The Top 10 Best Laptops
Shopping for a laptop these days is a pretty daunting task. The sheer number of laptops available online or in a store's electronics section is enough to make your mind spin. Most people have a general idea of what their laptop should look like and what they want in terms of features, but are often intimidated by the choices available. That's where we come in.
The first thing you need to consider is what you need in the laptop. Are you looking for something to compete on the gaming grid? Then a discrete graphics card and big screen are necessary components in the laptop you choose. Are you on a limited budget? Then be on the lookout for a anything under $500 that offers at least a Core i3 CPU and 4GB of memory. If a business system is what you need, then security measures like a fingerprint reader and a TPM module are must-haves. For those who spend a lot of time on the road, then an ultrabook or an ultraportable will keep back and shoulder strain to a minimum. For those who need a system meant for watching movies, a Blu-ray player is a must-need feature.
The editors of PCMag.com test hundreds of systems each year to help you find the best laptop. There are a lot of laptops out there, from the large-screen desktop replacements to the lightweight ultraportables, and even netbooks, but all share common features. In this story, we help you narrow your choices by collecting the top 10 laptops on the market today.
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Eurocom Leopard 2.0
$3,606 direct
Fueled by an AMD CrossfireX graphics solution and an Intel Extreme Edition processor, the Eurocom Leopard 2.0 puts up some of the highest laptop performance scores we've seen.Read the full review ››
Alienware M18x
$4,529 direct
Packed with over-the-top components and presented in a sharp-looking chassis complete with tricked-out lighting effects and a killer 18.4-inch display, the Alienware M18x laptop looks intimidating and has the performance chops that gamers crave. But it doesn't come cheap. Read the full review ››
MSI GT783-625US
$2,599.99 direct
The MSI GT783-625US offers all the trappings of a boutique gaming laptop at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage, but its cooling fans are extraordinarily loud. Read the full review ››
HP Envy 17 (2012)
$1,484.99 direct
This year's HP Envy 17 is a fast, loaded media center laptop with the most stunning screen we've seen. Its vivid visuals complemented with awesome Beats Audio, thanks to a six-speakers-plus-subwoofer setup highlighted by a good old-fashioned volume dial. Read the full review ››
HP EliteBook 8560w
$1,579 direct
The HP EliteBook 8560w is the go-to workstation laptop when you need performance and power to spare. It offers quad-core processing, ISV-certified graphics, and a laundry list of top-notch features. Read the full review ››
