Laptops.
You can’t live without them.
In today’s world, it is becoming impossible to live a normal life without one.
Whether you use one for work, entertainment, or simply for the sake of getting some face time with loved ones who are thousands of miles away, a laptop is certainly an extension of your life.
But the tricky thing with laptops is that they are constantly evolving. They are becoming smaller, more powerful, and more purpose-specific (like gaming laptops).
This is where many people get trapped at the crossroads of choice.
With such a great selection of great laptops to choose from, buying a laptop in today’s world can be very confusing. And that’s especially true if you don’t understand all the technical jargon that’s used to describe the features, abilities, and performance potentials of each laptop you look at.
If that is you, you are in the right place today.
Why do I say that?
Because we will be looking at the best laptops 2018 has to offer.
So sit back, relax (with your favorite beverage and credit card at hand), and let’s get you the best laptop 2018 has specifically for you.
We will be looking at all kinds of laptops. From productivity laptops to the best 2-in-1 laptops to the best gaming laptops of 2018. So yes, there definitely will be something for you.
But before we get to the laptops themselves…
Comparison Table
How To Buy The Best Laptop – 3 Basic Tips
Everyone has different needs when it comes to laptops. That is why your choice of the best laptop may not necessarily be my choice.
But how do you know which laptop meets your needs?
I’ll give you 3 basic pointers to get you started.
1. Purpose
The main factor to consider when looking for a laptop is the intended purpose of the said laptop. The intended purpose of your laptop will determine the specifications you will need in a laptop.
For example, if you intend to use your laptop for gaming, then you’ll definitely put power and performance at the top of the list of the specifications you need.
2. Price
Another pointer to help you find your perfect laptop is your budget. Your budget will help narrow down the laptops you will be looking at before you make your final selection.
And with the way technology has advanced greatly, budget laptops are now able to offer great performance at a great price point.
Today, budget laptops are not cheap-quality laptops. You can get a very good laptop at a budget price, so don’t let the word budget scare you off.
3. Portability
Portability is another great feature to look out for when you are hunting for a new laptop. If you are going to be moving around with your laptop a lot, you don’t need a hulking workstation. You probably should go for an ultrabook.
The size of a laptop is something that should not be overlooked. It plays a very important role.
After all, you don’t want to shoulder the weight of a gaming rig on your daily commute. Trust me on this one. I do have the scars to prove it.
Now that you know the 3 basic criteria you need to use in order to get yourself the best laptop 2018 has for you, let’s go ahead and look at those best laptops.
The Best Laptop 2018 – Let The Showdown Begin
Ready to go shopping?
Great!
Before we start sampling the latest laptops on the market, I just want to give you a heads up. We’ll be looking at this selection of laptops by category.
And we’ll be starting from the least expensive to the most expensive category.
Let’s get started, shall we?
- The flexible 360 Degree hinge and 12.5 inches full HD touchscreen lets you use the C302 in tablet or laptop mode
- Intel Core Processor with 64GB storage and 4GB RAM for fast and efficient performance with a bright backlit illuminated...
Ever since Chromebooks were launched, with the first being released by Acer and Samsung in 2011, the Chromebook has become one of the most popular laptop types on sale.
Not only are they very affordable, but Chromebooks appeal to users because they serve a simple purpose – connecting you to the internet.
Chromebooks have grown by leaps and bounds since their inception, and one of the best to evolve and come out on top in 2018 is the Asus Chromebook Flip.
Specifications
- CPU: Intel Pentium 4405Y – Intel Core m3-6Y30
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515
- RAM: 4GB
- Screen: 12.5-inch,
- Resolution: FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED-backlit anti-glare
- Storage: 32GB – 64GB eMMC
Sure, you can get a Chromebook for less than the $450 premium (for a Chromebook it is) the Asus Chromebook Flip commands. But why would you?
The Asus Chromebook Flip is a premium Chromebook that has a lot to offer in terms of hardware, performance, and functionality apart from the aesthetic beauty that immediately captures the eye.
What’s even more attractive about the Asus Chromebook Flip is that it sports a 360-degree hinge that allows it to ‘flip’ inside out – thus the fitting name.
At 12.5-inches and 2.6-pounds, the Asus Chromebook Flip probably isn’t just good for surfing as most Chromebooks are described. It probably can make a good transition laptop too.
As said, one determinant when buying a laptop is the intended purpose of use. The Asus Chromebook comes with enough power to get most of your daily tasks done effortlessly without slowing down – even when multitasking.
And storage space? Use cloud storage and you are good to go.
- 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U Processor (Up to 3.4GHz)
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED-lit IPS Display
If you are looking for a versatile, durable, and reliable laptop to use as a daily workhorse, the Acer Aspire E15 is definitely the laptop to pick.
Although budget laptops, don’t cross the $500.00, adding an extra $99.00 to get the Acer Aspire E15 is probably the best decision you will make in 2018 – at least where buying a laptop is concerned.
A quick look at the specifications will show you just how much value this laptop brings to the table.
Acer Aspire E15 Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8250U (8th generation)
- Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Screen Type: Widescreen
- Screen Size: 15-inches
- Resolution: FHD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce MX150
If these specs don’t get your mouth watering, especially at this price point, I don’t know what will.
The Acer Aspire E15 is definitely the best laptop 2018 has to offer at such a price point.
Especially considering that it comes with an Nvidia GeForce graphics card, this value is hard to beat. Oh, I don’t know if you noticed, but this budget laptop comes with the latest 8th-generation Intel i5 processor. That’s rare for many budget laptops as most budget laptops are budget laptops because they run on outdated parts.
And when it comes to performance, this budget laptop sure does pack a punch, thanks to the 256GB SSD memory. This laptop is so good it could just be the overall best laptop of 2018.
When Dell created the Dell XPS 13, they knew they were onto something – a laptop good enough to take on the revered MacBook.
If you are looking for an ultrabook that will give you superb portability and performance, then you’d better be prepared to pay the price demanded by the Dell XPS 13.
Before we get carried away, let’s take a quick look at the Dell XPS’ spec sheet to get a taste of what the best laptop of 2018 packs in and under its hood.
Dell XPS 13 Specifications
- CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- Screen: 13.3-inch FHD
- Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 – 4k (3840 x 2160)
- Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
The Dell XPS 13, when launched in 2012, was crowned the world’s thinnest laptop, and it continues on its march to be not just a thin beauty, but a powerful one too.
The 2018 iteration is even slimmer, lighter, and more powerful, making it one of the best laptops 2018 has seen being released.
One of the caveats of the Dell XPS 13 is that it is also customizable, making it easy for you to create the best laptop to meet your purpose and price – if you have more than $1,200.00 depending on where you get it and the specs you opt for.
With an 8th generation “Coffee Lake” processor, Intel UHD Graphics 620 and a brilliant Infinity Edge 4k display, this is probably one of the most powerful laptops on the market. Such power will easily afford you great productivity when you mean serious business and a bit of some casual gaming when you need to do a bit of relaxing.
If you want one of the best business laptops money can buy, then look no further than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.
Be warned though, this is one expensive laptop – the starting price is $1,140.00.
But with its performance, aesthetic beauty, and ergonomics, this premium laptop is certainly worth its weight in gold. Maybe, even more, as this is also a lightweight laptop.
Okay, specs first.
I get you.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Specifications
- Processor Name: Intel Core i5-8250U
- Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage Type: SSD
- Storage: 512 GB
- Screen Type: Widescreen
- Screen Size: 14-inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Touch Screen: Yes
- Graphics Card: Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Weight: 2.49 lb
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon boasts of its premium materials, slim profile, and powerful components to make it the perfect laptop for business. Whatever the task at hand, this laptop will get it done – fast and efficient.
As to be expected from Lenovo’s premium laptop line, the X1 Carbon has a very comfortable keyboard (for those times you have to spend prolonged times on your laptop), an excellent battery life (17 hours 26 minutes), and a very rugged chassis.
If you’ve got the money to splurge on a laptop, this is the laptop to get.
- i9-8950HK (6Core, 12MB Cache up to 5.0GHZ)
- NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1080 8GB DDR5X Overclocked
If you are looking for an out-of-this-world gaming experience, the Alienware 17 R5 gaming laptop will give it to you.
Ever since Intel announced its i9 processor, gamers have been waiting for a laptop that packs the expected performance of an i9 processor to an overclocked Nvidia GeForce GTX1080 GPU.
Alienware has just delivered that dream on a $2,399.00 platter.
Let’s take a look at what this monster of an Alienware laptop has to offer.
Alienware 17 R5 Specifications
- CPU: Intel Core i9-8950HK
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 (8GB GDDR5X VRAM)
- RAM: 32GB
- Screen: 17.3-inch
- Resolution: QHD (2,560 x 1,440)144Hz
- Storage: 246GB PCIe M.2 SSD, 1TB 7,200RPM HDD
Need I say more?
Maybe just a bit.
If you don’t mind a 10-pound (nearly) behemoth of a laptop, then you definitely will love the Alienware 17 R5.
This is the gaming laptop that ticks all the boxes a gamer would want – if you can ignore the price tag that is. VR-ready, great display, and a factory-overclocked GTX 1080 GPU make for great gaming that is well able to give you impressive frame rates – even at 1440p.
The Best Laptop 2018 – Your Pick
So, which laptop is it for you?
With this comprehensive list of laptops for every purpose conceivable, every price point, and every level of portability, it’s up to you to take your pick.
But one thing is sure, every laptop on this list is a potential best laptop of 2018 winner, especially in its category. That simply means you won’t regret taking any of these laptops home.
Last update on 2022-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API