Industry observers note that if you’re looking for an affordable Windows machine under $500, a blazing fast tech industry beast for those intense matches, or a portable 2-in-1 for school or work, you’ve got plenty of great choices right now.

As part of the ongoing story, take a peek at PCWorld’s list of the top laptops you can get right now. Want to see even more?

According to the latest update, pCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 80 laptops every year. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget. Why you should trust us: It’s in our name!

In a fresh development, our top pick: Dell 15 Laptop, $379.99 ($260 off at Dell).

As part of the ongoing story, the Dell 15 Laptop is the one to spring for. Its Intel Core 3 100U chip is well suited for the daily stuff like browsing, streaming, email, and so on. You also get 8GB of RAM and a roomy 512GB SSD, which is enough for most day-to-day workloads. The 15.6-inch 1080p display is also sharp enough for everyday use. Need an affordable laptop for the basic stuff?

The report highlights that our top pick: HP OmniBook 3, $699.99 ($300 off at Microcenter).

According to the latest update, the HP OmniBook 3 fits the bill. With 16GB of RAM, it’s well-equipped for seamless multitasking, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 chip can chew through more demanding workloads. You’re also getting a 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen that’s sharp enough for streaming or productivity. At $699.99 ($300 off at Microcenter), it’s an excellent value for a capable day-to-day laptop. Need a little more oomph in the performance department?

As part of the ongoing story, our top pick: HP Omen 16, $1,599.99 ($620 off at Best Buy).

According to the latest update, the HP Omen 16 is the one to spring for. With a Ryzen 9 processor and RTX 5060 graphics, it should deliver smooth, high-performance tech industry. The 16-inch 1920×1200 144Hz screen also keeps visuals looking nice and crisp, while 32GB of RAM and a1TB SSD ensure fast load times and plenty of room for your ginormous library of platform releases. Want a tech industry laptop that’s not crazy expensive but still beastly as far as performance goes?

In a fresh development, our top pick: Dell 16 Plus, $899.99 ($530 off at Newegg).

Industry observers note that the Dell 16 Plus packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a spacious 1TB SSD, giving you plenty of speed for productivity, creative projects, and entertainment. Its sharp 16-inch 2560×1600 display delivers extra detail and screen space, making everything from spreadsheets to movies look great. It’s a strong all-around pick for anyone who wants premium performance. Need a laptop that can handle work, streaming, and everyday multitasking without slowing you down?

Industry observers note that don’t buy laptops with under 4GB of RAM or 128GB of SSD storage—though on a Chromebook or a budget Windows machine, this configuration is acceptable. Check out our article on how much RAM does a laptop need for more in-depth info. You’ll want at least 8GB, though 16GB is preferable, especially if you play platform releases.

In a fresh development, chromebooks run ChromeOS and Windows run, well, Microsoft Windows. The one big difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop is the operating system.

In a fresh development, they use less resources and are generally more affordable than the Windows variety. They also don’t need antivirus protection. A Windows laptop is a lot more versatile in what it can do, and not just in terms of running local programs. You can really pump a Windows laptop up with a ton of RAM, storage, and so on. Chromebooks make good everyday machines because they’re designed for browsing the web, checking e-mail, and so on.

As part of the ongoing story, sure, you’ll find good laptop deals throughout the year, but if you really want to save big, we’d recommend scoping out your favorite online retailers during those times. You’ll likely find the best laptop deals during Prime Day (mid-July), Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), and back-to-school season (June-August).

Industry observers note that however, we’d recommend checking out deals from laptop manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. You’ll usually find many different configurations on sale and the discounts can be pretty darn steep. You can find all kinds of deals across a wide range of online retailers such as Newegg, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and so on.

Industry observers note that for more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.

As part of the ongoing story, she's been covering consumer tech since 2016, and her work has appeared on USA Today, Reviewed, Polygon, Kotaku, StarWars.com, and Nerdist. In her spare time, she enjoys playing video platform releases, reading science fiction, and hanging out with her rescue greyhound. Ashley Biancuzzo manages all laptop and Chromebook coverage for PCWorld.