Looking back on the personal computer sector in 2025, observers are likely to recall a period marked by significant disruption. Factors such as erratic import duties, international tensions, the surge in artificial intelligence adoption, supply chain disruptions tied to AI demands and tariffs, along with massive job cuts numbering in the hundreds of thousands, have made the year particularly challenging and dynamic for the industry.
Despite these difficulties, notable advancements emerged. New lines of graphics processors debuted from both Nvidia and AMD. Modern laptops now embody the advanced designs long anticipated. Portable gaming devices have surged in demand, prompting Microsoft to adapt Windows for better compatibility against Valve's SteamOS in this space. Cybersecurity measures continue to advance rapidly to counter emerging threats from AI-driven assaults.
This overview highlights the standout achievements. Here are PCWorld editors' selections for the premier PC hardware and software of 2025.
For the top laptop overall, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition takes the honor. This Windows machine impressed testers as the year's most compelling option, featuring a vibrant 14-inch OLED screen at 2880x1800 resolution with HDR capabilities and a 120Hz refresh rate. It packs powerful internals, including an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB storage, and Intel Arc 140V graphics, plus endurance reaching 23 hours on a charge. Suitable for productivity and media consumption, it weighs less than three pounds for easy portability.
Its convertible form factor adds flexibility for users on the move, allowing tablet or tent configurations ideal for cramped environments like flights. The typing experience and touchpad are responsive, and the included Yoga Pen magnetically attaches to the chassis for convenient sketching or note-taking. -Ashley Biancuzzo
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti earns recognition as the leading graphics card. Nvidia staked the RTX 50-series success on the advanced DLSS 4 multi-frame generation technology. While this innovation impressed, it often resulted in the rest of the series appearing underwhelming or merely iterative compared to predecessors.
In contrast, the RTX 5070 Ti delivers a substantial boost, offering 25% improved speed over the RTX 4070 Ti at a $50 lower price point. It excels particularly with DLSS 4's multi-frame generation, providing excellent 1440p results and capable 4K output natively, elevated further by the feature for exceptional fluidity—best enjoyed on a 240Hz display if possible.
Amid a generation plagued by high costs and lackluster options, the RTX 5070 Ti and AMD's Radeon RX 9070 lineup distinguish themselves. DLSS 4's effectiveness justifies Nvidia's selection here. Dismissing multi-frame generation overlooks its genuine benefits. -Brad Chacos
The HP OmniBook 5 14 stands out for exceptional battery endurance. Tests revealed over 25 hours of runtime, credited to the efficient Snapdragon X Plus chip. Its 14-inch 1920x1200 OLED touch panel delivers vivid colors and deep blacks thanks to broad gamut coverage and strong contrast.
It handles routine computing smoothly but lacks the muscle for intensive graphics or modeling work, so usage should align accordingly. The primary attractions remain the extraordinary longevity and eye-catching screen, all available below $900. This model proves remarkably appealing. -Ashley Biancuzzo
The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED claims the best monitor title for broad appeal. This display impressed with its large, detailed 4K QD-OLED panel boasting rich hues. A 120Hz rate and Adaptive Sync compatibility extend its suitability to professional tasks, media viewing, and light gaming.
Connectivity includes HDMI 2.1 and USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4, plus 90W charging for laptops on Windows or Mac, alongside two USB-C ports offering 15W power and 5Gbps transfer speeds. Audio comes from five speakers totaling 25W with spatial sound support. Priced at an MSRP of $850 but often $700 on Amazon, it undercuts rivals. -Katherine Stevenson
Dashlane secures the spot for premier password management tool. Managing digital credentials becomes far simpler with a reliable manager that generates robust logins, autofills them, safeguards passkeys, flags vulnerabilities, and enables safe sharing.
Dashlane excels in reliability and frequent enhancements, including passwordless access for its own service and early adoption of secure passkey/password transfers via CXP standards. This positions it ahead in authentication security, as competitors lag in implementation.
Beyond basics like passkey handling and dark web scans, it includes VPN functionality and phishing alerts for comprehensive login protection. Though not the cheapest, its thorough coverage sets it apart. -Alaina Yee
The WD Black SN7100 is selected as the top solid-state drive. While PCIe 5.0 promises double the speed of prior generations, real-world tasks like everyday use and gaming show PCIe 4.0 as nearly equivalent at a fraction of the expense.
This PCIe 4.0 unit outperformed similar drives in benchmarks, albeit marginally, ensuring quick operation with a solid five-year guarantee. At $74 for 1TB capacity, it costs half as much as leading PCIe 5.0 alternatives. -Katherine Stevenson
AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the choice for best desktop processor. Desktop chip developments progressed slowly this year, with Intel and AMD prioritizing mobile solutions amid prior performance critiques. The Ryzen 9 9950X3D emerged as the key desktop highlight.
Building on the prior Ryzen 7 9800X3D's strong gaming and productivity results, this top-tier model amplified those gains. Versus Intel's Core 9 285K, it achieved 25-48% better gaming scores and around 10% productivity improvements at default speeds, with further gains via Precision Boost Overdrive.
Its unchallenged dominance is the sole drawback, yet its standalone excellence benefits all user types. -Alaina Yee
The Plugable TBT-UDT3 is named best Thunderbolt docking solution. Expectations for Thunderbolt 5 docks materialized in 2025, though many arrived at premium prices. The TBT-UDT3 provided a balanced, affordable choice for Thunderbolt 4 upgrades or Thunderbolt 5 entry.
Pricing weighed heavily due to tariff uncertainties and Intel's premium positioning of Thunderbolt 5 for elite laptops, though broader adoption looms. This dock supports three displays (or two with an external drive), Thunderbolt Share, and reliable operation.
It edges out competitors as the most well-rounded, despite others' niche strengths, currently at $299.95. -Mark Hachman
Norton 360 Deluxe is the recommended antivirus suite. Rising incidents of data leaks, phishing, and malware—accelerated by AI vulnerability spotting—underscore the need for robust defense, even for cautious users.
This package consolidates essential protections into an accessible format, blocking threats and suspicious sites while adding dark web surveillance, VPN, parental tools, password management, 50GB cloud backups, and system optimization. Its extensive safeguards at a low cost outpace most alternatives. -Alaina Yee
Valve's Steam Deck remains the best gaming portable device. At nearly four years in, its $400 base and $550 OLED variant offer unbeatable value for most players, enhanced by GeForce Now integration. SteamOS provides superior fluidity over Windows 11.
For added power or screen size, the Legion Go S with SteamOS compatibility works well, ideally during discounts. -Michael Crider
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is ideal for premium portable gaming seekers willing to invest. Retaining the original's expansive display and detachable controllers, it upgrades to OLED and the potent Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip. Windows 11 runs natively, with Bazzite or eventual SteamOS options; pricing begins at $1350. -Michael Crider
Alienware's 16X Aurora excels as the top gaming laptop, blending potent hardware with a fluid screen for immersive play. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5070, it runs demanding games at max settings seamlessly.
The 16-inch 2560x1600 IPS panel at 240Hz ensures sharp, silky visuals. -Ashley Biancuzzo
Incogni leads in personal data removal services. Vast amounts of user information circulate via brokers and search platforms, hard to control individually, making automated removal essential—and Incogni executes it superbly.
Setup is straightforward, with instant automated requests; one day yielded hundreds on my account, equating to months of manual work. Ongoing verifications prevent re-listings, and custom options target nearly any site. Priced higher, its effectiveness delivers unmatched privacy assurance at $7.99. -Sam Singleton
The MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED is the gaming monitor standout, meeting speed and quality essentials with a 4K 240Hz panel for crisp, fluid action and Adaptive Sync.
Versatility shines through four video ports, Power Delivery, KVM functionality, adjustable image settings, and HDR. -Katherine Stevenson
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the flawless Chromebook pick, with an Intel i5, 8GB RAM for snappy performance, and a 14-inch 1080p touch screen for clear work or streaming, lasting 13 hours. The comfortable keyboard supports full-day use. -Ashley Biancuzzo
eMeet's Piko+ 4K webcam impressed for 2025, offering sharp dual-lens 4K video excelling in dim conditions, with adequate audio. At $90, it bridges budget and high-end options; a new traditional mount version addresses the only prior issue. Expectations were low, but results exceeded them. -Mark Hachman
NordVPN is the overall best virtual private network, balancing privacy, usability, server scale, content access, and performance across uses like streaming bypass, anonymity, or file sharing. Few rivals match its consistent excellence.
As the quickest tested, it boasts extensive servers, security add-ons, audited no-logs, reliable unblocking, and P2P support at $3.39 monthly. -Sam Singleton
Surfshark stands as the top budget VPN, continually expanding features at low cost, including a robust network, high speeds, multi-hop, antivirus, IP rotation, and ad blocking.
Long-term plans dip below coffee prices, surpassing lesser rivals in scope and verification. -Sam Singleton
Teamgroup X2 Max is the portable SSD choice, a compact USB 3.2 Gen2x1 stick with NVMe tech achieving ~1.1GBps transfers. Dual USB-A/C ends ensure universal compatibility without extras, outshining faster but less versatile options. -Katherine Stevenson
EaseUS Todo Backup 2025 overtook prior favorites for efficient, user-friendly design. It covers full imaging, file backups, synchronization, recovery with WinPE media, and more.
A perpetual license at $59.99 (or $79.99 lifetime) contrasts subscription models at $39.99 yearly, with 1TB cloud add-on at $20 annually requiring subscription. -Katherine Stevenson
iDrive is the leading online backup provider, fitting the 3-2-1 strategy as remote, diverse media. It adds local client, imaging, and recovery—uncommon for cloud services.
The Personal plan at $69.65 yearly covers multiple devices with 5TB storage, blending features and ease. -Katherine Stevenson
OWC USB-C Travel Dock is the best USB-C hub, a 3.2-inch square with ports on three sides: USB-A, Ethernet, USB-C power, HDMI, SD reader, and retractable cable. At ~$35, it packs essentials portably for bags or gifts. -Mark Hachman