Plenty of astronomical events linger on the horizon as we near the end of 2024, meaning it's an ideal time to pick up one of the best laptops for astronomy. Whether you want to glimpse the last full moon of the year on Dec. 15 in extraordinary detail or watch the Ursids Meteor Shower on Dec. 21, it's important to pair one of the best telescopes with an equally capable laptop – especially if you are observing on the move.
A great laptop for astronomy should be fitted with a top processor and plenty of RAM to multitask alongside a good graphics card so you can quickly and effectively process any images you capture. With plenty of events coming up, alongside opportunities to capture planets like Jupiter and Mars, you should consider pairing your equipment with a laptop that can run without a hitch.
The quick list
A high-performing machine with a long battery life, ideal for running heavy-duty software on the go.
The M3 Max has one of the best processors out there, but it comes with a huge price tag to match.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15-inch) is a sharp machine with a long battery life and a smooth display.
This sleek and lightweight laptop packs a great performance and a stunning OLED display.
An amazingly thin laptop that offers maximum performance on the move. It has a great battery life and boasts powerful specs.
The OLED display is immersive and even offers glasses-free 3D, making it great for people who work with graphics.
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The stunning 4K display is the main attraction here, alongside its impressive performance, but this laptop is expensive.
Its near 19-hour lifespan is impressive and perfect for working on the go, though it is heavier than other models in this guide.
This is one of the best value models around. It has huge amounts of RAM and heaps of connectivity options, but the battery could be better.
A great choice for multi-taskers on the move, especially those with graphic-heavy work. It doubles up as a tablet, too.
Boasting an attractive minimalist design, this laptop is perfect for graphics-heavy workloads. Its 240Hz OLED display is allegedly the most responsive ever.
The best laptops we recommend in 2024
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The best laptop overall
✅ You want a powerful MacBook you can take with you: If you need to run heavy-duty software while on the move, this laptop is for you.
✅ You want to run intensive workloads: The M3 series processors are among the best out there for intensive workloads.
❌ You want the most powerful machine money can buy: The 16-inch MacBook Pro offers much more power.
❌ You're on a tight budget: This laptop comes with a considerable price tag.
🔎 The MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 Pro, 2023) offers a great balance between performance, portability and a premium user experience. ★★★★½
Although Apple has released the new M4 series, we've picked last year's excellent 14-inch MacBook Pro as the most balanced device in our guide. It packs a huge performance punch and, relatively speaking, it doesn't break the bank.
Its 11-core M3 Pro CPU alongside 14-core integrated graphics means it can offer similar graphical processing chops as its 16-inch cousin, although the option does exist for users who want to upgrade to the M3 Max processor.
The liquid retina XDR technology also produces a crisp and bright display that makes this machine great for graphics designers and creatives. According to testing by Laptop, this MacBook Pro achieved 51 frames per second at 1200p on the Civilization VI benchmark, just 2fps shy of the premium laptop average.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro has the high build quality and design you'd expect from a premium Apple machine. Its battery life is exceptionally long compared to many other non-MacBook contenders, so it can easily be used when you're out and about.
It's also considerably cheaper than the larger and far more specced-up MacBook variations, including the 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip. That said, this 14-inch version is not suitable for those on a tight budget, nor for those willing to spend as much as it takes for the most powerful machine.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Great build and compact design |
| Functionality | A stunning 14-inch display and long-lasting battery |
| Performance | High-end performance thanks to the M3 Pro chip |
The best laptop for performance
✅ You want the most powerful MacBook: If you aren't willing to compromise on power and performance, don't look anywhere else.
✅ You need maximum power on the go: The MacBook Pro's excellent battery life makes it an ideal travel companion.
❌ You need to stick to a budget: The best-performing MacBook Pro is also the most expensive.
❌ You don't need this much power: There are better options out there if you aren't planning on running the heaviest workloads.
🔎 The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max, 2023) is an absolute powerhouse of a machine that might well blow you away. ★★★★★
There is very little beating the M3 Max-fitted 16-inch MacBook Pro, if you ignore its pricing. That said, with Apple's M4 series processors now available in the latest machines, there's every chance you can grab a good deal on last year's most powerful MacBook on the market.
Simply put, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max processor can handle anything you throw at it. And you'll be astonished at the efficiency with which it conducts itself, thanks to a blockbuster battery life. Compared with the base MacBook Pro, this model features an advanced version of Apple's custom-built chip, with a 16-core processor and 40-core integrated graphics.
The 3,456 by 2,234-pixel liquid retina XDR display is as sharp as ever, giving you an expansive and crisp panel with accurate colors, perfect for those who work with graphics or want to edit images of the night sky. The machine also allows for a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, ensuring a perfectly smooth experience.
A major reason to choose the MacBook Pro 16-inch is that its battery life is fantastic, unlike many high-powered desktop-class laptops. To give you an idea of how good it is, according to Apple, you can enjoy up to 22 hours of movie playback on a single charge (although this might be a little less with real-world usage).
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Little change on a tried-and-tested form factor, unless you count its intriguing new Space Black coat. |
| Functionality | Packed with plenty of ports and a stunning display to boot. |
| Performance | The M3 Max is one of the best processors out there, and very little can compete with it. |
The best Windows laptop
✅ You want a slimline 15-inch machine: The Surface Laptop 7 is sleek, stylish and feels great to use, and it's only slightly bulkier than the MacBook Air 15-inch (M3).
✅ You want a great battery life: Under normal usage, the battery in this machine can last much longer than most thanks to its NPU.
❌ You want a smaller laptop: There are some great 13-inch options out there if you're looking for something a little more portable.
❌ You want an OLED screen: Although the display is bright and smooth, it doesn't quite reach the heights of the inky blacks that OLED displays can offer.
🔎 The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15-inch) is the best Windows laptop you can get right now, offering fantastic performance and a long battery life at great value. ★★★★½
We loved using the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 and are happy to recommend it as the best Windows machine out there right now. If you're looking for one of the latest Windows PCs with AI capabilities at a relatively affordable price (for what you end up getting), the Surface Laptop 7 ticks all those boxes. You get the latest Qualcomm components, an entry-level graphics card, and an NPU that extends its battery life, all packaged into a stylish and robust chassis.
It's impossible to avoid drawing parallels between this laptop and the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M3), which is a testament to Microsoft's engineering prowess in building the 7th-edition Surface Laptop. This laptop feels great to use thanks to its adonized aluminum chassis, with similar measurements to Apple's portable powerhouse. The Surface 7 is only marginally larger and heavier, but we're talking fractions of an inch and only an ounce or two, so there's really not much in it.
The display does lack an OLED option, so it might not be the one for anybody looking for the best possible visuals , but it's still very crisp and showcases dazzling colours for a conventional LCD. The 120Hz refresh rate (double the standard 60Hz) also means scrolling is as smooth as anything, while the 3:2 aspect ratio gives you more vertical space than most laptops to work with images or other media files.
The Surface 7 Laptop's performance is fantastic given how much it's retailing for: The new Snapdragon processors are capable of going toe-to-toe with Apple's custom silicon. The entry-level Qualcomm GPU is decent, but probably won't fare as well as higher-end components when dealing with things like 8K video footage, so that's one place you might look to upgrade.
One of its major selling points is, however, a battery life that lasts in excess of 17 hours, thanks in part to the neural processing unit (NPU) that takes on many workloads normally taken on by the GPU and CPU. It makes for a power-efficient laptop that can last you a good long while compared to many of its competitors.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Gorgeous black finish to its stylish chassis |
| Functionality | Doesn't feature many ports |
| Performance | Fitted with a fantastic processor and a solid entry-level GPU |
The best last-gen Windows laptop
✅ You want a great Windows laptop: There's a great array of Windows laptops to choose from, but the latest XPS 15 is a highlight.
✅ You need a gorgeous display: OLED brings out the best of the XPS 15's display, with stunning blacks and great colors.
❌ You need to work on the move: The XPS 15's battery life isn't the best, so we'd stay away if you're on the go often.
❌ You need lots of ports: The XPS 15 only has two USB-C ports, which is a significant downside of thin and portable machines.
🔎 The Dell XPS 15 was among the best Windows laptop out there when it came out. Today, it still offers a great performance and a stunning display, while remaining relatively light for its size. ★★★★
Dell's XPS machines have a reputation for being stylish, powerful and relatively expensive, but the Dell XPS 15 is one of the best last-gen Windows machines, considering you can get it for much less now.
There is a newer model on the scene, but last year's XPS 15 offers supreme quality and has the advantage of being a little cheaper. We certainly wouldn't let the fact it's a year old get in the way of what's otherwise a great machine, with a top Intel CPU and Nvidia graphics card under the hood. We also love the fact that Dell lets you customize it extensively, which means you can opt for a cheaper version if you have budgetary constraints.
In the higher-end version of the XPS 15, the large 15.6-inch OLED display is a particular highlight, with a crisper image, more vibrant colors and deeper blacks than the standard HD display. That said, it is very much is a luxury upgrade, and it's worth noting it comes at a significant cost.
Similarly, the latest processing and graphics components are amazing your work is graphics-heavy or involves editing images of the night sky, but they're not essential, so make sure you're not getting a version of the XPS 15 you don't really need.
The only major downside to this otherwise fantastic Windows laptop is its disappointing battery; according to Space.com's sister site Tom's Guide, it lasted a suboptimal nine hours in testing. When you compare that to how long the MacBook Pro can last, for example, it's a real dampener.
Channel Editor Jase Parnell-Brookes has owned a Dell XPS 15 since 2020 (not the latest model) and notes that they've experienced several common issues and poor performance with this laptop, including needing to replace the DC port twice as well as the trackpad after the first year of ownership.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Impressive look and feel — and built to last |
| Functionality | Lacks ports, but expansion units are available |
| Performance | Fitted with some of the best components you can find today |
The best portable laptop
✅ You're looking for maximum performance on the move: It's one of the sleekest 15-inch machines we've seen and has a great battery life.
✅ You want MacOS without breaking the bank: MacBook Airs tend to be much cheaper than their Pro cousins.
❌ You need to run the most intensive applications for longer: The lack of a dedicated cooling fan might lead to throttling in the long run.
❌ You want the brightest and best display: The liquid retina display is excellent, but not as bright or crisp as that of the MacBook Pro.
🔎 The MacBook Air 15-inch (M2, 2023) represents a fantastic piece of engineering and offers everything most people need in a portable laptop. ★★★★★
Historically, the MacBook Air has suffered from mixed results, but ever since Apple refreshed the series in recent years, it's been an absolute triumph of a machine. While Apple has launched MacBook Pros fitted with the M4 series chip, and is expected to introduce these to MacBooks next year, the M2 model is stilll up there as one of the best machines available.
This is a fantastic machine that offers almost everything the MacBook Pro does — especially its stylish chassis — with slightly reduced performance, and at a much more cost-effective price.
We think the 15-inch MacBook Air is a portable powerhouse, offering the capabilities of a high-end machine while remaining relatively affordable. It's also quite portable despite being on the larger side, weighing in at 3.3 lbs (1.5kg).
Although it doesn't boast an M3 chip, during our Apple MacBook Air M2 15-inch review, we found Apple's M2 CPU more than good enough for very intensive workloads. The machine also has a lengthy battery life, so you won't need to worry about running out of charge if you're on the go a lot.
This, however, comes at the cost of an absent cooling fan, meaning it may run hot when you're running intensive applications for too long. This may slightly hamper performance, but the M2 chip can still hit some of the highest performance levels under these conditions.
Elsewhere, the display is as crisp as we've come to expect from the latest MacBooks, and while not as sharp as the 16-inch MacBook Pro, it can compete with some of the best Windows laptops.
We were disappointed with the lack of ports, but we're nitpicking here as the laptop probably wouldn't be as thin, light and portable if it had extra slots like HDMI and USB-A.
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| Attributes | Notes |
| Design | Supreme build quality and dimensions |
| Functionality | Lacks ports but more than makes up thanks to its portability |
| Performance | Great performance thanks to the M2 chip, but won't beat the MacBook Pro |
The best OLED laptop
✅ You're primarily working with graphics: This has fantastic tech and an OLED display coupled with great RAM and processing power ideal for photographers and designers.
✅ You want an expansive screen: OLED displays are very immersive thanks to the deep blacks and rich colors.
❌ You're working on a budget: High-end components and a stunning display come at a hefty premium.
❌ You need a light laptop: This laptop is anything but lightweight, so don't pick it up if you're planning on carrying it around.
🔎 The ASUS ProArt Studiobook has a stunning OLED display that justifies its curious build, and it includes some of the most powerful components out there. ★★★★½
There are plenty of OLED laptops on the market today, but the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 OLED is one of our favorites thanks to its fantastically vibrant OLED screen and a 180-degree lay-flat hinge.
The machine does have a bit of an odd look to it that takes getting used to, but it's designed for users who regularly work with media and graphics, making it a perfect astrophotography companion. Its touchpad is also reinforced with haptic feedback, and the dial fitted into the chassis can be configured to work with any app, giving you another layer of control while working with graphics-intensive workloads. You can even flick a special switch to boost graphics performance.
The ASUS ProArt Studiobook is a portable workstation that packs a huge amount of power under the hood. It's geared primarily at creative professionals, but it's also great for running astronomy software or editing images and videos of the night sky.
Beyond its high-end Intel and Nvidia chips is an OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and touchscreen capabilities. The manufacturer claims the 3,200 x 2,000-pixel display has a 0.2ms response time and scores 100% on a color accuracy test; the higher-end model can even render 3D images without the need for 3D glasses.
We should also mention the laptop's built-in software tools for creatives, and its cooling system which makes sure it isn't running too hot while it's running. The laptop also features a full collection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI and an SD card slot among the options.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Unconventional design — love it or hate it |
| Functionality | Great hardware and software tools to enjoy |
| Performance | Great performance thanks to top-of-the-line components |
