Best PC Laptop
By Mick
| Updated 3 Days Ago
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Laptops have become essential for work, study, and entertainment, offering portability and power in a compact design, ideal for on-the-go computing. PC laptops, in particular, come in a wide variety of options to fit different needs and budgets. Key factors to consider when choosing a PC laptop include processor, RAM, and storage capacity for performance, screen size and resolution for viewing comfort, and battery life for those frequently away from power outlets. Durability and build quality also matter for long-term use. We tested and compared numerous PC laptops across brands and price points to find the best options, focusing on a balance of performance, features, and value for different users.
HP 15.6″ Student Laptop
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for students and casual users looking for a budget-friendly option with decent performance.
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for students and casual users looking for a budget-friendly option with decent performance.
We recently got our hands on this HP 15.6″ laptop, and we were pleasantly surprised by its performance given the price point. The Intel Pentium N200 processor isn’t a powerhouse, but it handled everyday tasks like web browsing and document editing without a hitch. We found the 16GB of RAM to be a standout feature, allowing us to keep multiple tabs and applications open without slowdowns.
The storage setup is a bit of a mixed bag. The 128GB SSD boots up quickly and feels snappy, but we filled it up fast. The included 128GB SD card helps, but we’d prefer more built-in storage. The 15.6″ display is serviceable for most tasks, though the 1366×768 resolution isn’t the sharpest we’ve seen.
We were impressed with the battery life, easily lasting through a full day of work or classes. The keyboard felt comfortable for long typing sessions, and we appreciated the included numeric keypad. While it’s not a gaming machine or video editing powerhouse, we think this HP laptop offers good value for students or anyone needing a reliable, budget-friendly computer for everyday use.
Naclud 17.3″ Laptop
We think this Naclud laptop offers good value for basic tasks, but power users may want more performance.
We think this Naclud laptop offers good value for basic tasks, but power users may want more performance.
We tested out this Naclud 17.3″ laptop and found it works well for everyday computing needs. The big screen makes it easy to see what we’re working on. Web browsing, email, and basic office tasks run smoothly.
The 128GB SSD boots up fast and loads programs quickly. We like that we can add more storage with the microSD slot or by upgrading the SSD. Battery life is great – we got through a full workday on a single charge.
For the price, this laptop is a good deal. But it’s not for heavy multitasking or demanding apps. The 4GB of RAM and basic processor can struggle with lots of open browser tabs or editing large files. Gamers and creatives will want something more powerful. Still, for students or casual users on a budget, it’s worth a look.
HP 14″ Ultralight Laptop
We recommend this laptop for students and budget-conscious users seeking a lightweight, portable device for basic tasks.
We recommend this laptop for students and budget-conscious users seeking a lightweight, portable device for basic tasks.
This HP laptop impressed us with its portability. At just over 3 pounds, we found it easy to carry around campus or to coffee shops. The slim profile slipped effortlessly into our backpacks.
We got through most of a workday on a single charge. The battery lasted about 9 hours during our real-world usage tests, which included web browsing and document editing.
The 14-inch screen was okay for basic tasks. We could read text and view images clearly enough, but the colors looked a bit washed out. For long work sessions, we wanted a sharper, brighter display.
Performance was adequate for everyday tasks. We could browse the web, write papers, and check email without issues. But when we tried to multitask with several apps open, things slowed down noticeably.
Storage space is tight. The 64GB filled up quickly once we installed a few programs and saved some files. We needed to rely on cloud storage or external drives for extra space.
For students or casual users on a budget, this laptop gets the job done. Just don’t expect it to handle demanding software or store lots of large files.
HP Ryzen 5 Laptop
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for most users, offering good performance and features at a reasonable price point.
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for most users, offering good performance and features at a reasonable price point.
We’ve been testing this HP laptop for a few weeks now, and it’s impressed us with its snappy performance. The AMD Ryzen 5 chip handles everyday tasks with ease. We had no trouble running multiple browser tabs, streaming video, and working on documents all at once.
The 15.6-inch Full HD screen looks great for the price. Colors are vibrant and text is sharp. We like the anti-glare coating, which helps reduce reflections in bright rooms. The built-in webcam works well enough for video calls, though the quality is just average.
We appreciate the variety of ports on this laptop. The USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet connections came in handy during our tests. The full-size keyboard with number pad is comfortable to type on for long periods. While the plastic chassis doesn’t feel premium, it keeps the weight down to a portable 3.9 pounds.
Battery life is decent but not outstanding. We got about 6-7 hours of real-world use before needing to plug in. The fan can get a bit noisy when pushing the system hard, but it’s not a deal-breaker. For most users looking for a capable, well-rounded laptop at a fair price, this HP model is worth considering.
HP Stream 14 Pink Laptop
We recommend this affordable and lightweight laptop for basic tasks and casual users on a budget.
We recommend this affordable and lightweight laptop for basic tasks and casual users on a budget.
The HP Stream 14 caught our eye with its fun pink color and slim profile. At just over 3 pounds, it’s easy to slip into a bag and take anywhere. We found the 14-inch screen big enough for comfortable viewing but still compact.
When we tested it out, the Intel Celeron processor handled basic web browsing and document editing just fine. The 16GB of RAM helped keep things running smoothly with multiple tabs open. But for anything more intense like photo editing or gaming, it started to lag.
Battery life impressed us – we got through a full workday on a single charge. The built-in webcam works well enough for video calls. We like that it comes with a year of Microsoft 365, giving access to Word, Excel and other useful apps. The 224GB total storage (64GB internal plus included external storage) is okay for documents and photos, but fills up fast with large files or programs.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus
We think this laptop is a great choice for power users who need a mix of performance and portability.
We think this laptop is a great choice for power users who need a mix of performance and portability.
We’ve been using the Dell Inspiron 16 Plus for a few weeks now, and it’s impressed us with its power. The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and RTX 4060 graphics card make quick work of demanding tasks. We edited 4K video and played some graphics-heavy games without a hitch.
The 16-inch screen is a standout feature. Its 2.5K resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio give us plenty of space for work and play. Colors look vivid and text is sharp. We like that we can see more of our documents and web pages without scrolling.
Battery life is another plus. We got through full workdays without needing to plug in. The 90Wh battery is larger than what you’ll find in many other laptops. It’s a nice touch for those who work on the go.
The laptop’s build feels solid, but it’s not the lightest option out there. At nearly 5 pounds, you’ll notice it in your bag. The power brick is also on the large side, which adds to the overall weight when traveling.
We found the keyboard comfortable for long typing sessions. The backlight is handy for low-light work. The fingerprint reader built into the power button makes logging in quick and secure.
For creatives and professionals who need power on the move, this Dell offers a lot. It’s not the cheapest option, but the performance justifies the price for those who will use its capabilities.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15″ Touchscreen
We think the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a solid choice for users seeking a versatile, mid-range laptop with ample memory and storage.
We think the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a solid choice for users seeking a versatile, mid-range laptop with ample memory and storage.
We tested the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 and found it to be a capable machine for everyday tasks. The 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor handled our workloads with ease. We noticed quick boot times and smooth multitasking thanks to the 40GB of RAM.
The 15.6-inch 1080p touchscreen looked crisp and bright. We liked using touch controls for scrolling and zooming. The anti-glare coating helped reduce reflections in bright rooms.
Battery life impressed us. We got close to 10 hours of mixed use on a single charge. This makes it great for working on the go without needing to hunt for an outlet.
We did notice the laptop felt a bit thin and flexible. While this keeps it light at 3.64 pounds, it doesn’t feel as sturdy as some pricier options. The keyboard worked well, but we missed having backlighting for low-light use.
Port selection is basic. We would have liked to see more USB ports and maybe a Thunderbolt option. Still, there’s enough here for most users’ needs.
For the price, we think this IdeaPad offers good value. It packs lots of RAM and a fast 1TB SSD into an affordable package. If you need a capable touchscreen laptop without breaking the bank, this is worth a look.
HP Essential 15.6″ Laptop
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for basic computing needs, offering good value for its price point.
We think this HP laptop is a solid choice for basic computing needs, offering good value for its price point.
We tested this HP laptop and found it to be a decent option for everyday tasks. The 32GB of RAM allows for smooth multitasking, while the 1TB SSD provides ample storage space. We appreciated how quickly it boots up and loads programs.
The 15.6-inch screen is a good size for work and entertainment. But we noticed the 1366 x 768 resolution isn’t the sharpest. Colors look a bit muted, and text isn’t as crisp as we’d like. Still, it’s fine for basic web browsing and document editing.
We liked the full-size keyboard with a number pad. It’s comfortable to type on for long periods. The laptop’s light weight makes it easy to carry around. Battery life is impressive – we got through a full workday on a single charge. While the Intel Celeron processor handles basic tasks well, it might struggle with more demanding apps or games.
HP 17 Business Powerhouse
We think this HP laptop offers great value for those needing a large screen and ample storage for work or school tasks.
We think this HP laptop offers great value for those needing a large screen and ample storage for work or school tasks.
The HP 17 Business laptop packs some nice specs into an affordable package. We love the roomy 17.3″ screen, which gives plenty of space for multitasking. The anti-glare coating helps reduce eye strain during long work sessions.
Under the hood, 32GB of RAM lets us run lots of apps and browser tabs without slowdowns. The 1TB SSD provides fast boot times and ample storage. Windows 11 Pro is a nice bonus for business users.
We did notice the Core i3 CPU isn’t the speediest for demanding tasks. The 1600×900 resolution also looks a bit fuzzy on the large display. And at nearly 5 pounds, it’s not the most portable option. But for the price, we think it’s a solid choice for basic productivity needs.
HP Pavilion 15.6″ Touchscreen
We recommend this HP Pavilion for budget-conscious users seeking a versatile touchscreen laptop with ample storage and memory.
We recommend this HP Pavilion for budget-conscious users seeking a versatile touchscreen laptop with ample storage and memory.
We’ve spent time with this HP Pavilion, and it’s a solid choice for everyday computing. The touchscreen is nice and responsive, making it easy to navigate Windows 11. We liked how we could flip the screen around and use it as a tablet.
The 32GB of RAM is more than enough for most users. We had no trouble running multiple apps and browser tabs at once. The storage is split between a 512GB SSD and a 512GB external drive. This gives you speedy boot times and plenty of space for files.
We found the Intel Core i3 processor adequate for basic tasks like web browsing and office work. It’s not meant for heavy gaming or video editing, though. The 15.6″ screen is on the larger side, which we appreciate, but the 1366×768 resolution isn’t the sharpest. For most everyday use, it’s fine.
Buying Guide
When shopping for the best PC laptop, we recommend focusing on a few key factors:
Processor
The processor is the brain of your laptop. Look for recent Intel Core i5 or i7 models, or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 chips. These offer good performance for most users.
RAM
We suggest at least 8GB of RAM. This allows smooth multitasking. 16GB is even better for future-proofing.
Storage
Choose between faster but pricier SSDs or larger but slower HDDs. We prefer SSDs for their speed. 256GB is a good starting point.
Display
Screen size affects portability. 13-15 inches works well for most. Consider resolution too – 1080p is standard, but 4K offers sharper images.
Battery Life
Look for laptops that can last 8+ hours on a charge. This varies based on usage, so check expert reviews.
Build Quality
A sturdy laptop lasts longer. Metal bodies often feel more premium than plastic.
Ports
Make sure it has the connections you need. USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and headphone jacks are common.
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Processor: Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7
- RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB preferred
- Storage: 256GB+ SSD
- Display: 1080p or higher
- Battery: 8+ hours
- Build: Sturdy construction
- Ports: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI
By focusing on these areas, we can find a laptop that meets our needs and budget.