The best Windows laptops we've tested: Our No. 1 pick beats M4 MacBook Pros

Read Mashable's full review of the HP OmniBook X 14.

Who it's for:

The HP OmniBook X 14 is for users searching for a reasonably priced PC that balances serious performance and fun features. It's just not the most exciting laptop to look at.

Why we picked this:

Another Qualcomm-powered Mashable Choice Award winner, the OmniBook X 14 is a more affordable way to hop on the Copilot+ PC train. While it wasn't quite as zippy as the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, our Snapdragon X Elite-powered test unit also crushed the M3 MacBooks in CPU testing, and it lasted a commendable 17-ish hours on a charge. It packs the same entertaining AI features as the Surface Laptop 7, too: "I had a blast playing around with the new-and-improved [Microsoft] Paint," said Gedeon. Other highlights include a satisfyingly clicky backlit keyboard, a good mix of legacy and modern ports, and a vivid (though dim) 14-inch touchscreen display.

Alas, all of this is wrapped up in an aggressively plain package: "[The] OmniBook X [14] is a bit of a snoozefest in the looks department," Gedeon wrote. "HP wants this to be the laptop that you bring into the office – and it blends right in with the sterile, clinical vibes." Its speakers aren't great, either (though they're plenty loud). That said, the OmniBook X 14's great performance and price point make these pretty easy to brush off — so easy, in fact, that it was set to be our top Windows laptop of 2024 before the Surface Laptop 7 came along.

Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3.

Who it's for:

While incredibly well-made, Microsoft's current entry-level laptop won't meet the needs of power users. But it can be worthwhile "if you’re a student who needs a snappy keyboard that can keep up with you while typing notes," said Gedeon, especially if you typically work remotely.

Why we picked this:

The Surface Laptop Go 3 is a compact Windows laptop with the essence of a MacBook Air — minus the peppy M-something chip. It's a lightweight looker above all, with a polished, durable aluminum-slash-plastic design featuring a responsive 12.4-inch touchscreen and an absolutely fantastic keyboard. "For a notebook that starts at $800, the Surface Laptop Go 3 feels like a $1,200 laptop," Gedeon wrote.

Its internals left a different impression, and it wasn't a great one. The Surface Laptop Go 3 has an outdated 12th-generation Intel Core processor and lasted less than eight hours on a single charge in our battery life test. It also comes with a 720p webcam, which is simply unacceptable in the year of our Zooming lord 2024. We wouldn't call it a stellar value at full price, suffice it to say, but fortunately it's easy to find on sale for at least $100 off at Amazon and Best Buy (even outside of Black Friday season).

Read Mashable's full review of the Lenovo Yoga 9i (Gen 9).

Who it's for:

A stunning hybrid laptop with stellar speakers, Lenovo's latest Yoga 9i is geared toward users who need a sleek, flexible machine for intense productivity. Bonus points if you have a dedicated work spot, as it needs to stay plugged in.

Why we picked this:

This Mashable Choice Award winner isn't a cheap laptop, but realistically, it's a sneak for the money. The Yoga 9i configuration we tested is "equipped with a gorgeous 2.8K OLED display, Intel’s new Core Ultra 7 155H processor, and a rotating soundbar that gives your favorite tunes a full-bodied, atmospheric sound you won’t find on most other laptops — all for just $1,449!" wrote reviewer Sarah Chaney. "In my book, that’s an excellent deal, especially if you’re searching for a laptop with flexible 2-in-1 functionality." (It can flip between laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes.) It also includes a Lenovo Slim Pen and a protective case, upping the value factor even further.

Zeroing in on that CPU, the Yoga 9i performed admirably in our testing, scoring just a tad faster than the M3 MacBooks in a Geekbench 6 benchmark. The trade-off there is that the battery doesn't last very long and runs quite hot. (Good thing it has those fantastic speakers — you'll want to drown out the sound of its hardworking fans.) Still, "[for] me," Chaney said, "its premium positives easily outweigh its few negative traits."

Read Mashable's full review of the Alienware m16 R2.

Who it's for:

With nice performance and good build quality for the dollar — plus the ability to "un-game" itself for everyday use — the Alienware m16 R2 is the Windows laptop we recommend for most gamers. You will need to wear headphones and stay put while you play, though.

Why we picked this:

This 16-incher isn't the beefiest gaming laptop we've ever tested. As recently as August 2024, we were recommending the mighty Lenovo Legion 9i (Gen 9) as the best Windows gaming laptop. But with a price tag of nearly $4,000, it also felt like overkill for the average person. After testing Alienware's m16 R2, we think it's a smarter buy, as it gets the job done for $1,899.99.

Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, our loaner "[delivered] impressive benchmark figures on our tests, particularly for a mid-level gaming laptop," said Gedeon. She also appreciated the silkiness and vibrancy of its 240Hz display when she used it to play CyberPunk 2077, even though she thought it could use a little boost in the brightness department.

The m16 R2 also recognizes that most gamers aren't gamers 24/7. There's a "Stealth Mode" hotkey that turns off its lighting effects and activates Quiet performance mode, reducing the whir of its fans. It brings support for Nvidia Advanced Optimus, too — a feature that lets it automatically swap between its integrated and discrete GPUs for browsing and gaming, respectively. (You can also do this manually using its built-in MUX switch.) It could definitely double as your go-to, everyday computer when you punch out of Valorant for the day.

Heaviness, poor battery life, and shoddy speakers aside, we think it's totally worthy of a Mashable Choice Award.

Read Mashable's full review of the Acer Swift X 14.

Who it's for:

The latest Acer Swift X 14 is a lesson in not judging a laptop by its boring gray chassis. Photo and video editors with intense workload needs will appreciate its beautiful OLED display and unassuming brawn; it's a Windows workhorse that can go toe-to-toe with Apple's powerful M3 machines.

Why we picked this:

That "Swift" in its name is not false advertising. Its Intel Core Ultra 7 155H configuration is the second-fastest Intel laptop we've tested to date — it's even faster than other modern PCs with that same chip, including three on this list. The GeForce RTX 4070 GPU in our loaner also managed to outperform the M3 chips in Apple's recent MacBook Airs in a graphics benchmark. All this power means the Swift X 14's fans can get quite noisy, but fortunately, its battery life doesn't take a hit. It lasted for about 8.5 hours in our trial, which "isn't half bad for a laptop with discrete graphics," Gedeon wrote in her review.

Media editors and other creative types will also make good use of the Swift X 14's ample port selection (there's a microSD card slot) and 14.5-inch 120Hz OLED display, which Gedeon deemed "a visual treat." The same can't be said of its overall design; this is an objectively boring-looking aluminum laptop, so seek artistic inspiration elsewhere. But that was hardly enough to stop us from giving it a Mashable Choice Award.

Read Mashable's full review of the Asus Zenbook Duo (2024).

Who it's for:

Prolific multitaskers who want a nontraditional (but ungimmicky) Windows laptop will delight in Asus' dual-screened Zenbook Duo. It's a convenient all-in-one package with a futuristic look but a down-to-earth price.

Why we picked this:

Decked out with a pair of 120Hz OLED displays that make it easy to bounce between different apps, the Zenbook Duo dazzles. "[Single-screen] laptops are now cancelled," Gedeon gushed, adding that she would "gladly give up my M2 MacBook Air for Asus’ dual-screen beauty." Moving under its hood, the Zenbook Duo is powered by a new Intel Core Ultra CPU, and we got nine-ish hours of battery life out of the starting 7 155H configuration. Considering it's powering two screens at once, that's commendable. It also has a surprisingly good array of ports for a hybrid device that can switch between laptop, dual-screen, desktop, and sharing/laid-flat modes.

But what's extra great about the Zenbook Duo is that it includes compatible accessories like a built-in kickstand, a stylus, and a clicky detachable keyboard (complete with a full touchpad), so you don't have to spend any more cash on top of its extremely reasonable $1,500 entry fee. Too bad about its quiet speakers and dull webcam, but those are just minor nit-picks that don't distract from its productivity potential and general cool-as-hellness. It should come as no surprise that the Zenbook Duo is a Mashable Choice Award-winner.