Best AI Laptops in 2026

Many new laptops now include a neural processing unit (NPU), a part of the chip designed to run AI features efficiently. It handles tasks such as background blur and noise removal on video calls, live captions and some photo and writing tools, using less power than the main processor or graphics.

Laptops with an NPU are often sold as AI PCs. The label tells you the hardware is there, but the useful part is the software that runs on it, so look at the features rather than the badge.

Copilot+ PC is Microsoft's label for Windows laptops that meet its requirements for on-device AI, including a fast NPU and minimum memory and storage. These laptops get extra Windows features that run locally.

Apple builds its own AI features into recent Macs, and Chromebook Plus models add Google AI tools. Which features you get depends on the platform and sometimes on your region and language, so check the specific features you would use. Features also change with software updates, so a laptop can gain new tools after you buy it.

For many people, the most useful AI tools still run in the cloud through a browser or app, and those work on almost any laptop. If your main AI use is a chatbot in a browser, spend on memory, screen and battery instead.

An NPU matters if you want features that run on the laptop itself, which can respond faster, work offline and keep your data on the device. It also helps a new laptop stay current as more software adds on-device AI.

If you want to run AI models locally, such as open source language models or image generators, memory and graphics matter more than the NPU. Large models need a lot of memory, so 32GB or more is useful, and a powerful graphics card or a chip with a large pool of shared memory speeds things up.

Our laptops for machine learning guide covers that kind of work in more detail.

On-device AI features use memory alongside everything else you run, so 16GB is a sensible minimum for an AI laptop and more is better if you plan to keep it for years. AI models and their updates also take up storage, which makes 512GB a comfortable starting point.

An AI label does not make a laptop good by itself. Battery life, the screen, the keyboard and build quality still decide whether you enjoy using it.

Many AI laptops use efficient chips that help battery life; our thin and light laptops guide covers portability. For professional use, our laptops for work guide covers security and manageability, which matter for company devices. Look at how long the maker promises updates, since AI features arrive through software.

On-device AI can keep more of your data on the laptop, but some features still send data to the cloud. Check the privacy settings during setup, turn off features you do not want, and read what each feature stores, especially for tools that capture what is on your screen. Business users should also check whether their company allows these features on work devices.