A selection of the best laptops worth buying by the end of 2023

Are you currently in the market for a new laptop? We've compared various models, including the Apple MacBook, Asus Zenbook, ROG, Lenovo Yoga and more, to help you find the best laptop as we approach the end of 2023.

The concept of "best laptop" is subjective and depends on individual needs and preferences. What works for one person may not be ideal for another, depending on factors such as operating system preference (macOS or Windows), screen size from small to 17 inches, preference for a lightweight ultraportable for easy mobility, or a high-performance machine for gaming enthusiasts . Therefore, our list covers the best laptops of 2023 that cater to a variety of needs and requirements.

The Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (UM5302) takes center stage as the standout laptop of 2023 in Asus' diverse range. This ultrabook offers a comprehensive package with a noticeable accent. Asus chose the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U chip, which gives it a distinct advantage in design. The device boasts high-quality components, an elegant finish and impressive thinness, making it a top pick in our selection, as well as a wide range of connectivity options.

One of the notable features of the Zenbook S 13 is its gorgeous 13,3-inch OLED display. Although its brightness may be a bit modest, the flawless quality of the OLED technology makes it stand out from the crowd. At the top of the screen is a webcam, which, while not exceptional, meets the standard quality found in similar laptops.

Under the hood, Zenbook S 13 is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor with Zen3+ architecture. The configuration includes 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a capacious 2 TB M.1 NVMe SSD. Although this ultraportable laptop is not specifically designed for resource-intensive games, it copes well with tasks related to office productivity and video content consumption.

Despite the enormous power of the Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED, there may be concerns about its durability. However, tests show that it can easily withstand a full day of mixed use. The software suite is comprehensive, and at a starting price of $1499, this laptop consistently delivers solid performance.

Unfortunately, availability of the Zenbook S 13 OLED on various e-commerce platforms can be problematic. For an easier purchase, it is recommended that you consider purchasing directly from the official Asus website. This will ensure a smoother purchase process, potentially alleviating any difficulties associated with finding the product on other retail sites.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon (13IAP7): The best laptop for office automation

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon (13IAP7) is the optimal choice for those looking for an ultraportable laptop for office tasks. Despite its compact design, this model delivers impressive performance. It is important to note that during testing, the model provided by the brand encountered a white space issue. Although this is not a widespread problem, it is worth being aware of this potential drawback.

The laptop is equipped with a touch interface with a 13,3-inch LCD panel with an aspect ratio of 16:10 and a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz. The display has a color temperature of 6400K and, importantly, a brightness of 361cd/m2, making it well suited for sRGB.

In tests, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Carbon is equipped with an Intel Core i7-1260P processor and 16 GB of RAM. Different versions of this Intel processor laptop cater to different budget considerations. The installed components contribute to the powerful internal power supply of the laptop, although it is worth noting that the lower part of the case has a tendency to heat up.

The laptop's 50 Wh battery supports all Power Delivery-compliant chargers, providing 9 to 10 hours of battery life, according to testing. Thus, this ultraportable laptop meets almost all the criteria needed for office automation.

While this particular model may become less available, alternatives like the Yoga Slim 7 Carbon, available in both 13-inch and 14-inch variants, are compelling options worth exploring.

Honor MagicBook 14 AMD (2022): The best cheap laptop

The Honor MagicBook 14 AMD (2022) is the best choice for those looking for an affordable laptop without compromising on quality. This sub-$1000 ultra-portable laptop combines aesthetics and practicality while delivering solid performance in its budget range.

Despite its somewhat classic design, this ultraportable device is a bit heavier than its contemporaries, weighing in at 1,32 kilograms. However, the aluminum body and 180-degree universal hinge contribute to an excellent overall finish, enhancing its portability.

A special feature of the Honor MagicBook is its excellent battery life, which provides an excellent price-quality ratio. Charged via USB-C with Power Delivery, the 56Wh battery lasted an impressive 13 hours and 18 minutes in testing, making it the leader among ultraportables.

Internally, the Honor MagicBook is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5500U processor with 6 cores. Complementing it is an AMD Radeon Vega 7 GPU, 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and a 256GB SSD for data storage. Although this laptop is not designed for resource-intensive tasks, it does a great job with many free games and software within its capabilities.

At $749, the Honor MagicBook is often discounted, solidifying its position as our top recommendation for the best laptop available. The combination of a competitive price, reliable performance and impressive features make it an excellent choice for consumers on a tight budget.

Asus ROG Flow X16 2022 (GV601): Versatile gaming laptop

Asus ROG Flow X16 2022 (GV601) is a versatile gaming laptop that combines power and adaptability. Offering a unique ability to transform into a tablet, this device satisfies a variety of user needs, albeit at a hefty price. With a 16-inch QHD screen with a refresh rate of 165 Hz, it provides an immersive gaming experience.

The design of the laptop, presented in a muted dark gray color, deserves praise for the quality of the material on the back panel, which provides an extremely pleasant tactile sensation. A special feature of the laptop is its ability to fold 360 degrees, demonstrating unprecedented adaptability, and all this at a weight of 2,1 kg.

Inside, the ROG Flow X16 impresses with its enormous power. With an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, it delivers impressive performance capable of handling demanding games. When working in the office, the laptop works quietly.

The notable trade-off, however, is a slightly disappointing battery life of six hours in our testing. This can limit its productivity during a full working day without much sacrifice. In addition, the high price of $3,000 positions it as a premium choice.

For those looking for cutting-edge technology, the Asus Zenbook 17 Fold OLED offers a foldable laptop. Despite its innovativeness, its exorbitant price serves as a restraining factor. Still, it's an intriguing exploration of laptop assembly technology with potential for future development.

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 2022 (G533Z): The best gaming laptop

Aiming to refresh its gaming lineup in 2022, Asus introduces the ROG Strix Scar 15, positioning it as a technological marvel that showcases the highest level of performance hardware. Apart from impressive specs, this gaming laptop has attractive features that will grab your attention.

The configuration of the Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 is nothing more than a formidable Intel Core i9-12900H processor paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti or 3070 graphics card, depending on the selected version. Coupled with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this combination makes the laptop one of the best in this selection, handling games and multitasking perfectly. The icing on the cake is the ability to play games in QHD format with a stunning 240Hz refresh rate thanks to the exceptional display – a clear indication that this laptop is made especially for gaming enthusiasts.

Crafted from high-quality materials, ROG Strix Scar 15 is a well-designed product that demonstrates durability and reliability. However, it's worth noting that given the sheer power it packs, a certain level of thickness is expected as a trade-off. A notable drawback is the lack of a webcam, which potentially limits its use in professional settings.

For those looking for the epitome of power, the 2023 ROG Strix Scar 17 takes center stage as the most powerful laptop available. With a Ryzen 7950 processor and RTX 4090 graphics card, this model is the best choice for those who want maximum performance for any computing task. If uncompromising power is your priority, the Scar 17 is the best choice in the ASUS ROG gaming lineup.

Apple MacBook Pro 16 M2 Pro 2023: The best MacBook

Apple MacBook Pro 16 M2 Pro 2023 is the best MacBook, which offers a great combination of design, performance and features. Staying true to the sleek design and premium finish of its predecessor, the 2021 MacBook Pro, Apple retains its aesthetic appeal with an unchanged body. The keyboard remains pleasant to the touch, and the advanced touchpad continues to be one of the best in the industry.

This MacBook Pro still boasts the excellent mini LED panel introduced with the iPad Pro. It provides impressive contrast, brightness and an adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz. The accuracy and clarity of color rendering (3 x 456 pixels) make it one of the best laptop displays on the market. However, the presence of a notch on the screen, devoid of the benefits of Face ID, may leave users with some reservations.

The main upgrade is the introduction of the M2 Max chip, which shows reliable power that easily competes with Intel's most powerful chips. In particular, it manages the temperature perfectly, maintaining performance even when running on battery power. With an impressive battery life of 9 to 10 hours, this MacBook Pro delivers exceptional endurance.

Catering to professional needs, the MacBook Pro 16 M2 Pro is particularly well-suited for video and photo work. This makes it a worthwhile investment for those on a budget. However, for simpler tasks such as watching videos and working from home, the MacBook Air may prove to be a more cost-effective choice.

Apple MacBook Air 13 M2 2022: The most balanced MacBook

Apple MacBook Air 13 M2 2022 stands out as the most balanced MacBook. It offers a compelling combination of price, design and performance. Initially, its price created a bit of an awkward situation, but with further adjustments it has become a more recommended option, especially compared to its predecessor, the M1.

The chassis has undergone a facelift, the first major change since 2008. However, a potential drawback is the concentration of connectors on the left side of the laptop. The 13-inch 60Hz LCD screen, while good, can't match some OLED models.

Powered by Apple's M2 chip, an improved version of its predecessor, the MacBook Air 13 M2 delivers solid performance without revolutionary changes. In particular, thanks to the well-optimized macOS software, it works quietly and easily copes with everyday tasks.

One of its features is impressive battery life, capable of withstanding two full days of use with moderate multitasking applications. However, users should be aware of heat as it can affect performance and reduce battery life. Charging flexibility is provided by supporting any charger compatible with the Power Delivery standard.

With a discounted price that now starts at $1299, the MacBook Air 13 M2 is an attractive option. In addition, the arrival of the new 15-inch MacBook Air M2 with a large 15,3-inch screen and a starting price of $1 adds even more appeal to those looking for a family PC or laptop with a large screen for work.

What to consider when buying a laptop

• Appointment: Think about what you will be using the laptop for most of the time. If you're a student, you need a laptop that can handle basic tasks like word processing, web browsing, and email. If you are a gamer, you will need a laptop with a powerful graphics card. And if you're a professional who needs to use demanding software, you'll need a laptop with a powerful processor and plenty of RAM.
• Productivity: The performance of your laptop will be determined by its processor, RAM and storage. The processor is the brain of the computer that determines how fast the laptop can run programs. RAM is the computer's short-term memory, which determines how many programs the laptop can run at the same time. Storage is the long-term memory of the computer, which determines how much data the laptop can store.
• Portability: If you plan to take your laptop with you on the road, you need to think about its portability. The weight and size of the laptop will be important factors to consider.
• Display: The display is the screen of the laptop, so it is important to consider its size, resolution and type. The size of the display determines how easy it is to see the screen. The resolution of the display determines how clear the image will be. And the type of display determines how bright and colorful the image will be.
• Operating System: An operating system is the software that runs on a laptop and determines what programs you can run. The most popular operating systems for laptops are Windows and macOS.
• Connection: Consider what type of connection you need for your laptop. If you need to be able to connect to the Internet wirelessly, you will need a laptop with Wi-Fi. If you need to connect to other devices, such as printers and scanners, you'll need a laptop with USB ports.
• Battery life: The battery life of a laptop is the time it can work on a single charge. If you plan to use your laptop away from an outlet, you need to consider battery life.
• Budget: Laptops can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. It's important to set a budget for yourself before you start shopping.

Additional tips for buying a laptop

• Do your research before you buy. Read reviews of different laptops and compare prices.
• Buy from a verified seller. This will help ensure that you are getting a quality product and that you have someone to turn to if you have any problems with your laptop.
• Consider purchasing a warranty. This will protect you in case your laptop breaks.
• Familiarize yourself with the laptop before you start using it. This will help you avoid any problems and get the most out of your new purchase.