laptop are often categorize by screen door sizing , and 15 - in laptop computer were once one of the go - to sizing . Once the 16:10 aspect ratio began more widely adopted , however , the 14 - inch and 16 - column inch sizes became much more common .
That ’s not to say , however , that there are n’t some great 15 - column inch laptops out there . They ’re a near option for those who ask a larger screen , whether for multitasking or limited vision , but maybe not the excess performance that come in in many 16 - column inch laptops . Many of these are ranked amongthe full laptopsyou can buy aright now .
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition
The point of corrupt a 15 - in laptop is for the larger silver screen . And if there ’s one 15 - inch laptop that accentuates its screen , it ’s the Surface Laptop 7th Edition . It ’s a beautiful , sharp-worded screen with a 120Hz refresh charge per unit , yes , but most importantly , it has 3:2 aspect proportion .
In my experience with reviewing this laptop computer , that was always the Surface Laptop 7th Edition ’s biggest asset . Most laptops use a wider 16:10 aspect ratio , but the taller shape of 3:2 really fix the screen come alive . I loved seeing more of the web page I was on , more cells in spreadsheet , and more lines in my papers .
Now , beyond that , this is very capable laptop in its own right . The Snapdragon X Elite enables it get great execution and electric battery aliveness , right on par with the MacBook Air .
The best budget 15-inch laptop
Acer Chromebook Plus 515
You ’ll belike never chance the perfect laptop computer for under $ 500 , but the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 sure enough makes a valorous attack . For aChromebook , it ’s using high - ending portion like a Core i3 processor and IPS 1080p display , while cater good deal of RAM and warehousing for basic computing needs .
The Chromebook " Plus " designation , also means it comes with a 1080p webcam and up - to - day of the month wireless connectivity with Wi - Fi 6E. We tested a very standardized version of this laptop computer , theAcer Chromebook Plus 516 GE . Though that model was aim at cloud gamers and come with a somewhat larger filmdom , it ’s a very similar design . While that equipment has a full concealment and improved ports , the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 still has plenty to volunteer .
Just make indisputable you roll in the hay break down in that the HDMI port can only support an outside 4 K monitor at 30Hz , so you ’ll want something with less pixels for a smooth experience .
The best overall 15-inch laptop
Apple MacBook Air 15
If you ’re prerogative is have the largest screen in the smallest overall package , the 15 - inch MacBook Air is the victor .
The 0.46 - inch thickness makes it the thinnest 15 - column inch laptop ever , and its weight of just 3.3 pounds make it an extremely portable laptop , perfect for taking your workplace on the go without sacrificing a large screenland . And while the showing is n’t mini - head like the MacBook Pro or OLED like some 14 - column inch laptops , it ’s a large , tart display nonetheless . Apple has a line with screens , always adjusting resolution to hit a desired pixel denseness rather than stretch out a solving on a larger screen .
In my own testing while reexamine the MacBook Air , I found the cover to be its greatest plus . The superfluous screen real estate is great , and is in all probability much larger in mortal than you might think from photos .
Like many of the options on this list , the MacBook Air 15 - inch does n’t admit a discrete GPU , although the M3 silicon chip at heart is extremely subject . You ’ll be surprised at how well it deal art too , thanks to the significant redevelopment to the graphics engine in the M3 multiplication . The only caveat to say here is that the M4 refresh is flop around the corner , which should provide even more performance for the same price .
The best 15-inch laptop for gaming
Razer Blade 15
Like most laptops , it ’s become common for bet on laptops to have go to 14 - column inch or 16 - inch screen size . That include Razer with its democratic Blade gambling laptop , which has the Blade 14 and Blade 16 as its most late updated laptop computer . The company still has the Razer Blade 15 , however , which submit an interesting proposition .
The last role model is from 2023 , and the model we review was from 2022 . The followup unit we await at had a QHD OLED 240Hz model , but you wo n’t find that version available any longer . The only major dispute between these two models is the processor within , live on from Intel ’s 12th - gen processor to the thirteenth - gen chip . These are onetime CPU , but to be honest , they do n’t make a immense difference in most secret plan carrying into action . What ’s important is the RTX 4070 , which is the same GPU you ’ll obtain in Razer ’s new and significantly more expensive laptop on offer .
In our examination of the Razer Blade 15 , we found it to be a surprisingly portable and herculean laptop computer . It does n’t always stay the coolest or quietest , mostly due to the size of it of the chassis . The other matter to consider is that we may soon be getting an rise to the RTX 50 - serial GPUs . Then again , if you require to get in on the Razer Blade brand for less money , the Razer Blade 15 is a outstanding way to go .
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition
You might look at the Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition and assume it was a 14 - column inch laptop . That ’s because Lenovo has really shrivel up the chassis , while still go on the 16:10 , 15.3 - in panel . At 0.55 inch , it ’s quite tenuous as well .
Overall , this is an super well - rounded laptop , offering keen battery life-time and self-coloured carrying out , thanks to the Core Ultra Series 2 mainframe inside . It also has a supremely well-to-do keyboard — something Lenovo laptops are recognise for . Our reviewer noted the deficiency of a tactile feedback touchpad like the Surface Laptop 7th Edition has , but other than that , establish that it make a spot at the tabular array among the good 15 - inch laptops you could buy .
The fact that it bulge with 512 GB of repositing is great too , because it undercut the price of the Surface Laptop 7th Edition for those who take more storage .
What to consider
What are the benefits of a 15-inch laptop?
merely put , 15- and 16 - inch laptop benefit from the size of the display . First , you get plenty of covert real estate for getting your body of work done , without need to tread up to a massive 17 - in or ( nirvana forbid ) a 18 - inch laptop .
These day , there is n’t a huge difference in public presentation or offer specs in 15 - column inch laptop computer as compared to modest 14 - inch laptops . The main difference is in screen size alone .
Are 15-inch laptops too big?
It ’s a fairish question . laptop these solar day are incredibly sparse , and that include larger 15 - inch laptops . But the other dimensions weigh too . After all , the enceinte the screen , the larger the footprint is on your desk or in your base . A 15 - in laptop is n’t the right selection for those needing to put to work on the go , especially in cramp spaces like aeroplane . For those cases , 13 - inch or 14 - inch laptop computer will be a better set .
On the other handwriting , they could make as a happy medium for those not need to go all the way to a 16 - column inch laptop computer , while still enjoying a larger cover for work . You might ask to see them in person to really get a sense for the size of it comparison and what become your pauperism .
What should you look for in a 15-inch laptop?
There ’s no reason to go with a 15 - in laptop if it wo n’t contact your performance and display quality pauperization . Therefore , calculate for a laptop that can configure dissipated CPUs and distinct GPUs if you need the power , although a very thin and light 15 - in laptop computer with less - muscular components can still be of value . That ’s where the display comes in — you ’ll need a eminent - timber IPS or OLED video display that offer high enough resolution for your need and , if you ’re creative , across-the-board and precise colors with lots of contrast .
Otherwise , you ’ll require to count for the same things as with any laptop . You ’ll require a solid build timbre , a great keyboard and touchpad , and long battery life — or at least , long barrage fire life history , give the powerful component and power - athirst display you might configure . Overall , 15 - in laptops are no different than other laptop computer when it comes to canonic timbre and functionality .
How we test
We put every laptop computer we bring in inthrough the same strict examination . In addition to operation , battery life , camera , and speaker examination , we also use a Spyder tintometer to measure the image caliber of the CRT screen . We always account on colour accuracy , colour saturation , brightness , and contrast — all markers of the quality of a presentation .
More than that , we also use the product for an extensive amount of time , devote careful tending to how the display feels to apply . If there ’s something singular about it — let ’s say , OLED backlighting , a fast refresh pace , or even just how knifelike the filmdom is in term of pixel density — we give you our first - script experience of those features . There are some thing you’re able to discover from a spec sheet , but when it total to evaluating a video display , first - hand experience is always important . And when you ’re purchasing a laptop computer specifically in the 15 - inch family , that first - bridge player experience of the screen really does topic .
Why you should trust us
Digital Trends has been test displays and laptops for well over 15 year , and our current faculty of laptop computer reader has hundred of laptop computer followup under their belt . That mean we ’ve examine a lot of laptop , newfangled and old , and can give you our best advice base on that hands - on experience and testing . They are n’t punt by just predilection or research — they ’re hold up by our real - cosmos examination with the mathematical product .
We always put up recommendations to our readers in the same way we would to our personal friends and family . It ’s not always about what ’s shiny or new either — it ’s about finding you the correct laptop computer for your specific need that fits in your budget .
