CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 165U vPro | RAM: 32GB | Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 14-inch touchscreen

Pros:

• Gorgeous display that looks darn close to OLED
• Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor can handle anything you throw at it
• Dedicated Microsoft Copilot button for instant access to AI

Cons:

• Intel Arc graphics won’t be enough for graphics work
• HP Wolf Security software may feel like bloatware to some

If you’re seeking to blend raw power with portability, the HP EliteBook G1q is the best Windows laptop I tested all year. The new display looks darn close to an OLED, but it’s actually an IPS—and it offers touchscreen capabilities. It’s built on a lightweight metal chassis, and I appreciated the USB-C charge port is located in the back corner of the laptop to keep your workspace cable-free. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor and massive 32GB RAM can handle a lot of heavy applications, though if you need a dedicated graphics card for editing video or CAD work, look elsewhere. The model I tested only offers an Intel Arc graphics card, which simply won’t be enough for photo and video editing.

I found through extensive testing that it can last a good while away from a socket, and the new haptic mousepad feels very responsive during long work sessions. It comes with three years of HP’s Wolf Security software to help protect against viruses and other bad actors, though some might consider it bloatware (honestly, I’m inclined to agree). Additionally, the new HP EliteBook offers a dedicated Microsoft Copilot key that when pressed helps answer questions or streamline basic workflow tasks. There’s also an HP AI Companion app which can summarize documents, answer questions and more. It’s similar to Copilot, but it’s HP’s homegrown AI chatbot, and I found it was intuitive during testing. As always, double-check anything these apps tell you; AI can still feed you incorrect information.   

CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | RAM: 16GB | Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno GPU shared memory | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 14-inch touchscreen

Pros:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon is adequate for basic computing
• Sturdy aluminum chassis can protect against accidental drops
• Microsoft Copilot and AcerSense buttons built with AI in mind

Cons:

• Graphics card can’t support most graphics tasks
• It’s heavy

If you don’t want to spend thousands on a laptop, the Acer Swift 14 AI can handle plenty of tasks with ease, including document processing, internet surfing and some very light graphics work. The Qualcomm Snapdragon Plus feels snappy and responsive, and built-in neural processing helps run the laptop’s built-in Microsoft Copilot and other applications. Acer also offers a special AI key that launches AcerSense. It allows you to see all of your AI programs at-a-glance—and it’s easy to switch between programs as you work. The sturdy chassis is built from aluminum and can protect your components against accidental damage.

I did encounter a few drawbacks, though. While the processor is good for casual tasks, the graphics card is decidedly lacking. You can use it for light graphics work, but for anything more, plan to splurge on a more powerful graphics card. There’s also its weight. The laptop weighs 3.5 pounds, which is 0.5 pounds heavier than my top pick—and when you’re on the go, you will probably feel that extra bulk. Still, for most, this is a great laptop that balances performance and price—especially if your laptop usually stays put.

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 Series 2 | RAM: 16GB | Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 14-inch touchscreen

Pros:

• Intel Core 7 processor ideal for the broader applications of a 2-in-1
• Long battery life
• Can double as a tablet and note-taking device, especially if you add the Lenovo branded digital pen

Cons:

• Reports of Wi-Fi connection issues
• 1TB SSD may not be enough, depending on your needs

If you plan to use your Windows laptop as a laptop and a tablet, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 is a great option. The Intel Core 7 processor offers more compatibility for different software applications, which is necessary if you’re using a laptop as a laptop and a tablet. Keep in mind that while this processor gives you the muscle you need for that useful tablet mode, Intel chips tend to use more power, which ultimately affects battery life. That shouldn’t necessarily deter you from this laptop, though, as it can still run up to 10 hours on a single charge, according to users. Its refresh rate is 60Hz, so don’t expect to edit any videos on this device. For document processing and multitasking, the display gets plenty bright at 300 nits, and the 2K resolution feels crisp and detailed.

The model I chose includes a 1TB SSD drive so you can take all of your files with you, and the aluminum chassis is sturdy. You can also pair a Lenovo digital pen and use the laptop as a note-taking device. Like other laptops on my list, this model also includes a Microsoft Copilot button, too. One of the biggest complaints users shared about this laptop is the Wi-Fi connection: Sometimes, it loses connectivity, and you have the manually reconnect to the internet. There’s also the 1T storage: While it’s better than a 512GB configuration, it simply may not be enough for users who store large files on their laptops.

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 256V | RAM: 16GB | Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 14-inch touchscreen

Pros:

• Lightweight, portable build is great for hybrid or remote work
• Large storage capacity can hold plenty of files
• Plenty of available configurations so you can tailor your needs

Cons:

• Intel Arc graphics isn’t enough for heavy gaming
• Some configurations can get very, very pricey

The Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 Gen 13 is a sleek, lightweight laptop built for professionals working on the go, and it’s just about as close to a perfect laptop for this purpose as you can currently get. Its weight begins at 2.1 pounds—the lightest of all the laptops I chose—and it’s customizable, though adding more options may result in a slightly heavier device. While my configuration includes a 1TB SSD, you can choose storage options up to 2TB. Likewise, RAM comes in 16GB and 32GB options. Port selection is also attractive, with two USB-C, two USB-A, a headphone jack and an HDMI port so you can use a monitor. Also included is Dolby Atmos and Dolby Voice so you hear and be heard clearly when taking conference calls.

Most people can choose between the Intel Core Ultra 5 or the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, though if you plan to work with resource-heavy applications, plan to opt for the Ultra 7. It raises the price, but it’s well worth the extra cost. The Lenovo option also offers the iconic red TrackPoint—a red nub on the keyboard which acts as a mouse and can help streamline your tasks. Like my other picks, the Lenovo also comes with a dedicated Microsoft Copilot button on the responsive, snappy keyboard. Users also report that the battery life is exceptional, and often lasts them over 12 hours. And again, if you plan to do heavy CAD or video editing work, look elsewhere: The Intel Arc graphics won’t be enough for your needs.

CPU: AMD Ryzen AI HX370 | RAM: 32GB | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 | Storage: 2TB SSD | Display: 16 inches

Pros:

• Powerful enough to run the heaviest of editing applications
• AMOLED display displays gorgeous graphics and super accurate colors
• 240Hz refresh late makes videos look stellar

Cons:

• Expensive
• Heavy

To be frank, the single best laptop for video editing is really the MacBook Pro (14-Inch, M4 Pro), but if you’re dead set on using Windows over MacOS, the best Windows laptop built with creatives in mind is the MSI Stealth A16 AI. It features one of the most powerful processors on the market—the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370—and it has 32GB of RAM. While many laptops come with 1TB of SSD, this MSI configuration offers 2TB of SSD, which is plenty to store video files. The 16-inch display offers a refresh rate of up to 240Hz, too, and the OLED screen can produce deep, inky blacks.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 is one of the most powerful graphics chips on the market. Anything you throw at it, this chipset can handle with ease and still have plenty of power to spare. But all of this power does come at a significantly higher cost, so you should expect to pay a premium price for these borderline luxe components. It’s also heavy, and at 4.6 pounds, you may prefer to stay at your desk rather than work at your local coffee shop.

CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series | RAM: 32GB | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 14 inches

Pros:

• Future-proof components
• 3K OLED display makes darker graphics pop
• Nvidia 50 series graphics chip good for gaming and graphics work

Cons:

• Expensive
• 1TB storage may not be enough for your gaming library
• Asus bloatware is annoying

The Asus ROG Zephyrus series tops many of my other laptop guides with good reason: It combines performance, power and more into an affordable package. I’ve seen gaming laptops top four pounds, which can make them more difficult to travel with. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is 3.4 pounds, though, which makes it easy to tuck into a backpack for travel or hybrid work. The laptop comes with the latest AMD processor and a Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, which showcases impressive graphics. And for those working with graphics-intensive applications, the 50 series graphics card can handle most anything you throw at it. While the 14-inch display can only reach 120Hz, that’s still industry standard and it keeps your graphics smooth. It’s also worth noting that the display is a 3K OLED, so dark, spooky gaming scenes like those in Hollow Knight: Silksong pop on screen.

That said, it’s a little pricey at $2,400. My personal laptop also uses a 1TB storage device, and storage is noticeably tight thanks to large titles like Diablo VI and Far Cry 6; they can consume most of your space pretty quickly. While there’s no extra slot, if you feel brave enough, you can remove the current SSD card and add a new one with more storage capacity. Keep in mind that opening the back voids the warranty, though, and it’s not a guaranteed fix. And as evidenced by testing multiple Asus laptops, expect to inherit some bloatware too, including McAfee antivirus software.