Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I: It’s super cheap, with a dedicated Intel Arc GPU that lends it a wee bit of 3D muscle for casual 1080p play.
HP Envy x360 16: This midrange convertible impresses with a premium OLED display. Its AMD Ryzen 8040 series CPU makes it pretty fast, too.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16: It’s a top gaming laptop for creators, too.
Dell Inspiron 2-in-1 7445: A dim display dulls Dell’s otherwise well-rounded, AI-equipped and affordable 14-inch convertible laptop.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7: Powered by Qualcomm’s Arm-based Snapdragon X processor, the Windows-based laptop is exceptionally well-made and long-running.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11: We’ve been waiting for decent Arm-on-Windows performance and for a screen upgrade, and together they’ve made the new Surface feel like a new tablet.
Acer Swift X 14 (2024): The design won’t wow you, but the 14.5-inch OLED display powered by RTX 4070 graphics is a great combo for on-the-go content creation.
Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640: Content creators may bemoan the display choices, but this midtier, 16-inch laptop offers well-rounded performance from its Core Ultra chip and RTX graphics.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16: Lenovo makes strides with its second foldable-display laptop, but further refinements are still needed before it’s ready for the masses.
Acer Aspire Go 14: You could do worse for $300.
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Q425: It’s a boon to get an OLED in such a portable package with great battery life for roughly $1,000, but the fit and finish feel decidedly midrange.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12: The latest X1 Carbon has many charms, but they will remain out of reach for many business buyers constrained by budgets.
Dell XPS 16 9640 Review: Dell’s new 16-inch XPS model offers a unique design backed by strong performance and surprisingly long battery life. Just be prepared to pay for its many configurable features.
Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop: When you’re this big, the sky’s the limit.
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7440: For a reasonable $1,000, this 14-inch Dell model, based on an Intel Core Ultra CPU, lets you be productive and remain portable.
Alienware m16 R2: This middle-class option for mainstreaming gaming fares better than average and is a sensible option for 1440p play.
Acer Predator Triton 14: With fast performance and a bright HDR screen, this mainstream 14-inch gaming laptop can be a great gaming value.
Lenovo LOQ 15: Lenovo’s entry-level model is the opposite of flashy, but it’s got good performance and it’s one of the cheapest RTX 4050 models (at least on sale).
HP Victus 16: It’s speedy and svelte, but gamers on tight budgets deserve more than this laptop’s basic 60Hz panel.
Acer Nitro 16: With a roomy 16-inch, 16:10 display that’s surprisingly bright, vibrant and powered by a full-octane RTX 4050 GPU, the Nitro 16 delivers the goods for gamers on tight budgets.
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: The Helios Neo 16 is essentially a gussied-up version of the Acer Nitro 16. It just so happens to also have ample 3D performance for its budget-friendly price.
MSI Cyborg 15: It’s one of the lowest-cost RTX 4050 laptops, but the Cyborg 15’s GPU is restricted from running at full power, which puts a cap on 3D performance. Its display disappoints, too.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14: Standout profiling and calibration for its class makes Asus’ first OLED in the line stand out from the crowd.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 2: It breaks with the ThinkPad tradition in many ways without abandoning the things that make it a ThinkPad.
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