I need to upgrade my laptop and I'm trying to make the best laptop purchase possible. My current one is 5 years old and starting to show its age. I use it for work (mostly office apps, video calls, and some light photo editing) and personal stuff.
Budget is around $1500, but I could stretch to $2000 if it's really worth it. I'm looking at MacBooks, Windows laptops, and even some of the new ARM based machines.
What should I prioritize? Battery life? Screen quality? Performance? And which specific models are delivering the best value right now? I want something that will last me another 4-5 years.
For the best laptop purchase in your price range, I'd recommend looking at the MacBook Air M3. The battery life is incredible (easily all day), the performance is more than enough for your needs, and Apple's build quality means it should last 4-5 years easily.
The screen is also excellent for photo editing. The main downside is you're locked into the Apple ecosystem, but if that works for you, it's hard to beat for a best laptop purchase that balances performance, battery, and longevity.
If you prefer Windows, the Dell XPS 13 or 15 are solid choices for a best laptop purchase. They have great build quality, good screens, and decent battery life. The XPS 13 is more portable, while the 15 gives you more screen real estate for photo editing.
Also consider the Framework laptops if you care about repairability and upgradability. They're designed to last longer because you can replace individual components rather than the whole machine. That could make it a better long term best laptop purchase.
Thanks for the suggestions. The MacBook Air M3 does look tempting, especially for battery life. I've been Windows my whole life though, so switching ecosystems gives me pause.
For the Framework laptops, how's the battery life compared to something like the XPS? And are there any specific configurations you'd recommend for my use case? I want to make sure this is truly the best laptop purchase I can make for the next several years.