10 Windows Laptops Breaking The PC Mold: The 2022 CRN Mobile 100
CRN explores PC laptops fueled by Windows software and discovers a range of diverse machines that enhance performance and usability.
There’s one aspect Apple really can’t compete with its Windows-based competitors on -- and that is variety. Apple uses its own operating system and releases a relatively scant mix of computing options each year.
Windows competitors, however, must constantly push the envelope by designing different machines around the same operating software. There has been a lot of success overall in the PC market for the last two years, with the last two quarters raking in record sales for all the major PC makers. And Windows has been the dominant operating system. According to Statista, Windows OS dominated desktop computing with just under 74 percent market share in 2021. That said, Apple systems are certainly gaining ground, showing yearly gains.
The end of the pandemic may bring with it more measured demand, but solution providers think demand will find a steady new normal and OEMs will still need to keep up with a changing market.
As part of CRN’s 2022 Mobile 100, here is a look at some amazing Windows machines all vying for sales in a crowded IT space with many options.
10 Windows Laptops Breaking The PC Mold
* Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320
Dells XPS 13 has everything you look for in a laptop. The Round Rock, Texas-based PC maker has managed to distill very big specs into a 13.4-inch laptop with gusto. Add an OLED display, and you have a beautiful viewing experience to boot. Specs-wise, the latest XPS was designed around Intel’s 12th gen AlderLake-P U28 hardware meant for powerful portable device. The battery was given a boost over previous generations to handle the computer’s Iris Xe graphics, up to 32 GB of LPDDR5 memory, and WiFi 6E capabilities. This powerhouse weighs in at 2.73 pounds and will start at a price of $1,199.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Microsoft has given us a true convertible laptop with the Surface Laptop Studio. Its flexibility gives you enough options to work like you’re on a tablet or with the classic clamshell experience. Unlike a tablet, you get the full range of operating system goodies of a PC, including an 11th generation Core i7-pwered engine with up to 1TB of SSD storage and 32 GB of RAM. Plenty powerful enough for demanding graphic intense productivity work on a reasonable 14.4-inch screen. The optional Surface Slim Pen adds even more depth to the tablet experience. The Surface Laptop Studio starts at $2,499.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
If you couldn’t guess from the funky name, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a gaming laptop. But with its slim features, this machine likes to cosplay as a mainstream laptop. Scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find enough firepower to please the most demanding gamer. The Zephyrus battles it out with competitors by marrying portability with power. It measures just 0.77x12.3x8.9 inches at 3.86 pounds. This model is amped up with an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, up to 32GB of DDR5 memory and an AMD Radeon RX 6800S graphics chip with 8 GB of VRAM. Pricing starts at $1,649.
Alienware m15 R4
Another gaming machine, the Alienware m15 R4 really plays the part inside and out. The m15 houses a powerful system with stylistic flair, showing off its trademark lit skull and overall sleek space-age appearance. There are plenty of display options for the m15, including an OLED 4K option that will jack up the price to more than $3,000. More tame choices at 1080p and up to 240Hz will save you a bit on this premium machine. Underneath the impressive hood, you can get the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU with 60 fps ray tracing, 1TB of SSD storage, Intel’s Cor i7-10870H, 2.2 GHz processor, and a weight of about 4.65 pounds. Pricing starts at $2,149.99 but can quickly add up as you upgrade.
Lenovo Yoga 9i
While practical and versatile may not be the sexiest descriptive words, there’s plenty to get excited about when it comes to Lenovo’s Yoga 9i 2-in-1 convertible. This flagship convertible has guts – with a sturdy all-metal body, long battery, excellent audio and plenty of great specs. The starting model gives you 11th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU power, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and a Full HD (1920x1080-pixel) touch display all for a starting price of $1,299. The unit is upgradeable up to 16GB memory with Core i7 CPU, and 512GB of SSD storage. The Yoga 9i weighs in at 3.07 pounds.
HP Elite Dragonfly G3
HP’s Elite Dragonfly got some much-appreciated upgrades with the G3 release this year, including a new form factor with taller display and 12th Gen Intel firepower boost. The PC maker ditched the old 16:9 display that has fallen out of favor with many laptop enthusiasts for the taller 3:2 display for its professional Ultrabook. The Dragonfly G3 gives you a beautiful OLED screen at 1920x1280-pixels with an Intel 12th Gen vPro, Evo, up to 32GB of LPDDR5 memory, up to 2TB SSD storage, a 5MP front camera, Wi-Fi 6E and up to 68WHr fast charge battery. All that comes in at 2.2 pounds and is expected to take at least a $2,000 bite out of your budget when released this spring.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2
Lenovo’s super svelte ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 got a serious upgrade with a more powerful Intel 12th Gen processor, Dolby Voice, touchscreen option, and lots of sustainable features to help eliminate waste. This 2.1-pound Ultrabook can be outfitted at the top end with a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 vPro P28 series processor, up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, and up to 2TB SSD storage. If that sheer assault of power doesn’t impress, you also get a front facing FHD IR camera with Human Presence Detection, backlit keyboard, and Wi-Fi 63 all framed out at 11.5x8.19x0.58 inches. Pricing is expected to start at $1,659.
Asus Zenbook 13 OLED
Having an OLED screen was a luxury spec for a while – that’s until Asus came along with its sub $1,000 Zenbook 13 OLED. Asus has proven its adept at making a really good laptop at a very, very good price with the help of AMD. This Zenbook may represent the best value in its class – maybe even the best value in any class with some very excellent specs at an unexpected price. The 13 OLED comes suited up with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800 at 4.4GHz on the top end, with AMD Radeon Graphics, up to 1TB SSD storage, Wi-Fi 6, a 67WHrs lithium-ion battery, and a 13.3-inch FHD display at 1920x1080 pixels. At just 2.51 lbs, the Zenbook 13 OLED starts at just $899.
HP Spectre x360
HP’s fantastic 2-in-1 device is proof that standards matter. To meet Intel’s exacting standards for its Evo certification, HP boosted performance, functionality, and battery life. And really, is there anything more important than those three benchmarks? The Spectre 360 comes in three sizes, including 13-inch, 14-inch, and 15-inch models. The latest Spectre models are outfitted with Intel Core i7 processor on the top end, up to 2TB SSD, up to 32 GB RAM, and the line Nvidia GeForceRTX 3050 GPU. The display is available in Oled with multitouch-enabled at 400 nits of brightness. Weighing in at a hefty 4.45 pounds, the Sprectre x360 starts at a price of $1,099.
Acer ConceptD 7
Acer’s high-end entry brings elite specs to the middle ground between consumer laptop and mobile workstation. This is a statement laptop from a brand mostly known for more entry level consumer options. The ConceptD 7 leverages its 4K display to tackle its more established luxury and business laptop competitors like Apple and Lenovo. The Acer Concept D charges into battle with an Intel Core i7-9750H with 2.GHz speed and up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. It has a splendid screen measuring 15.6 inches with native resolution of 3840x2160 pixels at 60 Hz. Graphics are handled by an 8 GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 (Max-Q). The Concept D 7 weighs in at 4.63 pounds and starts at $2,299.99 – maybe giving some loyal Acer customers a little sticker shock.