The best laptops of 2018: 15 models for every purpose

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The most exciting new items among ultrabooks, gaming machines and powerful workstations.

Inexpensive models for study, home and office

Acer TravelMate P2

Balanced model in a plastic and aluminum housing, equipped with a 15.6-inch display with a matte finish. Most modifications are equipped with Intel Core i3 or i5 chips, which can be supplemented with either an HDD disk or an HDD + SSD duo.

Memory volumes are easily expanded without the need to open the case - there are separate slots for this, which can be accessed by unscrewing only a couple of screws.

The laptop also features a 180-degree lid opening, a backlit keyboard, and discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX130 graphics with GDDR5 memory, which are not often found in models in this price category.

ASUS VivoBook S15

This laptop is the same size as the classic 14-inch models, but the display here is 15.6 inches. This was achieved through a very thin bezel. This feature, coupled with a body thickness of 17.9 mm and a weight of about 1.5 kg, makes the VivoBook S15 quite a mobile solution.

The laptop is available in various modifications, ranging from affordable options with Intel Core i3 chips to top-end versions with Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics and a 2.5TB HDD + SSD memory kit.

Regardless of the modification, VivoBook S15 is equipped with stereo speakers with proprietary SonicMaster technology and a battery with fast charging support, which allows you to replenish 60% of energy in 49 minutes. Optional - backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader.

Lenovo Ideapad 330s 15

Another model with rather narrow bezels and the ability to open the lid 180 degrees. One of the most affordable versions with Windows 10 preinstalled, it is equipped with an IPS-matrix with FHD-resolution, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD.

This option works on the basis of a dual-core AMD A9 processor with AMD Radeon R5 graphics, but there are also versions with Intel chips and video cards up to GeForce GTX 1050.

The laptop does not have a record autonomy, but supports fast charging. Buy Ideapad 330s 15 can be either in strict black or gray, as well as in more original pink, white or dark blue.

Powerful compact models

Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13, 3 ″

The updated Xiaomi 13-inch laptop offers one of the best value for money in its class. In Russia, a modification with a quad-core Intel Core i5 chip, a discrete GeForce MX150 video card, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD memory is available in official retail.

The laptop has a stylish design, high-quality IPS-display, a pair of speakers from AKG, as well as the presence of a fingerprint scanner, which appeared in one of the latest modifications.

When ordering from China, Mi Notebook Air 13, 3 ″ can be found with an Intel Core i3 processor and without discrete graphics - this version will cost much less.

Dell XPS 13

The main feature of the 2018 XPS 13 is its almost bezel-less 13-inch display, available in resolutions up to 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. Its side is so narrow that the front-facing camera had to be moved down under the screen.

There are also Intel Real Sense sensors that provide face recognition function. In addition, authorization is provided using a fingerprint scanner, which is hidden in the power button.

The laptop is equipped with three USB Type-C ports, two of which are fully Thunderbolt compatible and the third with DisplayPort. You can charge the Dell XPS 13 through any of them. Moreover, a very compact and lightweight power supply is used for this, which in a bag or backpack will be completely imperceptible.

Huawei MateBook X Pro

This Huawei laptop received a 13.9-inch touchscreen display with an aspect ratio of 3: 2 and a resolution of 3000 × 2000 pixels. It is covered with Corning Gorilla glass with an oleophobic coating that prevents the appearance of fingerprints.

The aluminum body 14.6 mm thick hides a quad-core Intel Core i5, discrete graphics NVIDIA GeForce MX150 and a 57.4 Wh battery, capable of providing up to 12 hours of video playback.

An interesting feature of the MateBook X Pro is the camera, hidden in one of the keyboard buttons and activated with one click. Among other chips, it is worth highlighting an audio system with four speakers and support for Dolby Atmos, as well as a battery for 10-12 hours of battery life.

Acer Swift 7

The Swift 7 is one of the thinnest laptops in the world. The thickness of its case is only 8, 98 mm, which did not stop to equip the device with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory.

Screen - 14 inches, touch, with IPS-matrix and protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass. As for the ports, the variety is small: only two USB Type-C, however, the set comes with a tee with an output to HDMI, classic USB and one more Type-C.

A distinctive feature of the Acer Swift 7 is the standard support for mobile Internet, for which a special tray for a SIM card is provided in the case. This feature makes it a versatile solution for any trip.

Apple MacBook Air

The new MacBook Air, introduced at the end of the year, surpasses the original model, which has long been considered the reference ultrabook, in every way. One of its main advantages is a high-quality 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2,560 × 1,600 pixels.

In addition, the laptop received a Touch ID fingerprint scanner, protected by a sapphire crystal. It is intended not only for unlocking and authorization, but also for confirming online purchases through Apple Pay.

Also in the new MacBook Air, the touchpad has been increased, the sound has been significantly improved and support for external graphics accelerators with the Thunderbolt 3 interface has been added. Autonomy has been and remains a strong point of the device - in web browsing mode, the laptop can work up to 12 hours.

Models for games

Dell G3

Dell G3 is equipped with top-end processors Intel Core i5-8300HQ or Core i7-8750HQ, as well as a GeForce GTX 1050 video card. The amount of RAM can reach 16 GB, expandable. All this is hidden in a case with a thickness of only 22.7 mm, which is not much for a gaming laptop.

The screen is 15.6 inches with an IPS-matrix and a resolution of 1,920 × 1,080 pixels. All the necessary connectors are provided, including Thunderbolt 3 with Type-C interface and a pair of full-size USB 3.1. Also worth noting is the presence of a fingerprint scanner in the power button.

All this makes the Dell G3 one of the best entry-level gaming laptops, especially considering the relatively low price tag.

Lenovo Legion Y530

Similar in characteristics, but much more attractive in design, a model of a gaming laptop from Lenovo. It is distinguished by a narrow-bezel screen and an unusual design of the case, in which the lid is slightly smaller than the base with the keyboard and all the filling.

Most of the connectors on the Legion Y530 are retracted, while air is drawn from the sides for cooling. The keyboard has a stylish white backlight. Harman speakers with support for Dolby Audio are responsible for the sound.

In some versions, the 15.6-inch IPS-screen has a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which provides the most smooth and truly vibrant picture.

MSI GS65 Stealth Thin 8RE

This MSI laptop is the perfect choice for those looking for a powerful gaming unit in the smallest possible footprint. With a six-core Intel Core i7 chip and a GeForce GTX 1060 video card, its thickness is only 17.9 mm, and its weight is 1.88 kg.

At the same time, a powerful cooling system and a battery that can provide more than 8 hours of battery life fit inside. Other highlights include a high-quality IPS screen with fast response times, a compact power supply and a SteelSeries keyboard with customizable backlighting.

Separately, it is worth noting the excellent sound, which is responsible for 2.1 acoustics from Dynaudio with support for high-definition audio formats.

Acer Predator Helios 500

Acer's monstrous laptop, which hit the stores this summer, is designed for maximum graphics settings in any game. It is equipped with the most powerful six-core Intel Core i9-8950HK processor with dynamic frequency boost up to 4.8 GHz.

Responsible for the graphics card NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with 8 GB of memory. The amount of RAM is 32 GB, but it is expandable up to 64 GB. Built-in memory - 2 TB + 2 SSDs of 256 or 512 GB each.

The laptop received a 17.3-inch screen with a resolution of 3 840 × 2 160 pixels and full coverage of the Adobe RGB space. Other highlights include stereo speakers with subwoofer and a programmable RGB backlit keyboard. The price of such a "beast" corresponds to its capabilities.

Models for professionals

Apple MacBook Pro 15

This is the most powerful laptop from Apple, capable of handling any task. Updated in 2018, the model is equipped with an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 six-core processor, 16GB of RAM and discrete graphics Radeon Pro 555X or Radeon Pro 560X.

In addition to the productive filling, the device can offer a high-quality Retina display with a resolution of 2 880 × 1 800 pixels, a brightness of 500 cd / m² and True Tone technology. On the side ends of the case, there are four Thunderbolt 3 ports with Type-C interface.

The latest MacBook Pro models feature an accessory Touch Bar to help you navigate a variety of tools. The interface displayed on it varies depending on the application you are using.

Dell XPS 15

15-inch version of the updated XPS model, featuring a high-quality narrow-bezel display with a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160 pixels and 100% Adobe RGB color space. It covers a wider gamut of colors and reproduces hues not available on other high-end notebooks.

Dell XPS 15 is equipped with the most powerful processors from Intel, including a six-core Core i9. The amount of RAM reaches 32 GB. An NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or AMD Radeon Rx Vega M GL card can be installed as a graphics accelerator.

With such a filling, the case is only 17 mm thick, and the total weight of the laptop does not exceed 1.8 kg.

Lenovo ThinkPad P52

A powerful workstation from Lenovo designed for true professionals. The laptop can be equipped with Intel Xeon or Intel Core processors, as well as an NVIDIA Quadro graphics card. The amount of RAM, depending on the version, reaches 128 GB, and built-in drives - 4 TB.

The ThinkPad P52 is equipped with a 15.6-inch 4K UHD display and optional touch support. There is also a fingerprint scanner, an IR camera for Windows Hello authorization and the ability to connect to 4G LTE networks.

Tested against 12 military standards, the laptop is capable of operating in all conditions: arctic snow and dust storms, in zero gravity and even in pouring rain.