Best overall: Microsoft Surface Laptop
Deceptively light, obscenely powerful, and incredible to use.
Microsoft's Surface Laptop is some of the company's finest work. It's just 0.57 inches (14.47mm) thick, the 13.5-inch touch display has a 2,256 x 1,504 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The comfortable keyboard is covered in soft Alcantara fabric. Inside you can get up to an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB sollid-state drive (SSD). Grab a Surface Pen to go with it, and choose from one of four colors when checking out. Configurations start at about $700.
The Surface Laptop is the rightful king of the Windows 10 S lineup, sporting a premium build and excellent specifications, including a super high-resolution touch screen, pen support, a big precision trackpad, and excellent keyboard.
Why the Surface Laptop is the best device for Windows 10 S
The Surface Laptop was built from the ground up with Windows 10 S in mind. It's Microsoft-made, meaning you can guarantee it'll remain supported with driver and firmware updates. It's also the most powerful offering on our list, sporting CPUs ranging from Intel Core m3 all the way up to Intel Core i7, with either 4GB, 8GB or 16GB RAM offerings. You can even get one with 1TB internal storage.
What's more, thanks to the Alcantara fabric on the excellent keyboard, typing on this device feels amazing. It's superb for writing long essays in Microsoft Office, or browsing the web in Edge on a day-to-day basis. In addition, it has great battery life, lasting all day on a single charge before needing to hook up to a power outlet. This is in-part thanks to Windows 10 S.
For $699, you get a high-quality screen, keyboard and trackpad. If you were to buy a similarly priced Surface Pro, the keyboard and trackpad come separately, adding an addition $100 to your spend. So buying the Surface Laptop will also net you a few saved pennies.
Best on a budget: ASUS L402WA-EH21
A low-cost, no-frills Windows 10 S laptop that's great for casual use.
The ASUS L402WA-EH21 is considered to be a low-end, budget laptop, but we think it's easily the best you can get at its price range of $200. Featuring an HD 14-inch display, AMD E2-6110 Quad Core CPU, 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC storage, this Windows 10 S laptop is a great all-arounder when it comes to casual web browsing and email checking.
If you're in need of just a laptop that doesn't break the bank yet looks stylish enough, this is the device to get.
Best for schools: ASUS VivoBook W202NA-YS02
It's rugged, strong, and will hold up in a fight.
The ASUS VivoBook W202NA-YS02 Rugged is a laptop with Windows 10 S that's designed for the school environment. For $230, it was built from the ground up for kids and students in mind, who might not be so careful when it comes to handling their computer. The W202-YS02 can survive a fall from up to four feet, and it even has a spill-resistant keyboard in case you accidently drop your soda on it. Featuring an Intel Celeron CPU, 4GB RAM and 32GB Storage, this device is great for students who browse the web and work in Microsoft Office.
Best 2-in-1 with Windows 10 S: HP Envy x2
A premium, high-quality, ARM powered 2-in-1.
If you're looking for a device that's more than just a laptop, look no further than the HP Envy x2. It's the first ARM-powered Windows 10 S PC, meaning it has incredible battery life and instant-on capabilities. It features a high-resolution display with pen support, 8GB or RAM and 256GB of storage. This is a premium device, meaning prices start at about $600.
Best for creativity: ASUS VivoBook Flip 14
You get a 360-degree hinge, pen support, and a high-resolution touch screen for cheap.
If you're looking for a Windows 10 S laptop that's great for pen creativity, the ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 for $349 is the laptop for you. It's a 2-in-1, with a 1080p 14-inch display that has touch and support for a pen. This means it can fold back into a tablet, and with the addition of a pen, be used as an excellent device for drawing or taking notes. It has 4GB RAM for multitasking, and 64GB of internal storage.
Conclusion
If you're in the market for a new Windows 10 S device but aren't sure what you want, consider the recommendations listed here. Overall, we think the Surface Laptop is the best Windows 10 S PC you can buy right now.
Best overall: Microsoft Surface Laptop
Deceptively light, obscenely powerful, and incredible to use.
Microsoft's Surface Laptop is some of the company's finest work. It's just 0.57 inches (14.47mm) thick, the 13.5-inch touch display has a 2,256 x 1,504 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The comfortable keyboard is covered in soft Alcantara fabric. Inside you can get up to an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB sollid-state drive (SSD). Grab a Surface Pen to go with it, and choose from one of four colors when checking out. Configurations start at about $700.
The Surface Laptop is the rightful king of the Windows 10 S lineup, sporting a premium build and excellent specifications, including a super high-resolution touch screen, pen support, a big precision trackpad, and excellent keyboard.