Top 10 Best-Selling Notebook Models Of 2014

The Top Notebook Models of 2014

Notebook brands like Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Acer and Samsung drove the notebook market in 2014. But sales of certain notebook models pushed that brand popularity, as the Transformer Book, MacBook Air and Acer's C720 Chromebook series made headway in sales throughout 2014.

According to NPD Group, a Port Washington, N.Y.-based market research firm, which provides data from leading technology distributors, the average price of notebooks fell in 2014 to $679.36 from $748.23 in 2013.

The NPD Group's DistributorTrack sales database comprises primarily U.S. Global Technology Distribution Council members. Following is the company's list of top 10 best-selling notebook models.

10. Apple's MacBook Air

Apple's 13.3-inch MacBook Air bottomed out NPD Group's list of top 10 best-selling notebook brands.

The ultraportable notebook model, which is also offered in an 11-inch model, is powered by Intel's 1.3GHz dual-core Core i5 processor. The MacBook Air runs on Apple's enterprise-targeted OS X 10.8, and contains two USB 3 ports, giving it added flexibility to transform to a workstation.

The MacBook Air features Intel HD Graphics 5000, LED backlit display, dual mics and 4 GB of memory. The device is pricier than other models, ranging from $999 to $1,199, according to Apple. Last April, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company dropped prices on its MacBook Air products by $100 and added faster Intel Core processors.

9. Samsung's Chromebook 2

Samsung's Chromebook 2 XE503C12-K01US model ranked No. 9 on NPD Group's list of top 10 best-selling notebook models.

The Chromebook 2 model stands out in its premium, leatherlike black cover design, giving it a slim and slick feel.

The 11.6-inch, 1.9GHz device is powered by an octa-core Exynos5 processor and runs on the Chrome operating system. In addition to an HD display with 1,366-x-768 resolution, the Chromebook 2 can be purchased for $299.99, according to Samsung.

8. Asus Transformer Book

Asus' 10.1-inch Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR model placed No. 8 on NPD Group's list of its top 10 best-selling notebook models of 2014.

Asus' Intel Quad-Core Bayrail-T Z3740-powered notebook features a detachable 2-in-1 touch-screen laptop running on the Windows 8.1 operating system. The 2-in-1 notebook comprises a plastic keyboard dock that, when removed, transforms the device into a tablet unit.

The Transformer Book also includes features such as a 1.2 Mega Pixel web camera and a 10-inch LCD display with 1,366-x-768 resolution.

7. Lenovo's ThinkPad Edge E545

Lenovo's 15.6-inch ThinkPad Edge E545 ranked No. 7 on NPD Group's list of best-selling models of 2014.

The ThinkPad Edge boasts a solid build quality, HD display and quad-core AMD A6 processors, and can run on the Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 7 64-bit operating systems. In addition to 6 hours of battery life per charge, the device also includes enhanced graphics due to AMD's Radeon features and HD 8570 GPU.

The lightweight, 5.4-pound ThinkPad Edge also contains integrated 720p HD webcam, Dolby advanced audio and dual noise-cancelling microphones.

6. Apple's MacBook Pro

Apple's other notebook model, the MacBook Pro, also took a spot in NPD Group's top 10 best-selling notebook models, ranking No. 6.

Like the MacBook Air, the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro is powered by Intel's 2.5GHz Core i5, but the device runs on the older version of iOS X 10.7, and is a bit heavier, at 4.5 pounds. The notebook is also available in a 15.4-inch model.

The MacBook Pro also contains features like LED-backlit Retina display with IPS technology, and 2,560-x-1,600 resolution. According to Apple, the MacBook Pro costs between $1,299 and $1,799.

5. Hewlett-Packard's Chromebook

Hewlett-Packard's 14-inch, 4.19-pound Chromebook 14 came in fifth place of NPD Group's top 10 best-selling notebook models.

The notebook runs on the Chrome OS, and is powered by Intel 1.4GHz Celeron. The Chromebook 14 also contains a built-in microphone and camera, in addition to LED BrightView backlight display.

The Chromebook 14 is on the low end for pricing, costing $269.99, according to Hewlett-Packard.

4. Acer's C720P-2625 Chromebook

Coming before Hewlett-Packard's notebook, the Acer C720P-2625 Chromebook snagged the No. 4 spot on NPD Group's top 10 best-selling notebooks of 2014 list. The vendor's C720 series proved particularly successful in 2014, taking the fourth-, third- and second-place spots on NPD Group's list.

Acer's 11.6-inch Chromebook is powered by the 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Celeron processor and Intel HD graphics, and runs on Chrome's operating system. The gray model's popularity stems from its touch screen, in addition to a keyboard, an integrated webcam, shared video memory and high-definition audio.

According to Acer, the Chromebook C720P-2625 sells for $329.99.

3. Acer's Chromebook C720-2103

Acer's C720-2103 Chromebook, another flagship model in the C720 series, also topped NPD Group's list of best-selling notebooks, coming in third place in 2014 for sales.

Unlike the C720P-2625, this notebook is not touch screen, but it also runs on a dual-core Intel Celeron at 1.40GHz and has an 11.6-inch display. The Chromebook model boasts high-quality display and graphic features, showing off ComfyView technology on its HD, LED screen, with 1,366-x-768 resolution.

The 2.76-pound model also contains webcam and microphone built-in features, and runs on Chrome's operating system. It costs $249.99, according to Acer.

2. Acer's Chromebook C720-2844

Acer's final Chromebook model to come in No. 2 on NPD Group's best-selling notebook model list of 2014 is its C720-2844 model.

Priced at $269.99, the most commercially successful C720 series model in 2014 is powered by 1.40GHz Intel Celeron dual-core chips, and runs on Chrome OS. The C720-2844 runs on an 11.6-inch HD screen, and contains Intel HD graphics with shared memory.

The 2.76-pound model contains an HD, LED 1,366-x-768 resolution display, a built-in webcam and microphone.

1. Samsung's Chromebook

Samsung's XE303C12-A01US Chromebook model topped NPD Group's list of 10 best-selling notebook models in 2014.

The Chromebook's success comes in its relatively cheap pricing, at $249.99, and it's lightweight at 2.43 pounds and under .8 inches thick.

The silver, 11.6-inch Chromebook is powered by Samsung's Exynos 5 Dual CPU running at 1.7GHz and operates on Google Chrome OS. The ultraportable, sleek device also contains other features, such as a 3W stereo speaker.