If your workload consists mainly of general productivity tasks like text processing, web browsing, spreadsheets, and video playback, an ultraportable might be a better choice. We recommend the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition 15 (2024). This 2024 version is super compact, and its battery lasts around 17 hours of light use. You get a sharp, bright 15-inch screen for multitasking, a comfortable keyboard that you can type on all day, and a responsive haptic touchpad. Its 1080p webcam is among the best you can find in the Windows world, eliminating the need to carry a separate webcam. Its port selection is likely sufficient for most people, though there’s no Thunderbolt 4 support.
An important thing to know about this laptop is that it now sports an ARM SoC, the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite. This chip performs well and is more than adequate for light productivity tasks; however, many programs don’t run natively on an ARM processor. While Microsoft has introduced a new emulation layer to improve compatibility, you should still check that the apps you use are compatible or run well enough to get your work done first.
For Mac users, get the Apple MacBook Air 13 (2024), which is also a high-end model that provides a premium user experience. Its base M3 SoC is plenty fast for most people, and of course, you get all the benefits of the Apple ecosystem, which includes features like Continuity Camera, Universal Clipboard, and instant Hotspot. Unfortunately, the display’s refresh rate is limited to 60Hz (120Hz on the Surface), and its port selection comprises only two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3s and a MagSafe charging port. Battery life is great at 11 hours of light use, though not nearly as impressive as the Surface Laptop’s.
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