**How to Select the Ideal Laptop for Your Needs**
Choosing the ideal laptop is a deeply personal choice that relies on your individual requirements, preferred OS, and financial considerations. In essence, there isn’t a universally perfect “best” laptop.
This truth can be exasperating for both buyers and those responsible for recommending laptops. We can’t make tailored choices for everyone in search of a new device (as much as we wish we could). However, we can direct you toward some exceptional models that have undergone extensive testing and received endorsement from the Mashable team.
### Our Top Recommendations
As of November 2024, Mashable’s best overall laptop is the **[Microsoft Surface Laptop 7](https://mashable.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-7)**. This elegant Copilot+ device delivers remarkable performance, boasts an impressive battery life of nearly 23 hours, and includes fun AI features for those who appreciate them.
For fans of Apple, the **[15-inch M3 MacBook Air](https://mashable.com/review/m3-macbook-air-15-inch)** is our leading choice. This slim and powerful laptop offers a fantastic keyboard and supports two external displays even when closed. If you engage in photo or video editing, we suggest the **[14-inch M3 MacBook Pro](https://mashable.com/review/m3-14-inch-macbook-pro)** due to its speed, durability, and extensive battery life. However, this recommendation may evolve with the upcoming **[M4-series MacBook Pro](https://mashable.com/article/macbook-pro-m4-announcement)** release. Keep an eye out for our review.
For those seeking affordability, the **[Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3](https://mashable.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-go-3)** is our top choice among budget laptops. It merges a premium, ultra-portable design with a superb keyboard. If you’re aiming to spend under $500, take a look at the **[HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch](https://mashable.com/review/hp-chromebook-plus-15-6-inch)**, which features a large, vibrant display, reliable everyday performance, and some useful AI functionalities. It stands out as the best Chromebook we have assessed.
For gaming enthusiasts, the **[Alienware m16 R2](https://mashable.com/review/alienware-m16-r2)** is our preferred option. This mid-tier gaming laptop is incredibly fast and versatile enough for daily tasks when you’re not engrossed in games like *Cyberpunk 2077*.
We also highlight two remarkable 2-in-1 laptops. The **[Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2](https://mashable.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-studio-2-review)** is ideal for creative professionals, providing a sturdy structure, decent battery performance, and a design that allows it to transform into an easel. For heavy multitaskers, the **[Asus Zenbook Duo](https://mashable.com/review/asus-zenbook-duo)** stands out, with dual OLED screens, solid performance, and complimentary accessories like a stylus and detachable keyboard.
After extensive hours of researching laptops from leading brands, we’ve chosen these models because they are well-constructed, efficient for their intended tasks, and reasonably priced (or often discounted). At the very least, they exemplify what to search for within various categories of laptops. Why reinvent the wheel if it’s not necessary?
### Upcoming Releases
Alongside the M4-series MacBook Pro, we’re actively testing several other laptops, including the **[Dell XPS 13](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-dell-laptops)**, a Lunar Lake variant featuring an optional OLED display; the **[Asus Chromebook Plus CX34](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-chromebooks)**, an economical Chromebook; the **[HP Omen 17](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-gaming-laptops)**, a high-performance gaming laptop; and the latest **[Framework Laptop 13](https://mashable.com/roundup/best-repairable-laptops)**, a modular laptop. (The previous-gen Framework Laptop 13 was previously showcased as our top repairable laptop.) We will refresh this guide once our testing is concluded.
### Black Friday Laptop Offers
If your goal is to find a laptop within a particular budget, Black Friday is the perfect time to snag a deal. This year, Black Friday is on November 29, and numerous retailers are already treating the entire month as a sales bonanza.
Based on my experience covering Black Friday offers for Mashable since 2019, I anticipate that most of the best laptop deals will surface at