Month: June 2025

Best touchscreen laptops in 2025: Our top picks

These are the laptops with screens we love to touch

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 review unit on desk

The best touchscreen laptops offer a simple yet extremely helpful way to navigate around your PC, giving you easy access to tap, swipe and scroll your way through apps, browsers and, if you have a stylus,plentymore.

There’s something special about being able to transform a laptop into a handy notepad, a canvas for creative work (doodling included) or a portable screen to binge-watch shows like you would on a tablet. And a touchscreen makes this all accessible with just a touch.

I’ve been putting laptops to the test and reviewing the latest releases for years, from Windows PCs or Chromebooks to visually stunning OLED displays or bang-for-your-buck screens, and it’s shown me how great a touchscreen laptop can be.

If a touchscreen on a PC is a priority for you, our list of recommendations all about the best touchscreen laptops will give you a few ideas.

>>>Replacement battery for Asus ZenBook 14X OLED UM5401 UM5401QA

The best touchscreen laptops you can buy today

The best overall

Surface Laptop 7 from the front

1. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

The best touchscreen laptop for most

Specifications

Display:13-inch or 15-inch 120Hz touchscreenCPU:Snapdragon X Plus or EliteGPU:Qualcomm Adreno integrated GPURAM:16-64GBStorage:256GB – 1TB SSDWeight:2.96-3.67 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Sleek and light
+Fast Qualcomm performance
+Great battery life
+Wi-Fi 7 support

Reasons to avoid

-AI features feel gimmicky
-Poor gaming performance
-Minimal ports

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is the first Surface Laptop to ship with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip inside instead of Intel, and the upgrade makes all the difference.

While earlier iterations of the Surface Laptop were middling at best, this 7th generation model is speedy and has battery life to spare. In our battery test it lasted nearly 16 hours on a full charge, so you can count on it lasting you through a full day of work or school.

And you should have no trouble tapping and swiping your way through the workday thanks to the Surface Laptop 7’s 120Hz touchscreen. You can get it in either 13-inch or 15-inch varieties, and in our testing the screen is bright, beautiful and easy to use.

>>>>Replacement battery for Asus Vivobook M1403QA M3502QA X1403ZA M1503IA K3502ZA

The best value

Acer Chromebook Spin 714 open on a desk

2. Acer Chromebook Spin 714

Best value

Specifications

Display:14-inch WUXGA (1920×1200) IPS touchscreenCPU:Intel Core i5-1235UGPU:Intel Iris Xe integrated graphicsRAM:8GBStorage:256 GB SSDWeight:3.2 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Top-notch performance for the category
+10+ hour battery life
+Good connectivity options
+Includes mouse and stylus

Reasons to avoid

-High price versus competition
-No SD card reader
-Average 720p webcam

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is one of the more powerful 2-in-1 Chromebooks you can buy, and its snappy touchscreen makes it a great choice for those who prefer to tap rather than type.

While it’s less capable and less powerful than the other laptops on this list, the Spin 714 has one key strength the others can’t match: affordability. For under $800 (or sometimes under $500 if you find it on sale) you get this great Chromebook that transforms into a tablet, along with a free stylus (so you can doodle as well as tap and swipe) and a free wireless travel mouse.

Plus, you get lots of ports: HDMI out, USB-C and USB-A for plugging in peripherals, as well as a headphone jack for private listening parties. If you don’t mind owning a touchscreen laptop that requires an Internet connection to be fully functional, this is a great value.

>>>Replacement battery for Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 1964

The best upgrade

Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 review unit on a table outdoors, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 playing on the screen

3. Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8

The best upgrade pick

Specifications

Display:14-inch 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800 pixels) OLED touchscreenCPU:13th Gen Intel Core i7-1360PRAM:16GBStorage:512GBWeight:3.09 poundsSize:12.52 x 9.06 x 0.6 inches

Reasons to buy

+Elegant chassis easy to carry
+Vivid, oversaturated OLED display
+Soundbar delivers great audio quality
+Included stylus is a nice touch

Reasons to avoid

-Dim screen in direct light
-1-Click function keys waste space
-Middling performance

The Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 is a premium 2-in-1 Windows 11 laptop with a lovely OLED touchscreen, and while it’s a bit pricier than our top recommendation, it’s worth the extra cost for those who can afford it because you get a lovely OLED touchscreen, a great soundbar and a stylus included at no charge.

While we wish Lenovo hadn’t gotten rid of the little garage you could slide the stylus into on earlier models of the 9i, we still think this is a fantastic laptop that’s easy to carry to work or school at 12.52 x 9.06 x 0.6 inches thick and just over 3 pounds heavy.

Factor in the great speakers and the all-day battery life (this laptop lasted just over 10 hours in our in-house battery test) and you start to see why this is the laptop to splurge on if you want something a little more premium than the Surface Laptop 7.

The best tablet

Microsoft Surface Pro 11 on a desk.

4. Microsoft Surface Pro 11

The best touchscreen tablet

Specifications

Display:13 inch (2880 x 1920) LCD or OLEDCPU:Snapdragon X Plus/EliteGPU:Snapdragon AdrenoRAM:16GB – 32GBStorage:256GB – 1TBWeight:1.97 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Thin and lightweight design
+Powerful Snapdragon X performance
+Excellent battery life
+Updated keyboard cover peripheral
+Bright OLED display

Reasons to avoid

-Peripherals are very expensive
-Some Copilot+ features are missing
-Certain apps are incompatible with Arm

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is technically a Windows 11 tablet, but you can get it with a keyboard cover if you really want the full laptop experience. But given how navigable Windows has gotten via touch in the last few years, you should have no trouble tapping and swiping your way through your workday with this svelte little tablet.

And it’s better than ever thanks to the power and longevity of the new Snapdragon X chips inside, which give this portable PC the best battery life of any Surface Pro we’ve ever tested. And now for the first time you can upgrade it with an OLED touchscreen, which really makes the tapping and swiping on this machine feel luxurious.

Plus, the Snapdragon chips inside give this tablet good performance and great battery life (12 hours in our testing), so you can count on being able to use this machine on the go for a day or more.

If you’re in the market for a great touchscreen tablet that can double as a laptop if you really need it to, the Surface Pro 11 is our top recommendation.

The best dual-screen

5. Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

The best touchscreen laptop when you absolutely, positively need two screens

Specifications

Display:Two 13.3-inch 2.8K (2,800 x 1,800) OLED, 60HzCPU:13th gen Intel Core i7-1355UGPU:Intel Irix XeRAM:16GBStorage:512GBSize:11.78 x 8.03 x 0.63 inchesWeight:2.95 pounds

Reasons to buy

+Dual OLED displays enable multiple modes
+Responsive touchscreens
+Bundled with Bluetooth mouse and attachable keyboard

Reasons to avoid

-Priced higher than other 2-in-1 laptops
-Minimal ports

When one touchscreen on your laptop just isn’t enough, you need the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i.

This unique laptop unites a pair of 13.3-inch OLED touchscreens in one device, giving you more usable screen space than basically any other laptop on the market right out of the box.

Thanks to the included keyboard and folio kickstand you can use the Yoga Book 9i in a variety of configurations. Flip one over to show someone something in presentation mode, or spread the two panels side-by-side for a dual-monitor setup that travels with you.

While it takes some getting used to, once you get the hang of setting it up and using the gesture commands on the pair of touchscreens, I think you’ll find the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i is a surprisingly usable and useful dual-touchscreen laptop.

The best for gaming

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 review unit on desk

6. Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

The best touchscreen laptop for Windows 11

Specifications

Display:14.4-inch 120 Hz touchscreen (2400 x 1600 pixels)CPU:13th Gen Intel Core i7GPU:Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050-4060 GPURAM:16-64 GBStorage:512GB – 2TB SSDWeight:4.18 lbs (integrated graphics), 4.37 lbs (Nvidia GPU)

Reasons to buy

+Display is bright and color-accurate
+Doubles as a solid gaming laptop
+Expanded port array is a nice upgrade
+Sliding screen gives this 2-in-1 unique value

Reasons to avoid

-Middling battery life
-No stylus included limits this laptop’s versatility

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio sports an eye-catching hinged display that you can either close as normal or slide down so the touchscreen lies flat over the keyboard, turning it into a hefty Windows tablet.

Being able to slide the display gives you novel ways of using the laptop, like tenting the screen over the keyboard so you can tap it like an easel (great for making art) or watch videos on a desk. And if you pay extra for Microsoft’s Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus, you get haptic feedback when writing or drawing on the touchscreen to boot.

But what’s really exciting about the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is that you can configure it with extra RAM and a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 40-series laptop GPU. If you pay for this upgrade, it can play many of the best PC games at good to great framerates, something no other laptop on this list can do.

So while it’s not as speedy or long-lasting as some other laptops on this list, like the Snapdragon machines, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the best touchscreen laptop for folks who want to do some serious gaming after work—just make sure to pay for the Nvidia GeForce upgrade.

The best OLED

7. Asus Zenbook 14X OLED

OLED + touchscreen = beauty

Specifications

Display:14.5-inch OLED 2.8K (2800 x 1880, 120Hz)CPU:Intel Core i9-13900HGPU:Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050RAM:Up to 32GBStorage:up to 1TBWeight:3.44 pounds

Reasons to buy

+An incredible OLED display
+Attractive design
+Brilliant keyboard
+Better than expected speakers

Reasons to avoid

-Fan noise is a problem under heavy load
-Can run hot while gaming
-Battery life could be better

The Asus Zenbook 14X OLED may not be the most powerful laptop for power users, nor is it the best one for gaming, but one thing’s for sure: this notebook’s OLED display is one of the finest around.

Sporting a 14.5-inch 2.8K (2800 x 1880) OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, this is a screen you’ll want to touch. It offers accurate colors and good brightness, and you can expect everything on display to deliver crisp details that pop.

With its RTX 3050 onboard, it even manages to pull off some gaming, and for those graphically stunning PC titles, the display makes them shine.

Its touchscreen is a welcome inclusion, even if it’s not the Zenbook 14X OLED’s main focus. But it’s a visual treat to tap and swipe around. Be warned, though, it doesn’t handle heavy loads very well, which makes it spin up fans a tad too loud and makes it hot under pressure.

Despite all that, we’re big fans of the Asus Zenbook 14X OLED (along with its thin, portable form factor), and it makes for a great touchscreen laptop.

How to choose the best touchscreen laptop for you

What kind of power do you want?If you only need something basic for surfing the web, consider either a Chromebook (like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714) or a cheaper Windows laptop like the Surface Pro 11 or Surface Laptop 7. If you want to do more demanding things like play games or edit video, I recommend getting a laptop with a discrete GPU and extra RAM, like the Surface Laptop Studio 2.

How big of a laptop do you want?Consider how often you plan to carry this laptop around. If the answer is “not very often”, you’re free to pick whatever catches your eye without worrying too much about weight and size.

But if you are planning on carrying this laptop to work, school or elsewhere on a regular basis, consider getting something smaller and more portable like the Surface Pro 11 or Chromebook Spin 714. Both are a bit smaller and lighter than the other laptops on this list, so they won’t be quite as rough on your back and shoulders if you need to lug them around all day.

Do you want Chrome or Windows?Some of our top picks are Chromebooks that run on Google’s ChromeOS, while the rest run on Microsoft’s Windows operating system.

Both are pretty navigable by touch, but Chrome is more limited than Windows in that it basically requires you to be connected to the Internet to do anything. Windows is more capable and more complicated than Chrome, but you can count on Windows supporting basically anything you need to do on a PC.

So if you want to run complicated programs, play games or do intensive work on your PC (like coding or editing photos and videos) I recommend you stick with Windows. But if all you need your laptop to do is browse the web, you’re just fine with a Chromebook like the Spin.

Unfortunately, Apple has yet to make a MacBook with a touchscreen. If you love the way Apple operating systems work, thebest iPadyou can afford paired with a detachable keyboard is the closest you can get to a touchscreen Apple laptop.

Battery benchmarks: comparison

You want to know how long your laptop will last on a full charge, which is why we run every laptop we review through a series of battery tests to see how long it actually lasts.

However, these tests don’t necessarily reflect real-world use patterns since we have to set every laptop to the same settings in order to do fair comparisons. So while the times listed here are useful for comparing laptops, don’t think you’ll necessarily get the same time on a full charge at home.

LaptopBattery life (tested)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 715:44
Acer Chromebook Spin 71414:41
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 810:10
Microsoft Surface Pro 1112:10
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i9:18 (two displays) | 12:13 (one display)
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 29:31
Asus Zenbook 14X OLED8:24

Performance test results compared

You want a sense of how capable and speedy a laptop will be before you buy it, so you should have a sense of how their performance compares.

That’s why we run every laptop we test and review through the Geekbench CPU benchmarking utility: to get a sense of how capable it is in terms of raw CPU power. The way you use the laptop and the things you put on it will ultimately determine how well it performs, but this baseline comparison can give you a general idea of how they stack up.

Geekbench assigns the laptop a score for its performance in single-core workloads and multi-core workloads, which we then report to you against similar laptops to help you decide. The single-core workload score is typically a little more meaningful because not all apps are optimized for multi-core performance, but many are so it is important to know.

Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark results

LaptopSingle-coreMulti-core
Microsoft Surface Pro 11281314432
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7174110084
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8244510753
Asus Zenbook 14X OLED194812580
Acer Chromebook Spin 714N/AN/A
Lenovo Yoga Book 9i23178887
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2230811979

HOW TO FIND YOUR MOTHERBOARD’S SERIAL NUMBER (AND WHY YOU MIGHT WANT TO)

gaming computer motherboard with black background

Your computer’s motherboard is the main circuit board that powers the system and connects key components like the CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage drives. Just like other PC parts, not all motherboards are the same. They vary in size, socket type, chipset, and features like RAM support, storage, and connectivity. If you’re thinking about upgrading your computer, knowing your motherboard’s brand and model can be a big help. Similarly, you might need to know your motherboard’s serial number for things like warranty registration, submitting a claim, or finding compatible parts. It’s also useful when downloading BIOS updates directly from the manufacturer’s website. Some software might even ask for it during registration. In large organizations, IT teams often keep track of serial numbers as part of their hardware inventory. No matter the reason, checking the serial number is quite easy, and you don’t even have to open up your computer’s case to find it.>>>Replacement battery for Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 1964How to find your motherboard’s serial number

Terminal window showing motherboard's serial number

Finding your motherboard’s serial number in Windows 10 or 11 is simple. You simply have to run a quick command in the Command Prompt. Along with the serial number, you’ll also see details like the manufacturer, model, and version number. Here’s what you need to do: 

  • Press Win + S to open the search menu. 
  • Type Command Prompt in the text box and select the first result that appears. 
  • In the console, type the following command and hit Enter:

wmic baseboard get product, manufacturer, serialnumber, version>>>Replacement battery for Microsoft Surface Pro 8 1982 1983The Command Prompt will now display your motherboard’s brand, product number, serial number, and version. If you usually work in PowerShell, you can use this command instead:gwmi win32_baseboard | FL Product,Manufacturer,SerialNumber,VersionMotherboards typically also have the serial number printed directly on the circuit board. So, if your computer won’t turn on for some reason, you can open the case and look for a sticker or label on the circuit board. The exact location of the serial number may vary, and you might need to clean the motherboard if it’s covered in dust or dirt.

Switch 2 Pro Controller review: Nintendo’s best gamepad simply costs too much

Its high $85 price is a major flaw.

A switch 2 with a pro controller in front of it while playing mario kart

For as long as I can remember, Nintendo’s gamepads have been a core part of my life. The NES’s original rectangular controller was awfully unergonomic, but I still loved it, and it set me down the path of being a lifelong gaming and gadget geek. The SNES’s rounded gamepad practically defined my childhood. It’s so iconic, you can still see echoes of its layout in most controllers today. I didn’t have much love for the Nintendo 64’s triple-armed monstrosity (or that system in general), but the Gamecube’s cartoonishly quirky controller was fantastic, especially when Nintendo’s WaveBird finally made wireless gaming a reality. And while I didn’t like the Wiimote or Wii U tablet much either, I can respect the swings Nintendo took with both of them.>>>Replacement battery for Nintendo Game Boy Micro OXY-001 Y76NB01

a product image of a switch 2 pro controller
switch 2 pro controller side view
switch 2 pro controller product image showing the bumpers and triggers
switch 2 pro controller product images

Switch 2 Pro Controller

The Switch 2 Pro controller is clearly the most refined gamepad Nintendo has ever made. It’s just a shame that it’s so expensive and doesn’t have Hall effect sticks.Pros

  • Incredibly smooth joysticks
  • Responsive face buttons
  • Accurate D-pad
  • Comfortable ergonomics
  • Customizable rear buttons

Cons

  • So expensive
  • No Hall effect sticks
  • No analog triggers

>>>Replacement battery for Nintendo 3DS N3DSSo, believe me when I say this: The Switch 2 Pro Controller is the best gamepad Nintendo has ever made. It feels wonderfully ergonomic and luxurious in your hands, its joysticks are buttery smooth and all of its buttons deliver excellent feedback. It’s a huge step up from the original Switch’s Pro controller, which felt weirdly cheap and plasticky, especially when rotating its analog sticks. And, as an added bonus, the Switch 2 Pro controller is also customizable, thanks to two rear buttons that can be quickly programmed in any game. There’s even a 3.5mm jack to plug in wired headphones, something I’ve never seen on a Nintendo controller before (but which has been standard on Xbox and PlayStation systems for decades).

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Switch 2 Pro Controller

The Switch 2 Pro Controller isn’t perfect, though. For one, it costs $85 (up from its originally announced $80 price, thanks to the Trump administration’s tariffs). I suppose that’s not as bad as buying a whole new pair of Joy-Con 2s for $95, and it’s not too far off from the PlayStation 5’s $75 Dual Sense 2, but it still stings. It’s even more painful when you consider that8Bitdo’s excellent Ultimate wireless controllercurrently costs $50 (down from a $70 launch price), it works with the Switch 2, has rear buttonsandit features Hall effect joysticks. That means they’re impervious to the drifting problem that plagued the Switch 1’s controllers.

Switch 2 Pro Controller

While gamers have been begging Nintendo to implement Hall effect sticks for years, the company still hasn’t listened. Both the Joy-Con 2 and Switch 2 Pro Controller appear to use the same mechanism as the Switch 1’s accessories. In an interview, Nintendo producer Kouichi Kawamotosaid the company “redesigned everything from scratch,” for the Joy-Con 2, and from my time with the Pro 2 Controller it also feels significantly different than before. But really, all I can do is hope and pray it doesn’t start drifting. One Reddit user claimed that their Switch 2 Joy-Cons were drifting right out of the box, but that doesn’t appear to be a widespread issue.

Beyond the pricing and technical disappointments, though, the Switch 2 Pro Controller is a dream to play with. It seriously leveled-up myMario Kart Worldperformance, since it was easier to drift around corners and hop up to rails without cramping my hands, something that’s unavoidable with the Joy-Con 2. I was able to play for several hours with the new Pro controller and I didn’t notice any pain, and I could also still hold it easily as my palms got sweaty.

As someone who was raised on every version ofStreet Fighter 2on the SNES, I also had to put the Switch 2 Pro Controller through its paces for fighting games. And let me tell you, the hadoukens came easily. The controller’s D-pad sits under my left thumb comfortably, and it’s a cinch to click and rotate to performStreet Fighter 2moves. While playingSoulcalibur 2(now available as part of the Gamecube Classics for Nintendo Online subscribers), the Switch 2 Pro controller was also comfortable while holding my right fingers above the face buttons, similar to an arcade stick. (That’s aSoulcaliburtechnique I learned on the Dreamcast and never let go.)

>>>Replacement battery for Nintendo 3DS XL And 3DS XL

Switch 2 Pro Controller

Despite being fine-tuned for Mario Kart, the Switch 2 Pro Controller isn’t ideal for more realistic racing games since it doesn’t have analog triggers like its predecessor. Nintendo engineers have said in interviews that the company opted for digital triggers since they’re quicker to respond. Premium gamepads like the Xbox Elite have switches that let you choose between quick trigger modes and long analog presses, so there’s clearly a cure for Nintendo’s analog aversion. But implementing that sort of customization also makes gamepads far more complex and expensive.

Switch 2 Pro Controller

At least Nintendo gave us a modicum of customization with the Switch 2 Pro controller’s rear GL and GR buttons, which sit right above the handle grips. You can instantly remap their functionality in any game from the Switch 2’s quick settings menu, making it easier to do things like switch weapons or jump without moving your thumbs away from the joysticks. I ended up remapping the drift and action buttons in Mario Kart World to GL and GR, which helped me avoid reaching up to hit the top trigger buttons. You can also remap all of the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s buttons from the Switch 2’s accessibility menu, where you can create presets for different titles too.

After around 10 hours of playing a variety of games, the Switch 2 Pro Controller’s battery fell to 82 percent. Nintendo claims it can last up to 40 hours, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to play that much during this review. Based on what I’m seeing, though, the gamepad should reach 40 hours easily.

As much as I like the Switch 2 Pro Controller, it’s undoubtedly an extravagance at $85 when 8Bitdo’s Ultimate gamepad offers even more features for $50. But if you’re a dedicated Nintendo fan, or you just can’t accept third-party controllers, it’s also one of the best gamepads you can buy today.

Should you buy the Switch 2 Pro Controller?

You should buy the Switch 2 Pro Controller if you:

  • Like the original Switch Pro Controller
  • Primarily play docked
  • Enjoy extra buttons and button remapping
  • Prefer a more quality feel compared to the Joy-Cons

You should not buy the Switch 2 Pro Controller if you:

  • Primarily play handheld
  • Don’t care about back buttons or button remapping
  • Don’t like controllers that smudge easily

Sony unlocks regional restrictions for some PC games in more than 100 countries

Countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe can purchase Helldivers 2 once again.

It turns out that region-locking your games makes it harder to sell more copies. First discovered byWario64, Sony has lifted regional restrictions for several of its titles that are available to play on PC through Steam. Sony hasn’t officially announced the removal of these region locks, nor the reason why, butGod of War Ragnarok, The Last of Us Part II Remastered,Spider-Man 2, and the hit co-op shooterHelldivers 2can be purchased once again in 177 countries that were previously prohibited, as seen in database changelogs.

To understand why Sony decided to limit sales of its games in certain countries, we have to revisit when the video game publisher announced it would requireHelldivers 2PC players to link their Steam accounts to the PlayStation Network. This controversial decision prohibited players in countries that didn’t have access to the PSN, so Sony also removedHelldivers 2from being on sale in those locations. The publisherquickly backtrackedon that move, even laterremoving the PSN requirementsfor other titles likeSpider-Man 2.

>>>Replacement battery for Sony PlayStation 5 PS5 DualSense Controller CFI-ZCT1W

More recently, the PC release ofStellar Bladeon June 11 resurfaced Sony’s PSN login requirement debacle. The game’s developer, Shift Up, was able to work with Sony to loosen restrictions and make a PSN login optional, allowing for an explosive launch where the game saw a peak of nearly 200,000 players in its opening week. Now, PC gamers across the world can playStellar BladeandHelldivers 2without needing a PSN account. However, there are still some Sony titles on Steam that are heavily restricted, likeGhost of TsushimaandUntil Dawn.

Best 5G Windows laptops with LTE support in 2025

The Surface Pro 11 is the best laptop with 5G support, but I have some great alternatives that might be better suited to you.

Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite is the best 5G laptop on the market.

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11 Copilot+ PC features optional 5G connectivity. 

Thebest Windows laptopswith 5G and/or 4G LTE offer next-level connectivity, allowing you to remain in contact almost anywhere you go. If your phone has service, so too will your laptop.

My top recommendation is the highest-rated 5G laptop we’ve tested so far atWindowsCentral,Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11. It’s a 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC), capable of delivering versatility, long battery life, and high-end features.

Not quite what you need? I have some alternative recommendations to suit a wide range of users, including the new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1.

>>>Replacement battery for Microsoft Surface Pro 9 2032 1996 1997 2038

The best laptops with 5G and 4G LTE connectivity in 2025

Best overall 5G laptop

搭载高通骁龙 X Elite 的 Microsoft Surface Pro 11

1. Surface Pro 11

Best overall

Specifications

CPU:Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80), X PlusGPU:Qualcomm AdrenoNPU:Qualcomm Hexagon (45 TOPS)RAM:16GB, 32GB LPDDR5x (soldered)Storage:256GB, 512GB, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDDisplay:13 inches, 2880×1920 (2.8K), OLED or LCD, 3:2 aspect ratio, touchBattery:48Wh or 53Wh (OLED)Connectivity:Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 4G LTE, 5G

Reasons to buy

+Exceptional performance on and off AC
+Fantastic 12 MP front-facing camera
+The new Flex Keyboard is outstanding
+Very good battery life for a Surface Pro
+Bright OLED HDR display
+Sapphire blue is stunning
+Now more affordable

Reasons to avoid

-No AR on the display
-AI is underbaked
-No HPD

It was always expected that the Surface Pro 11 would pick up 5G connectivity sometime after its initial launch in 2024, and that extra feature is now a reality.

The Pro 11, which came to market in June, is a Copilot+ PC available withQualcomm’sSnapdragon X EliteandX PlusSystems-on-Chip (SoC). Both performance versions have optional 5G connectivity to complement the usual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless, and both can deliver excellent performance and battery life.

Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubinoreviewed the Surface Pro 11shortly after its release. He essentially came to the conclusion that it’s as impactful an update as the Surface Pro 4 was years ago, remarking:

“The Surface Pro 11th edition is by far the best version yet — and easily one of thebest Windows laptopsyou can buy — thanks to the new Qualcomm processor, excellent 120Hz OLED display, and the new Flex Keyboard. With solid battery life and excellent performance, Microsoft achieves a nearly perfect score from us.”

The Pro 11 is usually sold as a tablet alone. It has a built-in stand on the back that helps prop up the display; connect a keyboard — like the newestFlex Keyboardwith wireless connectivity and a haptic touchpad — and you’ve created a notebook PC. The 13-inch touch display at a 2880×1920 resolution (in OLED or LCD versions) has a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3:2 aspect ratio, perfect for tablet and notebook form factors.

A 12MP front-facing camera is great for video meetings (there’s another 10MP world-facing camera on the back), dual speakers haveDolby Atmostuning, and it’s altogether built to a high standard.

The best price I could find at the time of my latest update is$1,899 at Amazon. The models includes a Snapdragon X Elite chip, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and, of course, 5G connectivity.

>>>Replacement battery for Microsoft Surface Pro X 13″ Tablet

Best business laptop with 5G

联想 ThinkPad X1 Carbon（第 12 代）的图片。

2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12)

Best business

Specifications

CPU:Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 165HGPU:Intel Arc (integrated)RAM:Up to 32GB LPDDR5x-6400MHz (soldered)Storage:Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDDisplay:14 inches, up to 2.8K OLED, touch, 120Hz, HDR 500Battery:57WhConnectivity:Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 4G LTE, 5G

Reasons to buy

+Gorgeously refined and ultralight design
+Outstanding keyboard and lots of ports
+Two biometric authentication options, loud speakers
+Optional 5G connectivity

Reasons to avoid

-Battery life and performance aren’t above average due to the laptop’s compact size
-Very expensive when not on sale

The twelfth-gen X1 Carbon brought Intel Core Ultra CPUs, a thinner and lighter chassis, an optional haptic touchpad, and the same outstanding typing experience that’s expected from ThinkPad.

In theirThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) review, Windows Central’s Zachary Boddy remarked that “Lenovo has achieved something extraordinary with its latest and greatest enterprise laptop.”

However, it does come with an extreme price (at least when it’s not part of one of Lenovo’s frequent discounts), which amplifies the middling battery life and average Core Ultra performance.

Nevertheless, this is an outstanding laptop for professionals with deep pockets. Lenovo offers up to a 14-inch 2.8K display with OLED panel, Dolby Vision, DisplayHDR True Black 500, and 120Hz refresh rate, with a bunch of other options at a cheaper price.

Connectivity is either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 withBluetooth5.3, and the WWAN is handled by 5G (Sub-6) or 4G LTE (CAT16), depending on your preferences. There is a Nano SIM slot, plus there’s eSIM support built in.

It’s worth mentioning that Lenovo has anewer X1 Carbon (Gen 13) on the market, complete with Intel’s Aura Edition upgrades. However, there’s no mention of any 5G connectivity. The Gen 12 model is still your best option in that regard.

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Best thin and light laptop with 5G

HP EliteBook 1040 G11

3. HP EliteBook 1040 G11

Thin and light

Specifications

CPU:Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 165H vProGPU:Intel Arc (integrated)RAM:16GB, 32GB LPDDR5x (soldered)Storage:Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe TLD SSD, OPAL2 options availableDisplay:14 inches, 1920×1200, touch or non-touch, 400 nitsBattery:56WhConnectivity:Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 4G LTE, 5G

Reasons to buy

+Weighs just 2.6 pounds
+Premium build quality and comes with Wolf Pro Security
+Great keyboard and touchpad
+5G/4G LTE connectivity options available

Reasons to avoid

-Limited display options for WWAN models
-Very pricey when not on sale

HP’s EliteBook 1040 G11 is another business laptop that focuses on being thin and light while delivering a ton of features and security options. Thanks to HP’s deep configuration options at its official site, you can pick and choose up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 165H vPro CPU, 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe TLC SSD storage.

What I’m specifically looking for here is WWAN connectivity, which comes in 4G LTE or 5G flavors. Opting for the extra wireless hardware does limit some configuration choices in the display area, but you still get a couple of 14-inch screens with FHD+ resolutions.

A 5MP IR webcam handles security and video conferencing, you can upgrade from a 56Wh battery to a 68Wh battery for only a few dollars more, and the laptop otherwise has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.

The sleek business PC has a wide selection of ports, including twoThunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1,USB-C(10Gbps), and a 3.5mm audio jack. The quad stereo speakers pump out quality sound, and it comes with a three-year license for HP’s World Pro Security.

HP doesn’t appear to have any pre-configured models available with 5G, but its deep customization options allow you to build a PC from the CPU out, with your choice of wireless connectivity included.

Best convertible laptop with 5G

戴尔 Latitude 7450 二合一

4. Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1

Best convertible

Specifications

CPU:Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 165H vProGPU:Up to Intel Arc (integrated)RAM:16GB, 32GB LPDDR5xStorage:Up to 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe TLC SSDDisplay:14 inches, 1920×1200, 300 nits, touch, IPS, anti-reflectiveBattery:38Wh, 57WhConnectivity:Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 4G LTE, 5G

Reasons to buy

+Available with 5G or 4G LTE unlocked or for specific carriers
+Intel Core Ultra Series 1 CPUs and lots of config options
+Versatile convertible form factor
+Excellent keyboard and touchpad

Reasons to avoid

-Only one display option for WWAN models
-Security features raise the price quickly

Business laptops with a convertible form factor aren’t too common, but Dell has you covered with its Latitude 7450 2-in-1. It features Intel’s Core Ultra U- and H-series vPro CPUs, up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and up to a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe TLC SSD.

Like HP’s EliteBook, Dell offers many config options for the Latitude 7450AIPC, going so far as to offer it in a standard notebook form factor alongside the convertible. Either way, you can add 4G LTE or 5G connectivity; it comes unlocked for any carrier, but you can also get a specific data provider — including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — straight from the factory.

There’s just one 14-inch touch display available for WWAN models. It has a 1920×1200 (FHD+) resolution, IPS panel, inking support, and an anti-reflective finish to reduce glare. The convertible versions also have a less impressive FHD webcam, though it has an IR sensor for Windows Hello.

Dell’s suite of security tools for professionals is on board, and you can rest assured the laptop will last thanks to MIL-STD 810H durability certifications.

With abig shakeup to Dell’s branding announced at CES 2025,expect to see the Latitude line retired in the near future. For now, though, this is the best option.

Best rugged laptop with 5G

Panasonic Toughbook 55 MK3 Review – Rugged Books Inc.

5. Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3

Best rugged

Specifications

CPU:Up to Intel Core i7-1370P vProGPU:Intel Iris Xe (integrated)RAM:Up to 64GB DDR4-3200 (upgradeable)Storage:Up to 2TB SSD (upgradeable)Display:14 inches, 16:9, up to 1920×1080 (FHD), touch, anti-reflective, up to 1000 nitsConnectivity:Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 4G LTE

Reasons to buy

+Three modular bays for expansions and upgrades
+Optional 4G LTE connectivity
+Durable design and build quality
+Loud speakers and super battery life
+1,000-nit display for outdoor use

Reasons to avoid

-No 5G option
-Display has a 16:9 aspect ratio

Fieldworkers and industry professionals often need a laptop that can survive conditions well beyond what you’d find in a usual office. That’s where the Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 excels.

In hisPanasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 review, Windows Central’s Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino said:

“If someone like me, who is particular about laptops, finds it appealing, emergency medical technicians, police officers, or military personnel would likely appreciate its speed, dependability, and all the contemporary features of a 2023 prosumer laptop.”

It’s a chunky 14-inch device with three modular bays for easy upgrades, built for semi-rugged durability with MIL-STD-810H and IP53 certifications. You can work with two batteries, together offering more than 24 hours of runtime, and performance is solid from Intel’s 13th Gen Core P-series chips.

The laptop has 92dB speakers for audio you can hear anywhere, the 1080p camera has an IR sensor and a privacy shutter, and there’s a decent selection of ports.

The Toughbook 55 offers 4G LTE connectivity, but it does not make the jump to 5G. You can still find models forsale at Amazon, but they’re starting to get scarce if you’re not interested in getting aquote directly from Panasonic.

Best premium laptop with 5G

Image of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 10) Aura Edition.
The durable convertible design of the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 makes it perfect for jotting down notes with an active pen or watching videos.

6. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 10)

Premium throughout with high-end features

Specifications

CPU:Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 268V w/ Intel vProGPU:Up to Intel Arc 140V (integrated)RAM:Up to 32GB LPDDR5x (soldered)Storage:Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe 5.0 SSD (upgradeable)Display:Up to 14-inch OLED, 16:10 aspect ratio, 2.8K (2,880 x 1,800) resolution, 30-120Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), 500 nits max brightness, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500, 100% DCI-P3, anti-reflective, touchConnectivity:Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 5G Sub6 (optional)

Reasons to buy

+Sleek, lightweight, and durable design
+Great everyday performance with excellent battery life
+Plenty of extra security and AI features
+Optional features like a haptic touchpad, cellular connectivity, and stylus input

Reasons to avoid

-Entry-level IPS LCD display is mediocre
-Display hinge feels like a weak point
-You’ll definitely want to wait for a sale

Dell’s Latitude 7450 2-in-1 might be my main convertible pick, but for those who don’t mind spending more, the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 10) has some great features that benefit professionals.

The ThinkPad design has been refined over many years, and Lenovo has arrived at a sleek all-metal chassis with MIL-STD 810H durability certification.

The convertible design allows you to use it like a tablet or as a notebook, and the active pen is perfect for taking notes or sketching designs.

One area where the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 fell behind in previous years was performance, but that’s been remedied. As Zachary Boddy mentions in theirThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 10) review:

“[It] performs excellently for everyday work, and isIntel Evocertified for that added guarantee of smooth use. This laptop feels every bit like the premium machine it’s supposed to be.”

As for battery life, our testing shows that you can expect 7-8 hours of real-world usage.

The keyboard is one of the best on the market, and while the touchpad is smaller due to the inclusion of the TrackPoint system, it is available with optionalhaptic feedbackrather than traditional moving parts.

The FHD webcam includes an IR sensor for Windows Hello, and it also supportsHuman Presence Detectionfor hands-free locking and unlocking.

Finally, wireless connectivity is handled byWi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and optional 5G. It looks like Lenovo charges $200 for a Quectel modem, which brings the starting price of these laptops up toabout $1,880 at Lenovo.

As is usually the case with ThinkPads, I recommend waiting for one of Lenovo’s frequent and deep sales.

How to choose the best 5G laptop for you

A laptop with5G or 4G LTE connectivityis particularly beneficial for frequent travelers, busy professionals, college students, and anyone else who needs to stay connected to the internet at all times.

Not having to rely on public Wi-Fi will boost privacy and security, and you’ll have a connection practically anywhere that there is cell service.

Yes, mobile connectivity on the Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) requires aquality data plan made for a laptop, and your laptop needs special hardware inside to access the network. This includes a Nano SIM slot or eSIM functionality, antenna, and modem.

5G and 4G LTE are both WWAN standards, with 5G being the newer generation. It’s backward compatible with older networks, meaning that your 5G modem will work with 4G LTE networks (at lower speeds).

Some of the laptops in this collection are still using 4G LTE; if you’d like the best bandwidth possible, you’ll want to stick with 5G.

With all this in mind, my top pick is Microsoft’s Surface Pro 11 with 5G. It’s a versatile 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC that starts at a more reasonable price than other options in this list, mostly due to it not being a business-focused PC.

If you’re a regular user who wants 5G without enterprise extras, this should be your first choice. Just be sure thatWindows on Snapdragonis right for you.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) andHP EliteBook1040 G11 are both high-quality business laptops with 5G or 4G LTE connectivity, while the Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 takes durability and ruggedness to the next level for certain industries.

And my latest addition, the ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 10), is a gorgeous business laptop with convertible versatility, excellent security, and high-end features throughout that will appeal to professionals.

5G laptops FAQ

New to the idea of adding a 5G connection to your laptop? These answers should help.

Do I really need 5G in your laptop?

Whether or not you reallyneed 5G in a laptopcomes down to how you use your PC. Not only do these PCs offer connectivity in more places, but you can also expect better privacy thanks to always having your own network. Public Wi-Fi is often convenient, but it’s not the best option if you’re worried about your data.

Because laptops with 5G generally lean toward a professional lifestyle, you can also often pick up extra security features and a more durable design. Not all 5G laptops are straight business, however, with the Surface Pro 11 coming in as the most versatile option for pros or more casual users who simply need a reliable internet connection everywhere.