Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Ultra at CES 2026 Kerry Wan/ZDNET
We test dozens of laptops every year here at ZDNET: from the latest MacBooks to the best Windows PCs, aiming for a dual approach.
On one hand, we run a series of benchmarking programs to gather technical data and metrics. On the other, we approach laptops the way any normal consumer would: considering ease of use, form factor, durability, and battery life.
Also: The best laptops of 2026: I've tested dozens of laptops and these are the best
Our core testing philosophy is simple: while metrics and benchmarking scores are important, they aren't the whole story. Laptops are devices you might use every day for several years, so there's a human element that informs how we write reviews.
How we test laptops in 2026
HP OmniBook X 14 (2026) Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET
You only get one first impression, and when we get a new laptop to review, we make sure to note initial perceptions before diving into the data. Upon setting up the laptop's operating system, connecting to Wi-Fi, and logging in with any relevant credentials, we record how smooth the startup process was. Quick and painless? Or was it less than perfectly optimized? (Windows 11, I'm looking at you.)
We put all the devices we test on the same playing field by installing the most recent updates to the device's operating system, as well as all relevant drivers for the GPU, BIOS, and hardware. It can be easy to skip over these updates, but you don't need me to tell you that skipping them can result in suboptimal performance.
The core components of a laptop
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