The Ultimate Windows Laptop Guide 2026: Expert Picks That Will Blow Your Mind

The Windows Laptop Revolution Is Here

Over the past year, the Windows laptop landscape has exploded with innovation, delivering devices that would have seemed impossible just months ago. From the ultra-sleek Copilot+ PCs like Microsoft’s Surface Laptop to powerhouse business machines such as HP’s OmniBook X Flip 16, and battery beasts like Lenovo’s ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition, 2026 is shaping up to be the year Windows laptops finally surpass their competitors in every category.

Also: The best laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

Our team has gone hands-on with dozens of new Windows laptops, meticulously evaluating portability, RAM, storage, and overall value. We’ve crunched the data and leveraged our extensive testing experience to bring you the definitive list of Windows laptops that are absolutely dominating the market right now.

What is the best Windows laptop right now?

We’ve personally tested every single laptop on this list, including the latest models from Lenovo, Asus, Dell, and HP. Our top pick overall is the Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition – a bold, revolutionary refresh of the ThinkPad lineup that’s versatile, portable, and delivers exceptional value for most users.

But we didn’t stop there. We’ve included multiple use cases to ensure everyone finds their perfect match. For our February 2026 update, we added the Lenovo Legion 9i as the new best gaming Windows laptop and HP’s OmniBook 7 Aero as the best lightweight Windows model.

The Best Windows Laptops of 2026

🏆 Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition – Best Overall Windows Laptop

Why we’re obsessed with it: Lenovo’s ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition represents a complete reimagining of what a ThinkPad can be. Gone is the traditional TrackPoint, replaced by a minimalist trackpad that looks nothing like the X1 Carbon. This isn’t just evolution – it’s revolution.

The result is a laptop that’s simultaneously familiar and groundbreaking. From the serrated underside that provides incredible grip to the tiny, featherweight charger, this is a modern laptop designed for the commuter who demands both ultraportability and reliable performance.

Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 and 32GB of RAM, this machine delivers exceptional performance without sacrificing the ThinkPad’s legendary reliability. The brilliant display and fantastic battery life make it an all-around winner.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition

Who it’s for: ThinkPad veterans ready for innovation. If you’ve used ThinkPads for years and want something fresh while maintaining that trusted reliability, the X9 is your answer.

Who should look elsewhere: Traditional ThinkPad purists might prefer the ThinkPad E14 (under $1,000) or the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Aura Edition for more conventional designs.

💼 Dell 14 Plus – Best Windows Laptop for Work

Why we love it: The Dell 14 Plus is what every modern work laptop should aspire to be. It’s lightweight, delivers strong everyday performance, and offers excellent battery life at a reasonable price point.

The Intel Core Ultra processor handles heavy multitasking with ease. During testing, I regularly ran dozens of Chrome tabs alongside demanding productivity apps, and the system never slowed down. The aluminum frame provides sturdy durability, and the anti-fingerprint finish keeps it looking professional all day.

Review: Dell 14 Plus

Who it’s for: Remote workers and students who need reliable performance without breaking the bank. It strikes that perfect balance of performance, design, and value.

Who should look elsewhere: If display quality is your top priority, consider other options. While the 2.5K screen is sharp, it lacks the vibrancy of competing models.

🎨 Asus ProArt P16 (2025) – Best Windows Laptop for Creators

Why it dominates: Asus’ ProArt series absolutely nails their intended use case: high-end hardware for professional creatives. The 2025 AMD-powered ProArt P16 exudes power and performance with an all-black form factor, brilliant display, and creator-specific features like Asus’ DialPad.

The 500-nit, 3840 x 2400 resolution AMOLED touchscreen display is arguably the laptop’s crown jewel. Powered by the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, it’s a capable powerhouse for photo/video editing, drafting, or animation.

Review: Asus ProArt P16 (2025)

Who it’s for: Professional creators who demand uncompromising performance. The hardware here doesn’t mess around, with 32GB of memory and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor.

Who should look elsewhere: If you prefer plug-and-play simplicity over customization, this might feel overwhelming. The ProArt P16 requires some personalization to get the most out of it.

💰 Acer Aspire Go 15 – Best Budget Windows Laptop

Why it’s incredible value: If you just need a laptop to cover the basics or a backup machine for travel, the Acer Aspire Go 15 delivers surprising value. This laptop has a 15-inch screen and all the hardware you need for web browsing, email, productivity, and media playback, at a low price.

The Aspire Go 15 features an Intel Core i3-N305 processor with 8GB of RAM. While this hardware combination caps what the machine can do, it mostly kept up with internet browsing and work-related apps during testing.

Review: Acer Aspire Go 15

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for an inexpensive laptop that can handle everyday workflows and is comfortable with trade-offs.

Who should look elsewhere: If you need a powerful flagship main driver, check out other options. The Intel Core i3 CPU and 8GB of RAM aren’t built for demanding tasks.

✈️ HP OmniBook 7 Aero – Best Lightweight Windows Laptop

Why it’s revolutionary: HP’s OmniBook 7 Aero is an impressive little machine that defies physics. Weighing just 2.2 pounds, it’s one of the lightest Windows laptops ever tested, yet it never once felt underpowered.

Powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor and 16GB of memory, the device powered through productivity tasks effortlessly. It even handles heavier workloads like photo and light video editing better than most ultraportables.

Review: HP OmniBook 7 Aero

Who it’s for: Professionals who want an ultra-lightweight Windows laptop without sacrificing performance. Perfect for frequent travelers and commuters.

Who should look elsewhere: If you need world-class battery life (it delivers solid 10 hours but falls behind ARM-based options pushing 20 hours), or if you need a very bright display for outdoor use.

🎮 Lenovo Legion 9i – Best Gaming Windows Laptop

Why it’s the ultimate gaming machine: Lenovo’s Legion 9i delivers the most uncompromising gaming performance we’ve seen from any Windows laptop. This thing is an absolute monster, pairing top-tier hardware with a huge 18-inch 3.8K display.

The Legion 9i outperformed every other gaming laptop tested last year, running maxed-out AAA titles without breaking a sweat. Games look stunning on the 16:10 aspect ratio screen, and Lenovo’s Coldfront Vapor cooling system keeps temperatures in check even during extended gaming sessions.

Review: Lenovo Legion 9i

Who it’s for: Gamers and power users who want a true desktop replacement and are willing to pay a premium for performance.

Who should look elsewhere: This isn’t for casual users or frequent travelers. It’s large, heavy, and comes with a bulky power adapter. Battery life is another major drawback, struggling to last even an hour of unplugged gaming.

✨ Razer Blade 14 – Best Premium Windows Laptop

Why it’s stunning: The Blade 16 has been Razer’s flagship gaming laptop for years, but the 14-inch Blade is a game-changer. It’s the thinnest Blade model yet at just 3.5 pounds, featuring a slick, matte-black finish that looks and feels premium.

This challenges Razer’s own aesthetic with a device that looks more like a MacBook Pro than a gaming laptop. The display is gorgeous – a 3K, 120Hz OLED display extends right to the edge with ultrathin bezels, housed within a substantial frame.

Review: Razer Blade 14

Who it’s for: Gamers who also need a premium, well-designed laptop for creative work. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a capable gaming laptop without the bulk of 16- or 18-inch behemoths.

Who should look elsewhere: This is a premium laptop exceeding $2,000, so it’s only recommended for those willing to pay the high price tag.

🔄 HP OmniBook X Flip 16 – Best 2-in-1 Windows Laptop

Why it’s versatile: The OmniBook X Flip 16 impresses with a 120Hz, 3K OLED touchscreen, making it equally ideal for content creation and entertainment. Not only will it display video projects accurately, but the large space also lets you run multiple apps on screen for a smooth workflow.

Inside the OmniBook X Flip is an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, a high-performance chipset that beats many competitors in sheer computing power. Battery life is decent at 10 hours on a single charge, and it recharges very quickly.

Review: HP OmniBook X Flip 16

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a big-screen 2-in-1, especially those who enjoy using a stylus for sketching. The HP Active Rechargeable Tilt Pen delivers near-pixel-perfect precision with almost no lag.

Who should look elsewhere: If you don’t think you’ll make use of the device’s 2-in-1 form factor, there are better options for content creators, like the Asus ProArt P16.

Quick Comparison: Windows Laptops at a Glance

Windows Laptop	Price	CPU	Graphics
Lenovo ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition	$1,179	Intel Core Ultra 7 258V	Intel Arc
Dell 14 Plus	$800	Intel Core Ultra 7 256V	Intel Arc
Asus ProArt P16	$2,200	AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Acer Aspire Go 15	$260	Intel Core i3	Intel UHD Graphics
HP OmniBook 7 Aero	$780	AMD Ryzen AI 7 350	AMD Radeon 860M
Lenovo Legion 9i	$3,920	Intel Ultra 9 275HX	Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080
Razer Blade 14	$2,300	AMD Ryzen AI 9 375	Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070
HP OmniBook X Flip 16	$1,000	Intel Core Ultra 7	Intel Arc

*MSRP at the time of writing

Which Windows Laptop Should You Choose?

The key to deciding which Windows laptop is best for you starts with evaluating what you’ll be using it for:

Hybrid/Remote Worker: Lightweight, flexible configuration, sturdy build, good battery life
Deskbound Creator: Power over portability, exceptional display quality, powerful GPU
Student/Budget Buyer: Reliable performance for everyday tasks without premium price
Gamer: Maximum performance, excellent cooling, high refresh rate display
Frequent Traveler: Ultra-lightweight, long battery life, durable construction

How We Test Windows Laptops

We use a comprehensive combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET:

Benchmarking: We run extensive tests using Cinebench for rendering performance, PCMark 10 for workplace tasks, and various other suites to analyze every component.

Display Testing: We measure brightness in nits and test color accuracy across different spectrums.

Real-World Testing: We carry each laptop for at least a week, using it exactly how a normal consumer would, noting portability, battery life, keyboard comfort, and overall user experience.

Battery Testing: We test under real conditions – no screensavers, 50% brightness and audio, YouTube livestream running until the battery dies.

The Human Element: Numbers alone don’t tell the full story. We weave in our personal experience and practical use cases that consumers actually care about.

Latest Windows PC News

CES 2026 just concluded, and the announcements have us absolutely thrilled:

🔥 Lenovo Legion 9i – Now the undisputed king of gaming laptops with its RTX 5090 configuration

⚡ HP OmniBook 7 Aero – The lightest Windows laptop we’ve ever tested at just 2.2 pounds

🎨 Asus ProArt Series – New creator-focused laptops with unprecedented color accuracy

💼 Dell Latitude Refresh – Business laptops with AI-powered productivity features

🎮 Razer Blade Updates – Thinner, more powerful gaming laptops with stunning OLED displays

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Windows laptop brand?
These days, for most people, a “computer” is a laptop. However, the desktop form factor – particularly in the form of all-in-one (AIO) devices – is by no means obsolete, especially for gaming machines. Still, laptops are more diverse than ever, ranging from thin, light, and ultraportable to bulky, powerful, and deskbound.

Which operating system should I choose?
Every operating system has its committed supporters, but most people end up using a particular one either because of key applications running on it, it was chosen for them by their employer, or their familiarity with the OS. Windows spans the range from budget to premium, while Chrome OS is largely confined to the affordable end of the market.

What’s the price range for good Windows laptops?
Budget devices cost less than $800 and deliver solid performance with long battery life. $1,500 and above is where you find elite laptops – gaming machines, business computers, and specialty devices. Between $800 and $1,500, you’ll find the sweet spot: everyday laptops that perform well without destroying your wallet.

Which manufacturers make the best Windows laptops?
The leading PC vendors have the broadest range of offerings and the best-documented track records. You’re usually looking at Lenovo, HP, Dell, Apple (for its own machines), and Acer, all of which currently lead the PC market.

Honorable Mentions Worth Considering

HP OmniBook X Flip 14 – A well-rounded, affordable 2-in-1 that combines a vibrant OLED with smooth, reliable performance courtesy of its AMD processor.

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i – A slimmer alternative to the bulky Legion 9i, featuring powerful hardware, a vivid OLED screen, and customizable RGB lighting.

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