The latest MacBook Air starts at $1,199, which is why we still recommend the 2020 MacBook Air M1 as a lower-cost alternative to the newest Air model, as it's still an all-around excellent laptop.

It offers a great combination of everything we look for when we're testing: reliable everyday performance, long battery life and a design that works for a broad range of users. The Apple MacBook Air M2 currently tops our list of the best laptops 2023 has to offer because it is a solid choice for most people. Plus, Apple updated its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with the latest M2 processors the latter is now on our list as the best MacBook Pro for 2023. Intel, AMD and Nvidia recently announced new processors and graphics chips for 2023, and there are new laptop models with those chips coming soon. CNET's list of the best laptops for 2023 is a great place to start, with our top picks across brands, operating systems, budgets and categories. That's why we've tested them to provide our expert opinions. When it comes to laptops, separating the good from the best is challenging.

Windows vs mac laptop 2021