work. Its new M4 processor delivers fast performance for multitasking, video editing, and even some gaming, while the 16GB of unified memory helps keep things running smoothly. The 256GB SSD offers quick storage access but may feel limited if you store large files or many apps, so external storage or cloud options might be necessary.

The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp with vibrant colors, making it great for photo viewing, video streaming, and detailed work. Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours on video streaming, which means you can use it a full day without needing to recharge. Graphics are integrated, which suits most users well but might not be ideal for very demanding 3D games or professional video rendering. Connectivity options include two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, headphone jack, and modern wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, covering most everyday needs.

The build is sleek and light at just under 3 pounds, combined with a sturdy design and a comfortable backlit keyboard with Touch ID for security. macOS provides a smooth experience, especially if you use other Apple devices, thanks to tight integration features like iPhone mirroring and seamless app syncing. If you value portability, display quality, long battery life, and a smooth Apple ecosystem experience, this MacBook Air represents a compelling option. However, if you need more storage or dedicated high-end graphics, you might want to consider other models or external solutions.

The Apple 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 Pro chip is a powerful laptop that excels in performance and display quality. Its 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU deliver strong speed and graphics capabilities, making it great for demanding tasks like coding, video editing, and design work. With 24GB of unified memory, it handles multitasking smoothly, and the 512GB SSD offers fast storage, though some users might want more space for large files.

The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is bright and sharp, ideal for creative work and media consumption. Battery life is impressive, providing all-day use whether plugged in or not, which adds to its portability. Weighing just over 3.5 pounds and measuring about 0.6 inches thick, it’s fairly easy to carry around. The build quality is premium with features like a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader, giving it a sleek and secure design.

Running on macOS, it supports popular apps like Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, optimized for Apple silicon. The integrated graphics perform well for most tasks but might not satisfy users needing very high-end gaming or specialized 3D rendering. The 512GB storage capacity may require external drives for very large storage needs. This MacBook Pro is ideal for professionals and creatives looking for a powerful, portable laptop with excellent battery life and display, though those requiring top-tier gaming performance or extra storage should consider these factors.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch is a strong choice if you want a lightweight and stylish laptop with excellent performance for everyday tasks and creative work. Its new M4 chip offers a fast and smooth experience, whether you're juggling multiple apps, editing videos, or even playing some games. The 16GB of unified memory helps keep things running without slowdowns, though the 256GB storage might feel limited if you work with lots of large files or media. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp, showing rich colors that make photos and videos look fantastic. Battery life is impressive, giving you up to 18 hours of use, so it’s great for long days without needing a charger.

For graphics, the integrated M4 GPU handles most visuals well but isn’t designed for heavy gaming or high-end 3D work. Portability is a highlight: at just over 3 pounds and slim, it’s easy to carry around. Connectivity is good with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe charging, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3, but the limited number of ports may require adapters for some users. The build quality and design feel premium and modern, with features like a backlit keyboard, Touch ID for security, and a sharp 12MP webcam for video calls.

Running macOS, it integrates smoothly with other Apple devices, which is a big plus if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem. This laptop is ideal for users who prioritize portability, battery life, and a vivid display for general productivity, creative tasks, or multimedia consumption. If you need a lot of storage or plan on heavy gaming or specialized software, you might want to consider models with more storage or dedicated graphics.