10 Best Laptops in Canada for 2023

Look no further than here for the best laptops to buy in Canada. 2021 is set to be a big year coming off the back of 2020, so why not get things going with a brand new laptop in tow?

We’ve done all the research, testing and final reviews, creating a list of the best laptops money can buy right now, including the best laptops under $1000 CAD.

Among other strict criteria like quality and overall value, one of the most important things for us when compiling this list was making sure to include a wide range.

Not everyone wants or needs the same kind of laptop, and while the Apple MacBook Air is our top pick (and personal favourite), we understand that everyone has different budgets and needs.

From the best gaming laptops in Canada to the top models Dell and HP have to offer, we’ve made sure to give you a vast range to choose from.

 

10 Best Laptops Available to Buy in Canada – Reviewed

1. Apple MacBook Air (13-inch)

Specs:

• Display – 13.3” 2560 x 1600 LED-backlit display with IPS tech
• Processer – 10^th generation Intel Core i5 – i7
• Memory – 8GB – 16GB
• Battery – 12 hour runtime
• Storage – 256GB SSD – 2TB

There’s a reason the new Apple MacBook Air has over 11,000 five-star reviews. Apple have well and truly hit it out of the park here with an ultra thin and lightweight masterpiece. This particular model came out just before the Apply M1 CPU was released, but it’s still no doubt an excellent laptop.

With a tenth-gen Intel Core i5 processor comes a quieter and faster performance (two-times as fast to be exact) and it can be configured to a Core i7. The Retina display is breathtaking thanks to True Tone technology. It even comes with 48% more colours and 80% faster graphics for a more immersive experience all-round.

• See the best gaming laptops under $1000 CAD available right now

The keyboard also shines here with a redesigned scissor mechanism, plus the keys are 20% larger which means more room for Multi-Touch gestures. We’re big fans of the Touch ID as it’s quick and works way more seamlessly than the old iPhone Touch ID.

Not only is this a great choice for the office and at school, but it’s a solid option for those want something that will keep up with their binge sessions on Netflix, and also for those who enjoy playing a game or two. At $1,479 it easily rivals some of the HP, Dell and LG models on our list with its high performance and long battery life.

Features:

• Brilliant Retina High-Res Display with 48% More Colours
• Touch ID, Redesigned Keyboard, FaceTime HD Camera & 25% Louder Volume
• 80% Faster Graphics with up to 2 Times Faster CPU Performance

 

2. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Laptop

Specs:

• Display – 13.4” 1920 x 1200 WLED touch display
• Processer – 11^th generation Intel Core i7
• Memory – 8GB – 32GB
• Battery –14 hour runtime
• Storage – 256GB SSD – 1TB

Probably the first thing you’ll notice about the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is its touch screen and tablet abilities, but there is a lot more to it that got us excited. It’s a sleek 13.4” convertible design with an impressive battery life, and despite its compact size we love how solid it feels – nothing flimsy like some convertible models we’ve seen.

Response on the touchscreen is another highlight, which in tandem with the stunning 1,920 x 1,200 resolution gives rich colours and seamless viewing in bright light. While it isn’t anything for serious gamers, it’s worth noting that the graphics were decent and are great for casual gaming.

The 2-in-1 design, featuring the ability to use it as a tablet, doesn’t hinder any of the other qualities, as it’s still lightweight under 2kgs and has a 16:10 ratio widescreen. This stood out to us as most other clamshell notebooks have a 16:9 ratio, and while you might not instantly notice the difference, the XPS 13 2-in-1 has one million additional pixels.

The webcam is the same as the original XPS 13 at 720p, and has IR sensors to allow face-recognition for hassle-free logins. With stereo speakers at the base, sound is rich and clean especially when used in tablet mode. Battery life takes around 60 minutes to get to 90%, and the 14 hour runtime is longer than a lot of others we’ve tested.

Features:

• Convertible Design with 360° Rotating Hinge
• Convenient Touchscreen Capabilities & Lightweight 1.32kg
• Face-Recognition Login & Fingerprint Reader

 

3. HP Spectre x360 Laptop

Specs:

• Display – 13.3” 1920 x 1080 WLED-backlit multitouch
• Processer – 11^th generation Intel Core i5 – i7
• Memory – 8GB – 16GB
• Battery – 22 hour runtime
• Storage – 256GB SSD – 2TB

HP’s tagline for this model sums it up perfectly: “Our best and brightest just got smaller”. Ranked as the smallest convertible laptop on the market with 90% screen-to-body ratio, the Spectre x360 is perfect for anyone who wants the power and performance of most full-size laptops, just in a compact package. At $2,300 it’s the second most expensive on our list – just behind the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 – which makes sense when you consider how much is being packed into a smaller device.

With the upgrade of 11^th gen Intel Core i5 to i7 processers this version has had a significant growth in performance compared to its predecessors. We can’t go past the unique gem-cut outer shell, which not only looks gorgeous but also represents the solid, durable build. Something that also caught our eye was the hinge mechanism, which didn’t feel fragile, and felt great with the all-aluminum body.

To maximize screen space it has a bent panel design and the front camera measures just 2mm. Speaking of the webcam, a cool add-on is the “kill switch” which shuts the camera down instantly with one quick flick. Other ports comprised in the thin 14.5mm body include the micro SD reader, USB Type-C and USB 3.1 Type-A, a combo audio jack, adapter plug, and of course the power button.

Battery is more than impressive at a lengthy 22 hours – HP labels it as the “world’s longest battery life on a quad core 13” convertible”. The OLED display with True Black HDR delivers incredible depth and crisp colours, plus the screen is anti-reflective so you can view in any lighting.

Features:

• Highly Portable Design with Clamshell Tablet Mode & Anti-Reflective Display
• Top-Quality Bang & Olufsen Speakers Offer Rich Sounds
• USB Type-C, USB 3.1 Type-A, Micro SD Reader & Combo Audio Jack Ports

 

4. Dell XPS 13 9380 Laptop

Specs:

• Display – 13” 1920 x 1200 InfinityEdge touch display
• Processer – 8^th generation Intel Core i7
• Memory – 16GB
• Battery –  12 hour runtime
• Storage – 512GB M.2 – 2TB

With a lightweight and slim body at 1.23kgs and 11.6mm, the Dell XPS 13 is and always will be a huge fan favourite. With a couple of much-needed upgrades, like a new webcam placement that doesn’t glare up your nose anymore, this is a highly portable model with 4K Ultra HD quality packed into a gorgeous 13” touch screen.

Let’s talk about the webcam again for a moment, as it really is an impressive feat. Dell managed to shrink it down to just 2.25mm, while still being able to maintain high-res graphics on a 16:9 aspect ratio screen. They call it their “Next-Gen Dell Cinema” which basically means bursting colours, deeper sounds, and seamless streaming.

We ended up really enjoying the keyboard which had a tactile, comfortable feeling to it. The touchpad was also a joy, as it was highly responsive and felt smooth to work with.

Ports aren’t an issue with a micro SD slot, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one USB 3.1 Type-C port, an audio jack, plus you get an AC adapter in the box for USB Type-C to USB Type-A. On the left side with all these ports you’ll also find the LED lights, which we found came in handy when needing to quickly see the level of charge.

Features:

• Lightweight 1.23kgs & Ultra-Slim 11.6mm Build
• Innovate HD 2.25mm Webcam Optimizes 13” Screen Space
• Environmentally-Friendly Construction with 90% Recyclable Parts

 

5. LG Gram 17 Laptop

Specs:

• Display – 17” 2560 x 1600 WQXGA IPS display
• Processer – 10^th generation Intel Core i7
• Memory – 16GB
• Battery – 17 hour runtime
• Storage – 1TB M.2

When it comes to purchasing a 17” laptop, generally the thought of portability kind of goes out the window. They are usually much too hefty to be carried around with ease, and are best kept at your desk rather than travelling with on a daily basis. That’s what attracted us to the LG Gram 17, which takes what you know about 17” models and switches things up.

At 1.35kgs it weighs just a little more than the Dell XPS 13. Despite this feathery weight, it still feels quite solid as it has a magnesium alloy build. If the weight isn’t already a deciding factor, the screen is sure to turn heads. It really did feel more like using a desktop when you compare it to a common 13” model.

With a 16:10 ratio and 2,560 x 1,600 res display, it produces intense colours, strong contrast and crisp details. While it certainly isn’t suited to gaming, watching TV and movies is a joy thanks to the high resolution and taller vertical space. Audio is also noteworthy as it features DTS:X Ultra which gives immersive 3D sounds.

In terms of the body, we like that they took out the visible hinge from the previous design, which made the whole thing bulky. Sure, it isn’t a looker like the MacBook or Spectre, but it still looks polished and is sleeker than before. Another upgrade from the old version is within the keyboard, which is now backlit and has broader Enter, Backspace and Shift keys, lending to a comfortable experience typing.

Features:

• Ultralightweight Body at 1.35kgs with Large 17” Screen
• Vivid Resolution with 16:10 High-Res Display
• Versatile Thunderbolt 3 Port, HDMI, 3 USB 3.1 Type-A, USB 3.1 Type-C, Audio Jack, Micro SD Slot

 

6. Acer Swift 3 Laptop

Specs:

• Display – 14” 1920 x 1080 IPS widescreen LED backlit display
• Processer – Intel Core i5
• Memory – 8GB
• Battery – 17 hour runtime
• Storage – 1TB

For all the bargain hunters, the Acer Swift 3 is your ticket to outstanding performance, ease-of-use, and high-quality display. As well as being our top choice for budget-conscious shoppers, this model is one of our favourites for working and studying. That’s because it’s such a compact, highly portable laptop, but still manages to deliver when it comes to performance and quality.

Let’s begin at the body design, which is lightweight and far from bulky – perfect for students who are constantly on the go. It weighs as little as 1.19kg and remains slim at 15.95mm, but the aluminum-magnesium blend metal chassis ensures it feels far from flimsy (a problem a lot of other compact models seem to face).

Screen space is optimized at a 16:9 ratio with an FHD IPS display. With Acer Color Intelligence and ExaColor included, the quality is noticeable as colours pop and details are sharp. Even though it’s a little more low-res than some others in the same range, it’s more than enough to comfortably work on and watch videos.

Power is exceptional here with a 17 hour battery life, which can be attributed to the 56Wh battery. We particularly liked the fast charging capabilities, which provides 4 hours of use after just 30 minutes of charging. Login quick and secure with a built-in finger scanner at the lower right-hand corner.

Features:

• High 82.73% Screen-to-Body Ratio Full HD IPS Display
• Lightweight & Portable 1.19kgs & Slim 15.95mm
• Widespread Connectivity with USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port, HDMI, USB Type-C, USB 2.0 slot, Audio Jack & Kensington Lock Slot

 

7. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Laptop

Specs:

• Display – 14” 1920 x 1080 full HD IPS panel
• Processer – 8^th generation Intel Core i7
• Memory – 16GB – 32GB
• Battery – 4 hour runtime
• Storage – 512GB SSD

What the Asus ROG Zephyrus lacks in a webcam it makes up for with everything else. With the steepest price tag on our list, this is one serious laptop with the best battery score out of all others in its class. One of the other things that makes it stand out from the rest is its ultra-light and thin 17.78mm body. Weighing just 2.22kgs it’s certainly one of the lightest you’ll find in gaming – not everyone wants or needs a massive, bulky machine.

While the light weight is impressive in itself, we’re so pleased to see that it hasn’t sacrificed performance. It features an 8^th gen Intel Core i7 processer, with a 144Hz refresh rate IPS panel that delivers a rapid 3ms response time. NVIDIA GeForce 1,080 graphics and a Max-Q design meet the highest standards when it comes to resolution. You’re getting ultra-smooth gameplay with 360° image capture, eliminating blurring even in VR.

Airflow is another major highlight here, with a 20% increase in airflow space, a 32% increase in system airflow, and a 20% reduction in temperatures. These stats are thanks to an integrated Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) which allows it to stay cool without compromising performance.

Despite the slim design, you’re still getting a plethora of ports for wide connectivity. In addition to the power button you’ll find a HDMI 2.0 slot, dual USB 3.1 Gen 2 and dual Gen 1 ports, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C over Thunderbolt, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Features:

• Fluid & Exceptional Visuals with 144Hz Refresh Rate, 3ms Response Time & 100% SRGB
• VR-Ready with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1,080 Graphics for Lag-Free Performance
• Smart Amp Technology Enhances Audio up to 80%
• Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) Increases Airflow Significantly

 

8. Asus TUF506 Gaming A15 Laptop

Specs:

• Display – 15.6” 1920 x 1080 full HD IPS panel
• Processer – 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 4800H
• Memory – 16GB
• Battery – 12.3 hour runtime
• Storage – 512GB SSD

The Asus TUF506 is pretty much the budget-friendly version of the ROG Zephyrus, but it does happen to have a larger screen at 15.6” and a much longer battery life of up to 12.3 hours with video playback. It’s ever so slightly heavier at 2.3kgs, but it’s still got that sleek, high-tech look we’ve come to love about Asus gaming laptops.

Armed with AMD Ryzen 4800 series processers and NVIDIA GeForce graphics, this model is built for power. To match this high performance are some upgraded speakers, which generate almost twice the sound with 2.7 times deeper bass than older versions. Another element contributing to the richer audio is DTS:X Ultra technology, which generates 7.1-channel virtual surround sound for incredible audio when wearing a headset.

Much like the ROG Zephyrus, keeping cool is a major focal point, especially since there’s a heap of power to keep up with. Equipped with an Anti-Dust Cooling system for self cleaning, there is a dual fan design that optimizes cooling to prevent overheating. In fact, it can last up to several days in 49°C or temps as freezing as -32°C.

Something interesting we noticed was that drop tests and vibration tests were conducted by Asus, ensuring reduced risk of damage if it happens to fall while you’re travelling.

Features:

• Robust Construction Withstands Extreme Heat, Cold & Humidity
• Self Cleaning & Dual Fan Design Eliminate Overheating
• NVIDIA GeForce Graphics for Higher Performance

 

9. HP Elite Dragonfly Notebook PC

Specs:

• Display – 13.3” 1200 x 800 Full HD Touch Display
• Processer – 8^th generation Intel Core i7
• Memory – 16GB
• Battery – 12 hour runtime
• Storage – 256GB SSD – 2TB

The HP Elite Dragonfly is another convertible model for those looking for more than just a regular laptop. It can transform into a tablet, but it can also be used in “Tent” mode and “Media” mode to present or watch content. Since it’s such a lightweight model, it’s one of our top picks as a business laptop or for students who need something that won’t weigh them down while traveling.

Apart from the incredibly light weight, what also makes this model so great for business is its impeccable security features (there are 6 of them, to be exact). From HP Sure Click which protects from malware, to HP Sure Start Gen5 that consists of self-healing BIOS, their “constantly evolving” solutions are world-class in keeping your data secure.

The keyboard is actually one of our favourites out of all the models on our list. It’s quiet, backlit flawlessly, and just feels amazing to work on. Actually, the entire exterior design is worth a mention, with diamond cut accents, a 1000-nit ultrabright display, next-gen magnesium chassis, and a gorgeous iridescent deep blue colour.

Another feature that makes this perfect for traveling professionals is the LTE compatibility, where you can stay online anywhere with gigabit-class 4G LTE and gigabit-speed Wi-Fi 6 – being able to work anytime, anywhere and without eating into the battery is a lifesaver for anyone who’s always on the road.

Features:

• Ultralightweight Business Laptop Under 1kg Perfect for Travel
• World-Class Security Features Including Self-Healing BIOS
• LTE Compatible & Convertible Design

 

10. HP Envy x360 Laptop

Specs:

• Display – 15.6” 1920 x 1080 WLED backlit multi-touch display
• Processer – AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
• Memory – 8GB – 32GB RAM
• Battery – 14 hour runtime
• Storage – 256GB – 1TB SSD

Seeing as the other 2-in-1’s on our list were pretty pricey, we decided to include a more affordable option, which is the HP Envy x360. It gives us the look and feel of high-end options, just in a less expensive package.

Even though it’s a great option for anyone, we think it’s perfect for those who want to try out the features and feel of a clamshell laptop, but don’t want to splurge all-out on the first go.

With the edge-to-edge WLED touchscreen and high-res AMD Radeon graphics, this would work really well for designers or artists. We think the 14 hour battery life, 1TB storage capability and UHD OLED display are also features that would appeal to those kinds of users. You don’t need to worry about lack of storage or a dying device in the middle of a creation, and the colours are luxurious and vivid.

At 2kgs it’s not the lightest on the market, but it certainly isn’t heavy either, as it’s comfortable carrying it around all day. We felt there were just enough ports without going overboard – you get an SD card reader, USB Type-A port, and adapter plug on the left side, and an audio jack, HDMI 2.0 slot, USB Type-C, and another USB Type-A on the right.

Features:

• Vivid Graphics & Accurate Colours with UHD OLED Display
• Fingerprint Reader & 6 Ports for Effortless Connectivity
• Bang & Olufsen 3 Speakers Plus Wide Vision Camera with Camera Shutter Button

 

5 Key Factors When Buying a Laptop

Buying a new laptop is an important investment, and there are certain things to think about that will help you choose the best one not only for your budget, but also for your needs.

Display

Dimensions

• Do you really need a massive screen? 13” screens are generally the most common because they’re a great in-between option compared to 11” displays and 15” or more.
• Consider that the size of the screen will also affect the weight – if you need something portable then a 13” or less is best as they’ll weigh anywhere from below 1kg to 2kgs.

Resolution

• There are four levels to resolution (from lowest to highest): HD, Full HD, 3:2, and 4K Ultra HD.
• No matter how low your budget is, sticking with Full HD is the best way to go, as anything less can display inaccurate colours and look particularly grainy. Unless your budget is extremely low (below $500), most affordable models on the market come with Full HD.

Software

The most important thing to know when it comes to your laptop software is that these are the big hitters: Windows, MacOS and ChromeOS. Here’s how to know which one is best for your laptop:

Windows

• Has a sense of familiarity and ease for a lot of people – stick with it if you’ve already been using it and love it. Some users find it difficult to transition over to other software, particularly MacOS, but it’s all down to personal preference.
• There is such a huge range of laptops out there that use the Windows operating system, which means more choice for you.

MacOS

• MacBooks are hassle-free to repair and Apple has great customer service.
• If you’re already familiar with other Apple products and don’t mind getting used to new software for your laptop, MacOS won’t be a problem.
• MacBook prices can be steep, so if you’re not limited by your budget then go for it.

ChromeOS

• Great inexpensive options that won’t break the bank.
• If you love simple, straightforward software, ChromeOS is really easy to navigate and work with – especially for newcomers.
• Due to ChromeOS being a cloud-based operating system, there is less need to download much software, which means added security.

Storage

The best question to ask when thinking about storage amount is: What do you mainly use your laptop for? If you love storing tons of music, pictures, documents, etc., space gets consumed faster than what you might think.

Storage volume is determined by the size of the hard disk, and is measured using either GB’s or TB’s (gigabytes or terabytes).

A solid state drive (SSD) is one of the most common storage devices for computers because they are quick, quiet, and don’t slow down your laptop. The main downside is that they can be costly, so some other brands have come out with alternatives like the Google Pixelbook Go using embedded Multi-Media Controller (eMMC).

Processors Explained

How powerful your device will be will depend on its processor (also called a CPU) which is basically the heart of the operation. The type of processor or CPU you choose depends on what kind of user you are – do you need to open heaps of programs at a time?

Clock Speed & Cores

Clock speed (or GHz) and amount of cores are two important specs to know about when looking at CPUs. Clock speed is measured by the amount of pulses-per-second that the processer runs, and the larger the number he more powerful it is. In terms of cores, the more there are, the more processes can be run at one time.

RAM

Abbreviated from Random Access Memory, the RAM is exactly that – your laptop’s memory space. When there is more RAM, your device can process a lot more information at the same time, which can impact the overall performance significantly. That’s why your device might run a lot slower than usual when you’ve got stacks of things open at one time – a closed program will be taken out of the RAM to free up space for other files.

4GB is the lowest we recommend going, but 8GB of RAM is the average for those who aren’t heavy users.

Price

Here’s a simple guide you can follow to help you determine your price range:

• Under $500 – This price range will get you anywhere from 2GB to 4GB of storage. Prices closer to the $500 mark should have more recent Intel Celeron processors, while lower models around $350 will have slower Intel Celeron or Atom CPUs. Models in this range won’t be very fast and are suited to light browsing.
• Between $700 and $1,300 – Processors include Intel Pentium, Core i3, i5 and i7, AMD Ryzen 3, 5 7 and 8GB of storage for a decent amount of internet browsing, photoshop, some video editing, and research. Full HD display available. Try choose SSD storage. As you get higher to the $1,300 mark, you’ll find better battery life and premium designs.
• Over $1,300 – Gorgeous exterior designs and screen displays, and high-quality sound with great speakers. Ideal for more heavy-duty tasks like editing videos or gaming.

At the end of the day, how much you should spend largely depends on your own personal budget.

 

Conclusion on the best laptops available in Canada

After an extensive amount of research and testing, we’re excited to have brought you a range of the best laptops to buy on the Canadian market today. From Apple to Dell, we’ve included several different brands to suit all kinds of budgets, included the inexpensive Acer Swift which made it on the list as our favourite low-budget model.

Before making your final choice, remember to consider all the specs, think about portability, and also think about what you’ll use it for most. If you’re serious about gaming, go for a laptop specifically made for gamers. If you need something for work or school, graphics might not be high on your priority list.