Laptops: These are the best models to buy in 2021

The laptop buying guide in a nutshell:

Telecommuting obliges, the demand for portable PCs jumped in 2021. Global sales rose by more than 50% in the first quarter. A figure that is all the more impressive given that 2020 had been a complex year for the IT world.

On the one hand, the market had to deal with unprecedented logistical constraints linked to the health crisis; on the other, the shortage of components has hit the industry hard. However, this did not prevent manufacturers from responding to demand, and from launching a number of interesting new models.

Warning: In the middle of 2021, the shortage has inflated the prices of certain machines. Gaming computers are particularly affected due to the cryptocurrency race, which makes the availability of graphics cards risky. The time is not ideal to buy this kind of devices at the best price, it must be kept in mind.

Reference laptops (PC/Mac)

Apple MacBook Pro M1: the essential

In 2020, Apple changed its tune and abandoned the Intel processors in favor of its in-house chips, the M1. And the American firm has done well since it launched two MacBook models including the MacBook Pro with 13-inch screen, whose performance has been praised by the press. The autonomy is excellent (about twenty hours) and the comfort of use, at the rendezvous. It even seems that non-native applications, converted by the computer (Intel used the x86 instruction set, Apple relies on ARM), run more than efficiently.

Apple's latest product therefore runs on an 8-core M1 chip, an 8-core graphics card and the 16-core neural engine. On the memory side, the 13-inch MacBook Pro offers 8 GB (configurable with 16 GB) and a choice of 256, 512 GB, 1 or 2 TB of storage memory. Note, however, that the connection is limited since this product only has two Thunderbolt ports as well as a headphone jack. On the keyboard side, a good surprise, the Cupertino company confirms its choice to leave the butterfly keyboard aside in favor of the Magic Keyboard, which is much more pleasant.

Whether it's for image processing, video, simple office automation, and even a little gaming, the 2020 MacBook Pro M1s (at €1,305) offer excellent performance and should last a long time.

Dell XPS 13: the all-rounder

If you don't want to invest in an Apple computer, and you want a very portable product, the Dell XPS 13 9310 is an interesting choice. The 2021 version is particularly efficient with an adaptable configuration.

For a price of 1,349 euros, the Dell PC offers an 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor accompanied by 8 GB of memory and 512 GB of storage. But it is above all thanks to its edge-to-edge screen that the XPS stands out: it offers a 13-inch screen in a super compact design.

For the rest, the computer is equipped with Windows 10, it offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack and a microSD card slot, ultraportable requires. Thanks to its solid technical data sheet, its elegant finishes and its breathtaking screen, the Dell XPS 13 (at 1,079 €) stands out as the Windows PC of reference.

A laptop to play (PC)

Asus ROG Zephyrus G15: excess

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 2021 perfectly illustrates the adage “an iron fist in a velvet glove”. The design is elegant, the finishes neat and it offers a set of the most efficient components: an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor clocked at 3.1 GHz coupled to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card.

The device is powered by 16 GB of RAM and is based on 1 TB of SSD storage. On the screen side, you can count on a good 15.6-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panel, with a refresh rate of 165 Hz. Finally, the laptop runs Windows 10.

After dreaming about the technical sheet, you have to digest the price of 2,899 euros which will reserve this device for the wealthy who do not want to make any concessions.

Asus TUF Gaming A15: the performance/price ratio

If the Zephyrus is not for you, Asus offers an interesting alternative with the TUF Gaming A15. With a beautiful 15.6-inch IPS panel, very correctly calibrated by default, the screen has a refresh rate of 144 Hz. This gaming computer is also attractive in terms of its components since it runs on an AMD processor RYZEN 7 5800H. To the CPU, Asus has coupled an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card. The computer has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.

The TUF Gaming A15 (at €1,699) is also equipped with WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and the beast runs Windows 10. On the connector side, there is a jack, an HDMI 2.0 port, a USB-C port two USB-A ports and one RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port. A good quality / price ratio in short, because the efficiency is at the rendezvous as well as the endurance and the comfort of use.

The most enduring laptops (PC/Mac)

Apple MacBook Air M1: the most enduring

We We've already seen it with the MacBook Pros: MacBook models equipped with M1 processors offer impressive performance, and this is particularly true when it comes to battery life. The MacBook Pro is not the only marathon runner from the Apple firm, however, it is also the case of the MacBook Air, which has the advantage of being a little less expensive. Not only is its battery life impressive (18h theoretical hours in moderate use, which we can confirm), but it offers different configurations that have nothing to envy to its big brother.

You will thus have the choice between the M1 CPU pair (with its 8 cores), and a 7 or 8 core GPU. If you plan to buy this computer for simple office work, a 7-core should suffice, but if you want to do photo or video editing on a daily basis, the most powerful graphics card is recommended. RAM level, it is possible to choose between 8 and 16 GB of RAM.

On the storage memory side, all configurations allow you to choose between a 512 GB, 1 or 2 TB SSD. The 256 GB of memory is only available if you opt for a 7-core CPU/GPU pair. The MacBook Air M1 (at €1,065) is also equipped with two Thunderbolt ports and a jack, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5 and icing on the cake, a Touch ID sensor.

Razer Book 13: Fastest Charged

If you're not into Apple Macs, Razer launched its first laptop last year general public, the Razer Book 13 (€1,900). The model thus comes into direct competition with Dell or Apple. Razer offers here a high-performance computer with a beautiful 13.4-inch touchscreen IPS panel and a refresh rate of 60 Hz.

For the best performance, the editor advises you to choose one of the two models equipped with an Intel i7-1165G7 processor. On the graphics card side, it is an Intel Iris Xe Graphics that equips the ultraportables. In the belly of the beast, we will be counting on 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. We also regret that the storage memory is natively so limited (a small 512 on the most high-end model would not have was not refused). On the other hand, we welcome the autonomy of the machine which reaches a dozen hours. The battery recharges in 90 minutes thanks to a 65W charger. A significant asset for mobile users.

Low budget laptop (PC/Chromebook)

Acer Swift 3: the best value for money

A very good value for money is what probably best defines the Acer Swift 3. The 14-inch IPS screen with very decent performance is added to an honest configuration for its price. The Acer computer is indeed equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor coupled to an AMD Radeon HD graphics card.

You can also count on 8 GB of RAM and a good 256 GB SSD, all encapsulated in a magnesium aluminum alloy, for a weight of 1.19 kg. On the autonomy side, nothing to complain about since the computer can last up to 11 theoretical hours before requiring a recharge. It finally comes equipped with Windows 10. In short, a rather complete product under the 700 euro mark.

Acer Chromebook C433: the most connected

Below the 600 euro mark, another option not to be overlooked is the Acer Chromebook C433 which offers one of the most interesting technical sheets at this price level. It is equipped with a 14-inch IPS screen, an Intel Core m3-8100Y processor and an HD Graphics 505 graphics card. Comes with 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD, it promises a battery life of ten hours.

The only point that could hold some people back is the fact that it runs on Chrome OS. Beyond this detail, the Acer Chromebook C514 will fulfill its mission as a computer as long as you keep it for fairly standard daily use. An excellent quality / price ratio for those that Chrome OS does not scare.

The criteria to take into account when choosing your laptop

What about compatibility with Windows 11?

Do you want to be able to update your PC to Windows 11? It will have to be chosen carefully. If it is not directly marked on the product sheet of the device, it will be necessary to check that the processor is indeed registered on the list established by Microsoft for Intel, AMD and Qualcomm. Remember, however, that Windows 10 will still be kept up to date by Microsoft until 2025.

How to choose the right processor?

The processor is the heart of the machine and its conductor. Choose the powerful if you want to use it for work or play. The latest generation Intel processors, or AMDs will respond well to this type of need. If the latter were still lagging behind some time ago, they are now very efficient and are more energy efficient than their direct competitors.

Which graphics card to choose?

The graphics card next. Choose carefully if you are an image professional or if you are investing in a gaming computer. It is she who manages the display, so it is important not to neglect the choice of this component. The most powerful on the market are undeniably the NVIDIA GeForce RTX which are offered on high-end gaming PCs. For the image and video professions, if you do not opt ​​for the graphics cards of an Apple computer, a GeForce GTX should do the trick.

How to choose the right amount of storage?

Storage is also one of the sinews of war. You have to determine your needs to choose the SSD natively present on the machine (if you collect software and files, immediately plan on a large SSD), but also take into account the possibilities of adding memory modules.

Do I need a particular port?

We don't always think about this point enough, but it often makes the difference: the variety of connectors offered by the manufacturer . If you do not want to invest in a hub (as Mac users will have to do), pay attention to the different ports on your machine, depending on your use. Will you mainly need a USB port or also an HDMI to connect your machine to a larger screen? Will you use your computer only on Wi-Fi or is an Ethernet port essential for your use when your laptop stays at home? All these questions must be carefully considered before any purchase.

Is the Apple M1 chip compatible with my software?

The latest Apple laptops are equipped with a new type of processor: the Apple M1. Inspired by the chips present in our mobile phones, this component propels Macs and MacBooks into the air of ARM architecture. This break with the Intel architecture, which until now has been used by almost all computers, requires some code adjustments. Fortunately, Apple has provided a compatibility tool that will allow all your software to run smoothly.

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