Deciding which laptop to buy is a very key decision in today’s advanced age of consumer electronics. There are many factors to consider depending largely on the different ways that the laptop will be used. For some, a larger graphics processor and enhanced screen display are important parts of the laptop’s day-to-day usage. While for others, portability and streamlined design are among the key deciding factors. Here is a list of the top-rated laptops this year so far:

1. Lenovo ThinkPad X1

If having a larger display screen is important, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 is a chief option. It wields an anti-glare 14-inch (1920 x 1080) 4K screen. The laptop is thin with a relatively lightweight power supply in comparison with other models. It also boasts a long-lasting battery with rapid charge capability boosting battery life to as high as 80% in an hour. But what many like about this laptop is its sound. It includes a trademark Dolby speaker system that has two tweeters firing upward and two woofers firing downward to immerse the user in a quality sound system experience.

2. Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 offers the convenience of a twin-coil finger-press hinge making it easy to open, yet still stable when using the 13.4-in (1920 x 1200) touchscreen feature. This 2-in-1 laptop takes advantage of an 11th Generation Intel Core Processor with an Intel Iris Xe Graphics card. It also has 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports and one microSD card slot. Many users really enjoy the taller screen and the keyboard which are slightly larger than previous models. And the positive reviews are overwhelming on its revolutionary widescreen (720p) webcam. The webcam is not just small, its ultrasmall measuring at 2.25mm.

3. Microsoft Surface Pro X

For a 2-in-1 laptop/tablet option, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a prime choice. This laptop has 2 processors that were designed to provide fast connectivity with a smartphone. It also has a 13-inch, edge-to-edge touchscreen display, and two USB Type-C ports, which have become more and more necessary to accommodate 21st-century electronics. This model gains a large amount of its popularity from its 100% detachable feature. Other 2-in-1 laptops are non-detachable making them slightly less convenient. This model is ultra-thin and a “pure” detachable laptop giving it more ease of use on the go. The laptop also rates high among users in battery life.

4. Apple MacBook Air M1

For laptop users who are not as fond of windows-based PCs, and/or are willing to try a different platform, the Apple MacBook Air M1 offers more enhanced performance than previous models of MacBook. This laptop has noticeably fast performance provided by Apple’s next generation of M1 chip. It greatly excels in the arena of graphics with 7-core and 8-core GPU models which includes a 13.3-inch (2560 x 1600) screen. MacBook users are delighted most by the professional-grade power with 15 hours of wireless web use and 18 hours playback for app movies through Apple TV. Plus, it is lightweight at just 2.8 pounds.

5. Acer Aspire 5

Finally, for a straightforward laptop that won’t break the bank, the Acer Aspire 5 offers a lot of high-level performance. It has a Ryzen 7 processor with plenty of room for storage with a 512GB hard drive. It also includes Windows 10 and 4GB of Ram and has an extra-large display screen, 15.6-inch to be exact. The laptop offers four USB ports, one USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, and two SuperSpeed USB 5Gbpsusb ports. All in addition to a USB Type-C port. Users have commented positively on the sound quality of the innovative speaker system which provides a deep bass response at higher volume levels than other models.