The 10 Best Laptops Under $1000

Welcome to our weekly updated guide to the best laptops under $1000 based on sales, reviews, and real world performance.

This list has been carefully curated after careful research to save you time finding the right laptop for your needs and your budget. A step up from our guide to the best laptops under $500, the sub-$1000 market offers some powerhouses that will handle almost anything you throw at them with awesome form factors to boot.

These laptops will handle your daily computing tasks with ease thanks to their more powerful hardware compared the laptops featured in our budget laptop guides.  The best laptop for $1000 should strike a solid balance between portability and performance with lengthy battery life and fast boot up times. If you are a gamer, we have a separate guide to the best gaming laptops for under $1000 here.

Top Picks >> Runners Up >>Honorable Mentions >>

Best Laptop Under $1000 – Top Picks

1. Apple Macbook Air 2020 MXK62LL/A A1 13.3-Inch

Apple’s previous Macbook Air release earlier in 2020 received good reviews, but not the kind of reviews that Apple are used to. It was plagued by a few niggling issues that prevented many professional reviewers and users from whole heartedly recommending the upgrade. The 2020 Macbook Air update featuring Apple’s very own M1 CPU chips addresses all the gripes raised by reviews of previous models and then some, the least of which is a huge boost in performance.

The previous Macbook Air released earlier in 2020 had reports from professional reviewers of limited hardware performance and average battery life. Apple has clearly taken these issues to heart as these are two of the areas where the Apple Macbook Air 2020 M1 excels the most. Apple’s M1 processor provides much faster performance than previous models, and the battery life is again pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with our current technology. Some reviewers have reported video playback lasting almost a full day in tests.

An interesting design choice that Apple has introduced is to leave out fans entirely, making this MacBook Air the quietest Apple laptop ever. Despite this, reviewers found no issues with the laptop running hot, a testament to Apples excellent engineering. The included Magic Keyboard also received positive feedback for its design.

Aesthetically, one criticism reviewers had is that it looks virtually the same as previous models from the outside. Its clear Apple’s design team has been working on improving the laptop in other areas, but it’s still relatively boring compared to some design-centric releases of previous years.

As with virtually all Apple products in recent memory, a limited selection or ports is also an issue, with only two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports included. Theseh require adapters in order to work with different cables, many of which cost an arm and a leg. Surprisingly, Apple also appears to have dropped the ball when it comes to webcam quality, with a very poor included camera. If you plan on doing a lot of video calls an external webcam may even be worth considering (assuming you don’t simply decide to go for the Macbook Pro instead).

Despite some criticism, it’s clear that the late 2020 M1 powered Macbook Air line-up has done a lot to sweep new users and Apple fanboys alike off their feat thanks to its outstanding features. For most people, the current Apple Macbook Air is the best laptop under $1000 you can buy.

Specs

Summary & Score

The Apple Macbook Air 2020 MXK62LL/A A1 13.3-Inch has received more positive feedback than any other Macbook Air release in recent memory and is the premium lightweight laptop to beat.

Ninja Score

91

Apple Macbook Air 2020 MXK62LL/A A1 13.3-Inch

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:17 UTC) Details

2. Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK 15.6-Inch

We get it – not everyone is an Apple fanboy looking to jump onto to next release bandwagon. Although the allure of a shiny new Macbook might be a big pull for many users, the reality is that when it comes to value for money, Windows based laptops have traditionally offered a much better price to performance ratio that can save you a fair amount of money. The Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK is one of our top recommendations for a Windows laptop under $1000 thanks to its reasonably priced hardware and competitive features.

Its quad core Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU offers speedy performance for day to day tasks at a base clockrate of 1Ghz with a turbo boost of up to 3.6Ghz. Compared to Apples new octa-core M1 processors which offer a base speed of 2Ghz and a turbo speed of 3.2Ghz, it doesn’t quite offer the same level of performance, testimony to the success of Apples new CPU offerings. That said, it will certainly compete neck on neck for most basic day to day tasks.

Build quality is reportedly solid, and a reliable battery life of eight hours will get you through most work days off charge. That said, it still pales in comparison to the latest Macbook battery life of up to 18 hours, which could be be a deciding factor if you spend large amounts of time away from a charger and can afford the extra cost of Apples latest. Probably the biggest advantage the A515-55-56VK has over competing Macbooks and some other Windows laptops is its huge selection of ports, with multiple USB ports, a full size HDMI output, a LAN port and even a use type-C port.

Unfortunately, Acer clearly took a few shortcuts, including using a mediocre webcam that could fail you in conference calls if you are trying to impress in a meeting and, as per usual with Windows laptops, a touchpad that doesn’t quite live up to intense scrutiny.

All in all, although it certainly doesn’t stand neck on neck with competing laptops just under the $100 mark, at its price it doesn’t quite have to – if you are looking for the best Windows laptop under $1000 that will do a rock solid job of daily tasks without spending the extra cash for a leading Macbook or pricier Windows alternative, the A515-55-56VK could save you some well earned money in the long term with limited drawbacks.

Specs

Summary & Score

If you want a mid-range laptop that can reliably get basic day to day tasks done without breaking a sweat, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK offers excellent value for money with only a few minor drawbacks.

Ninja Score

94

Acer Aspire 5 A515-55-56VK 15.6-Inch

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:18 UTC) Details

3. Lenovo Flex 5 81X20005US 14-Inch

The Lenovo Flex 5 81X20005US is another bestselling Windows laptop that combines an innovative design with some powerful hardware and an extremely competitive price tag that may just have even Apple fanboys second guessing their options. While 2-in-1 laptops are generally slower than traditional laptops, the 81X20005US is a notable exception and includes a powerful AMD based processor including Radeon Vega RX 6 graphics.

Despite its competitive price tag, the Lenovo Flex 5 81X20005US features an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U which offers performance up to three times faster than most Intel i3 and i5 based laptops. If that’s not enough, the included 16GB of DDR4 RAM is enough to ensure smooth multitasking even when using advanced Windows applications. As explored in our gaming laptops under $500 and $600 guide, it also includes powerful Radeon Vega RX 6 graphics which is capable of competitive framerates on many modern games.

If raw performance isn’t what floats your boat, the Flex 5 also includes an innovative 2-in-1 design coupled with a relatively large 14-inch screen and an extremely attractive design finish. Extra style points go to its 360 degree swivel hinge which will allow you to prop up your laptop for writing using the includes Digital Stylus pen. Its not uncommon for Stylus Pen’s alone to go for hundreds of dollars themselves, which makes the inclusion of one here all the more impressive.

Reviewers have been hard pressed to find many faults with the Flex 5, though one thing worth noting is a relatively dim screen which may not be suited to well lit environments or use outdoors. Overall, if you are looking for serious value for month in both the design, portability and performance departments, the Lenovo Flex 5 81X20005US is one of the few laptops to hit the nail on the head in all three making it our top current Windows laptop recommendation for under $1000 by a long mile.

Specs

Summary & Score

The Lenovo Flex 5 combines an attractive and versatile 2-in-1 design with extremely powerful hardware power at a bargain price making it hands down one of the top laptops of 2020 to beat.

Ninja Score

86

Lenovo Flex 5 81X20005US 14-Inch

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:14 UTC) Details

Many of these laptops are business capable laptops providing enterprise class performance without heavily straining your budget.  Whether you are looking for a workhorse desktop replacement or an on the go netbook for school or the office, this list goes through all of our top picks.

More power users will want to head over to our high-end laptop guide for more high-end specs, if you’re a gamer our list of prize mid-range $1000 gaming laptops, or if you’re a business user our best business laptops guide. College students can also browse our guide to the best laptops for college for ideas on the most productive laptop for your studies and programmers will want to browse our best laptops for programmers guide for some more developer orientated options.

Best Laptop Under $1000 – Runners-Up

4. Apple MacBook Air 2020 MWTJ2LL/A 13.3-inch

When it comes to design, Apple knows how to turn heads, and the 2020 Macbook Air is no exception – it comes in a slick and clinical package with a brand new keyboard design and an extremely competitive price. Some marked improvements have been made over previous years’ models which included the now infamous “butterfly style” keyboards that were prone to break with huge repair costs. Extremely positive feedback on the new Magic Keyboard design shows that Apple have taken their customers’ complaints to heart. Weighing in at just 2.8 pounds, and under 0.63 inches thick, the Macbook Air is the pinnacle of design prowess when it comes to design and portability.

In the hardware department, the Intel Core i3-1000NG4 is a marked improvement over previous models thanks to the tenth generation Intel hardware. The only catch is that the Core i3 is vastly underpowered compared to most Windows based laptops at the same price and won’t be able to handle moderate to advanced applications very well. Some review sites recommend switching to the upgraded Core i5 version, which isn’t significantly more expensive, for better performance on more demanding applications and is a more future proof configuration. The Core i3-1000NG4 includes integrated Iris Plus graphics which can play some modern games on low settings but isn’t powerful enough for the demands of most modern games.

Despite the MacBook Air 2020 MWTJ2LL/A’s great price, there are a few areas where Apple has clearly had to cut some minor corners compared to some of their high-end products. These include battery life and screen quality. The battery life, while not bad by any modern laptops standards, failed to impress reviewers in the same way that many of Apples higher end products do. Similarly, the screen quality was relatively lackluster compared to more high-end Macbook laptops such as the Macbook Pro. Another thing worth mentioning are the limited connectivity ports, with only two multi-purpose Thunderbolt USB-Type C available required additional adapters to connect to other cable types.

Although the Core i3 can’t compete neck on neck in performance with competing Windows laptops at its price, the MacBook Air 2020 MWTJ2LL/A is an amazing piece of design and carries Apple’s signature design flair and ultra-portable high quality build proudly. Although Apple have cut some corners, the MWTJ2LL/A has the edge over all but the very best of Windows based laptops in most respects. If you aren’t a power user and are looking for an ultra-portable all-purpose laptop, the 2020 Macbook Air is extremely hard not to recommend.

Specs

Summary & Score

Though Apple have had to cut some minor corners in the process, the Apple MacBook Air 2020 MWTJ2LL/A is still one of the most competitive deals on a Macbook Air we have ever seen.

Ninja Score

89

Apple MacBook Air 2020 MWTJ2LL/A 13.3-inch

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(as of 04-10-2022 03:47 -07:00) Details

5. Apple MLH72LL/A MacBook Air 13.3-Inch

The latest MacBook Air retains the slim and light unibody form featured on the original 2010 model. It still looks genuinely attractive thanks to a solid aluminum shell. Opening the lid, you’ll find a sleek keyboard with black island-style keys which has also remained unchanged since 2015.

The trackpad is also unchanged so it doesn’t support the Force Touch technology found in the new MacBook Pro. Apple has been criticized for not bumping its 1440 x 900 screen to Full-HD. However, the screen is sufficiently bright and clear for productivity users who are the primary users of the Air. Photoshop experts and videophiles can benefit more from the MacBook Pro which includes a higher-resolution Retina display, a more powerful processor, a bigger memory and a better graphics card. The Intel Core i5-5250U not only carries out modest tasks with ease but preserves the battery life so that it runs for more than 12 hours.

While the 2015 model only featured 4GB of RAM, the 2016 model comes standard with 8GB of RAM for more hardware intensive apps. The Air also features a faster flash storage and the new Thunderbolt 2 interface. However, despite these upgrades, the performance boost is not very significant over previous models.

That said, if you still have the old 2015 MacBook Air, then we recommend hanging onto it until Apple release an updated version with significant changes. However, if you’re in need of an affordable and durable ultrabook, the latest MacBook Air is definitely one of the top options in its category despite lacking a Full-HD display thanks to its paper thin design and exceptional battery life.

Specs

Summary & Score

A super thin and light MacBook with incredibly fast boot and load times. The resolution could have been higher but more modern versions of the Air have better resolutions.

Ninja Score

90

Apple MacBook Air MLH72LL/A 13.3-Inch

$999.00$869.99

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(as of 27-09-2023 18:21 UTC) Details

6. ASUS VivoBook F510UA-AH51 15.6-inch

ASUS’s budget-conscious 2017 Vivobook F510UA-AH51 15.6-inch is a truly capable machine that comes at an attractive price. It is snappy and responsive thanks to its 8th Generation i5-8250U 1.6GHz CPU and 8GB of RAM, allowing your applications to run comfortably without making the laptop feel sluggish.

The design has been improved over to last year’s VivoBook, and it is both lighter and thinner, weighing in at 3.7 pounds, making it highly portable. The keyboard is said to have quite a bit of flex, taking away from the VivoBook F510UA-AH51’s premium feel. The laptop has been with an attractive 1920 X 1080 IPS NanoEdge display, which has an awesome 80 percent screen-to-body ratio. ASUS have cut some corners with the storage, opting for a slow 1TB 5400RPM HDD as opposed to an SSD.

This is going to make applications and boot times rather slow, but the other hardware does compensate for this. It has an average battery life of around 5 hours, 30 minutes according to reports, and most reviewers have pointed out that the audio quality is good overall.

The Intel UHD 620 graphics won’t win any awards for gaming performance, but it will allow you to run some classic titles well, and even some newer titles on low settings. It also comes with USB 3.1 with a reversible USB C connector for super fast data transfers. ASUS’s new Vivobook F510UA-AH51 15.6-inch laptop offers a great performance for the price, and its portability and solid construction makes it well suited for business people constantly travelling.

Specs

Summary & Score

With its premium look and ultra portable design, the ASUS VivoBook F510UA-AH51 offers users a solid performance at a very reasonable price.

Ninja Score

76

ASUS VivoBook F510UA-AH51 15.6-inch

$599.00

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:06 UTC) Details

7. ASUS VivoBook S S510UA-DS51

The ASUS VivoBook S S510UA-DS51 is a lightweight, powerful laptop. It comes with a thin “NanoEdge” display bezel, which many enjoy about this laptop, making the 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display seem borderless.

The brushed aluminium chassis gives the laptop a professional look and the 4.4-pound design means you can take with you anywhere. The Intel i5-8250U and 8GB of RAM drive a solid performance, and it will allow you to run your day-to-day tasks with ease. Couple CPU and RAM with the fast SSD and you have a machine that feels responsive. While the SSD does come with only 256GB of space, ASUS have included a 1TB HDD for additional space, but it is going to be quite a bit slower than the SSD.

The keyboard feedback is said to be average, and the touchpad equally as poor, but the keys are backlit, making them easy to navigate in darker settings. Most noted that the audio is good for laptop speakers, but nothing to write home about. It comes with a USB Type-C Gen. 1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 ports, as well as an HDMI port, but ASUS have not included an ethernet port, which did disappoint some reviewers.

The built-in fingerprint scanner is great for security purposes and saves you from typing your password every time you want to login. Another drawback is the battery life, with most finding that it lasts around 5 hours, which is quite a bit less than its competitors.

Specs

Summary & Score

If you are looking for a powerful, lightweight and professional looking laptop, then the ASUS VivoBook S S510UA-DB71 is for you. But it does not come with an ethernet port, so it will only run on Wi-Fi.

Ninja Score

79

ASUS VivoBook S S510UA-DS51 15.6-inch

$799.00

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:10 UTC) Details

8. Dell Inspiron 13 5379 13.3-inch

Dell’s latest Inspiron 13 5379 13.3-inch laptop fits right in with our large recommendation of 2-in-1 laptops that are currently flooding the markets. This breed of laptops seems to be a favorite for their versatility, thanks to their ability to readily flip into a tablet, and their lightweight design.

The Inspiron 13 5379 13.3-inch, when flipped into tablet mode, is said to be slightly thick, however, making it tricky to hold firmly. It’s powered by the Intel Core i7-8550U Quad-Core processor, which, when backed by the decent sized 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM, delivers a smooth and pleasant overall user experience.

The Full-HD TrueLife IPS display offers some decent viewing angles, but the PWM flickering is said to be pretty brutal overall according to Notebookcheck, and some noted that it is a bit color deficient, making it unreliable for photo and video editors looking for accurate color representation. Its battery life average of around 7.5 hours is average when compared to the higher priced laptops in this guide, like the Microsoft Surface Book SX3-00001 13.5-inch, which has a staggering 12 hour battery life.

The touchscreen is also said to be responsive, which makes it a pleasure to use it in tablet mode. At this price, you would not expect many drawbacks, and one as simple as a poor touchpad is slightly disappointing.

However, using a mouse will eliminate any issues with the touchpad that you may potentially have. The laptops runs quietly, regardless of how much stress it is under. The Intel HD Graphics 620 will even offer you some gaming advantages, and you will be able to run some of the classics on high settings, and even some modern titles on low settings.

Specs

Summary & Score

The Dell Inspiron 13 5379 13.3-inch is one of the more affordable under $1000 laptops that offers a smooth performance and offers a responsive touchscreen that is a pleasure to use in tablet mode, but the dim, somewhat color deficient display is slightly disappointing.

Ninja Score

71

Dell Inspiron 5379 13.3-inch

$816.29

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:09 UTC) Details

9. ASUS ZenBook UX410UA-AS74 13.3-inch

The ASUS ZenBook UX410UA-AS74 is a great mid-range Macbook competitor from ASUS’s popular Zenbook range that ticks all the right boxes as an all-round reliable workstation or portable PC.

The modern Intel Core i7-8550U CPU is more than fast enough for handling day to day tasks like a breeze, and the SSD provides extremely fast boot up times, athough it is slightly on the small side.

Keyboard quality was touted as being better than average, and the trackpad also received positive feedback for its tactile responsiveness.

With two USB 3.0 ports, one USB Type-C 3 port, a micro-HDMI port and an SD card reader, the UX410 also ticks all the right boxes when it comes to connectivity.

It features a high-resolution 3200×1800 IPS display with great viewing angles, though some reviewers weren’t impressed with screen brightness for outdoor use and potentially noisy fans under loud.

Although its design is also not quite as thin as some competitors such as the Macbook Air, it certainly holds its own as ASUS latest in the Zenbook range and comes highy recommened by most users.

Specs

Summary & Score

At only 3.1lbs, the UX410A is one super lightweight machine perfect for anyone on the go who needs a powerful and reliable all-round laptops.

Ninja Score

73

ASUS ZenBook UX410UA-AS74 14-inch

$899.00

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:18 UTC) Details

10. ASUS VivoBook S S410UN-NS74 14-inch

The eye-catching champagne gold finish of the VivoBook S S410UN-NS74 will certainly get the attention of those looking for an aesthetically pleasing laptop. It not only features a head-turning design, but it puts out a top of the range performance at a very decent price.

Its sleek, lightweight design weighs in at just 3.2 pounds, which, while light, is nowhere near the Huawei MateBook X Signature Edition’s 2.31 pounds and the Apple MLH72LL/A MacBook Air 13.3-Inch’s 2.96 pounds. The keyboard is comfortable offering the right amount of key travel and feedback, and it comes with a buttonless touchpad that’s responsive and easy to use. The fingerprint scanner will appeal to those who like their laptop as secure as possible.

The Full-HD NanoEdge display makes use of IPS technology, and many users praised the quality of the display and its ultra narrow bezel, but some noted that it could be brighter overall. ASUS has added a decent selection of ports, including the latest USB 3.1 Type-C Gen1 port, USB 3.0 port, USB 2.0 port, and an HDMI slot. Under the hood you’ll find the latest Intel Core i7-8550U, a fast 256GB SSD and 8GB of RAM, all of which work together to give you a smooth overall user experience.

You can even do some casual gaming thanks to the inclusion of Nvidia’s MX150, which is a better choice compared to other integrated GPUs such as the Intel UHD Graphics 620 chips we see on the Dell Inspiron 13 5379 13.3-inch and the ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH55.

It will also allow you to do some more intensive video or photo editing, but not as good as laptops with more cards. The battery life is said to last around 5-6 hours, which isn’t that great compared to other laptops, such as the Microsoft Surface Book SX3-00001 13.5-inch or the ASUS VivoBook F510UA-AH51 15.6-inch, but it could be worse.

Specs

Summary & Score

The battery life and the slightly dim display are about the only serious drawbacks of the ASUS VivoBook S S410UN-NS74 laptop. It puts up a strong performance and its design will surely appeal to those who are drawn towards aesthetically pleasing things.

Ninja Score

80

ASUS VivoBook S S410UN-NS74 14-inch

$799.00$795.36

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:18 UTC) Details

Huawei MateBook X Signature Edition

Ultrathin laptops are really appealing as they offer excellent portability thanks to their lightweight constructions and they are packed with features one wouldn’t think is possible considering how thin they are.

The Huawei MateBook X Signature Edition laptop has a 13-inch screen that is surrounded by an incredibly thin bezel, and Huawei have managed to stuff all of its impressively powerful hardware into the 12.5mm aluminium body, which itself is said to feel rather solid and sturdy.

Trusted Reviews have pointed out that it has a poor selection of ports, coming with only two USB 3.1 type-C ports. One impressive feature is speakers, with Huawei teaming up with Dolby to deliver a Dolby Atmos sound system, with many pointing out that the audio is clear and some have even referred to it as class-leading.

The Intel i7-7500U and 8GB of RAM are perfect for day-to-task handling, and they will make easy work of even some more demanding applications. However, the fanless design does lead to heating, so it is less functional under load, which is similar to the issues we see with the ASUS ZenBook UX430UA-DH74.

The ASUS ZenBook UX430UA-DH74 does have a fan, however, but they are both within the same price range and suffer from similar issues relating to heating. The touchpad has been nailed by reviewers, who found it unimpressive, and at this price point, it is not surprising that reviewers expect more.

The stylish Huawei MateBook X Signature Edition laptop is a great travel companion thanks to its excellent portability and sturdy construction, but push it too hard and it will overheat, which will be frustrating for those looking to maximize on productivity.

Specs

Summary & Score

The Huawei MateBook X Signature Edition will draw a lot of attention due to its attractive and sleek profile, but sacrificing cooling for looks may be a regrettable decision by Huawei, however.

Ninja Score

80

Huawei MateBook X Signature Edition 13-inch

$1299.00

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(as of 04-10-2022 03:47 -07:00) Details

Laptops Under $1000 – Honorable Mentions

While not as popular or as fresh as our current top picks, these laptops are still excellent choices for shoppers serious about exploring all possible options before making a purchasing decision.

ASUS ZenBook Flip UX360CA-UBM1T 13.3-inch

If you are looking for a super thin and light Ultrabook for work or to take with you when you travel, then you might want to consider looking at the ASUS ZenBook Flip UX360CA-UBM1T. At just 2.9-pounds and 0.5-inches thin, this laptop offers the ultimate portability for its price.

However, the metal used is slightly thin and there is a small amount of keyboard flex while typing, which might annoy some users. The ASUS ZenBook Flex also has a slightly below average trackpad, however, you can use a small mouse instead to alleviate any annoying trackpad lag or misclicks.

Powered by an Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor, the ASUS ZenBook Flip UX360CA-UBM1T is one of the few laptops from ASUS which uses the Skylake mobile processor. While it has a slower clock speed of 0.9GHZ, it can boost to 2.2GHz when needed and is not intended for heavier multitasking or for design and video editing applications.

However, this processor and the installed 8GB of RAM will easily allow you to send emails, Skype with family and friends, browse the web and to use the various Office applications from Microsoft. To store all of your files, the ASUS ZenBook Flip UX360CA-UBM1T features a superfast M.2 256GB solid state drive.

If you have a larger collection of multimedia files, you will want to use a good external hard drive, as the SSD will fill up very quickly. As expected from this thin laptop, the audio is not very loud and this has to do with the space the speakers have to resonate sound. While the audio is not as good as some of the other laptops in this guide, it is still good for streaming media or while using Skype.

Specs

Summary & Score

The ASUS ZenBook Flip UX360CA-UBM1T is a compact and light Ultrabook that is great for the user who is constantly on the go. However, the trackpad has much to be desired and might annoy some users.

Ninja Score

78

ASUS ZenBook Flip UX360CA-UBM1T 13.3-inch

$749.00

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(as of 27-09-2023 18:15 UTC) Details

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ASUS ZenBook UX430UA-DH74 14-inch

The ASUS ZenBook UX430UA-DH74 14-inch is priced slightly above a $1000, but forking out the extra dollar is well worth it. It comes packed with features one usually finds in pricier laptops.

Its durable lightweight (2.9 pounds) construction makes it incredibly portable, and coupled with the long battery life of around 8 hours 40 minutes (according to LatpopMag’s battery test), you get an ultrabook that is suitable for long coffee shop sessions or meetings.

The beautiful Full-HD nano-edge bezel display has a 100% sRGB color gamut, making it an absolute pleasure to look at. The specs at this price are what makes the ASUS ZenBook UX430UA-DH74 such a worthwhile purchase. The 512GB SSD is large enough to store plenty of files, and the 8th generation Intel i7-8550U CPU and 16GB of RAM will easily allow you to navigate your way around even the most demanding applications.

Needless to say, multitasking will be a breeze thanks to the included RAM. That being said, under load there is quite a bit of thermal throttling due to what seems to be a poor cooling system. Users noticed a drop in performance when running some of their more demanding programs, which is disappointing.

Other areas that need improve is the poor keyboard that is said to be quite stiff, and ASUS’s poor quality control. Customers who initially received lemons received faulty replacements, which does suggest ASUS are not checking the quality of their products.

The Intel UHD integrated GPU will allow for some low-end gaming, but it is better to rather purchase a dedicated gaming laptop if you are looking for a decent gaming experience, especially since it almost certainly run hot too.

Specs

Summary & Score

The ASUS ZenBook UX430UA-DH74 14-inch ultrabook comes at an incredibly competitive price and it packed with powerful hardware, but the coil whine and the heating issues are areas of concern.

Ninja Score

74

ASUS ZenBook UX430UA-DH74 14-inch

$1099.00$1024.14

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:09 UTC) Details

ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH55

The ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH54 was an incredibly popular laptop from ASUS’s ZenBook family and it remained in our top picks in this very guide for quite some time. It provided a premium package at a highly respectable price. The ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH55 is no different. However, it packs the same high quality for less than $800, compared to the $1,000 pricetag of its predecessor. It retains its aluminium construction that makes the laptop so lightweight and compact. It comes with a vibrant, 13.3-inch 1080p anti-glare IPS display that offers you wide viewing angles with limited glare. Under the hood, you will find premium components, including the latest 8th Gen Intel i5-8250U that can clock speeds of up to 3.4GHz and 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, that will allow you to run multiple programs comfortably. The 256GB M.2 SSD is fast and it should allow you to house most of your essential programs and files, and coupled with its extensive connectivity options, including micro HDMI, USB 3.1 Type C and an SD Card Reader, you have a laptop that is geared towards productivity. While it has 802.11a/c WiFi, it doesn’t come with an ethernet port, which is a drawback for some. It has an ergonomic keyboard that has been praised by many, but its touchpad misses the mark, with Laptop Mag pointing out that it is stiff, and customers report that it can be overly sensitive. While the ZenBook UX330UA-AH55 comes with more power than its predecessor, its battery sadly also drains a bit quicker. Digital Trends found that the the ZenBook UX330UA-AH54 could last an impressive 13 hours, while the UX330UA-AH55 loses about an 2 hours, lasting 11 hours and 6 minutes in their battery rundown tests. But that’s more than enough for a day’s work with a little juice leftover.

Specs

Summary & Score

The ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH55 looks, acts and feels like a premium laptop thanks to its lightweight aluminium body, its fast performance and its beautiful Full -HD display, but, compared to it predecessor, battery life has been sacrificed for faster performance.

Ninja Score

78

ASUS ZenBook UX330UA-AH55 13.3-inch

$749.00

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(as of 27-09-2023 19:12 UTC) Details

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