The best Windows laptops we've tested: Our No. 1 pick beats M4 MacBook Pros
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 Nov. 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 still 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 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.
Where to find Black Friday deals on Windows laptops
Black Friday is the best time to buy a new laptop if you don't want to pay full price. Tons of machines will drop to new or year-round lows ahead of the holidays (and the Consumer Electronics Show in January, when manufacturers introduce their next-gen hardware).
Black Friday is unusually late in 2024 (Nov. 29), so brands like HP, Lenovo, and Dell are killing time with extended sales that wannabe upgraders should follow closely throughout the month. Sometimes, shopping smart means not waiting until Black Friday proper to peruse your options — and taking advantage of holiday price-match policies if need be.
Among major retailers, expect Best Buy to offer deals on the widest variety of Windows laptops this season. (If we're lucky, that includes its huge lineup of Copilot+ PCs.) Amazon tends to stick to deals on mid-range laptops from brands like LG and Samsung and gaming PCs by Asus, Acer, and MSI, while Walmart is the go-to for bargains on previous-gen gaming laptops.
That's a lot to keep track of, so be sure to bookmark our guide to the best Black Friday laptop deals if you don't have the bandwidth to pore over every markdown yourself. In the meantime, read on to learn more about the best Windows models that should make your shopping shortlist.
FYI: We've listed the pricing and specs of our testing units, which may not apply to each laptop's base model.