Choosing the perfect laptop is a subjective decision shaped by your primary usage requirements, favored operating system, and financial constraints. In essence, there isn’t a single “best” laptop available. This truth can be exasperating for both consumers and those providing “best laptop” recommendations, as it is impossible to customize advice for everyone in the market for a new device. While I cannot deliver tailored suggestions for each person, I can lead you toward some excellent selections validated by the Mashable team and myself.
**Top laptops to consider in 2025**
As of July 2025, the latest 15-inch **Apple MacBook Air (M4)** is our top recommendation for the majority. This elegant laptop boasts remarkable performance, accommodates two external displays, includes a 12MP Center Stage camera, and begins at a competitive $1,199, which is $100 lower than its M3 predecessor. Moreover, Amazon regularly features it on sale.
The finest Windows laptop we’ve examined is the 13.8-inch **Microsoft Surface Laptop 7**, an elegant and agile Copilot+ PC with an exceptional battery life of close to 23 hours. Microsoft also provides an Intel version for those apprehensive about app compatibility with Windows on ARM, though this particular model is business-focused and priced higher.
**Prime Day laptop discounts are approaching**
If financial considerations are crucial, mid-summer presents a fantastic opportunity to purchase a laptop due to ongoing back-to-school promotions and the buzz around Prime Day, Amazon’s significant summer sale for Prime members. This year’s event is set for July 8 to 11, marking the longest Prime Day ever.
Generally, Amazon offers better-than-normal deals on laptops during Prime Day, concentrating on MacBooks, Surface laptops, and gaming laptops from Asus and Acer. Numerous models are available at new or historically low prices that are rare outside of Black Friday.
Prime Day also encourages other tech retailers like Best Buy to host their sales with competitive rates, yielding more chances for savings. Evaluating these deals is the best method to avoid overexpenditure, but I will also be monitoring the top Prime Day laptop bargains.
Continue reading for Mashable’s extensive guide to the best laptops of 2025. Note: We’ve included the prices and specifications of our tested units, which may not reflect each laptop’s base model.
**A word on tariffs**
Purchasing a new laptop is presently difficult due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on nearly all imports, which have unsettled the tech industry. Some manufacturers have raised prices, while others have suspended U.S. sales. We’re keeping an eye on this matter and will revise this article if any recommended models are impacted. So far, none have been affected, but the Asus ZenBook A14, a new contender we’re evaluating, is now $100 pricier due to tariffs.
**Upcoming reviews**
I am almost done assessing the **Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1)**, a serviceable laptop with a predecessor that earned a Mashable Choice Award. Upcoming evaluations include:
– The **Asus ZenBook A14**, a lightweight Copilot+ PC with a resilient “Ceraluminum” chassis, OLED display, and up to 32 hours of battery life. It won our Best of CES laptop award.
– The **Asus Vivobook S 15**, a sub-$1,000 Copilot+ PC featuring a 3K OLED display, RGB backlit keyboard, and up to 19 hours of battery life.
– The **Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 9)**, a mid-range laptop with an OLED touchscreen offering up to 23.5 hours of battery life.
– The **Acer Predator Helios 16**, a 16-inch RTX 4080 gaming laptop priced at $2,299.99.
– The **MSI Stealth A16 AI+**, a 16-inch RTX 4070 gaming laptop priced slightly under $2,000.
**Recent evaluations (that didn’t make the cut)**
I recently assessed the **Dell XPS 13 (9450)**, a 2024 Lunar Lake PC and the final model of its series, as Dell discontinued the XPS line earlier this year. It’s one of the most visually appealing laptops I’ve encountered, thanks to its edge-to-edge design and dual OLED touchscreen display, which is bright and resistant to glare. The XPS 13 performed over 13 hours in our battery life test, surpassing the category average.
However, the XPS 13 emphasizes aesthetics over practicality in frustrating manners. Its keyboard is cramped and firm, the touchpad is temperamental, and it lacks a headphone jack, providing only two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports. The value for its internals also falls short. My mid-range Intel Core Ultra 256V model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage retails for $1,849.99. Most laptops in this price segment deliver superior performance and additional storage. The XPS 13 starts at $