The 8 Best Windows Laptops of 2021

Best Overall: Dell XPS 13 (9370)

4.5

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Dell’s XPS 13 has always been considered one of the best laptops on the market — and with a 2019 update, Dell has made a great device even better.

You’ll get plenty of power and speed with the Intel Core i7-8550U Processor, up to 16GB of RAM and a 256GB solid-state drive. The XPS also comes with a 13-inch display, which can be upgraded to include a touchscreen and 4K resolution. 

At 2.7 pounds and 0.3 to 0.46 inches thick, this laptop is sleek and lightweight. And while there are only two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a USB-C port, our testing was pleased to find a handy microSD slot. One of the biggest complaints about the last XPS model was the awkward placement of the webcam. But Dell got the message — and the 2019 XPS model returns the webcam to the laptop’s top bezel. The downside is that you can’t use facial recognition to log in anymore, but the laptop has a fingerprint reader on the power button that lets you log in with a touch.

Best for Business: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

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A work laptop needs to be more functional than flashy, but the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon turns heads with both its elegance and its all-business performance. The “soft-touch” carbon fiber exterior gives it a sleek, premium look while being sturdy enough to pass a number of durability tests. Yet even with its high-quality build, the ultraportable laptop’s 2.5-pound weight is lighter than many 13-inch competitors. It’s slim, while still making room for a wide selection of inputs including two full-size USB-A 3.0 ports and two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3. Lenovo lists battery life at 15 hours, so it’s certainly enough to last a work day. Plus, with “RapidCharge” technology, you can refill most of that power over your lunch break.

The X1 Carbon’s 14-inch screen displays stunning visuals, with an option for 2560 x 1440 resolution and high dynamic range (HDR) support. HDR mode offers unparalleled brightness and color, and it’s a rare premium feature for a laptop. You can also opt for a full HD (1920 x 1080) touch screen.

Top-end models feature a quad-core 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD storage, but all configurations pack more than enough power to handle large spreadsheets and other productivity work with ease. You’ll stay comfortable while you’re working, too, with an excellent and responsive backlit keyboard. ThinkPad’s trademark red TrackPoint remains right in the middle for those used to it as an alternative to the touchpad. 

Best Battery: HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3

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The HP EliteBook x360 is perfect for business executives who need plenty of power, security, and portability.

A zippy Intel Core i5-8250U chip has enough processing power for business users, but you can also upgrade to a higher-end Intel Core i7-8650U processor with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. A 360-degree hinge lets you fold the laptop’s touch screen back into tablet mode, making it easier to take notes or flip through presentations. Graphics should look sharp and crisp on the 1080p display, but if you’re video or photo editing, you can also purchase an EliteBook x360 with a 4K display.

Since this laptop was made for businesses, there are some built-in security features for users, including some extra protection from malware and other cyber-attacks. An Intel vPro processor comes makes it easier for IT departments to remotely manage the laptop. You can even opt to get HP’s Sure View feature, which limits the screen’s field of view so it's harder for people to physically snoop. Overall, the HP EliteBook x360 is a solid 2-in-1 for business users.

Best 2-in-1: Microsoft Surface Pro 7

4

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When it comes to Windows 10 laptop/tablet hybrids, the very best you’ll find is the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. The Surface Pro line has been around for a long while, so what you’ll mostly find here is refinement. Like previous models, the Surface Pro 7 is a touchscreen tablet with a kickstand on the back, and if you attach a keyboard (like the Surface Pro Type Cover), you can turn it into a sharp-looking laptop that also has a touchscreen.

This version of the Surface Pro has a 12.3-inch screen with 2,736 x 1,824 resolution, a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, 8-megapixel rear-facing autofocus camera, dual microphones, and 1.6W stereo speakers with Dolby audio. It also has top-of-the-line battery life that will last you more than 10 hours of regular usage.

Most Comfortable: Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Laptop

4.6

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The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 ranges from high-end to super high-end, depending on which of the four possible configurations you choose. As a hybrid laptop/tablet, it is one of the best available today, especially considering all of the enhancements Dell made in the 2019 iteration.

Fitted with a 13.4-inch touchscreen display with a stunning 1920 x 1200 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio, the XPS 2-in-1 offers a consistently vibrant picture. At just under three pounds, it’s also lighter than the Microsoft Surface, making it slightly better for travel and comfort while holding it in tablet mode.

Configurations range from a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor to a beefy Core i7 with impressive integrated graphics powerful enough to run some games and intensive applications with ease. The Core i3 unit houses 4GB of RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD. A mid-tier Core i5 model increases the RAM to 8GB while the Core i7 configurations offer 16GB of RAM and more powerful integrated graphics. The better, Core i7 variant has an Ultra HD display and 512GB of storage.

Best Design: ASUS ZenBook S

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Asus has welcomed a newcomer into the Windows laptop domain, and this one prioritizes transportability and comfort. Ultraportable at 2.3 pounds and 0.5-inches thick, the laptop stimulates the experience of writing at a desk thanks to its ErgoLift Hinge, which allows the screen to tilt upward by an inch and the keyboard to tilt at 5.5-degrees. This is meant to ensure easier typing, enhance speaker quality, and create more airflow beneath the chassis.

Asus has still managed to pack some of today’s top specs within the barely-there metal frame: the highest-end option includes an Intel Core i7-855OU processor, Intel HD Graphics 620, 16GB of memory, and 1TB SSD. Built both for every day and for days on the go, the 50Wh lithium-polymer battery can last 13.5 hours from a single charge and the Tru2Life video technology enhances image contrast and sharpness for great-looking media streaming. While the ZenBook S isn’t the cheapest, or even thinnest, Windows laptop, its sophisticated design and vibrant color options make it a strong contender. 

Best Versatility: Samsung Notebook 9 Pro

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The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro is a powerful laptop packed with features. It’s the Pro model of Samsung’s Notebook 9, so it has enough power to handle professional editing programs and even some light gaming. But it also has a stylus, touchscreen, and 360-degree hinge. This makes it a versatile machine that has enough power for professionals, but with the portability of a lightweight tablet.

Under the hood, the Samsung Notebook 9 Pro has an Intel Core i7 Processor 8565U mobile processor, an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 card, and 16GB of RAM. That’s enough heft for professional photographers and video editors. The laptop also comes with support for Windows Ink, an extra perk for digital artists.

Although heavier than it’s non-Pro counterpart (the Pro comes in at 4.8 pounds), the laptop still has several features usually found in lightweight laptops and tablets, including an S-pen passive stylus, a touchscreen, and a full-range hinge that allows the keyboard to fold back into tablet mode. The stylus is the same model found in all Samsung phones and tablets—and it makes the Notebook 9 Pro great for notetaking or doodling.