10 Best Laptops 2025 in the United States

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch is a lightweight laptop powered by the new M4 chip, which offers fast performance for everyday tasks like working on multiple apps, video editing, or casual gaming. It comes with 16GB of unified memory, which helps apps run smoothly, though the 256GB SSD storage might feel limited if you store lots of files or media locally. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp, showing rich colors and crisp text, great for watching videos or photo editing.

Apple promises up to 18 hours of battery life, which is impressive and means you can work unplugged for a full day. The integrated 10-core GPU handles graphics well for an integrated chip but won’t replace a dedicated graphics card for heavy gaming or advanced 3D work. The laptop includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charger, and a headphone jack, covering most connectivity needs, though some users might miss more USB-A or HDMI ports.

Design-wise, the MacBook Air is slim and weighs just over 3 pounds, making it highly portable. The backlit Magic Keyboard and large Force Touch trackpad are comfortable to use, and Touch ID offers quick, secure login. It runs macOS, which works seamlessly with other Apple devices like iPhones and iPads, a plus if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem. The 12MP Center Stage camera and six speakers with Spatial Audio improve video calls and media playback, but the camera is fixed so it won’t match the quality of some dedicated external webcams. The laptop excels at privacy and security with Apple’s Intelligence system protecting your data. If you want a stylish, fast, and portable laptop for everyday use, creative work, and strong battery life, this MacBook Air fits well. However, if you need lots of storage or plan heavy gaming or professional 3D design, you might want to consider options with more storage or a dedicated GPU.

The Apple 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip is a strong choice if you want a lightweight, fast laptop that works well for everyday tasks, creative work, and some gaming. Its new M4 chip offers a smooth experience switching between apps and handling demanding tasks like video editing. The 16GB of memory is ample for multitasking, though the 256GB SSD storage might feel limited if you store many large files or apps, so you might need external storage. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display is sharp and bright, showing vibrant colors that make photos and videos look great, and it's easy on the eyes for reading and writing.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 18 hours, so you can work unplugged for a full day. The integrated graphics perform well for casual gaming and creative apps but won’t match dedicated gaming laptops for hardcore gaming. Ports are a bit limited with two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a headphone jack, so you may need adapters for older USB devices. The build quality is excellent, with a slim, stylish design and durable materials, plus handy features like Touch ID and a good webcam with Center Stage for video calls.

It runs macOS, which pairs well if you already use other Apple devices, making tasks smooth between iPhone and Mac. If you need lots of storage or ports, or prefer Windows for software compatibility, this might not be the ideal fit. This MacBook Air offers a great balance for users who prioritize portability, speed, and display quality, especially within the Apple ecosystem.

The Apple 2024 MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip is a powerful laptop designed primarily for professionals and creatives who need top-tier performance. The 16-core CPU combined with a 40-core GPU delivers exceptional speed, making it great for heavy tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and software development. With 48GB of unified memory and a fast 1TB SSD, it handles multitasking and large files smoothly, although storage upgrades can be pricey. The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display stands out with its bright, sharp visuals and excellent color accuracy, ideal for photo and video work. Battery life is impressive, with up to 21 hours of video playback and solid all-day usage, which is rare for such a powerful machine.

Connectivity options are versatile, including three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, SD card slot, headphone jack, and MagSafe charging, supporting multiple external displays. Build quality is premium, featuring a sleek space black finish and a comfortable backlit keyboard with Touch ID for security. The macOS operating system offers smooth integration with other Apple devices, enhancing user convenience.

This MacBook Pro is quite heavy at 4.73 pounds, which might not suit users looking for a lighter travel laptop. Its high price point reflects its premium features, so it may be more than necessary for casual users or basic tasks. Also, the integrated graphics, while very powerful for an integrated GPU, may not match dedicated GPUs in some specialized Windows gaming or CAD laptops. For those needing a high-performance laptop with a stunning display, long battery life, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration, this MacBook Pro is an excellent choice. However, less powerful and more affordable models could be better suited for straightforward everyday use or those on a tight budget.