When you start buying a laptop, finding the best laptops in 2022 can often lead to more questions than answers. Do you want a Chromebook? An ultrabook? A two-in-one computer like a desktop? A Windows or Macintosh computer? A thin and lightweight laptop or a laptop with a large screen and a large battery? There are quite a few different categories available in today’s laptop market, giving you many options for finding the exact portable computer that fits your needs.
But maybe you’re just looking for a good, versatile computer that can offer versatility in a few different computing areas. By using these top 2022 laptops, you generally get good results in terms of performance and features, although you may not have peak performance in any particular computing area. Check out the list of the best gaming laptops for more advanced settings. If one of these laptops is a Lenovo, you might be interested in learning how Lenovo recalls 200k exploding batteries.
#1 Dell XPS 13
Dell delivers its infinityEdge technology with the Dell XPS 13, allowing the manufacturer to fit a 13-inch screen into a laptop-size that would normally hold an 11-inch screen. The screen resolution offers 5.7 million pixels at 276 pixels per inch for an impressive view, as we found out in our Dell XPS 13 review. The display has a viewing angle of 170 degrees and a touchscreen configuration is also available.
As with most of the best Windows laptops, the XPS 13 has a quick boot time of a few seconds due to its solid-state drive. The device’s keyboard is backlit for typing in low-light conditions. Dell did not include an optical drive with the XPS 13, but it does include an SD memory card reader and two USB 3.0 ports. The thin and lightweight unit measures just 0.6 inches at its thickest point and weighs about 2.8 pounds. The Dell XPS 15 is also a popular model. If you want your PC to have more firepower, check out our best laptop with an i7 processor.
#2 Microsoft Surface Book
The Microsoft Surface Book is both one of the best laptops of 2022 and the best laptop for students, thanks in large part to its two-for-one capabilities. You can use the versatile Surface Book as a standard notebook with a backlit keyboard and as a standalone tablet. The 13.5-inch screen is impressive and offers touch capabilities. The biggest disadvantage of this model is the high starting price, which can quickly add up if you opt for top-notch components. If you like the Surface Pro, you’ll love this.
#3 Toshiba Chromebook 2
One of the best values you’ll find in this best laptops list is the Toshiba Chromebook 2, which offers a very low price compared to full-fledged laptops. While the best Chromebooks may not offer all the features you’re looking for for high-end computing power, the Toshiba Chromebook 2 works well for basic computing, with a high-definition 13.3-inch display (as we found in our Toshiba Chromebook 2 review), a long battery life, and a backlit keyboard.
#4 Lenovo LaVie Z
The Lenovo LaVie Z deserves attention as one of the best laptops of 2019, thanks to its sturdy, yet lightweight design. The LaVie Z weighs just 1.87 pounds and offers a 13.3-inch, high-resolution screen. It measures only 0.67 inches in thickness. There are several configurations of the LaVie Z available, including one where you can fold the laptop screen 360 degrees, turning it into a tablet. This device is also one of the best ultrabook options available.
#5 Apple MacBook Air 13-inch
The biggest drawback of the 13-inch MacBook Air laptop is its underpowered display, which doesn’t even offer Full HD resolution. However, Apple’s MacBook Air holds up well against the other devices on the list of the best laptops of 2019, with long battery life, a powerful processor, and a thin design. As with most Apple laptops, the price is a little steep if you choose to configure this model with quality components, but the starting price is reasonable.
What to Look for in the Best Laptops of 2022
Meeting your needs:
When you’re looking for one of the best 2022 laptops, it pays to do your homework. You need to understand exactly what you want from a laptop before trying to buy one. Otherwise, you risk overspending, buying a machine that has more power than you need, or underspending, and ending up with a device that can’t perform the tasks you need to do.
Display:
The top 2022 list of laptops includes computers with both a traditional display and a touchscreen, more like a tablet. You pay more for touch capabilities, so consider whether you need a touchscreen before spending more than you need to.
Price:
The best portable computers vary in price. You may want to set a budget before shopping so that you don’t overspend. Maybe a $500 laptop budget is right for you, or maybe you want to spend $1,000 or more.
Check out the upgrades:
When you see a price advertised for a laptop, remember that the quote is often for the minimum configuration of features and components. While you can often upgrade components before ordering, you will see the price rise quickly. Make sure the components listed in the price match your needs.
Poor quality computers If the price of a laptop seems surprisingly low, take a close look at the laptop’s brand and make sure the components are high quality. Other brands of laptops may contain poor-quality components that could cause the device to malfunction. Go for the Intel processors, which are quality.
RAM
The memory, or RAM, is the area of the portable computer where the currently loaded software resides and provides quick access for the CPU. The more RAM your computer has available, the faster and more effectively it will run.
Processor
CPU is the processor of the notebook computer. While you are typing a document, watching a movie, or playing a game, the CPU does the processing of the digital file, allowing the computer to do the work you want it to do. Newer processors running at higher clock speeds (measured in GHz) can get the job done faster. The CPU naming process makes it easy. An Intel core i5 is not as fast as, for example, a core i6.
Storage
Storage refers to the internal storage space of the laptop, where you store documents and photos. A storage unit for a newer computer is a solid-state drive (SSD), which works fast and has no moving parts, but is more expensive than a traditional HDD (hard drive) with spinning disks.
Screen size
A large screen makes it easier to multitask and open multiple windows of Windows 10 on the screen. And if you plan to watch TV shows or movies on your portable computer, a large screen will make the process more enjoyable.
Some screens also have a wide viewing angle, allowing several people to see the screen clearly at the same time.
Screen resolution
Most laptop screens have a high resolution that is better than the Full HD resolution. However, screens with 4K resolution are not very popular yet.
touch screen
A laptop that is a two-in-one device offers a touchscreen display, allowing you to use the device as a traditional laptop or as a tablet. A laptop with touch controls usually costs more.
battery life
Good battery performance is a must in a laptop. After all, part of the reason you want a laptop is because of its portability, which means running on battery power. You need as many hours of battery life as possible.
Weight
Weight is an important part of a portable device like a laptop, as you will be carrying it from place to place.
Most laptops are very thin devices, especially the best laptop brands. If you opt for a smaller than average laptop, make sure that the keyboard fits in your hands. You also want accessories, such as those from Razer Blade.
Best Laptops in 2022 Are Right for You?
The most important factor to consider when looking at the entries in the Best Laptops of 2022 list is to make sure you find a device that does the tasks you need. Some people want a two-in-one that they can use as a tablet or laptop. Others may want more of a gaming laptop, which requires high-quality processing power and lots of RAM. Or maybe you are someone who needs a laptop that is extremely versatile and has the ability to perform many different tasks without being weighed down by one type of task. Before you go shopping, make a list of the must-haves in a laptop and set a maximum budget. You’re sure to find a great laptop that works for you! Some of the best-selling laptops of 2020 right now are the HP Specter x360, HP Elite Dragonfly, Macbook Pro 16-inch, and the Zephyrus g14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of laptop is the best?
Our 10 picks for the best laptop brands are all Dell. The Dell XPS 13 is a powerful laptop with a great design. Microsoft The Microsoft Surface Book gives you the best of both worlds between a tablet and a laptop. Lenovo LaVie Z Toshiba Chromebook 213-inch MacBook Air from Apple
Which laptop should I buy for home use?
The top 10 best laptops for home use in 2020 are as follows: 13.13-inch Dell XPS laptop, Toshiba Chromebook 2, 13.3-inch, and Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch.
What is the cheapest laptop?
Our picks for the cheapest laptops are the Toshiba Chromebook 2, Dell XPS 13, and Lenovo LaVie Z. Is the
Dell or Microsoft Surface better?
Dell has many great features and is known for its performance. However, the Microsoft Surface has much more versatility as it turns into a tablet or a laptop. If you need that kind of flexibility, go for Microsoft; otherwise, Dell is perfect for business use.
How much RAM do I need?
We recommend at least 8 GB of RAM. Most users will be fine with that. If your needs are intensive, go to 16 GB or more. Today’s games and applications run better with more RAM, and it helps future-proof your purchase.
Final Thoughts
Laptops have evolved considerably since they first appeared on the scene in the early 1970s. Today, laptops include subclasses such as laplets, netbooks, and ruggedized college laptops. Among the big players, Apple laptops, including the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, are powered by the latest Intel processors and have a battery that lasts all day.
HP laptops are known for their high-quality audio and the range of looks and configurations you can choose from. Asus laptops offer some of the best value-for-money notebooks on the market, and you can find them in our list of the best laptops under $500.
What features of a laptop do you value most: processing power, screen brightness, portability, customization options, game-worthy graphics, or operating system? Read our unbiased notebook reviews and comparisons; you can treat them as buying guides that inform you about the best laptop model for your needs and the online stores that stock them. Checkout Best Smartphones in 2022.