One of the best laptop computer you should purchase in 2025

Selecting the very best laptop computer is usually a little bit of a problem — there are such a lot of fashions, sizes and specs on the market that it’s straightforward to really feel misplaced within the shuffle. However the excellent news is that fashionable laptops are higher than ever. Whether or not you are on the lookout for a robust AI PC, a travel-ready ultrabook or an inexpensive machine that may deal with on a regular basis duties, there’s one thing on the market for everybody. In the present day’s techniques mix improved efficiency, longer battery life and smarter options in glossy, light-weight designs which might be constructed to maintain up with work, play and every part in between.

Out of the entire notebooks we have examined and reviewed lately, we contemplate Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air M4 to be the very best laptop computer for most individuals, and that is nonetheless the case for our prime picks to start out off the brand new yr. It is highly effective sufficient to deal with most duties (even mild video enhancing); it has an important display screen and built-in audio system; and its battery may final over 18hours (relying on what you are doing, after all). The MacBook Air M4 can also be one of many lightest and thinnest techniques we have reviewed, and it is lifeless silent, due to a fanless design.

In fact, not everybody needs a MacBook, and there are wonderful Home windows laptops and Chromebooks on the market, too. Home windows techniques provide a spread of configurations, from finances to high-end UHD screens with gorgeous IPS panels that boast excessive nits for vivid brightness. Chromebooks, alternatively, are usually extra inexpensive and are nice for customers who principally work on-line. Whether or not you want a powerhouse for artistic work, a compact system for note-taking, or a laptop computer that may deal with household film evening, there’s one thing for everybody in at this time’s laptop computer market.

Desk of contents

Finest laptops of 2025

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Specs to search for in a brand new laptop computer

Relying on the kind of laptop computer you’re seeking to purchase, there are some specs we predict you must search for to get a machine that’s highly effective sufficient in your wants and future-proof for the subsequent couple of years (at the very least). Here is a cheat sheet so that you can use if you’re buying.

MacBooks

• At the least 256GB of SSD storage

Home windows laptops

• The latest technology processor obtainable from Intel or AMD

• At the least 256GB of SSD storage

Chromebooks

• At the least 8GB of RAM (4GB is the naked minimal for a primary Chromebook)

• At the least 128GB of storage, ideally a SSD

Gaming laptops

• At the least AMD Ryzen 9000 sequence or Intel 14th Gen Core CPU

• At the least 16GB of RAM (ideally 32GB for those who can swing it)

• At the least 1TB of SSD storage

• For GPU suggestions, try our information to shopping for the very best GPU in your wants

Price range laptops

• The latest technology processor obtainable from Intel or AMD

• At the least 256GB of SSD storage

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How we check laptops

Engadget has been reviewing laptops for twenty years, and whereas the definition of what a conveyable PC is has modified significantly since, our obsession with testing their limits and serving up informative shopping for recommendation stays the identical. Be it a hybrid pill like Microsoft’s Floor machines, a rotating 2-in-1 convertible like HP’s Spectre x360s or a plain outdated clamshell pocket book, our evaluate course of follows related beats. How does it feel and appear? How briskly is it? Whether or not it’s a Home windows gadget powered by an Intel Core i5 or greater, a MacBook or a Chromebook, we purpose to reply an important query: Is it really value your hard-earned money? We additionally pay shut consideration to portability, webcam high quality and show options, together with IPS panels and nits of brightness, as they will make a giant distinction in every day use.

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Components to think about when selecting a laptop computer

Working system: Apple, Home windows or Chrome OS

There is a good likelihood you have already dedicated to an working system, however my recommendation is to be as versatile as potential. Lately, most main software program is suitable with each Macs and PCs. (In fact, it is one other story for those who’ve turn into depending on an Apple-only app like Closing Minimize Professional.) Net-based apps, naturally, will work on any platform with an web browser.

If you happen to’re an Apple-loyalist, there aren’t many causes to think about Home windows laptops (until you desire a secondary gaming machine). However for Home windows customers, macOS is changing into extra tempting yearly. Apple’s MacBooks, powered by its M-series Silicon chips, are among the many quickest and most effective laptops we have ever seen. They’re extremely well-built and have excellent battery life as well. MacOS itself can also be a straightforward platform to be taught, particularly for those who’re used to iOS and iPadOS.

That brings up one other level: iPhone customers might need to contemplate Macs due to the seamless integration with Apple’s different platforms. You possibly can’t reply to iMessage conversations simply or hop into FaceTime chats on Home windows PCs, however doing so is straightforward on Macs. (Microsoft’s Telephone Hyperlink app helps you to ship iOS customers particular person texts, however not media or group chats.) Android customers, in the meantime, could also be higher off with Home windows, as Telephone Hyperlink could make calls, synchronize all of your texts and in addition entry your cellphone’s photographs.

If cloud gaming is your precedence, Home windows laptops with NVIDIA’s GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming compatibility might provide extra flexibility and first rate efficiency, particularly when paired with quick web speeds. Chromebooks additionally make a compelling case right here as an inexpensive, light-weight answer for informal cloud gaming periods.

As for whether or not you’ll desire a PC with a devoted Copilot AI button on the keyboard, that will depend on how usually you see your self utilizing Microsoft’s generative instruments. Given we’re solely simply seeing the primary slate of AI PCs, it will be wiser to attend out the hype and see what enhancements may come over time.

And what about ChromeOS? Chromebooks are a wise and (usually) cheap approach to do issues like internet looking and hopping on just a few video chats, however for many, they don’t seem to be your best option as a major pc. There aren’t many apps or video games that work offline, they usually additionally do not work with highly effective software program suites like Adobe’s (you should use the stripped-down Adobe Specific and Photoshop on-line instruments, although).

Chromebooks are nice secondary machines to make use of alongside a extra highly effective Mac or PC, they usually’re widespread in colleges as a result of they’re low-cost and simple for IT employees to handle. And if all you want is internet looking entry, or a pocket book for a child, a Chromebook is perhaps sufficient.

If, for some motive, you’re on the lookout for a robust ChromeOS system, there are additionally Chromebook Plus fashions to think about. These machines sport quicker processors and extra RAM than typical Google notebooks, they usually also can faucet into just a few of the firm’s on-line AI options, like AI picture technology and photograph processing.

Worth

You possibly can anticipate to spend between $1,000 and $1,800 for a brand new laptop computer today, relying on the configuration. If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra of a workhorse, that would value you nicely over $2,000 for added RAM, storage, in addition to a beefier graphics card and CPU. However you may also discover some good laptops underneath $1,000 for those who’re prepared to miss construct high quality (or purchase a refurbished or earlier technology machine, which we extremely advocate). Techniques with AMD chips have a tendency to return in cheaper than their Intel counterparts, however the bulk of their value will come right down to different elements like RAM and storage.

I’ve included our favourite inexpensive mannequin on this finest laptop computer shopping for information, however we’ve a listing of the very best finances laptops you could try as nicely.

Laptop computer dimension and weight

So how moveable would you like your laptop computer to be? That is the last word query that you must ask when selecting between varied display screen sizes. 13-inch machines have turn into a strong place to begin for many customers — it is sufficient actual property for almost all of duties like emailing and writing, and it additionally helps preserve machines comparatively mild (usually between two to a few kilos). Due to manufacturing developments, these dainty machines generally even include bigger screens (the smaller MacBook Air really has a 13.6-inch show).

You probably have hassle seeing high-quality textual content, we’d advocate going for a show bigger than 13 inches. ASUS’s Zephyrus G14 is a strong 14-inch possibility for avid gamers, and we’re additionally seeing extra productivity-focused machines purpose for that dimension, just like the Dell 14 Premium and MacBook Professional. Whereas 14-inch notebooks are a bit heavier than 13-inch fashions, coming in between three to 4 kilos, their screens are noticeably roomier.

For artists, or anybody else who wants a big canvas, a 15-inch laptop computer might take advantage of sense. They usually weigh between 3.5 and 4.5 kilos, however that additional heft could also be value it to suit wider video enhancing timelines or Photoshop home windows. And, as you’d anticipate, you may additionally pay a bit extra for a 15-inch pocket book in comparison with smaller ones (the 15-inch MacBook Air begins at $1,199, whereas the smaller mannequin goes for $999). PC makers are additionally changing 15-inch techniques with 16-inch variations, which provides you with much more house to work.

If you happen to’re out there for a enterprise laptop computer, dimension and portability is perhaps key issues. A light-weight but highly effective system with an extended battery life could make a world of distinction for those who journey regularly for work.

You possibly can nonetheless discover laptops with 17-inch or 18-inch screens, however these are usually gaming techniques or souped-up workstations. They don’t seem to be meant for mere computing mortals.

Ports and connectivity

Lately, most laptops ship with just a few USB-C ports, which might deal with each charging and speedy knowledge transfers. Apple’s MacBooks additionally embody a separate connection for MagSafe energy, and you will find customized energy connections on some PCs like Microsoft’s Floor. Older USB Kind-A connections are much less frequent now, however they nonetheless pop up in techniques like HP’s Spectre x360 14, in addition to many fashions from ASUS.

For avid gamers or creators who depend on discrete graphics, making certain your laptop computer has the best ports for exterior screens or GPUs is essential. DisplayPort or HDMI connections also can make sure you’re prepared for dual- or multi-screen setups for extra immersive experiences. Equally, if you wish to save high-resolution recordsdata or set up a number of video games, you may want to think about extra arduous drive house; exterior arduous drives are fairly inexpensive, so long as you might have a correct port to attach them.

If you happen to’re a fan of wired headphones, it is value maintaining an in depth eye on headphone jack availability. They normally embody a USB-C to three.5mm adapter, however that is a clunky answer, and it additionally takes up a USB port. Positive, most individuals use wi-fi earbuds and cans at this time, but it surely’s nonetheless useful to have a wired one round for when these units run out of juice.

Most laptops at this time provide Wi-Fi 6 or 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 or later, which ought to imply quicker and extra steady connections if in case you have suitable routers and units. Whereas Wi-Fi 7 routers have began showing, that spec hasn’t made its manner into laptops but. As for mobile protection, there are notebooks just like the Floor Professional 9 and Samsung Galaxy Ebook fashions that provide built-in 5G. However from our testing, that function is probably not value the price of a separate knowledge plan. As an alternative, you could possibly tether to your smartphone or put money into a wi-fi hotspot that may preserve a number of units on-line.

Battery life

A laptop computer’s battery life will depend on a number of components: The facility draw from the display screen and different {hardware}, the optimizations used to keep away from pointless energy drain, and, after all, the dimensions of the particular battery. One in all our earlier favourite techniques, the Dell XPS 13, lasted 13 hours and quarter-hour within the PCMark 10 battery benchmark. In real-world testing, I used to be in a position to make use of it for a day and a half without having a recharge. The MacBook Air 13-inch, in the meantime, greater than 18 hours in our benchmark and saved operating for greater than two work days of my typical workflow. Typically, you must anticipate a contemporary laptop computer to final at the very least eight hours.

If battery life is your absolute precedence, I would strongly counsel Macs over Home windows PCs. Apple’s M-series chips are basically cell {hardware}, with the entire energy effectivity you’d anticipate from one thing initially designed for telephones. Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon chips may assist Home windows PCs compete with Apple’s astonishing battery life, however we’ve but to see these in motion. Chromebooks additionally usually get first rate battery life (so long as you don’t overstuff them with power-draining tabs).

Refresh fee

A laptop computer’s refresh fee refers back to the quantity of instances its display screen is cycled each second. Trendy shows like IPS LCDs and OLEDs help 60Hz refresh charges at a minimal, however we’re seeing extra units providing 120Hz, 240Hz and past. The upper the quantity, the quicker the display screen is refreshed, which finally results in a smoother expertise whereas mousing round or scrolling by way of internet pages. (If you wish to get a way of what a gradual refresh fee seems like, simply seize an e-reader just like the Kindle and attempt to flip between guide pages.)

Whereas excessive refresh charges was once reserved for gaming laptops, these days we’re seeing extra mainstream machines just like the Dell 14 Premium provide 120Hz (or variable charges that transfer between 60Hz and 120Hz).

CPU & GPU

If you happen to’re shopping for a brand new laptop computer, you’ll need to be certain it’s powered by the most recent CPUs. For Home windows PCs, that features Intel’s Core Extremely chips for thin-and-light machines or the 14th-gen HX chips for beefier techniques. The Core Extremely sequence have NPUs for dealing with AI duties, whereas the HX {hardware} doesn’t – they’re primarily based on Intel’s earlier chip structure, they usually’re extra targeted on delivering uncooked horsepower. Intel’s older Thirteenth-gen and Twelfth-gen laptop computer chips additionally haven’t got NPUs, so preserve that in thoughts for those who’re used techniques.

You will additionally see AMD’s Ryzen 8000 and 9000 chips in loads of new techniques just like the ASUS Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14. These CPUs primarily goal gaming laptops and excessive efficiency techniques, when you’ll nonetheless discover AMD’s older Ryzen 7000 chips in ultraportables. AMD’s fundamental benefit is that its chips additionally embody Radeon graphics, that are much more succesful than Intel’s Arc {hardware} (although these are getting higher).

Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus are additionally an possibility in Copilot+ PCs (extra on these under). Since they’re primarily based on cell chip designs, they’re doubtless additionally extra energy environment friendly than AMD and Intel’s {hardware}. Prior to now, we’ve prevented recommending Snapdragon chips as a result of they led to a gradual and irritating Home windows expertise. However Microsoft claims it’s rebuilt Home windows 11 round Snapdragon’s Arm-based structure, which ought to result in far quicker efficiency and higher app compatibility.

As for Apple’s laptops, you may be selecting between the M4, M4 Professional and M4 Max, every of which is progressively extra highly effective.

On the graphics aspect of issues, a GPU, or graphics processing unit, is the element that communicates instantly with a laptop computer’s show. Laptop computer CPUs all have some type of built-in GPU: Intel has both its commonplace graphics or beefier Arc {hardware}, whereas AMD’s chips embody quick Radeon cell graphics. If you wish to play demanding video games at excessive speeds (measured in frames per second, or fps), or for those who want some additional energy for rendering video or 3D fashions, you may configure a laptop computer with a devoted GPU like NVIDIA’s RTX 40-series {hardware} or AMD’s Radeon RX 7000. Simply you should definitely depart room in your finances if you would like a robust GPU, as they usually add $300 or extra to the price of a laptop computer.

Apple’s M-series chips, in the meantime, have GPU cores that may carry out in addition to NVIDIA’s and AMD’s lower-end devoted GPUs. That is fairly the accomplishment for techniques like this (particularly the MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Professional), and it is another excuse we extremely advocate Apple’s notebooks.

AI PCs, NPUs and Copilot+

Merely put, an AI PC is a pc outfitted with a neural processing unit (NPU), which is designed to deal with AI-related duties. Very like how GPUs deal with heavy-duty gaming and rendering workloads, NPUs are designed to deal with the complicated math crucial for AI workloads. They’re additionally much more energy environment friendly than CPUs or GPUs, which may result in higher battery efficiency in laptops. Whereas many components go into NPU efficiency, for essentially the most half we measure their potential velocity by TOPS (tera operations per second).

We had been primed for AI PCs primarily based on the chips Intel and AMD introduced in 2023. Intel unveiled its “Core Extremely” CPUs in December, its first to incorporate an NPU for AI work. AMD additionally introduced its Ryzen 8040 AI cell chips that month (and it could not assist however say they had been quicker than Intel’s new {hardware}). However in Could, Microsoft introduced its Copilot+ initiative, which is pushing main PC makers to ship premium AI PCs with specs together with 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSDs and NPUs with at the very least 40 TOPS of AI efficiency.

Copilot+ is greater than only a advertising and marketing time period: Microsoft can also be launching AI-powered options in Home windows 11 that make the most of highly effective NPUs. That features Recall, which might help you find something you’ve accomplished in your PC (at any time when it lastly launches), in addition to Cocreator in Paint, which might generate AI pictures primarily based on textual content prompts and doodles.

If you happen to purchase an AI PC that isn’t Copilot+ licensed, you’ll nonetheless be capable to use some options like Home windows Studio Results, which might blur your background in video calls or preserve you in body. Builders like Adobe and Audacity are additionally constructing options into their apps that may make the most of NPUs.

On the time of this put up, Chromebook Plus notebooks also can entry just a few of Google’s on-line AI options, like picture technology and photograph processing.

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Different laptops we examined

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Aura Version

The ThinkPad X9-14 Aura Version is a superb non secular successor to the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, providing the very best that enterprise laptops have to supply. That features lengthy battery life packed into a skinny and lightweight chassis. That is an optimum ultraportable enterprise laptop computer.

Whereas the value may offer you some pause, we examined the bottom configuration, and located that the X9-14’s efficiency is great for informal enterprise customers. The one difficulty with high quality is that the keyboard is missing. It’s mushier than we’d like, which may get a bit tiresome all through the day. You’ll nonetheless miss out on a USB Kind-A port, so it’s possible you’ll want to hold a Kind-C hub with you.

The place the ThinkPad X9-14 will win you over is its daring OLED display screen. Combo that with its well-rounded audio, and the ThinkPad X9-14 makes for a wonderful multimedia gadget out and in of the office.

ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED

Apart from its beautiful OLED display screen, the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED does not stand out from the crowded laptop computer subject in any manner. It simply seems boring and boring, particularly in comparison with the strikingly lovely ASUS Zephyrus G14, which additionally got here out this yr. Whilst you can in all probability discover the Zenbook 14 for an honest worth, I would advocate holding out for one thing with a bit extra character (and with a much less wobbly display screen hinge).

Razer Blade 14

The Razer Blade has virtually every part you’d need in a 14-inch gaming pocket book, but it surely’s far pricier than the Zephyrus G14 on this listing, and it doesn’t even have an SD card reader. It could be a strong competitor as soon as its worth falls a bit, and it is definitely an important possibility for those who simply should have a jet-black laptop computer.

Framework Laptop computer 16

Framework gave its modularity magic to the Laptop computer 16, delivering a gaming pocket book the place virtually each single element is person replaceable. However you may should pay a reasonably penny to snag it with upgraded {hardware}, and its non-compulsory Radeon 7700S GPU was surprisingly gradual.

Alienware m16 R2

The Alienware m16 r2 has been revamped with a slimmer case, but it surely’s in any other case a reasonably typical gaming laptop computer. It’s a strong possibility for Alienware followers, however you’ll discover higher {hardware} and offers elsewhere.

ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024)

The Zenbook Duo is a captivating dual-screened pocket book, and in accordance with my colleague Sam Rutherford it’s the primary of its sort that’s value shopping for. However its distinctive {hardware} isn’t actually meant for mainstream customers, and Home windows 11 nonetheless doesn’t help multi-screen setups nicely sufficient to make full use of the Zenbook Duo’s ample canvas.

Dell XPS 16

Dell’s XPS 16 is massive and exquisite, but it surely’s far too costly in comparison with the competitors. Plus, it makes use of a capacitive row of perform keys that you simply principally can’t see underneath shiny mild and has too few ports for a machine of this dimension.

See Additionally:

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Laptop computer FAQs

What’s the common battery lifetime of a laptop computer per cost?

It’s arduous to provide you with a mean battery life for laptops, since that can finally rely upon what you’re doing with them. An ultraportable just like the MacBook Air that sips energy can final round 20 hours in our battery benchmark, and round two full work days of real-world utilization. However a gaming laptop computer might final just a few hours for those who’re actively taking part in one thing whereas on battery. At this level, Macs are delivering much better battery life than PCs, due to Apple’s Silicon chips, however Microsoft claims Copilot+ techniques with Qualcomm chips may also recover from 20 hours of batter life.

How a lot RAM do I actually need?

The extra RAM you might have, the extra issues your pc can do concurrently. For that motive, we advocate shopping for PCs and Macs with at the very least 16GB of RAM. That provides you sufficient reminiscence to have a number of functions open directly, in addition to internet browsers crammed with RAM-hogging tabs. Many PC video games additionally require at the very least 16GB of RAM. Whilst you may use a system with 8GB of RAM for primary duties, you’ll shortly run into slowdowns and error messages as your apps stack up. Many laptops, particularly ultraportables, don’t allow you to improve RAM, too – so that you’ll have to purchase a completely new pc for those who didn’t equip sufficient reminiscence firstly.

If you happen to’re a hardcore gamer, programmer or planning to render movies or 3D fashions, then it’s possible you’ll need to go for 32GB of RAM or extra. And for those who simply want a secondary laptop computer for lighter work – maybe a no-frills system for writing – then you may in all probability get by with 8GB. Simply you should definitely preserve these browser tabs in test.

What’s the finest storage capability for a laptop computer?

There isn’t any one-size-fits-all answer in relation to laptop computer storage. You’ll usually discover configurations between 256GB and 1TB SSDs (strong state drives) on most laptops, and I’d advocate most individuals get at the very least 512GB. That’ll be sufficient house for big apps, music and video recordsdata with out stressing your system an excessive amount of. If you happen to’re a media hoarder, or need to play a ton of video games, then it’s undoubtedly value getting a 1TB SSD.

If you happen to’ll primarily be streaming your reveals and music, and would reasonably put money into RAM or different {hardware}, then 256GB of storage could be serviceable. I’d advocate staying away from any machine with 128GB of storage although. Most of that can be taken up by the working system, and also you’ll doubtless run into points cramming in giant apps after just a few months.

We advocate springing for additional built-in storage or investing in a conveyable SSD for backing up your most vital recordsdata. It is also value noting that Chromebooks have a tendency to return with much less built-in storage — 32GB, 64GB or 128GB — since ChromeOS encourages customers to avoid wasting their recordsdata within the cloud reasonably than on the gadget. In that case, 128GB is a lot.

What’s worth vary for an honest laptop computer in 2025?

You possibly can anticipate to spend between $1,000 and $1,800 for a typical 13-inch laptop computer at this time. As I defined above, you may pay extra if you wish to stuff in additional RAM or higher GPU {hardware}. However you may also discover offers under $1,000 for those who search for refurbished or older-generation fashions.

What’s the distinction between macOS and Home windows? Which is best?

Merely put, macOS is the working system in all of Apple’s notebooks and desktops, whereas Home windows powers the overwhelming majority of PCs. You will additionally discover Chromebooks operating Google’s ChromeOS, however these are principally simply internet browsers operating on prime of Linux.

Debating the variations between Home windows and Macs is one thing PC nerds have been doing for the reason that ’80s, so we can’t be declaring a winner right here. There are some small, negligible distinctions, like utilizing a Command versus a Management key, how file explorers work and considerations about viruses and safety. For essentially the most half, these are minor points or have turn into moot thanks to raised built-in safety.

However for those who care extra about taking part in the most recent video games, you may need to have a Home windows system. If you happen to’re extra targeted on artistic apps, like Photoshop, Premiere and Closing Minimize Professional, then macOS could also be a greater match (particularly for those who’re operating an iPhone).

What are the very best laptop computer manufacturers?

There isn’t any single “finest” laptop computer model, however judging from this information alone, we’re usually impressed by notebooks from Apple, Dell and ASUS. All of them provide quick, dependable and durable machines. HP additionally makes some eye-catching units if you would like an possibility that’s essentially the most aesthetic. These 4 manufacturers, together with Lenovo and Acer, dominate laptop computer gross sales worldwide. We would keep away from techniques from any retail retailer manufacturers, or corporations that do not have a significant presence within the US.

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Current updates

September 2025: Added a brand new “specs to search for” part.

August 2025: Up to date our prime picks to incorporate the Dell 14 Premium.

Could 2025: Up to date to make sure prime picks and particulars are nonetheless correct.

March 2025: Up to date to incorporate the M4-powered MacBook Air.

November 2024: Up to date to incorporate the M4-powered MacBook Professionals.

August 2024: Up to date to incorporate the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12.

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