Testing Process Overview
At ECNETNews, we put various laptops through rigorous hands-on testing to determine their capabilities and performance. Each device undergoes thorough inspection for build quality and is utilized over several weeks for a range of real-world tasks, including document processing, email management, video streaming, photography using webcams, video conferencing, music playback, and gaming where applicable. We also explore any unique software features marketed by the manufacturers.
In addition to practical usage, we utilize industry-standard benchmark software to systematically assess performance. These benchmarks simulate common tasks, providing us with score comparisons that are essential for evaluating different laptops on the market. Our commitment to benchmarking has recently been integrated into our evaluation process and will be standard in our laptop reviews going forward.
Performance Evaluation
We assess each laptop’s performance using Primate Labs’ Geekbench 6 tailored to the operating system—macOS for MacBooks, Windows for standard and gaming laptops, and Android for Chromebooks. This benchmark measures CPU performance across various tasks, recording multi-core scores where higher results indicate better performance.
For gaming laptops, we evaluate graphical capabilities by playing Cyberpunk 2077, a demanding AAA title known for its intensive graphics. If the laptop features a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card, we assess performance with and without DLSS technology enabled on the High preset (excluding ray tracing) to gauge raw GPU power and AI upscaling effectiveness.
We complement this with the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark specific to gaming PCs, where again, higher scores are preferable.
Battery Life Assessment
For MacBooks, we aim for battery life of around 11 to 12 hours, with over 15 hours considered exceptional. Windows laptops should ideally last between 9 to 10 hours, with over 12 hours being optimal. In contrast, gaming laptops are evaluated for a minimum of 2 hours per charge, earning extra points for exceeding the 4-hour mark. Our standard for Chromebooks is 8 hours, with 9 to 10 hours being the target.
To ensure consistency, our battery testing includes a video rundown using a looped 1080p version of Tears of Steel at 50 percent brightness for MacBooks and Windows devices. For gaming laptops, we employ PCMark 10’s battery life test, while Chromebooks are evaluated using CrXPRT 2.
Conclusion
After detailed performance evaluation and benchmark analysis, our recommendations are based on the overall value each laptop delivers for its price. Occasionally, a higher-priced laptop may still receive positive remarks if it demonstrates exceptional performance and design that warrants its cost.
It’s important to note that our testing is continuous, with many new models being evaluated regularly. Not all tested laptops make our final recommendations, but we strive to keep this guide current with the latest top contenders in the market.
