At ZDNET, we're often asked, "what's the fastest laptop?" It's a fair question, but it really depends. If you want speed for creative tasks, "fastest" means editing 4K video or rendering high-res images. In that case, you'll want a powerful graphics processing unit (GPU) and lots of random access memory (RAM). The Asus ProArt P16, our pick for fastest creator laptop, has those features in spades. If you're talking speed for work tasks, "fastest" means seamlessly handling multitasking, large documents, and working across multiple displays. The MacBook M4 Max does without skipping a beat.
Also: The best laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed
To account for these differences, we've narrowed down six top-performing laptops for a variety of specific use cases. We included benchmarking stats for comparative purposes, but we chose these laptops for their overall performance in their use cases and price relative to features. We used a combination of our own personal experience over the course of several days and weeks of regular use alongside industry-standard benchmarking platforms for a holistic impression.
What's the fastest laptop you can buy right now?
All the laptops on this list are fast, but the primary metric comes down to processing power. In short, how quickly can it handle demanding tasks? The Apple MacBook M4 Max leads the charge with the new M4 Max chip, the latest in Apple's lineup of silicon chips that's as fast as it is versatile. The latest in Apple Silicon might not be practical for everyone, so we included five other speedy selections below.
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The fastest laptops in 2025
Show less View now at Walmart Asus' ProArt P16 lives up to its name as a powerful device for professional artists, creatives, and gamers. With an arsenal of powerful hardware, this is a machine committed to providing solid performance across creative industry-standard programs like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.
In other words, when it comes to rendering video, exporting files, and working with high-fidelity content, this thing is fast. The 32GB of RAM and AMD's Strix Point processor ensure snappy, responsive load times and smooth multitasking, while the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card powers the gorgeous 4K OLED display. Review: I recommend this flagship Windows laptop to creatives over the MacBook Pro - here's why The cherry on top is the Asus Dialpad, a circular wheel on the trackpad that allows for quick access to customizable brush and settings tools across different programs. Once you get used to using it, you can fly through tasks with customizable quick menus.
Regarding its form factor, the ProArt P16's sleek, all-black exterior is minimalistic, but it's lighter than you'd expect for a 16-inch laptop with this amount of power. The only drawback from said power is the laptop's tendency to run warm, despite an efficient cooling system that knows when to kick in and doesn't let anything get too hot. Cinebench 24 Single core: 115
Cinebench 24 Multi core: 1,096
Geekbench 6 Single core: 2,804
Geekbench 6 Multi core: 12,787 Asus ProArt P16 tech specs: Display size: 16-inch | Display type: OLED, 60Hz | Resolution: 4K | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | Battery life: 13 hours Value 6 Performance 8 Design/Build 8 Battery life 8 Display 8 Pros Great performance
Gorgeous 4K OLED display
Nice keyboard and trackpad
DialPad is a nice perk Cons Can run hot
60Hz refresh rate Asus ProArt P16 Fastest laptop for content creators 3.8 / 5 Score Asus' ProArt P16 lives up to its name as a powerful device for professional artists, creatives, and gamers. With an arsenal of powerful hardware, this is a machine committed to providing solid performance across creative industry-standard programs like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.
In other words, when it comes to rendering video, exporting files, and working with high-fidelity content, this thing is fast. The 32GB of RAM and AMD's Strix Point processor ensure snappy, responsive load times and smooth multitasking, while the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card powers the gorgeous 4K OLED display. Review: I recommend this flagship Windows laptop to creatives over the MacBook Pro - here's why The cherry on top is the Asus Dialpad, a circular wheel on the trackpad that allows for quick access to customizable brush and settings tools across different programs. Once you get used to using it, you can fly through tasks with customizable quick menus.
Regarding its form factor, the ProArt P16's sleek, all-black exterior is minimalistic, but it's lighter than you'd expect for a 16-inch laptop with this amount of power. The only drawback from said power is the laptop's tendency to run warm, despite an efficient cooling system that knows when to kick in and doesn't let anything get too hot. Cinebench 24 Single core: 115
Cinebench 24 Multi core: 1,096
Geekbench 6 Single core: 2,804
Geekbench 6 Multi core: 12,787 Asus ProArt P16 tech specs: Display size: 16-inch | Display type: OLED, 60Hz | Resolution: 4K | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 | Battery life: 13 hours Read More Show Expert Take Show less
Show less View now at Dell Dell's latest midrange laptop, and successors to the Inspiron series, is a mixture of tried-and-true tech with next-gen advancements. We're fans of Dell's reliable lineup of mid-range laptops, and the new 14 Plus continues that tradition as a versatile device with solid hardware for an approachable price. The Dell 14 Plus makes a great work laptop with up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and an eight-core Intel Core Ultra 7 or 9, some of the latest high-performing chips from Intel's Lunar Lake series. This results in capable multitasking abilities and ease at loading massive documents. Review: Upgrading your Windows laptop? This Dell model is my top pick for work and travel The Dell 14 Plus' non-touch, 2.5K display powered by an Intel Arc GPU renders high-resolution images quickly, but it's not a high-end model, despite being able to deliver a similar experience. In that sense, this is a laptop that focuses its hardware on processing power since it assumes you'll likely be connecting to an external display in the office. Add the fact that it only weighs 3.4 pounds and you have a portable laptop that's equipped for a variety of workers for a competitive price. Cinebench 24 Multi core: 554
Geekbench 6 Multi core: 10,812
PCMark 10: 7,271 Dell 14 Plus tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: IPS, 60Hz | Resolution: 2.5K | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 288V | GPU: Intel Arc | Battery life: 12 hours Value 8 Performance 8 Design/Build 7 Battery life 8 Display 6 Pros Powerful hardware
An advancement of Dell's tried-and-true model
Affordable Cons Not the greatest display Dell 14 Plus Fastest affordable laptop for work 3.7 / 5 Score Dell's latest midrange laptop, and successors to the Inspiron series, is a mixture of tried-and-true tech with next-gen advancements. We're fans of Dell's reliable lineup of mid-range laptops, and the new 14 Plus continues that tradition as a versatile device with solid hardware for an approachable price. The Dell 14 Plus makes a great work laptop with up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and an eight-core Intel Core Ultra 7 or 9, some of the latest high-performing chips from Intel's Lunar Lake series. This results in capable multitasking abilities and ease at loading massive documents. Review: Upgrading your Windows laptop? This Dell model is my top pick for work and travel The Dell 14 Plus' non-touch, 2.5K display powered by an Intel Arc GPU renders high-resolution images quickly, but it's not a high-end model, despite being able to deliver a similar experience. In that sense, this is a laptop that focuses its hardware on processing power since it assumes you'll likely be connecting to an external display in the office. Add the fact that it only weighs 3.4 pounds and you have a portable laptop that's equipped for a variety of workers for a competitive price. Cinebench 24 Multi core: 554
Geekbench 6 Multi core: 10,812
PCMark 10: 7,271 Dell 14 Plus tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: IPS, 60Hz | Resolution: 2.5K | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 288V | GPU: Intel Arc | Battery life: 12 hours Read More Show Expert Take Show less
Show less View now at B&H Photo/Video The 14-inch HP EliteBook X G1a is an impressive enterprise laptop geared toward performance in the workplace, and the suite of high-end hardware delivers just that. It aims to combine the connectivity of a ThinkPad, the sleek form factor of a MacBook, and HP's signature minimalist -- if non-descript -- design. There are a few configurations of this laptop. The most premium features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor, one of the most cutting-edge chips on the market today, and an OLED display. The keyboard is one of its best features: It's utterly silent, with a snappy tactile feel with key travel that almost feels mechanical. Review: One of the most powerful ultraportable laptops I've tested isn't a MacBook Pro or ThinkPad The result is a supercharged device in the office, with up to 64GB of RAM that blazes through demanding workflows and multitasking across different platforms. Its reliable hardware also takes full advantage of the large battery on board, with abundant ports keep your options open and maximize compatibility. During my testing, I found this laptop really enjoyable to use for long days at work thanks to its well-designed ergonomics, making it a solid long-day-at-work type of laptop in the higher-end price point. Cinebench 24 Single-core: 112
Cinebench 24 Multi-core: 1,093
Geekbench 6 Single-core: 2,818
Geekbench 6 Multi-core: 14,585 HP EliteBook X G1a tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: OLED touchscreen | Resolution: 2.8K | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 1TB SSD | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 PRO 360 8-Core | GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon 880M | Battery life: Up to 11 hours Value 6 Performance 9 Design/Build 8 Battery life 7 Display 8 Pros Powerful hardware
Lots of ports
Ergonomic and office-ready Cons Can run hot
Expensive HP EliteBook X G1a Fastest high-end laptop for work 3.8 / 5 Score The 14-inch HP EliteBook X G1a is an impressive enterprise laptop geared toward performance in the workplace, and the suite of high-end hardware delivers just that. It aims to combine the connectivity of a ThinkPad, the sleek form factor of a MacBook, and HP's signature minimalist -- if non-descript -- design. There are a few configurations of this laptop. The most premium features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor, one of the most cutting-edge chips on the market today, and an OLED display. The keyboard is one of its best features: It's utterly silent, with a snappy tactile feel with key travel that almost feels mechanical. Review: One of the most powerful ultraportable laptops I've tested isn't a MacBook Pro or ThinkPad The result is a supercharged device in the office, with up to 64GB of RAM that blazes through demanding workflows and multitasking across different platforms. Its reliable hardware also takes full advantage of the large battery on board, with abundant ports keep your options open and maximize compatibility. During my testing, I found this laptop really enjoyable to use for long days at work thanks to its well-designed ergonomics, making it a solid long-day-at-work type of laptop in the higher-end price point. Cinebench 24 Single-core: 112
Cinebench 24 Multi-core: 1,093
Geekbench 6 Single-core: 2,818
Geekbench 6 Multi-core: 14,585 HP EliteBook X G1a tech specs: Display size: 14-inch | Display type: OLED touchscreen | Resolution: 2.8K | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 1TB SSD | CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 PRO 360 8-Core | GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon 880M | Battery life: Up to 11 hours Read More Show Expert Take Show less
Show less View now at B&H Photo/Video Among Lenovo's slew of gaming laptops, the 9th-generation Legion Pro 7i gets crowned as champion. This machine is not the most portable, weighing a heavy six pounds, but what you get is worth the extra heft. The 14th-generation Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, paired with a GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card and 32GB of memory results in a fast, ultra-responsive gaming machine. Plus, it has a 2TB SSD -- storage for days. Basically, this laptop is a beast, capable of running all of the latest games in ultra-high resolution and a high frame rate without skipping a beat. Also: The best Lenovo laptops: Expert tested and reviewed The powerful hardware works in tandem with the display's blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate to deliver a sharp, responsive image at a high-end 2560 x 1600 resolution, which is a must for laptop gaming. Speaking from experience, a laptop like this can run hot, and heat can destroy internal components. So, the robust cooling system keeps things running within optimal temperatures. If that wasn't enough, it has speakers powerful enough to fill a room, a rarity among laptops. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 tech specs: Display size: 16-inch | Display type: WQXGA, 240Hz | Resolution: 2560 x 1600 | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB SSD | CPU: Intel Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 | Battery life: Up to 7 hours Pros Powerful performance
High resolution, fast refresh display
2TB of storage Cons Heavy
Expensive
Massive charger Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Fastest gaming laptop Among Lenovo's slew of gaming laptops, the 9th-generation Legion Pro 7i gets crowned as champion. This machine is not the most portable, weighing a heavy six pounds, but what you get is worth the extra heft. The 14th-generation Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, paired with a GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card and 32GB of memory results in a fast, ultra-responsive gaming machine. Plus, it has a 2TB SSD -- storage for days. Basically, this laptop is a beast, capable of running all of the latest games in ultra-high resolution and a high frame rate without skipping a beat. Also: The best Lenovo laptops: Expert tested and reviewed The powerful hardware works in tandem with the display's blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate to deliver a sharp, responsive image at a high-end 2560 x 1600 resolution, which is a must for laptop gaming. Speaking from experience, a laptop like this can run hot, and heat can destroy internal components. So, the robust cooling system keeps things running within optimal temperatures. If that wasn't enough, it has speakers powerful enough to fill a room, a rarity among laptops. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 tech specs: Display size: 16-inch | Display type: WQXGA, 240Hz | Resolution: 2560 x 1600 | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB SSD | CPU: Intel Core i9 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 | Battery life: Up to 7 hours Read More Show Expert Take Show less
What are the tariffs in the U.S.?
The recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.
CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We're Watching 11 Products You Might Need to Buy
Laptops and PCs are also hit hard by the new U.S. tariffs, with import duties potentially increasing prices by up to 35%. Many major brands still rely on Chinese and Vietnamese factories for assembly, meaning consumers could soon pay significantly more for everything from budget Chromebooks to high-end gaming rigs.
These tariffs may accelerate efforts to move production to regions like Mexico or India, but shoppers can expect higher costs and fewer discounts in the short term.
Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it's always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.
Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech - but not for long
How do these laptops compare? All of the laptops on this list are fast, responsive machines with enough hardware to handle diverse workloads. However, their performance will edge out the competition when it comes to their specialized use cases. Here's a closer look at how they compare with some core hardware specs.
Price Max RAM/Storage Processor Graphics Battery life MacBook M4 Max $2,879 48GB Unified memory, 1TB SSD M4 Max Up to 32-core GPU Up to 18 hours Dell XPS 13 $1,100 32GB, 1TB SSD Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 Qualcomm Adreno Up to 17 hours Asus ProArt P16 $2,249 64GB, 2TB SS AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Up to 13 hours Dell 14 Plus $750 32GB, 2TB SS Intel Core Ultra 9 Intel Arc Up to 12 hours HP EliteBook X G1a $2,054 64GB, 1TB SSD AMD Ryzen AI 9 Pro 360 Integrated AMD Radeon 880M Up to 11 hours Lenovo Legion Pro 7i $3,099 32GB, 1TB SSD Intel 14th Gen Core i9 Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Up to 7 hours *MSRP at the time of writing Show more
Which is the right fastest laptop for you? So why did we choose these six laptops specifically? We're not claiming they're the absolute fastest laptops in existence. We chose them for their performance relative to their feature sets, and of course, their value. If performance is of top of mind for you when you're looking for a laptop, all six of these machines are solid choices, it just depends on what you plan on using your laptop for. Here's a summary of their different use cases below. Choose this laptop… If you want… MacBook M4 Max A powerful laptop that can connect to multiple external displays and still multitask like a boss. Dell XPS 13 A fast and battery-efficient Copilot+ PC for work with a bold design and nice display. Asus ProArt P16 A powerful, creator-focused laptop with some usability perks unique that artists and designers will love. Dell 14 Plus A fast and reliable laptop for work that won't break the bank. HP EliteBook X G1a A powerhouse enterprise laptop to take charge in the office. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i A gaming laptop with the right amount of hardware to deliver high-end performance. Show more
How we test laptops We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system's metrics under the hood and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop, usually a week or two, using it the same way a normal consumer would, in order to analyze its portability, form factor, and how well the battery actually holds up, among others. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive laptop testing methodology. Benchmarking: First, we run a series of tests to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what it's capable of. Cinebench is one of the most commonly used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores. PCMark 10 is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace, and there are many others that we use in tandem to gather as much data as we can. Some components we run tests on include:
First, we run a series of tests to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what it's capable of. Cinebench is one of the most commonly used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores. PCMark 10 is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace, and there are many others that we use in tandem to gather as much data as we can. Some components we run tests on include: Processor: The "brain" of the laptop, and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers that make most of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple, in their own machines only. This is tested in benchmarking software.
The "brain" of the laptop, and one of the most important factors that determines performance. The four biggest manufacturers that make most of the CPUs found in laptops today are Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple, in their own machines only. This is tested in benchmarking software. The display: The size of the display, measured diagonally from corner to corner, is also what dictates the laptop's overall size and play a big role in the laptop's cost. Brightness is measured in "nits," and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.
The size of the display, measured diagonally from corner to corner, is also what dictates the laptop's overall size and play a big role in the laptop's cost. Brightness is measured in "nits," and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software. The graphics processor (GPU): Whether it's integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding visual tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback.
Whether it's integrated into the CPU or a dedicated graphics card, how well the machine handles graphics is a key factor when it comes to demanding visual tasks like video editing, rendering, and of course, gaming. We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback. Physical form factor: Finally, the laptop's overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether or not it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.
Finally, the laptop's overall appearance and physical form factor encompasses its weight, thickness, how the keyboard and trackpad feel, and whether or not it has a display that can be folded back to form a tablet. We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes. Battery testing: We test a unit's battery in a few ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also will just let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. We ensure screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off, set the display's brightness and audio at 50%, load up a livestream on YouTube in Chrome, and wait 'til the end.
We test a unit's battery in a few ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also will just let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. We ensure screensavers and hibernation mode are turned off, set the display's brightness and audio at 50%, load up a livestream on YouTube in Chrome, and wait 'til the end. The human element: As we mentioned earlier, metrics and system data are important, but numbers alone don't give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about. Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that real people can find useful. There is a lot of noise and confusion when it comes to navigating the laptop and computer consumer market, so we hope to bring an intuitive element to the whole process by leveraging our team's decades of experience. Show more
Are there alternative fast laptops worth considering?
Absolutely -- these six laptops are by no means an exhaustive list. There have been a handful of ultra-fast and responsive devices released this year alone. If you're looking for something a little bit different, here are some additional choices that we approve of.