Today there are thousands of references to laptops, with very different characteristics. There really is no better laptop, it all depends on your personal needs.
Screen size, storage space, type of processor, and connectivity are all criteria that consumers need to take into account when choosing a reliable solution. Whether it’s working, watching a movie, or attending a videoconference away from home, you can find the right solution for you, provided you have a minimum of knowledge.
So how can you see through this maze of solutions? Here are our solutions! A 2021 laptop comparator will be available in the next few days on this page. In the meantime, discover our comparison of the best laptops as well as a ranking of the best laptops up to date in 2021.
Our selection of the best laptops of 2021: TOP 5
Through this ranking, you will discover the best and most reliable laptops according to your needs. In 1st position we don’t find a Windows PC but the MacBook Pro M1 with its ARM processor which crushes the competition on laptops.
1. MacBook Pro M1
Characteristics and opinions
According to the description on the Apple website, the Macbook Pro M1 would be a revolution in terms of power, consumption, and autonomy. The rest: the design, weight, screen, and ergonomics are almost identical to the Intel model. What about in real-life situations? With such pride of place, you can well imagine how thoroughly this Macbook Pro M1 has been tested and manipulated, from every angle, with a multitude of software, in every situation, and it turns out that Apple is telling the truth. The engraving of the processor in 5nm, the centralization of pure computing power, graphics, and neural learning give the processor back its letters of nobility. It is between 50% and twice as fast with most applications and even some under Rosetta 2 emulation! It holds between 16 and 20 hours of autonomy in continuous video playback and remains silent even when pushed to the limit. During a crash test on Logic Pro, the Intel version crashed from about 50 tracks, the M1 crashed from 102 tracks… and silently. At that price, with the retina-screen, this power and autonomy, I allow myself the expression, it literally smokes the competition.
Advantages
- power
- autonomy
- screen
- ergonomics
- design
Disadvantages
- software compatibility
2. The Dell XPS 13 – 7390 (2020 version) , the best ultra-compact notebook PC.
Characteristics and opinions
Available in Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, we have opted for the latter version, which allows better application performance such as mobile video editing for example. The Dell XPS 13 7390 has 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. Very easy to carry (1.32 kg), it will be the perfect companion for your travels with its autonomy between 10 and 14 hours depending on use.
It is an ultra-compact reference computer, it is ideal for a digital nomad, a mobile developer, or simply for office automation. Depending on the model, it can also be the perfect companion for additional assembly. In the latter case, the 16 Giga ram will not be too much. Another important point is that the XPS version 2020 has 3 USB-C connectors, the new standard in terms of connectors, and also a slot for an SD card. If you have USB 3 peripherals, you will have to think about getting an adapter.
With an impeccable finish, a bright screen, and a colorimetry made in Dell, one can only reproach the XPS 13 with slightly small keyboard keys and an audio output that may leave something to be desired, but this is only my subjective opinion. To conclude, the Dell XPS is the laptop equivalent of the MacBook Pro.
Advantages
- Excellent autonomy
- Very good bright screen
- Very good performance
Disadvantages
- The sound quality
3. The Apple MacBook Pro 13, the Apple Notebook Computer
Characteristics and opinions
The MacBook Pro 13 is a notebook that’s perfect for on-the-go use, with a minimalist design and a very satisfying visual experience. Of course, it is not directly a PC, but we felt it was essential to put it in this ranking of the best laptops in 2020.
Equipped with an Intel Core i5 chip, the Apple product also has 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. As for battery life, the MacBook Pro 13 is one of the most durable on the market today, a considerable asset. If you’re a DJ, you may criticize the audio quality, but for the average person, it’s still very satisfying. MacBook Pro 13 remains one of the best choices for durability.
Advantages
- Autonomy at the top
- Very good keyboard skills
- screen quality
Disadvantages
- only 4 USB-C connectors
- Its price
4. Huawei Matebook X Pro 2020
Characteristics and opinions
For a price under 1000 euros, Huawei offers with its Matebook X Pro an excellent laptop that could be compared to a Macbook Air, with a touch screen in addition! With a more than honorable configuration, you benefit from a 10th generation i5 processor, 16 Giga ram for comfort, and a 512 GB SSD. We will regret its brilliant screen
The icing on the cake, this laptop has a dedicated graphics card, the NVIDIA GeForce MX250 (enough to run Doom Eternal at low settings for 36 fps). Connoisseurs will tell me that this is a small graphics card and that there is nothing to compete with a PC gamer, that’s right! But for a computer dedicated to nomadism, office automation, and some multimedia is more than appreciable. The goal will not be so much to run games, although it can, but will be above all to have enough power to be versatile even if we would have liked to see the presence of an i7 processor on this reference for this price, i7 more adequate for heavy tasks like video editing.
Advantages
- Excellent value for money
- An autonomy of 9 hours
- Touch screen
Disadvantages
- brilliant screen, therefore presence of reflections
- Too bad it doesn’t come with an i7
5. The HP Envy x360, power and finesse
Characteristics and opinions
The flagship of the HP brand, this model has many advantages over its competitors: the quality of a worked design, a Full HD screen, and an impressive lightness with only 1.3kg. It embeds a Ryzen 5, 8 GB of ram which is the average for this kind of configuration and this price. We will note the fast recharging of the device, which is a real asset for this model as well as a sufficient storage capacity of 512 GB in SSD for all your uses.
This model offers a removable screen to use your computer on a tablet thanks to its hinge allowing a 360° rotation. Depending on the options selected, you will be able to benefit from a machine that can rotate games with low power consumption. For the latest hits, if you plan to enjoy yourself on the retina, you will have to pass your way. The integrated graphics chip Radeon Vega 8 will still do what is necessary on greedy games but drastically sacrificing quality in low definition. All in all, this PC fulfills its initial role as a laptop and hybrid for everyday and professional use. For sound aficionados, this model has 4 Bang & Olufsen speakers.
Advantages
- Good finish
- Balanced configuration
- Touch screen
Disadvantages
- Weak on recent games
How to choose the right laptop?
As you will have understood, the choice of the best laptop depends above all on your personal use. The first prices allow you to carry out office tasks such as word processing and spreadsheets, whereas high-end PCs are more for professional use such as photo editing or video editing. Between these two ranges, we find most of the references of laptops, versatile and multimedia, with a processor powerful enough to absorb the needs of the user. To help you in the best possible way, we have also made a selection of the best professional laptops of the moment. Now, let’s discover together the components of a laptop to better understand and choose your travel companion.
See also: Best gaming smartphones in 2021