- Moving to a Windows 10 PC
- Step 1: Learn the benefits of a modern Windows 10 PC
- Step 2: Purchase your new PC
- Step 3: Sign in with Microsoft to streamline your experience
- Step 4: Bring your files and favorites with you
- How to Find Windows 10 Computer Specifications & Systems Requirements
- Table of Contents
- System requirements for installing Windows 10
- Keeping Windows 10 up-to-date
- More information on hard drive space requirements to install or update Windows 10
- Feature-specific requirements for Windows 10
- Best Windows Laptop 2021: Top Windows 10 Laptops Available
- Best Windows Laptop in 2021
- What is the best Windows laptop for most people?
- Best Windows Laptops 2021
- 1. HP Spectre x360 14
- Best Windows Laptop For Most People
- HP Spectre x360 14 Touch-Screen Laptop
- 2. Razer Book 13
- Runner-Up
- Razer Book 13 Laptop
- 3. Dell XPS 13 (9310)
- Runner-Up
- Dell XPS 13 (9310) Touch Laptop
- 4. Surface Laptop 3 13
- Runner-Up
- Surface Laptop 3 13
- 5. Surface Pro 7
- Best 2-in-1
- Surface Pro 7 Touch Screen
Moving to a Windows 10 PC
Making the move to a new Windows 10 PC? We’re happy you’re here and we’ve got you covered.
This guide will help you discover the best Microsoft has to offer and help you transfer your favorite files and apps to your new device so you can get up and running quickly, and get back to doing what you love.
If you’re on a Windows 7 device, note that support has ended and we recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to stay secure. Learn more about the Windows 7 end of support and how to get Windows 10.
Step 1: Learn the benefits of a modern Windows 10 PC
Shopping for a new PC? Watch videos about common device-related terms you might come across in your research, including storage types, graphics processing units, and more.
Regular updates are built in to Windows 10, meaning you’ll always have the latest features. Explore what‘s new in the latest Windows 10 updates.
Get customized info about your current Windows 7 PC health and performance with the Guide to Windows 10 app (for Windows 7 devices).
Step 2: Purchase your new PC
For quicker startup times, longer battery life, and more responsive apps, a new PC has you covered. Find a new PC that fits your needs.
Step 3: Sign in with Microsoft to streamline your experience
Never forget a password again. Get personal access to all things Microsoft with a single, secure sign-on, plus get free OneDrive storage to help you move your files to your new PC. Good news—if you have an Xbox or Office account, you may already have a Microsoft account. You can also sign in with any email to get started.
Step 4: Bring your files and favorites with you
There’s no need to leave your files or browser favorites behind. Bring them with you to your new PC using one of the following options. We recommend using OneDrive so your files are backed up and protected in the cloud.
Select your current version of Windows to find instructions on how to move your files.
How to Find Windows 10 Computer Specifications & Systems Requirements
Here’s an overview of how to find computer specification requirements, versions, and languages available for Windows 10.
Table of Contents
System requirements for installing Windows 10
These are the basic requirements for installing Windows 10 on a PC. If your device does not meet these requirements, you may not have the great experience intended with Windows 10 and might want to consider purchasing a new PC.
Hard drive size:
32GB or larger hard disk
Note: See below under “More information on hard drive space to install or update Windows 10” for more details.
Compatible with DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
Internet connectivity is necessary to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. Windows 10 Pro in S mode, Windows 10 Pro Education in S mode, Windows 10 Education in S mode, and Windows 10 Enterprise in S mode require an internet connection during the initial device setup (Out of Box Experience or OOBE), as well as either a Microsoft account (MSA) or Azure Activity Directory (AAD) account. Switching a device out of Windows 10 in S mode also requires internet connectivity. Learn more about S mode here.
There may be additional requirements over time for updates, as well as requirements to turn on specific features within the OS.
Keeping Windows 10 up-to-date
Windows 10 is designed to deliver updates for the supported lifetime of the device. Two types of updates may be provided: quality updates and feature updates. Quality updates include both security and non-security updates and are typically targeted to be released once a month. Feature updates also include security and non-security fixes as well as new features to Windows 10 and are typically provided twice a year. Ensuring that your device receives these updates and is kept up-to-date is important for your device security. Windows 10 periodically checks for updates so you don’t have to. When an update is available—and sufficient free disk space is available on your device—it will be automatically installed. So that Windows 10 continues to stay updated, it’s important to ensure your device has sufficient free space. See additional applicable details in the following notes.
Important notes about updates:
- A device might not be able to receive updates if the device hardware is incompatible, if it lacks current drivers or sufficient available hard drive space, or if it’s otherwise outside of the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (“OEM”) support period. Visit the Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet or the Lifecycle FAQ for Windows products to learn more about the servicing timeline for each feature update.
- Some of the disk space needed for installing updates is only temporarily required. Typically, ten days after installing an update, a disk cleanup will be automatically performed to delete copies of the older, unneeded Windows files and free up space again.
- Not all features in an update will work on all devices.
- An internet connection is required to perform updates and Internet access (ISP) fees might apply.
- If you need assistance installing an update, Windows 10 Update Assistant may be able to help.
More information on hard drive space requirements to install or update Windows 10
The size of the Windows operating system that comes with your device and the amount of space needed to download and install Windows updates, are highly variable as they depend on a variety of factors. Visit here to learn why. The factors that impact the amount of free hard drive space needed to take an update include: the versions of Windows previously installed on the machine, the amount of disk space available to reuse from Windows files, such as the virtual memory pagefile or hibernation file, which applications are installed on your device and how those applications store data. Starting with the May 2019 Update, the system requirements for hard drive size for clean installs of Windows 10 as well as new PCs changed to a minimum of 32GB. The 32GB or larger drive requirement is set to leave space for users to install apps and to keep data on the device. Installing Windows or updating from a previous version of Windows on devices with less than 32GB storage will continue to work if the device has enough free space available. When updating, Windows will attempt to automatically free up enough hard drive space and guide you through freeing up even more if the automatic cleanup is not sufficient. You can also take steps to free up space on your own. For more information, see Free up space to install the latest Windows 10 update or visit the related FAQ.
Feature-specific requirements for Windows 10
In addition to the requirements above that are needed to run Windows, some features have additional requirements. In some cases, features included with updated versions of Windows 10 will be best experienced with newer processors. For specific hardware support please refer to your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Below are some additional details regarding requirements for key features:
- BitLocker Drive Encryption (available with Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Enterprise only) requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 or higher and Trusted Computing Group (TCG)-compliant BIOS or UEFI. BitLocker can be used on devices without TPM, but you will need to save a startup key on a removable device such as a USB flash drive. TPM 2.0 and InstantGo support is required when you want to automatically encrypt the local drive when joining a device to Azure Active Directory (AAD). Check with your PC manufacturer to confirm if your device supports the correct TPM version and InstantGo for the scenario you want to enable.
- BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive (available in Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise only).
- Client Hyper-V requires a 64-bit system with second level address translation (SLAT) capabilities and additional 2 GB of RAM (available in Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise only).
- Cortana is only currently available on Windows 10 for the United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Spain, Australia and India.
- Microsoft account is required for some features.
- Miracast requires a display adapter which supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.3, and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct.
- Movies & TV application is not available in all regions. For the most up-to-date list of regions, please go to the Movies & TV information page.
- Secure boot requires firmware that supports UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B and has the Microsoft Windows Certification Authority in the UEFI signature database.
- Skype is available only in select countries and regions. Calling to select countries and regions only. Excludes special, premium and non-geographic numbers. For details, visit the Office FAQ page.
- Snap: The number of applications that can be snapped will depend upon the minimum resolution for the application with a limit of two applications in Tablet mode and four applications in Desktop mode.
- Speech recognition will vary by device microphone. For a better speech experience, you will need a:
- High fidelity microphone array
- Hardware driver with microphone array geometry exposed
- Tablet mode is available on tablets and 2-in-1s with GPIO indicators or those that have a laptop and slate indicator will be able to be configured to enter «tablet mode» automatically.
- Touch: To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multi-touch.
- Two-factor authentication requires the use of a PIN, Biometric (finger print reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.
- Windows Hello requires a camera configured for near infrared (IR) imaging or fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN or a portable Microsoft compatible security key.
- Xbox application requires an Xbox Live account, which is not available in all regions. For the most up-to-date list of regions, please go to Xbox Live Countries and Regions website.
- Wi-Fi Direct Printing requires a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct and a device that supports Wi-Fi Direct Printing.
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
- HP Spectre x360 14 — Best Overall: Premium convertible design, 3:2 display, modern hardware
- Razer Book 13 — Runner-Up: Top-tier performance, design, display, and features
- Dell XPS 13 (9310) — Runner-Up: Non-convertible Ultrabook perfect in almost every way
- Surface Laptop 3 13 — Runner-Up: Premium quality Ultrabook with knockout touch display
- Surface Pro 7 — Best 2-in-1: Detachable keyboard, deployable stand, beautiful design, and display
- 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.