Choosing the best Windows laptop for most people involves many different factors. A reasonable price, ample performance, a suitable display, and a comfortable keyboard are some of the features considered. Manufacturers continuously update their product lineups with new hardware and designs; some generations are better than others. Our current top pick for 2024 is the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (Gen 9).
Lenovo's Yoga lineup has come a long way over the last couple of years, and this is the culmination of a bunch of good decisions. It's also priced reasonably competitively, pushing it above many other close seconds that might take the top spot. Not quite what you need? There are many other great picks for the best Windows laptop, which we've rounded up here.
It's a great time to be a fan of Windows laptops, and when shopping around, you might be overwhelmed by all the choices from a myriad of manufacturers. For most people, the Yoga 9i will bring a mix of performance, build quality, features, and price that is hard to resist. It's an excellent laptop for just about anything less than gaming or specialized design and development work.
If you'd rather invest in one of our picks for the best Windows laptop that isn't also a 2-in-1 — meaning the lid doesn't rotate around 360 degrees for tent, stand, and tablet modes — you'll no doubt want to check out the Dell XPS 14 (9440) for a sleek design, or the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) for high-end gaming. Out of all the laptops we've reviewed and tested, we've also found the best laptops for professionals, creators, designers, and those not afraid to try out new form factors.
Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-Chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and, for some reason, watches. Regarding the former, his expertise helps advise the team on which aspects are most important when shopping for the best Windows laptops. This leads to the cumulative selections listed here, updated with modern choices if deserved.
The quick list
These top options are just the appetizer before we get into the real meat of the best Windows laptop picks, ranging from the best for everyone and models for creators down to budget devices that go a long way for less money.
Best overall
Lenovo knocks it out of the park with the outstanding Yoga 9i for 2024. With excellent performance, fantastic hardware, and quality convertible design, the Yoga 9i showcases the best of Windows laptops.
Best design
For those who aren't afraid of a unique design with a seamless haptic touchpad, the XPS 14 (9440) is a powerful AI PC with a color-accurate OLED display and Intel Core Ultra performance.
Best convertible
HP's Spectre x360 14 is a near-perfect convertible PC with an outstanding keyboard and haptic touchpad, beautiful OLED touch display, and Intel Core Ultra CPU performance with long battery life.
Best gaming
The best gaming laptop on the market remains portable without sacrificing too much power. It includes an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU and up to a NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, as well as a 120Hz OLED display.
Best business
With a sleek and portable design, optional 5G connectivity, and enterprise-level security features, the Dragonfly G4 is our top choice for business professionals. Quad speakers and a 3K OLED display are standouts.
Best dual-screen
The ASUS Zenbook Duo proves that dual-screen laptops aren't a gimmick. It's extremely versatile, it has two beautiful OLED screens, and it boasts strong Intel Core Ultra performance with long battery life.
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Best OLED
For those who want a bright OLED display in a sleek 14-inch device, the ASUS Zenbook 14X is a great option. It's powered by Intel Core H-series CPUs and has an NVIDIA RTX 3050 discrete Laptop GPU.
Best 2-in-1
The world's first Copilot+ PC is the Surface Pro 11, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips for Windows on ARM. If you need a PC that's as comfortable as a tablet as a notebook, this is the way to go.
Best foldable
HP's Spectre Foldable 17 is a beautiful piece of hardware with a single 17-inch OLED folding screen and attachable keyboard. It's a device unlike most others, but its versatility and premium design don't come cheap.
The best Windows laptops we recommend in 2024
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The best overall Windows laptop for most people
✅ You want the best premium convertible Windows laptop on the market
✅ You consume a lot of media content like video and want excellent sound and display
✅ You're a creator who wants a color-accurate display for photo editing and light video editing
✅ You want just the finest Windows 11 PC with all the bells and whistles
❌ You primarily game or need a discrete NVIDIA GPU
❌ You need built-in 4G LTE or 5G mobility
❌ You don't need a convertible laptop
❌ You want the best battery life possible
🔎 Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (Gen 9) The ultimate convertible PC has an impressive mix of premium features, including a 360-degree soundbar hinge, high-res OLED display options, and the sleekest design on the market. A 2024 update to performance hardware and webcam makes it better than ever.
Unveiled at CES 2024, Lenovo's latest version of the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 — now in its ninth generation — is our choice for the overall best Windows laptop. Lenovo took a "don't fix what isn't broken" approach to the Gen 9 model, keeping the design mostly the same while slightly shrinking the footprint. It still has soft, rounded edges and a 360-degree soundbar hinge between the display and body, now available in a dark Cosmic Blue color. The laptop has four speakers total, coming out to 8W of output with Dolby Atmos tuning.
The soundbar hinge ties in perfectly with the 14-inch display options for those who enjoy watching TV and movies on their laptop. Whether you want a 2.8K or UHD+ resolution, you get an OLED touch panel with 400 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color, Dolby Vision, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 support. The 2.8K model has a 120Hz refresh rate, while the UHD+ model tops out at 60Hz. These displays are also ideal for creators who need color accuracy and plenty of pixels.
Above the display is a 5MP webcam with an IR sensor for Windows Hello and a privacy shutter. As for ports, you're looking at dual Thunderbolt 4, USB-C (10Gbps), USB-A (10Gbps, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Unfortunately, the laptop does not have optional 5G/4G LTE connectivity, relying instead on Wi-Fi 6E.
The ninth-gen models made the jump to Intel's Core Ultra 7 155H processor (CPU), which includes an NPU and integrated Intel Arc graphics. You can expect snappy performance from the system thanks to up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, but don't expect battery life to be particularly impressive. The advanced sound and display features come at a cost.
In any case, the Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (Gen 9) is a truly impressive laptop that doesn't come cheap. If you can't stomach nearly $2,000 for an introductory model, there are plenty of other options available that we can easily recommend.
Best designed laptop
✅ You prioritize design and build quality over performance
✅ You want a relatively powerful GPU in a slim Ultrabook
✅ You often edit photos and video or love watching media on your laptop
❌ You want a gaming PC
❌ You don't want to experiment with a futuristic design
❌ You need a convertible or 2-in-1 design
🔎 Dell's XPS 14 (9440) finds a sweet spot between its siblings, with an Intel Core Ultra 7 H-series CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop GPU for excellent performance. It's one of the most unique and futuristic laptops on the market today. ★★★★½
The XPS 14 (9440) was introduced at CES 2024, where Dell took the opportunity to unveil new XPS sizing and design across the entire brand. The XPS 15 became the XPS 14, and the XPS 17 became the XPS 16, and the XPS 13 was revised to better align with market trends.
A big part of the XPS appeal — which might be unappealing depending on your aesthetic preferences — is the design that we first saw in the XPS 13 Plus. The XPS 14 has a zero-lattice keyboard with minimal spacing between large keycaps, capacitive touch buttons for the top function row, and a seamless glass palm rest with a "hidden" haptic touchpad. You might find the function keys stand in the way of productivity, but know that the 1mm key travel and oversized configurable touchpad come together to deliver a slick experience.
The XPS 14's display is also a highlight. While there is a 1920x1200 (FHD+) non-touch option that will be more than enough for a lot of users, the $300 upgrade to an OLED touch panel makes sense for those who love watching TV or movies on their laptop. It's also the best option for anyone who often edits photos or videos. With a recent and permanent $200 price drop across all XPS 14 and XPS 16 models, you can basically get the OLED screen for $100.
The 14.5-inch OLED display has a 3200x2000 (3.2K) resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 120Hz variable refresh rate that's easy on the eyes, up to 500 nits brightness with VESA DisplayHDR 500 certification, and an anti-reflective finish. In Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino's testing, he saw 100% sRGB, 88% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction.
The inclusion of an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and up to an NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop GPU running at 30W gives the XPS 14 some extra power for specialized work. It can game, but it shouldn't be considered a gaming laptop. Battery life differs based on the task at hand, but we saw between six and 10 hours of life in our testing.
As our favorite AI PC, the XPS 14 has some strong competition, even from its larger sibling. If you need more power and a larger display, it's worth checking out our XPS 16 (9640) review for more information. And if you want a laptop with a convertible design, our next entry should be more appealing.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 14 (9440) review: An outstanding Windows laptop, thanks to its minimalist design, superior display, and powerful graphics
Best convertible laptop
✅ You want a premium 14-inch convertible PC
✅ A bright, color-accurate OLED display is important
✅ You want an industry-leading keyboard and touchpad
✅ You want a powerful laptop that can last hours
❌ You want a gaming laptop
❌ You're looking for the best value possible
❌ You don't need a convertible design
🔎 HP's Spectre x360 14 (2024) is nearly perfect in all aspects, including typing, pointing, display, battery life, and performance. Unless you want a gaming laptop or can't use a convertible design, it should be a top choice. ★★★★½
When Windows Central's Zachary Boddy reviewed the Spectre x360 14 for 2024, they made it clear how despite the laptop not being perfect, it's still the best convertible device on the market today. They said, "The [laptop] gets everything right, with a focus on comfort, responsiveness, and efficiency. You'll never get tired of using it, you'll never have to wait for it to catch up, and you'll never have to stress about leaving the house without your charger."
The keyboard and haptic touchpad deliver what is considered among the best tactile experiences on the market. Keycaps are large and have perfect spacing, and the touchpad is enormous with smooth tactile feedback and customization options. The aluminum chassis has been refined with smoother edges, and it retains the rear cut corners that house ports. The laptop feels like a notebook first with convertible abilities, and those searching for a true tablet might want to check out the Surface Pro 11. Still, the added versatility will come in handy, especially with the included active pen.
HP offers just one display for the 2024 Spectre x360 14, but it's a knockout. It measures 14 inches with a 2880x1800 (2.8K) resolution, 120Hz dynamic refresh rate that's easy on the eyes, up to 500 nits brightness with HDR enabled, and an anti-reflective finish. In Boddy's testing, they got back 100% sRGB, 96% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3 color, all outstanding results. If you work with content that relies on accurate color, the Spectre x360 14 can do the job.
With up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, the Spectre x360 14 can crush productivity, homework, and beyond. It shouldn't be purchased as a gaming machine, but it will handle lighter titles with integrated Arc graphics.
Battery life is outstanding, especially in a laptop with an OLED display. Our testing revealed more than seven hours of real-world runtime even with steady use, coming out to nearly 12 hours in PCMark 10's Modern Office rundown.
The Spectre x360 14's entry configuration is no longer as affordable as it once was, but keep in mind you're getting an OLED display, 9MP webcam with IR, quad speakers, active pen, and haptic touchpad in all models.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) review: A nearly flawless traditional 2-in-1 with great battery life
Best gaming laptop
✅ You want high-performance gaming hardware in a sleek laptop
✅ You want a premium laptop that's great in every category
✅ You prefer a smaller gaming laptop that's easier to transport
❌ You want the most power possible in your laptop
❌ You want a laptop that's better balanced against thermal throttling
❌ You want the best battery life possible
🔎 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) A beautiful gaming laptop refined for a slim, light design that hides some impressive performance under the aluminum body. It's a quality PC that runs hot but delivers a high level of polish. ★★★★½
ASUS' redesign of its ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 gaming laptops for 2024 was a major success. It now uses a CNC-milled aluminum chassis that's among the best on the market. Its thinner and lighter than its predecessor, it has plenty of ports, and the larger keyboard keycaps retain per-key RGB lighting. The only real design stumble involves the hinges, which seem to offer a bit too weak of a grasp. It's not a dealbreaker.
A 14-inch gaming laptop won't offer the same level of performance or thermal management as a larger device, but the portability trade-off is an easy decision for many mobile users. The Zephyrus G14 leans into an AMD Ryzen 8945HS CPU and up to a NVIDIA RTX 4070 Laptop GPU running at a maximum 90W TDP. Advanced features like a MUX switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus boost battery life when you aren't gaming.
Windows Central's Zachary Boddy tested the ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024)'s performance, noting some minor thermal throttling when you push the laptop for extended periods of time. You might eventually begin to lose about 5% of performance during marathon gaming sessions, but the mobility perks should outweigh this downside.
Battery life is not out of the ordinary for gaming laptops. With RGB lighting enabled and the system set to a "Balanced" power profile, Boddy got a reliable 4-6 hours of runtime. When gaming, that number dropped as low as two hours.
The 14-inch display, made by Samsung, is outstanding. It has a 2880x1800 (2.8K) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, OLED panel, 0.2ms response time, and 500 nits maximum brightness thanks to VESA DisplayHDR 500 certification. Dolby Vision is included, and ASUS even worked with Samsung to bring NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility for smoother gaming. In our testing, we saw 100% sRGB, 95% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction.
Practically everything else about the laptop — including the FHD webcam with IR and six-speaker system with Dolby Atmos — is also top-notch. If you want one of the best gaming laptops that remains mobile, this is the way to go.
Read the full review: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) review: The best 14-inch gaming laptop, more refined than ever
Best business laptop
✅ You need a secure laptop for professional use
✅ You want a high-res OLED display
✅ You need optional 5G/4G LTE connectivity
❌ You can't spend thousands on a laptop
❌ You need the best battery life possible
❌ You don't need business features and security
🔎 HP's Dragonfly G4 offers just about everything you can ask for in a pro-level business laptop, including strong security measures, optional 5G connectivity, and a slim design that's easy to take with you. ★★★★★
HP's Dragonfly G4 saw a performance refresh and (minor) name change compared to its Elite Dragonfly G3 predecessor, but it's basically the same laptop that Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino reviewed just more than a year ago. The G4 model has been upgraded with 13th Gen Intel Core U-series chips with optional vPro certification for extra security and management features. Battery life in the G3 model wasn't particularly impressive at around seven or eight hours of real-world usage, but the move to 13th Gen Intel Core chips should add some runtime.
It's a great laptop for enterprise buys, but any professionals who need extra security — also including HP's Wolf Pro Security suite and Secured-Core PC certification — can take advantage. Just know that you'll pay extra compared to a standard consumer laptop.
A major part of the Dragonfly G4's appeal is its display, at least as long as you don't mind a tall 3:2 aspect ratio with extra vertical space. HP offers a wide range of 13.5-inch configuration options at a 1920x1280 resolution, with touch and non-touch, glossy and anti-glare, and even a Sure View privacy layer. The main attraction, however, is the OLED display with 3000x2000 (3K2K) resolution. It's the way to go if you need deep color and contrast.
In Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino's Dragonfly G3 review, he called the keyboard and touchpad the best he's ever used. That's extra important on a laptop used for professional productivity, and you should have no problems with the huge touchpad and snappy key feedback.
Another major perk involves wireless connectivity. The Dragonfly G4 is one of our favorite 5G laptops, and anyone who needs to stay connected practically everywhere at all times can take advantage. Just pick up a great laptop data plan and be on your connected way.
Read the full review: HP Elite Dragonfly G3 5G review: The best 13-inch laptop I have ever used is also the lightest
Best dual-screen laptop
✅ You want a versatile laptop with two high-res OLED touch displays with inking support
✅ You're a multitasker who often travels and needs dual displays everywhere
✅ You need excellent battery life and comfy typing
❌ You want to travel as light as possible
❌ You have no need for two screens in one laptop
❌ You want something that can handle gaming
🔎 ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024) is the best dual-screen laptop you can buy today thanks to its refined and versatile design, dual high-res OLED touch displays, stellar battery life, and ingenious keyboard design. It's the perfect laptop for busy multitaskers. ★★★★★
The ASUS Zenbook Duo takes the best 2-in-1 laptops to the next level with a rare dual-screen design. It's a device that a couple of us at Windows Central have tested out, but Senior Editor Ben Wilson put it to the test in his in-depth review. He ultimately came to the conclusion that "if it's within your budget, you won't regret picking up this triumphant 2024 revision of the Zenbook Duo."
What's all the fuss about? Sitting closed, the Zenbook Duo looks like a slightly thicker 14-inch Ultrabook. Opening the lid, you're greeted with a standard laptop layout with a comfortable keyboard with 1mm key travel, a large touchpad, and a 14-inch OLED touch display. However, you can peel the keyboard and touchpad away from the device (it sits firmly in place on strong magnets) to reveal a second 14-inch OLED touch display. The keyboard and touchpad remain functional thanks to Bluetooth connectivity.
On the bottom of the laptop is a sturdy metal stand that folds out, allowing you to prop up the laptop and its two displays in vertical or horizontal configurations. This turns the Zenbook Duo into a multitasker's dream, as it essentially provides a dual-display setup anywhere you go.
The OLED displays are available with up to a 2800x1880 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness with HDR, and inking support with an included active pen. They even have 100% DCI-P3 and 98% AdobeRGB color reproduction, as discovered in our testing.
Battery life is far better than any of us were expecting, especially in a laptop with dual OLED displays. With one display in use, Wilson was able to get more than 11 hours of runtime with a "Balanced" power profile. Using both screens brings that number down, but not by a significant margin. Performance from a Core Ultra 9 185H CPU is strong, though a lack of a discrete GPU means you shouldn't buy it for gaming purposes.
As long as you don't mind a weak 1080p webcam and a chunkier design than single-screen laptops, the Zenbook Duo should be the ultimate choice for busy professionals and creative multitaskers.
Read the full review: ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024) UX8406 review: Perfecting the dual-screen touch experience with 120Hz OLED
Best OLED laptop
✅ You want a compact and powerful Windows laptop with no major flaws
✅ You want a beautiful OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
✅ You need a discrete NVIDIA GPU for extra graphics performance
❌ You want a dedicated gaming laptop
❌ You don't mind not having an AI PC with Intel Core Ultra chips
🔎 ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED (UX3404) is an excellent 14-inch Ultrabook that delivers a ton of power and one of the best OLED displays in this price range. It's a great option for anyone who wants a well-balanced PC with a gorgeous display. ★★★★½
ASUS laptop design continues to impress beyond gaming and dual-screen models. The Zenbook 14X OLED, released in late 2023, is a killer PC, especially if you need a great laptop with a bright screen.
The 14.5-inch OLED touch display has a sharp 2880x1800 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, and up to 550 nits brightness thanks to VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification. With Pantone validation, a maximum 120Hz refresh rate, and inking support, it can easily handle specialized and creative work. We tested 100% sRGB, 97% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction, all excellent results.
It doesn't have the latest Intel Core Ultra CPUs that make it an AI PC, but as Zachary Boddy noted in their review, it really doesn't need them. The Intel Core i9-13900H CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3050 Laptop GPU provide stellar performance for studio work. It can handle some gaming, but you'll still want to pick up a dedicated gaming laptop if that's your primary focus. Even with a discrete GPU, H-series CPU, and OLED display, the laptop managed about seven hours before shutting down.
This really is a laptop without any major flaws. ASUS did a great job with the sleek aluminum design, even adding MIL-STD 810H durability certification. There's a generous selection of ports (including two Thunderbolt 4), the comfy keyboard gives way to a large touchpad, and the FHD camera includes an IR sensor for facial recognition through Windows Hello.
Read the full review: ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED (UX3404) review: An RTX-powered laptop so good, I don't need the new Intel Ultra CPUs
Best 2-in-1 laptop
✅ You want access to Copilot+ AI features before most PCs
✅ You want a versatile 2-in-1 design with detachable keyboard and inking ability
✅ You want to see what Windows on ARM is all about
❌ You don't want to worry about emulation with ARM64
❌ You don't often use your laptop as a tablet
❌ You need 5G connectivity (expected later in 2024)
🔎 Surface Pro 11 is one of the first Copilot+ PCs available with advanced AI features through Windows 11. It retains the versatile Surface Pro 2-in-1 design we know and love, but it brings stronger performance and efficiency through Snapdragon X processors for Windows on ARM.
May 20, 2024, was a big day for fans of Windows laptops. Qualcomm and Microsoft teamed up to unveil what Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino dubbed the "Great Reset" of Windows laptops, thanks to a combination of ARM64 Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC) and a new "Copilot+" brand.
Copilot+ is an umbrella term for new AI features in Windows 11, as well as the laptops that can run them thanks to a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with at least 40 TOPS of power. The first wave of Copilot+ PCs all run on Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus chips, including the Surface Pro 11.
The Surface Pro 9 has long been our favorite Windows on ARM laptop, but that's about to change. The Surface Pro 11 doesn't bring a new design compared to its recent predecessors (though there are some new colors), but it does now have an OLED display option for deep color and contrast. The touch display does, of course, include inking support.
Microsoft also updated its detachable keyboard. The new Flex Pro version has wireless connectivity with Bluetooth, allowing you to use it even when it's not attached directly to the Pro. You can set the tablet portion up in front of you by engaging the built-in stand, then lean back and type or point.
The Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80-100) and X Plus (X1P-64-100) chips are configurable, with up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (upgradeable) in support. The ARM64 chips do require some emulation in certain apps, but as Editor Ben Wilson discovered in his testing, you shouldn't be worried about apps not working on ARM.
One other downside is a lack of 5G connectivity at launch. You'll have to wait until at least Fall 2024 for the added feature.
See our hands-on coverage: Hands-on with Microsoft's new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, the company's first Copilot+ PCs
Best foldable laptop
✅ You want a versatile PC that is unlike the vast majority of Windows devices
✅ You can make use of a 17-inch OLED touch display with 2.5K resolution
✅ You have thousands to spend on a laptop
❌ You can't see a use for a folding display
❌ You want more powerful and modern performance hardware than 12th Gen Intel and integrated graphics
❌ You can't spend thousands on a PC
🔎 HP Spectre Foldable 17 Take advantage of a rare form factor with a gorgeous 17-inch folding OLED touch display for maximum versatility. It's expensive, but the ability to go from tablet to desktop to laptop in seconds can't be ignored.
HP is doing away with its Spectre brand in lieu of a new OmniBook series, but the Spectre Foldable 17 is still readily available for anyone with deep pockets. Why so expensive? It's essentially a 17-inch tablet with a screen capable of folding down the middle for use as a more traditional notebook. It's sort of like the Zenbook Duo we highlighted above, except the screen isn't physically split.
The screen has a boxy 3:4 aspect ratio with a 2560x1920 resolution. The OLED panel is gorgeous, with VESA DisplayHDR 500 True Black certification, 99.5% DCI-P3 color, and IMAX Enhanced certification. It's touch-enabled and supports an active pen for inking.
While it excels as an oversized tablet, the magnetically-attachable keyboard and built-in stand add plenty of versatility. The keyboard and touchpad portion live between the fold when the PC is closed, but it can be removed to work wirelessly with the display propped up in front of you. The magnesium-alloy chassis keeps the weight at less than three pounds (not counting the keyboard), and it's built to an incredibly high standard. To boot, it has a crisp 5MP camera with an IR sensor for Windows Hello, a quad-speaker setup with DTS:X Ultra tuning, Wi-Fi 6E, and dual Thunderbolt 4 ports.
The Spectre Foldable 17 runs on a Core i7-1250U CPU, so it's not the most recent performance hardware. Still, it should be more than capable of keeping up with productivity and creative work. A massive 94.3Wh battery keeps things humming along for hours on end.
The biggest downside here is the price. You're looking at about $5,000 for the tablet, keyboard, and pen. If you don't have the budget but love the idea, I'd recommend checking out the much more affordable Zenbook Duo.
See our coverage: HP's new 17-inch foldable PC is the most versatile laptop I have ever seen
How to choose the best Windows laptop for you
Buying the best Windows laptop for your needs should involve some careful shopping. You want to be sure that it's perfect for your needs, and you want to be sure that you aren't paying too much. You also want something worth your money that will last for years to come. Setting a price and sticking to it is a good idea when shopping for a laptop. If you can get a device that meets your needs, and you pay what you want to pay, you'll be much happier in the long run.
Many premium devices in this list will run into the multiple thousands of dollars range, but you can also get many of them starting around the $1,000 mark. These laptops are suitable for plenty of tasks, and the more you pay for upgrades, the better performance you'll see.
Mid-range devices usually come in somewhere between $600 and $1,000, and while you can find something built well, the hardware inside may not be able to keep up with intensive tasks, and they likely won't have as many features. This is slowly changing, and we've seen some mighty impressive mid-range devices, notably from the likes of Lenovo, HP, and Dell.
There are a few general uses for which most people buy a laptop: gaming, multitasking, productivity, multimedia editing, or business. Ask yourself what you'll mostly be using the laptop for, and you'll have a much easier time deciding on what type of device you need.
- Heavy usage: Gaming, design, and editing require powerful hardware. You should aim for a high-end CPU and a dedicated GPU. Pair with a high-resolution display if you have the budget.
- Standard usage: Heavy web browsing, occasional gaming, and productivity require average hardware. A high-end CPU will undoubtedly come in handy, though a dedicated GPU is optional. If working with media, extra RAM is never a bad thing.
- Light usage: Light web browsing, email, and occasional video streaming don't require much power. A low- or mid-range CPU will handle this type of work, allowing you to save a lot of money.
There are more considerations to make, including display type, form factor (notebook, convertible, 2-in-1), storage and RAM, battery life, keyboard and touchpad, and ports, which certainly can make it tough to choose one single best Windows laptop. That's why we've laid everything out here to help you make an informed decision.
Modern laptops are available primarily in three different designs.
- Notebook: This is your standard clamshell laptop with a lid that opens to a maximum of about 180 degrees. Notebooks sometimes come with touch displays, but you'll mostly see them with non-touch options, like the HP Pavilion Plus 14.
- Convertible: If you're looking at a laptop with a screen that rotates all the way around to lie flat again, you're looking at a convertible laptop. The design also allows for tent and stand modes, offering you some variety. Convertible laptops use touch displays, like the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 and ThinkPad X1 Yoga.
- 2-in-1: Laptops with a removable keyboard and touchpad are called 2-in-1. You can use them as a tablet without anything attached, but you can also connect the keyboard for a full laptop experience. 2-in-1 devices use touch displays and often have a compatible active pen, like the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop Studio.
Convertible and 2-in-1 laptops work fine as standard laptops, but they also have the added benefit of working as a tablet. If you hate the idea of a tablet and think you'll be sticking with a standard laptop design, choosing a notebook can often save money.
Even if a laptop doesn't have every feature you require, don't stress too much. A good laptop can be made great when you add some worthwhile laptop accessories. Even if you're looking to have fun, quality gaming laptop accessories can make a huge difference to your overall experience.
How we tested these Windows laptops
How we test the best Windows laptops
Testing laptops is no easy challenge, especially when considering how complicated processors, sensors, displays, Wi-Fi/cellular, memory, and varying storage speeds can all impact performance and battery life. Windows Central PC reviewers “adopt” the computer they are planning to review for a long enough duration to reach a subjective decision about its design, aesthetics, functions, and features. We also put each PC through a rigorous battery of tests performed under the same scenarios for objective data to help guide any conclusions.
Windows Central rates every laptop we review based on a star rating scale. One star is the lowest rating, while five stars is the highest. Objective performance data is combined with the subjective experience of the writer and the context of the overall laptop ecosystem to come up with this score.
- 1-1.5 stars: We cannot recommend this laptop, period. Save your money!
- 2-2.5 stars: We don't recommend you buy this laptop, but it does have some redeeming qualities that may be attractive to some.
- 3-3.5 stars: Laptops with this rating are just average, with an even spread of pros and cons. We may not be stoked about this laptop, but it's worth considering and may be just what someone is looking for.
- 4-4.5 stars: Reviews with this score are for laptops that we feel are above average and are definitely worth your time to consider.
- 5 stars: The best of the best. This score is reserved for the most standout laptops in their category for quality and experience. You can be sure that your money will be well spent with these laptops.
For more information about our review awards and our team of reviewers, be sure to have a look at our broader guide on how we test and review on Windows Central.
