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The best Windows laptops for 2024

<p>The sheer number of brands and configs can make picking the perfect Windows laptops a bit challenging. However, all of those choices also mean there’s probably a notebook out there that has everything you need. Before you start searching, it’s important to figure out how you plan to use your next laptop and how much you want to spend. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a premium ultraportable, a compact gaming rig or a beefy mobile workstation, we’ve got a list of our favorite Windows laptops that have been tested by editors across a range of prices and setups.

However, one important thing to remember is that it’s only been a few weeks since <a data-i13n="cpos:1;pos:1" href="https://www.engadget.com/guides/ces/">CES 2024[/url], when most of the big OEMs showed off all of their new models for the upcoming year. So for anyone hoping to buy something with the latest and greatest hardware, you may want to consider waiting until later in 2024 when more of these new systems become available for purchase (and after we’ve had the chance to test them out).</p>
<h2>Performance</h2>
<p>The challenge when thinking about performance is figuring out your sweet spot. That’s because while a laptop with blazing speed is nice, you may be paying for more oomph than you need. But if you skimp and get a weak processor, even simple tasks can become a chore and you might end up in a situation where you need to upgrade again sooner than you’d like. Performance is more than just clockspeeds too, so we also consider things like fast wake times, storage speeds, multitasking and more advanced features like support for ray tracing.</p>
<span id="end-legacy-contents"></span><h2>Display and webcams</h2>
<p>Regardless of whether a notebook has a touchscreen or a more traditional panel, we look for bright displays (300+ nits or more) that are easy use outdoors or in sunny rooms, accurate colors and wide viewing angles. Screens with high refresh rates are great for competitive gamers, while those with wider color gamuts are important for content creation. And even if you don’t plan on spending a ton of time on video calls, every laptop needs a decent webcam (1080p or higher).</p>
<h2>Ports and connectivity</h2>
<p>Even with advancements in cellular modems and WiFi, dedicated ports for transferring data or connecting peripherals can make or break a laptop. Ideally, all but the thinnest and lightest systems come with three USB ports, while things like built-in SD card readers can be extremely handy when trying to import media from a camera. And if a notebook is saddled with a slow or outdated WiFi modem (we’re looking for Wi-Fi 6 or later), that’s basically an immediate disqualification.</p>
<h2>Battery life</h2>
<p>It doesn’t matter how powerful a laptop is if it conks out when you need it the most. Typically we look for runtimes of at least eight hours on a charge, but longer is always better. That said, on gaming machines with thirsty GPUs, you may have to settle for a bit less. And on bigger machines, it’s also important to consider if the system can charge via USB-C or if it needs a larger, proprietary power brick.</p>
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<p></p>This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-windows-laptop-130018256.html?src=rss

Source: The best Windows laptops for 2024 (https://www.engadget.com/best-windows-laptop-130018256.html?src=rss)