The Dell Chromebook 3120 is a small but tough laptop designed to withstand the rigors of student life.
Its compact and rounded design is certainly different. The softer material around its edges help protect it from impacts, making the Chromebook 3120 tougher than many others in this field.
Not only is it more rugged than the best Chromebookconstructions, it’s also easier to repair, thanks to its top-mounted keyboard and captive screws that keep the various materials together.
The price paid for this toughness, however, is the huge bezel around the screen, which reduces the display size by a disappointing amount. At least it features screws in each corner, which again should help with servicing.
There are only four ports on the Chromebook 3120: two USB-C, one USB-A, and a headset jack. The type-C ports are located on either side, which improves versatility, and both support charging and external display connections.
The performance of the Chromebook 3120 is respectable, handling the sorts of tasks students demand of their laptops quite well. It can also handle HD video streaming and even light gaming, though nowhere near as well as many of the best laptops, so temper expectations.
(Image credit: Future)
The display is sharp and vibrant enough to enjoy such content, although its lack of brightness can cause some visibility issues, especially when viewing darker scenes. It’s also a little too reflective at times.
I was pleased to see that even the non-convertible model of the Chromebook 3120 features a touchscreen, which can be useful for navigation, although it’s not smooth enough for dedicated illustrators and handwriters.
The keyboard layout is good, with plenty of space between keys to make typing comfortable. However, presses frequently failed to register when I used it, which was frustrating. Worse, though, was the touchpad, which is too small and imprecise for accurate and smooth navigation.
Battery life, on the other hand, is up to expected standards. It lasted close to 11 hours when I played a movie on a continuous loop, which eclipses many of its rivals, although there are others that can endure for longer.
Considering its budget pricing, the Dell Chromebook 3120 is a worthwhile proposition. Thanks to its durability, portability, and performance, it really shines as a study companion—but I would recommend pairing it with an external mouse to eschew the wayward touchpad.
Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future)
Starts from $179.99 / £369.68 (about AU$350)
Available now
Reasonable price
The Dell Chromebook 3120 starts from $179.99 / £369.68 (about AU$350) and is available now. It can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and a 2-in-1 version is also available, with a display made with Gorilla Glass.
This is a fantastic price for a Chromebook of this spec, making it one of the best student laptops around thanks to its performance and touchscreen functionality.
If you’re looking for something even cheaper, the Asus Chromebook CX1505 is a great alternative. It doesn’t have a tough exterior or a compact form like the Chromebook 3120, but it has respectable performance and a great display.
11.6-inch Non-touch HD LCD (1366 x 768p), Anti-Glare
11.6-inch Touch HD LCD (1366 x 768p), Anti-Glare
11.6-inch Touch HD LCD, (1366 x 768p), Anti-Glare
Storage
64GB eMMC
64GB eMMC
64GB eMMC
Ports
2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
Camera
720p
720p
720p
Battery
42WHr
42WHr
42WHr
Weight
2.82 lbs | 1.28 kg
Clamshell: 2.82 lbs | 1.28 kg 2-in-1: 3.17 lbs | 1.44 kg
Clamshell: 2.82 lbs | 1.28 kg 2-in-1: 3.17 lbs | 1.44 kg
Dimensions
11.96 x 8.19 x 0.82 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 20.8 mm
Clamshell: 11.96 x 8.19 x 0.82 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 20.8 mm 2-in-1: 11.96 x 8.19 x 0.85 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 21.5 mm
Clamshell: 11.96 x 8.19 x 0.82 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 20.8 mm 2-in-1: 11.96 x 8.19 x 0.85 ins | 303.9 x 207.9 x 21.5 mm
Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Rugged construction
Compact form
Large screen bezel
The Dell Chromebook 3120 has an unusual outer shell for a laptop nowadays. It has rounded edges covered in a soft-touch material, almost as if it has been fitted with a bumper case. This makes it look more like one of the best rugged laptops than a budget Chromebook, and Dell claims it’s as durable as those more durable devices. According to Dell, the Chromebook 3120 can withstand 30-inch drops onto steel and 48-inch drops onto plywood, something that'll probably matter if this is going to be used by a child.
In keeping with the durable chassis, the lid is also reassuringly solid, with no wobble to it at all. What’s more, it’s also very flexible – even the non-hybrid variant can still recline all the way back to 180 degrees, making it very amenable to various setups.
Despite all this ruggedness, the Chromebook 3120 is very compact, making it very easy to carry around. It’s heavier than you might expect, but not to an onerous extent.
Another advantage of the design of the Chromebook 3120 is the fact that it’s easy to maintain. It features a top-mounted keyboard and a captive screw in the chassis that keep its various materials together, both of which make the Chromebook 3120 readily repairable.
One of the worst aspects of its design, however, is the huge bezel around the display. No doubt this helps with durability as well as repairability (there are easily accessible screws in each corner), but it severely compromises the already small real estate.
There aren’t many ports on the Chromebook 3120, but they’re wisely chosen. There are two USB-C ports, which should help the device to stay relevant for longer, and both accept charging and external monitor connections.
What’s more, they’re located on either side to improve versatility. The only other ports on the Chromebook 3120 are a USB-A and a headset jack, both located on the left, but these are the next two interfaces I would’ve chosen to include on a Chromebook.
The keys have a slight but noticeable texture to them that feels smooth yet tactile. There are some useful shortcuts on the top row, but there aren’t as many as you’ll find on other Chromebooks – even those the same size as the Chromebook 3120.
Design score: 4 / 5
Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Good all-round performance
Reflective display
Poor touchpad
Benchmarks
These are the benchmark scores for the Dell Chromebook 3120:
TechRadar Battery Life Video Test: 10 hours and 44 minutes Jetstream2 Benchmark: 181.945 Kraken Benchmark (lower is better): 743.3ms Speedometer 3.0: 11.2 (±0.71)
The general performance of the Dell Chromebook 3120 is pretty good. It’s fast and snappy enough for basic tasking, from notetaking and essay writing to spreadsheet creation and browsing.
It can handle video streaming very well, too, even at 1440p. However, higher resolutions are beyond it, since you’ll have to contend with frequent and lengthy buffering times.
It’s even capable enough for some light gaming. I managed to play Asphalt Legendson medium settings smoothly, with no disruptive stutters or lag. Be warned, however, that not all Android games are compatible with the Chromebook 3120, including Alien: Isolation and Hitman: Blood Money—Reprisal.
The 1366 x 768p resolution is sharp enough for a display this small, and colors are pleasingly vibrant. Brightness is sufficient for the most part, although I wish it had more when viewing content featuring dark tones, as these can be hard to see at times.
The display also has a tendency to plunge into total blackness if the angle isn’t set just right for your particular environment. What’s more, it can be quite reflective, which further sullies the viewing experience.
(Image credit: Future)
The keys felt good to use, and their generous spacing makes them easy to navigate, even with the limited real estate. However, they lack feedback, and frequently my presses would fail to register while typing, requiring a firmer touch than with many other keyboards.
The touchpad, however, is more frustrating. It’s very small, which can make navigation and certain productivity tasks awkward, such as dragging items from one side of the screen to the other.
It also lacks refinement, with its jerky tracking spoiling my attempts at smooth, precise movements: the cursor either moved slower than expected or jumped too far ahead of where I wanted it to go. I also found that taps were very inconsistent, failing to register at least half of the time.
The touchscreen proved more responsive, but it can be quite grabby, resulting in unsmooth swipes and gestures. This isn’t the device for you if you plan on making copious amounts of drawings or handwritten notes, but the functionality is still useful for navigation purposes. It’s a shame that finger marks are quite visible, though.
Performance score: 4.5 / 5
Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
The battery life of the Chromebook 3120 is very good. In our movie playback test, it lasted close to 11 hours, which is an impressive performance considering the smaller 43Whr battery, and puts it ahead of much of the competition.
It’s also reasonably quick to charge, taking about two hours to completely replenish.
Battery life: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy the Dell Chromebook 3120?
Notes
Rating
Value
The can outlast it is well-priced given the spec and functionality.
5 / 5
Design
The tough chassis is welcome, as is the small size. Shame about the large bezel, though.
4 / 5
Performance
The Chromebook 3120 can be used for all sorts of tasks, and it deals with them all pretty well. The touchpad is poor, though.
4.5 / 5
Battery life
Battery life is above average, although there are others that slightly edge past it.
4.5 / 5
Total Score
The Chromebook 3120 does a sterling job as a student device, providing all the functionality and performance you could need for the classroom. But you’re best off using it with an external mouse.
4.5 / 5
Buy the Dell Chromebook 3120 if...
You want a durable machine Thanks to its drop resistance and repairability credentials, the 3120 should last from term to term.
You want something easy to carry around It might be surprisingly heavy, but it’s still very portable, largely thanks to its compact form factor.
Don't buy it if...
You want a great touchpad The touchpad is too small and inaccurate for heavy use – get yourself one of the best mouse picks to go with it.
You want a large display The lid housing the display is small enough, but the large bezel compromises it even further. It can also succumb to darkness and reflections under certain conditions.
Dell Chromebook 3120 review: Also consider
Here are some alternatives to the Dell Chromebook 3120 that are also fantastic for students:
Asus Chromebook CX15 It’s not as portable as the 3120, but it’s still quite thin. And its large width means you get a widescreen display, which is one of the highlights of the CX1505. It also performs rather well—and it’s cheaper than the Chromebook 3120.
Acer Chromebook Spin 312 If you’re looking for one of the best 2-in-1 Chromebooks, the Spin 312 is a great choice. Its capable performance and sleek, portable design make it yet another student favorite. Plus, its display, though small, is a treat for the eyes, thanks to its sharp resolution. It’s a little reflective like the 3120, though.
I tested the Dell Chromebook 3120 for two days, during which time I used it for a multitude of tasks.
I used it for productivity, general browsing, streaming video content, and gaming. I also ran our series of benchmarks for Chromebooks and tested its battery life by running a movie on a continuous loop.
I’ve been using Chromebooks and other laptops for years, and have reviewed plenty of them as well, ranging in their price points, form factors, and purposes.
The Asus Chromebook CX1505 certainly has a budget price tag, but its features and spec hope to counter the charge that it’s a compromised device unfit for modern purposes.
While it might appear sleek, on closer inspection it’s not as thin or as light as its looks might lead you to believe. That ultra wide display and the long underside support bar sully its portability credentials somewhat.
Build quality isn’t the greatest, either, and isn’t up there with the best Chromebook constructions. It’s still within reasonable bounds, but there’s some flexing to the plastic chassis.
The thin bezel for the display is a welcome touch, though, helping to maximize its already generous width. The keyboard also feels built to a higher standard, which is fortunate since you’ll be making plenty of contact with it.
All the ports on the CX1505 are located on its left-hand side, which may be a little inconvenient for those wishing to connect multiple peripherals. More of a problem, however, is their paucity: there are only four, and only two of them are USB (one type-A and one type-C port).
What’s more, the Type-C must be used for charging, so it won’t be available to you all of the time. An HDMI 1.4 port and a 3.5mm combo audio jack round out the rest of the physical connectivity options, and they’re at least sensibly ordered.
The CX1505 acquits itself well in terms of performance. It can handle the productivity and entertainment tasks well enough, although 4K content streaming is just beyond its reach. It can handle some light gaming, though, albeit with relatively undemanding titles at low graphical settings.
More impressive is that large display. The width is useful for both entertainment and productivity purposes, while the Full HD resolution is still sharp enough for its size. It’s also bright and reasonably vibrant, making for pleasant viewing in all scenarios.
While the CX1505 is great for typing on, the trackpad is a let down. It’s jerky and imprecise when making small, slow movements, and its clicks feel unsatisfying.
The battery life of the CX1505 is reasonable, lasting seven hours in our movie playback test. However, many of its rivals can beat this figure – some by a considerable margin.
There was a time when a Chromebook costing this little wouldn’t have been worth your time, lacking the power and features to suit even basic usage. But the commendable – if not outstanding – performance of the CX1505, coupled with its generous and high-quality display, are certainly impressive aspects at this price, making it a contender for one of the best budget Chromebooks around right now.
Asus Chromebook CX1505 review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Starts from $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499
Available now in multiple colorways
Budget end of the market
The CX1505 starts from $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499 and is available now in various colorways, including green and pink. It can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of storage. An Intel Core version is also available.
This is a great price, even in the Chromebook market. It’s considerably cheaper than the Asus Chromebook CM14, which we think is one of the best budget Chromebooks. However, the CX1505 performs better, and that wider display makes it better for productivity and entertainment – if not portability.
If you want a high-performing Chromebook, then the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is a better choice. This dispatches all kinds of tasks with ease, including harsher workloads such as gaming and multitasking; no wonder we think it’s the best student Chromebook. Its keyboard isn’t as good as that on the CX1505, though.
If you want to stay closer to the budget-end of the market and want something more compact but also powerful, the Dell Chromebook 3120 fits the bill very well, with more processing power and faster memory for a little bit more of an investment.
Value: 5 / 5
Asus Chromebook CX1505 review: Specs
My Asus Chromebook CX1505 review unit had an Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.
ASUS Chromebook CX1505
Price
Starting from $159.99 / £249.99 / AU$499
CPU
Intel Celeron N4500 Processor 1.1 GHz (2 cores)
Graphics
Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics
RAM
4GB LPDDR4X
Screen
15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 16:9, Anti-glare display, 300nits
The CX1505 has a neat, minimalist appearance buoyed by the vibrant colorways; I found the light green finish of my review unit particularly fetching, suiting its overall design well. The rounded corners and smooth, flat planes add to its appeal.
It’s quite a thin unit, although the prominent support bar running underneath rather spoils its sleekness. It’s also heavier than you might expect; coupled with the atypical width, the portability of the CX1505 is somewhat compromised.
What’s more, build quality isn’t particularly impressive, either. The slightly textured plastics may look and feel interesting, but they’re not the sturdiest and can succumb to considerable flexing.
The hinge for the lid feels sturdy in operation, but its looseness becomes evident once set in position. This isn’t disruptive, but it is noticeable, and isn’t exactly an auspicious sign for its longevity.
On a positive note, the bezel around the display is pleasingly thin, which allows the already generous real estate to be realized to its full potential, while the keys have a subtle graining which makes them feel tactile to use. They also actuate smoothly and solidly, with very little play or uncertain feedback.
If you’re looking for a Chromebook with plenty of connectivity options, you’ll be disappointed with the CX15. Despite its large size, there are only four ports (five on the Intel Core model, thanks to its extra USB-C port), all located on the left-hand side.
There’s one USB-C port (which is used for charging as well), one USB-A port, one HDMI 1.4 port, and a combo audio jack. At least they’re sensibly ordered; I’m always happy to see the power port at the end and the audio jack at the very front.
Design score: 3.5 / 5
ASUS Chromebook CX1505 review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Reasonable multitasking capabilities
More demanding tasks
Good wide display
Benchmarks
These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the ASUS Chromebook CX1505:
The CX1505 is capable enough for everyday tasking. It can handle word processing and spreadsheet creation with ease, while streaming hi-definition content is also well within its grasp. However, expect some significant buffering if you’re watching anything above 1440p.
Even with the modest 4GB of RAM installed in my review unit, the CX1505 managed to juggle multiple browser tabs admirably. I still encountered some lag in such instances, but not to a frustrating extent. However, more demanding multitasking scenarios, such as running numerous apps simultaneously, lead to more severe slowdowns, as you might expect.
Light gaming is just about within its reach as well. Asphalt Legends ran smoothly enough when I reduced the maximum frame rate to 30fps, but I encountered frequent stuttering when ratcheting it up to 60fps, even on the default medium graphics settings. Those after some casual enjoyment are catered for, then – but those who take their gaming a little more seriously will be disappointed.
The display is pleasingly bright and vibrant. Colors are vividly reproduced rather than washed-out, as they can be on other Chromebook displays in my experience.
(Image credit: Future)
And despite its large size, the 1920 x 1080p resolution still looks sharp and clear. That wide ratio also makes various productivity tasks easier, as well as serving entertainment content well.
The keys of the CX1505 are well damped, resulting in softer presses than you might expect, but they’re still as snappy and as light as you would expect from a laptop keyboard. They’re well spaced, too, and thanks to that wide chassis, the numberpad doesn’t cramp the layout, as is the case with some other laptops and Chromebooks.
The trackpad has a solid and noticeable click, but it feels nasty and cheap, owing to the lack of dampening. Gliding isn’t the smoothest, either, with attempts to make small and precise movements resulting in lag and cursor jumps.
Taps are better, but inconsistent: being unresponsive at times, and too eager at others. The surface area of the pad is quite small, too, despite there being plenty of space for a larger module. At least it’s solidly installed, with no wobble to it.
The overall connectivity of the CX1505 is good for the most part. However, the Bluetooth radio stopped working on one occasion, severing connection with all my devices. Thankfully, fixing the issue merely required disabling and then re-enabling Bluetooth from the status area in the bottom-right corner.
Performance score: 4 / 5
ASUS Chromebook CX1505 review: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
The CX1505 has a respectable, if not impressive, battery life. It should see you throughout the day, but it only managed seven hours in our playback test, where we ran a movie on a continuous loop.
This beats the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which only managed six and a half hours, but it’s bested by rivals such as the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 and the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which both achieved times around the 11-hour mark. And the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook can last a hugely impressive 16-plus hours.
Battery life: 3 / 5
Should I buy the ASUS Chromebook CX1505?
Notes
Rating
Value
There aren’t many new Chromebooks priced this low, still less those with competing specs.
5 / 5
Design
It may look sleek and minimal, but it’s surprisingly heavy, and it’s not the sturdiest, either.
3.5 / 5
Performance
Considering its middling spec, the CX1505 is impressive in action, if not spectacular.
4 / 5
Battery life
Battery life is good but not outstanding; there are plenty of Chromebooks that can outlast it.
3 / 5
Total Score
It might not be a powerhouse, but the CX1505 is capable and cheap enough to make it excellent value.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a wide display The 87% screen-to-body ratio certainly looks striking and helps with both productivity and entertainment.
You’ll be doing a lot of typing The keyboard on the CX1505 is great, offering a satisfying feel and generous spacing, despite the inclusion of a number pad.
Don't buy it if...
You want serious performance Some light multitasking and entertainment are possible, but demand anything more and the CX1505 will struggle.
You want something very portable The wide and relatively hefty body of the CX1505 makes it less portable than you might imagine.
ASUS Chromebook CX15: Also consider
If the ASUS Chromebook CX1505 doesn't sound right for you, here are some alternatives:
Acer Chromebook Spin 312 The Chromebook Spin 312 is a more compact and versatile device, thanks to its small 12.2-inch screen and convertibility, allowing you to use it like a tablet. In truth, its touchscreen is best used when the unit is propped on a desk, rather than held in the hand, but it’s still one of the best 2-in-1 Chromebooks, and its amenable keyboard and keen display only add to its appeal. Battery life is pretty good, too.
HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch For a more capable Chromebook, look no further than the HP Chromebook Plus. It’s great for all kinds of tasks, while the display renders all sorts of content well. Its most disappointing aspect is probably its keyboard, as the number pad squeezes the other keys, which may take some getting used to. Its official pricing might look high, but we’ve seen it around for a lot less.
I tested the CX1505 for several days, during which time I used it for productivity, entertainment, and general browsing.
I used it for word processing and spreadsheet editing, as well as streaming HD and 4K content. I also played mobile games downloaded from the Play Store, and ran our series of benchmark tests for Chromebooks.
I’ve been using Chromebooks for years and have extensive experience reviewing them. I’ve also reviewed other kinds of mobile devices, including tablets and laptops designed for productivity and gaming.
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is an affordable Windows laptop with a spec that should prove capable enough for everyday use.
Considering its 15.6-inch form, it has a sleek and slender body. It’s also quite thin and light, which makes it easier to carry around than expected. The light silver finish and minimal aesthetic also imbue the Aspire Go 15 with some style, although there are a few unsightly angles that mar its appearance somewhat.
It isn’t built to the same high standards as the best laptops, much less many of the best Ultrabooks, either. The materials aren’t premium, and its construction isn’t as reassuringly solid as I would’ve liked. The lid isn’t the most stable, either, and its downward protrusion means it lifts up the rear of the unit when opened beyond 90 degrees, which is a design choice I’m not particularly fond of due to its impractical nature.
On a more positive note, there’s a decent selection of ports, including three for USB-A, one for HDMI cables, and one for Ethernet connections. There’s only one USB-C port, though, and no SD card reader.
(Image credit: Future)
The everyday performance of the Aspire Go 15 is very good, handling light productivity and entertainment workloads with speed. However, more intensive tasks such as gaming fare worse, given that it lacks a dedicated GPU. Light gaming is still possible, though, and both fan noise and temperatures are kept to a minimum.
One of the most disappointing aspects of the Aspire Go 15 is its display. Its grainy finish can be distracting, while colors can look a little washed out in some cases. Worse still is the restrictive viewing angle, with images and scenes becoming totally obscured when the display is set even slightly beyond optimal bounds.
The battery life of the Aspire Go 15 is quite good, though, lasting close to 12 hours during our movie playback test. However, there are quite a few rivals that can outlast it, such as the Dell 14 Plus.
Considering its price, the Aspire Go 15 represents a very good value, offering a more affordable alternative to the best Windows laptops that cost a good bit more. There are also better-performing Chromebooks for less money, such as the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which also has a better display, but if you can live with its display, the Aspire Go 15 is one of the best budget laptops going and well worth adding to your shortlist.
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Price & Availability
Starts from $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$450)
Base models have weak specs
Review model is still well-priced, though
The Aspire Go 15 starts from $299.99 / £299.99 (about AU$450) and is available now. A range of Intel and AMD CPUs are available to choose from, while RAM and storage capacities range from 8GB to 32GB and 128GB to 1TB, respectively.
This is a good starting price for a Windows laptop, but for this outlay, you’ll have to settle for a weak spec. My review model was considerably more powerful than the base model, and priced closer to some strong rivals.
However, it still undercuts other affordable Windows machines, such as the Dell 14 Plus. We found this laptop to be an excellent value, though, thanks to its fast performance and enduring battery life, while its light design even makes it a worthy alternative to some of the best MacBooks.
If you’re willing to look beyond Windows machines, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is another enticing proposition. This is cheaper than the Aspire Go 15, but has a stronger performance and a superior display that doesn’t suffer from the same issues. No wonder we think it’s one of the best Chromebooks around right now.
2x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
3x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
3x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm combo audio; Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
Battery
53Wh
53Whr
53Whr | 53Whr
Dimensions
14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)
14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)
14.3 x 9.5 x 0.8in (363 x 241 x 20mm)
Weight
3.92lbs / 1.78kg
3.92lbs / 1.78kg
3.92lbs / 1.78kg
A wide selection of spec configurations are available, with both Intel and AMD processors. There is a mix of PCIe 3.0 and 4.0 SSDs depending on the spec, so some drives will run slower than others, and that's not always immediately apparent when looking at retailer specs sheets.
It also doesn't include the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standard, but Wi-Fi 6 is fast enough for most people's needs, while the inclusion of an Ethernet port is welcome.
Overall, for their various price points, these are about the specs one should expect.
Specs: 3.5 / 5
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Reasonably light and thin
Lacking solidity
Odd lid design
The Aspire Go 15 is a basic but smart looking laptop, with extraneous details kept to a minimum. The light silver finish of my review unit helped to impart some elegance, too, although a few unsightly juts and angles spoil its otherwise smooth contours. While the Aspire Go 15 is quite wide, it’s relatively light and pleasingly thin, which makes it easier to carry around than you might imagine for a 15.6-inch laptop.
Build quality isn’t exactly the greatest, though, with cheap looking – and feeling – plastics that flex to an inauspicious degree. Thankfully, the keys feel more premium: they’re solidly fitted and have a prominent texture that’s satisfying to touch.
(Image credit: Future)
The lid is also better made than the rest of the unit, featuring a solid yet smooth hinge mechanism. I welcomed how thin it was, too, although I was less keen on its bottom protrusion. This causes the rear of the Aspire Go 15 to lift off ground when opened to angles beyond 90 degrees – a deliberate design choice but one that feels unintuitive and can result in loose fabrics and other materials underneath the chassis getting caught, which isn’t ideal.
There was a reasonable selection of ports on my Aspire Go 15 review unit. I welcomed the three USB-A ports, spread across both sides for added convenience. There was also an HDMI port and an ethernet port: increasingly rare sights on modern laptops, and again ones I was glad to see. There’s only one USB-C port, though, and no SD card reader, both of which are mild shames.
Design: 3.5/ 5
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Great general computing performance
Some light gaming is possible
Relatively cool and quiet
Acer Aspire Go 15 benchmarks:
3DMark Fire Strike: 3,646; Steel Nomad: 205; Wild Life Extreme: 2,229; Wild Life Extreme Unlimited: 2,200; GeekBench 6.5 Single-core: 2,000; Multi-core: 6,605 CrossMark Overall: 1,109; Productivity: 1,149; Creativity: 1,125; Responsiveness: 954; HandBrake - 4K to 1080p average FPS: 43.24
For everyday tasks, the Aspire Go 15 is very capable. It can handle light productivity, from word processing to spreadsheet creation, without much if any slowdowns. It also had no problem streaming 4K content. I didn’t experience any midway buffering pauses or stuttering, for example.
However, the viewing experience is marred by the quality of the display. It has a noticeably grainy finish, which can be distracting at times. Colors can also look washed out.
What’s more, the display darkens considerably if the angle isn’t set just right, to the point of near-total blackness sometimes. Thankfully, once you’ve found the optimum position, there are next to no reflections visible on screen.
Since there’s no dedicated GPU installed in the Aspire Go 15, it isn’t particularly great for creative and gaming workloads. Cyberpunk 2077 is playable on the lowest preset, but naturally, you’ll have to make do with some rough visuals and uninspiring frame rates.
(Image credit: Future)
The game is even passable on Medium settings and upscaling, but you’ll have to contend with even lower frame rates and more input lag, rendering the experience less than enjoyable.
Mercifully, though, I experienced little fan noise from the Aspire Go 15 during such intensive workloads, never elevating above a faint whir. It also stayed commendably cool, with certain portions of the body reaching lukewarm temperatures only.
Another highlight of the Aspire Go 15 is its keyboard. The aforementioned keycap texture helps them feel more tactile, as does the surprising amount of dampening of the switches, despite their short travel and very low profile.
What’s more, they’re snappy and responsive, which only improves their typing prowess. And despite featuring a number pad, the layout doesn’t feel cramped. Those number pad keys are relatively small, though, but they’re still eminently usable. So overall, if you’re looking for one of the best laptops for writing, the Aspire Go 15 could well be a contender for you.
The touchpad is less pleasant to use, though. While it’s smooth enough for easy gestures and swiping, it’s not as large as those in other 15-inch laptops, which compromises its navigation abilities. Also, clicks and taps lack feedback and even rattle at points, which further hampers their functionality.
Performance: 4 / 5
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Battery Life
(Image credit: Future)
Reasonable longevity
Rivals can far outlast it, though
The battery life of the is quite impressive. It managed to last close to 12 hours when playing a movie on a continuous loop. It’s also quick to charge, taking about two hours to fully top up.
The HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch achieved a similar score. However, others in this sector can outlast it by quite some distance, including the Dell 14 Plus, which lasted over 13 hours when we ran a similar test.
Battery Life: 3.5 / 5
Should I buy the Acer Aspire Go 15?
Acer Aspire Go 15 Scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
The Aspire Go 15 ranges in price from incredibly cheap to reasonably-priced for a Windows machine exhibiting this kind of performance.
4.5 / 5
Specs
While the Aspire Go 15 isn't loaded with the very latest specs, for the price, they're pretty decent.
3.5 / 5
Design
It’s surprisingly thin and light for such a large laptop, but the construction isn’t exactly the most premium.
3.5 / 5
Performance
The Aspire Go 15 is great for everyday tasks and brilliant for typing on, but the poor display and lack of graphical power are drawbacks.
4 / 5
Battery Life
Battery life is quite good, but others can outlast it by a long way, too.
3.5 / 5
Total
The Aspire Go 15 is a very competent laptop for the price. But there are better all-rounders in the Chromebook market, if you really don’t need Windows.
3.8 / 5
Buy the Acer Aspire Go 15 if...
You want basic tasks done fast Light productivity and 4K streaming are both dispatched with surprising ease.
You’ll be doing a lot of typing The keyboard is a dream to use: it’s super responsive and provides plenty of feedback. The full-size layout doesn’t feel cramped, either.
Don't buy it if...
You want the best display The grainy finish, lack of brightness, washed-out tones, and exacting viewing angles all add up to a less-than-stellar visual experience.
You'll be conducting intensive workloads Since it lacks a dedicated GPU, the Aspire Go 15 isn’t the machine for creative pros or heavy gamers.
Acer Aspire Go 15 review: Also Consider
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus Although it’s more expensive, the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus still sits in the affordable Windows laptop bracket. It boasts a Snapdragon X Plus chip (so beware, this is an ARM machine), which can handle everyday tasks with aplomb. The display isn’t as big as the Go’s, but it’s significantly sharper and less fussy, not to mention it features touchscreen functionality.
HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch Stepping outside of the Windows ecosystem, the HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch is one of the best Chromebooks around, thanks to its excellent performance and display. What’s more, it’s cheaper than my Aspire Go 15 review unit. It’s also one of the best student Chromebooks.
I tested the Acer Aspire Go 15 for several days, using it for working, entertainment, gaming, and general browsing.
I also connected various peripherals to it, and ran our series of benchmark tests to assess its overall performance. I also tested its battery life by playing a movie on a continuous loop until it expired.
I have plenty of experience testing all kinds of laptops, from everyday workhorses to high-end specialist machines. I’ve also reviewed Chromebooks and other computing devices, such as tablets.
Dell’s 16-inch laptop lineup has become a staple in the company’s catalog, known for striking a balance between portability and performance. Offering both 14- and 16-inch display options, these devices typically deliver reliable build quality with a design that feels solid yet travel-friendly. Most importantly, the line of laptops usually comes at an aggressively affordable price. The same goes for the latest Dell 16 Plus, one of the best Dell laptops you can buy today.
Starting at $799 / £1,454.23 / $1,598, the 16 Plus features the latest Intel Lunar Lake chips, up to 32GB RAM, and up to 2TB of SSD storage.
Other features include a full QWERTY keyboard and number pad, a 16-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an FHD webcam with privacy slider, and more. Of course, internal components can be pushed a little higher for additional cost.
For those who are always on the move and need a truly portable device, the Dell 16 Plus delivers with a relatively lightweight build at around four pounds. When closed, it measures under an inch thick, making it easy to slip into most backpacks without adding bulk.
This makes it one of the best student laptops for those who need more screen real estate, or someone who needs a laptop to do occasional web browsing, word processing, number crunching, and some light media needs on the creative or consumption front. The low price comes at the cost of missing features like an SD card reader slot or even a touchscreen display.
Anyone looking to watch the occasional YouTube or Netflix video or listen to music while plugging away, the 16 Plus is a bit of a mixed bag. When it comes to the display, as mentioned earlier, the 120Hz refresh rate display is beautiful to look at despite lacking HDR.
The 2.5K (2560 x 1600) resolution does a fine job in making text and images clear and legible. Meanwhile, eye strain is reduced thanks to ComfortView Plus and TUVRheinland certification. When it comes to audio quality, it might be best to use external speakers or headphones, especially if in a loud room.
Though the lower and mid volume levels allow for some nice sonic nuance, that falls apart at higher volume levels. It doesn’t help that overall bass is on the weaker side of things as well.
Adding to the portability is a solid battery that Dell promises will work up to 20 hours. However, our tests didn’t show that much battery life, the results were still good enough for most people.
Overall, the Dell 16 Plus stands out as a solid mid-range option for users who value portability, respectable performance, and a budget-conscious price point, even rivaling those of the best laptops on the market. While it may fall short for power users or gamers, its sleek build, reliable battery life, and sharp display make it a worthy companion for everyday productivity and media tasks.
Dell 16 Plus: Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much does it cost? Starting at $799 / £1,455 / $1,598
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia from Dell.com and other retailers
Available now, the Dell 16 Plus can be purchased from Dell’s online store alongside other retailers in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. There are also a variety of options at different price points as well.
Starting in the U.S., the 16 Plus can be purchased between $799 and as high as $1,299 with the same GPU and display spread across them. Our review unit sat at the lowest cost while the mid-priced configuration rounded out at around $949.99. That’ll net potential buyers an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, 32GB RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. At the highest pricepoint comes an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V, 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD storage packed in.
Interested buyers living in the UK have a slew of customization options that’ll range between £1,454.23 and £2,143.61. The lowest-end model comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 236V, integrated Intel Arc, 16GB and 512GB SSD storage. Interestingly enough, the lowest price point lacks a backlit keyboard and fingerprint scanner. The highest priced configuration comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265U, Integrated Intel Graphics, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Also, this tier also allows for a touchscreen as well.
Finally, Australian citizens have a few options, including an AU$1,598 configuration with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD. The highest option at AU$2,197 has an Intel Core Ultra9 288V, 32GB RAM, and 2TB SSD. Both of those configurations have the same Integrated Intel Arc Graphics GPU and 16-inch 2560 x 1600 display.
Compared to other ultra-thin laptops, including the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition and MacBook Air, the Dell 16 Plus is the most affordable option at its base level while offering similar performance.
If you want the macOS experience and don’t mind losing about an inch of display real estate, the MacBook Air might be a better option. On the flip side, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition performs nearly the same.
Value: 4.5 / 5
Dell 16 Plus: Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The Dell 16 Plus is available in several configurations and options.
Dell 16 Plus (Review)
Dell 16 Plus (Mid Configuration)
Dell 16 Plus (Highest Configuration)
Price:
$799.99
$949.99
$1,299.98
CPU:
Intel Core Ultra 7 256V
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 8 cores
Intel Core Ultra 9 288V, 8 cores
GPU:
Intel Arc 140V (8GB)
Intel Arc 140V (8GB)
Intel Arc 140V (8GB)
RAM:
16GB LPDDR5X
32GB LPDDR5X
32GB LPDDR5X
Screen:
16-inch 2560x1600
16-inch 2560x1600
16-inch 2560x1600
Storage:
1TB
1TB
2TB
Ports:
1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) port
1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C® port with DisplayPort™ 1.4 and Power Delivery
1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery
1 HDMI 2.1 port
1 Universal Audio jack
1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) port
1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C® port with DisplayPort™ 1.4 and Power Delivery
1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery
1 HDMI 2.1 port
1 Universal Audio jack
1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) port
1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C® port with DisplayPort™ 1.4 and Power Delivery
1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery
1 HDMI 2.1 port
1 Universal Audio jack
Wireless:
Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201, 2x2, 802.11be, Bluetooth wireless card
Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201, 2x2, 802.11be, Bluetooth wireless card
Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201, 2x2, 802.11be, Bluetooth wireless card
Camera:
1080p at 30 fps FHD camera, dual-array microphones
1080p at 30 fps FHD camera, dual-array microphones
1080p at 30 fps FHD camera, dual-array microphones
Weight:
3.96 pounds
3.96 pounds
3.96 pounds
Dimensions:
Height: 0.67 in. (16.99 mm) X Width: 14.05 in. (356.78 mm) X Depth: 9.87 in. (250.60 mm)
Height: 0.67 in. (16.99 mm) X Width: 14.05 in. (356.78 mm) X Depth: 9.87 in. (250.60 mm)
Height: 0.67 in. (16.99 mm) X Width: 14.05 in. (356.78 mm) X Depth: 9.87 in. (250.60 mm)
Dell 16 Plus: Design
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Fairly boring design helped by nice portability
Full numberpad alongside keyboard
An SD card slot would have been nice to have
The Dell 16 Plus features a chassis made with sustainable materials like recycled and low-emissions aluminum, recycled steel and ocean-bound plastics. For the envornmentally-conscious individual, they’ll be happy to know that the laptop has EPEAT Gold with Climate+ and ENERGY STAR certification.
Though the colorway may look a bit boring with the silver chassis with a gray keyboard, it goes a long way toward being more functional than sleek. The Dell 16 Plus weighs around four pounds, and when closed is about an inch thick. The top display half has a Dell logo, and the bottom does feature a rubber strip which raises the laptop at a slight angle for comfort.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
On the sides is where users will see various ports. A singular USB-A and headphone jack on the right while the left side has duel USB-C ports and HDMI port. The left side also has a small LED light to give battery status when charging as well. Unfortunately, there isn’t an SD card slot which means users are going to need an adapter for more creative tasks.
Once open, users are going to notice the 16-inch display which has a standard FHD webcam with a manual privacy slider at the top. The bottom portion of the display is connected to two hinges that fold back to 180 degrees. Regardless of what angle the laptop is in, it’s pretty sturdy.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The full-size keyboard, complete with a number pad, offers a satisfying typing experience with well-balanced tactile feedback and minimal noise.
Integrated into the top-right corner of the number pad is a fingerprint scanner that also serves as the power button, working reliably in everyday use. The trackpad is impressively smooth and responsive, making navigation feel seamless—though the physical click could be more refined.
Design: 4 / 5
Dell 16 Plus: Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
General performance, like web browsing and co-pilot AI, is fast and smooth
There are several performance settings in the Dell Optimizer app
Not good for heavy creative workloads or AAA gaming
Dell 16 Plus benchmarks
Here's how the Dell 16 Plus performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
During my time with the Dell 16 Plus, I was impressed by its ability to handle demanding multitasking without noticeable slowdowns, even with 20 to 30 Google Chrome tabs open.
Whether I was drafting this review in Google Docs or managing projects in Asana, everything ran smoothly. The laptop also performed well when launching apps like Tidal, Microsoft Mahjong, and even Adobe Photoshop.
In terms of creative workloads, Photoshop handled high-resolution images comfortably, though performance dipped when working with numerous complex layers.
Similarly, Premiere Pro worked well for 1080p editing, but more demanding 4K projects introduced occasional lag and slowdown. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is a fairly powerful mobile CPU that works well with the 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage.
As with many Intel Arc GPUs, the Dell 16 Plus faces some limitations in gaming compatibility, especially with older titles and newer AAA releases.
Given the 2.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, don’t expect demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 to run smoothly on the integrated GPU, which offers around 8GB of VRAM.
However, CPU-driven games like Sid Meier’s Civilization VII fared better, averaging around 59 FPS on medium settings at 1080p and approximately 37 FPS at native 2.5K resolution.
Naturally, performance dropped further when pushed to high settings at either resolution.
It’s a shame as the display looks fantastic with crips characters and text that are easily readable and that ultra smooth 120Hz refresh rate that looks outstanding in motion.
Image quality is great as well, despite lacking HDR as colors look bold, contrast is nice alongside brightness. Users who want to watch the occasional YouTube video and Netflix movie have something they can champion between work-focused tasks. Helps that the display is compatible with Dolby Vision as well.
Through the Dell Optimizer app, there are four settings for thermal management, including one optimized through AI.
During heavy Google Chrome usage, we noticed the bottom half of the laptop wasn’t too warm, and the fan noise wasn’t loud. The rest of the settings include cool, quiet, and ultra performance.
As I mentioned earlier, the 16 Plus is an adequate mid-tiered laptop that’ll work great for people who just need something to browse the web and do lighter, more general tasks, just expect too much from it.
Performance: 4 / 5
Dell 16 Plus: Battery life
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Average battery life is around 13 hours
During our week and some days span with the Dell 16 Plus, rigorous daily use meant that I was able to get a real feel for how battery life would work on the laptop.
Though Dell promises up to 20 hours, we were able to squeeze 13 hours on one charge. A lot of that has to go with the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V alongside Dell’s Optimizer, which does a great job of balancing performance and power usage.
For sure, the 16 Plus will be more than enough for bi-coastal travelers and could technically make a flight from Los Angeles to London with a few hours to spare.
While working on the laptop during a full day, I only needed to charge it once through one of the USB-C ports on the left side. To charge from around 0 percent to around 50, it took around 40 minutes with a little under two hours to fully charge. When it comes to battery life, the 16 Plus holds its own among the best available at the moment.
Battery life: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Dell 16 Plus?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Notes
Rating
Value
The $799 starting price works wonders for anyone looking for a quality Windows laptop that’s seriously portable.
4.5 / 5
Design
A boring looking laptop, the Dell 16 Plus, is thin, lightweight and also offers a number pad to its keyboard. Just understand this doesn’t have an SD Card slot and only one USB-A.
4 / 5
Performance
Performance is pretty standard when it comes to general computing tasks. Apps like Google Chrome and Tidal open quickly. Just understand its heavier creative tasks and higher tier gaming performance. A shame considering the display can run 120Hz.
4 / 5
Battery
Battery life is really great on the laptop thanks to a great CPU and accompanying software from Dell. Even charging to full doesn’t take too long.
4 / 5
Final rating
4 / 5
Buy the Dell 16 Plus if...
You need an affordable general tasks laptop The Dell 16 Plus performs well for anyone who wants to do activities from multi-tab Google Chrome browsing to light photo editing for a sub-$800 price tag.
You want a lightweight design with a full keyboard The laptop design is around four pounds and less than an inch tall when closed. A full keyboard with ten-key numpad makes this one of the best in its class.
You’d like a nice display The 16-inch, 120Hz display looks great when trying to lightly edit photos, handle general computing tasks, and some light gaming for titles with low-level visual fidelity.
Don’t buy it if…
You want a better webcam The Full-HD webcam isn’t the best in less-than-ideal lighting scenarios, and there aren't many software features, though the manual privacy slider is a nice touch.
You’d like something a bit more powerful Users who want to do more heavy lifting in the gaming department to make better use of that 2.5K display running at 120Hz may be a bit disappointed.
You need better speakers The speakers lack some serious bass and sound fairly hollow. Unless you want to get some external speakers or headphones, you'll be disappointed.
Also Consider
If my Dell 16 Plus review has you considering other options, here are two other laptops to consider...
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition A slightly more expensive option is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition, which outclasses the Dell 16 Plus's audio/visual capabilities while offering a touchscreen. Of course, that’s if users can get past some design issues.
Apple Macbook Air 15-inch (M4) Creatives looking for a lightweight and affordable laptop may find the MacBook Air 15-inch a great option, so long as you're OK with losing an inch in display real estate and lack of Wi-Fi 7.
I used productivity and creative apps like Google Chrome, Tida, and Adobe Suite
Played lighter-weight games through Xbox Gamepass
I spent about a week testing the Dell 16 Plus, using it daily to get a solid sense of its performance and everyday functionality.
I used TechRadar's standard suite of benchmarks, including 3DMark, CrossMark, and built-in gaming benchmarks for games like Civilization VII.
Most of my work was done through Google Chrome, which gave me easy access to tools like Google Docs, Gmail, Asana, and Slack.
To evaluate the audio and display quality, I streamed music through Tidal and watched several YouTube videos, both of which helped showcase the system's speaker and vibrant screen.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025): Two-minute review
With the release of the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025), Apple seems to have settled into a reliable pattern. Coming pretty much exactly a year after the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4, 2024), very few people were surprised by the reveal of the M5 chip and 14-inch MacBook Pro.
So, it’s good to see the MacBook reclaiming its role as a showcase device for Apple’s M-series chips – but there are a few other odd things about this launch. For a start, there’s no sign of an M5-powered Mac mini or iMac, nor do we get the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max variants that are expected to appear at some point.
Because Apple has only announced the base M5 chip at the time of writing, it also means that there’s no new MacBook Pro 16-inch… for now, at least. So, for the first time in a while, if you want the very latest MacBook from Apple, you only have one size to choose from.
(Image credit: Future)
The MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) starts at $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,499, which gets you the brand-new M5 chip with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and 512GB of SSD storage.
This is the same price as the previous model with the M4 chip, and it’s good to see Apple continues to resist bumping up the price at a time when it feels like everything else is getting more expensive. However, it should be noted that in the UK and EU, the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) doesn’t come with a charger, so if you need one, you’ll have to buy one separately, which diminishes the value somewhat.
Design-wise, the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) is exactly the same as the M4 model… and the M3 model. That’s not particularly an issue, as it remains a fine-looking laptop, and the 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display is still one of the best on the market. But it’s beginning to feel like Apple isn’t interested in making incremental tweaks to its MacBook designs – instead, it takes an all-or-nothing approach.
You get big design overhauls every few generations, like the one we saw with the M3 model (which replaced the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro), but then a few years where it seems like Apple doesn’t want to change anything design-wise.
That means some aspects of the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) are in danger of being a bit outdated, especially as Apple’s rivals in the laptop market, especially the likes of Dell and Lenovo, seem to be far more comfortable with shaking up the designs of their products.
So, we’ve ended up with a premium laptop being released in 2025 that doesn’t feature the new Wi-Fi 7 standard, instead sticking with the older Wi-Fi 6E (curiously, the new M5-powered iPad Pro does support Wi-Fi 7, so clearly someone at Apple thinks the tech is worth supporting). The ports are also identical to the base model of the M4 14-inch MacBook Pro, so that means an HDMI port, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe 3 port for charging, plus three USB-C ports.
This remains a decent selection for professionals, allowing you to hook up a TV or projector, connect multiple peripherals, or insert a memory card, all without needing an adapter. However, the USB-C ports remain unchanged, using Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 technology speeds of up to 40Gb/s. With an increasing number of laptops coming with must faster Thunderbolt 5 speeds of 120Gb/s - most notably including the older M4 Pro and M4 Max versions of the 14-inch MacBook Pro - this is another area where Apple’s reluctance to make even the smallest of changes could see it overtaken by its competitors.
It's a shame the USB-C speeds have remained static, as Apple has updated the SSD, with new technology that gives the M5 MacBook Pro twice the read and write speeds compared to the previous model.
(Image credit: Future)
Performance-wise, the MacBook Pro 14-inch with the M5 chip is pretty much flawless, with macOS Tahoe feeling fast and responsive, and both preinstalled apps and third-party ones, including Adobe Photoshop and Ableton Live 12, working brilliantly. The problem is, the older M4 model was also a fantastic performer, and for many people, it will probably be hard to notice any significant generational boost. This is definitely not an upgrade I'd recommend to anyone who already has an M4 or even M3 MacBook Pro. However, if you have an older Intel MacBook or are coming from a Windows laptop (perhaps prompted by the end of Windows 10 support), then there's a lot to like about the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025).
Apple's main focus for this release is improving the on-device AI capabilities, and there are some decent gains made here, but if you have no interest in AI, then you might not appreciate these improvements and may be better served by a soon-to-be-discounted M4 model.
Battery life, meanwhile, continues to be among the best of any laptop, with almost 24 hours of constant video looping, and over 18 hours in our web browsing benchmark. It will easily last multiple work days on a single charge, and performance doesn't dip either.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) review: Price and availability
How much does it cost? $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,499
When is it available? Goes on sale October 22, 2025
No charger for UK/EU customers
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) goes on sale on October 22, 2025, with the base model starting at $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,499, the same price that the M4 model launched at last year.
It’s always nice to see companies not increase prices, especially at the moment, and for that price, you get the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory, and 512GB SSD storage.
One important thing to note is that in the UK and EU, the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) does not ship with a charger (elsewhere, you’ll get Apple’s 70W USB-C power adapter with the base model).
In the UK, you can add a 70W USB-C power adapter to your order when configuring it for £59, or add a 96W USB-C power adapter for £79, however, rather oddly, it seems that you can only do this if you make other changes, such as adding a Nano-texture display (for £150), or tweaking the amount of memory or storage.
(Image credit: Future)
If you stick with the cheapest base M5 MacBook Pro model in the UK or EU, you have no option to add a charger to your order – you’ll have to buy it entirely separately.
I won’t go into the reasons for this decision (Apple suggests it's pre-empting an EU directive coming in next year, though that doesn’t explain why the UK, no longer in the EU, is also not getting the charger), but it does make an impact on the overall value of the laptop if you do need to buy the charger separately.
The good news, at least, is that you can charge the new MacBook Pro using any USB-C power adaptor, and if it’s powerful enough, the MacBook Pro can utilize fast charging. So, if you already have plenty of power adaptors lying around with USB-C, then you should be able to just use one of those – and it will at least mean you’re not lumbered with yet another charger that you don’t need.
While Apple doesn’t include the actual charger for UK and EU customers, it does at least include the USB-C to MagSafe3 cable, so if you have a wall charger with a USB-C socket, you can make use of the convenient and fast MagSafe 3 port of the MacBook Pro, which holds the charger in place via magnets, making it easy to attach and safe to remove (accidently yanking it out won’t do any damage).
For all customers, you can configure the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) before you purchase it. While there are no variants of the M5, you can add a nano-texture display, which reduces glare and reflections for $150 / £150 / AU$230, boost the memory to either 24GB (for an extra $200 / £200 / AU$300) or 32GB (add $400 / £400 / AU$600), or up the storage to 1TB, 2TB or 4TB (which will cost, respectively, an extra $200 / £200 / AU$300, $600 / £600 / AU$900, and $1,200 / £1,200 / AU$1,800).
Apple faces renewed competition when it comes to premium laptops, with the new Dell 14 Premium launching at a lower price of $1,499.99 / £1,499 / AU$2,598.20, while offering a similar level of performance with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD – oh, and Wi-Fi 7.
So, while it’s great that Apple has kept the same price as last year’s model, in an increasingly competitive market that might no longer be enough, and consumers could start looking at alternatives if they want some bolder designs.
Price: 3.5 / 5
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) review: Specs
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) comes in three pre-configured options, and when buying from Apple you can tweak some of the options (such as storage and memory) to better suit your needs. Below, you’ll find the three initial models:
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) specs
Base model
Mid-range model
High-end model
Price
$1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,499
$1,799 / £1,799 / AU$2,799
$1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,099
CPU
M5 10-core
M5 10-core
M5 10-core
GPU
10-core
10-core
10-core
RAM
16GB unified memory
16GB unified memory
24GB unified memory
Storage
512GB SSD
1TB SSD
1TB SSD
Display
14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024 x 1964), 120Hz
14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024 x 1964), 120Hz
14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024 x 1964), 120Hz
12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches (31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55cm)
12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches (31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55cm)
12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches (31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55cm)
While the release of the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) means that last year’s base model is no longer being sold by Apple, however as there’s no sign (at the moment) of M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, Apple is still selling the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, so if you want a more powerful laptop, for the moment you’ll need to go with the previous gen.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025): Design
No new design
Still looks great
No Wi-Fi 7
The Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) features an identical design to the M4 model, and the M3 before it. While it’s still a very nice-looking (and very well-built) laptop, and looks a lot more modern than the M2-era 13-inch MacBook Pro, which the 14-inch replaced in 2023, it could disappoint anyone hoping for a freshly designed MacBook Pro.
One rumor that keeps on cropping up is that Apple is working on a MacBook Pro with an OLED screen – and if you’re holding out for that, I’m afraid the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) isn’t the MacBook you’re looking for.
However, the 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, with a resolution of 3024 x 1964 and with ProMotion variable refresh rates of up to 120Hz, remains one of the best screens you can find in a laptop. The mini-LED backlit panel still allows for excellent contrast, and colors look life-like and vibrant. HDR content looks particularly good on the screen, and while OLED panels might have the edge when it comes to showing true blacks, the screen of the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) offers deep, inky blacks with no hints of light bleed.
(Image credit: Future)
The high pixel density of the screen at 254 pixels per inch means images look sharp and detailed, and the ProMotion refresh rate means scrolling through websites and documents, watching movies, and even playing games is smooth and responsive.
The model Apple sent me to review comes with the optional nano-texture coating on the display, which minimizes glare and reflections. It leads to a very pleasant matte-like finish, and even under bright studio lights the screen was pleasant to use, without any distracting reflections. Adding the nano-texture coating costs $150 / £150 / AU$230, so you'll need to judge if it's worth the additional cost. I'd say that if you're going to be doing a lot of visual work on the MacBook, and will be using it where there's a lot of ambient light (especially from above or behind you), then it's well worth considering.
The quality of the display means that anyone holding off buying a MacBook Pro until an OLED model is launched is in danger of missing out on an excellent screen. On the other hand, an increasing number of rival laptop makers are kitting out their premium laptops with OLED panels (or at least offering them as an option), so Apple is in danger of getting left behind if it doesn’t update the screen any time soon.
Port-wise, things stay the same as last year’s model, with an HDMI port, SDXC card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe 3 port for charging. It also comes with three USB-C ports, which use Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 with speeds of up to 40Gb/s.
These aren’t the fastest ports, and that might disappoint any professionals who need to move lots of large files quickly. The older M4 Pro and M4 Max 14-inch MacBook Pros even offer faster speeds, as their three USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 5 and USB 4, which support speeds of up to 120Gb/s.
This was the same as the base M4 14-inch MacBook Pro, which also had the slower speeds, with Apple clearly positioning it as an entry-level device. Back then, this decision was easier to swallow, as you had the option of the M4 Pro and M4 Max versions if you wanted faster USB speeds.
(Image credit: Future)
Because there aren’t any M5 Pro or M5 Max models (yet), it means professional users looking for a new MacBook could either choose to have Apple’s very latest M5 chip, but with slower transfer speeds, or go for an older generation (which will likely be superseded sometime soon) for faster transfer speeds. It’s an odd situation some people will find themselves in, and while USB transfer speeds might not be the most important consideration for many people, for professionals, especially creatives, who the MacBook Pro line is mainly aimed at, it is important if you’re moving large projects to and from an external drive.
So, the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) is still a sleek-looking professional laptop, available in two colors – Space Black and Silver – with a very good display. I was sent the Space Black version to review, and it really does look lovely. But the lack of any change to the design, no matter how small, makes this release feel particularly incremental (and possibly even inessential if you already have a recent MacBook Pro), so that puts a lot of pressure on the internal upgrades to justify this release.
Design: 3.5 / 5
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025): Performance
Very good performance
AI tools work faster
Not a massive leap over the M4 model
While Apple has once again played it safe with the design, the changes to the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025)’s internals are much more ambitious.
The M5 chip has debuted in just three devices this time around: the 14-inch MacBook Pro, the new iPad Pro (M5, 2025), and (rather surprisingly) a new version of Apple’s ultra-niche Vision Pro headset. It features a 10-core CPU made up of four high-performance cores and six high-efficiency cores, which the M5 switches between depending on the tasks you’re performing on the laptop, and whether or not you’re using the 14-inch MacBook Pro while plugged in or while on battery.
With more efficiency cores than performance ones, it’s pretty safe to assume that Apple’s priority with the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) is prolonging battery life and maintaining performance when on battery, rather than raw power. It’s a balance that has served Apple well in the past, with its MacBooks, especially the Pro versions, leading the industry when it comes to battery life and sustained on-battery performance.
Despite having the same number of cores as the M4 chip, Apple claims the M5 offers 20% faster multithreaded performance. Combined with the faster memory bandwidth of 153GB/s (compared to the 120GB/s of the M4, this puts the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) in a solid position to outdo its predecessor when it comes to running multiple apps at once.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025): benchmarks
Here's how the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) performed in our suite of industry-standard benchmarks and game tests.
Geekbench 6.5: Single - 4,288 Multi - 17,926 Blackmagic Disk Speed Test: Read: 6,619.7 MB/s Write: 6.517 MB/s Cinebench R24: Single-core - 199 Multi-core - 1,141 PugetBench for Adobe CC: Photoshop: 13,755 Premiere Pro: 69,887 Battery life test (web browsing): 18 hours 14 minutes Battery life test (video): 21 hours 43 minutes
It certainly felt sprightly as I used it, with multiple apps and web browser windows, including a 1080p video and Apple’s Image Playground generative AI tool, all running seamlessly.
The M5’s 10-core GPU handles graphics tasks, and Apple has included an enhanced shader core and ray tracing engine, which it claims gives the M5 up to 1.6 times faster graphics performance compared to the M4.
If the smaller bump in graphics performance versus the M4 model is a tad disappointing, it seems like Apple has put a lot of effort into the AI capabilities of the M5 chip. The company claims it’s been built from the ground up for AI, and it’s certainly been keen to highlight its AI capabilities in its promotional materials.
Since the launch of the M1 chip, Apple has been including its Neural Engine in its computing chips for on-device AI tasks, and the M5 has an improved Neural Engine, also integrating what Apple calls a ‘Neural Accelerator’ into each core of the GPU to speed up results.
Now, we’re getting dangerously close to impenetrable tech jargon, but as a huge amount of AI tasks are handled by a system’s GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), this approach seems to make sense, and would explain Apple’s bullish claims about the AI performance improvements the M5 benefits from versus the M4. According to Apple’s own numbers (so take it with a pinch of salt, as the company is typically vague about the testing methodology), LLM (Large Language Model) prompt processing is 4.6 times faster than the M4.
(Image credit: Future)
While these numbers might look impressive, the actual real-world benefits of this increase in AI performance are harder to gauge, and really depend on how much you use on-device (as opposed to cloud-based) AI tools.
Apple has continued to add AI tools to macOS Tahoe, the latest version of its operating system, which ships with the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025), and while it’s not quite at the level of AI integration as its rival Microsoft’s Windows 11 is, it’s getting easier to use AI without having to install extra apps. These include Genmoji and Image Playground, which generate images and emojis based on your prompts, and are, ultimately, inessential for most people. You might play around with them a few times, but I can’t imagine many professionals who have forked out for the latest MacBook Pro will use it much, so the fact that the M5 can generate images more quickly will likely inspire more of a shrug of the shoulders than a rush to buy the new MacBook.
I got Image Playground to generate several images based on various prompts, and the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) did so speedily, giving me various images in a matter of seconds. However, this never seemed to take too much time on older MacBooks, so any performance improvements here are hard to judge.
More useful is Live Translation, which allows you to talk to other people in different languages, and it makes a great case for on-device AI as it means your conversations remain private. On the whole, however, Apple’s AI tools still don’t compete with its competitors, and their faster performance on the M5 chip will do little to get people to buy the latest MacBook Pro on its own.
Third-party apps do much better jobs at showcasing the potential of artificial intelligence, as well as the M5’s improved performance in this area, especially when it comes to Adobe’s Photoshop and Premiere Pro apps. It’s here that the M5’s AI chops get to shine. However, it should be noted that certain tools, such as Generative Extend (which can generate additional frames to lengthen video clips), run on Adobe's Firefly AI generation service, which isn't on device, and therefore doesn't really benefit from the M5 chip. If Apple really thinks AI capabilities are something people look for when buying a MacBook Pro, I feel it's going to have to do more to justify the hype.
Performance: 4 / 5
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) review: Battery life
Apple promises up to 24 hours
Hits over 18 hours in our web browsing test
Supports fast charging
One of Apple’s biggest successes with modern MacBooks is battery life. Thanks to its dedication to power efficiency that started with the M1 chip, and improved upon with each subsequent generation, the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) is easily one of the longest-lasting laptops you can buy.
This is particularly impressive considering how powerful the M5 MacBook Pro 14-inch is, as usually, the more powerful the components are, the more power-hungry they are as well. The fact that it’s relatively small, and therefore limits the physical size of the battery Apple can fit inside it.
The battery in the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) is 72.4 watt-hours, and Apple is bullish when it comes to potential battery life, claiming up to 24 hours of video streaming and 16 hours of web browsing.
(Image credit: Future)
Big claims indeed, and I’d usually be sceptical if it wasn’t for Apple’s excellent legacy with MacBook battery life, and in our benchmark tests it scored a very respectable 18 hours and 14 seconds for web browsing.
Meanwhile, almost 16 and a half hours into our looped battery life benchmark test, the MacBook Pro 14-inch’s battery was still at 40%. As I used the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) for day-to-day tasks, it became clear that this is again a powerful workstation laptop that can go multiple workdays on a single charge. It’s extremely impressive.
Just as importantly, thanks to Apple’s commitment to power efficiency with its M series chips, there’s no sign of any negative impact on performance when the laptop is unplugged. It’s quite common for laptop makers to reduce the overall performance of a device (a practice known as ‘throttling’) when it’s on battery power to lower power consumption and prolong battery life.
(Image credit: Future)
While this can be useful in some situations, it does mean that if you want to use a laptop for heavy workloads, it’ll need to be plugged in. With the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025), Apple has once again avoided this problem, and I was able to run demanding tasks such as video editing and music production while using the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) on battery power, and there were no noticeable knocks to performance compared to plugged-in use. Because of this, the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) is easily one of the best laptops for people looking for a device they can use for heavy workloads while travelling.
Battery: 5 / 5
Should you buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025)?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025): Scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
Launching at the same price as last year's model is good to see, but UK and EU customers no longer get a power adapter included.
3.5 / 5
Design
No new design isn't a huge issue, it still looks great, but it means some things, like its USB-C port speeds and Wi-Fi 6E support are showing their age.
3.5 / 5
Performance
Once again, Apple has made a MacBook Pro that is excellent at all kinds of tasks. However, it's not a huge leap over the M4. Fans of AI tools will like the improvements here, however.
4 / 5
Average rating
If you're new to MacBook Pros, you'll be very happy with this device, but for anyone using a recent MacBook, the lack of any generational leaps will disappoint.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You’ve not had an M-series MacBook Pro before The M5 chip’s improvements over the M4 and M3 aren’t big enough to justify upgrading from those devices, but if you’re still on an Intel-powered Mac (or are a Windows user looking to switch), then you’re going to be hugely impressed by this laptop.
You want a portable workstation The MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025)’s small and light design makes it easy to carry around, and the huge battery life and lack of throttling mean you can be productive pretty much anywhere.
You use a lot of AI tools The M5’s biggest improvements over the M4 are when it comes to on-device AI performance, so if you use a lot of artificial intelligence, this could be the ideal laptop for you.
Don't buy it if...
You want the most powerful Mac Despite coming with the very latest M5 chip, the new MacBook Pro 14-inch isn’t the most powerful device Apple makes – the M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBooks beat it, as does the super-powerful M3 Ultra-powered Mac Studio.
You think AI is a gimmick As you'd expect, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) runs macOS, Apple's own operating system. If you want to stick with Windows 11, look elsewhere.
You want a large-screen laptop Unusually, a 16-inch MacBook Pro hasn’t launched alongside the 14-inch model, but that will likely come later, so if you prefer large screens, it’ll be a wise idea to hold on for a bit.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025): Also consider
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5)
MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
Price
$1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,499
$1,999 / £1,999 / AU$3,299
$999 / £999 / AU$1,699
CPU
M5 10-core
M4 Pro 12-core
M4 10-core
GPU
10-core
16-core
8-core
RAM
16GB unified memory
24GB unified memory
16GB unified memory
Storage
512GB SSD
512GB SSD
256GB SSD
Display
14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024 x 1964), 120Hz
14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024 x 1964), 120Hz
12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches (31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55cm)
12.31 x 8.71 x 0.61 inches (31.26 x 22.12 x 1.55cm)
11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches (304 x 215 x 11.3mm)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 Pro / M4 Max If you're looking for a more powerful MacBook Pro, then Apple is still selling last year's model with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, which outperform the standard M5 chip. Because there's no new design this year, you're not missing out on anything by getting the slightly older model.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) The 13-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip is an awesome alternative if you don't need the kind of performance the MacBook Pro 14-inch with M5 chip offers, and it's a lot more affordable as well. There's also a 15-inch model if you'd rather have a larger screen.
How I tested the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025)
I used the new MacBook Pro solidly for several days
I ran multiple benchmarks
I used it as my daily work laptop
I've used the Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5, 2025) over the past several days as my main work laptop, writing some of this review on it, as well as browsing the web, attending meetings via video call and running our suite of benchmarks. I also played around with video and photo editing during my time with the laptop. I've been reviewing MacBooks for TechRadar for well over a decade, and have extensively used and tested all models of Apple's M-series chips.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: One-minute review
The HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC (yes, that is its full name) has its flaws, but its strengths make those drawbacks easy to overlook. With over 16 hours of battery life, a stunning OLED display, an ultra-portable design, and an affordable starting price, it's hard not to recommend the OmniBook 5 14-inch, depending on what you're looking for in a laptop.
It starts at just $679 / £850 / AU$1,599 for a base configuration with a Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 14-inch (1920x1200) OLED display.
Somewhat frustratingly, the US base configuration only has 256GB of storage, while the UK and Australia's starting specs include 512GB of storage. Luckily, Best Buy has a middle-ground configuration for US users that offers great value for your money at just $20 more than the US base configuration.
Aside from a bit of pricing confusion, this OmniBook is a great pick for basic work and school-related tasks, especially if you want a laptop that's going to easily last all day, making it one of the best laptops for students and remote workers out there.
The lightweight design also makes this perfect for commuters. While the performance could be stronger, it's hard to complain at this price–and with such an impressive battery life.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Price & Availability
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
How much does it cost? Starting at $679 / £850 / AU$1,599
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? Directly from HP in the US, UK, and Australia, or at various retailers like Best Buy
The OmniBook 5 14-inch is available now in the US, UK, and Australia starting at $679/£850/AU$1,599 on the HP website. The base configuration in all three regions includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 CPU, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 14-inch OLED display.
The one big difference is that the US base configuration includes 256GB of storage while the UK and Australia base models have 512GB of storage.
With that said, an upgraded in-between configuration is available in the US at Best Buy for just $20 more than the base model on HP's website. That configuration has 512GB of storage and even bumps you up to a Snapdragon X Plus processor. So if you're in the US, I would definitely suggest opting for that version.
The US and UK prices for the OmniBook 5 14-inch are pretty reasonable, but the top configuration in Australia is a bit pricey for the specs you're getting (more on that below).
Value: 4 / 5
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Specs
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
Lower starting storage in the US base configuration
All configurations include an OLED display
Upgrades available for CPU, RAM, and storage
My review unit is the US top configuration of the OmniBook 5 14-inch, which is priced at $899, but the base configuration starts at $679/£850/AU$1,599. There is also a middle configuration in the US available at Best Buy for $699, which includes 512GB of storage and a Snapdragon X Plus processor.
All starting configurations include a Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, a 14-inch (1920x1200) OLED display, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. However, it's important to point out that the base model in the US only has 256GB of storage, half of what you would get in the UK and Australia, which is why I suggest going for the Best Buy configuration instead if you're in the US.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC starting configurations
Region
US
UK
Australia
Price:
$679
£850
AU$1,599
CPU:
Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
GPU:
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Memory:
16GB
16GB
16GB
Storage:
256GB
512GB
512GB
Screen:
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
Ports:
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 5.3mm audio jack
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 5.3mm audio jack
Battery (WHr):
59 WHr
59 WHr
59 WHr
Wireless:
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Camera:
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
Weight:
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
Dimensions:
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
The top configurations of the OmniBook 5 14-inch bump you up to a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 processor and 32GB of storage. The US and UK configurations also get 1TB of storage, which unfortunately isn't the case in Australia.
The top configurations in the US and the UK are a pretty good deal, especially if you can find them on sale, but the top specs in Australia are hard to recommend when you're not getting that storage upgrade. Even so, the improved processor and increased RAM could be worth paying extra for some users.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC Top Configurations
Region
US
UK
Australia
Price:
$899
£1,049
AU$1,999
CPU:
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
GPU:
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Memory:
32GB
32GB
32GB
Storage:
1TB
1TB
512GB
Screen:
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
Ports:
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
Battery (WHr):
59 WHr
59 WHr
59 WHr
Wireless:
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Camera:
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
Weight:
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
Dimensions:
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
Specs: 3.5 / 5
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Design
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
Incredibly lightweight
Stellar OLED display
Build quality feels a bit low-end
The OmniBook 5 14-inch isn't pushing the envelope with its design, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's very portable, weighing in at a mere 2.85 pounds. The chassis doesn't feel "premium", with its plastic-y keyboard deck and display bezels, but the low weight helps make up for that.
Plus, it's what's on the inside that counts, which in this case is a superbly snappy keyboard. HP's laptop keyboards can be pretty hit or miss for me, but I loved typing on this one. It has just the right amount of tactile feedback and key travel without being loud. However, I wish the power button was separated from the rest of the keyboard. It matches the rest of the function-row keys except for a little LED indicator.
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The touchpad is also pretty good. Considering the price point on this OmniBook 5 14-inch, I was expecting a mushy touchpad, but I was pleasantly surprised. It might not be the best touchpad I've ever used, but it has a satisfying amount of travel and feedback just like the keyboard. The speakers are also surprisingly decent and got plenty loud enough for my needs.
The real star feature here is the OLED display. I love OLED, and this display did not disappoint. Colors really pop on it, more than you would expect from a sub-$1,000 laptop. It passed our display tests with flying colors, too, reproducing 194.5% of the sRGB color gamut and 138.4% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. I genuinely enjoyed watching shows and movies on the OmniBook 5 14-inch and even playing a few games on it because the display looks phenomenal.
Design: 4 / 5
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Performance
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
Performance could be better, but isn't bad, either
Weak graphics performance
Keeps up fine with basic daily tasks like web browsing
If you're mainly looking for a laptop for things like web browsing, replying to emails, word processing, or studying, the OmniBook 5 14-inch is definitely up to the task. This little laptop is more than capable of handling basic work or school-related tasks. I had no trouble managing over a dozen tabs on Firefox while working on the Omnibook. However, if you want to use resource-intensive apps, like Adobe Photoshop and the like, you may want to spend a little more elsewhere.
The OmniBook 5 14-inch's performance falls far short of the MacBook Air, which only costs $100 more than the top configuration. It came in over 1,000 points behind the M4 MacBook Air on the Geekbench 6 single-core test and lagged by over 3,000 points on the multi-core test. Of course, there are plenty of reasons you might not want a Mac or might simply want to save money, especially if you can find the Omnibook at a discount.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC
MacBook Air M4 (13-inch)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 (2025)
Geekbench 6 single-core
2,414
£3,679
2,436
Geekbench 6 multi-core
11,309
14,430
11,321
Crossmark (Overall)
1,184
2,009
1,165
Crossmark (Productivity)
1,116
1,875
1,081
Crossmark (Creativity)
1,298
2,369
1,328
Crossmark (Responsiveness)
1,074
1,505
983
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
If you're only doing lightweight or web-based tasks, the OmniBook 5 14-inch's more humble performance scores probably won't be an issue, it's just worth keeping in mind. Plus, considering the starting price, it's hard to complain.
It's also worth noting that the OmniBook 5 14-inch is by no means a gaming laptop. It managed to run lightweight, 2D games fine, but really struggles with anything more. Wildfrost ran very smoothly at 60 FPS with no issues, but I was only able to get about 20 FPS in Death's Door and about 30 FPS in Risk of Rain 2. These aren't particularly demanding games, so definitely don't expect to be playing any AAA titles on the Omnibook, but games like Stardew Valley or Slay the Spire should run fine.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Battery Life
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
How long does it last before the battery dies? Just over 16 hours.
How long does it take to charge to 50%? About 30 minutes.
Battery life is by far the OmniBook 5 14-inch's biggest strength. It lasted a staggering 16 hours and 2 minutes in our battery test, which, for context, is 2 hours longer than the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air. While you're getting a notably less powerful processor in the Omnibook, you get really impressive battery life in exchange. For some, that could be a worthy trade-off.
My only complaint here is that the left side of the keyboard deck gets noticeably warm when the OmniBook 5 14-inch is charging. It's not uncomfortable, and you won't have to charge it often, but when you do, you can't miss how one side of your keyboard is warmer than the other.
Battery Life: 5 / 5
Should you buy the HP Omnibook 5 14 inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC?
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
HP Omnibook 5 14 inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC scorecard
Category
Notes
Rating
Value
Aside from a couple of quirky configuration differences, this laptop offers great value for your money, especially when it comes to battery life and display quality.
4 / 5
Specs
The base specs are a bit weak for the price, but every configuration includes a really impressive OLED display.
3.5 / 5
Design
While the build quality could be a bit better, the keyboard, touchpad, low weight, and stellar display easily make up for it.
4 / 5
Performance
Overall performance is somewhat lackluster, but good enough for basic daily tasks and lightweight games.
3.5 / 5
Battery Life
With over 16 hours of battery life, the OmniBook 5 14-inch can easily last you all day.
5 / 5
Final Score
Despite a few flaws, this OmniBook 5 14-inch offers great value with incredible battery life and a stunning display at a relatively low price.
4 / 5
Buy the HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC if…
Battery life is your top priority The battery life on the OmniBook 5 14-inch is genuinely impressive. Depending on your usage, you can easily go a full day or possibly even two without charging.
You want an OLED display at a budget-friendly price The OmniBook 5 14-inch's OLED display is one of the best I've tested, which is surprising given this laptop's relatively low price, even for the top configuration.
Don't buy it if...
Performance is your top priority The Omnibook 5 14-inch is great for students, casual users, and lightweight work tasks, but it doesn't have the processing power for gaming or resource-intensive creative apps.
You want premium build quality This laptop's design isn't bad, but it does feel like a budget-friendly laptop, with plastic bezels and a plastic keyboard deck that gets pretty warm while charging.
How I tested the HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC
I spent about a week using the Omnibook
I mainly used it for web browsing and work-related tasks, with some light gaming
The OmniBook 5 14-inch went through our extensive battery of benchmark tests
I spent about a week using the OmniBook 5 14-inch mainly for web browsing and work-related tasks like answering emails and writing (this review included).
I also used it for watching movies and doing a bit of casual gaming. All the games I tried on the OmniBook 5 14-inch were played through Steam at native resolution with no FPS cap. With automatic graphics presets turned on, most games defaulted to low or medium graphics quality.
I've reviewed dozens of mainstream laptops, including other HP Omnibooks and budget-friendly laptops like this one. When I test these kinds of laptops, I'm looking for a good balance of price, performance, and features and considering who each laptop would be best for (or not best for) based on that price-to-performance ratio.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: One-minute review
The HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC (yes, that is its full name) has its flaws, but its strengths make those drawbacks easy to overlook. With over 16 hours of battery life, a stunning OLED display, an ultra-portable design, and an affordable starting price, it's hard not to recommend the OmniBook 5 14-inch, depending on what you're looking for in a laptop.
It starts at just $679 / £850 / AU$1,599 for a base configuration with a Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 14-inch (1920x1200) OLED display.
Somewhat frustratingly, the US base configuration only has 256GB of storage, while the UK and Australia's starting specs include 512GB of storage. Luckily, Best Buy has a middle-ground configuration for US users that offers great value for your money at just $20 more than the US base configuration.
Aside from a bit of pricing confusion, this OmniBook is a great pick for basic work and school-related tasks, especially if you want a laptop that's going to easily last all day, making it one of the best laptops for students and remote workers out there.
The lightweight design also makes this perfect for commuters. While the performance could be stronger, it's hard to complain at this price–and with such an impressive battery life.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Price & Availability
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
How much does it cost? Starting at $679 / £850 / AU$1,599
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? Directly from HP in the US, UK, and Australia, or at various retailers like Best Buy
The OmniBook 5 14-inch is available now in the US, UK, and Australia starting at $679/£850/AU$1,599 on the HP website. The base configuration in all three regions includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 CPU, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 14-inch OLED display.
The one big difference is that the US base configuration includes 256GB of storage while the UK and Australia base models have 512GB of storage.
With that said, an upgraded in-between configuration is available in the US at Best Buy for just $20 more than the base model on HP's website. That configuration has 512GB of storage and even bumps you up to a Snapdragon X Plus processor. So if you're in the US, I would definitely suggest opting for that version.
The US and UK prices for the OmniBook 5 14-inch are pretty reasonable, but the top configuration in Australia is a bit pricey for the specs you're getting (more on that below).
Value: 4 / 5
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Specs
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
Lower starting storage in the US base configuration
All configurations include an OLED display
Upgrades available for CPU, RAM, and storage
My review unit is the US top configuration of the OmniBook 5 14-inch, which is priced at $899, but the base configuration starts at $679/£850/AU$1,599. There is also a middle configuration in the US available at Best Buy for $699, which includes 512GB of storage and a Snapdragon X Plus processor.
All starting configurations include a Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor, Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, a 14-inch (1920x1200) OLED display, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. However, it's important to point out that the base model in the US only has 256GB of storage, half of what you would get in the UK and Australia, which is why I suggest going for the Best Buy configuration instead if you're in the US.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC starting configurations
Region
US
UK
Australia
Price:
$679
£850
AU$1,599
CPU:
Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100
GPU:
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Memory:
16GB
16GB
16GB
Storage:
256GB
512GB
512GB
Screen:
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
Ports:
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 5.3mm audio jack
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 5.3mm audio jack
Battery (WHr):
59 WHr
59 WHr
59 WHr
Wireless:
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Camera:
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
Weight:
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
Dimensions:
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
The top configurations of the OmniBook 5 14-inch bump you up to a Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 processor and 32GB of storage. The US and UK configurations also get 1TB of storage, which unfortunately isn't the case in Australia.
The top configurations in the US and the UK are a pretty good deal, especially if you can find them on sale, but the top specs in Australia are hard to recommend when you're not getting that storage upgrade. Even so, the improved processor and increased RAM could be worth paying extra for some users.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC Top Configurations
Region
US
UK
Australia
Price:
$899
£1,049
AU$1,999
CPU:
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100
GPU:
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Qualcomm Adreno integrated graphics
Memory:
32GB
32GB
32GB
Storage:
1TB
1TB
512GB
Screen:
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
14-inch (1920x1200) OLED
Ports:
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
1 x USB Type-A, 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
Battery (WHr):
59 WHr
59 WHr
59 WHr
Wireless:
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Camera:
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
1080p FHD IR webcam with privacy shutter
Weight:
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
2.85 lbs (1.29 kg)
Dimensions:
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
12.28 x 8.56 x 0.5 ins | (311.9 x 217.4 x 12.7 mm)
Specs: 3.5 / 5
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Design
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
Incredibly lightweight
Stellar OLED display
Build quality feels a bit low-end
The OmniBook 5 14-inch isn't pushing the envelope with its design, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's very portable, weighing in at a mere 2.85 pounds. The chassis doesn't feel "premium", with its plastic-y keyboard deck and display bezels, but the low weight helps make up for that.
Plus, it's what's on the inside that counts, which in this case is a superbly snappy keyboard. HP's laptop keyboards can be pretty hit or miss for me, but I loved typing on this one. It has just the right amount of tactile feedback and key travel without being loud. However, I wish the power button was separated from the rest of the keyboard. It matches the rest of the function-row keys except for a little LED indicator.
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The touchpad is also pretty good. Considering the price point on this OmniBook 5 14-inch, I was expecting a mushy touchpad, but I was pleasantly surprised. It might not be the best touchpad I've ever used, but it has a satisfying amount of travel and feedback just like the keyboard. The speakers are also surprisingly decent and got plenty loud enough for my needs.
The real star feature here is the OLED display. I love OLED, and this display did not disappoint. Colors really pop on it, more than you would expect from a sub-$1,000 laptop. It passed our display tests with flying colors, too, reproducing 194.5% of the sRGB color gamut and 138.4% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. I genuinely enjoyed watching shows and movies on the OmniBook 5 14-inch and even playing a few games on it because the display looks phenomenal.
Design: 4 / 5
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Performance
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
Performance could be better, but isn't bad, either
Weak graphics performance
Keeps up fine with basic daily tasks like web browsing
If you're mainly looking for a laptop for things like web browsing, replying to emails, word processing, or studying, the OmniBook 5 14-inch is definitely up to the task. This little laptop is more than capable of handling basic work or school-related tasks. I had no trouble managing over a dozen tabs on Firefox while working on the Omnibook. However, if you want to use resource-intensive apps, like Adobe Photoshop and the like, you may want to spend a little more elsewhere.
The OmniBook 5 14-inch's performance falls far short of the MacBook Air, which only costs $100 more than the top configuration. It came in over 1,000 points behind the M4 MacBook Air on the Geekbench 6 single-core test and lagged by over 3,000 points on the multi-core test. Of course, there are plenty of reasons you might not want a Mac or might simply want to save money, especially if you can find the Omnibook at a discount.
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC
MacBook Air M4 (13-inch)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 (2025)
Geekbench 6 single-core
2,414
£3,679
2,436
Geekbench 6 multi-core
11,309
14,430
11,321
Crossmark (Overall)
1,184
2,009
1,165
Crossmark (Productivity)
1,116
1,875
1,081
Crossmark (Creativity)
1,298
2,369
1,328
Crossmark (Responsiveness)
1,074
1,505
983
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
If you're only doing lightweight or web-based tasks, the OmniBook 5 14-inch's more humble performance scores probably won't be an issue, it's just worth keeping in mind. Plus, considering the starting price, it's hard to complain.
It's also worth noting that the OmniBook 5 14-inch is by no means a gaming laptop. It managed to run lightweight, 2D games fine, but really struggles with anything more. Wildfrost ran very smoothly at 60 FPS with no issues, but I was only able to get about 20 FPS in Death's Door and about 30 FPS in Risk of Rain 2. These aren't particularly demanding games, so definitely don't expect to be playing any AAA titles on the Omnibook, but games like Stardew Valley or Slay the Spire should run fine.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC: Battery Life
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
How long does it last before the battery dies? Just over 16 hours.
How long does it take to charge to 50%? About 30 minutes.
Battery life is by far the OmniBook 5 14-inch's biggest strength. It lasted a staggering 16 hours and 2 minutes in our battery test, which, for context, is 2 hours longer than the 13-inch M4 MacBook Air. While you're getting a notably less powerful processor in the Omnibook, you get really impressive battery life in exchange. For some, that could be a worthy trade-off.
My only complaint here is that the left side of the keyboard deck gets noticeably warm when the OmniBook 5 14-inch is charging. It's not uncomfortable, and you won't have to charge it often, but when you do, you can't miss how one side of your keyboard is warmer than the other.
Battery Life: 5 / 5
Should you buy the HP Omnibook 5 14 inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC?
(Image credit: Future / Stevie Bonifield)
HP Omnibook 5 14 inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC scorecard
Category
Notes
Rating
Value
Aside from a couple of quirky configuration differences, this laptop offers great value for your money, especially when it comes to battery life and display quality.
4 / 5
Specs
The base specs are a bit weak for the price, but every configuration includes a really impressive OLED display.
3.5 / 5
Design
While the build quality could be a bit better, the keyboard, touchpad, low weight, and stellar display easily make up for it.
4 / 5
Performance
Overall performance is somewhat lackluster, but good enough for basic daily tasks and lightweight games.
3.5 / 5
Battery Life
With over 16 hours of battery life, the OmniBook 5 14-inch can easily last you all day.
5 / 5
Final Score
Despite a few flaws, this OmniBook 5 14-inch offers great value with incredible battery life and a stunning display at a relatively low price.
4 / 5
Buy the HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC if…
Battery life is your top priority The battery life on the OmniBook 5 14-inch is genuinely impressive. Depending on your usage, you can easily go a full day or possibly even two without charging.
You want an OLED display at a budget-friendly price The OmniBook 5 14-inch's OLED display is one of the best I've tested, which is surprising given this laptop's relatively low price, even for the top configuration.
Don't buy it if...
Performance is your top priority The Omnibook 5 14-inch is great for students, casual users, and lightweight work tasks, but it doesn't have the processing power for gaming or resource-intensive creative apps.
You want premium build quality This laptop's design isn't bad, but it does feel like a budget-friendly laptop, with plastic bezels and a plastic keyboard deck that gets pretty warm while charging.
How I tested the HP Omnibook 5 14 Inch Laptop Next Gen AI PC
I spent about a week using the Omnibook
I mainly used it for web browsing and work-related tasks, with some light gaming
The OmniBook 5 14-inch went through our extensive battery of benchmark tests
I spent about a week using the OmniBook 5 14-inch mainly for web browsing and work-related tasks like answering emails and writing (this review included).
I also used it for watching movies and doing a bit of casual gaming. All the games I tried on the OmniBook 5 14-inch were played through Steam at native resolution with no FPS cap. With automatic graphics presets turned on, most games defaulted to low or medium graphics quality.
I've reviewed dozens of mainstream laptops, including other HP Omnibooks and budget-friendly laptops like this one. When I test these kinds of laptops, I'm looking for a good balance of price, performance, and features and considering who each laptop would be best for (or not best for) based on that price-to-performance ratio.
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Two-minute review
The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch is a high-end device, featuring a premium build and spec - with a price tag to match.
It looks very elegant, more so than other Chromebooks. It apes Apple’s MacBook line in all the right ways, with its sleek, rounded chassis and delectable materials. It’s also very thin and reasonably light, making it a cinch to carry around.
This really is one of the best Chromebook constructions I’ve seen. Every aspect screams quality, and there are a few atypical touches, such as the central protrusion on the top of lid to help with opening, and the wavy contours of the underside panel.
The lid is as smooth and as stable as I could’ve wished for, too, although it doesn’t open to a full 180 degrees. The bezel around the display is incredibly thin, which is always a positive.
You don’t get many interfaces on the Chromebook Plus 14-inch, although I was glad to see two USB-C ports, both of which can be used to charge the device and connect to external monitors, and placed either side for improved convenience. A USB-A port and a headset jack are the only others.
The Chromebook Plus 14-inch performs as well as its state-of-the-art design suggests. It can handle all manner of tasks, from light productivity to gaming, and the 16GB of RAM in my review unit made light work of multitasking.
Complementing this performance is the brilliant OLED display, which provides plenty of clarity, vibrancy, contrast, and brightness, with the latter helping to keep reflections at bay. It also has touch functionality, which works very well, if not quite on par with those on tablets and phones.
The touchpad, however, is the best I’ve used on a Chromebook: it’s unbelievably smooth, while its large dimensions and responsive inputs make navigation as easy as can be. The keyboard is also great to use, although I did have to acclimatize somewhat to the solidity of the keys themselves, but once I did, typing was an equally enjoyable experience.
Battery life is also superb, lasting about 14 hours in our movie playback test. Not many other Chromebooks can beat this, barring the odd few. It’s also very quick to charge.
All of these class-leading elements come at a price, however. The Chromebook Plus 14-inch is one of the most expensive Chromebooks around, straying into Windows-laptop territory – and ChromeOS simply can’t compete with these machines in terms of sheer versatility.
For this reason, it’s hard to recommend the Chromebook Plus 14-inch outright, unless you manage to catch it in a generous sale. But if you have your heart set on a Chromebook Plus and the money to spend, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch won’t disappoint.
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
$749.99 / £699 / AU$1,197
Available now
High end of the market
The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch costs $749.99 / £699 / AU$1,197 and is available now. Models with differing RAM and storage capacities are also available.
This is one of the most expensive Chromebooks on the market. At this price, the Chromebook Plus 14-inch rubs shoulders with some of the best laptops running Windows, which have far greater compatibility and customizability. The best value laptop as far as we’re concerned is the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, which we also compared favorably to a MacBook (specifically the Air model), owing to its thin and light design and commendable speed.
There’s also the HP Chromebook Plus 15, which we rate as the one of the best Chromebooks for students, thanks to its blistering performance by the standards of the sector. While it’s also expensive for a Chromebook, it’s still considerably cheaper than Chromebook Plus 14-inch, despite having a larger display.
Value: 2.5 / 5
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Specs
My Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review unit had 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
2x USB-C (3.2 Gen 1, PD 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x headset jack
Wireless:
MediaTek Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Camera:
5.0MP with privacy shutter
Weight:
2.78lbs (1.26kg)
Dimensions:
12.37 x 8.63 x 0.62in (314 x 219 x 16mm)
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Fabulous construction
Takes cues from MacBooks
Not many ports
The Chromebook Plus 14-inch is expertly crafted. Its Apple-inspired appearance is more than surface-deep; its build quality rivals that of the best MacBooks, even featuring its own fingerprint scanner. Further similarities lay in the Chromebook Plus 14-inch’s thin and light body, which makes it easy to travel with.
But the Chromebook Plus 14-inch has some unique aspects that set it apart slightly. There’s a bulge in the center of the lid that makes it easier to open, while the underside is crinkled – quite why, I’m not sure; but I appreciated it nonetheless, as it feels oddly satisfying to hold.
The lid hinge is engineered to a high standard as well, offering smooth yet sturdy adjustments. The bezel around the screen is minimal, which I’m always pleased to see as it allows the display to make full use of its allotted space.
Even the power adapter is well designed, forgoing the mid-cable brick that many others are saddled with. It’s still something of a wall wart, though, and the length of brick directly behind the plug might make it unsuitable for certain setups.
Thankfully, it should prove thin enough to avoid infringing upon adjacent sockets. It’s a shame the cable itself isn’t that long, but it should suffice for most setups.
There are only four ports on the Chromebook Plus 14-inch, but two of them are USB-C, and both support charging and external display connections, which helps to make up for the lack of dedicated ports for these. They’re also located on either side, which makes the Chromebook Plus 14-inch conducive to a wider variety of setups. The other two interfaces are a USB-A (on the left) and a headset jack (on the right), which are always useful additions.
Design score: 5 / 5
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Fast all-round performance
Sharp and vibrant display
Super smooth touchpad
Benchmarks
Here are the benchmark results for the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch:
TechRadar Battery Life Test: 14 hours and 4 minutes Jetstream2 Benchmark: 288.364 Kraken Benchmark: 398.8ms Speedometer 3.1: 26.6 (±0.45)
The Chromebook Plus 14-inch is an excellent performer. It can handle light productivity with ease, while the 16GB of RAM in my review unit (quite a lot for a Chromebook) meant it could multitask without issue.
It can also stream 4K content seamlessly without endless pauses for buffering, as well as run some reasonably demanding mobile games. I played Asphalt Legends on high settings and Call of Duty: Mobile on max settings, and both ran as smoothly as I could’ve wished for. Alien: Isolation was a slightly less impressive experience, but it was still just as playable.
The OLED display is glorious, and easily among the best in this sector, rendering colors with fantastic vibrancy. It also has great contrast, and although reflections can reveal themselves at points, I found there’s enough brightness to eliminate the worst of them. The 1920 x 1200 resolution is pleasingly sharp, too, especially within its 14-inch frame.
(Image credit: Future)
What’s more, the Chromebook Plus 14-inch also has touchscreen functionality. This works very well, thanks to how responsive and precise it is. It’s slightly more grabby than some of the best tablet screens, but only marginally, so keen illustrators and other stylus users will still find it smooth enough. It’s only a shame that a stylus isn’t included.
The keys on the Chromebook Plus 14-inch feel very tight and solid when pressed, which did take me some time to get used to. However, they’re incomparably stable, and their relatively deep indentations provide plenty of security and tactility.
With all this said, they still have a short and snappy actuation, and offer plenty of feedback thanks to their dampening. They’re also backlit, which is somewhat of a rarity on Chromebooks.
If anything, the touchpad on the Chromebook Plus 14-inch is even better. It has the silkiest surface of any Chromebook touchpad I’ve used, which makes gestures and navigation effortless. The latter is further aided by its relatively large size, too.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch review: Battery life
(Image credit: Future)
The Chromebook Plus 14-inch has an exceptional battery life. It managed to last 14 hours when I played a movie on repeat from a full charge. This eclipses many of its rivals, including the HP Chromebook Plus 15, which only managed close to 11 hours.
However, it can’t beat the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook with its score of 16-plus hours, nor can it outlast the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, which achieved over 18 hours. It’s quick to charge, though, taking just 100 minutes to top up completely.
Battery life: 4.5 / 5
Should I buy the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
It’s one of the most expensive Chromebooks around, and comes dangerously close to mid-range Windows laptops.
2.5 / 5
Design
It’s hard to fault any aspect of its construction, and there are a few unique touches that only make it better.
5 / 5
Performance
There’s little the Chromebook Plus 14-inch can’t handle, from productivity and browsing to streaming and gaming.
5 / 5
Battery life
The Chromebook Plus 14-inch can outlast many of its rivals, with only a few exceptions.
4.5 / 5
Total Score
Chromebooks don’t come much better than this, but you’ll have to pay dear for the privilege – at which point non-ChromeOS devices might make more sense.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want the best Chromebook design I haven’t come across a Chromebook built as well as this before; it’s just so thin and so premium.
You want the best Chromebook performance Its powerful ARM CPU and 16GB of RAM make light work of all kinds of tasks, including 4K streaming and light gaming. The keyboard, touchpad, and touchscreen are all excellent to use as well.
Don't buy it if...
You’re on a budget The Chromebook Plus 14-inch tops the Chromebook Plus market, and even encroaches on the Windows laptop space, which is a daring move.
You want plenty of connections With only four ports – three of which are USB – those after more dedicated interfaces will be disappointed.
2x USB-C (3.2 Gen 1, PD 3.0, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-A (3.2 Gen 1), 1x headset jack
1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio
2x USB-C 4, 1x USB 3.2, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio jack
Wireless:
MediaTek Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
MediaTek Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Camera:
5.0MP with privacy shutter
1080p FHD camera with privacy shutter
1080p at 30 fps FHD RGB,720p at 30 fps IR
Weight:
2.78lbs (1.26kg)
3.81lbs (1.73kg)
3.17lbs (1.40kg)
Dimensions:
12.37 x 8.63 x 0.62in (314 x 219 x 16mm)
14.28 x 9.5 x 0.78in (363 x 242 x 20mm)
0.58 ~ 0.0.62 x 12.36 x 8.81in (14.69 ~ 15.64 x 314 x 223.75mm)
Here are some equally-capable alternatives to the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14-inch:
HP Chromebook Plus 15 If you’re in the market for a similarly capable Chromebook Plus, but don’t want to spend quite as much, the HP Chromebook Plus fits the bill. It matches the Chromebook Plus 14-inch for performance, and while its design and display aren’t quite as spectacular, the HP Chromebook Plus is still at the top of its class.
Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 The premium price tag of the Chromebook Plus 14-inch means it competes with some Windows machines, including the Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, which is one of the best value laptops around. It has a similar spec to the Chromebook Plus 14-inch – it likewise utilizes an ARM chip and 16GB of RAM – which means it can handle the same tasks. However, its display is even sharper, and crucially it runs Windows, which is far more versatile than ChromeOS will likely ever be.
I tested the Chromebook Plus 14-inch for a couple of days, during which time I used it for all manner of tasks, from productivity and browsing to streaming and gaming.
I also ran our series of benchmark tests for Chromebooks, and put its battery life through its paces by running a movie on a continuous loop.
I have plenty of Chromebook experience, having owned and reviewed a number of them. I’ve also owned and reviewed other laptops and even tablets, so I know how they compare to Android, Windows, and macOS devices.
The new Razer Blade 14 (2025) really wants to be the ultimate portable gaming laptop, and after spending two weeks with it, I can say it mostly succeeds.
Packed into a lightweight 14-inch aluminum chassis, the Blade 14 houses the latest specs you can get for a 14-inch form factor, including AMD’s new Ryzen AI 9 365 processor and up to an Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU.
Those updated specs come at a price though, as the model I tested cost $2,699.99 / £2,299.99 / AU$4,144.95 (equipped with an RTX 5070, 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD). Entry-level models start around $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95, while top-end configs climb as high as $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95.
What impressed me most wasn’t just raw gaming power—it was how well this machine stayed cool and quiet under load.
Running Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing at 1800p, I averaged around 50 FPS with DLSS and frame generation enabled, though to be honest, you’ll likely want to tone down the RT if you’re gaming at max resolution for best results, regardless of title. For most of the titles tested, you can comfortably get over 60 FPS at 1800p resolution without ray tracing, or about 60 FPS with ray tracing if you use DLSS upscaling.
Equally impressive is the OLED 2.8K 120Hz display. Colors popped, response times were lightning fast, and the DCI-P3 coverage made both games and creative work shine. Add in six surprisingly loud, clear speakers, and I found myself reaching for headphones less often.
The battery life on the Blade 14 isn’t great, lasting about five to six hours in my day-to-day work mix—emails, writing, streaming, light Photoshop—before I needed a charger. While this is pretty decent for a gaming laptop,it’s still not great for day-to-day productivity.
Design-wise, there’s not much to knock here other than the somewhat shallow keyboard and a chassis that picks up fingerprints pretty much instantly. Performance-wise, you’re almost certainly going to get a better value out of Razer’s various rivals, who often offer more raw power for less money. But as a total package, the Razer Blade 14 (2025) easily contends as the best gaming laptop released this year, even if it isn’t spotless.
Razer Blade 14 (2025): Price & availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much does it cost? Starting at $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? You can buy it in the US, UK, and Australia through Razer’s website and other retailers.
The Razer Blade 14 (2025) is available now, starting at $2,299.99 / £1,999.99 / AU$3,599.95, coming in with an entry-level RTX 5060 GPU, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
My review unit, which comes with an RTX 5070 GPU, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD, comes in at $2,699.99 / £2,399.99 / AU$4,144.95. The top-spec config bumps up the storage to 2TB and the memory up to 64GB for $2,999.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,899.95.
It’s available in the US, UK, and Australia directly from Razer’s website, as well as major regional retailers like Best Buy and Currys.
Understandably, the Blade 14 isn’t going to be making any best cheap gaming laptop lists anytime soon, given the laptop's premium pedigree, but it's still very expensive for what you're getting. A laptop like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which starts off about $200 cheaper at $2,099.99 in the US (though it is tougher to find in the UK at the moment, and what models are available in Australia end up being more expensive). The US starting configuration for the Zephyrus G14 does get you a better RTX 5070 GPU compared to the Blade 14's RTX 5060 starting GPU. You can also get up to an RTX 5080 on the Zephyrus G14, for some serious portable gaming power that simply isn't available on the Blade 14.
You’re ultimately paying the Razer tax here if you opt for the Blade 14, but if you want a Razer Blade laptop, this is pretty much par for the course, and there's no denying the laptop's other premium qualities that it brings to the table. Just be prepared to pay the higher bill at the end.
Also, in the US and UK, you have the option to select the Mercury colorway rather than the classic Razer Black, though it is only available on the RTX 5070/1TB SSD/32GB RAM configuration.
Value: 3.5 / 5
Razer Blade 14 (2025): Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Up to RTX 5070 GPU, 2TB SSD, and 64GB RAM
AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor
Not upgradeable and not a whole lot of configuration options
The starting configuration of the Razer Blade 14 (2025) gives you the essentials for modern portable gaming: an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU, 16GB LPDDR5-8000MT/s RAM, and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. That’s more than enough for strong performance in esports and AAA titles at 1080p, high settings, and medium raytracing enabled when using upscaling, but storage will feel tight if you're planning on installing a lot of big games.
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
Battery
72WHr
72WHr
72WHr
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Camera
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
Weight
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
Dimensions
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
The top configuration quadruples the available memory and doubles the storage over the base spec while bumping the GPU up to an RTX 5070 GPU. That makes it a very solid mobile workstation for creatives in addition to being a fantastic 1440p gaming platform in an impressively thin 14-inch form factor.
The one knock I do have on the max spec is that other thin and light gaming laptops, like the Zephyrus G14, do manage to give you options for the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080, so those who want even more power do have alternatives to the Blade 14.
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
Battery
72WHr
72WHr
72WHr
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Camera
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
Weight
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
Dimensions
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
My review unit fell somewhere in between, with 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. Of the available configuration options, it offers what I think is the best balance between cost and performance.
With this setup, I never worried about performance bottlenecks in games or creative workloads, and the 1TB drive gave me enough space for my go-to Steam titles, currently Helldivers 2, Satisfactory, and a heavily modded Baulder's Gate 3. But unless you're loading up on small indie titles, you can expect to have to do some storage juggling for this configuration.
It's also worth noting that this laptop is not easily upgradable, and the RAM here is soldered. There are also a limited number of configuration options to choose from, so it's not a very customizable laptop, opting for the MacBook route rather than a more DIY approach.
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C (Power, DP2.1 , Data), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD Card Reader, 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack
Battery
72WHr
72WHr
72WHr
Wireless
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Camera
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
1080p IR w/ Windows Hello
Weight
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
3.59 lbs | 1.63 kg
Dimensions
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
12.23 x 8.83 x 0.64 ins | 310.7 x 224.3 x 16.2mm
Specs: 4 / 5
Razer Blade 14 (2025): Design
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Thinner and lighter than Blade 14 2024
OLED Display
Black finish is a fingerprint magnet
The Blade 14 (2025) doesn't take any real risks with the design of the iconic laptop model, being more of a modest refinement of Razer's aesthetic.
The biggest move here is the display, which is a gorgeous-looking OLED panel rather than the more standard IPS of the Razer Blade 14 (2024). It also comes in thinner and lighter than last year's model, managing to shave off nearly half a pound of weight (about 0.2kg) and shrink its height by just over half an inch (nearly 2mm).
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The CNC-machined aluminum chassis feels solid in the hands, with zero flex in the lid or keyboard deck. It carries that understated “MacBook for gamers” vibe that a number of the best thin and light gaming laptops hope to hit but often fall short of reaching.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The matte black colorway on my review model looks sleek, but it attracts fingerprints almost instantly. I didn’t particularly care all that much, but if you do, expect to be wiping this laptop down almost constantly if you're sticking with the Razer Black finish.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Port selection is generous for such a compact laptop: two USB4 (with PD, DP2.1, and data), a pair of USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI 2.1 output ports, and a microSD card reader, something creatives will appreciate.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The keyboard offers per-key RGB customization through Razer Synapse, so you have lots of options for customizing the lighting design to your liking. While twinkly, the shallow 1mm key travel left typing feeling somewhat flat compared to a competing MacBook Pro or Lenovo Legion laptop, though the keyboard does feel more comfortable than that of the Dell 14 Premium.
The touchpad, by contrast, is excellent—large, smooth, and every bit as responsive as you’d find on the best MacBook.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The six-speaker setup also deserves mention. I've been on a The Sword kick lately, and their entire catalog sounded fantastic, filling the room with surprising depth. Meanwhile, the chaos of Helldiver 2's recent updates never sounded better, making it one of the few gaming laptops where I felt I didn't need to bother with an external speaker or headphones.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The 1080p IR webcam is great, but the lack of a physical privacy shutter isn't, though you do get the enhanced security of Windows Hello.
Like Razer Blade 14s of the past though, the design of this laptop doesn't lend itself to much upgradability, so if you're hoping to spec-up in the future, you'll need to plan for that at checkout before you buy and configure it for the long-haul.
Design: 4.5 / 5
Razer Blade 14 (2025): Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Phenomenal gaming performance
Outstanding creative performance
Not always an improvement over previous-gen models
Day to day, the Blade 14 felt like a solid desktop PC stuffed into a svelte, lightweight 14-inch frame, making it easy to carry around with me and get things done on the go.
Over the course of about three weeks (including one week of dedicated benchmark testing), I used it for writing, photo editing, and heavy multitasking and didn't experience any real hiccups. Even with my downright abusive Chrome-tab-habits, adding Spotify streaming to the mix and some Photoshop and Lightroom exporting sent to the background, the Blade 14 (2025) stayed fluid and never stuttered.
In my CPU benchmarks, the new Blade 14 generally outclassed its predecessors, and while it doesn't really compete with the performance of the Apple M4 chip for professional workloads, it does generally come in second against Apple's best mobile workstation.
Naturally, the upgraded Nvidia RTX 5070 GPU in the new Blade 14 beats the last two Blade 14 models, both of which we reviewed with an RTX 4070 GPU. There aren't a lot of tests where we can use for an apples-to-razers comparison of the GPU in the MacBook Pro 14 and Blade 14, unfortunately, but at least in the cross-platform 3DMark Steel Nomad, it's not even a contest, as the Blade 14's RTX 5070 GPU scores about 3.6x better in this synthetic GPU test.
In terms of creative performance, the Blade 14 2025 more than holds its own against its predecessors and its main rival amongst the best Windows laptops for creatives, the Dell 14 Premium, falling behind only the MacBook Pro 14 in my Crossmark Creativity testing, and even then, not by much.
When it came to gaming, though, the Blade 14 really impressed me. At its native 2880×1800 resolution, Games like F1 2024 and Helldivers 2 ran well into the high double and even triple digits on ultra settings with balanced DLSS (not counting Frame Generation), while games like Satisfactory (my personal go-to) stayed above 100 FPS constantly.
Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing at 1080p pushed the GPU hard, averaging around 50 FPS, but enabling DLSS 4's Transformer model made it silky smooth at 1080p and very playable at 1440p, hovering between 50-80 FPS depending on the DLSS setting used.
Since the base frame rates are north of 50 FPS when using DLSS, you can turn on Frame Generation as well to push that FPS higher to max out the display's 120Hz refresh without having to worry about input latency, which wasn't noticeable in my time gaming on the laptop when I used the feature.
The key standout for me though wasn’t just raw average framerates—it was stability on the low-end. Minimum frame rates on just about every game I tested with balanced upscaling were well north of 50 FPS unless I did something like trying to run Cyberpunk 2077 on its max settings with Ray Tracing Overdrive at native resolution.
This means that for pretty much any title, you're going to get exceptionally smooth gameplay on the go, which is what a laptop like this is really all about.
Performance: 5 / 5
Razer Blade 14 (2025): Battery Life
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How long does it last on a single charge? It lasted about five hours on my standard 'performance' test settings
Proprietary charger required to charge it quickly, but you can use USB4 for slower charging
The battery life on the Blade 14 2025 isn't fantastic, but it's pretty solid for a gaming laptop, especially with some power-saving tweaks.
In my normal test settings, with max resolution and frame rate with the laptop set to Windows 11 Performance mode, the Blade 14 2025 fell behind a lot of other competing 14-inch laptops on the market, as well as its two immediate predecessors, with an average battery life of just five hours and one minute in our Web Surfing test.
It manages to do a little bit better on the gaming battery test, though it still lags behind its immediate predecessors. One thing to consider though is that of all the 14-inch laptops I tested here, only the Dell 14 Premium has an OLED panel to match what the Blade 14 is sporting, while the earlier Blade 14s and the MacBook Pro aren't bogged down by the OLED display's higher power consumption.
It is worth noting though that slowing down the refresh rate to 60Hz rather than 120Hz and you turn off the RGB lighting on the keydeck, you can stretch this battery life out to over eight hours.
Also, the Blade 14 2025 comes with a proprietary charging brick and port for the fastest charging and best plugged-in performance while gaming, but the USB4 ports do allow for USB-C charging, just at a slower rate.
Battery Life: 3.5 / 5
Should you buy the Razer Blade 14 (2025)?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Razer Blade 14 (2025) Scorecard
Category
Notes
Rating
Value
You are absolutely paying the Razer tax here, and you can get the same performance from other laptops for cheaper.
3.5 / 5
Specs
The specs are fairly solid for this laptop, but the lack of upgradability and high-end specs allow rivals to swoop in and offer more for enthusiast gamers.
4 / 5
Design
The Blade 14 2025 doesn't disappoint with its design, slimming down over the previous year and keeping true to its iconic style.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Fantastic performance all around makes this one of the best gaming laptops for on-the-go PC gamers who don't want to fuss with a PC gaming handheld.
5 / 5
Battery Life
The OLED panel on this laptop absolutely tanks its battery life, and anyone needing a work laptop for longevity are better off with a Snapdragon X Elite-powered system or a MacBook Pro 14.
3.5 / 5
Final Score
Overall, between iconic style and fantastic performance, the Blade 14 is a phenomenal slim and light gaming laptop, though it'd be great if it was just a bit cheaper considering its rivals can offer similar or better performance for less.
4.5 / 5
Buy the Razer Blade 14 (2025) if...
You want the best design the iconic Razer style can offer The Blade 14 (2025) truly is the MacBook of gaming laptops, with a thinner and lighter form factor than last year.
You want the best OLED gaming laptop going The OLED panel on the Blade 14 is fantastic, beating out mini-LED rivals and absolutely burying IPS laptops without breaking a sweat.
You want the perfect balance of performance and portability If what you care about most is getting the fastest frame rates possible in your games, the Blade 14 won't beat any current S-tier gaming laptops, but if you're looking to maximize performance and portability, you'll find few better than the Blase 14 2025.
Don't buy it if...
You want desktop-replacement class performance The Blade 14's performance is great, but if you're looking for face-melting framerates, a laptop with a RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 will be a better option.
You're on a budget This laptop starts at two grand and only gets more expensive the better its configuration. A cheap laptop, this is not.
You don't want to deal with the quirks of OLED care OLED displays are gorgeous, but they suffer from burn-in over time, which might be a dealbreaker for anyone looking to use this laptop for more than 3-4 years.
Also consider
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is one of the best gaming laptops in this size, and it offers higher-level configurations than the Blade 14 2025 can, while its entry-level model comes in cheaper than the Blade 14.
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) Creative professionals who might be considering the Blade 14 2025 will almost always get better creative performance from the MacBook Pro 14-inch across non-3D-modeling workloads, like video editing and photography.
I spent about three weeks with the Razer Blade 14 (2025)
I used it for everyday gaming, work, and creative tasks
I ran it through our standard suite of benchmark tests
I had the chance to test out the Razer Blade 14 2025 for about three weeks, which is about 50% longer than I usually have to devote to a single laptop review, so I really got to know this laptop.
I used it for day-to-day writing tasks (including drafting this review), as well as general productivity and creative work, including Adobe Photoshop for editing the photos shown above.
For gaming, I used it extensively as my primary gaming device, focusing on more demanding titles like Helldivers 2, Satisfactory, as well as more requirement-friendly titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong.
I've reviewed dozens of gaming laptops for TechRadar over the course of half a decade, ranging from the very best desktop replacements to the best budget gaming laptops, so I know what the market has to offer. I leverage that insight and expertise to help readers by offering the best advice I can on what gaming laptops offer the best value, and which are worth the splurge.
The Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) is a mid-range laptop with AI capabilities that aim to streamline advanced tasks without compromising processing power.
It looks smart and sleek with its minimal design. The blue colorway of my review unit also added an element of vibrancy to proceedings, offering something a little different from the usual black and silver finishes.
It’s also very light and thin, which makes it easy to use and carry around. The bezel around the screen is very small, too, which helps to maximize the size of the display.
The materials feel premium enough, especially the keys, but it’s not the sturdiest unit. There’s a considerable amount of flex to the lid and chassis, falling some way short of the best laptop constructions.
As you’d expect given its name, there are various AI features in the Aspire 14 AI (2025). However, there aren’t as many as you might think, with the flagship app appearing to be Acer LiveArt – a disappointingly basic image editing suite.
The AI apps run fairly smoothly in the main, though, and the Aspire 14 AI (2025) performs everyday tasks quite well, from productivity and browsing to streaming. However, it can succumb to the occasional slowdown and lag, and doesn’t handle 4K content particularly well. More strenuous tasks, such as gaming, are beyond it, as you might expect given the middling GPU it’s saddled with.
(Image credit: Future)
What’s more, there’s a pretty consistent fan noise, even during moderate workloads, which increases the harder the Aspire 14 AI (2025) is pushed. I also noticed a strange rattling sound at times, which was slightly concerning.
The display is more impressive, providing plenty of sharpness and brightness. Colors are rendered quite well, too, although they’re not the most vivid, with some of its rivals achieving greater saturation.
The keyboard is mostly pleasant to use, thanks in no small part to the sizable and generously spaced keys. The trackpad is smooth enough, but taps and clicks lack consistency and feedback.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Aspire 14 AI (2025) is the battery life. It lasted 22 hours in our movie playback test, which trounces most of the competition, even at the top end of the market.
Ultimately, the Aspire 14 AI (2025) ends up being a somewhat underwhelming laptop considering its price tag. You might be better off paying a little more to have a laptop with a better design and overall performance.
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) review: Price & Availability
Starts from £699 / AU$1,399
Currently unavailable in the US
Well-price for the spec
The Aspire 14 AI (2025) starts from £699 / AU$1,399 and is available now in various finishes. It can be configured with 512GB or 1TB of storage. Currently, the only model available in the US is the larger Aspire 16 AI.
On the face of it, this is a reasonable price for a laptop with this spec. But it does face some stern competitors who, despite being a bit more expensive, might represent better value, all things considered.
Take the Microsoft Surface Laptop: this starts at $899.99 / £1,039 / AU$1,498, and while it has a similar everyday performance to the Aspire 14 AI (2025) and a marginally shorter – but still impressive – battery life, it’s built to a higher standard and more enjoyable to use in our view.
Similarly, there’s also the Dell Inspiron 14. Again, this is more expensive than the Aspire 14 AI (2025), but its everyday performance is better – although it still can’t handle the most intensive workloads, like video editing and AAA gaming. It too has an impressive battery life, although it’s still not quite as enduring as that of the Aspire 14 AI (2025).
Value: 3.5 / 5
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) review: Specs
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) Specs
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) Base Config
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) Max Config
Price
$TBA / £699 / AU$1,399
$TBA / £749 (about AU$1570)
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 (8 cores), 3GHz
Qualcomm Snapdragon X X1-26-100 (8 cores), 3GHz
GPU
Qualcomm Adreno GPU (shared memory)
Qualcomm Adreno GPU (shared memory)
RAM
16GB LPDDR5X
16GB LPDDR5X
Storage
512GB PCI Express NVMe 4.0 (M.2)
1TB PCI Express NVMe 4.0 (M.2)
Display
14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200), 16:10, Active Matrix TFT LCD, IPS, 120Hz
14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200), 16:10, Active Matrix TFT LCD, IPS, 120Hz
The Aspire 14 AI (2025) is very portable, even for a 14-inch laptop, thanks to its light and slender frame, free from any bulges or protrusions. This also adds to its sleek appearance. The dark blue colorway of my review unit suited it very well, and helped distinguish it from the monochromatic homogeneity of the sector.
The lid is easy to open, yet offers sufficient stability. Pleasingly, it also reclines all the way back by 180 degrees, making it versatile for various stands and setups.
Instead of four feet, the Aspire 14 AI (2025) features two long bars running across its width, with the rear one being taller than the front. They don’t provide as much grip as more traditional rubber feet, but they suffice for keeping the Aspire 14 AI (2025) stable while in use. What’s more, some may find this lack of traction preferable, as it makes the laptop easier to slide around on a given surface.
Build quality is good in places, such as the keyboard, with the plastics looking and feeling premium. I also appreciated the very thin bezel around the screen, which serves to maximize the full real estate.
However, there’s a considerable amount of flex to the chassis and the lid, which is somewhat disconcerting. It’s probably not one to take on more extreme adventures – it’s certainly no match for the best rugged laptop units in this regard – but it should suffice for basic travel.
(Image credit: Future)
As for software, the Aspire 14 AI (2025) is mercifully free from bloatware – although that statement largely depends on how you feel about AI features. Thankfully, those that are installed are unintrusive and only there if you need them.
The included AI features of the Aspire 14 AI (2025) are mainly confined to image and video editing, courtesy of Acer LiveSense. This app has some very basic image editing and webcam effects to play around with, but to call this an AI feature is a stretch. Its generative features boil down to buttons that open Microsoft's Copilot app instead.
If you want more AI offerings from Acer than those preinstalled, you’ll have to download Acer Intelligence Space, which acts as a hub for its suite of AI apps. However, I couldn’t get this to install on my unit, with the app failing to appear once the installer had finished running.
As a side note, if you’re looking to install third-party apps, keep in mind that the Aspire 14 AI (2025) uses an ARM processor, so you may run into compatibility issues. Check with the software provider where you can to determine suitability for the architecture.
There’s a well-judged selection of ports on the Aspire 14 AI (2025). It features two USB-C ports, both of which employ the Thunderbolt 4 standard. These are both located on the left-hand side, in front of the HDMI 2.1 port and USB-A port, which may prove inconvenient for certain setups, since you’ll need to connect the power adapter to one of them.
On the right you’ll find a USB-A port, followed by a headset jack and a microSD slot. It’s a shame there isn’t at least one more port on this side, but this is a minor complaint.
Design: 3.5/ 5
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
Reasonable workaday performance
AI apps eat memory
Noisy even under moderate loads
The performance of the Aspire 14 AI (2025) is good, if nothing spectacular. It can handle most everyday tasks, including word processing, spreadsheet editing, and video streaming, although 4K content can result in significant pauses for buffering. There were also a few occasions where it was a little sluggish, such as when waking from sleep.
The AI apps and features run well enough, although they do tend to eat up a considerable amount of memory, despite the 16GB of RAM on board. Models with more would be preferable to deal with such workloads on a regular basis.
Even under moderate loads, the fans of the Aspire 14 AI (2025) are audible. The noise isn’t too loud or shrill, but it’s still noticeable and unexpected. The volume does increase with heavier tasking, though – but at least the unit remains cool throughout.
I also noticed a strange rattling sound at times, as if some part was loose and vibrating. Pressing the offending area fixed the issue temporarily, but this speaks further to the less-than-stellar build quality of the Aspire 14 AI (2025).
(Image credit: Future)
Intensive tasks are beyond the Aspire 14 AI (2025). It doesn’t handle gaming very well, even when playing moderately demanding titles with modest settings. I encountered severe stuttering and lag when playing Counter-Strike 2 on the Medium preset, rendering it virtually unplayable; this certainly isn’t a device to replace the best gaming laptops.
The 1920 x 1200 display is sharp and renders colors quite well, although it’s not the most vibrant you’ll ever see. It has high levels of brightness, too, which helps to keep reflections at bay.
The keys are large and generously spaced, which makes them easy to type with. They lack the feedback and satisfying feel of the best laptops for writers, and the omission of a number pad might deter those after maximum productivity, but for basic note taking and essay writing, the keyboard should suffice.
The trackpad manages to stay out of the way while typing for the most part, with it refraining from registering palm contact. It’s smooth and pleasingly large, but the taps are a little inconsistent, and the click feels quite nasty and lacks feedback, making it awkward to use for constant navigation around documents and web pages.
Performance: 3.5 / 5
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) review: Battery Life
(Image credit: Future)
Incredible longevity
Beats all the competition
The battery life of the Aspire 14 AI (2025) is very impressive. During our movie playback test, it managed to last an incredible 22 hours – a few hours shy of Acer’s 28-hour claim, but this is forgivable given there are very few rivals that can match this kind of endurance.
It trounces even more premium laptops, such as the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) (the best student laptop in our view), which only managed a little over 14 hours. The Microsoft Surface Laptop managed just over 17 hours, while the Dell Inspiron 14 Plus lasted over 18 hours.
Battery Life: 5 / 5
Should I buy the Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025)?
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) Scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Value
It’s at the lower end of the mid-range pack, but there are perhaps better value alternatives.
3.5 / 5
Design
It’s light and slender, but hardly the most solid. The included AI software is poor.
3.5 / 5
Performance
It’ll suffice for everyday tasks and productivity, but more serious workloads are beyond it. The display is bright and clear.
3.5 / 5
Battery Life
You’ll struggle to find many laptops that can last as long as the Aspire 14 AI (2025).
5 / 5
Total
The Aspire 14 AI (2025) is somewhat inconsistent, with great portability and battery life, but middling performance and build quality. There are better options if you’re prepared to pay a bit more.
3.5 / 5
Buy the Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) if...
You want the best battery life The battery life of the Aspire 14 AI (2025) is truly phenomenal – no other laptop can beat it.
You want something easy to use The light and thin chassis makes this easy to carry around, and the 180-degree folding display makes it versatile, too.
Don't buy it if...
You want the strongest build The Aspire 14 AI (2025) is far from the sturdiest laptop out there, so best kept out of intrepid situations.
You want the best performance For everyday tasks you should be fine, but it can’t handle demanding workloads. It can get noisy, too.
Acer Aspire 14 AI (2025) review: Also Consider
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch As the best Windows 11 laptop in our eyes, the Surface Laptop is a great all-rounder. It’s better made than the Aspire 14 AI (2025), and although its battery life is shorter, it’s still top-tier. The starting price is higher, but you get a laptop that equates to better all-round value.
Dell 14 Plus If you’re looking for another affordable yet capable laptop, the 14 Plus fits the bill very well. This has a more impressive performance, and yet again has a battery that’ll last all day and then some.
I tested the Aspire 14 AI (2025) for a few days, using it for productivity, entertainment, and general browsing.
I did plenty of typing and content streaming, and even tested its gaming credentials. I also ran our series of benchmarks to assess various aspects of its performance, and made sure to use as many of its in-built AI apps and features as I could.
I have reviewed many laptops before, ranging in their price points and usage types. I’ve also used them consistently for decades for all manner of tasks.
