The best laptops in 2026 so far
New Intel Panther Lake chips, Apple's M5 MacBook Air and strong Lenovo ultrabooks lead the field — but a RAM shortage is nudging prices up.
Half of 2026 is gone and the laptop field has reshuffled. Apple's M5 MacBook Air remains the value pick, Intel's Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3) chips are rolling out, and Lenovo's Yoga line keeps winning on battery life.
What is new this year
- Apple M5 MacBook Air — faster chip, bigger base storage, still the value ultraportable
- Intel Panther Lake (Core Ultra Series 3) — big CPU and integrated-GPU gains
- Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i — featherweight OLED with impressive battery
- Acer Swift 16 AI — a strong all-round pick
The catch: RAM prices
A memory shortage has pushed RAM prices up, so well-specced configurations cost more than last year. If your current laptop is actively frustrating you, buying now often beats waiting another cycle.
How to choose
Prioritize battery life, a comfortable keyboard and a bright screen over a slightly faster chip. 16GB of RAM is the comfortable baseline; pay for more only if you edit video or run virtual machines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best value laptop in 2026?
Apple's M5 MacBook Air is widely cited as the best value ultraportable this year.
Why are laptop prices higher in 2026?
A RAM shortage has pushed memory prices up, raising the cost of higher-spec configurations.
