Checkout Our 5 Favorite Laptops Compared in Features, Price - and More

The choice of laptops on the market is delightfully broad, but that choice can have the drawback of making the process of deciding on a machine very arduous. It certainly doesn't help that descriptions of different laptop models are often packed with technical jargon that can overwhelm many of us!

To help relieve confusion, we have looked closely at what is on offer and narrowed it down to our top favorites. These particular machines are attractive for having power and functionality in spades

2017 Dell XPS 13 – the Kaby Lake update

If you've ever doubted the wisdom of the mantra "slow but steady wins the race", just look at the 2017 series of Dell XPS 13 laptops. Earlier this year, Dell updated its XPS 13 machines with the latest Intel processors, the Kaby Lake series. Still, this is probably the most notable of the few recently-made changes, which also include the addition of rose gold as an optional color for the frame - very on trend! 



The base XPS 13 costs $799, for which you get a dual-core Intel Core i3 processor and an InfinityEdge display with a Full HD resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. However, that isn't a touchscreen, unlike the QHD+ - that's 3,200 x 1,800 pixels - resolution display on the pricier model, which also has a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor and costs at least $1,299. 

Each of these models comes with 8GB of RAM - the more RAM a device has, the better for multitasking it can be - and 128GB of solid-state storage.

2017 HP Spectre x360 – your laptop and your tablet in one 

2015 saw the introduction of the HP Spectre x360 series of laptops. Befitting the "x360" part of the name, each of these machines has a hinge that allows the keyboard to be completely reverted to the device's back, resulting in a tablet configuration.



Laptops that can be changed in this way are often called convertibles or hybrids. However, the 2017 versions of the HP Spectre x360 could be considered some of the best hybrid devices currently available. There are 13-inch and 15-inch models of these 2017 versions.

While the 2017 x360 machines are delightfully slim like their predecessors, they have also taken design cues from HP's non-convertible Spectre 13. The price of the HP Spectre x360 13 starts at $1,199, while that rises to $1,279.99 if you want a standard HP Spectre x360 15. Both devices have 4K screens and offer USB-C connectivity.

2017 Asus ZenBook UX310 – an impressively specified Windows 10 laptop


In December, Asus made available two new models of its ZenBook UX310 ultrabook. These were refreshes, not revolutions, having been given Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake processors. There are two 2017 versions of the Asus ZenBook UX310: the UX310UA and the UX310UQ.

Don't feel too daunted by these names, as there is little difference between these two versions. The UX310UA uses integrated graphics, and the UX310UQ has an Nvidia GeForce 940M graphics chip. However, if you look past graphics, these models are otherwise identical in hardware options.

So, whichever of the models you choose, you can enjoy a 128, 256 or 512GB solid-state drive, an illuminated keyboard, 4GB of SDRAM that can be expanded up to 16GB, and a card reader compatible with SDHC and SD formats. Meanwhile, the 13.3-inch LED display is anti-glare, while the connectivity options include USB 2.0, Type C USB 3.0, Type A USB 3.0 and HDMI.

These are, of course, just a few of the features available with either laptop, on which you can run Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro

2017 Acer Aspire S 13 – slick to both look at and use 

When you first see the 2017 Acer Aspire S 13, you may be most immediately struck by its appearance; its exterior is nano-printed, making for a look that oozes professionalism. There's no doubt that the device's lengthy battery life, which Asus says can reach 13 hours, and USB Type-3 connectivity could greatly help professional users during a hectic working day. 



You shouldn't have to wait around too often when using this laptop. Data can be transferred super-quickly through the USB Type-3 port, while the included 2x2 MU-MIMO can inject a delightful amount of zippiness into wireless transfers, too. 

However, such advances could be overly compromised were it not for the considerable grunt that the Acer Aspire S packs inside. You can pay $799 for a model that includes a 2.70GHz Intel Core i7 processor, a solid-state drive of 256GB capacity, and 8GB of RAM - not to mention a 13.3-inch display of 1,920 x 1,080 resolution

2017 Microsoft Surface Laptop – taking the challenge to Apple 

Microsoft has shown an admirable degree of creativity with the Windows hardware it has been bringing out. The company might have a much shorter history of hardware design compared to Apple and many big-name makers of Windows laptops; however, we have already seen Microsoft take aim at the iMac with its Surface Studio and the iPad with the Surface Pro tablets.

The Redmond corporation has made a habit of working to its strengths by targeting its hardware at professional users, many of which could also be enticed by the Surface Laptop. It's a very to-the-point name, as it indeed combines the prestigious feel of the Surface brand with familiar functionality of a laptop. Well, actually, not entirely familiar...



For a start, the Surface Laptop comes with Windows 10 S - a new, stripped-down version of Windows 10. This version of the operating system has been hailed for its speed, although you can still freely upgrade it to Windows 10 Pro before the end of 2017. The device also sports a pleasant Alcantara fabric around the keys and across the palm rests.

On Microsoft's website, Surface Laptop models with Intel Core i5 processors are each priced from $999, while the cost currently goes right up to $2,199 for an Intel Core i5 model with 512GB of solid-state storage and 16GB of RAM.

The above laptops all come recommended but still differ enough that you should carry out further, thorough research before you settle on one. What are your specific needs in a laptop? Start from there and don't hesitate to ask online for advice.