The 4 Laptops That Actually Matter in 2025

Buying the wrong laptop is a mistake you'll live with for years. After testing dozens of machines over the past decade, here are the only four laptops that truly matter in 2025.

Overall Champion: Apple MacBook Air M4

Apple'sM4 MacBook Air isn't just the best laptop—it's the device that'll satisfy the most people. Starting at $999 but frequently discounted to $799 on Amazon, it represents exceptional value.

The M4's game-changing feature is dual external monitor support. Unlike previous models, you can now connect two 4K monitors simultaneously while keeping your laptop open. The base model finally includes 16GB of RAM, and the fanless design means absolute silence during operation.

The 15-inch variant dropped to $1,199 MSRP and often hits $999 on sale. There are rumors of an M5 MacBook Air launching by late January, but the update is expected to be minimal, and it won't match the M4's current pricing.

What makes this laptop special isn't just its specs—it's how everything works together seamlessly. The 12-megapixel webcam, world-class build quality, and that distinctive Apple ecosystem integration create an experience that's hard to replicate.

Windows Winner: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition

Microsoft'sSurface Laptop 7th Edition finally delivers what the company has promised for years: a true MacBook Air competitor. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip, it achieves 18-hour battery life while maintaining consistent performance whether plugged in or not.

The standout feature is its 3:2 aspect ratio display—taller than the typical 16:10 screens found on most laptops. This extra vertical space, combined with touchscreen capability, creates a more productive workspace. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel incredibly smooth.

Pricing fluctuates significantly, from a low of $800 during sales to $1,500 at MSRP. The newer "Surface Laptop 13" (confusingly named for 2025) lacks the premium features that make the 7th Edition special.

Gaming Beast: Razer Blade 16 (2025)

The Razer Blade 16 proves you don't need a thick, bulky machine for serious gaming. At just 0.59 inches thick, it houses Nvidia's latest RTX 5090 Laptop GPU with multi-frame generation technology—AI creates artificial frames between real rendered frames for dramatically higher frame rates.

The keyboard feels more responsive with 1.5mm key travel, and surprisingly, surface temperatures run cooler despite the increased power. The OLED display delivers stunning visuals at 240Hz. Starting at $2,400, it's expensive but represents the pinnacle of portable gaming.

Chromebook Surprise: Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14

At $749, the LenovoChromebook Plus 14 features hardware that would be impressive at twice the price. The OLED display delivers gorgeous contrast and color accuracy rarely seen in this price range.

With 12GB of RAM standard and the best Chromebook battery life ever tested, it challenges assumptions about what budget laptops can achieve. The speakers are surprisingly robust, though port selection is limited.

The Bigger Picture: Platform Wars Intensify

These recommendations reflect a fundamental shift in the laptop market. Apple's silicon advantage forced competitors to innovate—Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite finally gives Windows machines the efficiency they've lacked, while Nvidia's AI-enhanced graphics push gaming performance to new heights.

The most interesting development might be Chromebooks growing up. When a $749 Chromebook features OLED displays and premium build quality, it signals that Google's platform is maturing beyond its budget origins.

For consumers, this competition means better products across all price points. But it also means more complex decisions—do you prioritize ecosystem integration, raw performance, or value?