In 2025, the laptop market is overflowing with flagship models that dominate headlines and consumer attention. Yet, several underrated laptops quietly deliver impressive performance, thoughtful features, and excellent value — deserving far more recognition. Whether you’re a programmer, gamer, or budget-conscious buyer, these hidden gems might be the perfect fit for your needs. Here’s a look at the most underrated laptops of 2025 that many people overlook but truly deserve a second glance.
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i: Affordable Powerhouse for Programmers
The Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i stands out as a compelling alternative to pricier high-performance laptops. Powered by Intel’s Arrow Lake H processor and offering an optional dedicated GPU capped at 50 watts, it strikes an excellent balance between portability and power. This 16-inch laptop is slim and lightweight, featuring a bright and color-accurate display, alongside a highly satisfying keyboard—an essential for programmers and writers. While its GPU isn’t top-tier, the IdeaPad Pro 5i impresses as a versatile machine capable of gaming, coding, and everyday productivity.
Asus ROG Scar 16: The Cool and Comfortable Gamer’s Choice
Asus’s redesigned ROG Scar 16 is a premium gaming laptop that didn’t receive as much early attention due to some initial driver issues. However, once stabilized, it emerged as one of the most comfortable gaming laptops available. It maintains cooler palm rests and keyboard decks compared to competitors—a notable advantage for long gaming or video editing sessions. Its mini-LED display boasts a fast refresh rate and the laptop expels hot air away from your hands, unlike many rivals. For gamers valuing an excellent thermal design and comfort, the Scar 16 is a standout option.
HP OmniBook Aero 13: Budget-Friendly and Stylish
When it comes to affordable ultraportables, the HP OmniBook Aero 13 packs surprising value at around $569 during sales. It features an efficient AMD Ryzen processor, solid build quality, and enough memory and storage for typical daily tasks. Stylish yet practical, it’s ideal for students, casual users, or anyone seeking a light, no-frills laptop without breaking the bank. Price can fluctuate, so catching it on sale maximizes its appeal.
Asus ZenBook Duo: Innovative Dual-Screen Productivity
The Asus ZenBook Duo excels for multitaskers, coders, and creative professionals thanks to its unique dual 14-inch displays. Unlike other dual-screen laptops, the ZenBook Duo can easily switch to a traditional laptop mode by docking the secondary keyboard with a built-in trackpad, enhancing portability and convenience. Its powerful Intel H-series processor drives demanding workflows, although the design does add some weight and thickness. While the stacked screen layout may not suit everyone, the additional screen real estate boosts productivity significantly.
ThinkPad X1 2-in-1: Premium Build with Exceptional Battery Life
Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 combines the robust ThinkPad lineage with convertible versatility. It features a matte display to reduce reflections, an acclaimed ThinkPad keyboard with precise layouts, and support for pen input. Yet, what truly sets this laptop apart in 2025 is its record-breaking battery life for its size category—outlasting even some MacBooks in office tasks despite a smaller battery. This makes it an outstanding choice for professionals who need a dependable, mobile workhorse.
XMG Neo 16: High-End Performance for Enthusiasts
The XMG Neo 16 (known as Hydrox 16 in the USA) remains one of the best-performing 16-inch laptops for gaming and content creation. Offering configurations with AMD Ryzen 9 HX3D or Intel HX1 processors, it delivers desktop-level performance in laptop form. While somewhat heavy and priced towards the premium end, it stands out for users seeking sheer power. Pros should avoid optional water cooling due to reliability and noise concerns, but the raw capabilities justify consideration.
Conclusion
While the spotlight often shines on the most hyped flagships, these underrated laptops of 2025 provide excellent alternatives that blend performance, portability, comfort, and value. From the IdeaPad Pro 5i’s programming-friendly features to the Asus Scar 16’s thermal mastery, the HP OmniBook Aero’s budget brilliance, the ZenBook Duo’s dual-screen innovation, the ThinkPad X1’s endurance, and the XMG Neo 16’s powerhouse performance—there’s something for every discerning buyer. Exploring these less-publicized options could lead you to a machine that perfectly matches your needs without paying a premium for hype.
