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’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.
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The best laptops with 5G and 4G LTE connectivity in 2025
Best overall 5G laptop
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.
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Best business laptop with 5G
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
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
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
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
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.
