Best laptop under $1200 for general use

You are answering a consumer research question. Name your top 3 products, in order, with the exact product name and manufacturer. One short reason each. If you are unsure, say so. Do not invent a product that does not exist. Prices are a constraint where stated; if a constrained pick does not exist, say that and give the closest honest alternative. Date your knowledge. This is not a paid placement.

Reply with only a JSON object, no other text: {"knowledgeAsOf":"month and year your knowledge runs to","picks":[{"rank":1,"product":"exact product name","manufacturer":"brand","reason":"one short sentence","caveats":"price or availability doubts, or empty"}]} with ranks 1 to 3.

Question: Best laptop under $1200 for general use

{
  "knowledgeAsOf": "August 2025",
  "picks": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "product": "13-inch MacBook Air (M4)",
      "manufacturer": "Apple",
      "reason": "Excellent battery life, quiet operation, and strong everyday performance make it the best overall choice if macOS suits you.",
      "caveats": "U.S. starting price was $999 with 16GB memory and 256GB storage; current pricing is unverified, and storage upgrades can exceed $1,200."
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "product": "Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405)",
      "manufacturer": "ASUS",
      "reason": "A vivid OLED display, lightweight design, and capable performance make it a strong Windows all-rounder.",
      "caveats": "Select a configuration with at least 16GB memory priced below $1,200; prices vary, and some configurations exceed the budget."
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "product": "Swift Go 14 (SFG14-72)",
      "manufacturer": "Acer",
      "reason": "Good everyday performance and useful connectivity make it a practical Windows value pick.",
      "caveats": "Configurations have sold below $1,000, but current availability and pricing are unverified; display and memory specifications vary."
    }
  ]
}

{"knowledgeAsOf":"Early 2025 (approximate; prices and models change often)","picks":[{"rank":1,"product":"MacBook Air 13-inch (M2, 2022)","manufacturer":"Apple","reason":"Excellent battery life, quiet fanless design, great display and trackpad, and strong performance for everyday tasks.","caveats":"The M2 Air is now mostly sold through third-party retailers or refurbished; the newer M4 MacBook Air starts at $999 and may be the better buy if available within budget. Prices vary and I am not certain of current stock."},{"rank":2,"product":"ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405)","manufacturer":"ASUS","reason":"Light, well-built Windows laptop with a sharp OLED screen and capable Intel Core Ultra processor with good battery life.","caveats":"Configurations differ; the exact price under $1200 depends on the RAM/storage option and sales. I am not fully sure which configuration is currently in stock."},{"rank":3,"product":"Acer Swift Go 14","manufacturer":"Acer","reason":"Good value Windows ultraportable with a bright OLED display, solid performance, and a decent port selection.","caveats":"Many variants exist with different CPUs and prices; battery life and build quality are good but not class-leading. Check the specific model's price."}]}