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.

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.

Best Windows on Arm laptops in 2023

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.

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 1920x1200 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.

If you want a tablet that's a bit cheaper than something like the Surface Pro 9 with 5G, 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 that's not quite as fast as the two models above. 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.

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 1920x1080 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.

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 that you 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.