The Best SSD Laptops

The production rate of new laptops is staggering and nowadays, you can find just about any type of laptop at an affordable price. A couple of years back, SSD or Solid State Drive laptops were only found in high-end laptops and slim ultrabooks, but now you can find the best SSD laptops for just about any price and any budget.

Based on price, product specifications, real-world performance, and owner reviews, we feel the ASUS VivoBook F510UA-AH55 SSD is the best SSD laptop currently on the market.

SSD laptops and notebooks are now used virtually anywhere, with the popularity skyrocketing in colleges and universities as well. With such a demand, brands have now incorporated SSD’s in medium-end laptops as well. This makes it much easier for the average consumer strapped to a tight budget to buy one.

We have decided to look at them a little closer and find out which one is the best. With such a demand, it is no surprise that there is a wide variety available on the market today and this makes finding the best one a little tougher. However, we have put in some of the hard-yards to help you find the best SSD laptops.

Our Selection of The 5 Best SSD Laptops:

There is a wide variety of features that are needed for a laptop to be considered the very best and a lot of tests are done. With new models released daily, it is hard to keep up.

We have put up a buyer’s guide that will help you find the top models lower down. However, let’s start with the 5 best ssd laptops currently on the market.

1. HP Pavilion 15.6 Inch Flagship SSD Laptop

Pros:

  • Small and compact design
  • Multiple memory sizes
  • Fast DDR4 RAM
  • Large 15.6-inch display

Cons:

  • A little expensive

The latest HP Pavilion 15.6 Inch Flagship Notebook is one of the very best on the market today. It comes with an already installed Intel i7 processor that speeds up any process you have and an 8GB DDR4 RAM makes it one of the smoothest running options when opening and working with multiple applications in school or at work.

It features a full-sized keyboard and massive 15.6-inch screen that can virtually be seen from almost any angle you desire. The keyboard has also been lit up at the back and this makes it ideal for nighttime working or playing your favorite games.

While most notebooks don’t have this included, the HP Pavilion also features a digital media reader to save you from buying one separately.

It comes with Windows 10 already installed and all you need to do is upload all of your most used files and applications. Since it is a little smaller and slimmer than most laptops, it is perfect if you need to carry it around for a full day. Lastly, the notebook comes with a full HD display and excellent graphics for gaming as well.

The price is one of the downsides and this is one of the more expensive models on the market today. Since it has all the latest features, you will definitely be saving and you won’t need to upgrade anytime soon either. We would recommend it for gamers, but mostly for those who need a fast laptop for work or school.

2. ASUS VivoBook SSD Laptop

Pros:

  • Slim and sleek design
  • WideView display
  • Fast 8GB DDR4 RAM
  • Includes an additional 1TB HDD

Cons:

  • The price can still be a little expensive, but no real other cons

The ASUS VivoBook Laptop is one of the smallest and most compact laptops, making it perfect for college students. The laptop features the 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor, making it one of the fastest currently on the market today. It comes with 128 GB SSD memory, but an additional 1TB HDD has also been included.

This laptop also sports a 15.6-inch Display, but with a WideView design, you can actually use it to watch your movies in any type of format. The laptop is only 0.8-inches thick and this makes it extremely slim and lightweight for you to carry around between classes. It should not even take up any space in your backpack.

Much like the HP Pavilion, this one also includes an 8GB DDR4 RAM and this is rated as one of the best. Yes, you can find a larger RAM or replace it, but this specific version will be fast enough for all your working purposes.

Multiple different connections have also been added, ranging from USB 3.1 to HDMI for your movie entertainment.

As for the price, it is slightly less expensive than the previous one, but still a little too expensive for your average college student. However, if you don’t want to have a slow laptop, this will be one of the best for working. It is definitely on the top of our list when it comes to college students and even for college professors.

3. ASUS FX504 TUF Gaming SSD Laptop

Pros:

  • Comes with 2 games includes
  • Massive 256GB SDD
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Wide view display

Cons:

  • Really expensive

Gaming is something we all love and having the right laptop makes a massive difference to your experience. The ASUS FX504 TUF Gaming Laptop has been specifically designed for the avid gamer and comes with 2 games already included to get you started. The full keypad should give you an edge over other notebooks.

The laptop is powered by a powerful 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H processor and the 256GB SDD will be great for memory. As with many of the newer models, this one also includes an 8GB DDR4 RAM. Adding this to the SDD makes it one of the very best options for remote gaming as you are traveling or at home.

The design is actually perfect if you want to show off to your friends. The notebook features a backlit keyboard and all the software needed has already been installed. It weighs just over 5-pounds, making it ideal for travels. However, it can also be used in class when you need to quickly take notes or prepare for a test.

Unfortunately, it is also one of the more expensive models on the market today and this does make it tough to consider it. If you don’t see yourself as an avid gamer, this might not be the ideal laptop for your needs. However, gamers will definitely enjoy using it and the included games add to the fun and experience.

4. Samsung Chromebook Plus Convertible SSD Touch Laptop

Pros:

  • Reasonably priced
  • 12.3-inch display
  • Small and portable
  • Folds 360-degrees
  • Tablet/Laptop design

Cons:

  • Only has a 32GB SSD

Nowadays, laptops have moved with the times and we have moved on from the standard laptop. The Samsung Chromebook Plus Convertible Touch Laptop is one of the modern design and comes with a 32GB Solid State Drive. However, the flip feature is what is the biggest draw and it can be used from multiple different angles.

This laptop has been specifically designed for classes and it comes with a pen added as well. You can now write down your notes and it will automatically be added to your different word files. The display is still decent at 12.3-inches and will be much larger than most of the modern tablets we generally find ourselves with.

Since it can be folded to look paper-thin, the laptop is designed for those who need some portability. Once you are done it can be folded, but as we have mentioned, the touchscreen feature is definitely here to stay on modern laptop designs. You also have a full keyboard to work with if you feel like resorting to typing your files.

The laptop is also quite affordable and can be one of your budget options to use on your recliner chair if you are tight on a budget this year. It is excellent for beginners and even children can use it from young ages to understand a laptop and a tablet. However, we also recommend it to college students who love packing light and would like to save a couple of bucks.

5. Apple MacBook Pro 13 SSD Laptop

Pros:

  • Massive 13.3-inch display with Retina technology
  • Excellent graphics card
  • No lagging issues
  • Multifunctional

Cons:

  • Really expensive

No list will ever be complete without an Apple entry and the Apple MacBook Pro 13 is one of the very best options you can ever choose. It comes with an Intel Core i5 processor that is from the 8th generation, making it one of the very best when it comes to speed and processing all of your commands at once.

The Retina display technology is one of the latest innovations and it allows you to actually protect your eyes when you are using the laptop for hours on end. The Intel Iris 650 graphics is one of the top options for graphics cards and it also used by many gamers, but you will need to ensure it is compatible with the games.

With a 128GB SSD, you won’t run out of memory or have the problems that many have with lagging laptops if it is used for working purposes. It is also worth mentioning, that this an excellent buy as it can be used for architecture jobs or any of your graphic designing apps that need to be installed. Many graphic designers choose MacBook.

Unfortunately, the price is not on our side and Apple is known for their really expensive prices. However, this laptop is definitely worth every cent you pay. If you are looking to get the most out of your new SSD laptop. We would highly recommend that you do invest in the Apple MacBook Pro 13 for any of your purposes.

Are SSD laptops better than HDD laptops?

Laptops with a solid-state drive offer many benefits to those who constantly work on the laptop. Since it does not spin around, it does not cause the heat issue and will last you much longer than your normal HDD. The solid-state is much more resilient to wear and tear, not forcing it to break or have spinning issues if it does take a couple of bumps on your travels.

The SSD was also considered one of the best memory drives and it was mostly added to high-end laptops. However, as the prices and competition have grown you can now find an affordable SSD laptop. This should be another excellent reason to consider buying one of them for your next laptop.

What to Consider When Buying an SSD Laptop

When it comes to choosing any new laptop, there are a couple of things you need to consider. To help you make the decision a little easier, we have narrowed down some of the most important features to keep in mind.

If you are new to the laptop market and you have limited knowledge, you should consider using these features as a buyer’s guide:

Processor

The processor is one of the most important aspects of choosing any new laptop. Most Intel Core processors are what you can expect to find, but the generation is what you need to look out for. Most modern laptops have an 8th Generation Intel Core processor and this is one of the top options you can expect to find.

RAM

The Ram is another one of those important factors. The better your RAM, the faster the laptop will respond to all of your commands. Some of the older laptops are designed with DDR3 Ram and while there is nothing wrong with it, the newer models have DDR4 RAM included. If you like gaming, the 8GB RAM should be sufficient as well.

While there are larger RAM versions available, they do command a massive price and this is one of the reasons we don’t really recommend them. However, elite gamers can use the 16 or even 32GB DDR4 RAM for competitions.

Design

Another important factor is the overall design of the laptop. This will vary from person to person, but laptops are getting smaller and thinner. You need to see if the display is the right size, but having something around 13-inches should be enough for most gamers and those working on the laptop.

A full keyboard is fundamentally important and if you consider that we all type a lot, the keyboard should be comfortable to use. Having an additional backlight is also really beneficial, but you should not break your head if your laptop does not have a backlight. The other features are a little more important to spend your money on.

Graphics

The graphics are the quality of resolution your laptop will have. Having a decent graphics card is important if you are using graphics on the laptop. Gamers should consider making the investment of a top quality graphics card. Additionally, most graphic designers will also look for a laptop that offers them the best possible graphics.

Brand

Nowadays people say that the brand does not make a difference anymore and it is only the name. However, the brand is still an important aspect. Brands like Apple are expensive, but they do put in a lot of effort to ensure their products are always ranking at the top. You will also notice that brands will work in conjunction with one another.

Memory

Lastly, and the most important aspect when it comes to SSD laptops, you need to look at the amount of onboard memory. We understand that external drives are also popular, but having something on board just makes life a little easier for you. If you are not using the laptop too often, the 128GB SSD will be perfect.

However, you can always upgrade to the 500GB SSD if you feel you need a little more storage space. It should work well with your portable monitor.

What is SSD and why do you want it on a laptop?

Solid-state drives or SSD are faster, way faster, and more reliable than traditional hard disk drives (HDD). This is because they do not have moving parts. We have lived with slow, noisy, and temperamental HDD for decades now, SSD is the way forward. 

It is all in the name – a solid-state disk is exactly that, solid. It does not spin like a traditional HDD. This makes them super fast and increases the lifespan and reliability. Most of us have experienced a hard drive crash before, it is never pleasant. We have all been frustrated waiting as a HDD spins and spins, either to boot the laptop up or to locate some fragment of data. 

With SDD you will not have those issues. Sure, they are not bulletproof and can crash or eventually die but they are exponentially faster and way more reliable. 

They use flash memory to read or store data as opposed to a magnetic plate that is used in an HDD. They work much like your USB memory sticks yet they have a greater capacity and replace the traditional HDD. They connect to the laptop via a standard SATA or IDE connection. 

Due to the fact that there are no moving parts and it does not have to “search” for data, an SSD is faster, less prone to wear, and significantly quieter. This makes them ideal for laptop users. No one likes waiting. An SSD does not go into rest mode and need to be woken up, it is always on and always ready. 

Another advantage is that they do not suffer from the same fragmentation of data issues that one experiences on HDDs. Over time the data on a traditional hard drive becomes fragmented. This slows the reading of data down even more. One can defragment the disk from time to time but this is slow and laborious. It will never reallocate the data perfectly. With SSD, this is not an issue as data is not fragmented into different locations. 

Yet another advantage is they are not adversely affected by magnetic fields. A major plus is that an SSD uses considerably less power to operate which will give you much better battery life. They are also much lighter so allow for more compact and portable laptops. 

The only real downside is that they are more expensive, being a new technology. Thanks to (a slight variation of) Moore’s law, the price is coming down rapidly so they are already more affordable than just a few years ago. This trend will continue as the SSD become less expensive with greater capacity. 

As a result of all of these many advantages, SSD Laptops are the way to go. They are simply so much faster, smaller, lighter, and more reliable. The extra investment is well worth it. 

SSD VS eMMC

It is critical that you understand the difference between SSD and eMMC (MultiMediaCard). While eMMC is still a solid-state storage device it is noticeably slower than a decent SSD. It is a cheaper alternative and while the price is better, it is not always the best option. 

Budget “SSD” laptops will probably sport an eMMC drive. Not all flash storage is equal. Look at the firmware, the design, and the speed class. There is a considerable difference. The read and write speeds on an eMMC will be noticeably slower than a proper SSD, even if the technology is similar. 

Many of the advantages of an SSD are lost with an inferior eMMC device. If you are on a budget and appreciate the difference it might be a viable option just understand that the two are not the same. They are better suited to other electronic devices such as mobile phones or digital cameras. 

Conclusion

Working with some of the top laptops was definitely fun and the quality of their features cannot really be described. All of these laptops are perfect for those looking for an SSD and in the modern age, it is something we would recommend.

Now, it is your turn to let us know in the comment section which of these laptops you like. We would also love to see if you think we might have missed any of the best options.

SSD Laptop Summary Table

Use the summary table below to quickly compare the main features and pricing of the SSD laptops we selected and then read the reviews further down for more detail on each laptop.

LaptopSSD SizeRAMScreenProcessorPrice
HP Pavilion 15.6 Inch Flagship SSD256GB8GB15.6”I7Under $1000
ASUS VivoBook F510UA-AH55 SSD128GB8GB15.6”I5Under $1500
ASUS FX504 TUF Gaming SSD256GB8GB15.6”I7Under $1000
Samsung Chromebook Plus32GB4GB12.3”Celeron N3060Under $500
Apple MacBook Pro 13 SSD128GB8GB13.3”I5Under $2000
SSD Laptop Summary Table

The 5 Best Selling SSD Laptops on Amazon.com

Couldn’t find the SSD laptop you’re looking for in our article? You might be interested in the 5 best selling SSD laptops on Amazon.com below.

This article was last updated on November 7, 2022 .

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By Adam

The Display Blog staff account. We know display.