**What is the Top Laptop of 2024?**
As an experienced technology reviewer, I’ve assessed more than 59 laptops in my career. From awful devices I wouldn’t wish on my worst foe to forgettable mid-range models and remarkable machines worth every dollar, I’ve encountered everything.
Not to boast—alright, maybe just a tad—I’m quite meticulous when it comes to testing laptops. I subject them to extensive evaluations: battery longevity (if it doesn’t last at least 15 hours, it’s a no), performance stress assessments filled with resource-hogging Google Chrome tabs, durability tests, speaker quality evaluations, and outdoor visibility assessments. Moreover, I utilize industry-standard benchmarks like Geekbench and PCMark to determine how each laptop compares to others in the same price range.
Yet, the most critical question I ponder is, “Would I invest my own hard-earned cash in this?” If the answer is no, I won’t endorse it—unless it’s a stellar laptop for a particular niche.
Thus, after examining numerous laptops, one emerges as the *top laptop of 2024*: the **Microsoft Surface Laptop 7**.
### Reasons Why the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is the Top Laptop of 2024
To grasp why the Surface Laptop 7 is the leading choice for 2024, we need some historical background. Microsoft’s Surface series hasn’t always received great recommendations. Truthfully, I was not too favorable towards the Surface Laptop 5 when I reviewed it a few years back. The Surface Laptop 5, the genuine predecessor to the Surface Laptop 7, simply failed to meet my expectations then.
It wasn’t that the Surface laptops were terrible—they were just consistently overshadowed by cheaper, superior alternatives. Consequently, recommending them didn’t feel appropriate.
Fast forward to 2024, and I’m now wholeheartedly endorsing a Surface laptop. Here’s the reason.
### 1. Unrivaled Battery Longevity
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 showcases an astonishing battery life of **22 hours and 50 minutes**—close to an entire day of use! This is virtually unprecedented for Windows laptops. In fact, it’s the longest battery life we’ve ever registered at Mashable.
For context:
– **15-inch M3 MacBook Air**: 10 hours and 52 minutes
– **HP OmniBook X**: 16 hours and 47 minutes
– **Lenovo Yoga 9 2-in-1**: 7 hours and 21 minutes
What’s the secret to this remarkable battery performance? The innovative Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor. Intel chips simply can’t keep up anymore.
### 2. Performance That Surpasses M3 MacBooks
Let’s discuss performance. The Surface Laptop 7, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor, achieves a multi-core score of **14,548** on Geekbench 6. To put this in perspective:
– **14-inch M3 MacBook Pro**: 11,998
– **15-inch M3 MacBook Air**: 12,057
Indeed, you read correctly—the Surface Laptop 7 outshines Apple’s M3 MacBooks. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip is revolutionary, finally allowing Microsoft Surface laptops to realize their full capabilities.
### 3. AI Features Revitalize Windows Experience
Do you remember when using Windows was enjoyable? Microsoft is reintroducing that thrill with a host of new AI functionalities. From the ChatGPT competitor **Copilot** to AI-enabled tools like **Cocreator** in Paint, the Surface Laptop 7 rejuvenates the Windows experience, making it feel fresh and engaging once more.
These AI features are facilitated by the NPU (neural processing unit) integrated within the Snapdragon X Elite processor, distinguishing the Surface Laptop 7 as a leader in the AI-driven computing landscape.
### One Small Drawback
No laptop is flawless, and the Surface Laptop 7 is no different. The primary concern I encountered was app compatibility, particularly with the **Apple Music** app. Although it was the only application I faced issues with, it’s important to mention that some developers have not yet optimized their apps for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip.
Additionally, the Surface Laptop 7 isn’t suitable for intensive gaming. It lacks a dedicated GPU, meaning while light gaming is possible, more demanding games may not run seamlessly.
### What’s the Price of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7?
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is listed at **$1,599** on Amazon. However, it frequently comes with discounts. At the time of this writing, it’s $200 off, making it an even more appealing option.
### Concluding Thoughts
With its unmatched battery life, outstanding performance, and thrilling AI features, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is undoubtedly the premier laptop of 2024. While it presents a couple of minor issues, such as app compatibility concerns and limited gaming performance, its overall strengths position it as a top choice.