If you’re in the market for a Windows laptop, it’s best to start with budget. Are you okay with less power featuring dual-core CPUs that run at speeds as low as 1–1.5GHz? If that’s the case, you can get a lot of value on the budget end of the market. If you need more power, you’ll tend to find much more premium form factors, featuring pixel-dense displays, touchscreen options, dedicated graphics cards, and more. As some of the most feature-rich gadgets on the market, laptops can be a little daunting, so our recommendation is to start by determining your primary use. If you want to use your machine for gaming, you’ll want a great display and tons of power, but you’ll also spend more. If a business machine is your focus, power is important, but a flashy display might not be needed. On the other hand, All-in-one machines with touchscreens can actually replace your need for a tablet. Once you pick your end-use, the research and the required price range becomes much clearer. Read on for a few of our favorites in these different categories, and be sure to check out our guide to choosing the right laptop for you. Also, be sure to check out our constantly updated guide to the best laptop deals happening right now, for great machines at steep discounts. You’ll get plenty of power and speed with the Intel Core i7-8550U Processor, up to 16GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state drive. The XPS also comes with a 13-inch display, which can be upgraded to include a touchscreen and 4K resolution. At 2.7 pounds and 0.3 to 0.46 inches thick, this laptop is sleek and lightweight. And while there are only two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a USB-C port, our testing was pleased to find a handy microSD slot. One of the biggest complaints about the last XPS model was the awkward placement of the webcam. But Dell got the message — and the 2019 XPS model returns the webcam to the laptop’s top bezel. The downside is that you can’t use facial recognition to log in anymore, but the laptop has a fingerprint reader on the power button that lets you log in with a touch. The X1 Carbon’s 14-inch screen displays stunning visuals, with an option for 2560 x 1440 resolution and high dynamic range (HDR) support. HDR mode offers unparalleled brightness and color, and it’s a rare premium feature for a laptop. You can also opt for a full HD (1920 x 1080) touch screen. Top-end models feature a quad-core 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD storage, but all configurations pack more than enough power to handle large spreadsheets and other productivity work with ease. You’ll stay comfortable while you’re working, too, with an excellent and responsive backlit keyboard. ThinkPad’s trademark red TrackPoint remains right in the middle for those used to it as an alternative to the touchpad. A zippy Intel Core i5-8250U chip has enough processing power for business users, but you can also upgrade to a higher-end Intel Core i7-8650U processor with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. A 360-degree hinge lets you fold the laptop’s touch screen back into tablet mode, making it easier to take notes or flip through presentations. Graphics should look sharp and crisp on the 1080p display, but if you’re video or photo editing, you can also purchase an EliteBook x360 with a 4K display. Since this laptop was made for businesses, there are some built-in security features for users, including some extra protection from malware and other cyber-attacks. An Intel vPro processor comes makes it easier for IT departments to remotely manage the laptop. You can even opt to get HP’s Sure View feature, which limits the screen’s field of view so it’s harder for people to physically snoop. Overall, the HP EliteBook x360 is a solid 2-in-1 for business users. This version of the Surface Pro has a 12.3-inch screen with 2,736 x 1,824 resolution, a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, 8-megapixel rear-facing autofocus camera, dual microphones, and 1.6W stereo speakers with Dolby audio. It also has top-of-the-line battery life that will last you more than 10 hours of regular usage. Fitted with a 13.4-inch touchscreen display with a stunning 1920 x 1200 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio, the XPS 2-in-1 offers a consistently vibrant picture. At just under three pounds, it’s also lighter than the Microsoft Surface, making it slightly better for travel and comfort while holding it in tablet mode. Configurations range from a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor to a beefy Core i7 with impressive integrated graphics powerful enough to run some games and intensive applications with ease. The Core i3 unit houses 4GB of RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD. A mid-tier Core i5 model increases the RAM to 8GB while the Core i7 configurations offer 16GB of RAM and more powerful integrated graphics. The better, Core i7 variant has an Ultra HD display and 512GB of storage. Asus has still managed to pack some of today’s top specs within the barely-there metal frame: the highest-end option includes an Intel Core i7-855OU processor, Intel HD Graphics 620, 16GB of memory, and 1TB SSD. Built both for every day and for days on the go, the 50Wh lithium-polymer battery can last 13.5 hours from a single charge and the Tru2Life video technology enhances image contrast and sharpness for great-looking media streaming. While the ZenBook S isn’t the cheapest, or even thinnest, Windows laptop, its sophisticated design and vibrant color options make it a strong contender. Under the hood, the Samsung Notebook 9 Pro has an Intel Core i7 Processor 8565U mobile processor, an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 card, and 16GB of RAM. That’s enough heft for professional photographers and video editors. The laptop also comes with support for Windows Ink, an extra perk for digital artists. Although heavier than it’s non-Pro counterpart (the Pro comes in at 4.8 pounds), the laptop still has several features usually found in lightweight laptops and tablets, including an S-pen passive stylus, a touchscreen, and a full-range hinge that allows the keyboard to fold back into tablet mode. The stylus is the same model found in all Samsung phones and tablets—and it makes the Notebook 9 Pro great for notetaking or doodling. Whether you’re running between classes, meetings, or terminals, the 57.4 Wh battery can support up to 15 hours of web browsing and will prevent you from having to scramble for a charger. The webcam, positioned on the keyboard, only rises when relevant apps are being used to enhance security, and the one-touch power button can power up your computer and take you to your home screen in just 7.8 seconds. Additional factors we take under consideration are the strength and quality of wireless connectivity and audio quality. To test battery life, we stream video at maximum brightness to measure runtime, along with general usage over the course of a day. Finally, we look at the value proposition and competition, to see how a laptop stacks up against rivals in a similar price range. All of the laptops we test are purchased by us; none of the review units are provided by a manufacturer.
About our Trusted Experts
David Beren is a tech writer with more than 10 years of experience in the industry. He has written and managed content for tech companies like T-Mobile, Sprint, and TracFone Wireless. Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer who has been covering technology and video games since 2006. His areas of expertise include smartphones, wearable gadgets, smart home devices, video games, and esports. Jonno Hill is a writer who covers tech such as computers, gaming equipment, and cameras for Lifewire and publications including AskMen.com and PCMag.com. Andy Zahn is a writer specializing in tech. He’s reviewed cameras, weather stations, noise-cancelling headphones, and more for Lifewire. Alice Newcome-Beill is an avid gamer and has reviewed gaming systems for PC gamer and PCMag. She currently uses a Lenovo Y740.
What to Look for in the Best Windows Laptops
Size
While having a 17-inch screen on a laptop can be appealing, that will directly translate into the size of your laptop. Depending on how much traveling you intend to do with your laptop, this can quickly become an inconvenience.
Performance
Some higher-end laptops can even give some desktops a run for their money. While internal storage is important, that can be expanded through flash drives and external hard drives. However, the CPU and GPU can’t be upgraded.
Battery
One of the perks of a laptop is the fact that you can take it wherever you want. But without a decent battery, you’re going to be lugging around an adapter too. Unless you’re fine leaving your laptop seated around the house, you’ll want something that can stand being unplugged for more than 8 hours.
