The best Windows laptops run an impressive gamut, from Qualcomm-powered workhorses that refuse to die to dual-display stunners and subtle gaming stations. (Some of them, dare we say, will tempt even the most devoted Apple Macbook disciples.) Users who need a new laptop for everyday productivity, creativity, or entertainment have no shortage of options. And that’s for better or worse.
To help you pick out your next PC from the crowded Windows market, we’ve broken out our best laptops rundown into this separate guide to the best Windows machines of 2024. All of these laptops have been thoroughly hands-on tested by members of the Mashable team for performance and build quality, and we stand by their value — or at least think they’re worth finding on sale.
Our top picks
As of Dec. 2024, Mashable’s favorite Windows laptop is the 13-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, an elegant workhorse powered by the impressive Snapdragon X Elite processor. It’s got high-end power, a premium design, interesting AI features, and an incredible battery life. It’s actually the longest-lasting laptop we’ve ever reviewed: Even the brand-new M4 MacBooks can’t keep up.
For almost as much Snapdragon oomph at a lower price point, opt for the HP Omnibook X 14, the best mid-range Windows laptop. It’s not much to look at, but it’s plenty power-efficient and equipped with a great keyboard. It also comes with the same AI tools as the Surface Laptop 7. Those on an even tighter budget should look into the xxxxx
For Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, a pretty ultraportable for everyday tasks.
The Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 9) is the best 2-in-1 laptop we’ve tried, earning praise from our reviewer for its gorgeous 2.8K OLED touchscreen, its peppy (albeit piping-hot) CPU, and its clear Bowers & Wilkins soundbar. For a twist on the hybrid form factor, we also highly recommend the beautiful Asus Zenbook Duo. We’ve got additional picks for specialty users — the Alienware m16 R2 is the best gaming laptop we’ve tested thus far, and the Acer Swift X 14 is our go-to Windows laptop for photo and video editing.
What’s on deck
We’ve got several newer Windows laptops in hand for testing, including a Dell XPS 13 with an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processor and a tandem OLED display; the HP Omnibook Ultra Flip, which is a Lunar Lake convertible; and the upgradable, repairable Framework Laptop 13. We’ll update this guide in the near future if we think any of them are worthy picks.
Also, stay tuned for Mashable’s coverage of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a massive tech trade show that goes down in early January. We expect lots of new and refreshed Windows laptops to come out of it.
What we’ve tested lately (and didn’t love)
We recently finished trying the HP Omen 17, a 17-inch gaming laptop that retails for $1,799 as tested. Our reviewer appreciated its in-game and thermal performance, calling it “more than capable of playing AAA titles at high settings with a smooth refresh rate and practically no retained heat.” However, its mediocre keyboard, speakers, and battery life hold it back. It’s nice if you just want a powerhouse that doesn’t cook your desk, but it’s not well-rounded enough to be our top pick.
Read on for Mashable’s in-depth guide to the best Windows laptops of 2024. FYI: We’ve listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop’s base model.
