The laptop market in 2025 is more exciting—and more complex—than ever. With rapid advancements in hardware and software, shifting work trends, and the growing integration of AI, choosing the right laptop requires understanding new features, form factors, and use cases.
Whether you’re a student, professional, gamer, or creative, shopping for a laptop in 2025 involves more than just comparing processor speeds or screen sizes.
This guide will walk you through the most important new trends, technologies, and considerations when buying a laptop this year. From cutting-edge AI capabilities and foldable screens to longer-lasting batteries and sustainability improvements, here’s everything you need to know to make an informed purchase.
AI-Enhanced Laptops: The Rise of the Neural Processing Unit (NPU)
One of the most significant changes in 2025 laptops is the integration of dedicated NPUs (Neural Processing Units). These chips are designed to handle machine learning and AI workloads efficiently. As AI becomes deeply embedded in operating systems and applications, NPUs offload these tasks from the CPU and GPU, boosting performance and battery life.
What this means for shoppers:
- Faster real-time translation, transcription, and voice recognition
- More responsive AI assistants like Microsoft Copilot or Apple’s Siri+
- Enhanced privacy and security through on-device AI processing
- AI-accelerated creative tools in apps like Photoshop, Premiere, and DaVinci Resolve
When shopping, look for Intel’s Lunar Lake, AMD’s Strix Point, or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips—all of which include robust NPU support.
Snapdragon-powered PCs and Windows on ARM PCs
Microsoft has finally optimized Windows 11 for ARM-based processors, and 2025 is the year ARM-powered laptops become a real alternative to Intel and AMD. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite laptops lead the charge with fanless designs, long battery life (20–30 hours), and instant-on performance.
Benefits of ARM-based laptops:
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Exceptional battery life
- Improved thermal efficiency
- Instant wake and seamless connectivity (often with built-in 5G)
ARM laptops are ideal for everyday productivity, but check for software compatibility—mainly if you rely on legacy Windows applications.
OLED and Mini LED Displays
Display technology in 2025 is better than ever. OLED and mini LED panels have dropped in price and are now widely available across mid-range and high-end laptops.
Display upgrades to look for:
- OLED: Offers perfect blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast. Great for media consumption and creative work.
- Mini LED: Offers better brightness and HDR performance than OLED, with less risk of burn-in.
- High refresh rates: 120Hz or 144Hz screens are now common even on non-gaming models, making UI navigation smoother.
- Variable refresh rate (VRR): Reduces screen tearing and improves battery life.
If you care about color accuracy, entertainment, or visual design, prioritize a laptop with at least 100% DCI-P3 color coverage and DisplayHDR certification.
Foldable and Dual-Screen Laptops
In 2025, foldable and dual-screen laptops have moved beyond gimmicks to become viable productivity tools.
Notable options:
- Foldables like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold or ASUS Zenbook Fold offer a 17″ screen that folds into a 12″ form factor.
- Dual-screen models like the ASUS Zenbook Duo 2025 allow multitasking with two full-size displays.
These designs are great for digital artists, coders, and power users who benefit from multiple screens without carrying extra gear. However, they come at a premium and may not suit traditional workflows.
Sustainable and Repairable Designs
Eco-conscious design is no longer niche. In 2025, many laptop manufacturers are embracing sustainability, modularity, and repairability in their products.
Key trends:
- Modular laptops like the Framework Laptop 16 allow users to upgrade components like RAM, storage, keyboard, and GPU.
- Recycled materials are being used in chassis and packaging.
- EPEAT and ENERGY STAR certifications now include repairability scores.
- Software support guarantees (like seven years of OS updates) are becoming more common.
If sustainability is important to you, look for laptops from brands like Framework, HP, Lenovo, and Dell that prioritize eco-friendly practices and long-term usability.
Connectivity and Ports
USB-C has solidified its position as the universal port standard, with Thunderbolt 5 and USB4 v2.0 delivering massive bandwidth increases. However, port selection still varies widely.
In 2025:
- Thunderbolt 5 supports dual 8K monitors, 240W charging, and PCIe SSD speeds.
- Wi-Fi 7 is now standard on many new laptops, offering faster speeds and lower latency.
- 5G connectivity is available on select models, which is ideal for remote workers or travelers.
- Legacy ports like HDMI and USB-A are still available on business and gaming laptops but are vanishing from ultraportables.
Don’t forget to factor in your peripheral needs—docking stations are more versatile than ever, but not all laptops include the necessary bandwidth.
Thin and Ultra-powerful Gaming Laptops
Gamers in 2025 benefit from more powerful and efficient GPUs in thinner, lighter laptops. NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 series and AMD’s RDNA 4-based GPUs offer desktop-class performance without the bulk.
Key updates:
- AI-powered upscaling (DLSS 4, FSR 3.5) boosts frame rates with minimal impact on quality.
- Advanced cooling systems allow better performance in portable designs.
- Integrated multiplexer switches (MUX) offer direct GPU-to-screen connections for lower latency and better performance.
- OLED and 240Hz QHD displays are common in high-end gaming models.
If you’re a competitive gamer or a creator who needs GPU horsepower, 2025 has plenty of powerful and portable options.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life has improved significantly thanks to ARM processors, more intelligent power management, and low-power display tech. Some models now boast 20–30 hours of real-world usage.
Charging improvements:
- USB-C PD (Power Delivery) supports up to 240W, even for gaming laptops.
- Fast charging: Many laptops charge 50% in 30 minutes.
- Battery preservation tools: OS-level features extend lifespan by avoiding overcharging.
When battery life is a top concern, look for Snapdragon-powered laptops or MacBooks with Apple Silicon, which consistently offer superior endurance.
macOS and Apple Silicon
Apple’s M3 and upcoming M4 chips keep pushing the envelope in terms of energy efficiency and performance. MacBooks remain a strong choice for professionals and creatives.
Noteworthy Apple features in 2025:
- M3 Pro/Max and M4 chips deliver exceptional performance with minimal heat and fan noise.
- macOS Sequoia integrates AI-powered features and better Windows app-emulation via third-party tools.
- Unified architecture means better RAM utilization and application efficiency.
If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem—or need stellar battery life and build quality—MacBooks remain highly competitive.
AI-Powered Operating Systems and Software Features
Windows 11 and macOS in 2025 feature AI-driven enhancements that affect how you use your laptop daily.
AI integration includes:
- Copilot in Windows 11: A contextual assistant that helps with emails, documents, and system settings.
- Siri+ in macOS: Smarter voice control, scheduling, and cross-device functionality.
- On-device transcription, auto-summarisation, and smart clipboard features.
- AI-generated art, music, and text support embedded in creative tools.
These features are not just gimmicks—they can improve productivity, creativity, and accessibility. Be sure your laptop has a capable NPU and sufficient RAM (16GB minimum) to fully use them.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a sleek, ultraportable, sustainable modular machine or a powerhouse for creative work and gaming, the tools and technology are better than ever. With the rise of AI capabilities, ARM-based platforms, and new form factors like foldable and dual screens, the definition of a “laptop” has expanded.
Before you buy, consider what matters most: performance, battery life, portability, software ecosystem, or future-proofing. Keep an eye on AI capabilities, display technology, and repairability features to ensure your investment serves you well for years.