The fight between MacBooks and Windows laptops has never been tighter. There are now more competent alternatives to every MacBook in the lineup. Whether you're choosing Windows because you don't use Apple, you need it for certain software, or just because you like the variety of hardware options, there are tons of great Windows laptops to choose from right now.
I've already tested dozens of Windows laptops this year, and have been reviewing laptops for over a decade. These are my recommendations you can buy right now, including many that were recently refreshed.
For more laptop recommendations, check out our Best 2-in-1 Laptops, Best Gaming Laptops, and Best Budget Laptops. Meanwhile, our overall Best Laptops guide includes the Best Chromebooks and Best MacBooks, too. Still unsure? Read our guide on How to Choose the Right Laptop.
Updated September 2026: I've added the Dell XPS 13, HP OmniBook 5, HP OmniBook Ultra, Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x, and Alienware 15. I've also moved some older picks to the honorable mentions section at the bottom.
The Dell XPS 13 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is back. It's still extremely compact and portable, which has always been its calling card. Its small size makes it an ideal laptop to work on an airplane, and at only 2. 2 pounds, you might not even notice it in your backpack. But this time, its completely new design focuses on two things: affordability and quality. The base configuration starts at just $700, even though it comes with a high-resolution display that's both bright and color-accurate. It also includes an excellent trackpad, a responsive keyboard, and 512 GB of storage.
The only catch is that the $700 model comes with only 8 GB of RAM. So here's what I recommend instead: spend the extra $200 to upgrade to 16 GB of RAM. It has all the same specs otherwise and is still an absolutely killer laptop for $900. The 16 GB of memory will help you avoid snags while multitasking, which matters if you sit in front of a computer all day for work. I tested the 8 GB model myself—trust me, you want the 16 GB.
Speaking of working in front of a computer all day, the XPS 13 gets incredible battery life. You won't have a problem getting through a full day away from the outlet—if not a couple of days. I was even impressed by the standby time: I left the lid closed for a few days, and I was surprised by how much battery it held onto.
The one other caveat is the lack of a headphone jack. That's increasingly unimportant for most people, but I still prefer laptops to keep them for convenience. On the plus side, the Dell XPS 13 is one of the few laptops with one USB-C port on each side (two total), so you can conveniently charge on the left or right.
If $900 for the Dell XPS 13 is out of your budget, I strongly recommend the HP OmniBook 5 14. You have to be very careful when shopping in the budget-level price tier, which is anything under $750. Lots of junk creeps in that no one should buy. But the OmniBook 5 14 stands out in two important ways: its OLED display and its portability. An OLED display on a laptop at this price is almost unheard of, and it's definitely the device's highlight. Colors are vibrant but accurate, and the contrast is out of this world (as expected from OLED). Many laptops I've tested at this price use awful screens that aren't bright enough and have terrible color reproduction—everything looks off. But not the OmniBook 5 14.
Then there's the HP's overall build quality and portability. It just doesn't feel like most laptops in this price range. It's well-built, yes, but it's also incredibly thin at just half an inch, which matches both the Dell XPS 13 and the MacBook Neo. The design language is nice too, featuring soft, rounded corners, small bezels, and modern branding.
I also like that the OmniBook 5 14 doesn't skimp on some ports. Despite the compact size, it includes two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and even a USB-A port. That USB-A port can come in handy when you need to connect to an older accessory, whether that's a mouse or a printer.
My top picks for premium, affordable Windows laptops are often 13-inch or 14-inch. But many people want a larger screen, and one strength of the Windows ecosystem is its diversity and choice. Bigger laptop displays often cost more, but not the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x (9/10, WIRED Recommends). You can even buy the upgraded version for under $1,000. You get powerful specs, including 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of storage, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus. Right now, this is the only Snapdragon X2 laptop I recommend, since most are overpriced.
Another problem with many 15-inch or 16-inch Windows laptops is display resolution. If you increase a laptop screen's size without also raising the resolution, it just won't look as sharp. Not only does the IdeaPad Slim 5x use an OLED screen, but it also comes with an option for an upgraded resolution of 2560 x 1600. While the IdeaPad Slim 5x is far from thick, it still offers extra ports that thinner laptops tend to cut out, such as HDMI, USB-A, and an SD card slot. So, if a slightly larger laptop with more ports and a great screen sounds good to you, I highly recommend the IdeaPad Slim 5x.
It's rare for a laptop to stand out purely on looks, but the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) definitely does. Every aspect of the design is hyper-modern and sleek, including the thin bezels around the display, the oversized touchpad, and minimalist branding. Of course, it offers more than aesthetics. It comes in two flavors: an Intel Core Ultra 7 356H processor or a Snapdragon X2 Plus. I tested the Snapdragon model, which was excellent, both in performance and battery life. Having tested that Intel chip in other laptops, though, it's also a great option.
The display is also a standout, with an available high-resolution 2880 x 1800 OLED screen that can be cranked up to 1,100 nits in HDR and even a 120-Hz refresh rate. Just be careful which configuration you buy, as the base model's display isn't as good, and HP only charges $70 for the upgrade.
For a while, the price had held firm at $1,800 or higher, but we're finally starting to see that drop. I've seen the Intel model with the upgraded display and 1 TB of storage sell for as low as $1,400. For a stacked laptop that looks as good as it performs, you won't find a better Windows machine.
This laptop series has had a rough couple of years. Before 2023, the Dell XPS 15 was the best Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. In its transition to the XPS 14 in 2024, Dell got a bit too ambitious, adding features that were more distracting than useful, such as swapping function-row keys for light-up touch buttons. Fun idea, but not exactly practical.
But the new 2026 Dell XPS 14 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) keeps the best of the flashy new design while retracting the stuff that turned people off. The result is the best version of the XPS 14 ever. It's slightly thinner than the MacBook Pro, has a 4K webcam, and a fantastic build quality. Dell is out of the gate as one of the first laptop manufacturers to include the latest Intel Core Ultra Series 3 update you can actually buy today. Another notable thing about this XPS is its use of Intel's highly improved integrated graphics instead of a discrete GPU. The Core Ultra X7 is on par with the RTX 4050, without tanking battery life the way that video card does. I got 20 hours of battery life in local video playback, making the best battery life on a Windows laptop this powerful I've ever tested.
It is expensive, but the upgraded Core Ultra X7 and an OLED display are worth the price. The $1,599 base configuration doesn't fare as well, since you can get a better display and stronger performance from much cheaper laptops.
The Asus Zenbook A14 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is stellar. It's over a full pound lighter than most other laptops on this list and half a pound lighter than the MacBook Air. It feels incredibly light in the hands, making it ideal for students or anyone taking their work on the go; a pound lighter is noticeable when you’re carrying it in your bag all day. On top of that, it offers great battery life thanks to the Snapdragon X Plus, plus a solid OLED display. Its biggest advantage over the OmniBook 5 14 is the more responsive touchpad.
A new version came out this year, with the second-gen Snapdragon X2 Plus chip inside. While that processor improves performance significantly across the board (especially in graphics), it's not worth the $500 premium right now. Instead, grab the first-gen model for under $900 (or less on sale!) and enjoy.
No laptop is quite like the Framework Laptop 13 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). For the uninitiated, Framework has created a fully accessible and self-upgradeable system for its computers, much of which is completely tool-less. It's seriously impressive how easy it is to swap out components. You can even upgrade the entire motherboard and CPU in just a few minutes. If you're coming from an old desktop PC and like the upgradeable nature of your tower, the Framework Laptop can fill that void. It's also a great option if you're looking for a more sustainable laptop that won't add to a pile of e-waste.
Unfortunately, all the Framework laptops have gotten significantly more expensive than before. Unless you happen to already have some sticks of RAM and storage lying around, the rising price of these components has detracted from some of the appeal of “bring your own hardware” for these laptops. Once you add 16 GB of RAM and 500 GB of storage, you're looking at over $1,300—and that's for the DIY Edition that you have to build yourself.
If you want better graphics for gaming, you'll need to opt for the Framework Laptop 16, but whichever configuration you choose, you're getting a unique device that could stay with you for the long haul. I also recently tested the Framework Laptop 13 Pro, an all-aluminum version of the all-black Framework Laptop 13 that also comes with some premium features like a haptic feedback trackpad. I like this model better, especially the higher-resolution, brighter display. Unfortunately, deliveries are backlogged: Right now, you can pre-order some models in this round of shipments, but they won't ship until November.
While the MacBook Pro still rules the roost for content creators, Windows has some solid laptop alternatives, my favorite of which is the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). With the Core Ultra 285H processor onboard and graphics options up to an RTX 5070, the Yoga Pro 9i 16 was impressively powerful in my testing. The OLED display on my review unit was glorious, but there's an even sharper and brighter tandem OLED option, too. It doesn't have the battery life of the MacBook Pro, but if you're a designer, video editor, or user of any heavy GPU-based application, the Yoga Pro 9i 16 is a great Windows laptop.
I do think the upcoming launch of Nvidia's RTX Spark laptops may spell doom for this type of high-performance Windows device in the future, if Nvidia can really nail both GPU performance and battery life to make it more competitive with the MacBook Pro.
Perhaps more than any other company, Razer has been refining the idea of the ultimate gaming laptop since its founding. The Razer Blade 16 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) certainly feels like a crown jewel in its lineup. It's thinner than ever, wholeheartedly embraces OLED, and features the best graphics options possible, including the Nvidia RTX 5090. Despite my lack of enthusiasm for Multi-Frame Generation, the primary feature of Nvidia's RTX 50-series GPUs, I was impressed by this compact laptop's gaming performance. As you might guess, though, the Razer Blade 16 is incredibly expensive.
However, a 2026 model has been slowly rolled out this year and now offers an option for the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H as part of the Panther Lake series. Razer still sells the AMD model that came out in 2025, but it can only be configured with the RTX 5060 for graphics. I will be testing the Intel model soon, which reportedly offers substantially better battery life.
Dell 14 Plus: This laptop sold for hundreds less throughout 2025. And yet, even at around $1,000, I still find it a really solid deal. I do think the XPS 13 is better in a number of ways, especially the display quality and sleek design. However, the extra ports on the Dell 14 Plus are handy, and some may appreciate the slightly larger screen. It also has an upper hand with twice the storage as the Dell XPS 13 and Surface Laptop 7th Edition.
Surface Laptop 7th Edition: I waited a long time for a Windows machine like this Surface Laptop, which came out in 2024—something that could truly compete with the MacBook Air, and it does. The Snapdragon X2 Elite version of the Surface Laptop is available and should provide extra performance. It’s much more expensive at $1,600, which feels overpriced. It occasionally drops to under $1,400, however, which is closer to what the original model sells for. One caveat: You might come across the Surface Laptop 13, which came out in 2025 and is cheaper. I haven't tested that one, but it lacks some of the features I like in the 7th Edition, such as the 3:2 screen.
Lenovo LOQ 15: For many months, the LOQ 15 (8/10, WIRED Recommended) was one of the only gaming laptops under $1,000 that came with an RTX 5060 graphics card. The price has since risen significantly. Yet, it's still a laptop I recommend, as others have also increased in price. And unlike other cheaper gaming laptops, the LOQ 15 has a higher-quality display that's both bright and colorful.
Alienware 15 Gaming Laptop: Speaking of cheaper gaming laptops, the Alienware 15 falls into many of those same traps. It's thick and chunky, yes, but it also has a lower-quality display than you might expect for the price. But it delivers decent performance, has a nice design, and offers the option of an RTX 5050 graphics card. However, the price has gone up by nearly $600.
Surface Pro 12: Unfortunately, if you're looking for a Windows tablet or 2-in-1, your options are slim. There's a newer Surface Pro 13. 8 with one of the Snapdragon X2 chips, which are quite expensive. And the detachable keyboard cover (that you should absolutely buy) doesn't come bundled. That's why, at this point, the smaller (and now cheaper) Surface Pro 12 is what most people should buy.
Asus Zenbook S 16: Windows laptops haven't always been known for being lookers. The Asus Zenbook S 16 undoes that stereotype. This thing is absolutely gorgeous, and not in a way that tries to mimic the MacBook. It has its own aesthetic with its white "ceraluminum" material, and I love it. It's also remarkably thin, has an expansive touchpad, and a sharp OLED display—the complete package. The only problem is that the Zenbook S 16 is quite expensive, and prices haven't dropped as much as I hoped. For a smaller model, check out the Zenbook S 14, which is very similar, except it uses an Intel chip instead.
What to Look For in a Windows Laptop
You'll want to read our extensive guide on How to Choose the Right Laptop, but for the basics, decide what category of laptop you need. Most people should buy a 13-inch or 14-inch laptop, and spending around $750 to $1,000 is a good place to start. At this price, you should expect good battery life, a decent screen, solid performance for basic tasks, and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. You should also expect at least 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. Anything more than that gets into premium territory where you're paying for higher specs, more performance, or extra features. If you want a discrete GPU for gaming or creative workflows, you'll need to spend more.
A laptop like the Dell 14 Plus is a great example of what you can get in this price range. You can even find laptops with OLED panels and up to one terabyte of storage, depending on how good the discounts are. I would consider anything under $750 a cheap laptop, and it will come with significant compromises, especially in panel and touchpad quality. Fortunately, laptops that use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip get great battery life, even when they fall under $750, such as the HP OmniBook 5 14.
Here's a list of important specs to consider:
CPU: Thanks to the huge variety of good chip options, it's never been trickier to buy a laptop. For thin-and-light laptops, I would recommend one of the following chips:
There are many variations of these chips, so you'll undoubtedly run across other strings of numbers, especially on the Intel front. But the above is a good place to start. There’s lots more to say in the world of gaming laptops or content creation devices, so make sure to read our full guide to How to Buy a Gaming Laptop.
GPU: As of now, Intel's Panther Lake X7 or X9 chips have the most powerful integrated graphics. You'll find them in laptops like the Dell XPS 14, which can replicate discrete GPU-level performance like the RTX 4050. Unlike many laptops with discrete GPUs, though, Panther Lake X chips offer great battery life, making them better Windows alternatives to the MacBook Pro.
For discrete options, you'll want one of the latest Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs, such as the RTX 5060. The biggest leap in performance is between the RTX 5070 and the RTX 5070 Ti, which increases VRAM to 12 GB.
RAM (or memory): Stick with at least 16 GB if you can. Since the Copilot+ designation was introduced in 2024, it has become the new standard. You'll even find laptops as cheap as $600 that have 16 GB of memory. Gamers and content creators should upgrade to 32 GB if possible, though the ongoing memory shortage makes this more expensive. There's been a new surge in 8 GB options, such as the Dell XPS 13, but these should be reserved for only light usage.
Storage: Similar to memory, many laptops have moved to 512 GB as the new standard, and you'll find lots of affordable laptops with that as the base configuration. Upgrading to 1 or 2 terabytes, where possible, will make your life that much easier, especially since many laptops don't offer expandable storage.
Display: Laptops are usually categorized by screen size, with 13-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch being the most common. Consider size, resolution, refresh rate, and panel type.
Portability: Aside from display size, chassis thickness and weight are the main factors, determining how portable a laptop is to travel with. Other dimensions are important too, but more often than not, that is determined by the screen size.
Ports: Many laptops are limited to USB-C and a headphone jack these days, with some exceptions that include USB-A or HDMI. Make sure your laptop has what you need, or you'll need a USB Hub or laptop docking station to add ports or increase external display support.
Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: What Are the Differences?
If you haven't heard, if you're still on Windows 10, you're no longer getting security updates—at least not without paying extra. If you're wondering what to expect in a new laptop that runs Windows 11, here's a breakdown of the major changes:
Interface: The Start Menu is now centered in the Taskbar and looks a bit different. Visually, it's quite different, but it still functions the same, offering you quick access to applications and documents. Beyond the Start Menu, just about every app will have a different visual flair, with rounded corners and a streamlined aesthetic. While you can still do what you could in Windows 10, things like Settings, Notifications, and System Tray will feel different. You'll also find a new Widgets tray you can activate on the left side of the Taskbar. Unfortunately, you can no longer move the Taskbar to a different side of the screen.
Hardware requirements: This is where most of the frustration around Windows 11 stems from. No one likes being forced to buy new hardware, and while requirements like having at least 4 GB of RAM or 64 GB of storage seem straightforward, the need for a security chip called TPM 2. 0 has forced a lot of Windows 10 users to upgrade otherwise good motherboards and CPUs just to move to an operating system they didn't want to begin with.
Performance features: There are tons of new features that help Windows 11 play nicer with accessories and third-party software. One of my favorite examples is HDR support. Windows 11 finally fixes the HDR problem that made using a proper HDR monitor so troublesome, especially in games using Auto HDR. Speaking of games, Windows 11 has features like Game Mode, DirectStorage, and optimizations for windowed games, all of which make for a faster, smoother PC gaming experience.
Laptop prices have been increasing all year, thanks to the memory shortage. In many cases, that means the same laptops cost hundreds of dollars more on any given day. For example, the Dell 14 Plus currently sells for around $1,000, which isn't a terrible price for the configuration. But it was consistently selling for between $650 and $750 for most of 2025. That said, I don't think prices will drop anytime soon. The future of memory pricing is unknown, but many analysts and manufacturers say it will at least last through next year and possibly into 2028.
So yes, there are tons of good options to choose from right now at reasonable prices. All the newest models with the latest chips from Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD are finally out in the wild, along with plenty of good options from 2025. You can always wait for a big sales event like Black Friday, but the savings on specific laptops may not be as big as you might assume. The only significant new hardware we're waiting to see later this year are the new Nvidia RTX Spark laptops. A lot is still unknown about these devices, but they are slated for a fall 2026 release window.
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