Currently, I am of the opinion that the premier Windows laptop for the majority of users is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite chip. This device is a stylish powerhouse capable of handling intensive tasks, showcasing a high-end design and remarkable all-day battery performance, only outdone by two other models. Even the M4 MacBooks do not compare. Furthermore, I have additional suggestions for diverse budgets, requirements, and design tastes.
My recommendations stem from thorough hands-on evaluations performed by myself as well as other Mashable team members and contributors. Over the years, we’ve analyzed a multitude of PCs, assessing aspects such as performance, build quality, battery longevity, and overall value. The laptops I endorse are among the finest from recent generations. Most of them have received a Mashable Choice Award, our top honor for evaluated gadgets.
Why now is an opportune moment to purchase a new Windows laptop
AI data centers have recently depleted DDR5 RAM and SSDs, leading to a shortage for consumer devices, including laptops. Experts predict that PCs may become pricier or come with lower specifications, as noted by Mashable’s Alex Perry. Remember when mid-range laptops started off with only 8GB of RAM? That could occur again. (It’s quite challenging out there.)
As a result, I advise buying a new Windows laptop sooner rather than later and considering an upgrade in storage or memory if possible. This will help future-proof your device and assist in circumventing upcoming price hikes due to the ongoing AI surge.
On a positive note, this season is when many current-generation laptops are available at significant discounts. They are about to undergo updates during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a key technology event in early January, prompting retailers to sell them quickly. If you act promptly, you could secure an excellent laptop at a great price before values likely diminish due to the RAM and SSD scarcity.
What’s new
As of December 2025, I have introduced new selections based on our most recent evaluations. The Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 (Gen 10) is our favorite new Windows laptop for students, and the HP OmniBook 5 14 has claimed the title of our new battery life champion. Both belong to new categories in this guide.
I have also removed the Acer Swift X 14 (2024) as our top pick for photo and video editing because it has become challenging to find in stock. The newer Acer Swift 14 AI is not an adequate substitute due to its lack of a powerful dedicated GPU, ARM-based processor that may present software compatibility issues, and the absence of a microSD card slot or HDMI port. I am currently looking for a new leader in that category.
What didn’t make the cut?
We evaluated several good-but-not-outstanding Windows laptops this year. They may fulfill certain users’ requirements or feature notable attributes, but our top recommendations excel beyond them in their respective areas.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is robust with excellent thermal design and a matte display; however, its flashy, gamer-oriented look is unattractive.
The Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080) is another high-speed gaming laptop offering customizable RGB illumination, many ports, and an excellent keyboard, but it runs hot, is loud, and bulky.
The Dell XPS 13 (9530) has an exceptional dual OLED display and sleek edge-to-edge design, making it visually appealing and portable. However, its keyboard is cramped, touchpad problematic, and it lacks sufficient ports.
The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (AMD) delivers impressive performance for its cost but suffers from subpar speakers, a basic webcam, and an inexpensive feel.
The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 can be configured with a stunning mini-LED touchscreen, yet it suffers from average battery life and a creaky build quality.
The Dell 14 Premium is powerful and well-crafted with an elegant design but is heavy for a 14-inch laptop, has poor battery life, and an irritating capacitive touch function row.
Similarly, the Dell 16 Premium (RTX 5070) is powerful and attractive but too heavy, costly, and requires the removal of the capacitive function row. We achieved superior graphics performance with less expensive last-gen gaming laptops.
The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is an elegant convertible with a seamless touchpad, responsive keyboard, and vibrant 3K OLED touchscreen; nevertheless, it underperforms for its price and features inconvenient port placements.
The HP OmniBook X Flip 14 is another eye-catching 2-in-1 with a slim, travel-friendly design, striking 2.8K OLED touchscreen featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, and a fingerprint-resistant aluminum casing. It includes a stylus but has disappointing battery performance and a lattice-style keyboard that requires some adjustment. It ranks just below the Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 as a good option for students.
The HP Omnibook X Flip 16 is a sizable hybrid laptop with a vibrant 3K OLED touchscreen, robust hinge, and above-average battery longevity. However, it is hampered by an awkward zero-lattice keyboard and average performance.