From experimental designs to game-changing technology, these are my most anticipated new laptops of 2024.
There’s been a lot of talk about why PCs are about to make a comeback this year. Will it be AI that will boost PC sales? What about a big update to Windows?
Maybe, maybe not.
All I know is there are some exciting laptops that get me pumped to be a reviewer this year. From daring experiments to game-changing new technology, these are my most anticipated new laptops of 2024, some of which are destined to be among the best laptops you’ll be able to buy.Dell XPS 14
The XPS brand has earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of minimalism, starting with the ultra-thin bezels it pioneered many years ago. But this year’s major revamp of the XPS lineup has come with a healthy dose of skepticism. And maybe some mockery.
In particular, everyone is upset about the seamless haptic trackpad and the capacitive touch buttons, both features borrowed from the XPS 13 Plus. Add in the lack of ports and expandability, and it’s not hard to see why there’s a backlash against this design.
But on the other hand, I’d be lying if I said the look of this laptop isn’t striking. I’ve seen it in person, and it’s high on the list of laptops I can’t wait to spend more time with.
I’m saying the XPS 14 specifically because I still think the XPS 16 feels like a non-starter as a larger content-creation device. When it comes to the 14-inch model, though, I can be more forgiving of some of those design changes, especially since we’re getting a faster 120Hz screen and a considerably smaller chassis compared to the XPS 15. More than anything, I’m curious about its performance once you configure it with the RTX 4050. Feels like a decent MacBook Pro 14 competitor to me.MacBook Air M3
This is going to be a relatively quiet year for MacBooks. However, the one update we know is coming is the M3 update to the MacBook Airs. The info comes from Apple insider Mark Gurman, who says the M3 MacBook Air will be launched at a spring event alongside some updated iPads.
In lieu of releasing the M3 update last fall, it looks like Apple will be lining up an M3 update to the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air at the same time. It’s also expected that the M1 MacBook Air will finally be officially cut from the lineup, leaving Apple with a simpler lineup unless Apple does something like continuing to sell the M2 MacBook Air. We’ll have to see, but this will likely be the only MacBook launch of the year.
