With computing components progressively getting lighter and more compact, 14" laptops are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to pack performance into a portable machine. The 14" form factor hits the sweet spot by combining the portability of smaller 13" models but with enough internal space to house components typically found in bulkier 15" laptops. In this guide, we‘ll take a comprehensive look at the 7 best 14" laptops you can buy in 2024 across a range of categories and budgets.
The Rise of 14" Laptops
Laptop sizes typically range from compact 11" models to expansive 17" desktop replacements. 14" laptops emerged as the mainstream choice for most users. Manufacturers produce far more 14" laptop models than other sizes due to their mass market appeal. These versatile machines can meet demands ranging from office workloads to intensive creative projects.
Compared to 13" laptops, 14" models allow for higher resolution displays, fitting more on-screen content. The slightly larger chassis leaves room for beefier components like discrete GPUs and extensive cooling systems while keeping weight low for transportability. 15" and 17" laptops may boast even more powerful hardware but at the cost of portability. 14" hits the sweet spot between performance and mobility.
Best 14" Laptops of 2024
With many brands and configs available, which 14” laptop should you buy in 2024? We picked the top laptop across seven key categories based on performance benchmarks, usage scenarios, and overall value:
- Best Overall: Apple 14" MacBook Pro M2 Pro
- Best Premium: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
- Best Budget: Acer Swift 3
- Best Mid-Range: Acer Swift 5
- Best for Gaming: Razer Blade 14
- Best Lightweight: HP Elite Dragonfly G3
- Best for Content Creation: Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo
I‘ll analyze the strengths of each laptop, detail specs and features, and explain who each product would serve best based on needs and budget. Let‘s dive in!
Best Overall: Apple 14" MacBook Pro M2 Pro
The new 14" MacBook Pro with Apple‘s latest M2 Pro chip claims our Best Overall title for its winning combination of performance, display quality, premium build, and MacOS usability.
Though pricier than most Windows laptops, MacBooks excel in seamlessly integrating software and hardware for the best user experience. The intelligent power management and thermal design sustains high performance output despite the thin chassis.
Let‘s examine some key advantages of Apple‘s newest mobile workstation:
Display and Design
The 14.2" Liquid Retina XDR display dazzles with its incredible 3024 x 1964 resolution powered by mini-LED backlighting for superior contrast and HDR. The screen pushes edges to edges within a compact chassis carved from a single block of aluminum, available in Space Gray or Silver.
Performance and Battery Life
Built on cutting-edge 5nm architecture, the M2 Pro chip delivers game-changing performance through its 10-core CPU and up to 19-core GPU. Combined with up to 32GB of RAM and 8TB SSD storage, the MacBook Pro juggles intensive workflows with ease. The integrated 100Wh battery enables over 12 hours of video playback.
Webcam, Audio, and Ports
The 1080p FaceTime HD camera captures crisp image quality, while the six-speaker sound system with spatial audio support provides an immersive listening environment. Despite the slim form factor, the Pro supplies users with an SD card reader, HDMI port, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, headphone jack and MagSafe 3 charging connector.
MacOS 13 Ventura
The simplified MacOS operating system features deep Apple ecosystem integration across iPhone, iPad and Mac for seamless cross-device connectivity. Multitasking feels fluid when managing multiple desktops, programs and windows in conjunction with iPad apps.
If you seek no-compromise performance and refined user experience in a portable package, the 2024 14" MacBook Pro rises as a top choice for demanding professionals and creators. But expect to pay a premium for such an excellently engineered device.
Pros:
- Class-leading M2 Pro performance
- Vibrant Liquid Retina XDR display
- Premium, durable aluminum build
- 12+ hours battery life
- Refined, cohesive MacOS experience
Cons:
- Very expensive, especially at higher specs
- Limited compatibility with Windows-based software
- Not easily upgradeable or customizable
Best Premium 14” Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
Business users and productivity-focused professionals should consider Lenovo‘s acclaimed ThinkPad X1 Carbon line for its enterprise security features, durability and input ergonomics. We chose the latest 10th generation X1 Carbon as our premium pick for its refined lightweight build and powerful 12th Gen Intel processing.
Military-grade durability: Constructed from carbon fiber and magnesium alloy materials, the Gen 10 withstands extreme temperatures, shock, vibrations and humidity fluctuations while weighing just 2.48 lbs.
Enhanced connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, optional 5G or 4G LTE, and plenty of ports allow for flexible wired or wireless networking scenarios. Thunderbolt 4 enables rapid data transfers to supported peripherals.
Top-notch typing experience: The backlit keyboard feels supremely comfortable with generous 1.5mm travel depth and slightly concave keycaps for a responsive typing experience even during extended usage sessions.
The ThinkPad is renowned for security, now ramped up through the FIDO-compliant fingerprint reader integrated into the power button and dTPM 2.0 chip data encryption. IT departments can easily deploy firmware and software updates across managed devices.
With configurations available sporting up to a 12-core i7 CPU, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD and 3840 x 2400 touch display, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 balances solid productivity performance with durable reliability.
Pros:
- Military-grade durable, lightweight magnesium build
- Comfortable, tactile backlit keyboard
- Built-in security and encryption features
- Fast Wi-Fi 6E and optional 5G, 4G LTE
Cons:
- Expensive, especially at higher specs
- Mediocre speakers
- 720p webcam could be higher resolution
Best Budget 14” Laptop: Acer Swift 3
The Acer Swift 3 hits our price-conscious sweet spot for an affordable 14" laptop great for students, general users and professionals on a budget. You wouldn‘t expect a sub-$700 notebook to incorporate Intel‘s latest 12th generation silicon, but the Swift 3 packs excellent multicore performance and responsiveness into a 0.7 inch thin aluminum chassis weighing just 2.65 lbs.
While budget laptops often cheap out with subpar 1366 x 768 displays, the Swift 3‘s 14" IPS panel fortunately sports a 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution for sharp image and text clarity. Supplying the graphics horsepower is Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics which can tackle light gaming and GPU-accelerated workloads fairly smoothly.
Other handy features that aren‘t commonly found at this price bracket? An HDMI port, USB-C with power delivery charging, Wi-Fi 6, and fingerprint reader integrated into the power button for quick Windows login authentications. The antimicrobial coating on the full-sized keyboard resists microbial buildup over time.
Fueled by the i7-1260P 12-core processor with support for up to 2TB PCIe SSD and 16GB dual-channel RAM, the Swift 3 packs a punch for general home users and students on a budget seeking solid everyday performance paired with decent build quality rather than premium materials.
Pros:
- Great performance for price
- Sharp 1080p display
- Respectable port selection with USB-C
- Antimicrobial keyboard
Cons:
- Lid and chassis prone to flexing
- No Thunderbolt support
- 256GB base storage is rather limiting
Best Mid-Range 14” Laptop: Acer Swift 5
Seeking strong productivity performance paired with supreme portability? The expertly engineered Acer Swift 5 gets our vote for a well-balanced mid-range solution combining the latest 12th Gen Intel processing muscle into a sleek magnesium-aluminum chassis just 0.59 inches thin and 2.65 lbs light.
Channeling maximum power from the compact footprint is Acer‘s TwinAir dual fan cooling system with ultra-thin 0.1mm blades and D6 copper heat pipes which keep the Core i7 CPU and Iris Xe graphics operating smoothly under load. The 14" IPS touch display takes visual immersion up a notch with 2160 x 1350 resolution support for QHD+ sharpness and vibrant color reproduction covering 100% of the sRGB spectrum.
With two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports onboard, the Swift 5 unleashes versatile 40Gbps connectivity to fast external storage drives, high-resolution displays and accessories. The keyboard and precision touchpad offer a great typing experience for churning through office workloads and web browsing in coffee shops.
For those seeking cutting-edge performance paired with supreme thin-and-light portability just shy of an ultrabook‘s premium price tag, the Acer Swift 5 warrants strong consideration as a balanced middle ground.
Pros:
- Strong 12th Gen Core i7 pep in slim magnesium chassis
- Brilliant 14" QHD+ touch display
- TwinAir cooling prevents thermal throttling
- Thunderbolt 4 support
Cons:
- Quieter speakers
- Battery life capped at 8 hours
- Screen exhibits some glare
Best 14" Gaming Laptop – Razer Blade 14
PC gamers craving serious firepower in an ultraportable chassis will love the Razer Blade 14, our chosen pick for best 14" gaming laptop. The CNC aluminum unibody weighs just 3.9 lbs but manages to pack an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU for triple-A gaming glory.
The 14" QHD IPS display dazzles with buttery smooth 165Hz refresh rates and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage. Response times average around 4ms to prevent ghosting or smearing effects during intense FPS run ‘n gun action. Dual top-firing speakers flanking the keyboard immerse you into gameplay with spatial 7.1 surround sound powered by THX audio tuning.
Keeping temps tamed inside the slim 0.66 inch chassis is an ultra-efficient vapor chamber cooling solution paired with precision-machined heat pipes and 83 blade fans to enable sustained turbo clock CPU/GPU frequencies. The robust magnesium alloy frame can withstand the rigors of frequent transport.
For gamers and content creators yearning to play the latest titles at silky frame rates on a high-pixel density display backed by exceptional build quality, the Blade 14 stands unmatched. The premium touches do cost a pretty penny, but competitor ultrabooks can’t contend regarding raw gaming performance packed into such a portable chassis.
Pros:
- Beastly AMD + NVIDIA internals crush 1440p gaming
- Vivid 165Hz/QHD monitor with quick response
- Effective vapor cooling chamber design
- Premium, rigid lightweight build quality
Cons:
- Battery life capped at just 5 hours during gaming
- Runs very hot under heavy loads
- High price, especially for 1TB model
Best Lightweight 14” Laptop – HP Elite Dragonfly G3
Road warriors who relentlessly travel for work need a laptop that keeps weight to an absolute minimum without compromising durability. The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 premium ultrabook fits the bill beautifully, tipping scales at just 2.2 lbs while meeting twelve MIL-STD 810H certification testing requirements to withstand unexpected shock, drops, vibrations and extreme climate fluctuations.
Extensive use of durable magnesium alloy throughout the chassis allows HP to trim as much fat as possible while ensuring this featherlight frame survives hectic work-related travel. The 1000 nit brightness display remains clearly visible even under intense lighting glare. Integrated Tile tracking helps locating a lost laptop via Bluetooth, quite the lifesaver for those prone to misplacing devices in airports or client meetings!
Despite formidable defenses against elemental damage, the Dragonfly doesn‘t skimp on horsepower either thanks to 12th Gen Intel processing reaching up to a 10-core i7 CPU plus Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics. 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB PCIe NVMe storage expedite loading apps, files and large media assets.
Overall for road warriors constantly hopping through airports and client sites who refuse to sacrifice resilience or performance by choosing a heavier device, the HP Elite Dragonfly G3 enters a class of its own as a sub-2.5 lb ultrabook built explicitly for life on the move.
Pros:
- Incredibly lightweight 2.2 lb chassis
- MIL-STD 810H extreme durability testing
- Bright 1000 nit touchscreen with Tile tracking
- Faster LPDDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen4 speeds
Cons:
- Premium price tag
- Key travel could be deeper
- Ethernet requires USB adapter
Best 14” Laptop for Content Creators – Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED
Creative professionals editing photos, manipulating 3D models, compositing 8K video require no ordinary laptop. Introducing the groundbreaking Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED, engineered specifically for visual arts workflows with its secondary 12.4” ScreenPad Plus display augmenting the gorgeous 14.5” 2.8K 120Hz OLED main touchscreen.
Driving all those pixels is an Intel Core i9-12900H CPU and RTX 3050 Ti GPU plus 32GB DDR5-4800 RAM and 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage for professional-grade compute power fit for rendering complex 3D scenes, compiling code or applying resource-intensive effects to 8K footage. 16:10 aspect ratio displays provide more vertical space than typical 16:9 panels when scrolling through content-rich timelines.
The highly accurate Asus Pen 2.0 magnetically adheres to the chassis for signing documents or sketching product designs with ease while in transit. Razer-tuned quad speakers immerse you into multimedia experiences. Numerous I/O ports cater to connecting external drives and multiple 4K displays so artists can build the desktop-class workstation setup they need anywhere thanks to Zenbook Pro’s unmatched versatility.
For digital creators who seek the ultimate canvas for not only consuming but actively developing rich content, no rival laptop merges sheer performance with a tailor-made interface enhancing workflows quite like the Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED. Just be prepared to pay a premium for such an aggressively engineered mobile workhorse.
Pros:
- Secondary 12.4” touch display boosts multitasking
- Vibrant, color-accurate 2.8K OLED touchscreen
- RTX 3050 Ti handles GPU-accelerated workflows
- Asus Pen with generous 4096 pressure levels
- Performance to tackle demanding creative projects
Cons:
- Significantly higher cost than traditional clamshell laptops
- Battery life capped at just 6 hours due to power-hungry components
- Chassis runs warmer than typical ultrabooks
