In 2019, looking for a new laptop is much more than just going over specifications and what is hot right now. Whether you are looking for an affordable laptop, powerhouse, or a premium machine for gaming, we have tried to cater to your needs whatever they might be, with this list.
Let’s get right to it; our best laptops of 2019 … so far.
Dell XPS 13 (2018)
Described as the world’s smallest 13-inch laptop, the Dell XPS 13 (2018) is a premium Windows ultraportable laptop, with a speedy performance and a 12-hour battery life.
It has two versions. The Core i5 which comes with a 13.3-inch screen and a 1,920 x 1,080 display, a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-8520U CPU, a 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,866MHz, 128MB dedicated Intel UHD Graphics 620, 256GB SSD storage, 802. 11ac WIFI, Bluetooth 4.1 and the Microsoft Windows 10 Home Operating System (64-bit).
The Core i7 version comes with a 13.3-inch screen and a 3,840 x 2,160 touch display, a 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-8550U, a 16GB DDR3 SDRAM 2,133MHz, 128MB dedicated Intel UHD Graphics 620, 512GB SSD, 802.11ac Wi-F,; Bluetooth 4.1 and the Microsoft Windows 10 Home Operating System (64-bit).
Originally released in January 2018, the Dell XPS (2018) goes for 980$ (98,088ksh) in 2019.
HP Chromebook X2
While the specifications of the HP Chromebook X2 are not particularly impressive, it has a terrific display, a keyboard that is very comfortable to type on and a really good performance.
The full specifications are:
- 12.3-inch 2,400 x 1,600 pixel touchscreen.
- A Dual core 2.6GHz Core m3-7Y30 CPU.
- A 4GB LPDDR3 SDRAM.
- A storage of 32GB HDD.
- A built-in 5-megapixel camera (front), 13-megapixel rear camera (yes rear camera).
- A dual array mic.
- 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.2.
- A Chrome OS Operating System.
Besides the probable downside of not having a Windows OS it is not an all that bad, laptop. It retails for 600$ (60,066ksh).
Lenovo Yoga C930
Lenovo’s Yoga c930 all of the design prowess that the company has always delivered. Its 36o rotating 13.9-inch touchscreen includes Dolby Vision, which delivers brighter brights, blacker blacks and colours, never before seen on standard displays. That is according to Lenovo’s website.
It also comes with a Stylus.
Below are the official Specifications:
- A 13.9-inch 1,920 x 1,080 touch display.
- A 1.8GHz Intel Core i7-8550U CPU.
- A 12GB DDR4 SDRAM 2,133MHz.
- A 256GB SSD storage.
- 128MB Intel UHD Graphics 620.
- 802.11ac WIFI wireless, Bluetooth 4.1.
- A Windows 10 Home (64-bit) Operating System.
The Yoga C930, retails for 1,200$ (120,128ksh).
Razer Blade (2018)
Razer Blade has come a very long way from its origin of making gaming laptops exclusively. The only tell-tale signs on the the 2018 model is the keyboard which still lights up, which each key capable of displaying more than 1 million colours across several patterns and a glowing intertwined snake logo on the back.
The Razer Blade (2018), comes with:
- A 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 @144Hz display.
- A 2.2GHz Intel Core i7-8750H CPU.
- A 16GB DDR4 SDRAM 2,660MHz.
- A 512GB SSD storage.
- 8GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 with Max-Q Design.
- 802.11ac wireless, and Bluetooth.
- A Windows 10 Home (64-bit) Operating System.
The Razer Blade 2018, retails for 1,749$ (175,086ksh).
Microsoft Surface Laptop
The Microsoft Surface Laptop, is a high-end device with a rather conservative design. It comes with:
- A 13-inch 2,456 x 1,504 pixel touchscreen display.
- A 2.5GHz Core i5-7200U.
- An 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,866MHz.
- 128MB Dedicted Intel HD Graphics 620.
- A storage of 256GB SSD.
- 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.0 LE.
- A Windows 10 S OS Operating System, upgradable to Windows 10 Pro.
While a few people are wondering why Microsoft went ahead to make a laptop, especially with their tablets doing very well, you cannot deny the fact that the specifications on this laptop are impressive.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop, retails for $679 (67,989ksh).
Apple MacBook Air (2018)
Yes, yes, we know the MacBook Air (2018) is significantly more expensive than the last generation Air model but, better in almost every way. Much, much better.
Check out the specifications here:
- A 13-inch display.
- A 1.6GHz Core i5-8210Y.
- An 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 2,133MHz.
- 1,536MB Intel UHD Graphics 617.
- A storage of 256GB SSD.
- The Apple MacOS Mojave 10.14 Operating System.
Apple’s MacBook Air (2018), retails for $1,050 (105,116ksh) but with the increase in price, should it still be considered as the ultimate student laptop? Personally, I think it just boils down to your purchasing power
HP ZBook x2 G4
The HP ZBook x2 G4, has been described as a device that looks like the Microsoft Surface Pro, but way better. It is a great option for heavy users of Adobe Creative Cloud Applications i.e. Photoshop, Premiere Pro and the likes.
The device comes with:
- A 14-inch 3,840 x 2,160 DreamColor display.
- A 1.9GHz Core i7-8650U.
- A 32GB DDR5 SDRAM 2,400MHz.
- 2GB Nvidia Quadro M620 Graphics.
- A storage of 512GB SSD.
- An SD Card slot.
- 802.11ac 2×2, Bluetooth 4.2.
- USB 3.0 Type-A.
- 2 USB-C/Thunderbolt ports.
- HDMI 2.0.
- Windows 10 Professional (64-bit) Operating System.
While the design might not be to everyone’s taste (I mean is anything ever really that perfect?), the detachable keyboard is rigid, and very good for typing comfortably. Even if you detach the keyboard to turn the device into a tablet, it can still be reconnected even when separated, via Bluetooth.
HP’s ZBook x2 G4 retails for $2,849 (285,157ksh).
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
If you are looking for a Windows tablet that can do it all, the Surface Pro 6 which is Microsoft’s 2-in-1 laptop-tablet hybrid, is for you.
- A 12.2-inch 2,736 x 1,824-pixel touch display.
- A 1.6GHz Core i5-8250U.
- An 8GB DDR4 SDRAM 1,866MHz.
- 128MB Dedicated Intel UHD Graphics 620.
- A storage of 256GB SSD.
- 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 4.1.
- Windows 10 Home (64-bit) Operating System.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 remains the best in terms of overall design for laptop and tablet hybrids. The performance is also especially impressive.
Surface Pro 6, retails for $1,099 (109,999ksh).
And that’s it for our compilation of the best Laptops to buy in Kenya, so far in 2019. Hybrids included.
Happy Hunting!
