Razer Blade 14 (2025) review: Finally understanding why this is Razer’s best-seller

The Razer Blade 14 (2025) is an excellent compact gaming laptop, if you’re willing to pay the price.

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

Verdict

Following the trail blazed by its 16-inch sibling, the Razer Blade 14 is entering 2025 with a fresh new design, more power, and a whole lot of AI features. It’s Razer’s best-selling machine made better than ever, even though most people don’t really need this class of device. I also suggest opting for the silver colorway if you dislike dealing with constant fingerprint marks and smudges.

Pros

  • +The pinnacle of premium laptop design
  • +Beautiful OLED display and shockingly good speakers
  • +Excellent performance, including with AI features
  • +Decent battery life, if you adjust some settings

Cons

  • -Can get very warm
  • -The black chassis and keys are serious fingerprint magnets
  • -Still an expensive machine

I recently reviewed the Razer Blade 16 (2025)and found it to be a massive improvement over its predecessor, agaming laptopthat felt mismatched with its engorged price tag.

It’sRazer’s smallestgaming laptopthat is its best seller, though, and the Blade 14 received the same treatment for 2025 as the Blade 16 — a thinner and lighter redesigned chassis, and all-newAMDandNVIDIAhardware for better gaming performance and moreAIfeatures.

The result? One of the greatest compact gaming laptops you can buy. The Blade 14 is a seriously impressive display of engineering with far more strengths than weaknesses, but the real question most should be asking is: who should actually buy the Razer Blade 14 (2025)

>>>Replacement battery for Razer Blade RZ09-01302E22 RZ09-0102 RZ09-01161 RZ09-01301E41

Blade 14 review: Pricing and specifications

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

I had to aggressively clean this laptop multiple times while photographing it.

Like always, the Razer Blade 14 (2025) is a ridiculously pricey laptop, but you are getting the pinnacle of premium design, as well as most of the features you could ask for in a laptop.

The Razer Blade 14 (2025) startsfrom $2,299.99 at Razer, which is equipped with anAMDRyzenAI9 365 chipset,NVIDIA GeForceRTX 5060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage.

My review configuration upgrades to an RTX 5070 GPU and 32GB of RAM for$2,699.99 at Razer. If you want the best of everything,you can upgrade to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage for$2,999.99 at Razer.

>>>Replacement battery for Razer Blade RZ09-0102 RZ09-01161E31 RZ09 14 Series

There’s also a “Mercury White” (it’s silver) colorway.

SpecRazer Blade 14 (2025)
Display14-inch OLED, 16:10 aspect ratio, 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 0.2ms response time, 400 nits max brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, NVIDIA G-SYNC & Advanced Optimus support, Calman Verified
CPUAMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (Zen 5, 10 cores, 20 threads, up to 5GHz max boost)
GPUUp to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 (Blackwell, 8GB GDDR7 VRAM)
NPUAMD XDNA 2 (Up to 50 TOPS)
MemoryUp to 64GB LPDDR5X @ 8,000MHz
StorageUp to 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe Gen 4×4 SSD (expandable up to 4TB)
Ports2x USB Type-C 4.0 ports (40GBps, DisplayPort 1.4 via Radeon 880M iGPU, 100W Power Delivery 3.0), 2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports (10GBps), 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 1x microSD card slot (UHS-II), 1x 3.5mm audio jack, 1x Kensington Nano Security Slot
ConnectivityWi-Fi 7 2×2, Bluetooth 5.4
Battery72Whr, 200W charger
Dimensions310.7 x 224.3 x 15.8-16.2mm (12.23 x 8.83 x 0.62-0.64in)
Weight1.63kg (3.59lbs)
Warranty1-year limited laptop warranty, 2-year limited battery warranty, RazerCare support

In the box, you’ll find the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop, Razer’s proprietary 200W DC charger, and 1 month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Razer also offers its RazerCare extended warranty and colorful Razer skins for the Blade 14.>>>Replacement battery for Razer Blade Ryzen 14 2021 2022

Blade 14 review: Design and build quality

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

It’s still obviously a Razer laptop, but this design is more refined.

The Razer Blade design language is iconic at this point, and Razer hasn’t dramatically changed its hand with the latest round of redesigns. This is all about refinement, and the finer details do make a sizeable impact.

The new Blade 14 is 11% smaller thanthe Razer Blade 14 (2024) we reviewed, dropping around 2mm in thickness and a third of a pound in weight. It’s still CNC-milled out of a single block of high-grade aluminum, but it’s sleeker and more comfortable than before.

Razer didn’t make any noticeable changes to its anodization and electrochemical bonding process, though, so the matte black color looks as amazing as always — until you touch it, where it’ll greedily hold on to every smudge.

I mentioned inmy initial hands-on of the new Razer Blade 14that it felt like Razer finally closed the gap withthe ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 I reviewed, and my mind hasn’t changed. The Blade 14 always had phenomenal build quality, but the new design is a big improvement in aesthetics.

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

On the left side, you’ll find the 200W Razer charging port, a USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, a USB Type-C 4.0 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

On the other side, you’ll find a Kensington Nano Security Slot, a second USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, and HDMI 2.1 port, a second USB Type-C 4.0 port, and a microSD card slot.

It’s impressive enough to make a 14-inch gaming laptop smarter, faster, thinner, and lighter in one go, but where Razer really surprised me is that it didn’t cut any features to make those reductions… In fact, it addedmore.

You’re looking at a very familiar array of ports, with connectivity rivaling much larger laptops thanks to dualUSB4ports withThunderbolt 4capabilities (including 100W Power Delivery for when you’re on the move and need a quick charge), full bandwidthUSBType-A ports, andHDMI 2.1display output.

However, Razer actually added a new microSD card slot as well, which will make some peopleveryhappy. I’ll talk more about them later, but there’s also an additional two speakers under the hood, so the Blade 14 rocks the same six-speaker system as both its larger siblings.

Blade 14 review: Display quality

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

Not everyone will prefer this display, but I really like it.

On the display front, last year’s Blade 14 rocked an IPS LCD panel with a 240Hz refresh rate. This year, Razer decided to follow in the wake of many other premium, 14-inch laptops with a higher resolution, lower refresh rateOLEDdisplay.

You’re looking at a 2.8K resolution (1800p instead of 1600p from last year), a 120Hz refresh rate, a blisteringly fast 0.2ms response time, and all the vibrant colors and punchy contrast expected from OLED.

It’s a familiar screen, and that comes with the same strengths and weaknesses. On one hand, this displaylooksgorgeous and offers best-in-class performance for gaming. While the refresh rate has technically been downgraded, 120Hz is perfect for the Blade 14’s capabilities, and everything looks crisp and defined.

Benchmark results for the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

This screen is even more color accurate, and Synapse includes the factory color calibration report to keep it that way.

The new OLED display is also more color accurate than last year’s panel, which will make a difference for creators. White balance is very consistent across higher brightnesses, too, so photo and video editors shouldn’t have any complaints.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) support is here, although Razer didn’t disclose the exact standards to me. Either way, though, this is where the weaknesses come in. This OLED display boasts only average brightness, and it’s noticeably lower than last year’s IPS LCD screen.

On top of the lowered brightness, you do also need to contend withPulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for dimming. Most people won’t be affected, but there are sensitive users who may experience headaches or eye fatigue from the rapid flickering at lower brightnesses, and Razer sadly doesn’t offer an alternative display option for the Blade 14.

SettingBrightness (nits)BlackContrastWhite point
0%4.40Infinite6,800K (0.308, 0.326)
25%30.30Infinite6,600K (0.312, 0.330)
50%910Infinite6,500K (0.313, 0.330)
75%210.40Infinite6,500K (0.313, 0.331)
100%398.70Infinite6,500K (0.312, 0.331)

The new OLED display is also more color accurate than last year’s panel, which will make a difference for creators. White balance is very consistent across higher brightnesses, too, so photo and video editors shouldn’t have any complaints.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) support is here, although Razer didn’t disclose the exact standards to me. Either way, though, this is where the weaknesses come in. This OLED display boasts only average brightness, and it’s noticeably lower than last year’s IPS LCD screen.

On top of the lowered brightness, you do also need to contend withPulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for dimming. Most people won’t be affected, but there are sensitive users who may experience headaches or eye fatigue from the rapid flickering at lower brightnesses, and Razer sadly doesn’t offer an alternative display option for the Blade 14.

Blade 14 review: Performance and thermals

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

Part of the new Blade 14 is a completely redesigned thermal hood, which debuted with the Blade 16.

It’s a given that you’ll have to sacrifice some performance with a 14-inch gaming laptop, because that’s how physics works. Still, the latest Blade 14 is consistently more performant than its predecessor while being both thinner and lighter, and there are some reasons for that.

Largely, it’s due to the completely redesigned thermal hood, which moves the hottest components under the same comprehensive vapor cooling chamber and refined dual-fan system. On the other side, the newAMD Ryzen AIandNVIDIA GeForceRTX 50-series hardware are more efficient than the last generation.

AMD, especially, makes a big difference here. I have a lot of respect for the latest Ryzen AI chipsets, which can’t quite compete withIntelandQualcomm’s most efficient mobile hardware, but easily bests both in terms of gaming, creative, and AI performance.

The result is an excellent computing experience. The Blade 14 feels every bit as responsive as it should, considering how much it costs, and is completely quiet the majority of the time.

My only complaint is that AMD still isn’t as good as Intel orQualcommwhen it comes to quickly waking from sleep or standby.

Benchmark results for the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

Razer is clearly using the same PCIe Gen4 SSD as last year, which is… Fine.

Benchmark results for the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

There are more powerful 14-inch laptops in terms of CPU performance, but the Blade 14 is up there.

Benchmark results for the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

Year-over-year performance gains aren’t mind-boggling, but the Blade 14 is consistently more powerful.

Benchmark results for the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

You see this with general productivity, too; this Blade 14 simply feels more responsive.

Benchmark results for the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

Once again, the RTX 5070 isn’t a huge leap over the 4070, but the improvement is there.

Benchmark results for the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

AMD laptops always perform well when encoding 4K video.

There were no surprises when benchmarking the Blade 14. Its AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is a highly capable 10-core chipset, but it’s also far from themostpowerful in the Ryzen AI lineup.

The same goes for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070, which is a balanced mid-range GPU with 8GB of VRAM, so it’s more than enough for all the best PC games right now. In the Blade 14, that 5070 is running at 115W TGP, which is less than Razer’s larger laptops but competitive with other 14-inch gaming machines.

Year-over-year, performance gains are minimal (around 12% for CPU and 3% for GPU), but the Blade 14 (2025) possesses one extremely important advantage: much better thermal performance.

The new Blade 14 runs cool and quiet most of the time, but the fans can get loud as they spin up — at least it’s a low whir, rather than a high whine. The Blade 14’s keyboard deck can also get hot, but never quite hot enough that I couldn’t comfortably touch it.

I ran the Blade 14 through 3DMark’s Time Spy benchmark 25 times consecutively, and there was a 99.1% similarity between the best and worst loops. For comparison, the Blade 16 scored 98.1%, which is where a lot of modern gaming laptops land.

  • Forza Horizon 5 —106 FPS(Extreme preset, 1600p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution/Frame Generation/Reflex Low Latency disabled)|74 FPS(Max settings, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution set to Auto, NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation/Reflex Low Latency enabled)
  • Gears 5 —81 FPS(Ultra preset, 1600p resolution, uncapped framerate, v-sync enabled)
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 —92 FPS(Extreme preset, 1600p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution set to Performance, NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation disabled, NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency enabled)
  • Cyberpunk 2077 —51 FPS(Ray Tracing: Ultra preset, 1600p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, v-sync enabled, NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution Transformer Model set to Auto, NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation disabled, NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency enabled)|51 FPS(Ray Tracing: Overdrive preset, v-sync disabled, NVIDIA DLSS Multi-Frame Generation set to 4x, NVIDIA DLSS Ray Reconstruction enabled)

When gaming, the Razer Blade 14 (2025) is a competent performer for QHD (1600p) gaming at high to ultra settings, and games will still look great on the 14-inch display at a lower 1200p resolution if you’d prefer more frames.

I had zero issues with the Blade 14’s performance, but I have two interesting things to note: first, the RTX 5070 may benefit from NVIDIA’s DLSS AI upscaling and multi-frame generation, but the improvements aren’t nearly as dramatic as the 5070 Ti and up.

Secondly, the Blade 14 sometimes behaves weirdly with NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, where switching to the discrete GPU causes the display to freeze on its static RGB pixel array until you close the laptop and open it again. It only happened twice, but I’ve never experienced that with any other laptop.

Blade 14 review: Software and AI experience

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

Razer Synapse is good, and Razer doesn’t load a bunch of other crap on the Blade 14.

The Razer Blade 14 follows the Blade 16 as one of Razer’s first trueAI PCs, thanks to the AMD Ryzen AI silicon inside. This is a fullCopilot+ PC, so it’s future-proofed to get all the bestWindows 11features as they’re released.

Razer isn’t really taking advantage on its own, with no real AI features to speak of, but between the 50 TOPSNeural Processing Unit (NPU)and the NVIDIA GPU, the Blade 14 should be able to handle any AI task you throw at it across productivity, creativity, and gaming workloads.

Beyond that, this is a clean build of Windows. You’ll find the typical NVIDIA and AMD apps, but basically nothing else beyond Razer’s Synapse and Chroma applications for managing your laptop, Razer accessories, and RGB lighting.

Razer Synapse 4 doesn’t go crazy with the amount of control it gives you over your Blade 14, but all the basics you need are there, plus a few more.

Blade 14 review: Battery experience

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

No gaming laptop can expect multi-day battery life, but AMD Ryzen AI gives the Blade 14 a better shot than most.

You shouldn’t be buying a gaming laptop if you need amazing endurance, but the Blade 14 attempts to strike that balance better than most, with some degree of success.

Running the Blade 14 through an hour-long loop of genericMicrosoft Officetasks resulted in a battery drain of 22%, while looping an HD video at 50% volume took off 21% of the battery.

That’s already a bit better than most 16-inch laptops, and running aWindows Battery Reportshowed I was able to get around 6 hours of actual usage out of the Blade 14 without throttling every feature into the ground, which isn’t bad.

With some compromise, like disabling the keyboard lighting, reducing performance, and lowering screen brightness, you can get the Blade 14 through a full work day (as long as you’re not constantly spinning up that GPU).

On battery power, expect to lose around 30% and 37% of your CPU and GPU performance, respectively — that’s a sizeable bump down, but it’s again better than a lot of larger gaming laptops.

Blade 14 review: Keyboard and touchpad

This keyboard isn’t much different, but it’s solid.

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

I still love the two-stage lighting for highlighting secondary functions.

The keyboard is one area where the Blade 14 didn’t receive the same treatment as its big sibling, as it’s still the shallow 1mm keyboard as before. Off the bat, this isn’t my favorite keyboard in a 14-inch laptop by any means, but I enjoyed typing and gaming on the Blade 14 more than I expected.

Key action is tactile and responsive, and I do like this layout. Razer also implemented its two-stage RGB lighting for keys with secondary functions, helpfully highlighting them when you press the Fn or Shift keys. It’s an amazing detail that all premium laptops should adopt.

As an aside, Razer still has some of thebestRGB lighting in the business, so the per-key lighting on the Blade 14 looks fantastic and is easy to customize.

The touchpad is still comically large, which some people will love. It’s a mechanical touchpad, rather than a more premiumhaptic touchpad, but it’s at least coated in slick, high-quality glass, employsMicrosoft Precision driversfor gesture support, and is responsive and precise to use.

Blade 14 review: Other hardware

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

You do at least get Windows Hello facial recognition, which is nice.

The Razer Blade 14 is undoubtedly a premium laptop, so it boasts a lot of luxuries you’re not guaranteed elsewhere… But Razer didn’t stuff everything and the kitchen sink in here.

The front-facing, FHD webcam and microphone array are decent and more than usable, but nothing exceptional. You at least get an IR sensor forWindows Hellofacial recognition, butthat feature no longer works in the dark(and you don’t get a fingerprint sensor for backup authentication).

There’s also no proximity sensor for theHuman Presence Detection (HPD)features common with other premium AI laptops, nor an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness or color temperature adjustment. Most people won’t miss those features, though.

Wireless connectivity is at least cutting edge withWi-Fi 7and Bluetooth 5.4 on board, although I do wish Razer would bake its proprietary HyperSpeed Wireless technology into its laptops for easy accessory pairing.

One area where the Blade 14 is hands-down at the cutting edge is with audio, as it boasts a mighty impressivesixspeakers packed into its petite frame, tuned with THX 7.1 surround sound in mind. Physics still plays a part with such a small laptop, but these speakers are really good.

Blade 14 review: My final thoughts

Image of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gaming laptop.

✅You should buy this if …

  • You want a premium 14-inch laptop with power for high-end gaming.
  • You want your laptop to make a statement with its design.
  • You want a gaming laptop designed with AI features in mind.

❌You should not buy this if …

  • You only plan to occasionally use the discrete graphics.
  • Reliable, all-day battery life is an absolute must.

Razer laptops have never been known to be affordable, and the Blade 14 is no exception. This is a costly machine, and a lot of that is tied up in the intricate way Razer constructs it.

The redesigned Razer Blade 14 (2025) is easily my favorite Razer laptop so far, though, and proves to me why the smallest in the lineup is also the best-selling. This is an excellent gaming companion with enough power for all the latest and greatest games, but a design thin and light enough to carry around with you everywhere.

It’s also more capable of surviving a full day of work than most gaming laptops, making it a potent option for those who want a premium device for work, play, creativity, and — increasingly important — artificial intelligence.

The Blade 14 is still overkill for a lot of people, though, and those only planning to casually game or occasionally use those beefy NVIDIA graphics may be better off with one of the shockingly capable Intel or AMD ultrabooks from companies like Lenovo or HP.

Those of you who know what they need, though, canget the Razer Blade 14 (2025)from $2,299.99 at Razerright now. If you want my recommendation, get it in silver.

Samsung Galaxy Flip 7 vs. Fold 7: Pocket-Size Style or Productivity Powerhouse?

Samsung’s newest foldable phones differ not just in style, but also in price—by nearly $1,000. Is the sleek, selfie-friendly Flip 7 your perfect match, or does the high-powered, book-style Fold 7 better suit your needs? Let’s break down the specs to help you choose.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hands-on review: Feels like flip phone perfection |  Tom's Guide

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Bottom Line

The Z Flip 7 is the smaller and more portable of the two phones and has dedicated selfie software. It costs far less than the Fold, but it’s not as good for multitasking.

What Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 color should you buy? | Android Central

>>>Replacement battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Bottom Line

The Z Fold 7 is a book-style foldable that is a powerful productivity tool, but it’s immensely expensive and somewhat large.Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 bank on the “thinner-and-lighter is better” mantra as their main selling point. But in addition to refined designs, trimmer dimensions, and the usual bevy of spec updates, the Flip and Fold more clearly define their purposes. Both still feature inner and outer screens, but they have more focused features, software, and tools that set them apart more than ever. I got a chance to spend some time with the phones ahead of their July 15 release, and am here to highlight what makes each foldable unique to help you decide which is right for you.

Full SpecsSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 7Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
Operating SystemAndroid 16Android 16
CPUExynos2500Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Dimensions3.37 by 2.96 by 0.54 folded, 6.56 by 2.96 by 0.26 inches closed6.24 by 2.87 by 0.35 inches folded, 6.24 by 5.64 by 0.17 inches open
Screen Size6.9 inches8 inches
Screen Resolution2,520 by 1,080 pixels2,184 by 1,968 pixels
Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing)50MP, 12MP; 10MP200MP, 12MP, 10MP; 10MP, 10MP
Battery Life (As Tested)31 hours26 hours

>>>Replacement battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

Pricing: The Fold Is About Twice the Price

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7

It’s not even close, not really. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is Samsung’s biggest and most powerful device, and it has always carried a shockingly high price tag to match. It starts at $1,999.99 for the 256GB model, which is $100 more than last year’sZ Fold 6. Meanwhile, the Z Flip 7 is about half as much at $1,099.99, which is the same price as last year’sFlip 6.Left to right: Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman)

The Fold 7 comes with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage, each of which is paired with 12GB of RAM. It’s surprising that Samsung didn’t boost the 1TB model’s RAM to 16GB. The Flip 7 ships in 256GB or 512GB models, also with 12GB of RAM. Samsung has yet to provide a full breakdown on the pricing for each model, but you can expect jumps of at least $100 to $120 for each successive bump in storage.

You get a better processor with the Fold, which packs a QualcommSnapdragon 8 Elitechip. Meanwhile, the Flip drops to a Samsung-made Exynos 2500 processor. The former is the top chip available to mobile phones today; we don’t know too much about the latter.

More capable processor or not, with a $900 price difference between them, it’s clear which one is more affordable.

Winner: Galaxy Z Flip 7

>>>Replacement battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

Size and Design: One Folds Like a Book, One Flips Like a Clamshell

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

The full-size Z Fold 7 unfolds like a book to measure 6.24 by 5.64 by 0.17 inches (HWD) open. It’s taller and wider, but 48% thinner than the older model. It’s sort of like what you’d get if you took last year’s phone and pressed it flatter with an iron. It measures 6.24 by 2.87 by 0.35 inches when closed. It’s less heavy than the older model, but still fairly weighty at 7.58 ounces.Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

The Z Flip 7 is more pocketable and flips open vertically like a clamshell phone of old. It measures 6.56 by 2.96 by 0.26 inches when open and 3.37 by 2.96 by 0.54 inches closed. It weighs 6.63 ounces. Like the Fold, it gains height and width in favor of less depth, though it’s hardly thinner compared with the 0.59-inch thickness of the Flip 6.Galaxy Z Flip 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Both phones are made from Armor Aluminum and have Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to prevent breaks. Samsung redesigned the hinges, which are smoother than ever, and carried over theIP48dust and waterproof rating from the outgoing models. They can handle larger dust particles (up to 1mm) and full immersion in about 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

Samsung reduced the color options year over year, and the selection is rather slim. The Z Fold 7 is available in Blue Shadow, Jet-Black, or Silver Shadow, while the Z Flip 7 is available in Blue Shadow, Coral-Red, or Jet-Black. You can get either in Mint (green) as an exclusive from Samsung’s website.

The Fold 7 is as large as any flagship smartphone, and the Flip 7 is half as much when closed.

Winner: Galaxy Z Flip 7


Screens: A Bigger Screen Equals More Multitasking

Samsung increased the size of all the screens this year. The Z Fold 7 now has a 6.5-inch outer display with a resolution of 2,520 by 1,080 pixels, a pixel density of 422ppi, a 21:9 aspect ratio, and a120Hz refresh rate. It’s the same shape as most other phone screens now, which makes it easier to use. The inner screen jumps from 7.6 inches to 8.0 inches and has 2,184 by 1,968 pixels for a density of 368ppi. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate. This is an incredible amount of screen real estate to have in your pocket.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 inner display

Galaxy Z Fold 7 inner display (Credit: Eric Zeman)

The Flip 7 has a 4.1-inch outer screen with 948 by 1,048 pixels at 342ppi and 120Hz. It’s capable of running more apps and widgets than before, but it’s not quite as powerful as the full outer screen of the Fold 7. The inner screen measures 6.9 inches with 2,520 by 1,080 pixels in a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Flip’s main screen is the same size as the Fold 7’s outer screen.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 inner screen

Galaxy Z Flip 7 inner screen (Credit: Eric Zeman)

All four displays are incredibly bright, have hard-to-see creases, and provide more real estate than ever, but the Fold is much better for multitasking.

Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 7

Cameras: The Fold Has More to Flip Out About

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

The Z Fold 7 takes a big leap forward this year, upgrading from a 50MP main sensor to the same 200MP sensor found in theGalaxy S25 UltraandS25 Edge. Samsung says it offers all the same features. The sensor can handle 2x optical zoom, macro shots, and 200MP, 50MP, or 12MP photos. Otherwise, it appears to carry over the 12MP ultra-wide sensor (now with autofocus) and the 10MP telephoto camera (with 3x optical zoom) lens on the Fold 6. The 10MP selfie camera on the cover is unchanged, too, but the user-facing camera that’s part of the display has been improved from 4MP to 10MP. Samsung also dropped the under-display technology for a regular old punch hole. Last, it improved the field of view to 100 degrees, allowing it to capture super-wide group photos.Galaxy Z Fold 7 in silver, blue, and black (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Samsung didn’t give the Flip 7 as much to brag about. From a hardware perspective, it ports over the entire stack from the Flip 6, which includes a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP selfie camera. Dedicated selfie software adds some appeal.Both phones gain access to the latest ProVisual Engine processing software, which Samsung says enables features like always-on 10-bit HDR+ color capture, noise suppression, and clear night videography. However, the Fold 7 has Qualcomm’s best ISP on board, and we know little about the Exynos ISP.Galaxy Z Flip 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Samsung says Fold 7 buyers will be as happy with their phone as shutterbugs are with the photo-first Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Winner: Galaxy Z Fold 7

Battery and Charging: The Smaller Phone Has More Battery

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung sticks with the same 4,400mAh battery it has used for the last three versions of the Z Fold. Meanwhile, the Z Flip 7’s battery grows slightly from 4,000mAh to 4,300mAh. Both phones continue to support 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. They also support reverse wireless charging, but at a pokey 5W.Galaxy Z Fold 7 (Credit: Eric Zeman)

As with last year’s phones, Samsung says both the Fold and the Flip’s batteries will reach a 50% charge after plugging them in for just 30 minutes. You’ll have to provide the charger, though, as neither ships with one in the box.Samsung claims the Z Fold 7’s battery can provide up to 26 hours of video playback, and the Z Flip 7 can run for 31 hours doing the same. That’s for a 720p video stored locally.

In testing, last year’s Fold 6 ran for 11 hours and 30 minutes and the Flip 6 ran for 16 hours and 20 minutes. The former is less than most modern slab-style phones, while the latter is in line with today’s flagships. If the Fold and Flip 7 make any improvements at all here, you should be in good shape.

Winner: Tie


Software: Galaxy AI and Gemini Galore

Both phones gain new AI powers that are accessible from their outer and inner displays, whether they are opened or closed. The Flip takes a bigger step forward, though it all depends on whether you actually use the software.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

According to Samsung, the Fold 7 and Flip 7 are the first phones to ship withAndroid 16and include One UI 8 on top. Each will receive seven years of OS and security upgrades.The Galaxy Z Flip 7’s Flex Window (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Samsung went out of its way to explain that the Flip 7 can now access Gemini Live right from the outer screen. A simple press of the side button allows you to start conversations with Google’s chatbot and ask follow-up questions without ever opening the phone. The Flip outer screen also gets the Now Bar and Now Brief, which are AI tools ported over from the Galaxy S25 line that provide real-time information about various things like the weather, news, and your daily schedule.

The Fold 7’s best AI-assisted features are centered on the camera and photo apps. Photo Assist moves, erases, or enlarges objects. Portrait Studio lets you clean up your people pics. Audio Eraser can automatically delete the unwanted background noise in your recordings. Side-by-side editing is possible on the Fold’s giant screen, which lets you see the original and edited photo at the same time.

Winner: Tie


Which Galaxy Foldable Is Right for You?

The use cases for the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7 are quite different, as are their prices, sizes, and capabilities. In the end, that should make it relatively easy for you to decide between them. Consider the following:

  • If you want a smaller, less costly phone with plenty of AI, the Z Flip 7 is the right model for you.
  • If you’re willing to pay a premium and want a phone for multitasking, productivity, and photography, pick the Z Fold 7.

Best Samsung laptops 2025

The best computing devices that Samsung has to offer.

Apart from TVs and phones, Samsung also makes some of the best laptops in the world. The best Samsung laptops today are sleek, powerful, and offer a ton of great AI capabilities. Whether you’re looking for a Windows laptop or something that runs ChomeOS, Samsung has you covered. While most of their offerings tend to be on the expensive side, there are a few affordable options too.

The best overall Samsung laptop is the Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro. This Copilot+ PC features Intel’s highly potent Core Ultra (Series 2) CPUs, a fantastic AMOLED screen, and tons of RAM and storage. Samsung has plenty of other great options too if you’re looking for something lower down the price range or a laptop that can also double as a tablet. Read on to find out all the great options Samsung has to offer.

Best overall

1. Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro

Best overall

Specifications

Display:14-inch / 16-inch, 2880 x 1800, AMOLEDProcessor:Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 256VGraphics:Intel Arc 140V GraphicsRAM:16GB LPDDR5/ Up to 32GB (16-inch)Storage:512GB / 1TB (16-inch) NVMe (plus microSD slot)Connectivity:Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4Ports:1x USB-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, microSD, headphoneBattery:63WHr / 76WHrAudio:AKG Quad Speaker (Woofer Max 5W x 2, Tweeter 2W x 2), Dolby Atmos, 3.5mm jackCamera:1080p, dual micsDimensions:(14-inch) 312.3 x 223.8 x 11.6 mm / 355.4 x 252.2 x 12.8 mmWeight:2.71 lbs / 3.44 lbs

Reasons to buy

+Upgraded Series 2 Core Ultra processors+Super thin and lightweight construction+Plenty of ports
+Sturdy construction
+Wi-Fi 7

Reasons to avoid

-No touchscreen on 14-inch variant
-ExpensiveSleek and lightweight, the Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro ticks all of the boxes if you’re looking for a new, do-it-all laptop. It comes with a vibrant 3K AMOLED display and utilizes Intel’s latest Core Ultra (Series 2) processors to deliver consistently excellent performance, regardless of the task.

This latest CPU also features a dedicated co-processor (NPU) for accelerating AI tasks, making it future-ready. It’s also Microsoft Copilot+ certified, which means you get to enjoy all the exclusive Windows AI features like Cocreate in Paint and Windows Recall. Dolby Atmos and AKG speakers provide great sound, and you get plenty of ports on both sides of the laptop, including HDMI, two USB-C ports, amicroSD slot, and even a USB-A port, which is a rarity these days.

Although all of this sounds great as it is, the specs become even more exciting when you consider the laptop’s remarkably thin and lightweight design. The 14-inch version of the Galaxy Book 5 Pro clocks in at just 11.6mm tall and weighs a mere 2.71 pounds, despite the fact that the laptop also boasts a durable, all-metal construction.

The 14-inch model typically retails for around $1,349.99, while the 16-inch variant is priced at $1,649.99. Neither option is exactly cheap, and only the 16-inch model comes with a touch screen.

>>>Replacement battery for Samsung Galaxy 930QCG 930XCJ NP930QCG NP950QCG

Best budget option

Samsung Galaxy Book Go

2. Samsung Galaxy Book Go

Best budget option

Specifications

Display:14-inches LED LCD(16:9), 1920 x 1080Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2Graphics:Qualcomm AdrenoRAM:4GB LPDDR4xStorage:128GB eUFSConnectivity:Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1Ports:1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, microSD, headphoneBattery:42.3 WHrAudio:Stereo Speakers (1.5W x 2)Camera:720pDimensions:323.9 x 224.8 x 14.9 mmWeight:3.04 lbs (1.38kg)

Reasons to buy

+Very affordable
+Fan-less
+Snapdragon processor
+Plenty of ports, including USB-A

Reasons to avoid

-Battery life isn’t great
-Doesn’t match Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebooks

Although it’s a few years old at this point, the Samsung Galaxy Book Go continues to be a solid option if you need an affordable laptop that you can count on. Typically retailing for less than $300, the Galaxy Book Go hits that delicate balance between budget-friendliness and quality specs. The laptop comes with the solid Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor built right in, making it fast and entirely fan-less.

The ultra-thin Samsung laptop measures just 14.9mm thin, plus you get a nice 14-inch HD display and a full-size keyboard. Dual Dolby Atmos speakers deliver surprisingly crisp and clear sound quality, plus you get all the ports you need, including two USB-C, one USB-A, a headphone jack, and a microSD slot.

At this price point, don’t expect to be blown away by the performance or battery life, but if you’re looking for a Samsung laptop that’s thin, cheap, and quiet, the Galaxy Book Go is tough to beat.

>>>Replacement battery for Samsung Galaxy Book NP750TDA-XD1US NP750TDA-XD2US

Best Chromebook

Empty desktop on the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

3. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

Best Chromebook

Specifications

Display:15.6-inch AMOLED, 1920 x 1080 (FHD), 60Hz, 16:9Processor:Intel Core 3 100UGraphics:Intel GraphicsRAM:8GB LPDDR5XStorage:256GB eUFSConnectivity:Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3Ports:1x HDMI, 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A 3.2, microSD, 1x 3.5mm Audio JackBattery:68Wh (Up to 13 hours)Audio:2x 1.5W speakers, 3.5mm Audio Combo JackCamera:1080pDimensions:225.8 x 355.4 x 11.8 mmWeight:2.58 lbs (1.17 kg)

Reasons to buy

+The thinnest and lightest Chromebook
+Beautiful and massive display
+Quick Insert Key is convenient when you find a use for it
+Intel’s Raptor Lake chip is a welcome addition
+The keyboard is excellent and comfortable to type on
+Includes a surprising number of ports

Reasons to avoid

-Limited to one configuration
-Might be too expensive for some
-Battery life needs to be better
-No touchscreen or convertible design
-Lacking a fingerprint scanner
-Offset keyboard and trackpad isn’t for everyone

When you’re looking for the best Chromebooks in any category, it’s important to find laptops that have a good value-to-performance ratio. In other words, Chromebooks don’t need to blow you away with premium performance, they just need to be reliable, versatile, and powerful enough to handle most of your daily tasks. Suffice it to say, the latestSamsung Galaxy Chromebook Plusgets the job done with flying colors.

The Galaxy Chromebook Plus features a thin and lightweight design, but it doesn’t compromise on performance. Compared to our previous pick, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, the new Chromebook Plus loses the convertible design and touchscreen but I don’t think that should be a deal-breaker. In fact, it gains a gorgeous 15.6-inch AMOLED with slim bezels. The processor is also from the newer Intel ‘Raptor Lake’ series, but there’s just one configuration on offer.

It’s pricier than the outgoing model at roughly $700, but you’re also getting a much more premium experience. We found the keyboard to be excellent for typing, and the Galaxy Chromebook Plus has a surprising number of ports given its slim size. A few annoyances aside, like the lack of a fingerprint sensor and the average battery life, it’s a great package overall. Once you have it in your hands, these are thefirst things to do on your Chromebook.

>>>Replacement battery for Samsung Galaxy Pro S SM-W700 SM-700N SM-W703 708

Best premium laptop

Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra lifestyle

4. Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra

Best premium laptop

Specifications

Display:16.0-inches (16:10), 2880 x 1800Processor:Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 185HGraphics:Intel Arc Graphics + Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070RAM:16GB / 32GB LPDDR5Storage:1TB NVMe (plus expansion slot)Connectivity:Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3Ports:1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, HDMI, microSD, 3.5mmBattery:76WHrAudio:AKG Quad Speaker (Woofer Max 5W x 2, Tweeter 2W x 2), Dolby Atmos, 3.5mm jackCamera:1080p, dual micsDimensions:355.4 x 250.4 x 16.5mmWeight:4.1 lbs / 1.86 kg

Reasons to buy

+Great gaming performance
+Samsung device ecosystem integration
+120Hz AMOLED display
+Excellent webcam with quad speakers

Reasons to avoid

-Expensive
-No touchscreen

If money is no object, you can’t do much better than the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra. This laptop is the brand’s most premium flagship yet, and it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to unique features and top-of-the-line performance. This laptop brings together all of your Galaxy devices to form a cohesive ecosystem, but that barely scratches the surface of everything the Ultra can do.

The Galaxy Book 3 Ultra boasts a vibrant 16-inch 3K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, plus you get a 1080p webcam with a two-mic system and AKG Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos. It also boasts of the latest Intel Core Ultra processors, but unlike the other laptops in the Book 4 series, the Book 4 Ultra can be kitted with up a Core Ultra 9 processor and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, making it very powerful for professional content production or even gaming.

Not everything is rosy with the Galaxy Book 4 Ultra, however. With a starting price of around $2,400, the laptop may be out of reach for many people. There’s also no touchscreen or S Pen support. Despite these shortcomings, if you’re already a Samsung user and you want the most premium laptop that the brand has to offer, the Galaxy Book 4 Ultra is certainly worth checking out.

Best convertible

Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 lifestyle render

5. Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360

Best convertible

Specifications

Display:16-inch, 2880×1800 AMOLED, TouchscreenProcessor:Intel Core Ultra 7 256VGraphics:Intel Arc 140V GraphicsRAM:16GBStorage:1TBConnectivity:Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4Ports:1x USB-A, 2x Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, MicroSD, 3.5mmBattery:76WHrAudio:Quad Speakers, Dolby AtmosCamera:2MPDimensions:355.4 x 252.2 x 12.8 mmWeight:1.69 kg

Reasons to buy

+Convertible design
+Touchscreen display is compatible with an S Pen
+Thin and lightweight
+Large battery capacity

Reasons to avoid

-No smaller display option

The new Galaxy Book 5 Pro 360 comes in at a slightly higher price than the Book 4 Pro 360, but it’sthemodel you should be considering. The main reason being this is a Copilot+ PC, which means you’ll have access to all the exclusive Windows 11 AI features just like the Snapdragon Samsung laptops. The other big reason is that it has Intel’s latest Core Ultra (Series 2) processor which delivers vastly better computational and graphical performance than Series 1.

You’ll also be able to use Samsung’s excellent S Pen which will let you take advantage of the native Windows Ink functionality. But, since this is a Samsung device, the company has baked in the same Air Actions menu that you’ll find on thebest Samsung tabletsand phones. The rest of the specs are similar to the previous model.

The Book 5 Pro 360 only comes in a single display size of 16 inches. It’s a brilliant 3K AMOLED touch panel, but it’s also quite large so it might not be the best choice if you travel a lot. You also get ample RAM and storage, and an excellent set of physical ports. If you want a premium 16-inch Samsung laptop that has most of the features of the Ultra model but with a lower sticker price, the Book 5 Pro 360 fills that need perfectly.

Best Windows on Arm

Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge 14

6. Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge 14″

Best Windows on Arm

Specifications

Display:14-inch, AMOLED display (2,880×1,800)Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 EliteRAM:16GBStorage:Up to 1TBConnectivity:Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3Battery:61.8WHrAudio:Quad Stereo Speakers, Dolby AtmosCamera:2MPDimensions:325.4 x 226.4 x 14.9 mmWeight:3.4 lbs (1.54g)

Reasons to buy

+Impressively slim design
+Integrates well with Galaxy AI and Samsung ecosystem
+Benefits of Copilot+ AI features
+Brilliant 3K AMOLED screen
+Snappy performance

Reasons to avoid

-Non-native Windows on Arm apps might have compatibility issues

The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge series of Copilot+ PCs is your best bet if you’re looking for zippy Windows 11 performance, but with the instant reponse that typically comes with Arm-based devices. The Galaxy Book 4 Edge 14″ and 16″ are the premium models with the top-end Snapdragon X Elite SoC and 3K AMOLED displays, while the Galaxy Book 4 Edge 15.6″ is an affordable option with the Snapdragon X Plus SoC and a FHD LED display. In reality, the premium Edge 14″ is often priced lower than the budget Edge 15, which makes it better value.

Our friends over at Techradar.com havereviewedthe 16-inch model, and have praised the portability of this laptop thanks to its super-slim design. The Snapdragon X Elite chip also delivers excellent performance and there’s deep integration with other Samsung devices and Galaxy AI, making it a great addition if you already own one of thebest Samsung phones. The two things going against it are the average battery life and the fact that you could face compatibility issues with apps that aren’t designed to run on Arm natively. While Windows 11’s built-in Prism emulator does its best to run x86 apps on Qualcomm’s silicon, it can be a hit or miss at times.

You get plenty of ports, storage goes up to 1TB, and there’s 16GB of RAM on all the variants. Plus, you get to use all of the exclusive Windows AI features like automatic live captions when watching videos, Windows Studio Effects, Cocreator in Paint, and lots more.

Nintendo is restricting the Switch 2’s USB-C port — most third-party docks and accessories won’t work thanks to proprietary protocols

Third-party docks are locked out

The bottom edge of a Nintendo Switch 2 console, showing its ports and speakers

TheNintendo Switch 2offers valuable and much-needed upgrades over the original Switch. It features a larger, higher-resolution screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, bigger Joy-Con controllers that now attach magnetically, improved graphics capabilities, and even some new social features. However, it appears that the company has limited the functionality of the onboard USB-C port.

Nintendo has intentionally implemented measures to restrict third-party accessories, including docks, hubs, and other accessories, from working with the new Switch 2. According to two accessory manufacturers who spoke toThe Verge, the console maker is making use of a new encryption method as well as an encryption chip. Previously, a similar report byGamesRadarsuggested that the change in power requirements (20V) on the Switch 2 has restricted accessory makers like Jsaux, from making docks for the new handheld hybrid console. However, it seems that the real reason is that Nintendo has made changes to the USB-C protocols, which now require “re-adaptation for both power delivery and video output.”

Further investigation done by Sean Hollister, senior editor atThe Verge, reveals more evidence. Traditionally, when a user plugs a dock or hub into a USB-C port on a laptop or tablet, a standardized set of structured instructions is sent out to enable successful communication between the host and the dock. The instructions first deliver the correct amount of power using the PD (Power Delivery) protocol and then enable other features like HDMI or DisplayPort video out, Ethernet, and so on.

By using a USB-C power diagnostic device, specifically thePower-Z KM003C, Hollister managed to successfully log the data transferred between the Switch 2 and the official Switch 2 Dock. The two devices communicate with each other using Nintendo’s proprietary vendor-defined language before agreeing on any video output. Additionally, before the dock confirms that video-out is active, over 30 proprietary unstructured messages are exchanged. Notably, this behavior is not seen when tested with third-party USB-C hubs and docks, except for one.

>>>Replacement battery for Nintendo Game Boy Micro OXY-001 Y76NB01
TheAntank S3 Max, also listed as theSiWiQU TV Dock StationonAmazon, is currently the only third-party dock compatible with the Switch 2. It appears to communicate and send coded messages in a sequence similar to Nintendo’s official dock. Priced at $36, the product listing notes that it requires the official Switch power adapter and cable to function correctly, although testing showed that the power supplied by the Antank S3 Max was slightly different.

Even though the Antank S3 Max might currently be the only third-party dock for the Switch 2, its long-term compatibility remains uncertain. Nintendo is expected to further tighten restrictions on unofficial accessories through future firmware updates. A representative from Antank acknowledged this possibility, stating, “Yes — the key should be considered subject to change. However, our product supports firmware updates, so any future changes to the authentication key by Nintendo could theoretically be addressed via software to maintain compatibility.”

Best laptops for engineering students in 2025: Our top picks tested and rated

These are the best laptops for engineering students we recommend

MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)

If you’re an engineering student looking for the best laptop for your studies, three things are critical: a strong CPU for simulation, a powerful GPU for CAD work, and plenty of RAM for complex data analysis.

Finding the best mix of these traits in a well-priced laptop is hard, but that’s where we come in — reviewing over 200 laptops a year to help point you in the right direction.

How do I decide which laptop is best for my engineering studies?

If you’re running CAD or simulations, you need power and plenty of it: a strong combination of CPU, GPU and RAM. For that, I’d point you in the direction of theAsus ProArt P16or theM4 Pro MacBook Profor an optimal balance.

However, I know these are pricey options, and if you’re on a budget, theMSI Cyborg 15is a solid shout for under $1,000.

If portability is critical, I’d nudge you towards theAsus ROG Zephyrus G14.But if all you care about is maximum performance for intense code compiling, simulations and data analysis, theAsus ROG Strix Scar 18is a great ‘no expense spared’ choice.

If you’re looking for something more generalist — like if you’re engineering course is more essays than practical work — take a look at ourbest laptop for collegelist. If you need something more specialist, explore our hand-picked list of the best laptops for engineering below.

The best laptop overall

Asus ProArt P16

1. Asus ProArt P16

The best overall laptop for engineering students

Specifications

Display:16.3-inch (1920×1200) LCDCPU:AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPU:Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPURAM:Up to 64GB LPDDR5XStorage:Up to 2TBWeight:4.1 lbs

Reasons to buy

+4K OLED is excellent for CAD work
+Power-packed
+Great keyboard and touchpad
+Good speakers

Reasons to avoid

-Middling battery life
-Fans can get loudThe Asus ProArt P16 is what I recommend most to engineering students because it strikes just the right balance between being powerful enough for engineering work, and portable enough to carry around school.

ThisWindows 11laptop comes with a nice, bright 16-inch OLED touchscreen — making every piece of work you’re on look simply mesmerizing. Plus, having the touchscreen gives you a nice alternative way to interact with the laptop when your hands are tired from jamming out assignments.

If you plan to do a lot of demanding coursework, that combination of Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is perfect for design work and simulation, or even getting into programming and calculations. Plus a ton of RAM in here is great for those multitasking demands of that workload.

Oh, and for that work, the touchpad and keyboard combination feels great to use, from the tactility of each key to the satisfying oomph of that mouse click. Pack in a bunch of ports, and provided you’re OK with middling battery life and a tendency for those fans to kick up a storm, and you’ll love this.

>>>Replacement battery for Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401IU GA401IV GA401IV-BR9N6

The best value option

2. MSI Cyborg 15

The best laptop for engineers on a budget

Specifications

Display:15.6-inch 144Hz FHD (1920 x 1080)CPU:Intel Core i7-13620HGPU:Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050RAM:16GBStorage:512GBWeight:4.37 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Affordable price
+Cyberpunk-inspired design
+Great keyboard
+Good performance for price

Reasons to avoid

-Grainy 720p webcam
-Middling display
-Runs hot while gaming

The MSI Cyborg 15 ($999) is a cyberpunk-inspired gaming laptop that won’t destroy your wallet. It might look a little out of place in your next lab session, but if you want a powerful laptop for not too much money this beast is hard to beat.

The model we reviewed most recently arrived sported a 13th Gen Intel Core CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU, delivering solid gaming performance at an affordable price. But that power also makes this a great choice for students who want to use that gaming muscle for schoolwork.

And while the 15.6-inch 1080p display doesn’t deliver amazing color quality or brightness, it’s good enough for getting work done on and fast enough (at 144Hz) to be capable of keeping pace with high-speed games when your homework is done. Plus you get an HDMI out and an RJ-45 Ethernet jack in addition to the usual USB-A and USB-C ports, so you can easily hook this machine up to an external monitor and plug into wired Internet for maximum speed.

Of course, the 720p webcam will make you look horribly washed-out and the battery life (barely over 5 hours in our testing) is bad, but the same is true of basically all gaming laptops. What you get in return is a remarkable amount of computing power for your dollar, with some cool design to boot.

>>>Replacement battery for Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402 GA402R GA402RJ

The most portable

3. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)

Great power and endurance

Specifications

Display:14-inch (2880 x 1800) OLED 120HzCPU:AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPU:Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080RAM:64GBStorage:Up to 2TB SSDWeight:3.5 pounds

Reasons to buy

+An aesthetic that makes the MacBook Pro blush
+That OLED screen is *chefs kiss*
+Amazing performance from a small package
+Asus nailed the typing and clicking experience

Reasons to avoid

-Mind that battery lifeYou’ll regularly find the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 at the top of our list of best gaming laptops, and the latest model sporting an RTX 50-series GPU is no different. Not only does its power under the hood make it an ideal choice for engineering students, but its also wonderfully portable.Along with its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and the 64GB of RAM that came with our review unit, the Zephyrus G14 can chew through transcoding a 4K video down to 1080p in under 3 minutes, multiple Chrome tabs and apps, play high-intensive games at 120 FPS and more.Being just 3.5 pounds, it’s a great laptop to take around to class and blast through research or work. One problem is its battery life, which can last around 5-6 hours for daily tasks. That may decrease when using demanding, engineering-focused apps, so its worth taking its power brink with you for a quick charge between classes.Regardless, as a laptop that offers all the key elements an engineering student needs (and for a long while to come), it’s hard to go wrong with the Zephyrus G14. Oh, and its 14-inch (2880 x 1800) OLED display? Its a beauty.

The best MacBook

MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)

4. MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro)

The best OLED-equipped engineering laptop

Specifications

Display:16-inch Liquid Retina XDR (3,456 x 2,234)CPU:M4 Pro (14-core CPU, 20-core GPU)RAM:48GBStorage:2TBWeight:4.7 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Fast M4 Pro performance
+Bright and colorful display
+Incredible battery life

Reasons to avoid

-ExpensiveThe M4 Pro MacBook Pro is a real powerhouse in Apple’s line-up — packing a lightning fast chipset that can handle intense engineering work.In our testing, that 14-core CPU is absolutely blazing, which is great for simulation and analysis (especially with that bolted on system memory), and the GPU has been upgraded to such an extent that AutoCAD is a cinch here.Throw in an 18+ hour battery life in there, and you’ve got something that can more than keep up for a whole day at college — all with an impressively bright and color-accurate mini LED display.Now the main downside here is that it is a pricey system to pick up with not many ports to boot for accessories. And of course, running macOS, there are some engineering apps that are Windows-specific, so you will need to check on that before buying.However, these don’t take away from the fact this is a fantastic all-round laptop for your engineering studies.

The best 2-in-1

5. Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2025)

The best 2-in-1 for engineering students

Specifications

Display:13-inch 2.5K mini-LED displayCPU:AMD Ryzen AI Max 390 (up to Max+ 395)RAM:32GB LPDDR5x (up to 128GB)Storage:1TB PCIe Gen 4×4 SSDWeight:2.7 pounds

Reasons to buy

+AMD Ryzen AI Max is a CPU/GPU monster
+Impressive build quality
+Great display

Reasons to avoid

-Barren port selection
-$2,099 starting price is steep

At first glance, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 might seem like an odd choice for engineering students — a tablet-style 2-in-1 without a dedicated GPU? But don’t be fooled by its slim Surface Pro-like design. After a month of testing, it proved to be a seriously capable mobile workstation.

The secret lies in AMD’s Ryzen AI Max 390 chip. Even as the lower-end variant, its integrated graphics deliver performance comparable to an RTX 4060 (without ray tracing), making it ideal for running CAD tools, 3D modeling software, and simulation platforms like SolidWorks, ANSYS, or MATLAB.

Because the APU shares memory with the system RAM, the 32GB model effectively gives the GPU up to 24GB of VRAM — far more than most mid-range dedicated GPUs. Upgrade to the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with up to 128GB of RAM, and this machine can easily handle large datasets, FEA simulations, and demanding multitasking.

Battery life is another big win. With no power-hungry discrete GPU, the Flow Z13 delivers strong endurance for all-day use on campus. It’s pricey at over $2,000, but if you’re after serious power in an ultra-portable form factor, this could be the ideal laptop for engineering students who need both mobility and muscle.

The best premium

6. Asus ROG Strix Scar 18

The best premium engineering laptop

Specifications

Display:18-inch (2560 x 1600) 240HzCPU:Intel Core Ultra 9 275HXGPU:Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090RAM:32GB DDR5Storage:4TB SSDWeight:7.3 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Blistering performance
+Sleeker stylings
+Gorgeous display
+Plenty of ports
+Great cooling

Reasons to avoid

-That’s a steep price
-Webcam = potato

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 is the most powerful laptop we’ve tested, and while it comes with a gamer-centric aesthetic, it offers more than enough power for engineering students looking for a machine that can do it all — but it will cost you a premium.

This is the ideal laptop for those after more of a desktop replacement rather than a more portable laptop to easily take to classes. Although, while 7.3 pounds isn’t exactly lightweight, its still lighter than other laptops in its class, like the Alienware m18 at over 9 pounds.

Its 18-inch 4K Mini-LED display with a 240Hz refresh rate offers a lot of screen real estate to work in CAD, finishing up homework in documents and, of course, play games. Although, this is also what makes it better on a desk than in classes, as it is a chunky laptop.Otherwise, you can expect plenty of ports and great cooling for its internals, with the latter meaning in can manage demanding tasks without getting too hot under the hood.This is a laptop that will take you through your course and more years to come, but you’ll be paying a lot for a machine like this. While I recommend other laptops that are more portable for classes and ones that won’t put a dent in your wallet, this is an option for those who have been saving up for a premium laptop for their engineering career. Just keep note that as a gaming laptop, its battery won’t last very long — so always keep its power brick handy.

Performance benchmarks: comparison

To help you get a better sense of which laptops perform better, I’ve also included a table of all the results from these laptops in our CPU benchmark tests.

For these tests we run the Geekbench single-core CPU and multi-core CPU tests and report the scores for each. By comparing these scores and seeing which is higher, you can get a general sense of which is more capable.

As you can see from the results below, the Alienware m18 is the clear performance leader on this list. However, even a cheap gaming laptop like the MSI Cyborg 15 can put up decent numbers in terms of raw performance.

Geekbench 6 CPU test results

LaptopGeekbench single-core testGeekbench multi-core test
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)3,11719,553
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025)2,92915,280
MacBook Pro (M4 Pro)3,91022,822
Asus ROG Flow Z132,99519,457
MSI Cyborg 151,83710,614

 How to choose the best engineering laptop for you

Performance:If you’re going to be spending years studying engineering, you’re going to need a computer with enough power to handle anything your teachers throw at you. We recommend atleasta new mid-range CPU (Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen 7) and at least 16 GB of RAM, though if you can afford to spend more on on a laptop with better specs it will pay off in the long run.

Graphics and gaming:Most gaming laptops come with discrete graphics cards so they can run the latest games well, but the same card can be equally vital to engineering students who will be using CAD (computer-assisted design) and 3D analysis programs. These kinds of applications really benefit from the power of a good GPU, so if you’re expecting to do any graphics or 3D work it’s a good idea to invest in a laptop with a discrete Nvidia or AMD graphics card.

Operating system:Laptops typically come in three flavors: Windows (most mainstream PCs), macOS (MacBooks) and Chrome OS (Chromebooks). Chrome OS isn’t good for much besides web surfing, file management, and light computing, so a Chromebook isn’t a great choice for serious schoolwork. However, a crafty student could install Linux on a high-powered Chromebook to turn it into a decent laptop for engineering work.

Many engineering students spend a lot of time working with specialized or self-developed software, so Windows is often preferable over macOS because it throws up fewer roadblocks when using such tools. However, even Windows can sometimes get in the way of serious engineering work, which is why many engineering students get MacBooks or Windows laptops and install Linux on them so they can dual-boot into whatever operating system works best for their needs.

As mentioned above, when making your buying decision be sure to consult your teachers and/or the engineering department at your school for more specific advice on what you’ll need for your studies. Whichever system you decide on, it’s a good idea to pair it with thebest mousefor your particular work situation.