Take your pick. Four of the best laptops on the market today include the Google Pixelbook, Microsoft Surface Pro, MacBook Pro, and Dell XPS. Go through each one carefully before you try to make a choice.
Google Pixelbook
Size & Virtual Assistant
The Pixelbook looks smart, and is lightweight (2.4 pounds) and slender (0.4 inches) with a convenient design. It is thinner than the Surface Pro and Macbook. Since the Google laptop is not bulky, it fits perfectly into a small traveling bag or backpack. Pixelbook’s screen is sharp and brilliant flaunting colors particularly the white shade as vividly as its two rivals.
For a laptop, Pixelbook has an enormous touch screen (2,400 x 1,600) compared to the 12-inch MacBook Pro. It also comes with the Google VA integrated with the software. The Virtual Assistant understands and responds to typed or voice inquiries, which it does for all devices. This gadget even folds over behind the keyboard and supports Android applications making it different from other previous Google laptops.
Processing Power
The product is one notch higher compared to most brands. Instead of the usual aluminum, it is similar to Google Pixel phones with a large glass window behind the lid, allowing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to go through without any hitch. However, the internal hardware seems an overstatement for the likes of Chrome operating systems. The base has a seventh-generation processor (Intel Core i5), 8 B RAM, and 128 GB storage.
Pricing & Deals
At $999, this Chromebook has more features with sophisticated hardware and crisp but smooth performance.
The pen of Pixelbook has a built-in button so it can activate the Google Assistant, 10-millisecond reply time, and pressure sensitivity of 2,000 levels as if you’re using ink pen on a piece of paper. The problem is you need to shell out an extra $99 to get this pen. Even then, Google Pixelbook goes against high-end devices of Apple and Microsoft.
- Google Store: You can grab this top-notch device for $999 or $27.75/mo for 36 months with 0% APR Google Store Financing
- Amazon: Available for $999, this item is eligible for FREE shipping; if you don’t mind a used model, you can grab one for $678.99
MS Surface Pro
Upgrades
With this new Surface Laptop, Microsoft has remedied the remaining issues in Surface Pro 4, although the new model is not as exciting as its prototypes. Surface Pro retained the majority of the previous Surface devices and fixed the battery life concern. However, the upgrades are repetitious and lack new design improvements. Regarding hardware, there are no significant changes compared to the two older versions (Pro 3 and 4).
Size & Features
It’s not a significant issue, though, as the thin metallic case still looks eye-catching with rounded edges making Surface Pro more secure to hold. The laptop has a weight of 1.7 pounds which is quite bulky. The keyboard includes an additional 0.68 pounds which brings the overall weight to approximately 2.4 pounds. Surface Pro’s ports have not changed with accessories like micro-SD card beneath the kickstand, Mini Display port, one USB 3.0 jack, headphone jack, and power connectivity.
Our Thoughts
There’s a bit of sophistication in the Pro line, but the returning theme signifies lack of unique changes. In other words, it looks dormant. It would have been more exciting if Microsoft attempted to use finer screen groove rings (called bezels), which are the trademarks of contemporary mobile phones. This attribute is what makes the XPS collection of Dell (see more below) as well as Mac Pro tablets. However, Surface Pro features a dazzling 12.3-inch screen fitted with an apparent resolution. The laptop is a convertible tablet that changes into a laptop with complete accessories.
Pricing & Deals
The MS Surface Pro starts at $749.99.
- Microsoft: Microsoft offers up to $221.70 in savings; this device can be yours for just $41.67/month for 24 months and 0% APR with Surface All Access; eligible trade-ins are also available, and you can then buy a qualifying Surface to receive at least $100 back
- Amazon: You can grab the Microsoft Surface Go (Intel Pentium Gold, 8GB RAM, 128GB) for just $464 (meaning you save over $100!); best of all, you get free shipping
MacBook Pro
Style
MacBook Pro reflects the style and robust design of an upscale laptop with this refurbished edition as a grand elaboration of Apple’s unique formula. Nonetheless, the peripheral design is the same as the previous model of Apple.
Performance
Performance for a much lower price spells the difference and atones for the lack of Touch Bar, unlike the pricey 13-inch pro and scarcity of USB ports. Battery lifespan has improved a lot complemented by outstanding performance standards compared to Windows laptops. The MacBook Pro is a mega-portable notebook with very slender keyboard and weighs 3.02 pounds. It is heavier than last year’s version which was only 2.99 pounds.
The MacBook Pro’s keyboard has lights at the back with butterfly switches. Apple says this butterfly system is steadier than traditional switches of other laptops. Typing requires additional pressure compared to similar touchscreens which you will get accustomed to if you’re comfortable typing on smartphones.
Pricing & Deals
The price is steep, which is familiar to this top-line brand. However, this price is fairly low for a high-end product like this one. It may not be a radical transformation at $1, 299 (13″ model), but the laptop comes with notable features like fresh processor alternatives from the latest generation of Core i5 and i7 series.
- Apple: You can grab a 13″ starting at $1,199 ($100 savings) in Apple’s Education Store; with an eligible trade-in, you can also get credit toward a new Mac
- Apple Insider: You can grab a 13″ (1.4GHz 8GB 256GB) Silver MacBook Pro, a $1,499 value, for $1,199 ($300 savings)
- Adorama: You can grab the 13″ (1.4GHz 8GB 256GB) Silver MacBook Pro for $1,449, resulting in $50 savings
Dell XPS
The Dell XPS line has four basic models, all of which can be upgraded: the XPS 15, XPS 17, XPS 13, and XPS 13 2-in-1.
Specs
XPS 15:
- Processing Power Up to 10th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-10750H
- 15.6″ Display
- Touchscreen Available
- Windows 10 Home OS
- Up to 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
- Up to NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6 Graphics Card
- Memory Up to 64GB DDR4-2933MHz, 2x32G
XPS 17:
- Up to 17″ Display
- Touchscreen Available
- Processing Power Up to 10th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-10875H
- Windows 10 OS
- Up to 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
- Up to NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 6GB GDDR6 with Max-Q Graphics Card
- 32GB DDR4-2933MHz, 2x16G Memory Available
XPS 13:
- 13.4″ Display
- Touchscreen Available
- Windows 10 OS
- 10th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-1065G7 Processor Available
- 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive Hard Drive Available
- Intel® Iris Plus Graphics Card Available
- 32GB 3733MHz LPDDR4x Memory Onboard Available
XPS 13 2-in-1:
- 10th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-1065G7 Processor Available
- 13.4″ Display
- HDR display
- Touchscreen Available
- 1TB PCIe NVMe x4 Solid State Drive Onboard Available
- Windows 10 OS
- Intel® Iris Plus Graphics Card Available
- 32GB 3733MHz LPDDR4x Memory Onboard Available
- Advanced Thermal Design
- Long Battery Life
Pricing & Deals
Standard Dell pricing:
- XPS 15: $1,299.99
- XPS 17: $1,399.99
- XPS 13: $1,368.99
- XPS 13 2-in-1: $999.99
In addition to these prices, Dell also offers a price match guarantee on all XPS models. Competitors probably can’t beat the current deals Dell has, though, since they’re offering their best-selling Dell XPS 13 for just $999! That means you save nearly $400.
Final Thoughts
It’s a choice between four upmarket brands. Of course, don’t forget to consider the different features, performance, and price of the laptop.
