Find a PC that fits

Do your best learning, working and playing with a Windows 10 PC. Find one that fits your style and budget.

Discover the benefits of a new PC

When it comes to a PC with an SSD vs. one with an HDD, some things are just better.

Up to 4x faster Up to 4x faster

1 «>Redefine your sense of speed. PCs with SSDs: 4x faster on average than HDDs. 1 Redefine your sense of speed. PCs with SSDs: 4x faster on average than HDDs. 1

Get up to 34% longer battery life¹ ² Get up to 34% longer battery life¹ ²

2 «>Because SSDs consume less power, you get longer battery life—on average, eight-plus hours of video playback. 2 Because SSDs consume less power, you get longer battery life—on average, eight-plus hours of video playback. 2

Transfer files 37.9% faster with USB 3.0 Transfer files 37.9% faster with USB 3.0

1 «>Share moments in moments. Copy large files like home videos from USB 3.0 drives 37.9% faster on average with a solid-state drive. 1 Share moments in moments. Copy large files like home videos from USB 3.0 drives 37.9% faster on average with a solid-state drive. 1

Install Windows Updates 3x faster Install Windows Updates 3x faster

1 «>Windows Updates: Install them 3x faster (on average) with a solid-state drive. 1 Windows Updates: Install them 3x faster (on average) with a solid-state drive. 1

Get started with PC hardware basics

​Learn about key PC hardware components so that you can make informed decisions when shopping for a new device.

What is it?

SSD is a type of storage drive similar to a traditional hard disk drive (HDD).

Why does it matter?

Without moving parts, SSDs are thinner, faster and more durable than HDDs, allowing for smaller PCs with greater battery life. 2

What is it?

RAM is your PC’s “working” memory.

Why does it matter?

It helps with performance when doing things like running apps and browser tabs. More RAM means you can do more things at the same time.

What is it?

The brain of your PC. It tells the other components in it what to do.

Why does it matter?

It performs the instructions the operating system tells it to. Without it, your PC doesn’t run.

What is it?

It helps your PC do graphics-intensive tasks, like photo or video editing and games.

Why does it matter?

It frees your CPU for other tasks, allowing for better performance.

Original by design

See what’s new from Surface.

Browse by PC type

If you’re still unsure on where to begin, starting with the PC type will give you a wide range to choose from.

Thin, light laptops

It’s everything you love and more—portability, power and the latest in processors.

Desktops & All-in-Ones

Get the muscle you need for demanding tasks without sacrificing style.

Versatile 2-in-1s

2-in-1s provide power and flexibility. Touch, type, click, or pen—choose whatever fits your style.

Gaming PCs

A Windows 10 gaming PC gives you more power, more features and more games.

Apps for everyone

Microsoft Store has nearly everything you could want for your Windows 10 device, including the latest games, popular films and TV programmes, creativity software, apps, 3 and more.

Best Windows Laptop 2021: Top Windows 10 Laptops Available

Choosing the best Windows laptop for most people involves many different factors. A reasonable price, ample performance, suitable display, and comfortable keyboard are just some of the features considered. Manufacturers continuously update their product lineups with new hardware and design, but HP’s Spectre x360 14 is currently our pick for the best Windows laptop. It has a gorgeous gem-cut design, a touch display with a slim bezel and 3:2 aspect ratio, and powerful performance from 11th Gen Intel Core processors (CPU). It’s also priced very competitively, pushing it above many other close seconds that might take the top spot. Not quite what you need? There are many other great picks for the best Windows laptop, which we’ve rounded up here.

Best Windows Laptop in 2021

1. HP Spectre x360 14 — Best Overall: Premium convertible design, 3:2 display, modern hardware
2. Razer Book 13 — Runner-Up: Top-tier performance, design, display, and features
3. Dell XPS 13 (9310) — Runner-Up: Non-convertible Ultrabook perfect in almost every way
4. Surface Laptop 3 13 — Runner-Up: Premium quality Ultrabook with knockout touch display
5. Surface Pro 7 — Best 2-in-1: Detachable keyboard, deployable stand, beautiful design, and display
6. Razer Blade 15 — Best Gaming: Loads of gaming power, sleek design

There are many great devices out there that we’ve been trying out and testing, and this is just a glance at the 18 total best Windows laptop options we’ve rounded up here.

What is the best Windows laptop for most people?

It’s a great time to be a fan of Windows laptops, and when shopping around, you might be overwhelmed by all the best Windows laptop choices coming from myriad manufacturers. For most people, the HP Spectre x360 14 brings a mix of performance, build quality, features, and price that is hard to resist. It’s a great laptop for just about anything less than gaming or specialized design and development work. If you’d rather invest in one of our picks for the best Windows laptop that isn’t also of the best 2-in-1 laptops — meaning the lid doesn’t rotate around 360 degrees for tent, stand, and tablet modes — you’ll no doubt want to check out the Razer Book 13, the Dell XPS 13 9310, or the 13-inch Surface Laptop 3.

These top four options are just the appetizer before we get into the real meat of the best Windows laptop picks, ranging from high-end gaming and design laptops down to budget devices that go a long way for less money.

Best Windows Laptops 2021

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

1. HP Spectre x360 14

Best Windows Laptop For Most People

Bottom line: The HP Spectre x360 14 takes the premium quality laptop we love in the 13-inch version and gives it a 3:2 aspect ratio display and cutting edge hardware. If you need a convertible with high-end specs and display, this is it. Just don’t expect performance for gaming or development work.

Processor: Up to Core i7-1165G7 | RAM: Up to 16GB DDR4 | Storage: Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe integrated | Display size: 13.5 inches | Display resolution: Up to 3000×2000 | Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, microSD card reader, 3.5mm audio

Performance	Hardware	Vendor
Varies	Many configurations	From $1,350 at HP
High-end	Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 3K2K	$2,399 at Amazon
High-end	Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD	From $1,700 at Best Buy
High-end	Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD	$2,388 at Newegg

• 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs
• Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
• 3K2K display with 3:2 aspect ratio
• Big 66Wh battery
• Quad-speakers for great audio

• No LTE connectivity
• Slight touchpad looseness

The new 13.5-inch HP Spectre x360 (what HP is calling the Spectre x360 14) is not replacing the standard 13.3-inch option, but it will undoubtedly drag a lot of the attention away from the other model. Unless you need LTE connectivity in your 13-inch laptop, which is only available in the Spectre x360 13, the x360 14 is our new top Windows laptop for most people.

Powered by Intel 11th Gen processors, all-day battery life, and an option for a stellar OLED display, this laptop is nearly flawless.

The biggest attraction here is no doubt the 13.5-inch touch OLED display with boxy 3:2 aspect ratio, 3000×2000 (3K2K) resolution, anti-reflection coating, 400 nits brightness, and 100% DCI-P3 color reproduction. This display is stacked, and thanks to the slim bezel, it has a truly modern look. Because the screen is so much taller, there’s also a lot more room below the keyboard deck. HP took advantage, blowing up the touchpad by 16.6% for easier productivity. There’s also room for top-firing speakers that pump out quality audio.

It makes the cut for Intel’s EVO platform certification thanks to the 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU. Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, instant-on, and «intelligence» that smartly manages power, battery, and more. The sizable 66Wh is rated at about 17 hours of life from a charge, though that differs in real-life testing. We saw about 7 hours with the OLED model, which translates to about 10 hours with the FHD+ model.

The display has tilt pen support for natural inking, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity gives you fast, reliable wireless internet, and Bluetooth 5 for your accessories. The front-facing camera has a privacy shutter, and there’s an IR camera for Windows Hello. The keyboard also includes a fingerprint reader for further security, and you can even add HP’s Sure View technology to the display to block unwanted eyes.

Have a look at our HP Spectre x360 14 review for a far deeper dive into what makes this convertible laptop great.

HP Spectre x360 14 Touch-Screen Laptop

The HP Spectre x360 14 is an evolution of the 13.3-inch model, bringing a 3:2 aspect ratio touch display and the latest 11th Gen hardware from Intel.

Buying the best Windows laptop for your needs should involve some careful shopping. You want to be sure that it’s perfect for your needs, and you want to be sure that you aren’t paying too much. You also want something worth your money that will last for years to come. Setting a price and sticking to it is a good idea when shopping for a laptop. If you can get a device that meets your needs, and you pay what you wanted to pay, you’ll be much happier in the long run.

Many premium devices in this list will run into the multiple thousands of dollars range, but you can also get many of them starting around the $1,000 mark. These laptops are suitable for plenty of tasks, and the more you pay for upgrades, the better performance you’ll see. Mid-range devices usually come in somewhere between $600 and $1,000, and while you can find something built well, the hardware inside may not be able to keep up with intensive tasks, and they likely won’t have as many features. Sometimes, though, you get something like the HP ENVY x360 13 that blows us away with its price and features.

There are a few general uses for which most people buy a laptop: gaming, multitasking, and productivity, multimedia editing, or business. Ask yourself what you’ll mostly be using the laptop for, and you’ll have a much easier time deciding on what type of device you need.

• Heavy usage: Gaming, design, and editing require powerful hardware. You should aim for a high-end CPU and a dedicated GPU. Our best graphics card roundup has some top options you can compare. Pair with a high-resolution display if you have the budget.
• Standard usage: Heavy web browsing, occasional gaming, and productivity require average hardware. A high-end CPU will undoubtedly come in handy, though a dedicated GPU is optional. If working with media, extra RAM is never a bad thing.
• Light usage: Light web browsing, email, and occasional video streaming don’t require much power. A low- or mid-range CPU will handle this type of work, allowing you to save a lot of money.

There are more considerations to make, including display type, form factor (notebook, convertible, 2-in-1), storage and RAM, battery life, keyboard and touchpad, and ports, which certainly can make it tough to choose one single best Windows laptop. That’s why we’ve laid everything out here to help you make an informed decision.

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

2. Razer Book 13

Runner-Up

Bottom line: Razer’s first crack at a productivity laptop, the Book 13, is a smash hit. Its design, display, keyboard, touchpad, speakers, and performance hardware all come together to form one of the best 13-inch Ultrabooks on the market.

Processor: Up to Core i7-1165G7 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: Up to 512GB SSD | Graphics: Up to Intel Iris Xe | Display size: 13.4 inches | Display resolution: Up to UHD+ | Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4, USB-A 3.1, HDMI 2.0, microSD card reader, 3.5mm audio

Performance	Hardware	Vendor
Varies	Many configurations	From $1,200 at Razer
Varies	Many configurations	From $1,600 at Amazon
Mid-range	Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, FHD+	$1,600 at Best Buy
Mid-range	Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256G SSD, FHD+	$1,600 at Walmart

• Gorgeous, pristine design
• 11th Gen Intel and EVO certified
• Brilliant IGZO display
• Excellent keyboard, touchpad, RGB lighting
• Fantastic THX Spatial Audio

In our Razer Book 13 review, Executive Editor Daniel Rubino weighs in on whether or not Razer’s laptop trumps the mighty XPS 13 9310. It’s ultimately a toss-up with both laptops excelling in different areas, but know the Book 13 brings better port selection (with HDMI 2.0, two Thunderbolt 4, USB-A 3.2, microSD card reader, and 3.5mm audio), better sound with top-firing THX speakers, and a better keyboard with RGB backlighting for extra fun.

The overall aluminum design of the Book 13 is impeccable. It’s well-balanced, it’s relatively thin and light, and it has that premium feel you only get from laptops in this price range. The keyboard is comfortable for long days of typing, the Precision touchpad makes good use of available space, and battery life goes all day with about 10 hours before needing a charge.

Razer went to Sharp to source its IGZO displays, which paid off greatly. The 13.4-inch displays with a 16:10 aspect ratio are available with FHD+ or UHD+ resolutions, and there are touch and non-touch options. All have an anti-reflective coating to cut down on glare, and all have excellent color reproduction in the sRGB gamut. Brightness gets up to about 550 nits.

Get up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR4x-4267MHz RAM, and a 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD for performance hardware, and stay safe with an IR camera for Windows Hello. This laptop is expensive and doesn’t offer LTE, but it is pretty much perfect in every other way.

Razer Book 13 Laptop

Featuring a 16:10 display, fantastic speakers, a great keyboard and trackpad, and a premium all-aluminum chassis, this laptop does everything right, especially when it comes to performance.

Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central

3. Dell XPS 13 (9310)

Runner-Up

Bottom line: If you’d rather stick with a traditional form factor that doesn’t convert to a tablet, the XPS 13 9310 is nearly a perfect Ultrabook with relatively high-end specs for productivity and photo editing.

Processor: Up to Core i7-1165G7 | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB | Graphics: Up to Intel Iris Xe | Display size: 13.4 inches | Display resolution: Up to UHD+ | Ports: Two Thunderbolt 3, microSD card reader, 3.5mm audio

Performance	Hardware	Vendor
Varies	Many configurations	From $971 at Dell
High-end	Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD	$1,643 at Amazon
High-end	Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, UHD+	$2,895 at Walmart

• 16:10 aspect ratio and thin bezel
• Stunning look and design
• Excellent keyboard and touchpad
• Strong performance from 11th Gen Intel CPUs
• Beautiful display options

• Webcam could be better
• Costs more than our top pick for similar specs

The latest refresh of the XPS 13 — check out our Dell XPS 13 (9310) review for full details — is a nice hardware refresh over the mighty 9300. It’s easily the best Dell laptop available today. We also think it’s the single best laptop between $1,000 and $1,500. Its display now has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which removes the chin that most laptops have below the screen. There is a screen everywhere you look, thanks to a 91.5% screen-to-body ratio.

A non-touch 1920×1200 (FHD+) screen is the cheapest way to go, bringing an anti-glare finish and up to 500 nits brightness. A middle FHD+ option adds touch, edge-to-edge glass, and an anti-reflective layer to help reduce glare. It also manages 500 nits of brightness. Finally, the most expensive option is a 3840×2400 (UHD+) touch option with edge-to-edge glass, 500 nits brightness, and an anti-reflective layer.

Intel’s 11th Gen CPUs are included in the refresh, bringing Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics. It’s all accompanied by up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 2TB of M.2 PCIe SSD storage. RAM is soldered, but the SSD can be upgraded after purchase if you’d like to save some money at checkout. The XPS 13 9310 offers the performance to easily cut through a standard day’s work — word processing, heavy web browsing, photo editing — yet it keeps its cool and weighs just 2.65 pounds (1.2kg). It’s also unbelievably thin and feels very sturdy, thanks to the aluminum chassis.

Ports include two Thunderbolt 3, a microSD card reader, a 3.5mm audio jack, and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. As for productivity, the backlit keyboard and Precision touchpad should not stand in your way at all. Both are comfortable and easy to use.

Dell XPS 13 (9310) Touch Laptop

The XPS 13 9310 has everything we love about an Ultrabook. It looks great, it performs well, and it’s a joy to use.

Source: Windows Central

4. Surface Laptop 3 13

Runner-Up

Bottom line: The Surface Laptop 3 13 is all about premium design, a high-res touch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, and modern performance hardware inside.

Processor: Up to Core i7-1065G7 | RAM: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 1TB SSD | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus | Display size: 13.5 inches | Display resolution: 2256×1504 | Ports: USB-C, USB-A, 3.5mm audio, Surface Connect

Performance	Hardware	Vendor
Varies	Many configurations	From $770 at Microsoft
Varies	Many configurations	From $879 at Amazon
Varies	Many configurations	From $800 at Best Buy
Low-end	Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD	From $899 at Walmart

• Gorgeous design and craftsmanship
• Now, with USB-C
• Superb keyboard and touchpad
• Intel 10th Gen hardware
• Some parts can be upgraded

• No Thunderbolt 3
• No Dolby Vision or anti-glare display

The Surface Laptop 2 was a fine Ultrabook, and Microsoft has made numerous small changes that we cover in our Surface Laptop 3 13.5 review. It’s now available with 10th Gen Intel Core CPUs and up to 16GB DDR4x RAM and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and a faster solid-state drive (SSD) up to 1TB that can be replaced. It’s also now rocking a USB-C port, as well as USB-A, Surface Connect, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The keyboard and touchpad are both quieter than the Laptop 2, and typing is about as good as it gets. The touchpad is about 20% larger, and it’s using Precision drivers for the best experience possible.

The overall design is as good as ever, with hidden antenna lines for a more streamlined look. If Alcantara — the fabric finish that we saw on the palm rest of the Laptop 2 — isn’t your thing, the Laptop 3 can be had with a standard aluminum finish throughout. An IR camera sits above the display for extra security through Windows Hello. It’s also our number one pick among best USB-C laptops.

The 13.5-inch touch display is a knockout. It has a boxy 3:2 aspect ratio with 2256×1504 resolution, and it’s compatible with the Surface Pen for a stellar inking experience. It would be nice to see Dolby Vision or some anti-glare properties, but at least it hits nearly 400 nits brightness to help combat bright lights. Expect battery life to run somewhere between seven and eight hours on a charge. All of this more than earns the Surface Laptop 3 13.5 a place in our best Windows laptops roundup.

See how it compares in our best Microsoft Surface PCs roundup.

Surface Laptop 3 13

With the addition of USB-C, Wi-Fi 6, and Intel 10th Gen CPUs, the Surface Laptop 3 13.5 delivers a solid follow-up to the Laptop 2.

Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central

5. Surface Pro 7

Best 2-in-1

Bottom line: For those who need a device that can detach from the keyboard and touchpad to become a tablet — and have the power to rival standard laptops — there is the Surface Pro 7.

Processor: Up to Core i7-1065G7 | RAM: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 1TB SSD | Graphics: Up to Intel Iris Plus | Display size: 12.3 inches | Display resolution: 2736×1824 | Ports: USB-C, USB-A, 3.5mm audio, Surface Connect, microSD card reader

Performance	Hardware	Vendor
Varies	Surface Pro 7	From $750 at Microsoft
Varies	Surface Pro 7+	From $850 at Microsoft
Mid-range	Type Cover included	From $798 at Amazon $800 at Walmart
Varies	Many configurations	From $750 at Best Buy

• Excellent performance from 10th Gen Intel hardware
• Now, with a USB-C port
• Eight hours of battery life
• Instant On and resume
• Premium build quality

• No Thunderbolt 3 or 4
• LTE only on Pro 7+ models
• Bezels are a bit thick

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 7 is back and better than ever. Instead of a Mini DisplayPort, it now has a USB-C 3.1 port capable of handling dual 4K displays, rounded out by USB-A, a microSD card reader, Surface Connect, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Wi-Fi 6 connectivity is available for blazing wireless speeds, and Bluetooth 5.0 is also included. The Pro 7 now has Instant On, meaning it’s ready to go as soon as you need it.

10th Gen Intel Core CPU options boost performance and add Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics, and models can be configured with up to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and a 1TB SSD. The display hasn’t changed, but that doesn’t mean it’s not gorgeous. The 12.3-inch touch screen still has a 3:2 aspect ratio and 2736×1824 resolution, complete with Surface Pen compatibility for a quality inking experience.

The Pro 7 keeps cool under load, and you can expect about eight hours of battery life from a model with a Core i5 CPU. For some extra security, an IR camera is included for Windows Hello. Check out our Surface Pro 7 review for more information.

There’s also a Surface Pro 7 Plus for Business that can be purchased from the Microsoft Store. It costs a bit more than the standard Pro 7, but it brings several improvements, including LTE connectivity, up to 32GB of RAM, 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs, and a removable SSD. If you need to stay connected at all times and don’t mind shopping at Microsoft, it might just be the better choice.

For a deeper look, check out our Surface Pro 7 Plus vs. Surface Pro 7 comparison.

Surface Pro 7 Touch Screen

Microsoft has finally added a loaded-out USB Type-C port to the Surface Pro 7, as well as 10th Gen Intel hardware.