The Ultimate Guide to the Best 15-Inch Laptops of 2024
If a 16-inch laptop is a little too big, but you want a bigger screen than a petite 13-inch laptop can provide, a 15-inch laptop hits that perfect “sweet spot.” While their larger or smaller cousins often overshadow them, 15-inch laptops have a dedicated fanbase for being just large enough for a spacious screen but small enough to still be portable.
Also: The best lightweight laptops: Expert tested
We’ve tested dozens of laptops this year, but these devices stood out to our team and are particularly worth mentioning. If you’re looking for a new 15-inch laptop but don’t know where to start, these devices stand out above the crowd.
What’s the best 15-inch laptop right now?
Our pick for the best 15-inch laptop overall is the MacBook Air M3. Regarding versatility, performance, and portability, it’s hard to beat Apple’s 15-inch super thin laptop. I’ve included four additional specific use cases here, but the MacBook Air M3 is the most well-rounded and has a substantial degree of power. Apple’s M3 processor brings AI readiness with a 16-core NPU, and the resilient battery on this laptop makes it a solid pick for the office, students, and creators alike. And to top it off, its thin form factor seals the deal for ultimate portability.
However, I get that the MacBook Air isn’t for everyone, so I’ve included four other great 15-inch laptops on this list for some common use cases: best for the office, best budget, best for creators, and best for gaming.
The best 15-inch laptops of 2024
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Apple MacBook Air M3
Best 15-inch laptop overall
Regarding performance, Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air with the M3 processor is hard to beat. The MacBook Air is as portable as it is thin, and its combination of sleek form factor, substantial battery, and winning display make for the best overall 15-inch laptop of 2024.
The 15-inch MacBook Air is available in a host of different configurations, but with a maximum of 16GB unified memory and 512GB of SSD storage, it’s powerful enough for a variety of people, from creators to professionals to students to everyday browsers. The sheer adaptability of this laptop deserves to be called out as a laptop with the hardware to handle whatever you throw at it.
Review: M3 MacBook Air
The M3 chip’s 16-core neural engine future-proofs it with AI readiness, while the option to load it with up plenty of storage offers plenty of space to stick with you. The M3 Air’s 18 hours of battery life is also one of the best out there, especially in the class of 15-inch displays.
Apple MacBook Air M3 tech specs: 8-core CPU with 16-core Neural Engine | 8GB, 16GB, or 24GB of unified memory with 10-core GPU | 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB storage | Display: LCD, 60Hz refresh rate, 500 nits max | Battery: Up to 18 hours | Weight: 3.3 lbs.
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