Touch-screen laptops offer a combination of convenience and versatility that regular notebooks can't match. Also known as hybrid or 2-in-1 laptops, touch-screen-equipped offerings give you the opportunity to perform a plethora of tasks just like you would on your smartphone or tablet, but on a larger display. Long gone are the days of using solely a trackpad or a mouse.
But with so many options on the market right now, it's hard to choose which one is right for you. That's why we tested the most highly rated touch-screen laptops to determine the absolute best.
Best PC Laptop: Samsung Galaxy Book3 360Runner-Up: Best Budget: Best 2-in-1 PC: Best for Apple Users: Best Chromebook: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook PlusBest Premium PC Laptop:
Hardware specs are always important to consider when shopping for any new laptop. For touch-screen-equipped products, in addition to the mandatory processor, memory, and connectivity bits, you should be particularly mindful of the quality and the resolution of their display panel — you'll be having a lot of hands-on interaction with it, after all.
A top-tier touch-screen notebook should have a screen with at least a Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels). A higher resolution will result in a better viewing experience with sharper onscreen content, but it will have a significant impact on battery life. A simple rule of thumb: products with a lower display resolution will last significantly longer between battery charges.
If you are shopping for a premium touch-screen notebook, look for a display panel with a high refresh rate (above 60 Hz). This feature will bring faster and smoother interactions across the board, including scrolling through pages, emails, and social media feeds, as well as gaming. After years of experience, I can personally confirm that a high refresh rate is great, so long as you don't mind the potential battery life impact it might bring.
Since these are touch-screen laptops, compatibility with a stylus (bundled or optional) is also paramount. It's a cool modern-day functionality that allows you to make hand-written notes or fine edits to graphic design projects, or unwind with a coloring book, to name a few tasks.
When it comes to picking a processor, you should opt for a notebook with one of the latest chips, such as the 12th- or 13th-generation Intel Core, AMD Ryzen 7000 Series (or higher), and Apple M2. If you want to game on your touch-screen laptop, look for a standalone graphics chip. Any option that offers NVIDIA's RTX 40 Series GPU deserves a look.
Wireless connectivity features for the best touch-screen laptops should be future-proofed with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 or higher standards. The former will guarantee fast internet speeds for years (when connected to a compatible network), while the latter will ensure a stutter-free connection with Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, and speakers.
Regarding wired connectivity options, a USB-C port is a must-have in today's modern era, and when shopping for top-shelf laptops, always look for Thunderbolt 4 compatibility. The latter will allow you to connect compatible external monitors and ultra-fast external storage drives to your notebook. USB-A and HDMI ports are also important to consider.
Since most of us live a life on the go, we only picked products that can make it through a workday of use between charges. That said, the battery life of any laptop depends on the screen brightness and the quality of your internet connection, as well as the tasks you run (e.g., video editing and gaming are particularly taxing). Depending on how you plan to use your touch-screen laptop, it might be helpful to consider a battery pack for it if you don't have access to an outlet to plug in.
We have been researching touch-screen laptops ever since the product category became mainstream. The process involves reading reviews from other industry experts, sifting through hardware specs, and scouring consumer feedback about each product.
From there, we selected the best touch-screen laptops worth testing through the following criteria:
Hardware Specs: We ensure that you won't have to upgrade for years after purchasing.Battery Life: We focused only on notebooks that can make it through at least a day of use.Additional Features: We evaluated the product's support for a stylus pen and, when available, a 360-degree display, among many other bits.Pricing: We make sure that our top picks are not only elegant and well-equipped but also within reach of most prospective buyers.Best PC Laptop
Best PC Laptop
$1,000 at SamsungPros
Processor and Graphics | Runner-Up
---|
13th-generation Intel Core i7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
14-inch WQXGA touch screen (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) |
16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD |
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, two USB-A ports, HDMI port |
Up to 16 hours |
Measuring 14 inches diagonally, the screen slots above the 13.3-inch Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 and below its 15.6-inch iteration, so it offers a finer balance between size and multitasking capabilities. However, its IPS panel, while good, is no match for the viewing experience of Samsung's AMOLED screen.
Design-wise, the Acer Swift 5 stands out with an elegant machined metal chassis with an eye-catching green finish and gold accents. As feature-packed as it is, the Swift 14 still weighs just a tad above 2.5 pounds. I like that this is a lightweight notebook that doesn't compromise on performance, onboard hardware features, or battery life.
Overall, the Acer Swift 14 is worth investing in if you are looking for a powerful and portable touch-screen laptop but don't prioritize a rotating display or using a stylus pen. The product supports input devices, but the experience is not on the level of the S Pen.
Best Budget
Best Budget
$400 at AmazonPros
Good performance for the money
Plenty of connectivity features
Understated designCons
Webcam resolution is basic HD
Processor and Graphics | Intel Core i3-N305, Intel UHD graphics |
---|---|
Display | 14-inch WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) IPS touch screen |
Memory | 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB SSD |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C port, two USB-A ports, HDMI port, SD card reader |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Equipped with an entry-level Intel processor and 8 GB of RAM, the Spin 14 delivers reliable everyday performance, though I wouldn't recommend it to demanding power users. The device's plentiful (and futureproof) connectivity features are great for the money, too. I also like how lightweight the product is, weighing only 3.3 pounds.
The notebook's webcam could use a higher resolution than basic HD, and its speakers could be better. Having a backlit keyboard or an integrated fingerprint sensor would have been great, too, but the lack of all these features isn't a dealbreaker in this price category.
Double-digit battery life is another reason why you should have the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 on your radar if shopping on a tight budget. This affordable laptop also includes a protective sleeve.
The device runs Windows 11 in S mode, meaning that you can only install apps from the Microsoft store. You can upgrade to a full version of the platform for free.
Best 2-in-1 PC
Best 2-in-1 PC
Now 19% Off$888 at AmazonCredit: Stefan VazharovPros
Beautiful design and craftsmanship
Plenty of hardware configurations
Strong performance and battery lifeCons
Keyboard and stylus cost extra
Processor and Graphics | 12th-generation Intel Core i5/i7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
---|---|
Display | 13-inch PixelSense Flow touch screen (2,880x1,920 pixels), 120 Hz refresh rate |
Memory | Up to 32GB of RAM, up to 1TB of SSD storage |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4; Surface Connect port, optional 5G |
Battery Life | Up to 19 hours |
The above versatility made me frequently reach for the Pro 9 for work and while traveling. I used it in laptop mode on my desk and to write down meeting notes with the Surface Slim Pen 2 on multiple occasions. That said, I really wish the snap-on keyboard and stylus didn't cost extra. These essential accessories make the substantial price of the Surface Pro 8 even heftier.
While not the latest, the Intel 12th-generation processors of the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 offer an excellent balance between power and energy efficiency. There are plenty of hardware configurations to choose from, all headlined by a superb PixelSense touch screen with a high refresh rate and an adjustable kickstand. You’re all but guaranteed to find a Pro 9 that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Like all Surface products, the latest Pro brings elegant looks and best-in-class craftsmanship to match. You can order it in a quartet of beautiful finishes: silver, graphite, forest, and sapphire. Matching keyboards are also available.
Related Story
Reviewed: Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Best for Apple Users
Best for Apple Users
$1,079 at AmazonCredit: Stefan VazharovPros
Powerful and versatile
Best-in-class display
Feature-packed and intuitive platform
Wide-ranging ecosystem of original and third-party accessoriesCons
Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil cost extra
Processor and graphics | Apple M2 chip with a Neural Engine |
---|---|
Display | 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, 120 Hz maximum refresh rate |
Memory | Up to 16 GB of RAM, up to 2 TB of storage |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3, optional 5G |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
The big iPad Pro's mini-LED Super Retina XDR display panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate is in a league of its own and one of my favorite bits about the product. It is brighter, more vibrant, and more fluid than the screen of any rival and an ideal canvas for the .
With a sophisticated dual camera that's capable of recording 4K video, the iPad Pro is also perfect for creating content, unlike its 2-in-1 PC and Chrome OS competitors. On the other hand, its Face ID camera with Center Stage is hands-down the best for video calls and virtual briefings.
I’d choose the iPad Pro over its non-Apple rivals for the power of the M2 chip, the quality of its screen, and iPadOS. The platform has an intuitive user interface, top-notch multitasking capabilities, and an outstanding selection of apps tailor-made for a big screen. So whether you or the giftee are a casual- or power-user, finding apps to make the most of the slate will be easy.
Related Story
Reviewed: Apple iPad Pro 12.9-Inch With M2 ChipYou can spec the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with up to 1 TB of storage. Optional 5G connectivity is also available. And as always, there’s a vast ecosystem of cases and accessories for personalizing the device.
Related Story
The Best iPad to Buy in 2023 Best Chromebook
Best Chromebook
$499 at Best BuyCredit: Stefan VazharovPros
Versatile design
Great specs for the money
Solid everyday performanceCons
Could use a brighter screen
Processor and Graphics | 13th-generation Intel Core i3, Intel UHD Graphics |
---|---|
Display | 14-inch WUXGA touch screen (1920 x 1200 pixels) |
Memory | 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB SSD |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, two USB-C 3.2 ports, USB-A port |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
The IdeaPad Flex 5i is one of the first products to be part of the Chromebook Plus lineup. Recently unveiled by Google, the new product tier ensures Chromebooks that rock the Plus moniker have futureproof specs that include a sharp screen, at least 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, a Full HD webcam, and at least 10 hours of battery life, among other bits. Such hardware ensures you won't have to think about upgrading for years after purchasing the product.
In terms of performance and versatility, the Flex 5i performed admirably while I tested it. It handled multiple Chrome OS tabs and Android apps with ease. The battery life was solid, too.
The available wired connectivity features of the IdeaPad Flex 5i make it a perfect option for power users. Having a duo of USB-C ports, a full USB connector, and a microSD card reader allowed me to link all my go-to accessories.
Best Premium PC Laptop
Best Premium PC Laptop
$2,300 at AmazonCredit: Stefan VazharovPros
Elegant and superbly built
Powerful and versatile
Long battery lifeCons
Surface Pen costs extra
Processor and Graphics | 13th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics |
---|---|
Display | 14.4-inch PixelSense touch screen (2,400 x 1,600 pixels), 120 Hz refresh rate |
Memory | Up to 64GB of RAM, up to 2TB of SSD storage |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, USB-A port, Surface Connect port |
Battery Life | Up to 19 hours |
I couldn’t help but admire the power and speed of the Surface Laptop Studio 2 while I put it through its paces. Its ability to shift between conquering workflows and delivering top-tier gameplay is intoxicating and worth splurging on. I successfully used it as my primary workstation during workdays and to play Cyberpunk 2077 with an Xbox controller for hours on weekends.
A swiveling PixelSense touch screen and surprisingly powerful speakers set the Surface Laptop Studio 2 apart from its competitors. In addition to offering best-in-class versatility, the display has a high maximum refresh rate for next-level gameplay and smooth everyday interactions. Of course, the panel is also compatible with the Microsoft Surface Slim Pen 2.
Overall, the range-topping Surface is a worthy successor to the original Surface Laptop Studio. Every Surface Laptop Studio 2 comes with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor, and you can choose between NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 and . Microsoft offers a more reasonably priced version with Intel Iris Xe graphics, but I highly recommend you spend extra on an NVIDIA chip.
Even Self-Proclaimed ‘Sheet Snobs’ Say This Now-$21 Set Helps Them Beat The Sweltering Texas Summer Heat
This year’s Love Islanders are using this £12 whitening teeth serum for a ridiculously bright smile
Frankie Bridge has found the most flattering summer dress on the planet – and it’s under £40 from M&S
Sony Xperia 10 V Review – Sony’s cheapest phone
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Review – Cheap Quad camera phone
Olympus OM
Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 review
Amanda Holden reveals her go
Sony RX100 VI review – pocket rocket that thrills and spills
Ferne McCann shares her £8.99 secret to a sun