Laptops
Performance, screen & portability
MacBook Neo
Best forBasic macOS work on a smaller budget
Web browsing, writing and ordinary office work suit the Neo’s quiet design. The fixed 8GB of memory is the reason to spend more on an Air for development, heavier multitasking or creative work. There is no keyboard backlight, and Touch ID comes with the 512GB model, so the cheapest configuration has real compromises.
- Processor
- Apple A18 Pro
- Memory
- 8 GB unified memory; fixed
- Battery capacity
- 36.5 Wh
- Panel family
- IPS
Reasons to choose it
- Full macOS in an entry-positioned laptop.
- Silent design and detailed IPS screen.
Before you buy
Fixed 8GB memory.
5 review sourcesASUS Zenbook A14
Best forA light Windows travel computer
The A14’s low weight and OLED screen make it appealing for work on the move. Windows on ARM compatibility is the deciding check: confirm the apps, plug-ins and device drivers you rely on before ordering. Reviews disagree about value at different regional prices, and its fastest power profile brings more fan noise.
- Processor
- Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100, 18 cores
- Memory
- 32 GB LPDDR5X in TechRadar’s sample
- Battery capacity
- 70 Wh
- Panel family
- OLED
Reasons to choose it
- Sub-1kg chassis with useful built-in ports.
- Long reported battery life in separate workloads.
Before you buy
Premium varies by region and configuration.
3 review sources2 benchmark datasets include at least two selected models. See Benchmarks for results and test conditions.