Laptops, speakers
Porta-powerhouses and music movers
Apple Macbook Air from £999 / stuff.tv/macbookair
The latest version of the Macbook Air moves forward to affirm its status as the perfect Apple laptop for most people. The refined scissor-switch keyboard is the star of the show here, making it more comfortable to type for hours on end, but that’s far from the only thing that’s improved from the previous model – which was already our No1 laptop. If you’re after a simple all-round machine, this one will keep you going for years. Stuff says ★★★★★ Our go-to Macbook is now even go-to-er with better pricing and a better keyboard
● NOW ADD THIS
Satechi Type-c USB 3 Combo Hub
Two ports not enough? This hub adds loads more and sits snugly against the 2020 Macbook Air’s side. £46 / amazon.co.uk
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 from £985 / stuff.tv/surfacelap3
The Surface Laptop 3 seems plain on paper – no second screen, no graphics card, no hybrid hinge, no fingerprint scanner – but Microsoft has put supreme attention to detail into every bit that matters. The keyboard, the speakers and the overall build quality are all superb.
Stuff says ★★★★★
Forget frills and gimmicks: this is everything a laptop should be
Apple Macbook Pro 16in from £2399 / stuff.tv/macbookpro16
The current 16in Pro doesn’t look much different from its 15in predecessor, but all doubts fade away when you start using it. The keyboard is better, the screen is superb, the speakers are great, it only rarely gets warm, and even the battery lasts longer.
Stuff says ★★★★★
A serious upgrade to what was already a top-class Macbook
Dell XPS 13
★★★★★ from £1299 / stuff.tv/xps13
Style, portability, performance… there’s nothing else out there that’s quite so well rounded.
Huawei Matebook X Pro
★★★★★ from £950 / stuff.tv/matebookxpro
Not massively better than the 2018 model, but this is a real powerhouse of a Windows laptop.
Apple Macbook Pro 13in ★★★★★ from £1299 / stuff.tv/macbookpro13
A superb little laptop… but wait for our imminent review of the 2020 update. Google Pixelbook Go
★★★★★ from £629 / stuff.tv/pixelbookgo
A light and stylish touchscreen laptop built for those who like to live and work in the cloud.
MSI GS66 Stealth
★★★★✩ from £1499 / stuff.tv/gs66
Gets hot and bothered at times, but a great fit for gaming/work jugglers.
Razer Blade 15 Advanced
★★★★✩ from £2470 / stuff.tv/bladeadvanced
Razer’s Blade models are our favourite gaming laptops, and this is a worthy flagship.
Microsoft Surface Book 3
★★★★✩ from £1599 / stuff.tv/sbook3
Has the most inventive hybrid design around but lacks the power of a high-end laptop.