Top 2025 Laptops: Best for Gaming, Work, School

A great laptop offers the convenience of high-quality computing on the go, making it an enticing option for all users. The sheer variety of choices can be overwhelming, but a versatile all-arounder like my top pick, the MacBook Air, is often all you need. Students looking for a blend of portability, performance, and entertainment might find the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 more suitable. As a professional laptop reviewer, I'm here to guide you through the maze of options and help you find the perfect laptop for your needs, whether it's for work, school, or gaming. Here are the best laptops of 2025.

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

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

0See it at AmazonSee it at Apple### Asus VivoBook S 15

0See it at Best BuySee it at Asus### Razer Blade 16 (2025)

0See it at Razer### Asus Zenbook S 16

0See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at Asus### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0See it at AmazonSee it at MicrosoftLaptops are available in numerous designs, each tailored to different needs. The best ones integrate seamlessly into your daily routine, offering excellent battery life and performance that justify their investment.

No matter your requirements, I've conducted thorough tests to ensure you get the best value and performance for your money.

MacBook Air (M4, 2025) – Photos

View 6 Images1. Apple MacBook Air (M4, Early 2025)

The Best Laptop

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

0This year's MacBook Air, enhanced by the powerful M4 chip, is an outstanding choice for productivity and creative tasks. It offers exceptional performance while maintaining impressive battery life.
See it at AmazonSee it at AppleProduct SpecificationsDisplay13.6” (2560x1664) CPUApple M4 (10 cores)GPUApple M4 (8-10 cores)RAM16-32GBStorage256GB - 2TBWeight2.7 poundsDimensions11.97” x 8.46” x 0.44"PROSStellar battery lifeExceptionally thin and lightExcellent everyday performanceCONSLimited gaming abilityUpgrades get expensive quicklyThe MacBook Air remains one of the most recognizable laptops, consistently earning top marks for its performance, portability, and battery life. The latest iteration, powered by the M4 chip, excels in handling everything from work projects to creative tasks, all while being more energy-efficient than many Windows laptops in its price range.

The MacBook Air continues to impress with its thin and light design, now even lighter at just 2.7 pounds. Its fanless design, utilizing passive cooling, ensures silent operation and a sleek aesthetic without fan vents. While it may not match the MacBook Pro's performance due to its lack of active cooling, the MacBook Air remains an ideal daily companion for most users.

The M4 chip offers a significant performance boost, roughly 20% over the M3, enabling the MacBook Air to handle everyday tasks with ease. The display, while similar to its predecessor, offers a sharp, color-rich image at a 2560x1664 resolution, making it perfect for productivity and casual use.

However, connectivity remains limited, with only two USB Type-C ports, a MagSafe connector, and a headphone jack. For those with multiple accessories, a dock may be necessary. Despite its limitations in gaming, the MacBook Air excels as a daily driver for most users.

2. Asus VivoBook S 15

Best Budget Laptop

### Asus VivoBook S 15

0This affordable laptop delivers strong performance, a stunning OLED display, and exceptional portability, making it an excellent value for budget-conscious buyers.
See it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay15” (2880x1620) OLED 120HzCPUQualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1PGPUIntegrated (Qualcomm Adreno)RAM16GB LPDDR5X Storage512GB NVMe SSDWeight3.13 poundsDimensions13.88" x 8.93" x 0.58" - 0.63"PROSExcellent performance for productivity tasksGreat battery lifeKiller displayCONSApp compatibility could be an issue (but likely not)Starting at under $1,000, the Asus VivoBook S 15 offers many benefits similar to the more expensive ZenBook S 16. Its high-resolution OLED display and thin, light design make it an easy carry, while its performance remains uncompromised.

The VivoBook line balances value and affordability, sharing design elements with the ZenBook series but at a lower cost. At just over 3 pounds and less than an inch thick, it's highly portable without sacrificing performance. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P processor, it offers efficient power usage and robust performance.

The VivoBook S 15's OLED touchscreen display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a crisp 2880x1620 resolution, ensuring outstanding picture quality for productivity and entertainment. Its battery life exceeds 16 hours in normal use, reducing the need for frequent charging.

However, the Snapdragon processor may face app compatibility issues due to its unique architecture. Most major productivity and creative apps should work, but checking the Windows on ARM compatibility list is advisable. For those who can navigate this, the VivoBook S 15 offers great value and performance.

Razer Blade 16 (2025) – Photos

View 12 Images3. Razer Blade 16 (2025)

Best Gaming Laptop

### Razer Blade 16 (2025)

0The Razer Blade 16 strikes an impressive balance of performance, form factor, and user experience, making it the best gaming laptop of the year.
See it at RazerProduct SpecificationsDisplay16-inch (2,560x1,600) OLED CPU AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUUp to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090RAMUp to 64GBStorageUp to 4TBWeight4.7lbsDimensions13.98 x 8.68 x 0.59 - 0.69 inchesPROSFantastic performance in a surprisingly thin and light bodyStunning OLED displayImpressive battery life while gamingIt's a joy to useCONSVery expensiveFor sheer FPS, there are better options out thereThe Razer Blade 16 is a premium gaming laptop that blends high performance with a surprisingly thin and light design. It features the latest Nvidia graphics and a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU, delivering excellent gaming performance in a sleek package.

The CNC-milled aluminum chassis enhances durability while keeping the weight at a manageable 4.7 pounds. Despite its high performance, the Blade 16 remains quieter than most gaming laptops. The RTX 5090 graphics card allows for gaming at ultra settings, and its 16-inch, 2560x1600 OLED screen offers crisp visuals and smooth gameplay at up to 240Hz.

While the graphics card's wattage is limited to achieve this form factor, the Blade 16 still delivers impressive performance at its native resolution. Although it may not lead in raw FPS, its overall design and performance make it a top choice for those who can afford it.

Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos

View 19 Images4. Asus ZenBook S 16

Best Laptop for Work

### Asus Zenbook S 16

0The Asus ZenBook S 16 is an excellent work laptop, offering a spacious OLED display, sleek design, and robust performance.
See it at AmazonSee it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (2880x1800)CPUAMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUAMD Radeon 890MRAM32GB LPDDR5XStorage1TB PCIe SSDWeight3.31 poundsSize13.92" x 9.57" x 0.47" - 0.51"Battery lifeAround 15 hoursPROSStellar portabilityBeautiful OLED touchscreenStylishly elegant design Capable of light gamingCONSHigh surface temperaturesThe Asus ZenBook S 16 excels in productivity, portability, and light gaming. Its 16-inch OLED touchscreen and elegant design make it a premium choice for work, while its battery life and performance meet the demands of daily tasks.

The 16:10 aspect ratio maximizes screen space, ideal for work and presentations. The touchscreen enhances usability, and the Ceraluminum lid adds a durable, fingerprint-resistant finish. The AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU offers high performance for multitasking and demanding tasks, including video editing, with around 15 hours of battery life.

While capable of light gaming, the ZenBook S 16 can become warm during intensive use, suggesting the use of a laptop cooler or desk. For everyday productivity, however, it remains a comfortable and powerful work tool.

Microsoft Surface Pro 11 – Photos

View 12 Images5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best Laptop for School

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a versatile 2-in-1 that excels in performance, portability, and entertainment, making it ideal for students.
See it at AmazonSee it at MicrosoftProduct SpecificationsDisplay14” OLED (2880x1920) 120Hz, 10-point touchCPUSnapdragon X EliteGPUIntegratedRAM16-64GB (LPDDR5)Storage256GB - 1TBWeight1.97 poundsSize11.3" x 8.2" x 0.37"PROSVery portable for easy transport between classesResponsive performance: Microsoft's best to dateHigh quality OLED touchscreen, great for productivity as well as entertainmentWorks well for game streamingCONSApp compatibility is still developingKeyboard case and stylus accessories are quite expensiveThe Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the ideal laptop for students due to its versatility and performance. It seamlessly transitions between note-taking, productivity, and entertainment, all in a compact, portable design.

This year's Surface Pro features the Snapdragon X Elite processor, delivering responsive performance without lag. The OLED touchscreen display offers a crisp 2880x1920 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing both productivity and entertainment.

The Surface Pro 11 does not come with a keyboard folio case or Surface Pen, which are sold separately and can increase the overall cost. However, third-party alternatives are available for those looking to save. App compatibility may be a concern due to the Snapdragon processor, but most common apps for academic and creative use should work well.

For gaming, the Surface Pro 11 supports Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, offering a viable option for students looking to play games on the go.

How to Choose the Best Laptop in 2025

Choosing the right laptop in 2025 involves understanding key specifications that align with your needs. Here's what to consider:

Display: The display is crucial for your laptop experience. Most laptops use IPS displays, but OLED or mini-LED options offer superior visuals at a higher cost. Consider the resolution and refresh rate based on your usage; 1080p and 60Hz are sufficient for work and school, while higher specs enhance gaming and entertainment.

Platform/OS: Your choice between Windows and Mac will impact your daily interaction with the laptop. Mac is exclusive to Apple devices like the MacBook Air and Pro.

Processor: The processor is the core of your laptop's performance. Intel, AMD, and Snapdragon are the primary options. For general use, opt for at least a six-core processor, with eight or more recommended for future-proofing and multitasking.

Memory: Aim for at least 16GB of RAM for productivity and school, and 32GB for gaming or intensive tasks like video editing.

Storage: Starting at 256GB, consider a minimum of 512GB for productivity and 1TB for gaming and local file storage.

Graphics: Integrated graphics suffice for productivity, while dedicated GPUs are essential for gaming to achieve better performance and graphics settings.

Portability: Weight is a significant factor in portability. Laptops under 3.5 pounds are ideal for productivity, while gaming laptops tend to be heavier. Consider visiting a store to compare different models firsthand.

Laptop FAQ

Which laptop is best for work, school, or gaming?

For work and school, focus on an 8-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Additional RAM and storage can be considered as your budget allows. For gaming, a dedicated GPU is essential to enhance graphics settings and performance.

Why do laptops get slow?

Laptops can slow down due to outdated hardware, dust buildup causing overheating, or the inherent limitations of their form factor compared to desktops.

Should I get a laptop or a desktop?

Choose a laptop for portability and gaming on the go. A desktop is better for home use, offering better performance at a lower cost and more upgrade options. Consider your need for mobility versus staying in one place.