The Best Multimedia Notebooks

After the MacBook Pro 16 with the M2 Max processor has already made it into the top 10, the Apple MacBook Pro 16 2023 with the new M3 Max processor now follows. In our test device, the processor is supported by the Apple M3 Pro 18-core GPU, a powerful yet very economical graphics card. Apple has also installed a great display with accurate color reproduction and extreme brightness for HDR content. The M3 Pro SoC is particularly efficient, resulting in very long battery life. The MacBook Pro 16 can also be used at full power on battery power. A disadvantage is the extremely compact design, which offers almost no maintenance options. In addition, Apple typically only offers a one-year warranty.

Apple is now giving the new Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023 the Apple M3 Max processor with 16 cores. There is also a very fast graphics card with the Apple M3 Max 40-core GPU. Nevertheless, it is not enough to oust the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023 with the M2 Pro and 12 cores from first place in our top 10 list. Nevertheless, Apple has managed to create the fastest 14-inch notebook to date with its overall performance. However, at over 5,000 euros, the manufacturer is also paying handsomely. The well-known advantages such as an excellent casing and a great display are a given. However, the high system performance is only available in mains operation. Typical for Apple is the extremely compact design without any maintenance options and the one-year warranty.

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is currently the fastest 14-inch device on the market. Even Intel's Core i9 models can easily be beaten in multi-core tests.

The MacBook Pro 14 2023 is customizable on Apple's website. Alternatively, users can order a base model via Amazon, which costs around US$ 2,950.

As a competitor to Apple's MacBook Pro 16, Samsung is sending the Galaxy Book4 Ultra into the race to shine as a multimedia notebook. The Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra is powered by Intel's latest processors from the Meteor Lake series. In the test, we were able to take a close look at the high-quality Samsung notebook with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. The manufacturer also installs an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU, which is capable of running many games smoothly. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra impresses with a great OLED display, good system performance and long battery life. The vapor-chamber cooling was also impressive and cools the device reliably throughout and the connectivity is very modern with Thunderbolt 4 & HDMI 2.1.

With the Lenovo Yoga 7 14 G8, the manufacturer offers a perfectly equipped notebook for many different purposes. The Intel Core i7-13700H offers 14 cores and 20 threads. The Lenovo Yoga 7 14 offers excellent performance and great features as a multimedia device. These include Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E and a comfortable keyboard, which also accommodates frequent typists. There is also an excellent 3K display with high color fidelity and high system performance paired with impeccable gaming performance. 

The Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 is a great and affordable multimedia notebook based on Intel's Meteor Lake-H processors. We tested the stylish device with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor. It also comes with 32 GB DDR5 RAM and a 1 TB SSD as well as modern connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4. The manufacturer packs the hardware into a simple, yet sturdy metal casing. Xiaomi offers all of this for less than 1,000 euros, which even puts the RedmiBook Pro 16 at the top of our top 10 list.

The Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 2024 offers plenty of performance, a high-quality casing and future-proof connectivity. In relation to the purchase price, the Xiaomi RedmiBook Pro 16 is one of the best multimedia laptops.

The RedmiBook Pro 16 can be ordered from TradingShenzen for 957 euros (around $1,030) including the Windows 11 Pro.

With the Framework Laptop 16, the manufacturer is pursuing a very special approach, as this is a modular notebook. The device can be configured as desired on the website and we took a closer look at the 16-inch model with AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS and an AMD Radeon RX 7700S in the test. The test device also offered 32 GB DDR5 RAM and was equipped with a 1 TB SSD. The Framework Laptop 16 is priced in the high-end range.

The Yoga Pro 9i is Lenovo's best multimedia device and comes with a very high-resolution mini LED panel. The manufacturer also installs Intel's latest Meteor Lake processors and a dedicated graphics card, which means that even modern games are no problem for the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9. Specifically, an Intel Core Ultra 7 185H is used together with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 laptop. There is also 32 GB RAM and a 1 TB SSD. The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i was able to score points in our test with a consistently high system performance, although the mini LED panel is the real highlight of the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i.

With the Vision 16 Pro, Schenker has a solid and powerful multimedia notebook in its portfolio. The device is powered by an Intel Core i7-13700H and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPU, which means that the device can also be used as a gaming laptop. The device itself has a very high-quality finish and also relies on a very light yet very stable material thanks to magnesium. The great WQHD panel with 240 Hz & without PWM, which is also installed in a 16:10 format, deserves a positive mention. Overall, the Schenker Vision 16 Pro delivers outstanding system performance and is future-proof thanks to its modern interfaces. 

The LG Gram 17 is equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and thus offers a good basis for mastering everyday life. Due to the extremely compact design, the SoC cannot deliver optimum performance. However, the LG Gram 17 can even be operated silently if desired, as the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H delivers high performance despite its low TDP. The main advantage of the LG Gram is its low weight of just over 1.3 kg, even though the device has a 17-inch display. 

Interested users can order the LG Gram 17 via the manufacturer's webstore for around $1,600.