The best laptops of 2016: Apple is still on top in 2016 Laptops

The best. The fastest. The lightest. Here's our pick of the best laptops to buy in 2016

Page 1 of 11The best laptops of 2016: Apple is still on top in 2016

Great laptops aren't exactly in short supply, but there are plenty of also-rans. Don't fret, though: Alphr's team of reviewers (which includes some of the most experienced laptop reviewers in the UK) have ensured that this regularly updated Best Of guide includes only the finest laptops on the market.

You'll find quick summaries of our favourite laptops below, and the key specifications for each device. Want to know more? You can click through to read our full, in-depth reviews, where we look at every detail of the devices and put them through a demanding suite of tests and benchmarks. Only the best laptops make it this far. 

If you're not sure which kind of laptop is best for you, use the menu to hop over to our handy Buyer's Guide or – if you're feeling lazy – just click here. 

Best laptops of 2016

1. Apple MacBook Pro 13in with Retina Display (2015)

Price: from £999

Screen	Processor	Storage	RAM	Weight
13.3in 2,560 x 1,600	Intel Core i5/i7	128-512GB SSD	8–16GB	1.58kg

It's telling that, even in 2016, the MacBook Pro still sits pretty at the top of the pile. It may not be the lightest 13in laptop around (in fact, that's probably understating it slightly; 1.58kg is pretty porky by some people's standards), but it's concoction of power, quality and all-round capability are tough to beat at the price.

The last-generation Intel Broadwell processor technology is due an update, but the MacBook Pro still shows most of the Skylake generation a clean pair of heels when it comes to performance. While the likes of Dell's XPS 13 are a tempting alternative, the MacBook's larger chassis and 28W CPU combine to deliver an impressive amount of raw power for a relatively compact laptop. Factor in the blazingly quick flash storage and the MacBook Pro is still at the top of its game. 

"The high-DPI display provides pixel-perfect, colour-accurate images from the get-go."

The high-DPI display is also fantastic, providing pixel-perfect, colour-accurate images from the get-go, and the array of connectivity hits the mark. With twin Thunderbolt 2 ports, two USB 3 ports and an HDMI output for hassle-free multi-monitor shenanigans, the MacBook Pro has enough flexibility to please even the most demanding professional.  

Other features of note include the innovative Force Touch trackpad – not only is it the best touchpad on any laptop, but OS X's baked-in gesture support means you'll rarely find yourself reaching for a mouse. It makes bouncing between multiple apps and desktops an absolute breeze.