Best Top 10 Laptops for 2021
Since many of us are either studying or working from home, buying a laptop can seem like a daunting task. It is a long-term investment, but you would like to get a laptop that suits your individual needs without breaking the bank. Look no further than our list of best laptops! Have no fear, as here at the best laptops for all ages and budgets.
1. Acer 3 Swift (2020)
The Acer 3 Swift is overall, the best laptop for 2021. It is affordable, without breaking the bank, and powerful enough to handle daily tasks, including document creation and web browsing.
| Pros: | Cons: |
· Affordable · Powerful to handle daily tasks – i.e., documentation creation or web browsing · Thin & light to carry around · 12-13 hours of battery (until needing to be charged) | · Not the most powerful laptop in terms of performance according to some reviews · Cannot handle games · Software utilities need to be reorganised |
Specification for you:
| CPU: | 11th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 |
| GRAPHICS: | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| RAM: | up to 16GB LPDDR4X |
| SCREEN: | Screen: 13.5” 3:2 IPS VertiView Display or 14” 16:9 FHD IPS |
| STORAGE | up to 1TB PCIe Gen SSD |
| CONNECTIVITY | dual-band Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (GIG+) (802.11ax) Comes with USB 3.2 Gen 3 PORT |
| SECURITY: | Yes, embedded fingerprint reader, voice activation, Cortana Personal Digital Assistant. |
| PRICE RANGE | $797.00 – $1399.00AUD (VIA AMAZON) |
2. Acer Chromebook 314
The Acer Chromebook 314 offers excellent value for money with its long battery life, performance, and size – not to mention it is also affordable, so a good choice in our list of laptops! If you are looking for a comfy laptop, this Chromebook has 14-inch range display, as well as having two USB Type-C ports for flexible connectivity for quick and fast data transfer, video streaming and battery charging. This baby also has Gigabit Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi 5 to deliver faster content to you!
Pros: | Cons: |
· Reasonably priced · Keyboard is comfortable – for typing · Good for streaming services · 12-hour battery life (until needing to charge) · Bright and vibrant 14-inch display | · Note: Chrome OS does not run all the programs that you would usually get on Windows 10, however there is alternative applications. |
Specifications for you:
CPU: | Intel Celeron N4000 |
GRAPHICS: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
RAM: | 4GB |
SCREEN: | 14-inch LED (1366 x 768) high definition |
STORAGE | 32GB eMMC |
CONNECTIVITY | Gigabit Wi-Fi 2×2 802.11ac 160 MHz (1,733 Mbps) & Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
SECURITY: | Yes, embedded fingerprint reader, voice activation, Cortana Personal Digital Assistant. Chrome OS |
PRICE RANGE: | $392.18 – $482.95AUD (VIA AMAZON) |
3. Google Pixelbook Go
“The Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook money can buy right now – which also makes it one of the best student laptops as well. While the Acer Chromebook 314 is higher up on this list because of its ultra-low price, the Pixelbook Go is the better all-round Chromebook, packing a premium design and powerful components that would shame many Windows 10 laptops.”
Pros: | Cons: |
· Fantastic battery life · Keyboard and touchpad · Excellent Webcam for Remote learning or working | · Slightly more expensive than other Chromebooks |
Specifications for you:
CPU: | Intel Core i3 – i7 |
GRAPHICS: | Intel UHD Graphics 615 (300MHz |
RAM: | 8GB – 16GB |
SCREEN: | Full HD Display – 4K Ultra HD Molecular Display |
STORAGE | 64GB – 256GB |
CONNECTIVITY | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
SECURITY: | Uses Chrome OS. No biometric login |
PRICE RANGE: | $1,425.23 – $2,554.77 AUD (via Amazon) |
Apple, Chromebook or PC. There is a lot of choice for different laptops. It is recommended to choose a laptop you find easy to use and that has the features you use most.
4. MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
The best MacBook for students
CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU | Graphics: Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU | RAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memory | Screen: 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina display | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
By the end of 2020, Apple took a huge risk with the M1-powered MacBook Air. Rather than using a chip by Intel, Apple created its own chip – which has paid off massively. This laptop provides beats previous older MacBook airs, with excellent performance also runs iOS apps!
Pros: | Cons: |
· Fast and responsive · Battery life is great · Silent in use · Screen Support P3 Colour Gamut (Good for Photography or Video Editing) | · Screen Brightness drains battery life · More expensive than other laptops, but cheapest way to get a MacBook · Light on ports |
Specifications for you:
CPU: | Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU |
GRAPHICS: | Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU |
RAM: | 8GB – 16GB unified memory |
SCREEN: | 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina display |
STORAGE | 256GB – 2TB SSD |
CONNECTIVITY | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
SECURITY: | macOS & driver encryption |
PRICE RANGE: | S1,499.00 AUD (via Amazon) |
We hope our list of laptops make it easier for you to choose one to suit your needs
5. Microsoft Surface Go 2
If you are seeking a laptop that can also be used as a tablet, then the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is an excellent choice. Offering a premium design and it is also affordable, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is more than capable of helping you with any task – from researching on the web to writing up documents to creating presentation via Microsoft Office which also runs Windows 10.
It’s recommended that you go for the keyboard attachment so you can comfortably type up emails and watch TV at home!
Pros: | Cons: |
· Affordable · Can run full Windows 10 · No Touch Cover or stylus included · Excellent webcam | · Performance doesn’t impress
|
Specifications for you:
CPU: | 8th Gen Intel Core m3 – Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4425Y |
GRAPHICS: | Intel HD Graphics 615 |
RAM: | 4GB – 8GB |
SCREEN: | 10.5” 1920 x 1280 (220 PPI) PixelSense Display |
STORAGE | 64GB eMMC – 128GB SSD |
CONNECTIVITY | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 LTE Modem |
SECURITY: | UEFI on Surface devices |
PRICE RANGE: | S479.00 – S668.89 AUD (Via Amazon) |
6. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 has a 2-in-one feature. This means you can work on it as a traditional laptop, and then turn it into a tablet-like device for certain tasks. It’s convertible – it flips backwards, as well as a ‘tent’ mode for any binge-watching on Netflix for some relaxation time, a feature not all laptops on this list have and one definitely worth considering.
Easy to carry, compactable, and excellent value. This is an excellent buy of one of the best laptops for anyone in 2021.
Pros: | Cons: |
· Solid battery life (15 hours) · Exceptional keyboard · Easy to carry | · May look dated · No USB 3.0 Type-A port |
Specifications for you:
CPU: | Intel Celeron N4000 |
GRAPHICS: | Intel UHD Graphics 600 |
RAM: | 4GB |
SCREEN: | 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 IPS touchscreen |
STORAGE | 64GB Flash Memory |
CONNECTIVITY | (Wi-Fi) IEEE 802.11ac |
SECURITY: | Chrome OS, Yes, embedded fingerprint reader, voice activation, Cortana Personal Digital Assistant. |
PRICE RANGE: | $386.93 – $495.38 AUD (via Amazon) |
7. Dell G3 15
If you like playing video games without taking too much room than perhaps the Dell G3 15 is ideal. To have this laptop also means not to spend a huge fortune either. The Dell G3 has excellent performance and includes games (if you get tired of the streaming ones!). Dell is well known for making great laptops, this one is no exception.
It should be noted, that this laptop won’t stand for intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077, you can still play most modern games with ease.
Pros: | Cons: |
· Ready for games | Flimsy Build |
Specifications for you:
CPU: | 9th Generation Intel Core i5 – i7 |
GRAPHICS: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 – 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design |
RAM: | 8GB – 16GB |
SCREEN: | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare LED Backlit Non-touch |
STORAGE | 1TB HDD – 512GB SSD |
CONNECTIVITY | SmartByte technology |
SECURITY: | Password Protection, may need antivirus & malware software |
PRICE RANGE: | S1,199.00 AUD (via The Good Guys); $1,391.56 AUD (via Amazon) |
8. MacBook Pro 13-Inch (M1, 2020)
Like the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro comes with the M1 chip that Apple designed. But in addition to make it more powerful. This is essential if you wish to play video games, edit videos, or stream movies or TV shows to your heart’s desires.
It also has a humorous battery life of 13 hours and 22 minutes which is longer than its counterpart of the MacBook Pro’s 16-inch record of 11 hours and 41 minutes of battery life.
Pros: | Cons: |
· Huge battery life · Great performance · Can run i0S apps | · Still lacks ports · Webcam could use upgrade · Pricey to get 10th generation power
|
Specifications for you:
CPU: | Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU |
GRAPHICS: | Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU |
RAM: | 8GB – 16GB unified memory |
SCREEN: | 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina display |
STORAGE | 256GB – 2TB SSD |
CONNECTIVITY | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
SECURITY: | macOS & driver encryption |
PRICE RANGE: | $1,899.00 AUD (via Apple Australia) |
Laptops offer the convenience of working remotely.
9. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
While not exactly a laptop, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7, is more a tablet for the person on the go! It’s Windows 10-powered tablet by please take note of attaching the Type Cover, which is an optional extra, which you can turn into a laptop-like device that’s perfect for work or school.
As a tablet, it is compact and easy to carry around, and it’s powerful as well. It has a quad-core Intel processor, and up to 16GB of RAM which means it can handle pretty much any app need you need for work or study. Other features include a USB-C port and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
Pros: | Cons: |
· USB-C Port · Wi-Fi 6 Capability | · Overall loss in battery power · USB-C isn’t Thunderbolt 3 |
Specifications for you:
CPU: | Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU |
GRAPHICS: | Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU |
RAM: | 8GB – 16GB unified memory |
SCREEN: | 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina display |
STORAGE | 256GB – 2TB SSD |
CONNECTIVITY | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2×2 MIMO dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
SECURITY: | macOS & driver encryption |
PRICE RANGE: | $310.00 AUD (via eBay). |
10. Asus Chromebook Flip
Here’s another Chromebook on our list – and again it is Chrome OS for security protection. With a long battery life, and a low price, the Asus Chromebook Flip is ideal for the individual either on the go, or just need some notetaking done – without a pen or paper.
The screen is 12 inches x 1080 pixels which is awesome for both writing up documents, to creating presentations to watching any Netflix content online.
This Chromebook is also ideal for young people, particular for children, if they need a new device for school. Parental controls can be easily activated. The security and protection of is provided by Chrome OS.
Pros: | Cons: |
· Elegant tablet · Tactile keyboard | · No out-of-the box Android apps · Middling speakers |
Specifications for you:
CPU: | Intel Pentium 4405Y – Intel Core m3-6Y30 |
GRAPHICS: | Intel HD Graphics 515 |
RAM: | 4GB |
SCREEN: | 12.5-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED backlit anti-glare |
STORAGE | 32GB – 64GB eMMC |
CONNECTIVITY | dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi |
SECURITY: | Chrome OS |
Author:
Elizabeth Inglis
Before purchasing a new laptop or tablet:
While it is such new investment to spend such an amount of money there’s also a number of things to also consider just before purchasing a new device.- Battery life – is the amount of time your device runs before it needs to be recharged. Think about how often in usage that you are using your new device.
- Graphics card or Memory card – this is an expansion card which generates a feed of output images to a display device (such as a computer monitor). Depending on your job or study, you may need to think about the number of bytes need for certain tasks –for example architecture drawing, or Year 12 media class.
- Games – if you are a games lover – think about what type of device would fit your needs as a game’s enthusiast – for both RAM memory and storage.
- Storage – Storage capacity refers to how much disk space one or more storage devices provides. It measures how much data a computer system (and in this case a laptop or tablet) may have. Not all devices are created equal. Depending on your usage of the device, you might consider a back-up device (e.g., a USB) for all your important work
- Speed/Performance: This determines how quickly the laptop or tablet’s speed is. This is known as the central processing unit (CPU).
- Budget: As an investment for yourself, or for someone you know, it shouldn’t burn your wallet.
- Suitability for work: Understand the requirements of your work before buying a laptop, some work types are more intensive and require more resources, for example Web design is less intensive than editing videos.
Also consider:
- Getting a warranty: Just in case anything may happen to your new and awesome device once its purchased. Warranties are usually a written guarantee, between 12 to 24 months depending on when it was bought.
- Antivirus & Malware Software: While this list of did feature devices that had built in Antivirus & Malware support, sometimes with any laptop or tablet this may not always be the case. So why get this important software? Because viruses such as trojan horses, unsecure websites, and other malicious viruses can steal personal and financial information. Get as much protection as possible if you can.
- Do your own research:
