Slideshow

Best laptops 2014 (part 1)

Here are some of the best Windows-based laptops we've reviewed so far in 2014

  • Here are some of the best laptops (and hybrid/convertible laptops) that we've reviewed so far in 2014. It has been a relatively slow year for some vendors, with HP and Lenovo being most active, and Dell and Toshiba being somewhat quiet (at least in terms of getting us review units). We kick things off with one of our favourites. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro hybrid Ultrabook Lenovo’s IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro is an Ultrabook with a set of special hinges that allow the screen to tilt all the way over. Because of these hinges, you can switch from a laptop to a tablet with a minimum of fuss, despite the 13.3in size of the unit. Furthermore, it’s a product that still manages to supply a strong configuration, and the key highlight here is a screen with a massive 1800p resolution. The main downside is the $1999 price tag, which could be out of reach of many budgets. Also, it has only single-band Wi-Fi. Full review: [[artnid:542266|Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 Pro]]

  • LG UltraPC (Model 13Z940) laptop If thin and light is what you're looking for in a laptop, then you can't go past LG's 13.3in Ultra PC 13Z940. This thing tipped our scales at 971g, and even had Sony VAIO Z enthusiasts commenting on how light and mobile it feels. It's not let down in the speed department either, with LG offering this featherweight in both Core i5 and Core i7 versions. We looked at the Core i7 version for this review. Full review: [[artnid:539067|LG UltraPC]]
  • HP Spectre 13 Pro Notebook PC (F8Z33PA) The HP Spectre 13 Pro Ultrabook (or Notebook PC, as HP calls it) is blessed with good looks, high-quality construction, and a configuration that allows it to perform well under most office-style scenarios. It’s a fourth-generation Intel Core i7-based unit, but its slight frame doesn’t give that away, and it also features a touchscreen that has one of the highest resolutions (1440p) on the PC market. Full review: [[artnid:540071|HP Spectre 13 Pro Notebook PC]]
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X240 Ultrabook The Lenovo ThinkPad X240 Ultrabook is what we like to call the miniature version of the ThinkPad T440s. It's very much a similar product in terms of design and features, but in a smaller, 12.5in form factor that's more portable and easier to carry around on a daily basis. We used the ThinkPad X240 for a prolonged period of time and found it to be nothing short of reliable and well equipped to handle regular office tasks with ease. Full review: [[artnid:537316|Lenovo ThinkPad X240]]
  • HP EliteBook Revolve 810 G2 tablet (F6B48PA) It has been a while since we’ve seen a hybrid notebook with a conventional design, but HP’s 11.6-inch EliteBook Revolve 810 G2 Tablet harks back to the days when tablet-convertible PCs had central hinges and screens spun around on the chassis. In a way, it’s refreshing to see this design still being used, and it’s implemented quite well in the Revolve, with a hinge that feels firm, yet reasonably smooth to operate. Full review: [[artnid:540442|HP EliteBook Revolve 810 G2]]
  • Acer TravelMate P645 Ultrabook The Acer TravelMate P645 may be a 14in Ultrabook, but you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s a 13.3in model at first glance. It has a slight build that ensures it’s not bulky or heavy, and it features clean lines and a thin screen bezel, which give it an understated styling. You can get it in a few different configurations, but the one we are looking at here is one of the entry-level models. Full review: [[artnid:541500|Acer TravelMate P645]]
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook (2014 model) Lenovo has continued tweaking the design of its ThinkPad X1 Carbon in a bid to streamline its features and include more of what the company’s users want. Most of these tweaks can be seen in the keyboard layout, and in a new touch panel across the top of the keyboard that dynamically changes its icons. The chassis also borrows some design tricks from the ThinkPad T440s. But one thing that really stands out about this laptop is its 14in screen: it’s a 1440p touchscreen that tilts right back. Full review: [[artnid:539427|Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon]]
  • ASUS Zenbook UX301LA Ultrabook ASUS has done a lot to make the Zenbook UX301LA Ultrabook a standout device. It’s well built, good looking, and it has a comfortable feel to it. Furthermore, its screen has one of the highest resolutions on the market. In a way, it’s the perfect Ultrabook for those of you who want a portable computer on which to view and edit high resolution photos, as well as use any other software that can benefit from the extra resolution, especially software with lots of tool palettes and visible options. Full review: [[artnid:535813|ASUS Zenbook UX301LA]]
  • Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook (fourth gen Core) The last time we had a look at the Dell XPS 13 was a couple of years ago, back when the CPU of choice was a second generation Intel Core product. Not much has changed with the unit since then in terms of the way it looks, but it does have a much improved fourth generation Intel Core CPU running things. It’s an Ultrabook that’s definitely worth your time, but it still has a few issues that could be annoying. Full review: [[artnid:536476|Dell XPS 13]]
  • ASUS Transformer Book T100 hybrid tablet The latest generation of Intel’s Atom processor (codenamed Bay Trail) has really helped make low-cost Windows 8-based tablets an attractive proposition. They are now zippier in their overall performance, and very much a joy to use. So far we’ve seen only 8in models from the likes of Toshiba and Dell using the new CPU. Can the larger, 10.1in ASUS Transformer Book T100 provide a similarly enjoyable user experience? Full review: [[artnid:537849|ASUS Transformer Book T100]]
  • Aorus X7 SLI Gaming Notebook The Aorus X7 SLI is purpose-built for gaming, with more power and much less compromise than the competition. It has a chassis that's one of the slimmest in its class, yet manages to pack a heat dissipation system to support its high-end gaming hardware. It's a sure winner for gamers on the go. Full review: [[artnid:539523|Aorus X7 SLI]]
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