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What is the best laptop overall?

The Apple MacBook Air M3 has captured the top spot on our list of the best laptops of 2024. If you're looking for a do-it-all laptop that doesn't sacrifice portability and battery life for performance, the M3 MacBook Air is it. And it's available in 13- and 15-inch sizes, so you can choose between greater mobility or more workspace. The latest MacBook Air does start at $1,099, though, so we recommend the MacBook Air M1 as a lower-cost alternative to the newest Air model, as it’s still an all-around excellent laptop for $699. For those looking for a Windows alternative to the Air, HP’s Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent 13-inch, 2.2-pound laptop starting at $880, but frequently available for less than $500 and, in our tests, punches above that price in performance.

The major PC-makers all have new or updated models for 2024 rolling out now. (These are the most anticipated laptops we can't wait to get our hands on.) We've already reviewed several, including our picks for the best two-in-one, the 2024 HP Spectre x360 14, and the best creator laptop right now, the 2024 Asus ROG Zephyrus 14.

At CNET, we test all kinds of laptops -- from budget models for everyday tasks to high-performance laptops for gaming and content creation and everything in between. Each member of our team has decades of experience testing and reviewing laptops. We conduct performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use. This helps us find not only the best laptop overall but also the best laptop for your needs and in your price range.

Best laptops of 2024

For Apple's latest MacBook Air, little has changed from its predecessor beyond a move from Apple's M2 silicon to M3 chips. The performance differences are overall modest, but graphics performance does get a notable bump. The biggest feature additions are faster Wi-Fi 6E support and the capability to run dual external displays, albeit at the cost of having the Air's lid closed. Still, since Apple gave the M2 MacBook Air (our previous best overall laptop pick) the full update treatment, the fact the M3 version is nearly the same except for faster performance doesn't bother us in the slightest -- it's just that much better. And if you're still rocking an Intel-based Air or an M1 Air, the M3 MacBook Air is a worthy upgrade.

What is the best laptop overall?

The Apple MacBook Air M3 has captured the top spot on our list of the best laptops of 2024. If you're looking for a do-it-all laptop that doesn't sacrifice portability and battery life for performance, the M3 MacBook Air is it. And it's available in 13- and 15-inch sizes, so you can choose between greater mobility or more workspace. The latest MacBook Air does start at $1,099, though, so we recommend the MacBook Air M1 as a lower-cost alternative to the newest Air model, as it’s still an all-around excellent laptop for $699. For those looking for a Windows alternative to the Air, HP’s Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent 13-inch, 2.2-pound laptop starting at $880, but frequently available for less than $500 and, in our tests, punches above that price in performance.

The major PC-makers all have new or updated models for 2024 rolling out now. (These are the most anticipated laptops we can't wait to get our hands on.) We've already reviewed several, including our picks for the best two-in-one, the 2024 HP Spectre x360 14, and the best creator laptop right now, the 2024 Asus ROG Zephyrus 14.

At CNET, we test all kinds of laptops -- from budget models for everyday tasks to high-performance laptops for gaming and content creation and everything in between. Each member of our team has decades of experience testing and reviewing laptops. We conduct performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use. This helps us find not only the best laptop overall but also the best laptop for your needs and in your price range.

Best laptops of 2024

Apple MacBook Air M3

For Apple's latest MacBook Air, little has changed from its predecessor beyond a move from Apple's M2 silicon to M3 chips. The performance differences are overall modest, but graphics performance does get a notable bump. The biggest feature additions are faster Wi-Fi 6E support and the capability to run dual external displays, albeit at the cost of having the Air's lid closed. Still, since Apple gave the M2 MacBook Air (our previous best overall laptop pick) the full update treatment, the fact the M3 version is nearly the same except for faster performance doesn't bother us in the slightest -- it's just that much better. And if you're still rocking an Intel-based Air or an M1 Air, the M3 MacBook Air is a worthy upgrade.

Best Windows laptop

There are a lot of Windows laptops. A lot. Which makes narrowing it down to just one more than a little tricky. However, the HP Pavilion Plus is exemplary because it can meet the needs of a lot of people while still being affordable. It’s available in 14- and 16-inch sizes; we tested the 14-inch, which is small enough for travel but big enough that you won’t feel cramped while working. HP offers AMD and Intel processors, and it can be configured with entry-level discrete graphics too. There are also multiple displays to

The best computer for you depends on your specific needs, so it's important to consider factors such as processing power, physical footprint, and port selection. 

If you need a computer for demanding workloads, you may need to spend more on a system with one of the best graphics cards and best processors, like the Dell XPS desktop, which tops our list as the best computer overall.

Most people, however,won't need more than an iMac or Mac mini, both of which also earned spots on our list. Whether you're looking for a PC for everyday office work or looking to edit videos, play the best PC games, or just stream some movies after you get home from work, there is a computer out there that can get the job done. We've tested dozens of computers in the past several years, and we're here with our picks for the best computer in 2024 for your needs and budget.