Laptops have been with us for a few decades now, but they are no longer purely work devices. These days, you can purchase laptops suitable for the most dedicated of gamers, hard-working developers, and even media editors.
There are a lot of options out there though, so we’ve rounded up the best Windows laptops of 2019 to get you started.
1. Dell XPS 13
Dell XPS 13
Dell XPS 13
Buy Now On Amazon $1,669.49
Even if you’ve never owned a Dell computer, you’ve seen them. Dell is one of the largest computer and laptop manufacturers in the world, with their devices particularly ubiquitous in the workplace. But the Dell XPS 13 isn’t just a work laptop—it might even be the best Windows laptop in 2019.
The XPS 13 comes with Windows 10 Pro 64-bit preinstalled, coupled with 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It is powered by an Intel i7 quad-core CPU and has a fingerprint reader integrated into the keyboard which is compatible with Windows Hello.
The 13.3-inch 4K Ultra HD touchscreen makes all your media look immaculate, while also allowing you a choice of how you interact with your computer. It’s light too, weighing just 2.7lbs. The XPS 13 is not a cheap laptop, but if your budget can accommodate it, the device is probably the best laptop for the money available today.
2. Huawei Matebook 13
Huawei Matebook 13
Huawei Matebook 13
Buy Now On Amazon $1,444.60
Throughout 2018 and 2019, the US government has been embroiled in a trade dispute with China, with Huawei as one of its main targets. However, that doesn’t stop the Huawei Matebook 13 from being one of the best Windows laptops available today.
The Matebook 13 is light and portable, weighing just 2.86lbs and with a closed-lid height of 0.59 inches. It comes equipped with the company’s Fullview 2160×1140 touchscreen display, which they say makes the screen appear larger than its 13 inches.
The laptop is powered by an 8th generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 3,670mAh battery. The Nvidia GeForce MX150 makes it perfect for gamers and editors alike. Their new Shark Fin internal fans keep your laptop cool while speeding up your device by up to 25 percent.
Then there’s biometric login capabilities and one-tap NFC file sharing. Huawei even includes an external, pocket-sized charger to keep you topped up when away from a power source. Overall, the Matebook 13 is the most feature-packed PC laptop you’re likely to find.
3. Microsoft Surface Book 2
Microsoft Surface Book 2
Microsoft Surface Book 2
Buy Now On Amazon
Given that we’re rounding up Windows laptops, it’d be remiss of us not to include Microsoft’s own top-of-the-range laptop, the Surface Book 2. Like many of today’s laptops, Microsoft allows you to customize the build of your Surface Book 2. However, an off-the-shelf edition might work for you.
This edition of the Surface Book 2 comes with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The display is powered by an Nvidia GeForce MX1060, which has its own 6GB of GDDR5 RAM. This makes it suitable for a mobile gaming setup, but it can also handle intensive tasks like video editing.
Like other Surface devices, the Surface Book 2 is a hybrid device. You can use it as a regular laptop with the included keyboard, but if you undock it, it can be used as a standalone tablet device too. The onboard battery gives you up to 17 hours of usage, while the 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen keeps things looking sharp.
As this is a Microsoft device, it has been designed with tight Windows integration. So, expect all the bells and whistles of Windows 10 to be readily available, like Microsoft’s digital assistant Cortana. The Surface Book 2 is undoubtedly one of the best PC laptops around, although the high price point might make it difficult to invest.
4. HP Spectre x360
HP Spectre x360
HP Spectre x360
Buy Now On Amazon $1,424.95
In many ways, the HP Spectre x360 is a great Microsoft Surface Book alternative. Aside from the internals, the biggest difference here though is the lack of a detachable tablet. Instead, the Spectre x360’s 4K 13.3-inch touchscreen display can rotate 360-degrees. In this setup, the keyboard is hidden away behind the display. If you only need to convert your laptop into tablet-mode every now and then, this probably won’t affect your experience too much.
The Spectre x360 comes with Windows 10 Home 64-bit installed, an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The device weighs 2.92lbs, which is roughly in-line with the other devices in this list. It can also offer up to 14 hours of battery life from a single charge. The Spectre x360 comes with Bang & Olufsen speakers in-built for high-quality audio playback.
There are some welcome small touches too. The company includes a microSD slot, two USB-C ports, and even a single USB-A port. The integrated webcam works with Windows Hello for facial recognition. If you aren’t keen on scanning your face, you can keep things secure with the built-in fingerprint reader instead. For the privacy-conscious, there is even a hardware-based camera killswitch. All of this helps make the HP Spectre x360 one of the best laptop computers.
5. Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
Buy Now On Amazon $3,299.99
If it’s a portable gaming setup you’re after, then you’ll want to check out the Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701 gaming laptop. There’s no getting around this though; the ROG Zephyrus S is an expensive device. That said, this is a high-performance device, suitable for even the most dedicated of gamers.
Gaming is a visual medium, so you need to have an immersive display. The 17.3-inch Full HD display has super-narrow bezels—just 6.9mm thick—and a screen-to-body ratio of 81 percent. It comes with a 1TB SSD in tow and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. The graphics are powered by a Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 with 8GB of GDDR6 RAM.
Cooling is a priority in high-end gaming laptops, and Asus has you covered here. As the laptop is ultra-thin, the cooling system needs to be as efficient as possible. The company developed the ROG Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) to deal with this challenge. Just lifting the lid opens a large air intake that increases airflow by up to 32 percent compared to other cooling systems. You don’t need to worry about dust buildup either, as the anti-dust heatsinks keep things clean and efficient over time.
The Best Windows Laptop for You
There are a lot of good laptops out there, so it can be a challenge to find one that’s right for you. That said, these five devices are among the best Windows laptops in 2019. There’s something for every budget and use-case too. So, you should be able to find the best Windows laptop for you.
Once you’ve got your dream device in your hands, you’ll want to install these must-have Windows applications before you start using your new laptop.
Read the full article: The 5 Best Windows PC Laptops of 2019