Best Laptops (2026): My Top Recommendations After Testing Hundreds
WIRED’s reviewer names the Apple MacBook Air (M5, 2026) as the best overall laptop after extensive testing, with the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 presented as the leading Windows alternative.
– Apple MacBook Air (M5, 2026): praised for strong everyday performance, long battery life, premium build quality and a fanless thin design; its price has risen from $1,099 to $1,299.
– HP OmniBook Ultra 14: recommended for Windows users, particularly in its Snapdragon X2 Elite, 32-GB RAM and OLED configuration; strengths include build quality, ports and display, while the glossy screen is notably reflective.
- MacBook Air remains WIRED’s top general laptop recommendation.
- Price rises make its $1,299 cost a drawback.
- HP OmniBook Ultra 14 is the preferred Windows alternative.