Best Laptops Under $1500 in 2026

Under $1500, you're in premium territory. Expect powerful processors, beautiful displays, premium materials, and performance that handles demanding workloads. These laptops punch well above their price.

Updated: January 28, 2026

1
17-cn/17t Laptop with 13th Gen Intel Core i7 - 64GB RAM / 2TB SSD / Silver
HP

17-cn/17t Laptop with 13th Gen Intel Core i7 - 64GB RAM / 2TB SSD / Silver

★★★★★ 5.0/5 (1 reviews)
$1,649
64GB RAM 2TB SSD 17.3" Intel i7-1355U

This is a top-of-the-line configuration for professionals who need maximum performance in a traditional laptop form factor. The combination of a Core i7-1355U, a staggering 64GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD can handle virtually any productivity or content creation task thrown at it, short of high-end 3D rendering. The 17.3-inch FHD display, backlit keyboard, and fingerprint reader round out the premium feature set. It's a true desktop replacement for the most demanding users.

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2
MacBook Pro 16-inch (2024) - M4 Max / 48GB / 1TB Silver
Apple

MacBook Pro 16-inch (2024) - M4 Max / 48GB / 1TB Silver

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (191 reviews)
$3,999
48GB RAM 1TB SSD 16.2" Apple Max 120Hz

The absolute peak of the MacBook Pro lineup, featuring the most powerful M4 Max chip with a 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, paired with 48GB of RAM. This configuration is designed for the most extreme professional workflows, such as high-resolution 3D rendering, complex scientific computing, and developing large AI models. It offers desktop-class power in a portable form factor. The 1TB SSD is adequate, but users at this level may require larger external storage arrays. This is a no-compromise machine for users who need maximum performance.

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3
MacBook Air 13.6
Apple

MacBook Air 13.6" M2 (2022) - 8GB / 256GB Silver

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (13200 reviews)
$915
8GB RAM 256GB SSD 13.6" Apple M2

The 2022 MacBook Air with the M2 chip introduced a significant redesign with a modern, flat-edge chassis, a larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, and MagSafe charging. The M2 chip offers a notable performance improvement over the M1, making it highly capable for everyday productivity, web browsing, and media consumption. The 8GB RAM configuration is ideal for students and general users. Its fanless design ensures silent operation, and the battery life remains excellent. A superb choice for those seeking a modern, portable, and efficient Mac.

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4
MacBook Air 13.6
Apple

MacBook Air 13.6" M4 (2025) - 16GB / 256GB Silver

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (5491 reviews)
$999
16GB RAM 256GB SSD 13.6" Apple M4

The 2025 MacBook Air with the M4 chip represents a significant leap in performance, especially for AI and machine learning tasks. This 16GB RAM model is the new standard for power users, offering incredible speed for coding, creative work, and heavy multitasking in a fanless design. The M4's enhanced Neural Engine is optimized for 'Apple Intelligence' features. It retains the modern 13.6-inch design, making it a supremely powerful and portable machine for professionals and students who want the latest technology.

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5
MacBook Pro 14-inch (2024) - M4 / 16GB / 512GB Silver
Apple

MacBook Pro 14-inch (2024) - M4 / 16GB / 512GB Silver

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (2041 reviews)
$1,499
16GB RAM 512GB SSD 14.2" Apple M4 120Hz

The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro for 2024, featuring the efficient and powerful M4 chip. This model offers a significant performance leap for everyday tasks, productivity, and light creative work. The 16GB of RAM is a solid baseline for smooth multitasking. Its main selling point is bringing the premium Liquid Retina XDR display, excellent speakers, and pro build quality to a more accessible price point within the Pro lineup. Ideal for students, professionals, and creators who don't need the power of the Pro/Max chips.

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6
MacBook Air 15.3
Apple

MacBook Air 15.3" M2 (2023) - 8GB / 512GB Space Gray

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (1816 reviews)
$1,499
8GB RAM 512GB SSD 15.3" Apple M2

The first of its kind, the 15.3-inch MacBook Air M2 brings a large screen to Apple's thinnest and lightest laptop line. It offers the same excellent M2 performance and fanless design as its 13-inch sibling but with significantly more screen real estate for multitasking and media consumption. This configuration with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is a great choice for users who prioritize a large display for general productivity and entertainment over raw processing power. The six-speaker sound system provides an immersive audio experience.

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7
MacBook Air 13.6
Apple

MacBook Air 13.6" M3 (2024) - 16GB / 256GB Midnight

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (1621 reviews)
$899
16GB RAM 256GB SSD 13.6" Apple M3

This 13-inch MacBook Air M3 configuration with 16GB of RAM is the sweet spot for power users and developers. The M3 chip provides a significant performance uplift for CPU and graphics-intensive tasks, while the 16GB of unified memory ensures smooth multitasking with demanding applications like IDEs, virtual machines, and creative suites. It also gains key features like Wi-Fi 6E and support for two external displays (with the lid closed), making it a versatile and powerful workstation in an incredibly portable package.

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8
MacBook Air 15.3
Apple

MacBook Air 15.3" M4 (2025) - 16GB / 256GB Sky Blue

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (1533 reviews)
$1,199
16GB RAM 256GB SSD 15.3" Apple M4

The 15-inch MacBook Air with the M4 chip and 16GB of RAM is a formidable machine for professionals who need a large screen and cutting-edge performance. The M4 chip provides a significant speed boost for all tasks, from everyday productivity to demanding creative work, while the 15.3-inch display offers an expansive canvas. 16GB of memory ensures smooth multitasking. This is the ideal laptop for users who want Pro-level power and a large screen without the extra weight and features of a MacBook Pro.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What extras do I get at this price?

Better displays (OLED, high refresh), more powerful GPUs, premium materials (aluminum), and longer battery life.

Is this enough for content creation?

Yes. This budget covers solid video editing, photo work, and creative tasks.

MacBook Air or Windows at this price?

MacBook Air M3 is excellent here. Windows alternatives offer more raw power but vary in build quality.