What laptop do I actually need? Find the right model for you

When it comes to choosing a new laptop, the options available can be overwhelming. You need to think about everything from the screen size and amount of storage to just how much memory and processor speed you require. Then there’s the ultimate choice of Mac or PC to throw into the mix.

The good news is that unless you’re doing intensive video production or competitive gaming, any of the laptops on this list will cater to your needs. But don’t worry. We’ve got suggestions for gamers and video editors, too.

The benefit of a laptop over a desktop computer is that it’s portable, so you can take it with you when you travel or use the same device at work as you do at home.

With that in mind, you might want to opt for a smaller display to keep the laptop small and light, especially if you can plug into an external monitor. Or if you’re happy to carry a little more weight around in your bag, you can benefit from a bigger screen and faster performance.

The very latest laptops also offer AI capabilities to make your laptop workflow even easier. This can mean built-in voice assistance and predictive prompts to make tasks quicker and easier. Each manufacturer has different names for these services but ultimately, they all work in similar ways.

Our top picks

So what are the best laptops to buy right now? Our top choices include three models that combine style with performance and practicality. They’ll plough through more intensive tasks, such as image editing, in no time and turn working from home into a luxury experience.

The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED has a stylish simplicity to its design, yet under the skin it boasts some of the highest specs on the market. Its 14-inch display is an OLED touchscreen, giving you superb picture quality and the freedom to touch, pinch or swipe directly on the screen. It’s powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and Intel Arc Graphics, with a generous 1TB SSD for storage and 32GB of memory, which means it can handle more tasks at once.

The Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 features a slightly larger 15.6-inch AMOLED display, giving you more workspace while remaining extremely portable. AMOLED screens offer even better performance than OLED screens, making them better for movies and gaming.

Boasting Intel’s Core Ultra 5 processor inside, the Book5 360 delivers up to 31 hours of battery life to keep going when on the move. This model features 256GB SSD storage and 16GB of memory, which is plenty for most users.

For Apple fans, the MacBook Air 15-inch M3 is an extremely capable laptop and looks great, too. Weighing just 1.51kg, it’s one of the lightest 15-inch machines around, and at just 1.15cm thick, it’s easy to carry everywhere. Its M3 chip is lightning fast and is backed up here by 16GB memory and a 256GB SSD for storage.

Best models for work and play

If you're looking for a solid but stylish work machine, the Microsoft Surface 13.5-inch Laptop could be right up your street. With its 13.5-inch screen, it's compact enough to slip into your work bag, and weighs less than 1.3kg. Plus, it features Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, 12th generation i5 or 17 Intel Core processor, 8GB RAM and up to 512GB SSD storage.

Another model to consider is the Asus Vivobook. This well-priced laptop features a large 15.6-inch HD screen and a 13th-generation i5 Intel Core processor. Its 180-degree hinge design allows you to fold completely flat, plus it features a decent 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage.

If you want a few more options, take a look at the HP Omnibook X, Acer Swift AI and Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360. These are great alternatives that also provide a healthy dose of features for your money.

Looking for something more budget-friendly? If you just want to browse the web and use basic office tools, a Chromebook is also worth considering as they provide all the basic functions for a fraction of the price of a fully fledged Windows or Mac device. Some models to look at would be the Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3 Chromebook, Samsung Chromebook Plus and Acer Chromebook Plus.

Best for intense gaming or design

Asus ROG – or Republic of Gamers, to give it its full name – produces some cracking gaming laptops. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 is a high-performance model that comes at a relatively affordable price. It features a 16-inch OLED screen with 240Hz (the G14 model is also great for portability), which offers incredible image quality. It also includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card for serious gaming power. If you want bigger and better, opt for the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which features an 18-inch 240Hz display and RTX 4090 graphics card.

Other gaming laptops worth considering include the Acer Nitro, the HP Victus, and the Lenovo Legion Slim5. These great alternatives give you plenty of power for your gaming needs without breaking the bank.

For professional video and audio editors, there’s one machine that has become a staple, and that’s the MacBook Pro. The latest Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max is the most powerful model to date. Available in both the 14-inch and 16-inch display sizes, you can customise the standard model up to a 40-core graphics processor, 128GB memory and 8TB of storage.

Still not made your mind up? You can discover lots of these models and more at EE.