Specs to look for: AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSDĪ cheaper Surface: If you don't need as much power and want something cheaper and lighter, I really like the Surface Laptop Go ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends). My testing so far has been closer to 16, but that's still way more than enough for a full day of work. Microsoft is claiming upwards of 17 hours. One great change from its predecessor is the much-improved battery life. Either will be plenty powerful enough for working on documents, browsing the web, and checking email. If you're hoping to do some light gaming or video editing, I suggest the Ryzen.

There are also AMD Ryzen chip and Intel chipsets available.

The Surface Laptop 4 comes in 13- and 15-inch sizes. It severs the connection between the wall plug and the computer before the laptop goes flying across the room like a Frisbee. It also has a magnetic charging port if you're a klutz who trips over the power cord all the time, this can be a lifesaver. Ports are one place where Surfaces skimp (like MacBooks), but you now get a USB-C port, along with a good old-fashioned USB-A port. It might not be as flashy as the hybrid tablet-laptop design that made Microsoft's Surface brand famous, but the new Surface Laptop 4 is everything a laptop should be: slim and lightweight with an excellent screen and keyboard. Specs to look for: Apple M1, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD If you do need more power, see below for more M1-powered Mac laptops. If you want a Mac and aren't planning to edit video or otherwise tax it too much, this is the MacBook you want. We also love how it now instantly wakes from sleep, just like your phone or tablet. The Air retains a slim and lightweight design with solid speakers, an excellent keyboard, and a good display. For example, Adobe already has M1 versions of Lightroom and Photoshop. If you're concerned about compatibility, well, more and more developers are releasing M1 versions of their apps. Perhaps more surprising is the excellent performance, even in apps made for Intel-powered machines.Īpple uses a tool called Rosetta to translate these apps to work with its own M1, and most of them run just as well if not better. Battery life is great, easily lasting more than a full workday. Apple upgraded this 13-incher in November 2020 ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends), ditching Intel chips for its own M1 processor.

10 best laptop for home office use