Best Laptops
22 products ranked across 785 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 14 Oct 2026
On the stierproducts laptops board, Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) (#2, S tier) and Apple MacBook Neo (#3, A tier). The board ranks 22 laptops from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 14 Oct 2026, drawing on 785 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Dell XPS 14 (2026), HP OmniBook 7 Aero, LG Gram 17 (17Z90UR), and 5 others.
Moved down from C to D on 10 Sept 2026 #15 2 of 11 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Dell XPS 14 (2026)
#16 HP OmniBook 7 Aero
#17 LG Gram 17 (17Z90UR)
#18 1 of 5 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x
#19 Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14
#20 3 of 8 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra
#21 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+
#22 3 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1, 2020)
What moved on this board
21 tier changes recorded between 22 Jul 2026 and 14 Sept 2026. The 5 most recent are below.
- 10 Sept 2026 Dell XPS 14 (2026) moved down from C to D. 3 more research games. 5 sources added, 9 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) moved up from A to S. 2 more research games. 3 sources added, 2 removed.
- 25 Jul 2026 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x moved down from C to D. 2 more research games. 2 sources added, 1 removed.
- 25 Jul 2026 HP OmniBook 7 Aero moved down from C to D. 1 more research game. 1 source added, 1 removed.
- 25 Jul 2026 Acer Swift 16 AI moved up from D to C. 2 more research games. 3 sources added, 1 removed.
Each line shows what else changed at the same publish. It is not a statement of cause.
Frequently asked questions
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 785 cited reviews, videos and discussions. The safest multi-year ownership in the category: fanless chassis with no moving parts to fail, aluminum unibody, and Apple named the most reliable brand in PCMag's Readers' Choice data while topping Tom's Hardware's and PCMag's current tested guides.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5) ranks #2 (S tier). The same reliability platform as the Air with a stiffer chassis, a brighter and more durable display, and active cooling that reduces long-term thermal stress. Ranked below the Air only because it is more machine than most productivity buyers need, not because it is less durable.
Our research places Dell XPS 14 (2026), HP OmniBook 7 Aero, LG Gram 17 (17Z90UR), Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x, Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14, Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra, MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1, 2020) in the bottom tiers (D/F). Dell XPS 14 (2026): Tom's Hardware's best ultralight on review merit with premium build, but dragged down this lens by Dell's second-to-last Consumer Reports reliability placement and the XPS line's history of proprietary-port and repair-hostility choices.
More in Computers
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