Laptops are, by nature, designed to efficiently balance portability and performance, allowing you to tuck a PC under your arm while you're on the move. The best Windows laptops with 5G and/or 4G LTE push that mobility to the next level by offering connectivity just about anywhere you go. If your phone has service, so too will your laptop.
The best 5G laptop we've tested and reviewed so far is Microsoft's Surface Pro 11. It's a 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC), capable of delivering versatility, long battery life, and high-end features. Starting at about $1,300 for models with 5G connectivity, it's also one of the more affordable options in this list.
Recent updates
October 23, 2024: I've updated this list to reflect the launch of the Surface Pro 11 with 5G connectivity. I swapped the HP Dragonfly G4 for the EliteBook 1040 G11 thanks to it having newer performance hardware. I also replaced the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 with the Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 due to its more affordable price. The ThinkPad X1 Nano (Gen 3) has been discontinued.
The quick list
Best overall
The Surface Pro 11 is now available with 5G, making it an apt replacement for the aging Surface Pro 9. This 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC is versatile, it has beautiful touch display options, and the Snapdragon X hardware provides awesome power and efficiency.
Best business
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is now in its twelfth generation, and Lenovo is still finding ways to improve its design, keyboard, and touchpad. It's one of the more premium and feature-laden business laptops you can buy today, and it's available with optional 5G connectivity.
Thin and light
HP's EliteBook 1040 G11 is a business-focused, thin, and light laptop with extra security features to keep your data safe. It's available in many configurations, allowing you to dial in exactly what you want. That includes 5G and 4G LTE connectivity for internet everywhere.
Best convertible
Convertible PCs with 5G connectivity aren't too common, but Dell's latest Latitude 7450 checks a ton of boxes for professionals who need extra versatility. Many config options are available, and Intel's Core Ultra CPUs with NPU make it an AI PC.
Best rugged
Panasonic's Toughbook 55 Mk3 is designed to withstand conditions well beyond what you'd normally find in an office, making it ideal for industry use where you need maximum durability. Optional 4G LTE connectivity is available, but note that faster 5G is not an option.
I've written hundreds of reviews for Windows Central, and I'm always testing and comparing laptops to help readers find the best option for their needs. If you need a laptop with WWAN connectivity, I can help you make the right decision thanks to my nine years of experience.
The best laptops with 5G and 4G LTE connectivity in 2024
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Best overall
It was always expected that the Surface Pro 11 would pick up 5G connectivity sometime after its initial launch in 2024, and that extra feature is now a reality. The Pro 11, which came to market in June, is a Copilot+ PC available with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus Systems-on-Chip (SoC). Both performance versions have optional 5G connectivity to complement the usual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, and both can deliver excellent performance and battery life.
Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino reviewed the Surface Pro 11 shortly after its release. He essentially came to the conclusion that it's as impactful of an update as the Surface Pro 4 was years ago, remarking:
"The Surface Pro 11th edition is by far the best version yet — and easily one of the best Windows laptops you can buy — thanks to the new Qualcomm processor, excellent 120Hz OLED display, and the new Flex Keyboard. With solid battery life and excellent performance, Microsoft achieves a nearly perfect score from us."
The Pro 11 is usually sold as a tablet alone. It has a built-in stand on the back that helps prop up the display; connect a keyboard — like the newest Flex Keyboard with wireless connectivity and a haptic touchpad — and you've created a notebook PC. The 13-inch touch display at a 2880x1920 resolution (in OLED or LCD versions) has a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3:2 aspect ratio, perfect for tablet and notebook form factors.
A 12MP front-facing camera is great for video meetings (there's another 10MP world-facing camera on the back), dual speakers have Dolby Atmos tuning, and it's altogether built to a high standard. Prices start at about $1,300 for models with 5G connectivity, making it cheaper than the other options in this list.
👀 Read our full Surface Pro 11 review
🔎 Further analysis: Surface Pro 11 vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3)
Best business
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has long been one of our favorite business laptops, and it has now reached its twelfth generation. This brings new Intel Core Ultra CPUs, a redesigned chassis that's thinner and lighter than ever, an optional haptic touchpad, and the same outstanding typing experience that's expected from ThinkPad.
In our ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) review, Windows Central's Zachary Boddy remarked that "Lenovo has achieved something extraordinary with its latest and greatest enterprise laptop." However, it does come with an extreme price (at least when it's not part of one of Lenovo's frequent discounts), which amplifies the middling battery life and average Core Ultra performance.
Nevertheless, this is an outstanding laptop for professionals with deep pockets. Lenovo offers up to a 14-inch 2.8K display with OLED panel, Dolby Vision, DisplayHDR True Black 500, and 120Hz refresh rate, with a bunch of other options at a cheaper price.
Connectivity is either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.3, and the WWAN is handled by 5G (Sub-6) or 4G LTE (CAT16), depending on your preferences. There is a Nano SIM slot, plus there's eSIM support built in.
👀 Read our full ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) review
Thin and light
HP's EliteBook 1040 G11 is another business laptop that focuses on being thin and light while delivering a ton of features and security options. Thanks to HP's deep configuration options at its official site, you can pick and choose up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 165H vPro CPU, 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe TLC SSD storage.
What I'm specifically looking for here is WWAN connectivity, which comes in 4G LTE or 5G flavors. Opting for the extra wireless hardware does limit some configuration choices in the display area, but you still get a couple of 14-inch screens with FHD+ resolutions.
A 5MP IR webcam handles security and video conferencing, you can upgrade from a 56Wh battery to a 68Wh battery for only a few dollars more, and the laptop otherwise has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.
The sleek business PC has a wide selection of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, USB-C (10Gbps), and a 3.5mm audio jack. The quad stereo speakers pump out quality sound, and it comes with a three-year license for HP's World Pro Security.
Best convertible
Business laptops with a convertible form factor aren't too common, but Dell has you covered with its Latitude 7450 2-in-1. It's the latest release as of October 2024, sporting Intel's Core Ultra U- and H-series vPro CPUs, up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and up to a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe TLC SSD.
Like HP's EliteBook, Dell offers many config options for the Latitude 7450 AI PC, going so far as to offer it in a standard notebook form factor alongside the convertible. Either way, you can add 4G LTE or 5G connectivity; it comes unlocked for any carrier, but you can also get a specific data provider — including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — straight from the factory.
There's just one 14-inch touch display available for WWAN models. It has a 1920x1200 (FHD+) resolution, IPS panel, inking support, and an anti-reflective finish to reduce glare. The convertible versions also have a less impressive FHD webcam, though it has an IR sensor for Windows Hello.
Dell's suite of security tools for professionals is on board, and you can rest assured the laptop will last thanks to MIL-STD 810H durability certifications.
Best rugged
Fieldworkers and industry professionals often need a laptop that can survive conditions well beyond what you'd find in a usual office. That's where the Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 excels.
In our Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 review, Windows Central's Daniel Rubino said, "If someone like me, who is particular about laptops, finds it appealing, emergency medical technicians, police officers, or military personnel would likely appreciate its speed, dependability, and all the contemporary features of a 2023 prosumer laptop."
It's a chunky 14-inch device with three modular bays for easy upgrades, built for semi-rugged durability with MIL-STD-810H and IP53 certifications. You can work with two batteries, together offering more than 24 hours of runtime, and performance is solid from Intel's 13th Gen Core P-series chips.
The laptop has 92dB speakers for audio you can hear anywhere, the 1080p camera has an IR sensor and a privacy shutter, and there's a decent selection of ports. The Toughbook 55 offers 4G LTE connectivity, but it does not make the jump to 5G.
👀 Read our full Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 review
How to choose the best 5G laptop for you
A laptop with 5G or 4G LTE connectivity is particularly beneficial for frequent travelers, busy professionals, college students, and anyone else who needs to stay connected to the internet at all times. Not having to rely on public Wi-Fi will boost privacy and security, and you'll have a connection practically anywhere that there is cell service.
Yes, mobile connectivity on the Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) requires a quality data plan made for a laptop, and your laptop needs special hardware inside to access the network. This includes a Nano SIM slot or eSIM functionality, antenna, and modem.
5G and 4G LTE are both WWAN standards, with 5G being the newer generation. It's backward compatible with older networks, meaning that your 5G modem will work with 4G LTE networks (at lower speeds). Some of the laptops in this collection are still using 4G LTE; if you'd like the best bandwidth possible, you'll want to stick with 5G.
With all this in mind, our top pick is Microsoft's Surface Pro 11 with 5G. It's a versatile 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC that starts at a more reasonable price than other options in this list, mostly due to it not being a business-focused PC. If you're a regular user who wants 5G without enterprise extras, this should be your first choice. Just be sure that Windows on ARM is right for you.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) and HP EliteBook 1040 G11 are both high-quality business laptops with 5G or 4G LTE connectivity, while the Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 takes durability and ruggedness to the next level for certain industries.
Do you really need 5G in your laptop?
Whether or not you really need 5G in a laptop comes down to how you use your PC. Not only do these PCs offer connectivity in more places, but you can also expect better privacy thanks to always having your own network. Public Wi-Fi is often convenient, but it's not the best option if you're worried about your data.
Because laptops with 5G generally lean toward a professional lifestyle, you can also often pick up extra security features and a more durable design. Not all 5G laptops are straight business, however, with the Surface Pro 11 coming in as the most versatile option for pros or more casual users who simply need a reliable internet connection everywhere.
