Best premium laptop or ultrabook 2024: top-end notebooks rated

Looking for the best laptop that you can take with you anywhere? Good news, portability fans: loads of those exist. From hybrid workhorses to gaming machines with serious grunt, the best premium laptops make it easy to get stuff done on the run. And while their flip-top form remains fundamentally true to that of their forebears, the nicest notebooks today are lighter, brighter and faster than ever.

So whether you’re typing on the train, coding in a café or procrastinating at your place of work, the right notebook will make life a whole lot easier.

But what if you’re not sure how to choose? Helpful as ever, we’ve already flipped, clicked and carried all of the latest and best laptops for every budget – then narrowed that list to our top premium notebook picks in the guide below.

What’s the best premium laptop?

We think the best premium laptop for most people is the MacBook Air M2 (buy now). Apple’s M1-powered MacBook Air proved that raw power and streamlined packaging are a killer combo. Its successor takes that approach a step further: with a revamped chassis and M2 silicon inside, it sets a new benchmark for all premium laptops.

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Other premium laptop recommendations

If the MacBook Air M2 isn’t for you, then here are five other premium laptop recommendations:

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The best premium laptops you can buy today:

1. MacBook Air (M2)

MacBook Air (M2) specs
Screen	13.6in Retina 2560×1664 with P3 and True Tone
Processor	Apple M2
RAM	8GB/16GB/24GB
Storage	256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB SSD
OS	macOS Monterey
Connectivity	802.11ax Wi-Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.0; 3.5mm headphone; 2×Thunderbolt 3 (USB 4); MagSafe
Dimensions	30.41 × 21.5 × 1.13 cm; 1.24 kg

Apple’s M1-powered MacBook Air (below) proved that raw power and streamlined packaging is a killer combo. Its successor takes that approach a step further: with a revamped chassis and M2 silicon inside, it sets a new benchmark for all premium laptops.

The 13in model adopts the same footprint as before, ditching Apple’s classic wedge in favour of a flat chassis that’s fantastic to type on. Refined bezels give the unit a neat, uncluttered look, while a notch increases screen real estate by flanking the webcam with the toolbar. Brightness is boosted and audio is leagues ahead of the M1 Air, although camera quality remains dismal. There’s now a 15in version available for those who want a bring a bigger screen with them on the move, and while we’re yet to test it, you can expect an otherwise similar experience.

Performance is superlative for mainstream tasks, leaving its predecessor for dust. The lack of fan can throttle sustained workloads, but few users will need more raw power. Battery life is similarly impressive, to the point that we routinely forgot to plug it in. When we did, the return of MagSafe was a welcome one.

There’s no avoiding Apple’s price hike, which takes the M2 Air firmly out of entry-level territory. But unless you’ve got very specific performance needs – such as support for multiple external displays – this is the best Mac (and laptop) for most people.

• Read more: MacBook Air (M2) review

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2. Apple MacBook Pro 14in (M2 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14in (M2 Pro) specs
Screen	14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR 3024×1964 with P3, True Tone and ProMotion
Processor	Apple M1 Pro
RAM	16GB/32GB
Storage	512GB–8TB SSD
OS	macOS Monterey
Connectivity	802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.0; 3.5 headphone; 3x Thunderbolt 4; MagSafe 3; HDMI; SDXC
Dimensions	31.25 x 22.12 x 1.55 cm; 1.6 kg

Putting the ‘pro’ back in MacBook Pro, Apple’s M2 Pro and Max are serious pieces of silicon. For basic tasks, it’s more than most people will ever need. But provided you work in a field that can take advantage of the Pro’s power – and you’re flush enough to foot the bill – it’s proof that Apple knows how to make a hot chip.

Borne out by benchmarks and real-world use, the MacBook Pro 14in is leagues ahead when it comes to tasks that benefit from boosted multi-core performance and GPU grunt – think video production and 3D rendering. It’s also blessed with reliable all-day battery life and a proper wish-list of ports.

Chunkier and heavier than its 13in predecessor – with an extra 200g on the scales – it’s a solid package that clearly means business. The trackpad is massive but reliable, while the keyboard is a joy to type on. With the menu bar spanning the screen notch up top, you’re left with a full 16:10 display area below. And what an area that is: with rich blacks, vivid colour and up to 1600 nits of brightness for HDR content, the mini-LED panel is gorgeous. The six-speaker system has oomph to match, too.

• Read more: Apple MacBook Pro 14in (M1 Pro) review

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3. Dell XPS 13 (9310)

Dell XPS 13 (9310) specs
Screen	13.4in OLED 3.5K (3456×2160) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 400-Nit Display
Processor	11th Generation Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor
RAM	16GB
Storage	1TB SSD
OS	‎Windows 10 Home
Connectivity	Wi‑Fi; Bluetooth; 3.5 headphone; 2x Thunderbolt 4; microSD card reader
Dimensions	29.6 x 19.9 x 1.48 cm, 1.27kg

Dell’s XPS machines have long dominated the ultra-portable laptop market. But the latest edition steps things up another notch: besides a travel-friendly form factor and solid performance potential, the 9310 can also be configured with a stunning OLED display.

Streamlined by design, the XPS 13 is the epitome of what used to be called an Ultrabook; super slim at 1.48mm, relatively light at 1.27kg and blessed with slender bezels. The whole package feels well-built and reassuringly solid – and the premium impression continues with the satisfyingly responsive keyboard and trackpad. The only compromises? The 720p webcam could be sharper, while two Thunderbolt 4 ports feel a little miserly.

Opting for that OLED panel does reduce battery life, and you’ll get higher brightness from the LCD screens. But the OLED simply can’t be topped for colour coverage and depth: it’s a gorgeous thing to work with and watch on.

Performance depends on how you spec it, but 11th gen Intel silicon means the XPS 13 is no slouch in any setup. There’s more than enough power on tap to deal speedily with daily demands and creative workflows. Only if you task it with taxing games or 3D rendering is there any risk that the lack of discrete graphics hardware will hold you back.

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4. Apple MacBook Air (M1)

Apple MacBook Air (M1) specs
Screen	13.3in LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560×1600 native resolution
Processor	Apple M1 chip
RAM	8GB
Storage	256GB SSD
OS	macOS Ventura
Connectivity	802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.0; 3.5 headphone; 2x Thunderbolt 4
Dimensions	21.24 x 30.41 x 1.61cm; 1.29 kg

Want a powerful, lightweight laptop with all-day battery life, brilliant build quality and a superb display? While it’s not the latest laptop to come out of Cupertino, Apple’s MacBook Air from 2020 remains a slender contender for the premium crown.

Since usurped by the M2 edition which now tops this list, the first Air to use Apple’s own silicon remains a masterpiece. Featuring the breakthrough M1 chip, it’s the computing equivalent of a speedboat. Fanless and fast, this MacBook Air is magnificent for multi-tasking. There is still a ceiling on its capabilities, but one that only power video editors are really at any risk of hitting.

Yes, the webcam could be sharper, the bezels slimmer and the port array more generous. But the rest of the MacBook Air M1’s feature set is otherwise just as impressive as its core performance. Battery life is heroic, the Magic Keyboard supremely responsive and the 13.3in Retina display is deliciously sharp and vibrant. Plus the whole lot is bundled up in a featherweight aluminium wedge that’s as slimline as ever.

• Read more: Apple MacBook Air M1 review

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5. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio specs
Screen	14.1in 2400 × 1600 3:2 ratio, up to 120Hz
CPU	Quad core i5-11300H or i7-11370H
RAM	Up to 32GB
GPU	Intel Iris Xe (i5) or Nvidia RTX 3050Ti/RTX A2000 (i7)
Storage	UP to 2TB SSD, removable
Cameras	Windows Hello, plus 1080p front-facing
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 2x USB 4, 3.5mm headphones, Surface Connect port
Dimensions	323.28 mm x 228.32 mm x 18.94 mm, 1,820.2 g

Disguised as a standard laptop, Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio is a refined hybrid for designers. A hinge behind the screen allows it to pivot forward into two positions: an angled stance that covers the keyboard or a flat, tablet-style setup. Unlike its Surface Studio sibling, though, it can’t be set to a low tilt for doodling.

A masterpiece in magnesium, Microsoft’s nailed the industrial design of the Surface Laptop Studio. It’s not the lightest at 1.8kg, nor is it the narrowest 14.4in notebook you can buy – but the build quality is easily on a par with Apple’s best efforts.

A 3:2 aspect ratio makes the display perfect for productivity and full-screen creativity. It can’t rival Apple’s mini-LED MacBooks, but it’s bright for an LCD and offers excellent colour depth. It also supports Microsoft’s Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus.

Performance could be better for the price. The base model is perfectly fine for digital design work, but video editors or 3D modellers would need to measure their expectations of Intel’s Xe graphics. So it’s not a powerhouse, but it is a beautiful thing to behold and use. And the 18-hour battery life means you can do that for a full day.

• Read more: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio review

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6. Apple MacBook Pro 16in (M2 Max)

Apple MacBook Pro 16in (M2 Max) spec
Screen	16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR 3456×2234 with P3, True Tone and ProMotion
Processor	Apple M2 Pro or M2 Max
RAM	16GB/32GB configurable to 64GB/96GB if you have M2 Max
Storage	512GB/1TB SSD configurable up to 8TB
OS	macOS Ventura
Connectivity	802.11ax Wi‑Fi 6E; Bluetooth 5.3; 3.5mm headphone; 3x Thunderbolt 4; MagSafe 3; HDMI; SDXC
Dimensions	35.6 x 24.8 x 1.7cm
Weight	2.16kg

In modern MacBook land, there are several tiers of Pro. The 16in model with M2 Max silicon? Very much at the top. It’s a world-beating workhorse with serious performance chops. And it will absolutely hoof your wallet.

Aping MacBook Pros of the past, there’s a boxiness to the shell that sets it apart from its predecessor. While the extra half-kilo yields longer battery life, the heft won’t suit everyone. But it’s not meant to.

Neither is the performance: for most people, the M1 Max is overkill. It takes specific workloads to utilise the immense multi-core power. Task it with video encoding, for example, and it can better a Mac Pro by processing seven streams of 8K ProRes footage simultaneously.

If portability is your priority, pick the MacBook Pro 14in (above). And if you want a powerful middle ground, spec the MacBook Pro 16in with an M2 Pro chip. But only desktop-grade grunt will do, this is the Pro to pick.

• Read more: Apple MacBook Pro 16in (M2 Max) review

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7. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 specs
Screen	13.5in, 2256×1502 LCD touchscreen display w/ 3:2 aspect ratio
CPU	11th-gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core,
Memory	8GB RAM
Graphics	Intel Iris Xe integrated
Storage	512GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 10
Connectivity	1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 3.5mm headphone port, Surface Connect port
Battery	Up to 17hrs
Dimensions	308x223x14.5mm, 1.26kg

An update rather than an all-new model, the refreshed Surface Laptop is one of the best premium Windows Ultrabook laptops you can buy. Geared towards productivity, the 3:2 aspect ratio of its sharp 13.5in display is ideal for documents, while the keyboard and trackpad are satisfyingly responsive. Pick the option topped with Alcantara and your palms will thank you

Boosts to performance and battery life mean the Surface Laptop 5 can comfortably tackle heavier workloads, or last an entire workday away from the mains – with some juice left for a Netflix binge once you clock off. Something the punchy Atmos-optimised speakers can assist with.

Slimmer bezels would be nice, as would a slimmer price tag for the top-spec options. A paucity of ports also limits connectivity. But go for the mainstream variant and you’re still getting a lightweight, understated Windows notebook with MacBook build quality, day-long battery and versatile potential.

• Read more: Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 review

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8. Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023)

Huawei MateBook X Pro (2022) specs
Screen	14.2in 3120×2080 LCD w/ 90Hz
CPU	Intel Core i7-1360p 12-core
Memory	16GB RAM
Graphics	Intel Iris Xe
Storage	1TB SSD
Connectivity	2x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, 2x USB-C, 3.5mm combi port
Operating system	Windows 11
Battery	60Wh
Dimensions	310x221x15.5mm, 1.26kg

With its upgrades being entirely under the hood, this year’s Matebook X Pro is a modest refresh over the previous generation. But that’s no bad thing, given it was already a very capable ultraportable. The keyboard and touchpad are as slick as ever, the 3:2 aspect ratio touchscreen is work-friendly as well as pixel-packed. HDR support and some decent stereo speakers are great for slacking off, too.

The 13th-gen Intel CPU only brings a minor performance boost, and dedicated GPUs remain off the table, so creatives and pros will still want to keep the Dell XPS 15 in mind. Battery life hasn’t really improved either, so the M2-powered MacBook Air remains the best choice for all-day working away from the mains.

We’re still fans of the Matebook’s styling, though, and can’t deny you’re getting a lot of machine for your money.

• Read more: Huawei MateBook X Pro (2023) review

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9. Razer Blade 14

Razer Blade 14 specs
Screen	14in 1920×1080 IPS
CPU	AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX octo-core, 3.3GHz
Memory	16GB
GPU	Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
Storage	1TB
Operating System	Windows 10 Home
Battery life	Up to 10 hours
Connectivity	802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 3.5mm headphone, 2x USB-C/DisplayPort/power delivery, 2x USB-A
Dimensions	320x220x16.8mm
Weight	1.78kg

Razer’s first 14in laptop is also its first to ship with an AMD processor. And with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics providing added gaming grunt, it strikes a superb balance between power and portability.

Like the rest of Razer’s notebooks, the Blade 14 comes clad in CNC-milled aluminium. And at 16.8mm slim and 1.78kg light, it cuts an understated picture next to your average beefcake gaming laptop. The 14in display ships with a Full HD resolution and 144Hz refresh rates as standard. You can opt for higher specs, but the default setup still delivers lashings of depth.

Yes, you’ll get more grunt from larger laptops with beefier cores. The underside can also run hot under load, while 90-minute gaming battery life is average, rather than impressive. But with powerful hardware crammed into a shell this streamlined, compromises are inevitable – and the sacrifices made by the Blade 14 are remarkably few.

• Read more: Razer Blade 14 review

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10. LG Gram 16

LG Gram 16 specs
Screen	16in, 2560 x 1600 IPS
CPU	Intel Core i7-1165G7 quad-core, 2.8GHz
Memory	16GB
GPU	Intel Iris Xe
Storage	1TB
Operating System	Windows 10 Home
Battery life	Up to 21 hours
Connectivity	802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm headphone, 2 x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, 2 x USB-A, 1 x microSD
Dimensions	356 x 243 x 17mm, 1.19kg

LG’s Gram laptops are all about streamlined designs, big screens and stellar battery life. The Gram 16 delivers in all departments: longevity is superb, the display immersive and the shell lightweight. In fact, at just 1.19kg, it’s the lightest 16in laptop in the world (at the time of writing).

Bolstering those already impressive credentials is a solid set of features. The keyboard is snappy to tap, the speakers reasonable enough and the 16:10 aspect ratio is ideal for streaming. Connectivity is similarly comprehensive and, despite the featherweight frame, the battery can surpass a massive 21 hours.

It’s not the top laptop when it comes to outright performance, though. Sure, it’s no slouch, but gaming and intensive image editing will be better handled by beefier, faster rivals. Then again, for a full day of mainstream tasks, the Gram 16 will still deliver without complaint. And it won’t be beaten on battery life.

• Read more: LG Gram 16 review

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11. Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED

Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED specs
Screen	14.5in, 2880×1800 OLED w/ 120Hz, HDR
CPU	Intel Core i9-13900H
Memory	32GB RAM
Storage	2TB SSD
Graphics	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
Operating system	Windows 11
Connectivity	Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB 3.2 Type-A, SD card reader, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone port
Battery	76Wh
Dimensions	17.9mm, 1.6kg

There’s no shortage of portable and powerful laptops doing the rounds, but the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED has to be one of the most well-rounded. It’s aimed primarily at creative types, who insist on Studio drivers for the Nvidia dedicated graphics card – these are confirmed to play nicely with industry-standard software, y’see – but there’s nothing stopping you from booting up a game once your work shift is over.

The 14.5in ultraportable weighs much less than 2kg, will easily slip into a backpack, and should last a solid seven or eight hours on battery power alone if you stick to sensible tasks, so you don’t have to stay tethered to a plug socket. When you do, though, the Zenbook Pro 14 OLED can unleash the full potential of its 13th-Gen Intel Core i9 processor and RTX 4070 GPU – demolishing desktop tasks and making short work of 3D renders.

To top it off there’s a stunning 14.5in OLED display, with skinny bezels, a sharp 2K resolution and rapid 120Hz refresh rates. Fully loaded it’s a seriously expensive laptop, but it also brings serious power.

• Read more: Asus Zenbook Pro 14 OLED review

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12. Huawei Matebook 16S

Huawei Matebook 16S specs
Screen	16in, 2520×1680 LCD touchscreen w/ 3:2 aspect ratio
CPU	Intel Core i7-12700H / Core i9-12900H
Memory	16GB DDR5
Storage	1TB NVMe SSD
Graphics	Intel Iris Xe (integrated)
Operating system	Windows 11
Battery	84 Wh
Dimensions	351x255x17.8mm, 1.99kg

For a go-anywhere machine with a sizeable screen, the Matebook 16S gets plenty right. It’s well-built, benefits from a punchy display, and can be optioned with hardware to embarrass many desktops. It also represents excellent value when compared to the M1 MacBook.

Slim enough at 17.8mm, the Matebook 16S is also impressively wieldy for a 16in laptop. Its metallic matte finish is achieved with ceramic sandblasting, and the result is a device that feels suitably premium. Worker bees will appreciated the large display’s 3:2 aspect ratio and, while there’s no HDR support, its 100% sRGB coverage provides fantastic colour accuracy.

Opt for the Intel Core i9 processor and you’ll find its performance potential is rarely tested in the real world. With no option to spec a dedicated GPU, the i7 is the smarter chip choice for most: it’s more affordable yet still mighty quick, provided your tasks don’t require a potent graphics engine. Battery life is respectably tidy too, yielding up to six hours of productivity when you take the Matebook away from your desk.

• Read more: Huawei Matebook 16S review

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What is a premium laptop?

Our selection spans slimline ultraportable and Ultrabooks, big-screen entertainment devices as well as MacBooks, covering both Windows and macOS. The main thing about a premium laptop is that it has the latest or recent generation hardware.

Often they’re ultraportable, but not always. Intel used to call ultraportable laptops Ultrabooks, but this has now been replaced by the Intel Evo specification which promises fast Wi-Fi chips and all-day battery life.

Also check out: Which tablet should you buy? Find out in Stuff’s guide to the best tablets