The good: This new version of the XPS 13 adds a hybrid hinge and thinner body. And it might be the better choice for you. The bottom line: The Lenovo Miix 510 is an excellent - and more affordable - alternative to Microsoft’s 2-in-1 tablet PC. The tiny right-hand shift key is horrible. The Active Pen is a $40 extra and its included holder blocks the power jack. The bad: The fans can get a little too loud for quiet environments. Lenovo’s Active Pen and palm rejection work very well. Unlike Microsoft, Lenovo includes a generally excellent backlit keyboard cover. Has a USB-C port for video output and peripherals with adapters. The good: The good-looking hinged kickstand has a lot of positioning flexibility. The design is slick, the price is right, but it’s not as slim and portable as other 12-inch laptops. The bottom line: The Razer Blade Stealth offers better specs for less money than the competition, and includes features others lack, such as a high-res touch screen and full-size USB ports. The thick bezel around the screen feels dated and configuration options are limited. The bad: It’s bigger and heavier than 12-inch laptops from Apple, Asus and others. The good: The Razer Blade Stealth includes a Core i7 processor and high-res touchscreen even in its lowest-end configuration it has more ports than other 12-inch laptops and a fun Chroma backlit keyboard.

The bottom line: Apple’s smart, useful Touch Bar makes it well worth splurging on the step-up version of the streamlined 13-inch MacBook Pro.ĬNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent) The lack of high-end graphics or huge RAM options in the 13-inch model may frustrate photo and video professionals. The USB-C-only ports mean carrying a bag full of dongles. The bad: You’re paying a hefty premium for the Touch Bar, which supports only a limited handful of Apple apps for now. iPhone’s Touch ID is handy on the Mac, too. The good: The inventive Touch Bar streamlines work and saves clicks, and Apple has improved almost every part of the thinner, lighter MacBook Pro, including a larger touchpad, faster components and a flatter keyboard.

Best budget laptops 2017 cnet