Some computer operating systems drive more buzz and industry-wide upset than others. The release of Windows 10 came with a retooled version of the familiar start menu, updates to Cortana (the Microsoft Edge browsing optimizer) and a cross-device, software-as-a-service setup. Laptop makers adjusted by innovating with Windows 10 in mind.
Design breakthroughs like hybrid detachables, touchscreen functionality and hinged displays complement Windows 10, and vice versa. At SpecOut, we wanted to identify the best Windows 10 laptops on the market today. To do this, we combed our database and selected the 19 best Windows laptops based on Smart Rating, which factors in specs, expert ratings, and display and dimensions.
#19. ASUS Transformer Book Flip TP200SA
Smart Rating: 80
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $349
Screen Size: 11.6 inches
RAM Included: 4 GB
Battery Life: 8 hours
Weighing in at just 1.2 kg (2.64 pounds), the TP200SA is the lightest Flip ever. Its metal finish is durable and scratch-resistant, and its hinge turns a full 360 degrees. It comes with a reversible USB Type-C port for easy connections and a touchpad that is 46% larger than those of competing devices.
#18. Dell Alienware 13 R2
Smart Rating: 80
Type: Gaming
Price: $1800
Screen Size: 13 inches
RAM Included: 16 GB
Battery Life: 10 hours
This 13-inch gaming laptop comes with 4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB of memory, and a sixth generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor. All models come with 2 GB GDDR5, long battery life and a four-zone multi-color RGB keyboard.
#17. Acer Aspire R 14 (R5-471T-52EE)
Smart Rating: 82
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $700
Screen Size: 14 inches
RAM Included: 8 GB
Battery Life: 9 hours
This 14-inch convertible sports diamond-cut edges and a brushed-look exterior. The dual-torque hinge moves between tent, display, laptop and tablet settings.
Zero Air Gap display ensures quality visuals. TrueHarmony Plus and Dolby Audio make for crystal clear chatting in Skype and Cortana.
#16. Acer Aspire Switch 10 Special SW5-015-16Y3
Smart Rating: 82
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $350
Screen Size: 10.1 inches
RAM Included: 2 GB
Battery Life: 8 hours
The Switch 10’s full HD display is protected from scratches by a bonded layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Powered by an Intel Atom processor, the Switch 10 comes with Acer’s trademarked Snap Hinge, which uses magnetics instead of a latching mechanism to attach and detach.
#15. Acer Aspire Switch 11 V
Smart Rating: 84
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $600
Screen Size: 11.6 inches
RAM Included: 4 GB
Battery Life: 8 hours
This two-in-one notebook and tablet hybrid is powered by an Intel Core M processor. Trademarked VisionCare, LumiFlex and BlueLightShield technologies keep the high-definition display vibrant when viewing in bright light or at odd angles. Design enhancements include a spacious chiclet keyboard and an upgraded magnetic Snap Hinge.
#14. Acer Aspire One Cloudbook 14 AO1-431-C1FZ
Smart Rating: 84
Type: Notebook
Price: $250
Screen Size: 14 inches
RAM Included: 2 GB
Battery Life: 12 hours
Built with the cloud and the full Windows 10 experience in mind, the Cloudbook comes ready with a full 1TB of storage with Microsoft OneDrive. Ultra light and thin, the Cloudbook is under 18 mm thick and weighs in at just 2.53 lbs.
#13. LG Gram 14″
Smart Rating: 86
Type: Ultrabook
Price: $1000
Screen Size: 14 inches
RAM Included: 8 GB
Battery Life: 7 hours
The extra-tough Gram body is made from materials found in high-performance racecars, such as carbon magnesium and lithium magnesium. The Intel i7 Core processor produces CPU speeds of 2.4 GHZ, with turbo up to 3 GHZ. Special features include one-hand opening, instant booting and reader mode.
#12. ASUS Transformer Book T100HA
Smart Rating: 88
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $299
Screen Size: 10.1 inches
RAM Included: 4 GB
Battery Life: 12 hours
The ultra-cool anodized aluminum body comes in four unique colors and offer 12 hours of video-viewing battery life. Among its upgraded hardware features are a compact Type-C USB and Intel Quad-Core processor. It weighs just 580 grams and is 8.45 mm thick.
#11. Dell XPS 13 Non-Touch
Smart Rating: 88
Type: Notebook
Price: $800
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
RAM Included: 4 GB
Battery Life: 9 hours
Dell claims the XPS is the smallest 13-inch laptop on the market, and the brand has committed to achieving a borderless display with InfinityEdge technology. All models come with DW1820A 2×2 802.11ac 2.4/5GHz + Bluetooth 4.1 wireless technology and 6th Generation Intel Core processors, either i3, i5 or i7.
#10. Alienware 15 R1
Smart Rating: 88
Type: Gaming
Price: $1400
Screen Size: 15.6 inches
RAM Included: 8 GB
Battery Life: 7 hours
The big, 15.6-inch display surpasses the 1080p high-definition mark. Touchscreen capability lets users interact directly with the interface. Intel i5 i5-4210H is 26% faster than the average processor in the i5 family. The dual-core processor can devote power to several applications simultaneously.
#9. HP Spectre x2
Smart Rating: 88
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $800
Screen Size: 12 inches
RAM Included: 4 GB
Battery Life: 10 hours
Made of tough, sandblasted aluminum, the Spectre x2 is carved from a single piece of metal through CNC manufacturing processes. Featuring a 1920 x 1280 full HD display and a built-in kickstand, the detachable two-in-one comes with up to 512 GB of storage and 8 GB of RAM.
#8. ASUS ROG G752VT
Smart Rating: 88
Type: Notebook
Price: $1800
Screen Size: 17.3 inches
RAM Included: 16 GB
Battery Life: 2 hours
This gaming laptop features a big 17.3-inch full HD IPS display with NVIDIA GTX 970M graphics. Upgrades are readily available with DDR4 slots, which support up to 64 GB memory, as well as a 128 GB solid state drive and a 1TB HDD.
#7. Sony VAIO Z Canvas
Smart Rating: 90
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $2199
Screen Size: 12.3 inches
RAM Included: 8 GB
Battery Life: 8.5 hours
The Z Canvas features an Intel Core i7 processor and 12.3-inch LCD WQXGA with a 2560 x 1704 IPS display. Designed for mobile design professionals and artists, the Z Canvas provides a rich, sharp display with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200 technology.
#6. HP Pavilion x360 13t
Smart Rating: 90
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $529
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
RAM Included: 4 GB
Battery Life: 10 hours
The Pavilion x360 13t operates in four modes, one for work, one for viewing, one for apps and gaming and one for mobile. Its 1TB hard drive can store 60,110 songs or 324,594 pictures. Its webcam features full HD TrueVision technology.
#5. MSI GS60 Ghost Pro-002
Smart Rating: 92
Type: Notebook
Price: $1700
Screen Size: 15.6 inches
RAM Included: 16 GB
Battery Life: 2 hours
The Ghost Pro-002 uses Killer Shield technology that protects networks from lag spikes and faster DDR4 memory that supports Intel’s new Core i7 processor. NVIDIA PhysX technology and antialiasing bring games to life in interactive and dynamic environments.
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#4. Lenovo Yoga 900 (80MK002CUS)
Smart Rating: 92
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $1199
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
RAM Included: 8 GB
Battery Life: 9 hours
The Yoga 900 features a backlit keyboard and an 813-piece, 360-degree watchband hinge. Each model features a Generation 6 Intel processor, and buyers can choose between seven or 10.5 hours of video playback battery life.
#3. Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Smart Rating: 94
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $899
Screen Size: 12.3 inches
RAM Included: 4 GB
Battery Life: 9 hours
The newest member of the Surface family features a multi-position kickstand and an improved Type Cover. The 12.3-inch PixelSense display offers amazing clarity, contrast and glare reduction. It is powered by an m3, i5 or i7 processor, all of which run quieter and cooler than their predecessors.
#2. Microsoft Surface Book
Smart Rating: 96
Type: 2-in-1
Price: $1499
Screen Size: 13.5 inches
RAM Included: 8 GB
Battery Life: 12 hours
The Surface book offers many of the innovations and features that make the Surface Pro 4 so popular, but there are some critical differences, as well. The Surface book offers a whopping 13.6 hours of battery life, compared to a little more than eight with the Surface Pro 4. Also, the Surface Book offers an optional discrete GPU graphics chip.
#1. Dell XPS 13 (9343)
Smart Rating: 98
Type: Ultrabook
Price: $1400
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
RAM Included: 4 GB
Battery Life: 15 hours
Like the non-touch version, the XPS 13 features the same borderless display innovation, but it is fully compatible with touch centric and Metro apps. At 3200 x 1800, it has a higher screen resolution, but the trade off is a lower 12-hour battery life instead of 15 hours.
This article originally appeared on SpecOut.com
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