PCMag UK | | Brian Westover

Brian Westover

Lead Analyst, Hardware
Brian Westover

If you’re after laptop buying advice, I’m your man. From PC reviews to Starlink testing, I've got more than a decade of experience reviewing PCs and technology products. I got my start with PCMag but have also written for Tom's Guide and LaptopMag.com, and several other tech outlets. With a focus on personal computing (Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS), Starlink satellite internet, and generative AI productivity tools, I'm a professional tech nerd and a power user through and through.

Recent Articles By Brian Westover

    • The Best Laptops for 2025

      The best laptop for you depends on what you do every day. Whether you want a simple budget PC, a productivity workhorse, or a screamer of a gaming notebook, our deep-dive guide has all the advice you need, plus our top product picks in every major laptop category.

      1 week, 2 days By Brian Westover, Joe Osborne
      The Best Laptops for 2025 (Roundup Samsung Unpacked)
    • The Best Laptops Under $1,000

      Laptop shopping on a tight budget? Check out 10 great picks that cost less than a grand—ultraportables, gaming laptops, 2-in-1s, even a MacBook Air—all tested and vetted by PC Labs.

      2 weeks, 2 days By Brian Westover
      The Best Laptops Under $1,000 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best Laptops Under $500 for 2025

      A decent laptop for under $500—sounds impossible, right? We tested and found some great options, including Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1s.

      2 weeks, 2 days By Brian Westover
      The Best Laptops Under $500 for 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • Tested: The Lightest Laptops for 2025

      Catching a flight cross-country, or just shuttling from home office to den all day? You need the lightest laptop possible. We've tested, well, tons of them. Here's how to land the right one.

      2 weeks, 2 days By Brian Westover, Eric Grevstad
      Tested: The Lightest Laptops for 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best Cheap Laptops for 2025

      These top-rated low-cost Windows laptops and Chromebooks make short work of everyday computing (and sometimes more). The best part? Many of them ring up for less than $500.

      3 weeks, 4 days By Brian Westover, Tom Brant
      The Best Cheap Laptops for 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best Laptops for Kids in 2025

      An inexpensive PC can be a powerful educational tool for your child. Here's how to shop for a kid-friendly laptop, as well as our top models to buy. (Most are budget-priced, and all have been tested in depth.)

      3 weeks, 5 days By Brian Westover, Tom Brant
      The Best Laptops for Kids in 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best Ultraportable Laptops for 2025

      Need a featherweight laptop that lasts all day on a battery charge? Thin, light, and power-efficient, these ultraportables are our top performers in testing.

      3 weeks, 6 days By Brian Westover, Matthew Buzzi
      The Best Ultraportable Laptops for 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best Chromebooks for Kids in 2025

      Chromebooks are now a staple of American education. If your child needs one for schoolwork or playtime, here's help with the specs, the features, and everything else you need to know before you buy.

      1 month By Brian Westover
      The Best Chromebooks for Kids in 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best Chromebooks for Gaming in 2025

      With Android games available by the thousands—and now Steam for ChromeOS a thing—credible gaming on Chrome laptops and tablets is suddenly a reality. Check out our top tested Chromebooks for play.

      1 month By Brian Westover
      The Best Chromebooks for Gaming in 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best Chromebooks for 2025

      Mostly under $500, web-centric Chromebooks can be superb budget-laptop values, capable of plenty for little money. Here's how to buy the right one for you, backed by our deep reviews of today's top models.

      1 month By Brian Westover
      The Best Chromebooks for 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best Laptops for College Students in 2025

      Looking for a computer for taking remote classes, or just for carrying around campus? Start your "best college laptops" short list with the top-rated, best-value models we've tested.

      1 month By Brian Westover, Tom Brant
      The Best Laptops for College Students in 2025 (Roundup Laptops)
    • The Best 2-in-1 Laptops for 2025

      Can't decide between a laptop and a tablet? Get both with a 2-in-1. Our shopping advice and product recommendations will help you find the convertible or detachable that's right for you. (We've tested loads of them.)

      1 month, 1 week By Brian Westover
      The Best 2-in-1 Laptops for 2025 (Roundup CES)
    • The Best 17-Inch and 18-Inch Laptops for 2025

      Muscle up! Today's biggest-screen notebooks are formidable desktop alternatives for work and play alike. Here's how to choose the best 17- or 18-inch laptop, gaming rig, or workstation, along with our top lab-tested picks.

      1 month, 1 week By Brian Westover, Eric Grevstad
      The Best 17-Inch and 18-Inch Laptops for 2025 (Roundup Laptops)