Choosing the best Windows laptop can be overwhelming with the wealth of options available. And with Microsoft’s recent announcements at Microsoft Build, we can expect lots of exciting things coming out in the next few months as more Copilot PCs become available. Whether you need a premium ultraportable, a powerful gaming rig, or a versatile mobile workstation, our current list of the best Windows laptops highlights our favorites that have been rigorously tested by our team. You may even find a Windows laptop that suits you better than an Apple MacBook if you’re looking to make the switch. For those on a budget, check out our list of the best cheap Windows laptops to find great options that won’t break the bank.
What to look for in a Windows laptop
Performance
The challenge when thinking about performance is figuring out your sweet spot. That’s because while a Microsoft Windows laptop with blazing speed is nice, you may be paying for more oomph than you need. But if you skimp and get a weak processor, even simple tasks can become a chore and you might end up in a situation where you need to upgrade again sooner than you’d like. Thankfully, many laptops come in multiple configurations at the point of purchase. You can opt for a model with more processing power or discrete graphics, for example, if you want to do more than just web browsing. Good performance is more than just clockspeeds too, so we also consider things like fast wake times, storage speeds, multitasking and more advanced features like support for ray tracing, especially when a high-end graphics card is involved.
Display and webcams
Regardless of whether a notebook has a touchscreen or a more traditional panel, we look for bright displays (300+ nits or more) that are easy use outdoors or in sunny rooms, accurate colors and wide viewing angles. Screens with high refresh rates are great for competitive gamers, while those with wider color gamuts are important for content creation and video editing. And even if you don’t plan on spending a ton of time on video calls, every laptop needs a decent webcam (1080p or higher).
Ports and connectivity
Even with advancements in cellular modems and WiFi, dedicated ports for transferring data or connecting peripherals can make or break a laptop. Ideally, all but the thinnest and lightest systems come with three USB ports, while things like built-in SD card readers can be extremely handy when trying to import media from a camera. And if a notebook is saddled with a slow or outdated WiFi modem (we’re looking for Wi-Fi 6 or later), that’s basically an immediate disqualification.
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Battery life
It doesn’t matter how powerful a laptop is if it conks out when you need it the most. Typically we look for runtimes of at least eight hours on a charge, but when it comes to good battery life, longer is always better. That said, on gaming machines with thirsty graphics cards, you may have to settle for a bit less. And on bigger machines, it’s also important to consider if the system can charge via USB-C or if it needs a larger, proprietary power brick.
Best Windows laptops for 2024
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Screen size: 13-inch | Touchscreen: Can be configured | Processor: Intel Ultra 7 Processor 155H or Snapgradon X Elite | Installed memory: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 2TB | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Battery life: Up to 18 hours
It’s no surprise that we love the Dell XPS 13. It’s thin, lightweight and it has one of the best screens you can find on a 13-inch ultraportable. The latest XPS 13 model is the slimmest yet, though it loses the headphone jack in the process. But it also includes either Intel’s Ultra 7 Processor 155H or the new Snapgradon X Elite CPU, so you’re getting the most up-to-date processor options available. Aside from a somewhat tricky to use “invisible” trackpad, we have few gripes with the lates XPS 13. It has a stellar, svelte design, a gorgeous display, a fantastic keyboard and solid performance to match. Just be prepared to pay a premium for all of the new features and upgraded specs.
Screen size: 15-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: 11th-gen Intel Core i3 | Installed memory: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Weight: 3.64 pounds | Battery life: Up to 10 hours
There’s a reason we selected the Acer Aspire 5 as our top choice in our best budget Windows laptop guide: It’s sturdy, fast enough and offers good battery life. It also comes with a Windows 11 Home (S Mode) operating system with advanced security features. We typically don’t expect much with laptops under $500, but the Aspire 5 has consistently been a solid performer. It’s an ideal laptop for students or kids, or for anyone who isn’t particularly demanding. We’re also surprised by the port selection it offers, including HDMI and Ethernet. While we normally don’t recommend laptops with just 8GB of RAM and tiny 128GB SSDs, those specs are more excusable in the Aspire 5 since it’s so darn cheap. Just think of it as a slightly more capable Chromebook, but one that can launch multiple apps and do a bit more than just web browsing.
Screen size: 14-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7/9 | Installed memory: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | Weight: 3.53 pounds | Battery life: Up to 10 hours
One of our favorite gaming PCs for years, the ROG Zephyrus G14 remains our choice as the best gaming laptop for most users. It weighs just 3.5 pounds, it sports AMD’s powerful new Ryzen chips and it also has the company’s fastest Radeon RX 6000-series mobile graphics. The ROG Zephyrus G14 has a sleek retro-future aesthetic, a comfortable keyboard and a smooth 144Hz, 14-inch screen. While you’d be more immersed in a 15-inch notebook, those typically cost more and are far heavier than the Zephyrus G14. If you’re looking for a balance between good performance, style and value, the G14 is an excellent option.
Screen size: 13-inch | Touchscreen: Yes | Processor: Snapdragon X Plus/X Elite | Installed memory: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | Weight: 1.97 pounds | Battery life: Up to 14 hours
The Surface Pro is everything we’ve wanted the Surface tablet line to be for years. It’s incredibly fast and efficient, thanks to Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips. Its neural processing unit (NPU) also enables potentially powerful AI features, though the current crop won’t be useful to everyone. We’re also still waiting to see Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature in action, which has been delayed to address its many security concerns.
The new OLED screen option looks wonderful: It makes colors pop off the screen and also ensures inky dark black levels. Coupled together with surprisingly powerful speakers, the Surface Pro is a solid option for watching video on the go.
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When it’s paired together with the new Surface Pro Flex keyboard ($350), you can type and mouse around the Surface completely wirelessly, which opens up entirely new ways of using it. As long as there’s a small table nearby, or somewhere to prop up the tablet, you can work with just a thin and light keyboard on your lap. It’s also nice to see Microsoft pack in 16GB of RAM with the base Surface Pro model.
While we’d still like to see the company bundle in a keyboard and refine its kickstand, the Surface Pro remains one of the most innovative PCs available today.
Pros
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Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips are wonderfully fast
Adaptability is the biggest strength of a 2-in-1, with devices like the Yoga 9i capable of transforming into a number of different modes at a moment’s notice. And even though it’s got a relatively portable 14-inch OLED display, Lenovo still found room on the Yoga 9i for three USB-C ports, a fingerprint scanner and a clever rotating soundbar to ensure audio sounds good in any position. Lenovo also includes a free stylus in the box though, sadly, unlike previous models there isn’t a dedicated storage slot for it on the machine anymore. And while its general design hasn’t changed much, Lenovo has improved the Yoga 9i’s performance with updated 13th-gen Intel processors. There are also various configurations to choose from, including the choice between a Windows 11 Home or Pro operating system.
Screen size: 14-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: 12th-gen Intel Core i5/i7 | Installed memory: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | Weight: 3.75 pounds | Battery life: Up to 5.5 hours
Regardless of if you’re editing videos or playing games, MSI’s Stealth 14 Studio packs a lot of processing power in a very portable package. The base model comes with a 1080p screen, but if you have the money, you’ll want to consider the optional 2,560 x 1,600 display, which boasts a faster 240Hz refresh rate and wider color gamut (100% of DCI-P3). At just 3.75 pounds, the Stealth 14 Studio weighs half a pound less than similarly sized rivals while still supporting up to an NVIDIA RTX 4070 GPU. And the redesigned model has a stunning magnesium and aluminum chassis that’s also available in a larger 16-inch model.
Screen size: 18-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: 13th-gen Intel Core i9 | Installed memory: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | Weight: 6.75 pounds | Battery life: Up to 3 hours
Razer’s revamped Blade 18 is a monster. It packs full-fat versions of the most powerful components you can put in a laptop including up to an Intel Core i9 13-980HX CPU and an NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU that runs at up to 175 watts. You also get a massive 18-inch QHD+ display with a 240Hz refresh, tons of ports (including an SD card reader) and gorgeous per key RGB lighting. Holding everything together is Razer’s unibody aluminum chassis, which offers some of the best build quality on any Windows laptop. The one big downside is price: Starting at $2,900 (or closer to $5,000 for a fully loaded model), the Blade 18 is not for people with limited budgets.
Screen size: 13.8- or 15-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: Snapdragon X Plus or Elite | Installed memory: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 1TB | Weight: 2.96 pounds | Battery life: Up to 17.5 hours
After more than a decade of tests and trials for Arm-based Windows PCs, Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7 feels like a breakthrough. It’s fast, it’s quiet and thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip, it delivers well above average performance and battery life. Meanwhile, on the inside, Microsoft’s Prism emulator has almost completely smashed the barrier between Arm and x86, so aside from gaming, almost all of your favorite apps just work. Tack on a bright 120Hz display and excellent build quality and you get something really close to an ideal ultraportable PC.
Pros
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Slick design
Excellent battery life
Good performance
Bright display
Powerful Prism emulator
Responsive haptic touchpad
Cons
Some apps and games still don’t play nicely with Arm-based chips
What’s the difference between a Windows laptop and a Chromebook?
The main difference between a Windows laptop and a Chromebook lies in their operating systems. Windows laptops run on Microsoft’s Windows OS, whereas Chromebooks use Google’s Chrome OS.
Aside from using different operating systems, performance is one of the major differences between a Windows laptop and a Chromebook. Windows laptops can be equipped with powerful processors and discrete graphics, making them suitable for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. Chromebooks, on the other hand, are generally optimized for speed and simplicity, focusing on lighter tasks like word processing and web browsing.
In terms of software, Windows laptops support a range of desktop programs, whereas Chromebooks primarily use web apps or Android apps from the Google Play Store. Because of their differences, Chromebooks tend to be more affordable since they are primarily designed for basic, everyday tasks. Windows laptops can range in price from budget to premium, with the latter suitable for gaming, professionals or creatives.
What’s the difference between macOS and Windows?
When it comes to macOS and Windows, they’re basically two different worlds in the realm of computers, each with its own personality. MacOS is sleek, minimal and feels pretty intuitive, especially if you like things that just “work” out of the box. Apple designs macOS to work in tandem with its hardware, so if you have an iOS device like an iPhone or an iPad, the whole ecosystem syncs up seamlessly.
Windows is more like the jack-of-all-trades. It’s known for being super flexible and customizable. Whether you want to tweak how things look or run a wide variety of software, Windows gives you that freedom. It’s also more widely used in business settings, mainly because it’s been around longer and is compatible with tons of different programs and hardware.
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Recent updates
September 2024: Added an FAQ section.
July 2024: We updated our top picks to include the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition.
The iPhone SE 4 will come with Apple’s very own 5G modem & Apple A18 SoC
That’s not all, however. This report also mentions that Apple’s first 5G modem will finally be ready, and used in this smartphone. That was the original plan, but the iPhone SE 4 launch rumors were all over the place.
The phone itself will look similar to the iPhone 14 but include a single camera on the back. Flat sides will be used, and an OLED display will be placed on the front, complete with a notch. The display resolution will be 2532 x 1170, which is the same as the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 offers.
This also means that the iPhone SE 4 will be the first ‘SE’ model to offer Face ID and the very first model to not have a home key below the display. The past two models used the iPhone 8 design, which is quite dated at this point.
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It’s a bit odd that this phone will revert back to a notch, considering that the Dynamic Island has completely taken over. It is what it is, though. Apple probably started working on the device quite some time ago, so… the notch is what we’ll get.
The main and selfie cameras will be identical to the ones on the iPhone 15
In addition to the Apple A18 SoC, this phone will offer 8GB of RAM, it seems. A 48-megapixel main camera will be combined with a 12-megapixel snapper on the front. The cameras will be completely identical to the ones the iPhone 15 offers.
In regards to Apple’s very own model. Some of you probably recall that Apple acquired Intel’s modem division back in 2019. The company wanted to create its own modems to stop being dependent on Qualcomm. Well, after some failures along the way, it seems like one is finally ready.
This new modem is said to “drastically reduce battery consumption”. It remains to be seen how accurate that info is.
Hi there Doug Stuman with IT Creations. We finally got the Dell EMC PowerEdge MX7000, Dell’s replacement for the M1000 Enclosure. This is a 7U chassis with support for up to 8x single-width server sleds, four double-wide sleds or a combination of the two. If you will recall, the M1000 blade server chassis is a 10U behemoth released in 2012. It offered support for more blades, but this one, even at 7U still offers better performance and capabilities in a smaller space. It’s also designed to support up to 3x new CPU generations from both AMD and Intel, but so far only Intel Xeon Scalable processors are supported. It’s a cost-effective flexible architecture that’s easy to scale-out offering on-demand allocation of compute, storage and networking pools.
Yes, this review of the Dell MX7000 enclosure is a little late in coming but it’s not like we qualify for review units from Dell. And I have tried. Oh yes, I have tried. Modular systems are not new to Dell as there are a few others still in the fold, although admittedly
Dell EMC PowerEdge MX7000 Pricing – Visit IT Creations!
https://bit.ly/3A0jywH
Bloomberg recently reported that Apple is close to releasing an updated iPhone SE, which will be its first update to the low-end model since 2022. According to 9to5Mac, Apple is also planning to use the phone as a launching pad for its in-house 5G modems. The company purchased the majority of Intel’s smartphone modem business for $1 billion back in 2019 after taking steps to be more self-reliant and aggressively recruiting staff to make that happen. But it has yet to release devices that use the modems designed by its internal team.
Apple and Qualcomm have somewhat of a complicated history. Qualcomm sued Apple in 2017, accusing it of violating its patents related to its phones’ ability to quickly connect to the internet after they’re switched on, as well as patents related to battery efficiency, graphics processing and apps’ capability to download data faster. They eventually settled their patent dispute after Apple agreed to pay Qualcomm royalties and to enter a six-year licensing deal, as well as a multi-year wireless chipset supply deal.
At the moment, Apple still equips its devices with Qualcomm-made 5G modems. Qualcomm also announced last year that it will continue providing modems to Apple until 2026. It’s possible that Apple wants to put its in-house modem to the test with just one iPhone first before it puts its technology in more devices.
The iPhone SE 4 will look similar to the iPhone 14 (pictured above), 9to5Mac says, and will be powered by an A18 chip with 8GB of RAM that will make it possible for it to have some Apple Intelligence features. It will reportedly feature Face ID and will no longer have a home button like previous iPhone SEs, and the device will apparently have the iPhone 15’s 48MP wide camera and 12MP front cam. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to be unveiled next year, possibly sometime in the spring.
GamesBeat Next is almost here! GB Next is the premier event for product leaders and leadership in the gaming industry. Coming up October 28th and 29th, join fellow leaders and amazing speakers like Matthew Bromberg (CEO Unity), Amy Hennig (Co-President of New Media Skydance Games), Laura Naviaux Sturr (GM Operations Amazon Games), Amir Satvat (Business Development Director Tencent), and so many others. See the full speaker list and register here.
Web3 finance company 3thix announced today that it’s partnering with Avalanche on a new ad-tech layer, which would offer advertisers a decentralized means of obtaining consumer behavioral data without compromising privacy or protections. This follows 3thix’s $8.5 million fundraise, led by Xsolla, earlier this year to help monetize web3 games.
According to 3thix, this new blockchain-based solution would provide advertisers with a decentralized Identity for Advertisers, or IDFA. This would allow for more-targeted advertising, but without compromising users’ privacy provided by Apple’s protections. 3thix champions an ethical approach to game monetization and in-game transactions, and says this would allow users access to better ads while allowing advertisers to remain compliant with privacy laws.
This ad-tech solution would be built on Avalanche’s Layer 1 blockchain which allows transaction finality and privacy. Andrew Cooper, Avalanche’s head of games, said in a statement, “3thix’s decentralized ecosystem revolutionizes in-game transactions using blockchain. Users earn rewards, advertisers get precise targeting, and developers monetize better, creating sustainable value for all.”
Timothy Tello, 3thix CEO, said in a statement, “The unified platform, along with Avalanche’s industry-leading smart contracts technologies, is miles ahead of competing projects. Through this partnership, we are creating a blockchain-verifiable web of relations that defines how partnerships work and function in the imminent future.”
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AI tends to make things up. That’s unappealing to just about anyone who uses it on a regular basis, but especially to businesses, for which fallacious results could hurt the bottom line. Half of workers responding to a recent survey from Salesforce say they worry answers from their company’s generative AI-powered systems are inaccurate.
While no technique can solve these “hallucinations,” some can help. For example, retrieval-augmented generation, or RAG, pairs an AI model with a knowledge base to provide the model supplemental info before it answers, serving as a sort of fact-checking mechanism.
Entirebusinesses have been built on RAG, thanks to the sky-high demand for more reliable AI. Voyage AI is one of these. Founded by Stanford professor Tengyu Ma in 2023, Voyage powers RAG systems for companies including Harvey, Vanta, Replit, and SK Telecom.
“Voyage is on a mission to enhance search and retrieval accuracy and efficiency in enterprise AI,” Ma told TechCrunch in an interview. “Voyage solutions [are] tailored to specific domains, such as coding, finance, legal, and multilingual applications, and tailored to a company’s data.”
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To spin up RAG systems, Voyage trains AI models to convert text, documents, PDFs, and other forms of data into numerical representations called vector embeddings. Embeddings capture the meaning and relationships between different data points in a compact format, making them useful for search-related applications, like RAG.
Image Credits:Voyage AI
Voyage uses a particular type of embedding called contextual embedding, which captures not only the semantic meaning of data but the context in which the data appears. For example, given the word “bank” in the sentences “I sat on the bank of the river” and “I deposited money in the bank,” Voyage’s embedding models would generate different vectors for each instance of “bank” — reflecting the different meanings implied by the context.
Voyage hosts and licenses its models for on-premises, private cloud, or public cloud use, and fine-tunes its models for clients that opt to pay for this service. The company isn’t unique in that regard — OpenAI, too, has a tailorable embedding service — but Ma claims that Voyage’s models deliver better performance at lower costs.
“In RAG, given a question or query, we first retrieve relevant info from an unstructured knowledge base — like a librarian searching books from a library,” he explained. “Conventional RAG methods often struggle with context loss during information encoding, leading to failures in retrieving relevant information. Voyage’s embedding models have best-in-class retrieval accuracy, which translates to the end-to-end response quality of RAG systems.”
Lending weight to those bold claims is an endorsement from OpenAI chief rival Anthropic; an Anthropic support doc describes Voyage’s models as “state of the art.”
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“Voyage’s approach uses vector embeddings trained on the company’s data to provide context-aware retrievals,” Ma said, “which significantly improves retrieval accuracy.”
Ma says that Palo Alto-based Voyage has just over 250 customers. He declined to answer questions about revenue.
In September, Voyage, which has around a dozen employees, closed a $20 million Series A round led by CRV with participation from Wing VC, Conviction, Snowflake, and Databricks. Ma says that the cash infusion, which brings Voyage’s total raised to $28 million, will support the launch of new embedding models and will let the company double its size.
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