Apple has come out on top in a new Apple laptop survey, capturing eight of ten categories and the overall People’s Picks award for laptops. The survey, conducted by Alchemer for CNET, polled 1,003 U.S. adults between Sept. 1 and Oct. 10, 2026, and weighted results to represent the national adult population. While Apple dominated, the findings also highlight strong showings from Asus and Acer in value and satisfaction, and notable strengths for Lenovo and Dell.
Apple’s near-perfect satisfaction
Among Apple laptop owners, 74.2% said they were extremely satisfied with their MacBook, and another 22.5% reported being satisfied. That adds up to a 96.7% overall satisfaction score. Brand loyalty is equally strong: 68% of MacBook owners said they would buy the same model again, while 29.1% would choose a different Apple laptop. Only 3% said they would switch to a non-Apple brand.
Apple’s appeal extends to perceived value. Although 43.5% of Apple users paid at least $1,500 for their laptops, 44% described their MacBook as having exceptional value, and 50.9% said it was worth the price. That totals a 94.6% positive value rating. The introduction of the budget-friendly MacBook Neo at $699 has lowered the entry point, but most Apple owners—81.8%—still spent $1,000 or more.
Battery life and display quality stand out
Battery performance is a major factor in the survey. More than a quarter of MacBook owners (25.7%) said their battery lasts over 10 hours, and 18.7% reported 8 to 10 hours, meaning 44.4% get at least 8 hours of use. Non-Apple brands lagged in this area: only 16.4% of Lenovo users, 12.7% of Dell users, and 11.8% of HP users said their battery lasts 8 hours or more.
Apple also earned a 99.2% satisfaction score for screen brightness, color accuracy, and clarity. No Apple users reported dissatisfaction with their displays. CNET’s laptop editor Matt Elliott noted that MacBooks are built for the long haul, while managing editor Josh Goldman said Apple’s displays are among the best available, with sharp text and accurate colors.
Build quality received similarly high marks. Eighty percent of MacBook owners described the construction as premium, and 18.2% called it solid. On reliability, 87% reported no hardware failures, 8% resolved issues with minor software fixes, 3% needed minor hardware repairs, and 2.2% required major repairs.
Asus leads the midrange
Asus emerged as the top midrange choice, with 67% of its owners spending between $500 and $1,499. The brand also posted a 48% extreme satisfaction rate, higher than other non-Apple brands. The Zenbook A14, a Copilot Plus PC priced at $1,600 but often discounted, features a thin, rigid design, long battery life, and an OLED display.
Asus also scored well for value (47.5% exceptional), efficiency (47.7% high ratings), and display quality (90% satisfaction). The ROG Zephyrus G16 offers a strong port selection, while the Zenbook S 14 includes a neural processing unit for AI tasks.
Acer wins on budget value
Acer attracted the most budget-conscious buyers: 38% of its owners paid less than $500. Despite the low prices, 44% said their Acer laptop has exceptional value, and 50% called the value fair, for a 94% positive score. Overall satisfaction reached 92.6%, the highest among non-Apple brands.
The Acer Aspire 16 AI, a CNET Editors’ Choice pick, features a 16-inch screen, weighs 3.5 pounds, and runs over 21 hours on CNET’s battery test. It also includes a 1440p webcam and a large touchpad for $700. Its predecessor, the Aspire 14 AI, starts at $639.
Lenovo and Dell: strong alternatives
Lenovo stood out for battery life among non-Apple brands, with 16% of its users reporting 8 hours or more, and its Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition lasted 25 hours and 45 minutes in CNET testing. The brand also earned high marks for durability, with 68% of owners reporting no hardware issues and 89% describing the build as premium or solid. Loyalty is strong, with 73.2% saying they would buy another Lenovo.
Dell appealed to premium buyers: 33.3% of Dell owners spent over $1,500, including 15.2% who spent more than $2,000. The Alienware 16X Aurora and Alienware 16 Area-51 cater to gamers, while the Dell XPS 14 offers a high-end non-Mac alternative with an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H CPU and 1TB of storage for $1,950.
For shoppers who prefer Windows or ChromeOS, the survey suggests Asus and Acer offer compelling value, while Lenovo and Dell provide reliable options at different price points. Apple, however, remains the clear favorite among CNET readers.
