【AI前沿】These are the laptops I recommend for pretty much anyone

GadgetsGamingTechThese are the laptops I recommend for pretty much anyoneBuying a laptop is a big decision, and everyone’s needs are different. But you can’t go wrong with any of these.Buying a laptop is a big decision, and everyone’s needs are different. But you can’t go wrong with any of these.byAntonio G. Di BenedettoMay 16, 2026, 12:00 PM UTCLinkShareIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission.See our ethics statement.Illustration by Alex Parkin / The VergeAntonio G. Di Benedettois a reviewer covering laptops and the occasional gadget. He spent over 15 years in the photography industry before joining The Verge as a deals writer in 2021.Need a new laptop? It’s a tough decision. If you’re like most people, a laptop is one of the most expensive tech purchases you’ll make, and it’s something you’ll use and live with nearly every day for years to come. So there’s a lot riding on this pricey expense.I’ve tested all kinds of laptops, from cheap Windows computers and Chromebooks to bread-and-butter MacBooks and over-the-top gaming machines. These are the ones I recommend the most and why I think they might be a good fit for you.Though the MacBook Air is still the easy recommendation for most people, that doesn’t make it the go-to answer foreveryone. What if you need more power for video or photo editing, or for crunching large datasets? What if you prefer to run Windows? What if you play lots of games and want to take them with you? Or what if you want something that’s super repairable, or something that’s unusual? We’ve got some recommendations, including a Chromebook or two, a laptop with two screens, the16-inch MacBook Pro, and theMicrosoft Surface Laptopwith a Snapdragon X Elite chip.Featured ProductsPreviousNextThe best answer for most peopleApple MacBook Air 15 (2026, M5)Read More$1149 at Amazon$1299 at AppleWant to spend less? Or shopping for a student?Apple MacBook NeoRead More$599 at Amazon$599 at WalmartThe laptops to get if you prefer WindowsMicrosoft Surface Laptop, 13-inchRead More$1050 at Amazon$1050 at Best BuyNeed a bigger Windows laptop?Asus Zenbook A16Read More$1700 at Best Buy$2200 at AsusNeed a Chromebook for a kid or just browsing?Asus Chromebook Plus CX34Read More$369 at Walmart (128GB)$400 at Asus (256GB)The one I’d buy myself for both work and gamingAsus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)Read More$1900 at Best Buy (5060)$2200 at Asus (5070)The one I’d buy myself for pure content creationApple MacBook Pro 14 (2025, M5)Read More$1500 at Amazon$1699 at AppleDesktop level gaming in a laptopAsus ROG Strix Scar 16 (2025, RTX 5080)Read More$3200 at Amazon$3232 at WalmartLiving that sweet dual-screen lifeAsus Zenbook Duo (2026)Read More$2500 at AsusActual DIY repairs and upgrades!Framework Laptop 13 (2025, AMD Ryzen AI 7 350)Read More$1049 at FrameworkWhat we’re looking forHow we test laptopsCollapseWe run benchmarks to test performance, but we focus on actual real-world use to get an idea of what living with a laptop is like. A laptop should last you a bunch of years, and you don’t want to be punished every time you open the lid.ValueCollapseGood things usually cost good money, but some laptops feel more worthy of their asking price than others.PerformanceCollapseYou want enough performance for the tasks you want to accomplish — from basic web browsing to heavy content creation or playing games. If you can afford more headroom, go for it.Keyboard and trackpadCollapseThese are the main ways you interact with a laptop, so they should function well and feel good to use.ScreenCollapseYou can always plug into an external monitor, but a quality laptop has a bright and sharp screen with nice contrast and colors.Design and buildCollapseThe more solid the build, the longer it should last after years of getting battered during a daily commute or on the road. And a good design only enhances day-to-day experience.Battery lifeCollapsePlenty of folks keep their laptops plugged in all the time, but it’s freeing to be able to work much of the day away from the charger.Port selectionCollapseThe more ports, the better — within reason, of course. A thin-and-light laptop can get away with just a few, but they should be decently speedy.The best answer for most people9Verge ScoreApple MacBook Air 15 (2026, M5)$1149$129912% off$1149The GoodA little more speed never hurtsStarts with more storage that’s twice as fastStill one of the best laptops aroundGreat battery life and speakersThe BadStarting price is $100 more than M4 generation (though you get more storage for it)The MacBook Neo now exists and costs less than half$1149 at Amazon$1299 at Apple$1299 at Best BuyHow we rate and review productsCPU:M5 (10-core) /GPU:M5 (8- or 10-core) /RAM:16GB,24GB, 32GB /Storage:512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB /Display:13.6-inch or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, 2560 x 1664 or 2880 x 1864 , 60Hz, no touch option /Dimensions:11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (13-inch) or 13.40 x 9.35 x0.45inches (15-inch) /Weight:2.7 pounds(13-inc