WIRED's updated 2026 laptop buying guide, based on hands-on testing of dozens of devices, names the Apple MacBook Air M5 as its top overall recommendation despite a $200 price increase to $1,299. The reviewer says the machine's performance, battery life, and build quality keep it the default choice for most users, with GPU performance that matches the M3 Pro MacBook Pro.
The guide also highlights the Dell XPS 13 as a strong budget option, though the base model's price has risen to $800 and the reviewer recommends avoiding its 8GB RAM configuration in favor of the $1,000 16GB version. That still positions it as one of the best laptops under $1,000, with a sharp 120-Hz display and compact design suited for travel.
For Windows users, the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 is praised for its design, OLED display, and Snapdragon X2 Elite performance, with the tested configuration currently listed at $1,300. The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x is offered as a larger-screen alternative to the 15-inch MacBook Air at a lower cost, with an upgraded OLED model available for around $1,000 on sale.