Best laptops in Dec 2024: Specs, cons, pros, reviews, prices

As 2024 comes to an end, it's the perfect time to explore some of the most noteworthy laptops released this year. Whether you're seeking a high-performance workstation, a sleek ultrabook, or a budget-friendly Chromebook, this curated list has something for everyone.

Gadinsider has compiled a detailed breakdown of these laptops, including key specifications, reasons to buy, and reasons to avoid, to help you make an informed choice.

Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406)

The Asus Zenbook 14 is a premium ultrabook that combines style, performance, and the brilliance of an OLED touchscreen.

Key specs

• Display: 14-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours

Reasons to buy Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406)

• Stunning OLED display with touch capabilities.
• Lightweight and portable design.
• Strong performance in productivity tasks.

Reasons to avoid Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406)

• Limited gaming capabilities.
• Higher price compared to competitors.

Apple MacBook Air (2024, M3)

The 2024 MacBook Air with the new M3 chip sets a new standard for ultrabooks, offering exceptional performance and efficiency in a sleek package.

Key specs

• Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina
• Processor: Apple M3 chip
• RAM: 8GB (configurable up to 24GB)
• Storage: 256GB SSD (configurable up to 2TB)
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours

Reasons to buy Apple MacBook Air (2024, M3)

• Exceptional performance with the M3 chip.
• Best-in-class battery life.
• Ultra-slim and lightweight design.

Reasons to avoid Apple MacBook Air (2024, M3)

• Limited ports for connectivity.
• The entry-level model comes with only 8GB RAM.

Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

Acer Aspire 3 is an excellent entry-level laptop, perfect for students and light users seeking affordability and reliability.

Key specs

• Display: 15.6-inch FHD
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Battery life: Up to 7 hours

Reasons to buy Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

• Affordable price with decent performance.
• Large display for everyday tasks.
• Ideal for students and basic users.

Reasons to avoid Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)

• Limited storage capacity.
• Not suitable for heavy multitasking or gaming.

Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420)

The Asus Zenbook 14X OLED offers powerful performance in a sleek, premium build with a breathtaking OLED display.

Key specs

• Display: 14-inch 3K OLED, 120Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Intel Core i7-13700H
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Battery life: Up to 9 hours

Reasons to buy Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420)

• Stunning high-resolution OLED display.
• Solid performance for creative tasks.
• Compact and lightweight design.

Reasons to avoid Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420)

• Expensive for casual users.
• Mediocre battery life under heavy workloads.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12

Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 is a productivity powerhouse, ideal for professionals who prioritize durability and performance.

Key specs

• Display: 14-inch WUXGA (optional 2.8K OLED)
• Processor: Intel Core i7-1355U
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Battery life: Up to 15 hours

Reasons to buy Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12

• Premium build quality and durability.
• Excellent keyboard for productivity.
• Long battery life.

Reasons to avoid Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12

• Expensive compared to competitors.
• Limited GPU performance for creative tasks.

Dell Precision 5690

The Dell Precision 5690 is a workstation powerhouse designed for professionals handling intensive workloads like 3D modelling or video editing.

Key specs

• Display: 16-inch FHD+
• Processor: Intel Core i9-13950HX
• RAM: 32GB
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX A2000

Reasons to buy

• Exceptional performance in demanding tasks.
• High-quality build and design.
• Extensive connectivity options.

Reasons to avoid

• Heavy and bulky design.
• High price point.

Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 (2024)

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that combines premium features with a stunning design, perfect for creative professionals.

Key specs

• Display: 14-inch 4K OLED touchscreen
• Processor: Intel Core i7-1360P
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Battery life: Up to 12 hours

Reasons to buy Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 (2024)

• Versatile 2-in-1 design with a gorgeous 4K OLED display.
• Great audio quality with a rotating soundbar.
• Sleek and portable design.

Reasons to avoid Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 (2024)

• Expensive for casual users.
• Limited ports for connectivity.

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an affordable and efficient choice for students and basic users, offering seamless ChromeOS functionality.

Key specs

• Display: 14-inch FHD
• Processor: Intel Core i3-N305
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB eMMC
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours

Reasons to buy Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

• Affordable price with smooth performance.
• Lightweight and portable design.
• Excellent battery life.

Reasons to avoid Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

• Limited storage and expandability.
• Not ideal for resource-heavy tasks.

Asus ProArt P16 (H7606)

The Asus ProArt P16 is a high-end workstation built for creative professionals, offering top-tier performance and display quality.

Key specs

• Display: 16-inch 4K OLED touchscreen
• Processor: Intel Core i9-13900H
• RAM: 32GB
• Storage: 2TB SSD
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070

Reasons to buy Asus ProArt P16 (H7606)

• Exceptional performance in creative tasks.
• Stunning 4K OLED display with accurate colours.
• Large storage capacity.

Reasons to avoid Asus ProArt P16 (H7606)

• Very expensive.
• Heavy and less portable.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (16-inch)

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a beast of a gaming laptop with cutting-edge specs for gamers and creators alike.

Key specs

• Display: 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz
• Processor: Intel Core i9-13900HX
• RAM: 32GB
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090

Reasons to buy Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (16-inch)

• Top-notch gaming performance.
• High refresh rate display for smooth gameplay.
• Premium build quality.

Reasons to avoid Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 (16-inch)

• Extremely expensive.
• Limited battery life due to high power consumption.