The Best Laptops for 2025

Unless otherwise stated, original shipping fees for change of mind returns are not refunded. This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. With gaming laptops, the level of GPU you need is deeply tied to the frame rate you want to run at the laptop’s native screen resolution and the kind of games you play. We test with demanding gaming and industry-standard benchmarks to give you a relative sense of a laptop’s graphics performance.

With multithreading, each CPU core can run two sets of software instructions simultaneously instead of just one. Modern software is designed to take advantage of as many CPU cores as possible so it can run faster on multithreaded chips. Finally, gamers and video content creators must pay attention to the refresh rate, or how often per second the screen redraws content, measured in hertz. A 60Hz rate is standard, with 120Hz and 144Hz common in gaming laptops and reaching as high as 360Hz. Unless you’re an esports gamer seeking extreme frame rates, don’t worry about going past 144Hz. And before you pay a significant premium for a high-refresh screen, be sure the graphics chip, or GPU, is muscular enough to push your games at a high enough frame rate to make a difference.

How to Choose the Best Laptop in 2025: Every Factor to Consider

Most gaming machines will have one, and some gamers insist on wired Ethernet rules for competitive online gaming. Some leading laptops implement Ethernet as a full-size or fold-out jack; others may come with an adapter that routes Ethernet through a USB port. Some Windows laptops and ChromeOS laptops do have smaller 11-inch or 12-inch displays, often not technically laptops in the classic sense but rather tablets with detachable keyboards. Avoid these designs unless you’re looking for a part-time tablet or the lightest possible laptop. Aiming for that weight and thickness usually means a laptop with a 13- or 14-inch screen, although a few models with 15-inch or larger screens qualify.

What Is an Ideal Weight and Size for a Laptop?

Kindle Stores worldwide offer millions of titles, including the latest best sellers. Meet the lightest and most compact Kindle, now with enhanced display features and faster page turns. The front light is 25% brighter at max setting, now as bright as Kindle Paperwhite. With the adjustable front light and dark mode, read effortlessly any time of day on the 6” glare-free 300 ppi display. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.