Looking to buy an Arm laptop but you’re not sure what your options are? We rounded up the best Windows on ARM laptops you can buy right now.
Microsoft and Qualcomm first introduced Windows on Arm back in 2017, but it took some time for Arm devices to catch on. The ability to run Windows on Arm-based processors is a big deal. Arm processors offer always-on connectivity, instant wake, and many of them come with cellular connectivity without adding a premium to the price. The first few Windows on Arm devices all had the same processors, which weren’t very good.
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But nowadays, there are multiple Arm processors designed for PCs and devices using each one. It’s also worth mentioning that, thanks to Windows 11, these devices are even better now, with Microsoft adding support for x64 emulation. That means you can now run most apps on these laptops, even if they don’t have 32-bit versions anymore. All that said, there are more choices than there used to be in this space, though we have to say there still isn’t a lot of variety. If you’ve been looking for a great Windows on Arm laptop, we’ve rounded up the best choices for you.
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with 5G Best overall $1130 at Amazon
- Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Best Clamshell laptop $960 at Best Buy
- Acer Spin 7 Best Arm convertible $763 at Amazon
- Microsoft Surface Pro X Affordable Windows on ARM tablet $398 at Amazon
- Samsung Galaxy Book Go Budget Windows on Arm laptop $176 at Best Buy
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- Asus ExpertBook B3 Detachable Best budget tablet for business $400 at Asus
- Dell Inspiron 14 (2023, Qualcomm) Great first Arm-based laptop $300 at Dell
Best Windows on Arm laptops in 2023
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with 5G Best overall
Flagship level performance
$1130 $1300 Save $170
The Surface Pro 9 with 5G is a premium Windows tablet with a sleek design, a beautiful display, and a great Microsoft SQ3 processor that delivers some of the best performance in a Windows Arm laptop.
Pros
- Is very portable
- Not the best connectivity
- Ha sa great 120Hz display
- Flagship level performance
Cons
- Doesn’t come with keyboard, pen
- Can get expensive
$1300 at Best Buy $1130 at Amazon $1400 at B&H
It may be true that there aren’t many Windows laptops with Arm processors right now, but that doesn’t stop the Surface Pro 9 with 5G from being one of the best Windows tablets you can buy today, and arguably one of the best Windows laptops overall. It has a fast processor and some welcome upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Surface Pro X.
That processor is the Microsoft SQ3 chipset, a slightly tweaked version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3, and it’s a very fast processor with eight cores (four Cortex-X1 cores and four Cortex-A78 cores) capable of boosting up to 3GHz. It offers a very big boost in performance compared to previous models and makes it more in line with modern Intel devices.
One of the highlights of the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is the display, which is a 13-inch panel with a very sharp 2880 x 1920 resolution for a great viewing experience. What’s more, the 120Hz refresh rate makes everything, from transitions to animations, appear much smoother.
Design-wise, the Surface Pro 9 with 5G is essentially the same as the regular Surface Pro 9, measuring 9.4mm thin and weighing 1.84 pounds for the sub-6GHz model, while the mmWave variant (available in the U.S.) is slightly heavier at 1.95 pounds. As for ports, the Surface Pro 9 with 5G isn’t amazing. It only comes with two USB Type-C ports, specifically supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2, and there’s not even a headphone jack. You’ll probably need adapters or a docking station if you want to connect many peripherals to your laptop, and because there’s no Thunderbolt support.
Lenovo ThinkPad X13s Best Clamshell laptop
For a more traditional experience
$960 $1120 Save $160
The Lenovo ThinkPad X13s is the most powerful Arm-based Windows laptop right now. It’s light, packs in 5G, and features other great specs.
Pros
- Super portable and light
- Has classic ThinkPad keyboard, trackpad
- Has 5MP webcam
Cons
- Expensive
- Not the most upgradable laptop
$995 at Lenovo $960 at Best Buy $1225 at Amazon $1269 at CDW
A close runner-up to the Surface Pro 9 is the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s, which was the first Windows laptop to feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3. That still makes it one of the fastest devices in this category. Plus, the iconic ThinkPad design is also here, making it ideal if you want to try new technology with the looks you’ve been used to for years.
The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor makes this a laptop you can actually use for multitasking and more demanding office work, even if you have to run some emulated apps. Moving on to the display, the ThinkPad X13s has a 13-inch panel, as the name suggests, and it comes in the 16:10 aspect ratio, which means you get more room for reading and writing documents, spreadsheets, and anything else. It comes in 1920×1200 resolution and you can add touch support if you want to. Above that display, there’s a 5MP webcam, which is one of the best you’ll find on this list. The base configuration doesn’t include Windows Hello support, but it is an optional upgrade. You can also add Computer Vision, which allows the laptop to detect when you approach it or walk away from it and wake up or lock itself accordingly.
In terms of design, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s is fairly thin at 13.4mm, and it weighs just 2.35 pounds, so it’s very easy to carry around anywhere. While it has a bit of an old-school look, it’s definitely modern in that regard. As for ports, you get two USB Type-C ports and a headphone jack. You can add more ports with a USB-C hub if you want to. There’s also a nano-SIM slot, which is optional and included if you add 5G connectivity to the laptop.
Acer Spin 7 Best Arm convertible
For those who need a versatile device
The Acer Spin 7 is a premium convertible with a stunning design, 5G support, and a pen built right in for jotting down notes on the go.
Pros
- Can be used in many ways
- Dual-tone design
- Failry thin and portable
Cons
- Has a 16:9 aspect ratio display
- Hard to find
$763 at Amazon
If you’d rather have a convertible than a tablet or a classic clamshell, the Acer Spin 7 is still your best option, despite its age. It still has a capable processor, but it’s old enough that it’s getting increasingly hard to find for sale.
The Acer Spin 7 comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 chipset, featuring 8 cores running at up to 2.84GHz. It also comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, so you should get solid multitasking capabilities and plenty of space for your files over time. What helps it stand out the most, though, is it promises up to 29 hours of battery life, making this ideal for long trips when you’re away from an outlet for extended periods.
The display is a 14-inch panel, and it comes with a 16:9 aspect ratio — which isn’t the most modern for a high-end laptop — and Full HD resolution. Being that it’s also a convertible, the Acer Spin 7 also supports pen input, and it comes with a pen built right in, which you can store inside the laptop itself, so you never lose it. The webcam is a bit disappointing, being that it’s a 720p webcam without Windows Hello support,
The Acer Spin 7 has a somewhat more striking design than other laptops on this list, thanks to the dual-tone look. The main body of the laptop is a dark blue color, but accents like the Acer logo on the lid, the hinge, the keyboard key labels, and the edges of the trackpad use a gold color to accent them, giving the device a hint of personality. It’s a fairly thin device at 15.9mm
Microsoft Surface Pro X Affordable Windows on ARM tablet
Always on sale
$506 $1359 Save $853
The Surface Pro X is the Windows on Arm tablet that started it all. It’s now a bit dated, but it resembles the Surface Pro 9. It still features a high-resolution display and webcams and is frequently discounted.
Pros
- Same design as Surface Pro 9
- Has a great display
- Super thin and portable
Cons
- Keyboard and pen are not includes
- Has older SoC
$398 at Amazon $506 at CDW
Microsoft’s Surface Pro X, represented the company’s big push for Windows devices powered by Arm processors. It was first introduced in 2019, and while it has been succeeded by the Surface Pro 9 with 5G, there are still advantages to this older model, specifically the portability.
The Surface Pro X doesn’t stray far from other premium Windows devices with Arm processors before 2022. It’s sold with either the Microsoft SQ1 or SQ2 processor, and these are essentially tweaked versions of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx and 8cx Gen 2. They’re slightly faster, but not by a lot.
One of the best things about the Surface Pro X is its display. Just like the newer Surface Pro 9 with 5G, the 13-inch panel has a resolution that is super-sharp at 2880×1920, but the Pro X doesn’t have a higher refresh rate, so you’re stuck at 60Hz. Depending on who you are, that may not make a huge difference.
The design is also a point in favor of the Surface Pro X, and where it really stands out from the Pro 9 with 5G. This is an extremely thin and light tablet, measuring just 7.3mm in thickness and weighing 1.7 pounds. Even if you add the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard with a Surface Slim Pen 2, you’re looking at 2.35 pounds in weight and a thickness of 13.6mm where the Surface Slim Pen 2 is stored, making this significantly more portable than the Pro 9.
Even with its successor on the market, the Surface Pro X is still deserving of some attention due to the ultra-thin design plus the big discounts you can find on it nowadays. It’s a great way to get into the Windows on Arm ecosystem if you can find it at a discount.
Samsung Galaxy Book Go Budget Windows on Arm laptop
For those on a tight budget
$176 $350 Save $174
The Samsung Galaxy Book Go is a fantastic budget laptop with decent entry-level performance, a Full HD display, and a premium design.
Pros
- Comes in Wi-Fi and 5G variant
- Frequently on sale
- Lots of ports
Cons
- Not the most portable device
- Has a slower SoC
$176 at Best Buy
In a sea of premium Arm-based devices, the Samsung Galaxy Book Go is a breath of fresh air, aiming for the entry-level market. It’s a traditional clamshell form factor, and it comes packing a Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, and it was one of the first consumer devices to do so. That’s not quite on the same level of performance as the Snapdragon 8cx laptops we’ve looked at so far, but compared to other laptops in its price range, it’s not bad at all.
That all applies to the base model, but you can spring for the 5G model, which costs more than double the price. That does add a more powerful chipset (the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2), 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. It also adds 5G support, while the base model has no cellular connectivity whatsoever.
Still, the base $350 model has some great selling points like the display. it’s a 14-inch panel, and it’s got Full HD resolution. That’s the same as many of the premium laptops on this list.
One area where the Galaxy Book Go outshines the premium laptops we’ve looked at so far is the ports. It comes with two USB Type-C ports, one USB Type-A, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. You don’t see USB Type-A ports on most Arm laptops, so it’s nice to have it here. It’s not the most portable laptop, though, measuring just under 15mm in thickness and weighing 3.04 pounds for the base model.
Asus ExpertBook B3 Detachable Best budget tablet for business
For business users with small wallets
$400 $600 Save $200
The Asus ExpertBook B3 Detachable is a budget business tablet powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor.
Pros
- Affordable
- Super light at 1.3 pounds
- 5MP front camera
- Comes with keyboard
Cons
- Small screen
- Mostly made avaialble through Asus
$400 at Asus
If you want a tablet that’s a bit cheaper than something like the Surface Pro 9 with 5G or even the Pro X (at MSRP, at least), then Asus has the ExpertBook B3 Detachable. As you might be able to guess from the branding, this is a business-oriented device, and it’s not a particularly high-end one, but it’s a solid budget option if you need it.
At the heart of the AsusExpertBook B3 Detachable is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, an entry-level processor, just as we’ve mentioned above for the Samsung Galaxy Book Go. It still has eight cores (two for performance, six for efficiency), and it can boost up to 2.54GHz. It can handle basic web browsing, but it’s not meant for demanding workloads. It also comes with just 4GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage,
One thing the Asus ExpertBook B3 Detachable does well is the display. The 10.5-inch panel comes with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio, so it doesn’t feel outdated. It’s also fairly sharp at 1920 x 1200 resolution. It even has a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, so everything appears smoother on screen. The cameras are also fairly good, with a 5MP front-facing camera for video calls.
Asus also did a solid job with the design, making the tablet weigh just 1.3 pounds and measure 9mm in thickness. Combined with the small 10.5-inch display, this makes for a very portable device you can slip into a bag easily. Unlike most tablets, the ExpertBook B3 Detachable is sold with the keyboard cover included and it has a garaged stylus.
Dell Inspiron 14 (2023, Qualcomm) Great first Arm-based laptop
Packing the basics
$300 $500 Save $200
The Arm-powered Dell Inspiron 14 is Dell’s first Windows on Arm laptop. It features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 processor and 8GB of RAM and is often on sale for under $500. If you want your first Windows on Arm laptop, this is it.
$300 at Dell
Our final pick is Dell’s first Windows on ARM laptop, the Inspiron 14. This laptop is quite similar to other picks on our list, but it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a starter Dell laptop, or a starter laptop in general. It’s a thin and light laptop, a finless laptop that runs quietly, and a laptop that features the power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 processor.
Generally, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 processor under the hood of this laptop is fairly high-end. Of course, there’s now the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3, but the old chip is plenty fast for everyday tasks like web browsing. It is paired up with 8GB of RAM, though, and it has a 256GB SSD for storage. As for the display, it’s a 14-inch display on this laptop, with an FHD 1920×1080 resolution. Considering the budget price, that’s a deal. You even get a 1080p webcam at the top of the display, too, for better video calls.
The port selection is pretty solid on this laptop, too. There’s two USB-C ports, and a USB-A port, as well as a headphone jack and microSD card reader. Do note, though, that this isn’t an aluminum laptop. It’s a plastic laptop, and there’s no keyboard backlight. Still, these are sacrifices for the price, and just great specs if you’re looking for an entry-level laptop from Dell without too many bells and whistles.
Best Windows on Arm laptops in 2023: The bottom line
That covers most of the current Windows on Arm laptops, which still shows a lacking ecosystem compared to Intel and AMD products. Still, there’s variety in form factors, design, and even price points. We picked the Surface Pro 9 with 5G as the best option because it has the fastest processor along with a phenomenal display and premium design, but there are other great options available if you want something different.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with 5G Best overall Windows on Arm laptop
All the features you need
$1130 $1300 Save $170
The Surface Pro 9 with 5G is a premium Windows tablet with a sleek design, a beautiful display, and a great Microsoft SQ3 processor that delivers some of the best performance in a Windows Arm laptop.
$1300 at Best Buy $1130 at Amazon $1400 at B&H
Some other options include a traditional clamshell laptop like the ThinkPad X13s or a more affordable clamshell like the Samsung Galaxy Book Go. We understand tha tyou might not want an Arm laptop, though, because there are many limitations. For example, Arm laptops don’t have Thunderbolt, so you can’t use a Thunderbolt dock for expansion. We have a list of the best Thunderbolt-enabled laptops if that’s something you need.
Categories: Reviews
Source: thptvinhthang.edu.vn
