The 6 Best Laptops At Best Buy of 2025

The best laptop at Best Buy we've tested is the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024). This 14-inch premium productivity laptop requires little introduction, as it's one of the most popular models on the market for the past few years. It can handle intensive workloads like 3D animation, simulations, and video editing. It delivers an amazing user experience thanks to its gorgeous Mini LED display, easy-to-use haptic touchpad, and full-sounding speakers. Sporting a compact design and all-day battery life, this laptop is perfect for on-the-go use. If you want more screen space to work more comfortably, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2024) is the obvious choice; it's the same device but with a larger 16-inch display and even better-sounding speakers.

While there aren't any changes to the design or chassis compared to its predecessor, the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M3, 2023), there are a couple of notable internal upgrades and new features on this M4 model. These include a brighter display (up to 1000 cd/m² in SDR), a 12 MP webcam with Center Stage support, and Thunderbolt 5 (Pro and Max models). The base M4 model has also received an upgrade ports-wise, as it now has a third USB-C port with the same external display support as the Pro model. Another new feature worth mentioning is the nano-texture display, which is the same Mini LED panel but with a semi-glossy finish to further reduce glare. Unfortunately, since they're custom builds, you can only get the nano-texture models directly from Apple.

If you don't need all the processing power of the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2024) and would rather save some money, we recommend going with our upper mid-range pick, the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2024). It's another super popular laptop on the market that most people are already familiar with. It's an excellent choice for anyone needing a thin, light model for general productivity tasks like web browsing, text processing, spreadsheets, and video playback. It can also handle some light video editing as long as the material isn't overly complex. The device feels just as well built as the MacBook Pro, and it's lighter and even more compact, making it easier to carry around. Plus, unlike the MacBook Pro, this is a fanless device, so you won't have to worry about causing too much noise in quiet environments like classrooms or offices.

So, performance aside, what else do you lose compared to the MacBook Pro? Two things come to mind: the display and ports. Its Retina display is very pleasing to look at, but it isn't nearly as good, as it's a standard 60Hz, edge-lit IPS panel, whereas the MacBook Pro has a 120Hz panel with local dimming provided by its Mini LED backlight. The Retina display is also dimmer but still bright enough for good visibility in most indoor settings. As for the port selection, it only has two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, which can only output to two external displays with the lid closed. One thing to look out for is the RAM configuration: Apple has discontinued the 8GB model and made 16GB the base configuration, but the 8GB model sometimes retails for the same price as the 16GB model, so make sure to check first. If you want more screen real estate, this 13-inch model has a bigger sibling, the Apple MacBook Air 15 (2024). It just costs more but otherwise delivers a near-identical user experience.

For those on a more limited budget but don't want to go too cheap, check out the Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 (2024). It's a very different device than the picks above, as not only is it a Windows laptop, but it's also a 2-in-1 convertible. Performance-wise, it's somewhat in the same camp as the MacBook Air, meaning it's mainly designed for general productivity but can handle some moderately demanding workloads. Its integrated GPU isn't that great, so anything requiring a lot of graphical processing power is out of the question. RAM and storage max out at 16GB and 1TB, respectively. While you can likely get by with 8GB of RAM, we recommend going up to 16GB, as most programs require increasingly more memory. Also, this laptop uses soldered memory, so upgrading it later is impossible.

The keyboard feels very comfortable to type on. Most Lenovo laptops have a great keyboard with a lot of travel and tactility, and that's very much the case here. As for the touchpad, although it isn't haptic like the MacBook Air, it's reasonably large and highly responsive. You can get this laptop with an IPS or an OLED panel (both are FHD+ panels). The latter is brighter and more colorful; however, remember that OLEDs are susceptible to permanent burn-in. The OLED panel also flickers, which might bother some people. Both displays support pen input if you want to take handwritten notes or draw—you'll have to buy the stylus separately, as the Best Buy models don't include one in the box.

The best budget laptop at Best Buy we've tested is the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023). Since this is an older model from 2023, the price has decreased considerably, making it a great value. It feels well-built even though it's entirely plastic, and it's relatively portable for a 16-inch device. You get plenty of screen space for split-screen multitasking and a spacious keyboard and touchpad. Performance is fine for a general productivity ultraportable; it likely won't wow the enthusiasts, but it gets the job done. Like the Lenovo above, you can get up to 16GB of RAM; however, this laptop has a standard SO-DIMM slot, so you can upgrade the memory if you have trouble finding a 16GB model. The SSD is user-upgradeable, too.

Of course, as this is a budget model, there are a few drawbacks to know about. First, the display is on the dim side, meaning visibility might be an issue in well-lit settings. It also produces slightly washed-out colors due to its narrow color gamut, a common drawback of cheaper, low-end panels. Next, the 720p webcam above the display is okay at best—the image looks soft, noisy, and overexposed. Finally, although it has a fairly varied port selection, the USB-C port doesn't support video output, so you'll have to use the HDMI port to connect an external display. Battery life is so-so; you can get around eight hours of light use on a full charge, so depending on your use, you might need to plug it in for a short time to get through a typical school or workday.

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is our top gaming pick. Sporting a high-performance Intel 14th Gen CPU and configurable with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, this 16-inch model delivers an amazingly smooth gaming experience in the most demanding AAA titles. You can choose between a 165Hz FHD+ and a 240Hz QHD+ panel; both are IPS panels with a fast response time and G-SYNC support, giving you a clear image in fast-moving scenes with minimal ghosting and tearing. Its wide port selection includes an Ethernet port, giving you a reliable internet connection when gaming online. The main downside is that this laptop is bulky and heavy, making it better suited as a desktop replacement than for on-the-go use.

If you want a more compact, portable model, check out the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024). At 14 inches, this premium model is much more compact and lightweight, making it easier to carry around. Plus, it has a more understated design, so you can bring it to work without sticking out like a sore thumb. Performance is where you'll have to compromise a bit, as this laptop uses slower AMD Ryzen CPUs and is only available with up to a 90W RTX 4070 GPU. The computer also gets warmer under load, which isn't all that surprising given its smaller chassis. Its OLED display is arguably nicer, as it can produce deeper blacks; however, it has a lower refresh rate of 120Hz, so motion won't look as smooth as on the Strix's 240Hz display, and inputs will feel less responsive.

Consider the MSI Katana A15 AI (2024) if you want a more affordable gaming laptop. This simple 15-inch model is available with up to an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, providing more than enough processing power to deliver smooth gameplay in highly demanding AAA titles. There are two display options: a 144Hz FHD or 165Hz QHD display. The latter will provide a better gaming experience, producing a cleaner image with less ghosting in fast-moving scenes. It also has better color reproduction, displaying more vibrant colors than the FHD panel, which looks washed out.

The build quality, as well as the overall user experience, is where you'll have to compromise. Its plastic chassis flexes in some areas, especially the display, which isn't a dealbreaker but doesn't give much confidence in the general sturdiness of the device. The display's hinges are also loose—this is a bit more concerning, as it's a moving part, and most people will open and close the laptop regularly. Finally, the laptop gets quite warm under load and can cause some discomfort, as the hot spot is right in the middle of the keyboard.