Haute hardware: Laptops that make a statement
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today Spice issue March, 2025)Sure, any laptop can crunch numbers—but can yours start conversations? Forget drab plastics; welcome to the era of designer laptops—sleek, sophisticated, and expensive enough to raise even your accountant's eyebrows. Whether you're casually closing deals in a Parisian caf or just pretending to, these machines don't just compute, they charm. Because when your laptop can turn heads faster than your convertible, you know tech just got haute. Here are our top picks.advertisementApple MacBook Pro (pictured above)Apple's new MacBook Pro 14-inch is like a meticulously groomed marathoner who also holds a PhD in rocket science, blending sleek style with mind-blowing performance. The M4 chips turn tasks into exhilarating sprints, while the Liquid Retina XDR display practically dazzles the peepers. Plus, it runs circles around lesser laptops, even unplugged, thanks to a long-lasting battery. Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 12MP Center Stage camera complete the package, leaving you feeling like you've discovered laptop nirvana. It's a portable powerhouse that never breaks a sweat, proving yet again Apple knows how to fuse brain, brawn and beauty.
Price: Rs 2,94,000IdeaPad Pro 5
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The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5 isn't just a laptop; it's the tech equivalent of showing up to a casual dinner party in a tailored tux. Packing an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor that sprints up to 5.10GHz speed, this sleek 1.94kg machine handles multitasking with the confidence of someone who alphabetises their spice rack. Its stunning 16-inch OLED touchscreen dazzles with 2K clarity, richer colours than your Instagram feed, and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. With NVIDIA RTX 4050 graphics, 32GB RAM, and a terabyte of lightning-fast SSD storage, this Arctic Grey beauty turns productivity into performance art.Price: Rs 1,52,000Acer Predator Helios 16
If your gaming ambitions are bigger than your backpack, do check the Acer Predator Helios 16—the laptop equivalent of bringing a rocket launcher to a paintball match. Armed with a 24-core Intel Core i9 and an NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU, it devours AAA gaming titles like they're snacks at midnight. The 16-inch, 240Hz WQXGA display is brighter than your gaming future at 500 nits, ensuring buttery-smooth visuals sharper than your opponent's comebacks. With 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and stealthy Abyssal Black aesthetics, this beast isn't just powerful—it's how you announce you've entered the game lobby.Price: Rs 1,94,999HP Elitebook x360 G11
Meet the HP EliteBook x360 G11, because blending in was never your style. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 that clocks up to 4.8GHz speeds, this sleek convertible makes multitasking as effortless as your morning espresso order. Its vibrant 13.3-inch WUXGA touchscreen is tougher than your deadlines (thanks, Gorilla Glass 5), while 32 GB memory and a snappy 1 TB SSD ensure your workflow is smoother than your elevator pitch. Add in premium privacy features, Wi-Fi 6E, battery faster to recharge than you after a weekend, and you've got more than a laptop—you've got bragging rights.Price: Rs 1,72,999Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360
Buying a laptop used to mean choosing between looks, power and tech specs, until the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 casually offered all three. With its razor-sharp 16-inch 3K AMOLED display dancing smoothly at 120Hz, this 1.56 kg showstopper makes even spreadsheets look cinematic. Packing an Intel Core Ultra chip and Intel Arc Graphics, it's effortlessly powerful, yet refined enough to slip into any boardroom (or boutique caf). Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos turn Zoom meetings into surround-sound experiences, while Windows 11 keeps things smart and sophisticated. Who knew productivity could look this good—or sound this immersive?advertisementPrice: Rs 1,55,990Subscribe to India Today MagazineMust Watch
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