Windows laptops come in all shapes and sizes, from affordable netbooks to powerful gaming rigs. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which Windows laptop is right for your needs and budget.

This article covers the top Windows laptops you can buy in 2023 based on factors like performance, display quality, design, battery life and value.

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best all-around Windows ultrabooks you can buy. It packs strong performance and long battery life into a compact, lightweight chassis with virtually no bezels around the display.

The latest Dell XPS 13 models are equipped with 12th-generation Intel Core processors, which provide a nice boost to both processing power and graphics capabilities. Configurable options range from Core i5 up to Core i7, with integrated Intel Iris X graphics. Most configurations include 8GB or 16GB of RAM and 256GB to 1TB of solid-state drive storage.

One of the standout features of the XPS 13 is its beautiful near-borderless 13.4 inch display, available with resolutions from 1080p up to 4K. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical space compared to widescreen displays. The screen is touch-enabled on UHD+ models.

Despite its small size (11.6 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches), the XPS 13 doesn’t skimp on ports. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a microSD card reader and a headphone jack. One minor downside is the 720p webcam, but Dell includes software tools to improve image quality.

With its lightweight 2.6-pound chassis and compact footprint, the XPS 13 is perfectly suited for productivity on the go. Expect around 12 hours of real-world battery life from a charge depending on usage. The laptop also stays relatively cool and quiet under load.

The XPS 13 starts at $999, but prices can approach $2,000 for high-end configurations. Overall, it provides exceptional performance and usability in a premium portable package.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 4 is a sleek and powerful ultrabook with great build quality. One of its standout features is the 13.5-inch PixelSense touch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio that gives you more vertical working space.

Surface Laptop 4 models are available with 11th-generation Intel Core processors or AMD Ryzen Mobile chips. Intel options range from Core i5 up to Core i7, while the AMD config comes with a Ryzen 5 4680U. Most configs include 8GB or 16GB of RAM and 256GB to 1TB SSD options. Discrete graphics are not offered.

The aluminum laptop body feels sturdy and premium but still weighs just 2.79 pounds. Dimensions come in at 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches. Despite the thin profile, the Surface Laptop 4 doesn’t skimp on ports or battery life. You get 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C, a headphone jack and Surface Connect port. Expect around 17 hours of video playback on a charge.

At the starting $999 price, you get a Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Stepping up to 16GB of RAM pushes the cost to $1,299. Overall, the Surface Laptop 4 provides excellent build quality, a great display and long battery life in a portable design.

Asus Zenbook 13 OLED

The Asus Zenbook 13 OLED stands out for its gorgeous 13.3-inch OLED touch display. With 2880 x 1800 resolution, 400 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage and 0.2 ms response time, it’s one of the best laptop displays on the market.

Powering the slim Zenbook 13 is an 11th-gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 1TB PCIe SSD. This hardware provides great performance for office work, content creation and light gaming. Integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics render up to 4K video output.

Despite weighing just 2.45 pounds, the Zenbook 13 feels very sturdy and features MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability. The chassis measures 11.9 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches. You also get a good selection of I/O including Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2, HDMI and a microSD slot.

With the OLED touchscreen enabled, battery life is rated for around 9 hours of use. The fast-charging feature can boost the battery up to 60% capacity in just 49 minutes.

At a starting price of $1,099, the Zenbook 13 OLED provides an exceptional high-res OLED display in a slim, durable chassis. It’s a great premium ultrabook for work and creative uses.

Acer ConceptD 3

Creative professionals on a budget should check out the Acer ConceptD 3. It provides strong performance for media creation at a more affordable price point.

This stylish white laptop is equipped with up to an Intel Core i7-10750H processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics, 16GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB SSD. This hardware can handle demanding creative software like video editors, 3D modeling tools and games.

The 15.6-inch IPS display features good color accuracy with 100% sRGB coverage. Resolution maxes out at 1080p, so it’s not the sharpest for detailed visual work, but provides smooth game performance. The matte finish avoids distracting reflections.

Despite its processing power, the ConceptD 3 remains relatively cool and quiet thanks to Acer’s dual fan and dual heat pipe cooling system. The white aluminum chassis gives it a distinctive premium look and provides decent portability at 4.4 pounds.

With a starting price around $900, the ConceptD 3 delivers strong creative performance at a reasonable cost. The blend of CPU power, discrete GPU and color-accurate display make it one of the best Windows laptops for media work.

LG Gram 17

If you want a big-screen laptop that’s still remarkably lightweight, the LG Gram 17 is a top choice. As the name suggests, it sports a 17-inch IPS display in a chassis that weighs just 2.98 pounds.

Available configurations include 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processors, Intel Iris X graphics, 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of NVMe SSD storage. Performance can handle office workloads, light creative work, coding, web browsing and similar tasks.

The 2560 x 1600 resolution screen provides vivid image quality with 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. Narrow bezels surround the display for an immersive viewing experience. The 81Wh battery enables over 19 hours of use on a charge based on MobileMark benchmarks.

Despite the big screen, the LG Gram 17 maintains a slim 0.7-inch thickness. The magnesium alloy body and passed MIL-STD-810G testing give it military-grade durability. Ports include two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB 3.2 ports, HDMI and a microSD reader.

With its combination of large display and lightweight design, the LG Gram 17 is a uniquely portable workhorse. It starts at $1,700 making it a significant investment, but worthwhile for certain business and creative pros needing maximum screen real estate for travel.

Asus ExpertBook B5 Flip

If you’re looking for a business laptop with a convertible design, the Asus ExpertBook B5 Flip is a compelling option. The compact 13.3-inch notebook can quickly convert into a tablet with its 360-degree hinge.

This enterprise-focused laptop comes equipped with 11th-gen Intel Core processors up to Core i7, along with 16GB of RAM and 256GB to 1TB of solid-state storage. The touch display features a 1080p resolution and 400 nits maximum brightness.

Durability is a highlight of the ExpertBook B5 Flip, with military-grade construction that meets MIL-STD 810H testing standards. It’s also certified resistant to drops, shocks and extreme temperatures. The lightweight 2.87-pound magnesium-aluminum alloy body still feels very sturdy.

Battery life is rated for an excellent 23 hours between charges. The 66Wh battery can recharge to 60% capacity in just 39 minutes when powered off. Security and manageability capabilities are also strong for business use.

With its durable convertible design, long battery life and business-smart features, the Asus ExpertBook B5 Flip is one of the top Windows 2-in-1 laptops for professionals. Starting around $1,500, it provides great value compared to devices like the Surface Pro.

HP Envy x360 15

The HP Envy x360 15 provides a versatile 2-in-1 design on a budget. This 15.6-inch convertible laptop gives you flexibility to use it as a tablet or traditional notebook.

Configuration options include AMD Ryzen 5000 series processors or 11th-gen Intel Core chips up to Core i7. RAM tops out at 16GB and storage goes up to 1TB SSD. Options with discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics are also available for creative work and gaming.

Weighing 4.11 pounds, the aluminum-clad Envy x360 15 is quite portable for a 15-inch 2-in-1. The touch display has slim bezels and 400 nits of brightness. Battery life is solid, with over 9 hours of mixed-use productivity.

For I/O, you get two USB-A 3.1, one USB-C, HDMI, headphone jack and a microSD slot. There’s even a physical camera shutter switch for privacy. The backlit keyboard is comfortable, while the large touchpad supports multi-gesture input.

If you’re looking for a budget convertible laptop with lots of functionality, the HP Envy x360 15 is a great choice. The Core i5 configuration starts at just $800, providing excellent value. Overall performance, display quality and design punch above its price range.

Acer Swift 3

The Acer Swift 3 hits a sweet spot between price and performance. Configurations with Intel 11th-generation Core i5 and i7 processors, 8GB or 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD start around $650.

While not the flashiest device, the Swift 3 provides very solid performance for day-to-day productivity, web browsing and office work. The 14-inch 1080p touch display looks sharp and gets up to 300 nits brightness. The aluminum chassis feels sturdy at just 3.2 pounds.

Battery life is also a highlight, with over 11.5 hours of mixed-use runtime on a charge. The Swift 3 remains cool and quiet during most tasks. You can charge rapidly up to 50% capacity in 30 minutes when powered off.

Connectivity is good for the price with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, one USB-C port, two USB 3.2 ports, HDMI and a headphone jack. The backlit keyboard allows comfortable typing, while the fingerprint reader enables convenient logins.

If you just need a solid daily driver laptop for work and don’t need premium features, the Swift 3 is a cost-effective option. Performance outpunches laptops hundreds more for light productivity.

Razer Blade 15 Advanced

For a premium portable gaming experience, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced is hard to top. It packs up to an Intel Core i7-12800H processor and Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti graphics into an all-black aluminum chassis just 0.67 inches thick.

With its powerful components, the Blade 15 delivers awesome frame rates in today’s top games on its 15.6-inch display. The base 1080p 360Hz panel has vibrant colors, while the 4K OLED option offers incredible HDR image quality.

Despite its gaming prowess, the Blade 15 Advanced maintains restraint when it comes to overly “gamer” aesthetics. The clean black aluminum body fits into any setting. Per-key RGB lighting and extensive customization options in Razer’s Synapse software allow you to add some flair.

For connectivity, you get Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet and a UHS-III SD card reader. Battery life is also respectable at around 6 hours for productivity. The vapor chamber cooling keeps thermals under control.

With a starting price around $2,500, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced requires a significant investment. But it delivers a premium Windows gaming experience unmatched by competitors. If money is no object, this is currently the best gaming laptop available.

Lenovo ThinkBook 13s Gen 4

The ThinkBook brand targets small business users looking for value in a professional package. The ThinkBook 13s Gen 4 blends performance, durability and security at affordable pricing.

This thin and light 13.3-inch laptop is configurable with up to 12th-gen Intel Core i7 processors. Memory and storage max out at 32GB and 1TB respectively. Ports include Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2, USB-A 3.2 and HDMI.

Weighing 2.78 pounds, the ThinkBook 13s is very portable but still feels very sturdy thanks to its aluminum and magnesium chassis. Mil-spec testing ensures it can handle tougher conditions. The 57Wh battery enables over 11 hours of use per charge. Rapid charging can hit 80% capacity in an hour.

Business-focused features include an intuitive productivity hotkey, webcam privacy shutter, TPM 2.0 chip and optional fingerprint reader. Voice recognition and Dolby Audio tuning optimize conference calls. Prices start at just $829, hundreds less than premium consumer flagships.

For SMBs who want enterprise-level quality without the enterprise-level costs, the ThinkBook 13s hits a sweet spot. It provides speed, security and durability in a compact package at reasonable prices.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

If you need seriously powerful graphics performance in a flexible form factor, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio fits the bill. Its pull-forward screen design transforms from laptop to stage to tablet modes.

Configurable with Intel H35 Core i5/i7 processors and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti dedicated graphics, the Surface Laptop Studio can handle demanding tasks like 3D modeling, video editing and AAA gaming. The 14.4” touch display features 120Hz refresh rate at 2400 x 1600 resolution.

Despite its convertible design, the Laptop Studio still feels very sturdy thanks to its all-metal body. Performance modes and vapor chamber cooling allow the hardware to stretch its legs when needed. Battery life lasts around 10 hours for mixed usage.

Unique features like the backlit haptic keyboard and Dynamic Woven Hinge make the Surface Laptop Studio feel futuristic. The stage mode is great for drawing on the touchscreen or using a Surface Pen. Starting at $1,600, it’s a pricey but powerful mobile workstation.

If you need desktop-caliber graphics performance to create 3D models or edit high-res videos in real-time, the Surface Laptop Studio packs impressive power into a dynamic form factor. It’s the best convertible option for graphics-intensive work.

Asus Zenbook Pro 15 OLED

For creators seeking a stylish productivity powerhouse, the Asus Zenbook Pro 15 OLED checks all the boxes. It combines strong performance with a gorgeous 15.6-inch 4K OLED touch display.

This premium laptop offers the latest 12th-generation Intel Core i7 and i9 processors. Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti dedicated graphics can speed up video editing, 3D modeling and gaming. 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD and Thunderbolt 4 provide plenty of power for demanding creative work.

The OLED display delivers incredible contrast and color reproduction covering 100% of the cinema-grade DCI-P3 gamut. Pantone validation guarantees color accuracy for design work. The touchscreen also enables convenient tablet functionality with the included stylus.

Despite its strong specs, the Zenbook Pro 15 remains portable at just 4.4 pounds. You also get a 96Wh battery that lasts over 8 hours on a charge. The Celestial Blue finish looks distinct and stylish.

Pricing starts around $1,800 for a Core i7, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD config. Overall, the Zenbook Pro 15 OLED succeeds as a premium creative workhorse with stunning visuals and ample processing power in a portable design.

Conclusion

This covers some of the top Windows laptops you can buy today based on factors like performance, display, design, battery life and value for money. From budget-friendly options to high-end gaming rigs, Windows laptops span a wide range of categories, use cases and budgets. Consider your own needs and research thoroughly before investing in a new device.