Budget, gaming, and office work the best Windows laptops of 2026 at a glance

If you are planning to buy a laptop, the time is quite suitable for you. International technology website Mashable has published its list of the best Windows laptops for 2026. The report says that due to diverse hardware options, relatively affordable prices, availability of touchscreen and OLED displays, and artificial intelligence-based features, Windows laptops are still a strong competitor to MacBooks in the market.

In particular, the addition of Microsoft Copilot AI to Windows 11 and the use of Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series chips have seen many Windows laptops outperform even MacBooks in battery performance, creating new benefits for users who work long hours.

Mashable’s analysis shows that popular Windows laptops in 2026 are mainly due to their lightweight and portable design, powerful gaming capabilities, dual-display technology, and easy-to-repair structures.

Now, Windows laptops are not limited to office work or student use. These devices are also playing an equally effective role in gaming, content creation, and various AI-dependent tasks.

Best Windows Laptops of 2026 (As per Mashable)

Best for General Use: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch)

Best on a Budget: Acer Aspire 16 AI

Best Ultraportable: Asus ZenBook A14

Best for Students: Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 14 (Gen 10)

Best for Long Battery Life: HP Omni Book 5 (14-inch)

Best OLED Display: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X

Best Large-Screen Laptop: Acer Swift Go 16

Best in 2-in-1 Category: Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition

Best for Gaming: Alienware 16X Aurora

Best for Dual-Display: Lenovo Yoga Book 9i (Gen 10)

Best Repairable Laptop: Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series)