Top 2025 Laptops: Gaming, Work, School Picks

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A great laptop allows you to take high-quality computing on the go—no matter whether you're a student, professional, or gamer. With so many options available in 2025, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. That’s where I come in. As someone who reviews laptops full-time, I’ve tested dozens to help you find the best option tailored to your needs—whether it's for productivity, learning, or immersive gaming.

For most users, the MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025) stands out as the top choice due to its incredible battery life, lightweight design, and consistent performance. However, if you're a student looking for a versatile 2-in-1 device that balances portability and functionality, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 might be the ideal fit. Whatever your use case, this guide highlights the best laptops of 2025 to simplify your decision-making process.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Laptops We've Tested

Our Top Pick
Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
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Asus VivoBook S 15
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Razer Blade 16 (2025)
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Asus Zenbook S 16
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Microsoft Surface Pro 11
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Laptops today come in a wide variety of form factors and designs, each built to suit different user preferences and scenarios. The best ones blend seamlessly into your daily routine, offering long battery life, powerful performance, and a design that enhances mobility without compromise.

No matter what you're searching for—portability, productivity, or raw power—I’ve done the testing to ensure you get the best value and performance for your budget.

MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos

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1. Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)

The Best Laptop

Our Top Pick
Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)
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Product Specifications

Pros

• Exceptional battery life
• Ultra-thin and lightweight build
• Outstanding everyday performance

Cons

• Limited gaming capabilities
• Cost increases quickly with upgrades

The latest MacBook Air is powered by Apple’s new M4 chip, making it faster and more efficient than ever before. Ideal for productivity, creative work, and general usage, this laptop continues Apple’s legacy of excellence in design, performance, and usability.

With a weight of just 2.7 pounds, it’s incredibly portable while still offering a bright, high-resolution Retina display. It runs silently thanks to its fanless design and passive cooling system, which also contributes to its sleek aesthetic.

While it may not compete with the MacBook Pro in terms of raw power, the MacBook Air remains the perfect companion for most users—offering enough performance for multitasking, web browsing, video streaming, and even light photo editing.

Its display remains largely unchanged from the previous generation, but that’s not a drawback—it still delivers stunning clarity, color accuracy, and brightness.

Connectivity is limited to two USB-C ports, a MagSafe connector, and a headphone jack, so you may need a docking station if you frequently connect multiple peripherals.

Overall, the MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025) is our top pick for most users due to its combination of performance, portability, and premium experience.

2. Asus VivoBook S 15

Best Budget Laptop

Asus VivoBook S 15
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Product Specifications

Pros

• Excellent performance for productivity
• Long battery life
• High-quality OLED touchscreen

Cons

• Potential app compatibility issues

The Asus VivoBook S 15 offers an impressive mix of performance, style, and affordability. At under $1,000, it punches well above its price range, especially with its gorgeous OLED display and Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor.

Weighing just over 3 pounds, it's highly portable and fits easily into any bag. Its slim profile and durable build make it suitable for students, remote workers, and casual gamers alike.

Equipped with a 120Hz OLED screen, the visuals are vibrant and smooth, making it great for multimedia consumption. The Snapdragon processor ensures excellent power efficiency, allowing for over 16 hours of real-world usage.

However, because it uses ARM-based architecture, some apps may not run natively. For general productivity tasks and web browsing, though, it performs flawlessly.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t compromise on looks or performance, the Asus VivoBook S 15 is an outstanding choice.

Razer Blade 16 (2025) – Photos

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