The best laptops of spring 2025 - Comparison of 50 top models

It's time to take another look at the best laptops we've reviewed over the past few months. Exactly 50 laptops since our last round-up (Best of Winter 2024/25) were extensively tested, measured, and benchmarked. All reviewed models are listed in the table, and the top ones are presented below. Detailed results for all tested laptops can be found in the linked individual reviews.

91.7%: Apple MacBook Pro 16.2 M4 Max 2024

After we tested the new MacBook Pro 16.2 (the Version with the Apple M4 Pro CPU), we also took a close look at the high-end model in the current lineup (our Review of the Apple MacBook Pro 16.2 M4 Max 2024). The M4 Max chip is Apple’s most powerful processor and one of the fastest mobile processors available today. In terms of graphics performance, the integrated GPU is on par with an RTX 4070 from Nvidia, which creators will particularly appreciate. Apple uses the same outstanding mini LED panel as the M4 Pro version for the display. Despite the enormous performance reserves, the MBP 16 M4 Max can achieve up to 20 hours of battery runtimes. The limited maintenance and upgrade options could prove to be a disadvantage. The price of at least $3,999 also requires some contemplation first. The Apple MacBook Pro 16.2 M4 Max 2024 is available both directly from Apple and for the same price from various retailers such as NBB.

90.1%: Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition

Lenovo's portfolio seems to be growing unstoppably. The latest iteration is the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 15 Aura Edition (our review here), a mobile working device with a generous 15-inch screen for enthusiasts and professionals. The Lunar Lake platform used here is efficient and ensures sufficient performance in everyday use. Lenovo equips the notebook with a large 80 Wh battery, which helps the model achieve runtimes of up to 20 hours. The Thinkpad X9 is also impressive when it comes to the display: The OLED panel delivers high brightness and good color space coverage. A new feature is the haptic clickpad, which impressed us in the test. The keyboard itself is a step further away from the familiar ThinkPad series, not just because of the omission of the TrackPoint. You'll have to pay around $2,050 for this high-quality work device, available from Computeruniverse, for example.

89.9%: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition

Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon (reviewed here) was aimed from the outset at ultra-mobile users in need of an uncompromising and robust work device. Thanks to the efficient Lunar Lake processors, Lenovo can significantly increase the mobility of the current version compared to its predecessors. The battery life increases to over 10 hours, providing enough room for an excellent OLED screen. In the current version, we see the most coherent overall package of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon for a long time. Regarding price, the notebook plays in the absolute upper class from around $2,700. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon G13 can be purchased from various retailers or directly from Lenovo. Important: Lenovo regularly offers discounts of 10% and more in its store.

89.4%: Honor MagicBook Art 14

Notebooks from Honor are still considered exotic in the laptop firmament. Wrongly so, as the Honor MagicBook Art 14 proved in our detailed test has proven. The MagicBook Art is a lightweight (around 1 kg) and compact (14.6 inch) notebook for mobile customers. It offers a first-class OLED display, very good input devices, an innovative clip-on webcam, good performance, and efficient operation thanks to the Snapdragon platform. With runtimes of up to 14 hours, the notebook is also well-suited for longer journeys. The Honor MagicBook Art 14 is currently only available from the manufacturer's online store at a price of around $1,850.

88.7%: HP EliteBook X G1a 14 AI

For many years, the business segment was reserved for laptops with Intel CPUs. This has now changed and customers have a wider range of devices to choose from. HP's EliteBook X G1a 14 AI (our detailed review) is a work device for demanding professional users, which is characterized by its compact 14-inch format and also has solid performance reserves thanks to its powerful Ryzen CPU. In the test, the notebook also impressed us with its very good input devices, good connectivity, and a battery life of up to 14 hours. In terms of the display, you should look out for configurations with an OLED screen, as the IPS version we tested definitely offers room for improvement. The EliteBook X G1a is also available on Amazon, currently priced at around $2,150.

88.5% HP EliteBook 845 G11

A typical business all-rounder is the HP EliteBook 845 G11 (detailed review here). Equipped with AMD processors, the notebook offers a good balance of performance, mobility, and the necessary robustness for intensive daily use. Other strengths include good maintenance options and upgradeability, the numerous available configuration options, and a very good range of interfaces. There are also various display options, and the tested configuration with a matte QHD display (120 Hz) proved to be a good choice. The HP EliteBook 845 G11 is priced between $1,100 and $2,180, depending on the package selected.

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The table above shows all notebooks tested in the period under review with their overall and partial ratings in our detailed test as well as a selection of important parameters and benchmarks. All results and details can be found in the linked test reports.
The table can be sorted in each column, simply click on the respective column title, for example "Weight".