When looking for a laptop that is both powerful and lightweight, and has a long battery life, it seems to be a daunting task. However, in today's bustling market, there are endless excellent products, whether it is affordable Chromebooks or high-end brands such as Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc., which can meet your individual needs.
With so many options to choose from, how do you make an informed decision? Luckily, Tom's Guide, the acclaimed foreign tech review site, recently published a list of the top laptops that have been rigorously tested and evaluated. Every product on this list has been personally tested and reviewed, and it is completely trustworthy. Next, CNMO will take you through an in-depth look at these exciting products.
The new MacBook Air M3
The new MacBook Air M3 is a true representative of the "Air" series thanks to its outstanding performance and portable design. Although it is almost indistinguishable from the previously critically acclaimed 13-inch MacBook Air M2 in appearance, the M3 version should not be overlooked.
In terms of display, the MacBook Air M3 has a 13.6-inch display with a resolution of 2560×1664 pixels, which is bright and detailed, providing users with a comfortable experience whether they are watching videos, writing emails, editing photos, and other tasks.
In performance tests, the MacBook Air M3 also performed well. In Geekbench 6's overall performance tests, it scored 3082 for a single-core CPU and 12087 for a multi-core. This is not only better than its predecessor, but it is also the most significant gap to its predecessor, the Air M1.
In battery tests, the laptop lasted more than 15 hours, which is more durable than its predecessors. However, if you're a gaming enthusiast, you might want to reconsider this notebook. While the MacBook Air M3 does a great job of running games optimized for Apple silicon, its frame rates may not be as good as they could be for non-supported games.
Overall, the new MacBook Air M3 offers an ideal choice for mobile office users thanks to its superior performance and portable design. Whether it's the design or the performance, it lives up to the name "Air".
华硕Zenbook 13 OLED
Although the ASUS Zenbook 13 OLED notebook has been on the market for a while, it is still a good value for money among Windows notebooks. Not only does this notebook have great performance and long battery life, but it also comes with a gorgeous OLED screen.
One of the biggest selling points of the ASUS Zenbook 13 OLED is that it comes with a 13.3-inch 1080p OLED screen with crisp images and vivid colors. OLED screens typically have higher brightness and contrast than traditional IPS panels, and it's rare to have such a great screen performance on this notebook that costs less than 1,000 yuan. However, the notebook is difficult to use outdoors in direct sunlight, as it's not bright enough and reflections make it difficult to see what's on the screen. So, if you're planning on using this notebook primarily indoors, there's no need to worry about that.
Also, it's important to note that the ASUS Zenbook 13 OLED doesn't come with a headphone jack. This can be an inconvenience for those who are used to using traditional 3.5mm audio plugs. However, with the popularity of Bluetooth headsets, this deficiency has been compensated to a certain extent.
Dell XPS 15
Among the many Windows notebooks, the Dell XPS 15 stands out as a standout in the market for its excellent design, performance, and portability.
If you're looking for a superior display, then the XPS 15's 3.5K OLED display upgrade option will give you the ultimate visual experience. With bright colors, deep blacks, and sharp contrast, this screen will keep your eyes comfortable even when you're on your computer for long periods of time.
While the XPS 15 isn't a professional gaming laptop, you can upgrade it to an Nvidia discrete graphics card to give it some gaming performance. Sure, it might not be able to cope with a high-spec game like Cyberpunk 2077, but it's good enough to keep you entertained on long journeys.
However, if you have special requirements for battery life and connector type, then you may need to consider carefully when purchasing the XPS 15. The laptop has a battery life of around 9 hours, which isn't bad, but it's not outstanding among competitors of the same configuration. At the same time, it comes with 3 USB-C ports, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack, which is more abundant than some laptops, but if you need a variety of different types of ports, you might feel unsatisfied.
联想Chromebook Duet 3
If you're looking for a Chromebook that can be used as a tablet and easily converted into a notebook, then Lenovo's Duet 3 will be the perfect choice for you. Although it's a Chrome tablet at its core, the included detachable keyboard transforms it into a full-fledged laptop that's more than enough for an entire day of class.
In terms of screen, the Duet 3 performs well. It has an 11-inch 2K resolution screen with accurate color reproduction and plenty of brightness, so you can get a great visual experience when browsing the web or watching videos. Compared to many lower-priced Chromebooks on the market with dull screens and poor quality, the Duet 3 undoubtedly has an advantage.
In terms of performance, the Duet 3 we reviewed is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2 chip, which is basically smooth enough to work. In your daily work and entertainment, you can open more than 20 Chrome browser tabs, play music at the same time, watch videos on the Amazon Prime Video app, and download games from the Google Play Store without stuttering or performance issues.
Duet 3 is not flawless. Its detachable keyboard, while good enough for some basic typing needs, such as sending emails or writing papers, may not feel comfortable if you need to type for long periods of time.
Framework notebook
When it debuted, we called the Framework laptop an "anti-MacBook" because it had all the qualities that Apple notebooks didn't have: repairable, upgradable, and respectful of the user's rights as the owner.
Initially, I was excited about the promises, but also doubtful that the company would be able to deliver on them without making significant sacrifices. However, after using it myself, I'm happy to report that the Framework laptop lives up to its name. The company's updated Framework Laptop 13 in 2023 further strengthens my view.
Design-wise, the Framework features a minimalist silver aluminum case that weighs just 2.8 pounds, making it thinner and lighter than the Apple MacBook Air with the M1 chip, an achievement that's particularly impressive.
Display-wise, the Framework's 13.5-inch display is clear and functional, with a resolution of 2256×1504, making it perfect for browsing the web and text. Although it can be frustrating to use outdoors in direct sunlight, this display is bright enough for everyday use.
华硕ROG Zephyrus G14
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a laptop designed for class and gaming. With its excellent gaming performance, efficient performance, and low-profile design, it has become an eye-catcher in the market. Whether you're tackling the latest gaming challenges or meeting the demands of the workplace, the Zephyrus G14 has you covered.
Blessed are AMD fans, this notebook comes in an all-AMD configuration, and the high-efficiency components provide a strong guarantee of battery life. The 14-inch (2560×1600 pixels) HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate brings the game to life. While screen size and refresh rates may be a little lacking for gamers looking for the ultimate gaming experience, an external gaming monitor can easily solve this problem.
However, it's important to note that the Zephyrus G14's 720p camera quality is a bit mediocre. If you often need live streaming or video conferencing, you may want to consider other solutions. But compared to earlier models, at least the current Zephyrus G14 is equipped with a camera to provide you with more convenience.
Overall, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 makes a great gaming laptop with its perfect blend of performance, portability, and energy efficiency.
2023款14英寸M3版MacBook Pro
The 2023 14-inch M3 Edition MacBook Pro is undoubtedly ideal for performance seekers. This notebook has carved out a niche in the market thanks to its powerful M3 chip and excellent performance. Although it may be slightly inferior to the models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips in terms of video processing, as a professional-grade notebook, it is more than enough to cope with most of the daily work and study needs.
Surprisingly, this MacBook Pro performs well in terms of battery life. In our tests, it achieved a range of over 17 hours, making it one of the best in the market. This is undoubtedly a great boon for those users who need to work or study outside the home for long periods of time.
In addition, the notebook comes with a stunning 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR display and excellent speakers for the ultimate audiovisual experience. At the same time, the more ports are designed to make it easier to connect external devices.
However, before purchasing, it's important to be aware of the visual distractions that may come with the notch design, as well as the limitations of the standard version chipset in terms of performance. In addition, this MacBook Pro may not be the best value for money compared to some Windows laptops. So, when making a purchasing decision, it's important to weigh your personal needs and budget.
Acer Swift 5 – 1600p shows as a highlight
The Acer Swift 5 is a sleekly designed Windows laptop with a beautiful look, a brilliant 1600p display, and 12th Gen Intel chips to help you handle your day's work with ease.
Display-wise, the Acer Swift 5's 14-inch panel looks very good, with a 2560×1600 resolution ensuring that it renders more pixels on the screen than a traditional 1080p or 1440p laptop display.
In terms of performance, the Acer Swift 5 is equipped with a powerful Intel CPU and 16GB of RAM, ensuring its smooth running speed. While it may not perform as well as other more expensive computers on the list, such as the M3 MacBook Pro, it's good enough for everyday work and most use cases. For games that don't require a lot of hardware, such as Fortnite and League of Legends, this PC works flawlessly.
If you're disgusted with pre-installed software, then Swift 5 may be inconvenient for you too. Almost all new computers come with some pre-installed software, but Acer does this in particular. On the brand new Swift 5, you'll find unnecessary apps like Booking.com, Simple Mahjong, Planet9 Link, etc., that aren't part of the Windows 11 standard installation, so it's quite a hassle to clean up.
华硕Zenbook 14 Flip OLED
If you're a fan of thin, light, and portable laptops, then the ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is definitely worth your attention. This 2-in-1 notebook stands out with its slim design and light weight, making it easy to carry with you wherever you are.
One of the big selling points of this laptop is its 14-inch 2.8K OLED panel. In our real-world use and performance tests, it performed well, with bright light and deep shadows, as well as beautiful contrasts between light and shadow. A good OLED panel will make everything you do on your laptop look better, and this laptop is no exception.
In terms of performance, the ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED we reviewed uses a 13th Gen Intel Core CPU and 16GB of RAM, ensuring that the thin and light laptop won't lag when it comes to work. While this laptop may not easily handle large video editing projects or run the latest big games on high settings, it's good enough for work and play.
In terms of battery life, the Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED lasted 8 hours and 53 minutes in battery testing, which is a good but not excellent performance. If you don't plan to carry it all day, then this battery life is acceptable and doesn't cause much trouble.
三星Galaxy Book3 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra isn't just Samsung's first laptop to bear the Ultra logo. It is Samsung's direct benchmark for Apple's 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro. Equipped with a 16-inch OLED display, Intel's 13th Gen Core CPU, and NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPU, Samsung's notebook seems to have what it takes to challenge Apple's powerful high-end laptops.
Comparisons aside, the Galaxy Book 3 Ultra has a lot of highlights on its own. Its powerful configuration makes it suitable for video editing and playing the best PC games. In fact, it's one of the best gaming laptops we've tested. For gaming enthusiasts, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra's OLED display will bring an unprecedented visual feast. Its 3K 120Hz AMOLED display exhibits amazing brightness and deep blacks for strong contrast.
Moreover, especially considering that it is powered by Nvidia 40-series discrete graphics, this notebook is undoubtedly one of the best in the market. Whether it's for work or play, it has something for everyone.
However, if you're disgusted by Samsung's pre-installed software, then the Galaxy Book3 Ultra might not be for you. This notebook comes pre-loaded with a large amount of Samsung software, which may appear redundant if you don't have other Samsung devices.
New MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
If you're a professional video editor or a keen fan of high-end gaming on your Mac, the new MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) is a must-try. With its superior performance, this powerful laptop can greatly boost your productivity and may even save a lot of time, allowing its value to prove over time.
For professional video editors, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) is undoubtedly an indispensable tool. This notebook is equipped with a powerful M3 Max chip, which is capable of easily coping with 8K video editing work. Whether it's editing, color grading, or special effects, it can be done at breakneck speeds, making your creative process smoother and more efficient.
The M3 series chips have given Macs a significant improvement in gaming performance, whether it's Baldur's Gate 3 or P's Lies, it can run smoothly on this notebook for an immersive gaming experience.
However, if you're concerned about the price, or already have a decent MacBook Pro M2 Max, you probably don't need to rush to upgrade to this new one. While the new M3 Max offers a performance boost, a 20% increase may not be enough to justify your upgrade.
ASUS Zenbook Duo 2024 dual-screen notebook
The ASUS Zenbook Duo may be mistaken for just another gimmick for a dual-screen design, but in reality, it manages to surpass this label and become one of the best laptops on the market today thanks to its refined user interface, sleek and durable hardware, and two gorgeous 14-inch OLED displays.
Eschewing the awkwardly sandwiched second screen design of its predecessor, this new product borrows inspiration from the likes of the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i and HP Spectre Fold. In terms of design, the ASUS Zenbook Duo is capable of supporting full dual-screen operation thanks to the detachable keyboard and trackpad.
In terms of display, the ASUS Zenbook Duo comes with two 14-inch OLED panels, both with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate. In terms of performance, the ASUS Zenbook Duo is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 chipset, which guarantees enough performance to handle the heaviest workloads.
However, due to the dual-screen design of the product, the battery life will also be affected to a certain extent, and it can only reach more than 8 hours of use in the test.