Overall Rankings & Top/Bottom Tiers
RANKED: Best & WORST Laptop Brands to Buy Right Now (You Might Be Surprised!)
Shopping for a laptop feels like navigating a minefield. Which brands deliver quality, and which are just hype? Forget guesswork. Based on reviews of over 300 laptops, we’ve scored the major players on innovation, design, quality, support, and value. This definitive ranking cuts through the confusion, revealing who truly deserves your money in 2024/2025 – from the unexpected winner at the top to the disappointing brands you should probably avoid at the bottom. The results might challenge your assumptions!
Why Apple is STILL the #1 Laptop Brand (According to 300+ Reviews)
Despite strong competition, Apple clinches the top spot. Why? It boils down to consistent excellence where it counts. Their innovative M-series chips offer unmatched performance per watt. Build quality is exceptional, with premium materials and attention to detail (trackpads, speakers, webcams). While not the cheapest or most daring in design, MacBooks deliver a reliable, high-quality experience that lasts, earning them the highest overall score based on extensive testing across key categories, even factoring in their sometimes questionable value proposition on upgrades.
Gigabyte Laptops Ranked DEAD LAST: What Happened to Aorus Glory?
Remember when Gigabyte’s Aorus laptops were highly regarded? Those days seem distant. In this comprehensive brand ranking, Gigabyte sadly lands at the very bottom. They score poorly across the board: minimal innovation, bland and uninspired designs, average build quality with no standout components, rock-bottom support requiring mail-in prayers, and merely adequate value. It’s a disappointing showing for a brand that once competed strongly, highlighting a significant fall from grace and a need for major improvements.
The ULTIMATE Laptop Brand Tier List (From Worst to Best: Gigabyte to Apple)
Forget subjective opinions; let’s talk data. We’ve rigorously scored every major laptop brand – Gigabyte, MSI, LG, Acer, Razer, Dell, Samsung, Framework, HP, ASUS, Microsoft, Lenovo, and Apple – on five crucial criteria. This is the ultimate tier list, stacking them from the lowest score (Gigabyte’s dismal 9) to the highest (Apple’s winning 19). See exactly where your favorite brand lands and understand the specific strengths and weaknesses that determined their position in this comprehensive 2024/2025 laptop brand hierarchy.
Warning: Avoid These Low-Ranked Laptop Brands (Gigabyte, MSI, LG?)
Thinking of buying a new laptop? Hold on. While some brands consistently deliver, others lag significantly behind. Based on our rankings evaluating innovation, design, quality, support, and value, Gigabyte, MSI, and LG cluster near the bottom. They generally suffer from poor support, uninspired designs, inconsistent quality, and questionable value. While individual “gem” models might exist, as a whole, these brands present a higher risk of disappointment. Consider focusing your search elsewhere unless a specific model offers undeniable, heavily discounted appeal.
Lenovo ALMOST Beat Apple: Why They’re the #2 Best Laptop Brand
Apple took the crown, but Lenovo was breathing down their neck, securing the impressive runner-up position. What makes Lenovo stand out? They consistently score well in innovation (folding screens, expanding displays), deliver reliable build quality (especially ThinkPads) with great keyboards, offer excellent support options (like on-site repairs), and often provide good value, particularly during sales. While not perfect (generic designs, skimping on webcams/speakers sometimes), their overall package makes them a top contender, narrowly missing the #1 spot.
HP & ASUS Tied: Which High-Value Brand is ACTUALLY Better?
HP and ASUS land side-by-side in the rankings, both earning praise primarily for their exceptional value – offering great specs for the money, especially during frequent sales. But which is the better buy? HP shines with solid quality for the price and strong support options, but lacks innovation and design flair. ASUS pushes hardware boundaries faster and offers better designs sometimes, but suffers from notoriously poor support. Choosing between them depends on whether you prioritize reliable support (HP) or faster tech adoption (ASUS).
Microsoft Surface: Quietly One of the BEST Laptop Brands You Can Buy?
Often overshadowed, Microsoft’s Surface line emerges as a surprisingly strong performer, tying with HP and ASUS. They score well for quality, boasting premium materials and components across the board. Designs are attractive (especially the colored options), and they show reasonable innovation (early Snapdragon adoption, unique form factors). While support is only okay and value can be hit-or-miss (consumer models better than pricey business ones), the overall high quality makes Surface a compelling, often underestimated, choice.
Category Specific Winners & Losers
Most INNOVATIVE Laptop Brand Isn’t Apple or Dell (It’s Framework!)
Think Apple or Lenovo leads innovation? Think again. The top score for innovation goes to the newcomer, Framework. Their entire philosophy revolves around groundbreaking user-empowerment: fully modular, upgradeable, and repairable laptops with swappable ports. No other brand comes close to this level of user control and sustainability focus. While established players iterate, Framework radically rethinks laptop design from the ground up, earning them full marks in this crucial category.
Forget Apple: THESE Brands Make the Most STUNNING Laptops (Razer & Dell)
While MacBooks look good, two other brands truly excel in pure visual appeal, earning top marks for design. Razer’s Blade laptops are renowned for their sleek, unique, premium unibody construction. Similarly, Dell’s XPS line (now Dell Premium) and Alienware laptops consistently push aesthetic boundaries with stunning materials, minimal bezels, and striking profiles. If turning heads with your laptop’s design is a top priority, Razer and Dell are the undisputed leaders to check out first.
Built to LAST? Apple & Microsoft Top Laptop Quality Rankings
When it comes to sheer build quality and premium components, two brands stand slightly above the rest, earning perfect scores. Apple’s MacBooks are legendary for their solid aluminum construction, best-in-class trackpads, excellent speakers, and overall meticulous assembly. Matching them is Microsoft’s Surface line, which consistently impresses with high-quality materials, great displays, comfortable keyboards, and a generally premium feel across their range. If uncompromising quality is paramount, these two are the benchmarks.
Laptop SUPPORT HELL? Avoid These Brands (Gigabyte, MSI, Razer & More!)
Need help with your laptop? Good luck if you bought from certain brands. Gigabyte, MSI, ASUS, and even the premium Razer all score rock bottom for support. The common theme? You typically have to mail your expensive device into a service center and just cross your fingers, often dealing with unhelpful or poorly trained reps (like Razer’s infamous AMD/Intel confusion). Without strong local or on-site options, resolving issues can be a nightmare with these manufacturers.
FIX Your Own Laptop? Why Framework Has the BEST Support Score
Tired of dealing with call centers and mail-in repairs? Framework flips the script entirely, earning a perfect score for support precisely because they empower you. Their laptops are designed for easy self-repair and upgrades, with readily available parts and simple online guides. Need help? Their customer service is reportedly excellent. This focus on user repairability fundamentally changes the support equation, making Framework the undisputed champion in this category.
Best VALUE Laptops: HP & ASUS Crush the Competition (Sorry, Razer!)
Want the most bang for your buck? Look no further than HP and ASUS. These two brands consistently dominate the value category, earning top marks. They frequently offer laptops with impressive specs (powerful CPUs, ample RAM, good displays) at prices significantly lower than competitors, especially during their near-constant sales events. At the other end of the spectrum, Razer scores lowest for value, charging extreme premiums for their admittedly stylish and well-built, but ultimately overpriced, machines.
Least Innovative Laptops? Gigabyte & Dell Called Out
While some brands push boundaries, others seem stuck in a rut. Gigabyte ranks poorly for innovation, largely seen as a “follow the leader” brand lacking original ideas in recent years. Surprisingly, Dell also scores low. While they try things like invisible trackpads and haptic function rows, these innovations are criticized for often hindering usability rather than enhancing it, making their efforts feel counterproductive compared to genuine advancements.
Most BORING Laptop Designs? (Gigabyte, MSI, LG Ranked Low)
In a world of sleek machines, some laptops just blend into the background. Gigabyte and MSI are singled out for generally bland, uninspired aesthetics across most of their lineups (with rare exceptions like MSI’s special edition Titan). LG’s Gram series, while functional, also receives low marks for boring visual design. If you want a laptop that makes a statement, these brands are unlikely to be your first choice based on looks alone.
Laptop Quality NIGHTMARES? MSI & Gigabyte Get Slammed
Consistent quality is key, and some brands struggle. MSI faces harsh criticism for issues like extreme overheating (Prestige 16 “furnace”), high-pitched fan noise, awkward keyboard layouts causing mistypes, and subpar screens (Katana). Gigabyte also scores poorly, cited for average build and components, with no particular aspect like keyboards or speakers standing out as high-quality. These quality control concerns contribute significantly to their low overall rankings.
Worst Value Laptops? Razer Takes the Unwanted Crown
While many brands offer competitive pricing, one stands out for being consistently expensive: Razer. Their laptops score dead last for value. Despite high build quality and stunning design, the price premium is often extreme, and significant sales are rare. You’re paying a hefty “Razer tax” for the brand and aesthetics, making them a poor choice for anyone prioritizing performance or features per dollar spent.
Specific Brand Deep Dives & Controversies
MSI Laptops: Why They’re Ranked So Low (Heat, Keyboards & Bad Value)
MSI finds itself near the bottom, and it’s a combination of factors. Their laptops, like the Prestige series, often run dangerously hot, sometimes accompanied by annoying high-pitch fan whine. Many models feature frustratingly awkward keyboard layouts. Despite these quality concerns suggesting lower production costs, their pricing doesn’t reflect this, offering poor overall value compared to competitors. While occasional gems exist (Prestige 13), the brand average suffers significantly from these recurring issues.
Razer Laptops: Stunning Looks, AMAZING Innovation… TERRIBLE Support & Value?
Razer presents a paradox. They score highly for stunning, unique designs and innovative touches (like upgradeable RAM in a 14-inch, Thunderbolt 5). Build quality is solid too. But their ranking plummets due to abysmal support experiences (unhelpful reps, mail-in only) and rock-bottom value proposition (extremely high prices, rare discounts). Owning a Razer means paying a huge premium for aesthetics and accepting potentially nightmarish support if something goes wrong.
Dell XPS Laptops: Gorgeous Designs Undone by Terrible ‘Innovations’?”
Dell scores top marks for the beautiful design of its XPS (now Premium) and Alienware lines. However, their overall rank suffers partly due to questionable “innovations.” Features like the invisible trackpad integrated into the palm rest and the capacitive touch function row are criticized for negatively impacting usability – form over function gone wrong. Combined with sometimes cheaping out on displays and high prices, these missteps tarnish an otherwise strong design legacy.
Framework Laptop: Genius Idea, BUT Is It Actually a GOOD Laptop Day-to-Day?
Framework earns perfect scores for innovation and support with its repairable, modular design. But how does it hold up as a laptop? Quality scores are average. The 13-inch model’s cooling is suboptimal, leading to potential heat/noise. Trackpads, speakers, and webcams need improvement. The chassis doesn’t feel as premium as others at its price, and the design is basic. It’s a fantastic concept, but day-to-day hardware refinement still lags behind established players, impacting its overall score despite revolutionary ideas.
HP Laptops: The UNDERRATED King of Value (Even if They Look Boring?)
Often seen as making generic machines, HP emerges as a value champion, tying for the highest value score. Why? They consistently offer powerful configurations (like Ryzen 9, 32GB RAM) in well-built laptops (OmniBook Ultra) for significantly less money than competitors, especially during frequent sales. While they lack design flair and aren’t innovation leaders, their focus on delivering solid performance and quality at aggressive price points makes them an incredibly smart, if sometimes overlooked, choice.
ASUS Laptops: Great Value & Innovation… Can You Trust Their Support?
ASUS scores well, tying with HP and Microsoft, thanks to strong value (great specs on sale) and solid innovation (adopting new hardware quickly). Their build quality is generally good for the price (Zenbooks, ROG). However, their Achilles’ heel is support, scoring rock bottom alongside MSI/Gigabyte. Compounding this is a recent scandal involving questionable repair charges (highlighted by Gamers Nexus). While ASUS claims improvements, the support gamble remains a significant concern for potential buyers.
LG Gram Laptops: Innovative Once, But Falling Behind Now?
LG essentially created the ultra-light large-screen laptop category with the Gram series, earning initial innovation points. However, their ranking reflects a brand that hasn’t evolved significantly since. Competitors have caught up, offering laptops just as light but often with sturdier builds, better features, or more appealing designs. With merely average design, okay quality, poor support, and decent-not-great value, the Gram line feels less special than it once did, leading to a lower-middle ranking.
Acer Laptops: A Tale of Two Brands (Gaming GREAT, Consumer MEH?)
Ranking Acer is tough because their product lines perform so differently. Their Predator gaming laptops are fantastic, winning awards for value (Helios 16) and performance (Predator 18), boasting great quality and innovation. However, their consumer lines (like Swift) often feel basic, with uninspired designs (sometimes copying others like Samsung) and average quality. This internal disparity drags down their overall brand score; if judged on gaming alone, Acer would rank much higher.
Samsung Galaxy Books: Slick Designs Hampered by Cheap Keyboards/Trackpads?
Samsung excels in design, creating thin, attractive laptops with great screens, earning them points there and for reasonable innovation (ecosystem integration). However, quality is a mixed bag. While the chassis and displays are nice, they consistently falter on input devices. Keyboards often feel shallow, and trackpads (especially the large 16-inch ones) suffer from cheap feel and poor palm rejection, significantly detracting from the user experience and preventing a higher quality score.
How a NEW Brand (Framework) Tied Dell & Samsung in Laptop Rankings
It’s remarkable that Framework, a relative newcomer, achieved the same overall score as established giants Dell and Samsung. How? By maxing out categories the others struggle with. Framework’s perfect scores for game-changing innovation (modularity) and unparalleled support (self-repair focus) offset their lower scores for basic design and average hardware quality (cooling, components). This highlights how excelling in specific, user-centric areas can allow a new player to compete effectively, even without decades of manufacturing experience.
Buying Advice & User Focus
Which Laptop Brand is BEST For You? (Ranking Innovation vs. Value vs. Design)
There’s no single “best” brand for everyone. Our rankings score brands across five key areas: Innovation, Design, Quality, Support, and Value. Use this breakdown to find your perfect match. Prioritize Innovation? Framework, Lenovo, and Apple lead. Need maximum Value? HP and ASUS are champs. Crave stunning Design? Look at Razer, Dell, or Apple. Want top Quality? Apple and Microsoft excel. Need reliable Support? Dell, Lenovo, HP, or the unique Framework are your best bets. Match the brand’s strengths to what you care about most.
DON’T Buy a Laptop Before Watching This! (Brand Rankings Matter)
Stop! Before you click “buy” on that shiny new laptop, understand that the brand matters. Some consistently deliver quality and value, while others lag behind with poor support, uninspired designs, or questionable build quality. Our comprehensive ranking, based on over 300 reviews, cuts through the marketing hype. Knowing which brands excel in areas important to you – whether it’s innovation, value, or support – can save you from costly disappointment. Watch this first to make an informed decision.
Best BANG FOR BUCK Laptop Brands Revealed (HP & ASUS Lead)
Want the most laptop power and features for the least amount of cash? Focus on the value kings: HP and ASUS. These brands consistently top our value rankings by offering laptops with strong specifications at highly competitive prices, especially during their frequent and significant sales. While they might compromise slightly on design flair or cutting-edge innovation compared to premium brands, if maximizing performance per dollar is your absolute priority, HP and ASUS should be at the very top of your shopping list.
If You Care About DESIGN: Top Laptop Brands to Consider (Razer, Dell, Apple)
For many, a laptop is also a style statement. If aesthetics are high on your list, certain brands consistently deliver head-turning designs. Razer leads the pack with its unique, sleek unibody construction. Dell’s XPS and Alienware lines are renowned for their premium materials and cutting-edge looks. And Apple’s MacBooks, while perhaps less flashy, offer iconic, minimalist elegance and impeccable finish. If you want a laptop that looks as good as it performs, start your search with these design-focused manufacturers.
Need Laptop SUPPORT? These Brands Offer On-Site Service (Dell, Lenovo, HP)
Laptop problems can be a nightmare, especially if it involves mailing your device away. For peace of mind, consider brands known for superior support, particularly those dominant in the business market: Dell, Lenovo, and HP. All three offer upgraded support plans (often available to consumers) that include on-site service – a technician comes to you to diagnose and potentially fix the issue right there. This level of convenience and reduced downtime is invaluable if reliable support is critical.
Prioritizing INNOVATION? Look at Framework, Lenovo & Apple
Want the latest tech and forward-thinking features? Some brands push boundaries more than others. Framework leads with its revolutionary modular and repairable design. Lenovo consistently experiments with new form factors like folding screens and expanding displays. Apple drives innovation primarily through its industry-leading M-series silicon, offering unmatched efficiency and performance. If being on the cutting edge matters most, focus your search on these three innovative manufacturers.
Laptop Brands Ranked by BUILD QUALITY (Who Makes the Most Premium Machines?)
If rock-solid construction and premium materials are non-negotiable, our quality rankings point to the leaders. Apple and Microsoft earn top marks for their consistently excellent build quality across their entire Surface and MacBook lines, respectively, paying attention to details like trackpads, speakers, and chassis feel. Other brands like Lenovo (especially ThinkPads) and Razer also score well here, while brands like MSI and Gigabyte lag behind due to component choices or thermal issues impacting the overall quality perception.
Critiques & Specific Issues Mentioned
Why Gigabyte Laptop Keyboards & Speakers Are So Bad (Specific component critique)
Gigabyte’s low overall ranking isn’t just about bland design; it extends to core components. Their keyboards are consistently cited as feeling subpar, lacking tactile feedback or comfortable travel. Similarly, their built-in speakers are frequently described as weak, tinny, or generally unimpressive compared to competitors. These specific component weaknesses contribute significantly to their poor quality score, making the day-to-day user experience less enjoyable even if raw specs seem okay on paper.
MSI Prestige Laptops: Hot Enough to Cook On? (Thermal Issues Explained)
Beware the heat! MSI’s laptops, particularly models like the Prestige 16 (Arrow Lake H version), suffer from severe thermal management issues. They reportedly run incredibly hot under load – dubbed an “absolute furnace” and potentially the hottest tested. This isn’t just uncomfortable; excessive heat can lead to performance throttling, reduced component lifespan, and often contributes to annoying high-pitched fan noise. This significant flaw drastically impacts MSI’s quality score.
Razer’s Keyboard Problem: Why Their Laptop Typing Experience Sucks
It’s ironic for a company famous for gaming peripherals, but Razer’s laptop keyboards have been a major weak point. They are consistently criticized for having very low key travel, leading to an uncomfortable, “mushy,” or unsatisfying typing experience. This is particularly jarring given the premium price and build quality elsewhere. While Razer claims fixes are coming (new Blade 16), this historical keyboard deficiency significantly impacts their quality score for many users.
Dell’s ‘Innovative’ Trackpads & Buttons Make Laptops WORSE?
Dell tries to innovate, but sometimes it backfires. Their move towards integrating trackpads seamlessly (invisibly) into the palm rest and using haptic touch bars for function keys on some XPS models is heavily criticized. These “innovations” often lead to usability issues: accidental trackpad activation, difficulty locating virtual buttons, and a less intuitive experience compared to traditional designs. This focus on aesthetics over practicality hurts Dell’s innovation score and user satisfaction.
Framework 13 Cooling Issues: The Downside of Modularity?
Framework’s modular design is brilliant, but it has trade-offs. The 13-inch model, specifically, is limited to a single-fan cooling solution. This is deemed “suboptimal” and can result in the laptop running hotter and louder under load compared to competitors with dual-fan setups. While manageable, this thermal limitation highlights a current practical challenge in balancing extreme modularity with top-tier performance cooling within a compact chassis, impacting its quality score.
Apple’s $1000 MacBook Air: Is 256GB Storage Still a JOKE?
Apple’s entry-level MacBook Air offers great performance and quality, but its value is questionable due to one key spec: the base model still often comes with only 256GB of non-upgradeable storage. In 2024/2025, this is considered paltry, especially at a $1000+ price point where many Windows rivals offer 512GB or even 1TB. This forces many users into expensive upgrades, making the initial “affordable” price misleading and hurting Apple’s overall value score despite other strengths.
Laptop Brands That CHEAP OUT on Displays (Dell Criticized)
A laptop’s display is crucial, yet some brands cut corners here. Dell, despite its premium XPS designs, is specifically called out for sometimes using subpar display panels in certain configurations or lower-tier models. This inconsistency – offering stunning designs but then potentially compromising on screen quality (brightness, color accuracy, refresh rate) – prevents Dell from achieving a higher overall quality score and can lead to buyer disappointment.
Methodology & Engagement
How We Ranked Laptop Brands (Our 5 Key Criteria Explained)
Transparency matters. Our brand rankings weren’t random; they were based on scoring each major manufacturer across five specific categories, weighted by importance from our experience reviewing 300+ laptops. We evaluated: Innovation (new tech, pushing boundaries), Design (aesthetics, visual appeal), Quality (build, components, thermals), Support (ease of getting help, repair options), and Value (performance and features per dollar). Understanding these criteria helps you interpret the final scores.
Laptop Reliability NOT Ranked: Why It’s Too Hard to Judge
You might wonder why “Reliability” or long-term durability isn’t a scored category. Simply put, as reviewers testing dozens of laptops yearly, we don’t use any single machine long enough (typically years) to definitively assess its long-term failure rates or reliability compared to others. While quality scores touch on build, true long-term reliability data is elusive without massive user surveys or fleet management insights, making it impossible to rank fairly in our format.
Agree or Disagree? Ranking EVERY Major Laptop Brand (My Thoughts)
These rankings reflect our extensive testing, but laptop preferences are personal! We’ve laid out our scores and reasoning for every major brand, from Apple down to Gigabyte. Maybe your personal experience contradicts our findings, or you weigh the categories differently. This topic acknowledges the inherent subjectivity and invites viewers to consider our perspective while forming their own opinions – sparking healthy debate about the complex laptop market.
My Laptop Brand Rankings… What Are YOURS? (Comment Below!)
We’ve shared our comprehensive brand rankings based on hundreds of reviews. Now, we want to hear from YOU! Which laptop brand do you think is the best, and why? Which brands have you had great (or terrible) experiences with? Share your personal rankings, anecdotes, and opinions in the comments below. Your collective insights are valuable, especially regarding long-term reliability and support experiences we can’t fully capture.
Why Your Favorite Laptop Brand Might Be Ranked Low (It’s Average Performance!)
Love a specific brand but see it ranked lower than expected? Remember, these rankings are based on the average performance across a brand’s entire range reviewed over the past year or so. Even great brands can have weaker models or poor value propositions that drag down their overall score. A low ranking doesn’t mean every laptop from that brand is bad, just that, on average, they didn’t excel across all five key criteria compared to higher-ranked competitors.
Broader Context & Future Outlook
The Problem with TOO MANY Laptop Models (Why Brands Need to Simplify)
Why do brands like MSI or Gigabyte struggle with consistent quality? Part of the issue might be overly complex product lineups. The reviewer suggests manufacturers should follow Apple’s lead and slim down their ranges, focusing resources on producing fewer, better quality laptops rather than flooding the market with countless variations. This focus could lead to more refined products and less confusion for consumers.
Will Gigabyte Ever Return to Aorus Glory Days?
Gigabyte sits at the bottom of the rankings, a far cry from when their Aorus gaming line was highly competitive. Can they turn things around? This requires a major overhaul: investing in innovative features, improving basic design appeal, significantly boosting component quality (keyboards, speakers) and thermal management, fixing their support structure, and offering better value. Without addressing these fundamental weaknesses, reclaiming their former glory seems unlikely in the current competitive landscape.
Laptop Market Shakeup: Can Newcomers like Framework Challenge Giants?
Framework’s impressive ranking, tying established players like Dell and Samsung despite being a new company, signals a potential market shift. Their focus on user empowerment (repairability, modularity, support) resonates strongly. Can this innovative approach truly disrupt the dominance of established giants who often rely on incremental updates and locked ecosystems? Framework’s success suggests consumers are hungry for alternatives, potentially forcing larger brands to adapt or risk losing ground.
| Tier | Laptop Brand(s) | Key Justification Notes |
|---|
| S | Apple | Winner. Strong chip innovation, top quality, good design, decent support/value. |
| A | Lenovo | Runner-up. Strong innovation, quality, support. Good value, average design. |
| B | ASUS | High value & innovation, good quality, but poor support (scandal mentioned). Average design. |
| B | HP | Top value, good quality & support, but low innovation & average design. |
| B | Microsoft | Top quality, good design & decent value/innovation, but just okay support. |
| B | Dell | Top design, excellent support, but usability issues with ‘innovations’, average quality, low value. |
| B | Framework | Top innovation & support, but basic design, average quality, questionable value. |
| B | Samsung | Good design, value & decent innovation, but hampered by keyboard/trackpad quality, okay support. |
| C | Razer | High innovation & top design, good quality build, but terrible support & worst value score. |
| C | Acer | Split personality: Gaming line strong (value/quality), Consumer line weak. Average scores overall. |
| D | LG | Once innovative (Gram), now lagging. Bland design, okay quality, poor support, decent value. |
| D | MSI | Some innovation but bland design, poor quality (heat, keyboards, screens), poor support, poor value. |
| F | Gigabyte | Worst overall score. Poor innovation, design, quality, support. Merely adequate value. |