5 best laptops you can buy in 2016

1. Dell XPS 13

Dell's latest Ultrabook is a masterpiece ahead of the curve

CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-6200U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) | Storage: 256GB SSD.The Dell XPS 13 is bar none, the best laptop you can buy today. It features an revolutionary design that's astonishingly thin and light laptop. Fitting a 13.3-inch screen into a 11-inch laptop frame is no small feat, however, Dell has pulled off a miracle creating a nearly borderless Infinity display. It's a powerful and powerful and long lasting machine even by today's Ultrabook standards. The XPS 13 comes outfitted with Intel's latest Skylake processors plus lighting quick storage and memory, all while coming in at a very affordable starting price. For these reasons, it easily takes the top slot as the best Ultrabook, the best Windows laptop and the best overall laptop.

2. Asus ZenBook UX305

Better than the MacBook and at a fraction of the price

CPU: 900MHz Intel Core M3-6Y30 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 IPS display | Storage: 256GB SSD.If you're looking for a bargain the Asus ZenBook UX305 might be more your speed. Though it looks like a MacBook from every angle, but it's a better machine in almost every way. It's thinner and even more attractive in some ways with its purple-tinged aluminum body. With a sharp display and hearty helping of storage space, it's better equipped than Apple's titular thin-and-light. Add in the fanless design and long battery life, and this machine is one hot ticket. Most importantly, though, you can get this great package at a very affordable price.

3. Toshiba Chromebook 2

One of the best looking and most powerful Chromebooks

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core i3-5015U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,090 | Storage: 16GB eMMC | Connectivity: Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 7260; Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HD webcam | Weight:2.97 pounds | Dimensions: 12.6 x 8.4 x 0.76 inches (W x D x H).If a sharp screen and fast machine is what you seek, invest in a Toshiba Chromebook 2. It packs a wonderfully colorful full HD screen and an almost overly capable Intel Core i3 processor. Though this particular model comes at a higher premium than other Chromebooks, there's the option of picking a lower-end Celeron model. Either way, this 13-inch laptop is one of the more attractive Chrome OS machines available today and it can run as fast as the overpoweredGoogle Chromebook Pixel 2.

4. 13-inch MacBook Air (early 2015)

Light and faster than ever

CPU: 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 6000 | RAM:8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, LED-backlit glossy display (1440 x 900) | Storage:256GB SSD.When you're looking for something with rock solid reliability, there's always theMacBook Air. Although the latest iteration sticks to its guns with a dated design and low-resolution screen, the Air isn't showing any signs of slowing down on the performance front. Thanks to a capable CPU, this thin and light machine can handle everything from simple web browsing to serious number crunching and even some light gaming. Sure the New MacBook is lighter and thinner, but it does not come with the Air's spread of full-sized ports nor a 13 hour battery life to last you though an entire day.

5. Surface Pro 4

The best iteration in Windows 10 tablets

CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-6300U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824 PixelSense display | Storage: 256GB.Microsoft has struck gold with its Surface line and the company's latest Surface Pro 4 is there best device yet. Building on everything previous iterations, this new slate introduces a larger and more sensitive touchscreen perfected for everything from penning documents to painting images. Tapping away on the redesigned Type Cover's island-style keys feels almost as good as a real notebook keyboard and the glass trackpad feels simply superb. Internally, the new model also features a faster processor and storage, all in a shell that's actually lighter and thinner than the Surface Pro 3. Overall, these improvements make the Surface Pro 4 an affordable Windows tablet that really can replace your laptop.