💻 Best Windows Laptops For 2025: Top Picks Reviewed

If you’ve held onto your aging Windows laptop for far too long, now’s the perfect time to upgrade. With the buzz surrounding AI PCs and a surge in new designs from Intel and AMD, computer makers are putting out some impressive laptops. And thanks to Microsoft’s Copilot+ initiative, we’re finally seeing solid notebooks powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, leading to better battery life and lighter designs.

Whether you need a premium ultraportable, a powerful gaming rig, or a versatile mobile workstation, our list of the best Windows laptops highlights our favorites after rigorous testing. You might even find a Windows laptop that surpasses your expectations compared to an Apple MacBook if you’re considering the switch.

For budget-conscious shoppers, check out our list of the best cheap Windows laptops for fantastic options without breaking the bank.

🤔 What to Look for in a Windows Laptop

⚡ Performance

How much power do you really need? That’s the crucial question when choosing any laptop (or computing device, for that matter). It’s easy to overspend and get way more computer than you require, or skimp too much and end up with an underpowered processor and insufficient memory.

We’ve broken down our recommendations into various categories below, but generally, aim for a laptop with at least 16GB of RAM and a modern Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen processor. Gamers should prioritize a decent graphics card as well (more on that in our guide to best gaming notebooks).

🧠 AI PCs, Copilot+, and Arm-Based Laptops

Any computer with an NPU (neural processing unit) is considered an “AI PC” because that chip can handle some tasks offloaded from the CPU and GPU. Since every chipmaker is jumping on the AI bandwagon, most systems released today are technically AI PCs. The exceptions are some high-powered workstation and gaming laptops that might have NPU-free chips, or extremely budget-friendly notebooks running low-end chips.

To make finding premium AI PCs easier, Microsoft launched its Copilot+ program last year. It requires notebooks with NPUs that support at least 40 TOPS of AI processing power, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The first batch of Copilot+ systems included the new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop.

Adding another layer of complexity, Copilot+ systems include PCs powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon Arm-based CPUs. These can run modern Windows apps but might struggle with older software and drivers.

🖥️ Display & Webcams

✨ Screen Quality

Regardless of whether a notebook has a touchscreen or a traditional panel, we look for bright displays (300 nits or more) that are easy to use outdoors or in sunny rooms, with accurate colors and wide viewing angles. Screens with high refresh rates are great for competitive gamers (or anyone who wants smoother document scrolling), while those with wider color gamuts are important for content creation and video editing.

📷 Webcams

Even if you don’t plan on spending a ton of time on video calls, every laptop needs a decent webcam — 1080p or higher is preferred.

🔌 Ports & Connectivity

🔄 Port Selection

Even with advancements in cellular modems and Wi-Fi, dedicated ports for transferring data or connecting peripherals can make or break a laptop. Ideally, all but the thinnest and lightest systems should come with three USB-C ports. Built-in SD card readers are incredibly handy when importing media from a camera. And if a notebook is stuck with a slow or outdated Wi-Fi modem (we’re looking for Wi-Fi 6 or later), that’s basically an instant disqualification.

🔋 Battery Life

⏳ Runtime

It doesn't matter how powerful a laptop is if it conks out when you need it most. We typically look for runtimes of at least ten hours on a charge, but longer is always better! Keep in mind that gaming machines with thirsty graphics cards might have shorter battery life. For larger machines, consider if the system can charge via USB-C or requires a bulky proprietary power brick.

🤔 Windows Laptop FAQs

❓ What's the Difference Between a Windows Laptop and a Chromebook?

The main difference lies in their operating systems. Windows laptops run on Microsoft’s Windows OS, while Chromebooks use Google’s Chrome OS. Performance is another key distinction – Windows laptops can be equipped with powerful processors and dedicated graphics, making them suitable for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. Chromebooks, on the other hand, are generally optimized for speed and simplicity, focusing on lighter tasks like word processing and web browsing. Software-wise, Windows laptops support a range of desktop programs, whereas Chromebooks primarily use web apps or Android apps from the Google Play Store. Because of their differences, Chromebooks tend to be more affordable since they’re designed for basic, everyday tasks. Windows laptops can range in price from budget to premium, with the latter suitable for gaming, professionals, or creatives.

❓ What's the Difference Between macOS and Windows?

macOS and Windows are two distinct worlds in the realm of computers, each with its own personality. MacOS is sleek, minimal, and feels intuitive, especially if you like things that just “work” out of the box. Apple designs macOS to work seamlessly with its hardware, so if you have an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, the whole ecosystem syncs up perfectly.

Windows is more like the jack-of-all-trades. It’s known for being super flexible and customizable. Whether you want to tweak how things look or run a wide variety of software, Windows gives you that freedom. It’s also more widely used in business settings, mainly because it’s been around longer and is compatible with tons of different programs and hardware.

🏆 Top Picks for 2025