Attending Zoom meetings has become a standard part of everyday life in the last few years, and whether you need to participate in online classes or collaborate with your co-workers, having a device that can keep up is essentialy.
Whether it's Zoom or any other meeting apps, you need a laptop with a quality webcam, microphones, speakers, and display. I've taken these features into consideration when putting this collection together, and I've included only quality Windows laptops that we've personally used and tested.
Recent updates
October 4, 2024: Enough laptops have received model upgrades or outright better variants to warrant an entirely new set of 7 picks.
The quick list
The Surface Laptop 7 is one of the best Copilot+ PCs with access to all Windows AI tools. It has a quality webcam, excellent speakers, and its Qualcomm Snapdragon X hardware affords long battery life and stellar performance.
The versatile 2-in-1 Surface Pro 11 is the right choice for users who enjoy a tablet as much as a notebook. It's a Copilot+ PC powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips, and it has an impressive 12MP front-facing webcam, optional OLED touch display, and quality speakers.
Dell's XPS 14 (9440) is a premium pick with a unique design, high-performance hardware, and the right tools for a quality Zoom meeting. Take advantage of a 1080p webcam with IR, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, and dual-array microphones, with up to a 3.2K OLED touchscreen to display everything.
HP is often at the forefront of laptop camera tech, and that applies here with the Spectre x360 14's 9MP camera with IR sensor. The audio setup includes four speakers and quality microphones, with up to a 2.8K OLED touch display at 120Hz for the convertible form factor.
One of our favorite laptops for creators, the ProArt PX13 is a versatile convertible with tons of power thanks to an optional NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. The 2.8K OLED touchscreen is gorgeous, and you get a 1080p camera with IR, dual-array mics, and stereo speakers.
HP's business-focused EliteBook 1040 G11 is powered by Intel Core Ultra vPro chips, and it brings extra security and privacy measures for professionals. It has a 5MP camera with IR sensor, quad Poly Studio speakers, and dual-array mics to handle video conferencing.
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The MagicBook Art 14 is hard to find, but it's worth searching out. It's extremely lightweight and thin, but it brings strong performance and a stellar 3.1K OLED touch display. Its 2.1MP camera with IR is detachable (it has a storage slot on the side of the PC), allowing it to flip around for front- or rear-facing shots.
As the head of Windows Central's reviews, Daniel Rubino has tested hundreds of laptops since 2015. If you want to know which laptops are the best on the market, even for niche uses like Zoom meetings, he's the one to ask.
I've been testing and reviewing laptops professionally for more than 8 years, with hundreds of reviews written for Windows Central. I know what makes a good laptop for video conferencing, and I've taken into consideration camera, display, and speaker quality to arrive at these picks.
Our favorite laptops for Zoom meetings in 2024
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Best overall
The Surface Laptop 7 is an easy top pick even if you aren't focusing on video conferencing features. It's the latest notebook PC from Microsoft's premium Surface series, and it was one of the first Copilot+ PCs to be announced with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC).
Windows Central Senior Editor Zac Bowden reviewed the Surface Laptop 7, giving it a Best Award and ultimately coming to the conclusion that it's the best clamshell laptop on the market thanks to its awesome ARM64 performance, long battery life, and svelte design. On the topic of hardware needed for video calls, Bowden said:
"Surface has always had a great webcam and microphone, and the same holds true here on the new Surface Laptop 7. Starting with the webcam, we've got a 1080p shooter that looks crisp and clear, with no visible artifacts or noise in normal lighting conditions. [...] The microphones are just as good, utilizing Microsoft's "Studio Mics" in a dual-setup configuration which are clear and very audible, even at a distance. You should be able to attend meetings with these microphones with no problems at all."
Speakers installed beneath the keyboard provide loud and clear sound without any visible grilles, and Dolby Atmos tuning is included for further improvements to sound quality.
Microsoft offers both 13.8- and 15-inch models depending on your preferences, with the major difference being that the smaller laptop has an optional Snapdragon X Plus alongside the usual X Elite SoC. Of course, the display resolution differs between sizes, though both come out to the same 201 pixels per inch. Both displays have a smooth 120Hz refresh rate with Dolby Vision support.
If you're interested in trying out Windows on ARM with the full host of Copilot+ AI tools powered by Qualcomm's 45 TOPS Neural Processing Unit (NPU), the Surface Laptop 7 should be your first consideration.
Read our full Surface Laptop 7 review
🔎Further analysis: Surface Laptop 7 vs. MacBook Air M3
Best 2-in-1
The Surface Pro 11 was revealed alongside the Surface Laptop 7 as one of the first Copilot+ PCs. Unlike the Laptop 7, the Pro 11 is a 2-in-1 device with a removable keyboard/touchpad and a built-in stand. It's a sleek 13-inch tablet available with an OLED touch display at a 2880x1920 resolution, with Dolby Vision support, inking capabilities, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 900 nits brightness with HDR enabled.
When you attach a keyboard and touchpad, it turns into a notebook PC. The latest hardware is the Pro Flex keyboard, featuring a haptic touchpad, wireless connectivity (allowing you to use it in your lap without being physically attached to the PC), and a more rigid base.
The Pro 11 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus SoCs, complete with 45 TOPS NPU for Copilot+ AI tools in Windows. It's now even available with optional 5G connectivity for those who can't always rely on Wi-Fi 7.
Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino gave out a Best Award in his Surface Pro 11 review, remarking on the subject of video and audio hardware:
"Microsoft pulls no punches with the front-facing camera on the Surface Pro 11 as it packs one of the largest, by megapixel count, cameras I have seen on any laptop at 12.2MP (4:3, 4032x3024). [...] Combined with the previously mentioned AI tools from Windows Studio Effects, you can easily get the best webcam performance on any laptop today with auto-framing, two levels of background blur, gaze correction, and various filters. The colors were punchy and warm, and the sharpness was exquisite."
It would be nice to have a privacy shutter and some human presence detection (HPD), but at least there's an IR sensor for biometric security. On the subject of audio, Rubino said:
"Not much has changed for audio on Surface Pro, which is good. Microsoft has always had some of the best audio of any Windows PC, which continues with Surface Pro despite its diminutive size. Flanking front-facing, barely visible speakers pump out rich and punchy audio, bolstered by Dolby Atmos for the speakers (and headphones)."
This should be a top choice if you're shopping for an AI PC with Copilot+ capabilities in a versatile 2-in-1 form factor.
Read our full Surface Pro 11 review
🔎Further analysis: Surface Pro 11 vs. MacBook Pro 14 (M3)
Best 14-inch
The XPS 14 (9440) is a laptop that wants to do it all. It includes a lattice-free keyboard (meaning there's no space between keycaps), the haptic touchpad is hidden beneath the glass palm rests, and the function buttons along the top are capacitive touch. This futuristic design might take some getting used to, but everyone I know who's used one has come around quickly to the slick layout.
Some big news for fans of the XPS line was a move to a 1080p webcam for the 9440 model. It has an IR sensor for facial recognition, and HPD is available. Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino reviewed the XPS 14 (9440), stating:
"I've used a lot of laptop cameras over the last ten years, and this Dell XPS 14 is one of the best I've used. Images are sharp, color balance is good, image noise is reduced, and Windows Studio Effects (background blur, eye gaze correction, auto-tracking) is the smoothest I've ever seen, which is all due to that NPU."
He is referring to the NPU in the laptop's Intel Core Ultra processors; Dell offers up to a Core Ultra 7 155H with 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and an NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop GPU. This isn't a Copilot+ PC due to the NPU not breaching 40 TOPS, but it is one of our favorite AI PCs.
Rubino goes on to state, regarding the XPS 14's audio:
"The quad-speaker array is also outstanding if you choose the proper sound profile, e.g., movie, for your task. The spatial separation, sharpness, and volume are above average, delivering a delightful multi-media experience."
The XPS 14's 14.5-inch display completes the premium trifecta of video conferencing needs. More affordable models start at an FHD+ resolution, but I urge anyone with the extra budget to go with an OLED panel. It has a 3200x2000 resolution, a 120Hz variable refresh rate, up to 500 nits brightness with HDR enabled, 100% DCI-P3 color, and touch functionality.
Read our full Dell XPS 14 (9440) review
🔎Further analysis: Dell XPS 14 (9440) vs. HP Spectre x360 14 (2024)
Best convertible
Dell's XPS 14 (9440) is one of the most impressive 14-inch laptops out there, but the HP Spectre x360 14 is a better choice for those who prefer a convertible design. The Spectre x360's hinges allow the display to rotate all the way around for tablet mode, with tent and stand modes in between.
The 14-inch OLED touchscreen has a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 2880x1800 resolution, and a 120Hz variable refresh rate. Add inking abilities, and there's really nothing to complain about. HP's laptops are always near the forefront of camera quality, and this laptop is no different. Windows Central's Zachary Boddy reviewed the Spectre x360 14 (2024), stating:
"The new 9MP webcam won't blow your mind, but it still more than keeps up with other great laptop webcams with awesome detail (4K support helps with that) and solid color reproduction. With various AI features from HP aiming to improve low light performance, help maintain your eye contact in video conferences, add background blur or keep you in the center of the frame, and even wake up or put to sleep your laptop when you approach it or walk away. The dual-array microphones are also solid."
They go on to mention that the quad-speaker setup with Poly Studio hardware is "shockingly great for such a slim laptop," meaning you won't have to rely on a headset to hear your colleagues.
This AI PC is powered by Intel's Core Ultra Series 1 CPUs, with up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD in support. Battery life is respectable, and you should be able to get close to a full workday on a charge. It won't beat Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon X hardware, but you also don't have to worry about ARM64 emulation.
Read our full HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) review
🔎Further analysis: HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) vs. Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 9)
Best for creators
The ASUS ProArt PX13, thanks to its AMD Ryzen AI 300 CPUs, is expected to get access to Copilot+ AI tools in Windows in November. If you're a creator who'd like to try out the new features like Windows Recall, Live Captions, Cocreator, and more on an x86-64 system, this is a great option.
Beyond the upcoming Copilot+ AI tools, the ProArt PX13 is simply a high-end 13-inch convertible with the right hardware to handle more demanding workflows. It packs an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, up to an NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. These specs are more impressive when you consider the laptop measures just 0.62 inches thin.
Windows Central Editor Rebecca Spear reviewed the ProArt PX13, remarking on the subject of video and audio hardware:
"When it comes to microphone quality and camera quality, the ProArt PX13 is more than capable of representing you well during virtual video calls. Colors come through accurately and there are plenty of crisp detail from the FHD camera. Meanwhile, my voice carries clearly, and there aren't any strange artifacts accompanying it during meetings."
Add a 13-inch OLED touch display with a 2800x1800 resolution, HDR support, 60Hz refresh rate, and inking capabilities, and you have one well-rounded creator laptop with the added benefit of being able to transform into a tablet. The only real drawbacks are noisy fans under load and abbreviated battery life, both expected outcomes of a thin laptop with so much power.
And if you're a left-handed user, you should be aware of the ASUS dial located in the left corner of the touchpad. It's super useful for creative work, but it gets in the way if you're not right-handed.
Read our full ASUS ProArt PX13 review
Best business
Lenovo is known for its ThinkPad line, but I prefer HP's latest designs as someone who has used over 100 laptops at Windows Central. It started with the Dragonfly G4, but that torch carries over to the EliteBook 1040 G11, which is super light at 2.6 pounds, has the best keyboard I’ve used, and even has optional 5G connectivity.
However, using a relatively large 5MP IR camera gives HP an edge over some competitors. With Intel’s Core Ultra processor, you get AI PC studio camera effects like background blurring, eye contact, and auto-tracking thanks to the included NPU, which handles all the processing (without taxing your battery).
HP’s Poly app also goes the extra mile with the most configuration options I have seen for any laptop camera. If you’re a power user of webcams for Zoom or any other video calls, the EliteBook 1040 G11 is challenging to ignore. And even if you don’t care about the camera, it’s just a fantastic business laptop I personally use when traveling.
HP has many different configuration options available, and I recommend you wait for a sale to buy. HP often discounts these PCs by 50% or more; at the time of writing, a model with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and FHD+ low power display is down to $1,399. That's 1,438 off the regular price.
Honorable mention
The HONOR MagicBook Art 14 is not only a tremendous Intel-based laptop (also absurdly light at 2.27 lbs.) but has one of the niftiest webcams on any laptop. It starts with its primary feature, a gorgeous 14.6-inch HDR touch display with a 3120x2080 resolution (120Hz refresh) and an industry-leading 97% screen-to-body ratio, beating out even Dell’s Infinity Displays for thinnest bezels on the planet.
But it’s the webcam, or really what appears to be the lack of one, that is the real story here. Due to those super thin 2.2mm bezels, HONOR left no space for a webcam! So, the company made the camera detachable using magnetic pogo pins to power it and lock it in place to solve this. But what about when you don’t need the webcam? Pull it off the display and push it into the laptop’s side storage slot for safekeeping (it locks in and is held by magnets, too, so it won’t fall out).
HONOR is best known for smartphones, and that expertise carries over to this 2.1MP camera, which looks excellent and offers AI PC enhancements like blurring the background, eye contact, and auto framing. Even more remarkable is that since it’s removable, you can flip it around to make it a world-facing camera to snap whiteboards or presentations. What other clamshell laptop can do that? Having the camera stowed away is not just cool but also better security. No need to worry about someone spying on you if there’s no camera attached!
I’ve used well over 100 laptops over the years. Between the green color, super light matte chassis, excellent keyboard, fast CPU, solid audio, and nifty webcam trick, I have no problem recommending the HONOR MagicBook Art 14 if you can find one. The best bet for the NA market seems to eBay.
How to choose the best laptop for Zoom meetings
Finding the right laptop to handle daily or even weekly Zoom meetings is extra important these days as many people continue working from home. It really doesn't matter if you're using Zoom or any of the other video conferencing apps — like Microsoft Teams and Google Meet — as your laptop needs the same quality webcam, speakers, microphones, and display.
You also need to take into account the laptop's performance abilities, portability, battery life, and overall design. For example, not everyone needs to pay for the extra engineering that goes into a convertible device, while others will gladly hand over the money in order to secure 360-degree hinges and inking abilities.
With all that in mind, my two top picks are Copilot+ PCs with Qualcomm Snapdragon X chips. Surface devices have traditionally offered quality cameras and speakers, and that's no different with the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11. With the updated performance and impressive battery life from the Snapdragon X ARM64 platform, these laptops are better than ever.
The Surface Laptop 7 starts at about $1,200 for the 13.8-inch model, climbing to about $1,500 for the 15-inch model. The Surface Pro 11 starts at a lower $1,000 price, but you have to factor in the added cost of a Surface Pro keyboard. Official hardware can run youanywhere from about $180 up to about $350 for the new Pro Flex wireless keyboard.
If you don't want to use Windows on ARM, I suggest checking out the Dell XPS 14 (9440), HP Spectre x360 14 (2024), or HONOR MagicBook Art 14 (if you can find it). They're all some of the best laptops we've used this year, and they have the right hardware to deliver a top-notch video conferencing experience.
