GoodLaptops: Your Guide to the Best Laptops

Shopping for a new laptop but not sure where to start? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about choosing the best laptops for your needs and budget. We’ll discuss key factors to consider, top brands, expert reviews, direct comparisons, recommendations across categories, essential accessories, maintenance tips, useful software, and exciting emerging technologies. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

• Laptop Buying Guide
• Top Laptop Brands
• Good Laptops Reviews
• Laptop Comparison
• Best Budget Laptops
• Best Laptops for Mainstream
• Best 2-in-1 Laptops
• Best Gaming Laptops
• Best Business Laptops
• Laptop Accessories
• Laptop Maintenance
• Laptop Software
• Laptop Technology Trends
• Frequently Asked Questions

Laptop Buying Guide

When looking for a good laptop, it’s important to think about how you plan to use it.

Consider factors like screen size, weight, battery life, storage, RAM, CPU power, graphics capability, keyboard comfort and more.

Make a list of what’s most important to you – gaming performance? portability? – and use it to guide your search.

Setting a budget will also help narrow things down. Get a general idea of what different features cost.

With your needs and ideal price point in mind, you’ll be ready to start researching specific models.

Be sure to check our laptop buying guide for additional guidance.

Top Laptop Brands

There are quite a few reputable laptop manufacturers to choose from in 2023. Some of the top brands include:

• Dell – Covers all bases with solid consumer and business models. Often touted for support.
• HP – Offerings span budget to high-end. Strong lineup of convertibles.
• Lenovo – Acquired IBM’s PC business. Known for dependable workstation-class ThinkPad series.
• Apple – Premium build quality and seamless macOS/iOS integration.
• Acer – Budget-friendly price points across range of products.
• Asus – Renowned for affordable books and gaming-centric Republic of Gamers (ROG) line.
• Microsoft – Innovative detachable Surface devices feature pen integration.
• Razer – Cutting-edge gaming laptops boast top-notch performance.
• MSI – Impressive gaming rigs with the latest components.

Brand isn’t everything, but reputable companies tend to have better support, build quality and device longevity

Good Laptops Reviews

Expert reviews can provide in-depth insight into a laptop’s real-world strengths and weaknesses.

Trusted publications like CNET, Laptop Mag, Wired, PCWorld, The Verge, and Tom’s Guide evaluate everything from specs and performance to ergonomics and battery life.

Generally speaking, look for 4-star ratings or higher.

80% scores and above also indicate solid marks.

Additionally, Reddit is a great source for crowdsourced user impressions.

Be sure to check out the good laptop reviews section of our site too!

Laptop Comparison

Once you have a few models in mind, directly comparing them can make your final decision easier.

Sites like Laptop Mag allow you to add laptops to a comparison table side-by-side.

Evaluate their specs, ratings, prices and more.

Key factors to scrutinize are CPU, RAM storage, graphics, display resolution and battery life.

Look for the right balance of performance, portability and features for your needs.

Our laptop comparison tables let you pit your top contenders against each other as well.

Best Budget Laptops

Just because money is tight doesn’t mean you have to settle for the bare minimum.

There are plenty of affordable laptops these days that offer decent specs and solid user experiences.

The key is sticking to reputable brands and knowing what to look for.

Our budget laptop buying guide highlights models under $600 that provide good bang for your buck.

Standouts include the Acer Aspire 5, Asus VivoBook 15, HP Pavilion 15, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and more.

Check them out in our best laptops under $600 roundup!

Best Laptops for Mainstream

If you just need an all-around good laptop for everyday home and office tasks, look no further than mainstream models in the $600 to $1,000 range.

These tend to offer the best balance of portability, screen size, speed and features for most people.

Top picks span varied needs and prices like the Dell XPS 13, HP Envy x360 13, Acer Swift 3, Asus Zenbook 14 and Lenovo Yoga 7i.

Peruse our mainstream selections in the best laptops section!

Best 2-in-1 Laptops

2-in-1 laptops, also known as convertibles, offer the versatility of transforming between a laptop and tablet.

Models with 360 degree hinges can flip the keyboard around to use as more of a slate.

While detachables allow you to completely remove the keyboard.

If you want the flexibility of touchscreen functionality plus laptop horsepower, these hybrid devices deserve a close look.

Standout 2-in-1s span budget picks like the HP Chromebook x360 to premium choices like the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.

Check our top 2-in-1 laptops for some great hybrid options!

Best Gaming Laptops

Gaming laptops need serious specs to deliver smooth, high-fidelity gameplay.
Dedicated graphics cards, powerful processors and rapid solid state storage provide the brute force for running graphics-intensive modern titles.

Improved thermal solutions help prevent game-slowing throttling as things heat up.

Plus gamer aesthetic flourishes like customizable RGB lighting aggressive styling set these rigs apart.

Leading for gaming notebooks include Razer, Alienware, Asus RO G and MSI. Expect to spend $1,000+ for systems packing the GPU muscle of NVIDIA 3060/3070 graphics or AMD RX 6000M series and up.

Check out our guide to best gaming laptops for this year’s top performers!

Best Business Laptops

Those shopping for a work laptop value durability, security, compatibility with enterprise solutions and software support above all else.

While sleekness, business models emphasize resilience and functionality with MIL-STD 810H certification against shock, vibration, dust, altitude and extreme temperatures.

Manageability features like Intel vPro simplify remote administration and troubleshooting for IT teams.

And docking station support makes it easy to connect into full desktop setups at the office.

Top picks include stalwarts the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 or HP Elite Dragonfly Chrome along with the well-rounded Dell Latitude 9430.

See our recommended business laptops for more top corporate options.

Laptop Accessories

A good laptop is only as strong as its supporting accessories!

Essentials like protective bags, wireless mice, cooling pads and external webcams have become productivity necessities for many professionals working from home.

Portable external storage helps keep your files safely backed up and readily accessible across devices.

Compact Bluetooth speakers upgrade your audio experience.

While USB-C docks transform your notebook into a full desktop workstation in a snap.

Check our laptop accessories hub for our favorite gadgets and add-ons to expand what your mobile rig can do!

Laptop Maintenance

With proper care and maintenance, your investment in a good laptop can last 5+ years.

Some best practices include keeping it updated with the latest OS patches/security fixes, running regular virus scans, and installing software updates as they become available.

Make use of built-in recovery tools if you notice system slowdowns to refresh your machine.

Back up important data regularly either to an external drive or cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox.

Don’t overload power strips and avoid covering vents to prevent overheating issues.

Carefully cleaning fans/vents can also improve system longevity.

And don’t forget to fully drain and recharge batteries every few months to keep capacity up.

Review our laptop maintenance tips for more ways to maximize your device’s lifespan.

Laptop Software

The right software can greatly enhance your laptop experience.

For productivity, Microsoft 365 remains the gold standard for office essentials like Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more with 1TB cloud storage – often bundled free with new laptops.

Adobe CC offers creative apps like Photoshop and Premiere.

While Grammarly, Evernote and Slack drive written communication.

Security suites like McAfee or Norton 360 safeguard against viruses and online threats.

For PC gaming, Steam and Epic Games provide game sales/libraries plus community hubs.

Media apps like VLC play everything.

And utilities like CCleaner help optimize system performance.

Per our recommended laptop software for the top free and paid options sure to supercharge productivity.

Laptop Technology Trends

Laptop capabilities continue advancing at a blazing pace thanks to next-gen tech. AI-enhanced are unlocking conveniences like facial recognition login and contextual recommendations.

5G connectivity promises near-instant cloud access and downloads from anywhere.

Foldable OLED displays are pioneering larger screen real estate that collapses into compact form factors.

NVIDIA RTX graphics and AMD RDNA 2 bring cinematic-quality ray tracing and high frame rates for immersive gaming.

While VR/AR-ready configs are set to power experiences beyond screen.

As you shop for a new laptop, keep an eye on the latest technology innovations that will shape capabilities. Premium models are pushing boundaries today that will become standard in just a few years.

For a closer look at emerging laptop tech trends, head over to our laptop technology news hub.

So there you have it! A comprehensive guide covering factors to consider, expert advice, product recommendations and technology horizons in the world of laptops. For additional guidance tailoring your search, please check out the rest of our site. Our laptop experts are also happy to answer any questions not covered here via email or a comment. Happy laptop hunting!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much should I budget and spend for a good laptop?

A: Budget laptops start around $300. Mainstream home/office laptops fall in the $600-$1000 range. Power users and gamers should expect to spend $1000+. Set a budget based on your needs and stick to models with the necessary specs in that price tier.

Q: Are Mac’s worth the extra cost over Windows laptops?

A: Apple MacBooks command a premium for their stellar hardware design, seamless iOS ecosystem integration, and user-friendly macOS. However, comparable Windows laptops offer more configuration flexibility and software compatibility for often hundreds less. Shop based on OS preference, budget and workflow compatibility needs.

Q: Should I buy an extended warranty for my laptop?

A: For costly models, 1-3 years of extended warranty can provide peace of mind by covering part failures outside the 1 year included standard warranty. Just be sure to read the fine print on coverage inclusions. Many issues can be avoided with proper maintenance and care for your laptop.

Q: How long do laptop batteries last?

A: With regular use, expect 2-4 years from a lithium ion laptop battery before capacity degrades noticeably requiring replacement. Limiting screen brightness, avoiding full discharge cycles, and preventing overcharging can help prolong battery lifespan.

Q: Should I get a standard laptop or 2-in-1 convertible?

A: Traditional laptops excel at productivity and entertainment. 2-in-1 convertibles with rotating hinges or detachable keyboards offer added flexibility for touchscreen functionality. Choose based on your workflow and budget needs. Detachable tablets sacrifice some processing power for maximum portability.

Q: Is a Chromebook sufficient for most home users vs Windows/Mac?

A: ChromeOS powered Chromebooks provide reliable, hassle-free computing for light tasks like email, documents, browsing. However, the inability to install traditional applications limits capabilities vs mainstream Windows/macOS laptops better suited for heavier productivity, creative workloads.

Q: How important is display resolution and panel quality?

A: Higher resolution displays look sharper but demand more processing resources. For proper image rendering, ensure your laptop’s GPU can support intensive 2K/4K outputs. Panel types like IPS/OLED offer wider viewing angles with color/contrast accuracy preferred by creative professionals.

Q: Should I pay more for SSD storage over HDD in a good laptop?

A: Solid state drives (SSDs) greatly accelerate system response and application/file load times over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Their durability also better withstands vibration from mobile use. Faster NVMe SSDs are ideal for performance-hungry gaming and creative workloads.

Q: How essential is an anti-virus security suite for my laptop?

A: Running reputable endpoint protection software is highly recommended to safeguard against viruses, malware, phishing attacks and online threats especially on Windows machines frequently accessing the internet. Free built-in protections have gaps better fortified by robust commercial products.

Now another question you may be thinking about is What Laptop Should I Buy?