Windowslaptops come in various sizes and specs to handle everything from productivity apps and browsing to the most demandinggamesand graphics programs, making them ideal for most buyers.
Some, but not all, of the top WindowslaptopsincludeIntel’s latest 14th-gen Meteor Lake CPUs, promising higher performance than ever and dedicated processing power to handle the latestAI graphicsand language tools.
MSI Stealth 18
Razer Blade 14 (2023)
Lenovo LOQ 15i (2023)
Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023)
MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo
Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i (2023, Core Ultra)
Asus Zenbook 15 OLED
Samsung Galaxy Book 3
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We test all kinds of devices at Pocket-lint, andlaptopsare no exception. Our overall experience and expertise in the field has helped us pick thelaptopslisted here for work and play that are best for every usage scenario and budget, hopefully ensuring there’s a pick for everyone.
Best Windows laptops: Our top picks
The best of a new generation
The MSI Stealth 18 is a powerhouse laptop with the latest hardware to run the most intense tasks, and it can also double as a workstation thanks to its huge 18-inch display.
MSI’snew Stealth 18 raises the performance bar with Intel’s latest Ultra 9-185H CPU, designed for AI processing, paired with 32GB of RAM to deliver extraordinary power for most tasks. TheNvidia TX 4080graphics chip perfectly complements the other hardware and powers the massive 18-inch, 240Hz display to run the most demanding games and graphics apps. Storage could be better at just1TB, but there are two M.2 SSD slots if you’d like to upgrade.
For buyers looking for uncompromising performance and a massive display without worrying about cost.
There’s no getting around the Stealth 18’s massive 15.75 x 11.4 x 0.78-inch or 15.75 x 11.4 x 0.94-inch body, and 6.37lb weight, but it’s perfect for buyers looking for a mobile desktop replacement. At least the immense size has some benefits, with space for a pair of 2W speakers and four 2W woofers. It’s also up-to-date with the latest technology and includesWi-Fi 7, HDMI 2.1, andThunderbolt4-compatibleUSB ports to connect monitors and mice.
This laptop is for buyers looking for uncompromising performance and a massive display without worrying about cost. It can handle the most demanding tasks you throw at it and doubles as an entertainment laptop for games and movies, but you’ll need to keep the charger handy because it won’t last long on the battery.
Portable performance
The Razer Blade 14 fits high-end performance into a compact package that’s perfect for gaming or other tasks.
Many laptops are powerful enough to handle everything you throw at them, but few can achieve it while remaining portable and lightweight, in the way the Razer Blade 14 does. It can easily fit on your lap, measuring 12.6 x 8.7 inches and just 0.7 inches thick, and its 3.92-lb weight won’t be too much of a burden to lug around all day. Its solid matte black aluminum chassis is as solid and classy as they come and houses anHDMI2.1, twoUSB Aports, four Thunderbolt4-compatible USB-C ports, and the 3.5-mm audio port.
Razer Blade 14 (2023): A superb, truly portable gaming laptop
This lightweight gaming laptop focuses on portability over raw power, but the results are very nice indeed.
Performance is excellent, too, with a powerful AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and 16GBRAM. Its RTX 4060 graphics chip offers the perfect balance of performance and efficiency with stunning picture quality for games and movies, especially when paired with the 14-inch QHD+ display. The display has a speedy 240Hz refresh rate for competitive play and a 16:10 aspect ratio for more screen space.
The Razer 14’s compact body doesn’t have space for anEthernet portorSD card, and its storage space could be bigger. However, it performs exceptionally in all other areas, delivering great performance and efficiency in a lightweight and sturdy design, and most buyers won’t notice its minor drawbacks.
Solid features for less
The Lenovo LOQ 15i is a gaming laptop that can work for home or office use and offers incredible value considering its capabilities.
Buyers looking to stretch their cash can try out Lenovo’s LOQ 15i, which is marketed as a gaming laptop and can handle most office tasks. The LOQ distinguishes all-plastic construction with a stylish design with blue accents around the aggressive cooling vents, and a generous port selection. Speaking of ports, there are two USB-A ports, an Ethernet connection, and an HDMI port on the back, another USB-A on the right, and the audio socket andUSB-Con the left.
Lenovo LOQ 15: A great value gaming laptop
The Lenovo LOQ 15 makes clever sacrifices to keep this an affordable gaming laptop, without making it feel cheap.
There’s no shortage of performance, and the LOQ 15i is up for most tasks with the Intel i7-13700H CPU and 16GB of RAM. Its 1TB storage could be better, but it makes up for it with the capable RTX 4060GPUand a vivid 15.5-inch 1440p display.Batterylife isn’t usually a strong point of gaming laptops, and the LOQ 15i continues the tradition with just under five hours on default settings, which jumps to almost seven with the integrated GPU and lower refresh rate.
The Lenovo LOQ 15i’s eye-catching design elevates it above its rivals despite having plastic construction. Its versatile 15.6-inchdisplayand impressive performance make it perfect for work or play, and its port selection isn’t bad either. There’s no doubt about its value, considering its features, and it’s the best option if you want premium performance without the price to go with it.
Gaming giant
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 brings your games to life with an immersive 17.3-inch QHD display and Nvidia’s high-end RTX 4090 graphics card.
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 is a top-of-the-range gaming powerhouse capable of pushing the highest frame rates in any game. It uses the fastest components, like AMD’s Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU, with 32GB of RAM to deliver outstanding performance, but the 1TB of storage could be bigger for the price. There’s no bettergraphics cardfor gaming than theNvidia RTX 4090, and it’s more than capable of running games at high settings on the massive 17.3-inch QHD 240Hz display.
Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023): Uncompromising gaming performance
Housing some of the most powerful components on the market today, the Strix Scar 17 is a gaming laptop that means business.
The bulky aluminum housing isn’t the most portable, at 15.55 x 11.10 x 0.92 inches and 6.61 lbs, but it has a reassuring premium feel and won’t break anytime soon. Connectivity options are standard with two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, an Ethernet connection, anHDMIport, and 3.5mm audio, which should get the job done for most buyers. It’s aROGproduct, so you get the obligatory RGB around the frame and vivid per-key lighting on the keyboard.
However, bulk and weight aren’t usually a deal-breaker for buyers looking for big-screen gaming monsters, as they’re more interested in performance, which the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 has in spades. Yes, it falls into the mediocre 720pwebcamtrap like many of its rivals, but most gamers won’t be deterred because they’ll be too immersed in the breathtaking visuals to care.
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo packs serious power into a portable package and includes the latest connectivity and connection options for people wanting a mobile-friendly laptop.
Frequent travelers and people on the go need a compact laptop with great battery life, like the MSI Prestige 13 AI to take to meetings or on long flights. The 13.3-inch 16:10 UHD+OLED displayoffers vivid colors and rich blacks to show off projects, but the Intel Arc graphics chip isn’t the best for gaming. Processing power is courtesy of the latest Intel Ultra 7-155H CPU, which brings a balance of power and efficiency to the table and is paired with a decent 16GB ofRAM.
Storage isn’t bad for the price, at 1TB, and you can always use theSD cardreader to add more if you like. Everything fits together in a compact 11.7 x 8.26 x 0.66 inch body weighing just 2.18 lbs that can fit most bags. Buyers can choose between Pure White and Stellar Gray color options, including two Thunderbolt4-compatible USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and an HDMI 2.1 to connect external displays.
The MSI Prestige 13 AI Evo might be too small for users wanting a graphics or multimedialaptop, but it’s perfect for spreadsheets, browsing and other uses that don’t require intense graphics. It’s the perfect traveling companion because of its excellent power and efficiency and in a compact and lightweight package.
Gets it done
Lenovo’s 16-inch IdeaPad Pro 5i is a fantastic all-rounder laptop for creators and other professionals with a fantastic display and capable graphics for a reasonable price.
IdeaPad Pro 5i is a fantastic option for mobile creators because of its display and graphics card, and its versatile size will do for anyone needing an all-around performer for daily tasks. TheNvidiastudio-validated 16-inch WQXGA display has a fast 120Hz display and offers brilliant visuals and light gaming capability with an Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU. It’s powered by the new Intel Core Ultra 5 125, offering decent mid-range power without costing a fortune, and paired with 16GB RAM.
Great performance doesn’t need to be pricey, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i offers enough power and graphics ability to handle most tasks for a realistic price.
The standard 512GB SSD will be adequate for light users who use cloud-based apps and storage, and most buyers should probably upgrade to 1TB if they need extra space for storing media files or large game installations. Carrying the IdeaPad Pro 5i is easy because it weighs just 4.3 lbs, and you can easily connectmonitors, mice, and other devices to its Thunderbolt4-compatible USB-C port, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI 2.1 connection.
Great performance doesn’t need to be pricey, and the Lenovo IdeaPad Pro 5i offers enough power and graphics ability to handle most tasks for a realistic price. Its 16-inch display is ideal for work or play, although the standard 512GB storage could be better and is somewhat mitigated by theSD cardreader.
Daily driver model
The Asus Zenbook 15 OLED is the best option for business because it comes reasonably priced and includes a versatile feature set to handle most tasks.
Most buyers don’t need high-end graphics cards or out-of-this-world power that they’ll never use and want a versatile laptop capable of handling everyday tasks like productivity apps, video playback, and light graphics work. The Asus Zenbook 15 OLED delivers enough performance for most buyers with AMD’s Ryzen 7 7735U and 32GB while significantly undercutting the price of the premium models listed here.
Asus Zenbook 15 OLED (2023): Light, bright and lots to like
A lightweight 15.6-inch laptop with dazzling OLED screen – but only modest battery life.
Its 1TB SSD is also acceptable and matches many laptops at twice its price. This laptop is ideal for most tasks, with a versatile 15.5-inch size and offers fantastic visuals from its 3K (2880 x 1800in) OLED display. It’s also fairly easy to transport, measuring 13.96 x 8.92 x 0.58 inches and weighing 3.08lbs, despite its sturdy feel and full-size keyboard. Connectivity options are about standard, with an HDMI, a USB-A port, two USB-C ports, and 3.5mm audio in and out.
While it won’t win any performance awards, the Asus Zenbook 15 OLED hits the sweet spot for most buyers with capable performance in a slimline package for a great price. It’s ideal for business people on the go or everyday buyers wanting incredible picture quality but won’t handle 3D gaming with its integrated GPU.
Budget brilliance
The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 delivers mid-range performance at a budget-friendly price, making it ideal for students and everyday users.
Samsung’s Galaxy Book 3 is a budget-friendly option for students and savvy buyers looking for a capable laptop to handle everyday tasks. The Intel i7-1355U CPU and 16GB of RAM are a winning combination, providing effective computing power for browsing, streaming, and even light gaming for an unbeatable price. Its 512GB SSD and integrated graphics will be adequate for most buyers and aligns with its pricing.
Samsung Galaxy Book 3: Cheaper at a cost
The Galaxy Book 3 looks to deliver some of the premium Galaxy Book 3 Pro experience at a significantly lower price, but does it succeed?
It’s always good to see aluminum housing on a laptop, especially at this price point, and the Galaxy Book 3 still manages to stay trim at 14 x 9.9 x 0.5 inches and 3.6lbs. Its 15.6-inch 1080p display has enough space for most tasks, although the 16:9 aspect ratio seems a bit dated. It also has a full-sizekeyboardand decent built-inspeakers. you may connect most devices with two USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and an HDMI connection, or upgrade the storage with an SD card reader.
The Galaxy Book 3 is far from perfect, with no keyboard backlighting, a mediocrewebcam, and the display isn’t the brightest. But these drawbacks won’t matter if you’re looking for a laptop that works and can gobble up any tasks without costing much.
The bottom line: What is the best Windows laptop?
The new MSI Stealth 18 is the best Windows laptop because it has enough power to handle the most demanding apps and games and can replace most desktops with its massive 18-inch display.
The Razer Blade is the best premium Windows laptop because it’s tough yet portable enough to go anywhere while having enough power for games and everything else. Lenovo’s LOQ offers the best value due to its upmarket styling and versatility for most tasks at an approachable price.
How did we choose the best Windows laptops?
Our team has full-time laptop testers who spend days working and playing on various models from major brands to see how they stack up. All the laptops on this list are the top options in their respective categories and were primarily judged by their performance, construction, and value.
Which Windows laptop is best for all purposes?
Windows laptops like the Razer Blade 14 and MSI Stealth 18 have enough power to run any tasks and are great for all purposes, including gaming, productivity tasks, and more.
How much RAM is best for a Windows laptop?
These days, 16GB is the minimum recommended amount of RAM for multitasking, but many premium options offer 32GB and above for intense graphics editing apps or gaming.
