Top Laptops of 2025: Gaming, Work, School Picks

A great laptop is your ticket to high-quality computing on the go, and no matter your needs, there's a perfect match out there for you. With a staggering array of options available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, a versatile all-arounder like my top pick, the MacBook Air, might be all you need. For students looking to blend portability, performance, and a touch of entertainment, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 could be the better choice. As a professional laptop reviewer, my goal is to help you navigate through the clutter and find the laptop that best suits your needs, whether it's for work, school, or gaming. Here are the top 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 come in various forms, designed to cater to a wide range of needs. The best ones seamlessly integrate into your daily routine without constantly reminding you of their presence. They offer excellent battery life and performance that won't disappoint after such a significant investment.

No matter what you're looking for, I've conducted thorough testing 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 is better than ever, thanks to its powerful M4 chip. This system excels in productivity and creative work, offering stellar performance in a sleek package. 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 quicklyApple's MacBook Air has long been a staple in the laptop world, consistently earning top marks for performance, portability, and battery life. The latest iteration, featuring the M4 chip, takes these qualities to new heights. This chip enables users to tackle everything from work and school projects to creative tasks with speed and efficiency, all while consuming less battery than many competing Windows laptops.

The MacBook Air continues to impress with its thin and light design, now even lighter at just 2.7 pounds, making it incredibly easy to carry. Apple's commitment to evolutionary refinement is evident in this model, which maintains its fanless, passively cooled design for silent operation and a clean aesthetic.

While it may not match the MacBook Pro's performance due to its lack of active cooling, the MacBook Air is designed to be a reliable daily companion. The M4 chip offers a 20% performance boost over the previous M3, ensuring it can handle most daily tasks with ease.

The display remains similar to its predecessor, offering a crisp 2560x1664 resolution on a 13- or 15-inch screen. While an upgrade would have been welcome, the current display delivers vibrant colors and high pixel density.

Connectivity is somewhat 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.

Overall, the MacBook Air excels in being silent, responsive, and a natural part of your daily life, making it the best choice for most users, despite its limitations in gaming.

2. Asus VivoBook S 15

Best Budget Laptop

### Asus VivoBook S 15

0This well-priced notebook offers impressive performance, an OLED display, and exceptional portability on a budget. 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)Asus's VivoBook S 15 offers a compelling entry point for those seeking a budget-friendly laptop without sacrificing key features. Priced well below $1,000, it shares many benefits with the more expensive ZenBook S 16, including a fantastic screen and a thin, light design that's easy to carry.

The VivoBook line strikes a balance between value and performance, evident in its design and specifications. While the ZenBook offers a more elegant design, the S 15 provides a high-performing laptop at a more accessible price point.

Weighing just over 3 pounds and less than an inch thick, the S 15 is highly portable. It's equipped with 16GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, powered by the efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P processor.

The OLED touchscreen display is a standout feature, offering a high-resolution 2880x1620 at 120Hz for smooth scrolling and animations. This makes it ideal for both productivity and entertainment.

In testing, the laptop achieved over 16 hours of battery life, a testament to the efficiency of the Snapdragon processor. However, this processor's different architecture may lead to app compatibility issues, so it's wise to check the Windows on ARM compatibility list before purchasing.

Overall, the Asus VivoBook S 15 is a great value, offering impressive performance and features for its price.

Razer Blade 16 (2025) – Photos

View 12 Images3. Razer Blade 16 (2025)

Best Gaming Laptop

### Razer Blade 16 (2025)

0This year's Blade 16 is a masterclass in balancing form factor, performance, and user experience in a premium package. 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 of 2025 is arguably the best laptop Razer has ever produced. It combines top-tier performance with a surprisingly thin and light design, featuring the latest Nvidia graphics and a powerful AMD Ryzen CPU. While it may not lead in sheer frame rates, its overall package is exceptional.

Crafted from a fully aluminum CNC-milled chassis, the Blade 16 offers durability and a reasonable weight of 4.7 pounds. Its balanced system, powered by an RTX 5090, allows for gaming at ultra settings, yet its design makes it more enjoyable to use than most gaming laptops.

To achieve its slim profile, Razer limits the graphics card's wattage, which might disappoint some at its high price. However, at its native resolution, the Blade 16 remains a powerhouse.

The 16-inch, 2560x1600 OLED screen is another highlight, offering excellent visuals and a 240Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay. Despite potentially lagging a few frames behind heavier competitors, the Blade 16's design and performance make it the best overall gaming laptop of the year.

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 choice for work, thanks to its spacious, crystal-clear display, ultra-portable design, and snappy 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 is a top pick for work, offering a spacious 16-inch OLED touchscreen, elegant design, solid battery life, and impressive performance. Its 16:10 aspect ratio maximizes screen space, perfect for productivity tasks.

The ZenBook S 16's design draws comparisons to Apple's MacBook lineup, featuring a durable Ceraluminum lid and a vented area above the keyboard that adds to its premium look. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 CPU, it handles demanding tasks and multitasking with ease, offering around 15 hours of battery life.

While not as powerful as Apple's M3 or M4 chips, it's more than capable for most tasks, including video editing. It can also handle light gaming, though it's not a dedicated gaming laptop.

One potential drawback is its tendency to get warm during intensive tasks, which might be a concern for some users. However, for everyday productivity, this isn't a significant issue.

The ZenBook S 16's balance of form and function made it my personal daily driver until I had to switch, making it an excellent choice for work.

Microsoft Surface Pro 11 – Photos

View 12 Images5. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Best Laptop for School

### Microsoft Surface Pro 11

0This versatile 2-in-1 is the perfect blend of performance, reliability, and entertainment value for demanding 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, offering versatility and a great experience across various scenarios. It seamlessly blends note-taking, productivity, and entertainment into a compact, portable package.

This year's Surface Pro reinvents Microsoft's 2-in-1 tablet PC, delivering high performance without sacrificing form factor. Powered by either a Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite processor, it offers a responsive experience, with the X Elite version being the recommended choice for its superior performance and OLED display.

The OLED screen, with a 2880x1920 resolution, provides crisp visuals and vibrant colors, enhancing both productivity and entertainment. The Surface Pro's default configuration does not include the keyboard folio case or Surface Pen, which are additional costs, but third-party options are available.

App compatibility is a consideration, but most common academic and creative apps are supported. For gaming, the Surface Pro works well with Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, though local gaming performance is limited.

Overall, the Surface Pro 11 is an excellent choice for students needing a versatile, all-day laptop.

How to Choose the Best Laptop in 2025

Choosing the right laptop in 2025 can be daunting, but focusing on key specifications can help you find the perfect match for your needs.

Display: The display is crucial, with options ranging from IPS to OLED or mini-LED. For work or school, a standard IPS display is often sufficient, but for gaming or entertainment, an OLED can significantly enhance your experience. Consider the resolution and refresh rate; 1080p is typically enough for productivity, while higher refresh rates improve motion fluidity.

Platform/OS: Your choice between Windows and Mac depends on your preferences and needs. Mac is exclusive to Apple devices, while Windows offers more hardware variety.

Processor: The processor is the heart of your laptop. Intel, AMD, and Snapdragon are the main players. For general use, a six-core processor is a minimum, with eight or more recommended for future-proofing.

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

Storage: Start with at least 512GB for productivity and 1TB for gaming, as smaller capacities can fill up quickly.

Graphics: Integrated graphics are fine for productivity, but dedicated GPUs are essential for gaming to achieve better performance.

Portability: Consider the laptop's weight and size. Thin and light laptops are ideal for daily carry, while gaming laptops may be heavier due to their components.

Laptop FAQ

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

For work or school, focus on an 8-core processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. For gaming, consider a dedicated GPU to enhance graphics settings and performance.

Why do laptops get slow?

Laptops can slow down due to outdated hardware, dust buildup affecting cooling, or simply because their compact design limits their lifespan compared to desktops.

Should I get a laptop or a desktop?

Choose a laptop for portability and gaming on the go, but opt for a desktop if you're staying at home, as they offer better performance for the price and easier upgrades.