The average lifespan of a laptop is around 3-5 years, so do you think you’re due an upgrade yet?
Replacing your old laptop can be an inconvenient expense, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to get a shiny new toy that’ll you’ll love and will serve you well. Whether you’re a loyal Apple customer or a Windows warrior, there are some amazing options on the market for everyone.
However, you wouldn’t want to be stuck with a laptop that doesn’t meet your needs for the next five years, so make sure you do your research on the best computer brands before committing to a new device.
Here, we’ll review each of the most popular laptop brands, their features, advantages, and disadvantages.
Read on to find out more.
Apple
Let’s start with a more luxury computer type, Apple. The Apple MacBook is the trendiest laptop out there – picture Millenials sipping on a coconut latte while working away at their latest blog post. Nine times out of ten, they’ll be using a MacBook.
Apple devices are aesthetic, light-weight, extremely responsive, and have great battery life. As a company, Apple owns nearly 10% of the global laptop share and is known for its exceptional customer support.
However, if you’re a gamer, then Apple laptops aren’t for you; the hardware isn’t built for these complex processes, and you’re unable to upgrade its RAM.
The other challenge when purchasing from Apple is the price tag. Be aware that it’s not just a one-time fee; buying accessories from Apple, such as replacement chargers, will put you significantly out of pocket.
A MacBook purchased directly from Apple will cost you between $999-$2499.
Lenovo
The Lenovo brand is known for its premium, business-style laptops. They’ve been designed with a range of consumers in mind and can handle most styles of usage. Whether you’re a coder, gamer, or college student, this is one of the types of computers that work for everyone.
Undoubtedly, the main perk of purchasing from Lenovo is durable hardware. Additionally, they offer laptops within each price bracket and a range of designs.
Lenovo can be faulted for their lack of design and structuring innovation; their devices resemble the ‘classic’ laptop. However, they’ve channeled their efforts into producing expert software with no aesthetic frills.
A Lenovo laptop purchased directly from Lenovo will cost you between $219-$2069.
ASUS
ASUS (not to be confused with ASOS) is an affordable laptop manufacturer that’s most famous for its Chromebooks.
ASUS Chromebooks have attractive designs, 1080p screens, and long battery life. They offer lots of the perks of the laptops such as the MacBook, but without the high prices.
The surprising feature of ASUS laptops is their gaming capabilities – the ASIS ROG series will allow you to game online without experiencing pixelation or glitches.
If you’re looking for a powerful yet budget laptop, ASUS is an excellent option. The only complaint ASUS laptops get regularly is that they can be top-heavy.
Gaming laptops will cost substantially more, but the standard Chromebook range retails at around $300.
Hewlett-Packard (HP)
Hewlett-Packard (HP) is one of the original laptop brands and was the leading company to buy from in the early 2000s. Other companies quickly outshone them with newer and more innovative models, causing HP to gain a negative reputation when it came to laptops.
However, this computer brand has earned its spot back in the top ten with new and innovative models. These include the HP Spectre, Envy, Pavilion, EliteBook, Essentials, Chromebook, and ProBook.
These laptops are primarily small, light-weight, and are often detachable 2-in-1 designs.
The advantages of HP are its price range, customer support service, and comprehensive warranties. Additionally, their range of designs and formats cannot be beaten.
However, HP laptops are notorious for their unreliable battery life and very average hardware durability.
A laptop purchased from HP will cost you between $149-$2519.
Razer
Unless you’re a hardcore gamer, you may not know about the Razer range of laptops. This brand came to fruition in 2005, and have not disappointed with their diverse range of gaming laptops.
Razer laptops have the best graphics and the newest technology, designed to revolutionize the gaming experience. There are a variety of different screen sizes available depending on your immersive experience preference.
Additionally, it has a comprehensive support community available to answer any questions or resolve any issues for users.
If you’re a gamer, this is the perfect brand. However, it’s not optimized for other standard processes you’d expect on a laptop. So, if you’re hoping to use your computer for both work and play, it’s best to have two.
As you may have expected, these laptops are pricey. A Razer gaming laptop will cost you $1500-$3000.
Microsoft
Microsoft is better known for its software rather than laptops. In the early 2000s, virtually every computer and laptop ran on Microsoft Windows.
However, after their controversial ‘tablet style’ Windows 8 update in 2012, it’s no surprise that a slick new laptop was on the way.
The Surface range includes the Surface Go 2, Go 3, Pro X, Pro 7, Pro 8, Laptop Studio, Book 3, and Laptop 4. Additionally, many of these can be bought in a business model.
This range of laptops is incredibly innovative and has class-leading hardware – such durable hardware is rare in these imaginative and light-weight designs. The Surface range offers the beauty of Apple, with the power of Lenovo. Furthermore, they boast 99% reliability and exceptional battery life.
Unfortunately, this comes with a hefty price tag. A Microsoft Surface laptop will set you back $399 for a basic model and $2299 for a business model.
Dell
If you’re a die-hard Windows fan, then Dell is the brand for you. Worldwide, Dell is praised for its technical support services, and the laptops are simple yet powerful.
These laptops are durable, professional, and straightforward. Depending on your needs, you can get a budget laptop for day-to-day tasks or complex gaming models.
Overall, these laptops are favored for their ultraportable nature, new design elements, and powerful software.
However, many people dislike the Dell models because of their simplicity. If you’re a sucker for a shiny Apple logo, you’ll be disappointed with the minimalistic design of a Dell laptop.
Dell provides laptops in every price range, and you can expect to spend between $284-$2924.
Acer
Acer is a company from Taiwan with just a 5.7% share of the global laptop market. However, despite being a smaller company, they’re incredibly popular around the world.
Acer provides low-budget laptops from $150 that support a range of apps and operating systems. They have an extensive product range, they’re versatile, reasonably priced, and have a dedicated gaming range.
However, these laptops tend to be less durable, it can be difficult to claim on the warranty, and the customer support services are somewhat inaccessible.
Samsung
When it comes to smartphones, tablets, televisions, air conditioners, and refrigerators, Samsung is a household name. However, they do not have a significant customer base when it comes to laptops. Because of its laptop’s typically short battery lives and underwhelming designs, many avoid Samsung.
They have a range of models: Galaxy Books, Notebook 9, Notebook Odyssey, and Notebook Flash are just a few of the company’s best-selling laptops. In addition, the organization has a number of Chromebooks in production.
Samsung is well-known for its outstanding technical support. The professionals are only a phone call away if you have any gadget-related issues. The laptops are slim and light-weight; surprisingly, they can also support some online gaming.
However, poor battery life is the main reason people stay away from these laptops. If you’re staying close to home (or any other plug socket), this is a great option as it is highly compatible with your Samsung phone.
A Samsung laptop will cost you $229-$1700.
The Best Computer Brands for You
There’s your in-depth guide to all the best computer brands. However, no one can say for certain which is the best because that’s a personal choice. So, it’s time to prioritize your needs: do you want the perks of an integrated Google Suite, or do you want to be able to game all night?
Depending on what you need from your laptop, you’ll definitely be able to find your perfect brand on this list. This list has probably already given you an idea of what you need, but don’t be afraid to talk to your friends and family to get further recommendations!
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