Best Midsize Laptops
Check out the best midsize laptops, as rated by Digital Trends’ expert reviewers.
Thin laptops gain all the press, but most laptops sold today are relatively thick and heavy 15.6-inch laptops. Consumers enjoy the larger screen, the inclusion of a numpad and the array of ports found on the average midsizer.
These laptops also tend to offer better performance bang-for-your-buck. It’s not difficult to find a Core i5 processor in a 15.6-inch laptop for $600 to $700, and some quad-core laptops of similar size sell for $800 to $900. Thin laptops usually don’t even offer quad-cores as an option, and offer the Core i5 only if you’re willing to pay $1000 or more. It’s no wonder that so many people prefer this traditional choice.
Our best midsize laptops list is continually updated as we review new products that enter the market.
HP Envy 15 (2012)
The HP Envy 15 finally provides Windows users with a product that can go toe-to-toe with what Apple offers.
- Pros: Excellent all-round performance, Above average…
- Cons: Derivative design, 1080p display strains the GPU
- Buy online:
- Amazon.com $575.99
- OfficeMax $419.88
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E530
The ThinkPad Edge E530 is an excellent entry into the mainstream laptop market.
- Pros: Excellent keyboard and touchpad, Matte display…
- Cons: Thick and bulky, Poor audio quality, Not the best…
Origin Eon 17-S
The machine we reviewed was packing heat, starting off with Intel’s best mobile CPU: The brand-new Core i7-3920XM Extreme Edition.
- Pros: Overclocked top-of-the-line components deliver…
- Cons: Pedestrian looks, Poor trackpad, No optical drive…
- Buy online:
- Buy It Now
Toshiba Satellite P755
If you need a single PC to handle all of your needs, and you’ll be using it primarily at home, the Toshiba Satellite P755 is a good bet.
- Pros: Good build quality, Full-size numpad…
- Cons: So-so battery life, Thick and heavy, Twitchy…
- Buy online:
- Amazon.com $1243.00
HP Envy 14
By making all the right compromises, the HP Envy 14 doesn’t feel like a compromise at all.
- Pros: Robust chassis, Excellent performance…
- Cons: Fan can be a bit loud, Heavy, Less stylish than…
- Buy online:
- Buydig.com $829.99
Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 is a well-rounded mainstream multimedia machine that will give you plenty of power, it's just unfortunate that the line's legendary audio quality isn't what it used to be.
- Pros: Attractive and comfortable design, Good touchpad…
- Cons: No dedicated number pad, Speaker placement…
- Buy online:
- Sears.com $1539.99
- Amazon.com $1515.00
Toshiba Satellite P855
Toshiba’s P855 is a beautifully designed entry into the mainstream segment. It’s certainly one of the better-looking PCs available and, unlike similarly shiny competitors...
- Pros: Attractive but practical exterior, Very little…
- Cons: Mushy keyboard feel, Poor battery life, Expensive…
- Buy online:
- Amazon.com $110.00
Alienware M14x (2012)
Size is the selling point. You have to decide if that matters. The 11.6 display the older M11x used was too small, and the M15x was too big. The M14x is just right.
- Pros: Solid build quality, Beautiful 1600 x 900 display…
- Cons: Offers poor performance value, Lacks broad appeal
- Buy online:
- Dell Home Syste... $1174.00
Lenovo IdeaPad Y480
The Lenovo Y480 comes equipped with powerful hardware at a reasonable price, it offers decent audio quality and is equipped with a great keyboard. This is an all-rounder that does almost everything well.
- Pros: Well-rounded and powerful, Excellent keyboard…
- Cons: Sub-par display , Vague touchpad, Spotty build…
- Buy online:
- Amazon.com $4.89
Sony Vaio SE (15.5 inch)
The Sony Vaio is one of the most attractive PC laptops available today, it offers a display that is among the best we’ve ever used, and a user interface that’s much better than average.
- Pros: Elegant design, Thin and light, Luxurious interior…
- Cons: Flimsy display lid, Loud fan under load, Annoying…
- Buy online:
- Amazon.com $84.99
