If you are in the market for a new laptop, then it is important that you get yourself a device that will be reliable and last you for years to come. This is why we’ve put together a list of the most reliable laptops in 2023. All of these devices have been tested and have passed the test of time so you can be confident that your investment will be worth it.
Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
Lenovo has unveiled its new ThinkPad Z-series of laptops. The new line is a departure from its predecessors with a modern and futuristic look.
The Z-series is available in a wide array of configurations. These range from a 13-inch WQXGA touchscreen to a larger 16.10-inch OLED display. Both have the capability of displaying Dolby Vision, a technology that uses audio information to produce better sound.
The ThinkPad Z-series uses a lot of recycled aluminum to create a passive cooling system. This allows the laptop to have a longer battery life. A 65W USB-C charger is included with the Z13.
The Z13 has an excellent keyboard. Though its arrow keys have been re-positioned and its Fn key is not a dedicated button, it has a nice, responsive layout. It also features a full row of function keys.
The screen is no slouch, with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a pixel density of 382 ppi. It can recline all the way to 145 degrees, making it similar to a MacBook Pro display.
Lenovo’s intelligent software can detect when you’re out of the camera’s field of view and lock the PC. For added convenience, the laptop also has a fingerprint reader.
In terms of features, the Lenovo Z13 has a few surprises. It’s got an IR camera for presence detection. But a full sized keyboard, an electronic shutter, a finger scanner, and an optical mouse aren’t anything to sneeze at.
Compared to the X1 series, the Z13 looks more like a high-end business notebook. With a premium design and a long-lasting battery, the Z13 is a solid choice. However, the laptop’s display and keyboard might disappoint more experienced users.
Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 has been a staple of Windows ultrabook fans for years. With a stunning design, fast performance and long battery life, it is no surprise that it has become a favorite.
The XPS 13 features a gorgeous 4K OLED display, which provides inky blacks and pristine whites. In addition to being very bright, it also has no bezels and a 720p webcam.
It’s a reliable machine, and the best part is that you can buy it for around $999. For that price, you get a powerful processor, up to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. That’s enough to perform serious processing tasks when you need them.
While the XPS 13 is a great laptop overall, it does have a few flaws. First, it’s quite hot under normal workloads. Second, its razor-sharp front edge can be a pain to use. Lastly, it has no physical function keys, which means you’ll need to use your mouse on the touchscreen if you want to change settings or run other programs.
However, it’s worth noting that Dell has made some improvements to this model. You can now opt for the XPS 13 Plus, which radically revamps the design of the classic XPS 13. Compared to the standard version, it offers an OLED screen, Intel’s 12th-generation Core i7-12750U processor, and a 512GB SSD.
Another improvement is the addition of a USB-C to USB-A adapter. These USB-C ports support Power Delivery, and they support DisplayPort as well.
If you want to keep the display and keyboard as minimal as possible, you can also choose the XPS 13 Plus. But this laptop is a bit more expensive than the standard version, so you’ll need to decide if that’s worth it.
Apple MacBook Air 13
Apple’s MacBook Air is a reliable, affordable laptop that’s a good choice for most people. It’s the most portable of Apple’s notebooks, and it’s also the most powerful. The M1 processor makes it faster than its predecessor, and it can run native iOS apps.
It’s also got a bigger screen, which is an obvious bonus for many MacBook users. In addition, it’s got a better webcam. This means it can display pictures more accurately.
Another impressive thing about the Air is its battery life. While a laptop’s battery life can vary based on the model, most newer MacBooks are capable of about 20 hours. However, when using all of its hardware, it’s worth keeping a charger nearby.
The most expensive of Apple’s machines, the MacBook Pro, is the king of the hill for professionals. It’s a powerful machine that can handle most mainstream programming situations. But it’s heavy and pricier than many other productivity portables.
There are many alternatives to the Pro, including refurbished models that can be found at Apple’s online store and third party sellers. They’re not always the most technologically advanced, but they’re usually built with a durable metal chassis and long battery life.
If you want to be as practical as possible, you’ll want to look at the MacBook Air M2 as a potential upgrade. It’s a much cheaper alternative to the M1, and it offers small quality-of-life improvements over its predecessor.
For some, the best thing about the M2 is its ability to run Intel-based apps. In other words, you can do things like edit videos or play music.
The Air’s webcam is also a big deal, as it’s sharper and more accurate than its predecessor. And the Magic Keyboard is as good as any modern MacBook.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15
If you’re looking for a reliable laptop that you can use in everyday life, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 is an ideal choice. The laptop is affordable, light, and sturdy, with powerful storage and Intel processing. Its slim and portable design makes it an ideal school computer.
For around $600, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 offers a great value and can handle most student workloads. While it’s not the fastest laptop on the market, it’s powerful enough for the occasional game or other graphics-heavy task.
Lenovo ThinkPad X13 is another low-cost Windows alternative. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen processor and has a good keyboard. However, its battery life is lacking.
Another affordable option is the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3. This 15.6-inch laptop has a vibrant screen. It’s also available with a 256GB SSD. You can upgrade to a 512GB one. In addition, the Lenovo Vantage application lets you overclock the CPU and GPU.
In Geekbench 5.4, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 clocked in at 7,908. Compared with the Nitro 5, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is $200 less. That’s a savings that can be made even more if you add in a memory upgrade.
Although the display on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 (2022) is a little dull, it’s bright enough to work with in most settings. It’s not ideal for those who require perfect image accuracy, though. Those who need a more realistic view should look elsewhere.
The ThinkPad X13 has a good keyboard and a great design. Its AMD-powered processor, however, doesn’t have the speed to handle all demanding tasks.
While the battery life on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 (2022) was acceptable, the ThinkPad X13 isn’t the best option for long-term use.
MSI WS76
MSI’s WS76 is a great mobile workstation that’s perfect for professional workflows. It’s available with Intel’s 11th Gen CPUs, NVIDIA’s discrete GPUs, and up to 2TB of storage. Despite its small size and light weight, the WS76 is sturdy and reliable.
The MSI WS76 is a 17-inch high-end Windows mobile workstation. It features a full-size keyboard with an ergonomic design and a comfortable layout. Also, the WS76’s touchpad is responsive and easy to use.
There’s a wide selection of ports on the MSI WS76, including USB-A, Thunderbolt 4, and a USB-C port. These ports are useful for connecting external drives and a keyboard. You also get a USB-C port that supports Power Delivery, which allows you to recharge your mobile device faster.
This laptop has a full-size keyboard with a spacious layout and keys that have a lot of travel. They feel smooth and quiet when you type, but there’s no dragging or snagging.
This laptop has a fast SSD, and it’s fast enough to keep up with demanding tasks. However, its memory is difficult to access. Ideally, you should opt for a 256GB or 512GB SSD to give yourself the best performance.
The MSI WS76’s webcam is good, but it has a bit of background noise. Its video quality is decent, but you’ll find a few bright reflections when viewing dark-color content at maximum brightness.
While the WS76’s display offers a wider color gamut than other portables, it has a slightly reddish tint. As a result, it’s not ideal for working in dark environments. If you plan to do a lot of rendering, you should definitely look into other options.