ARM-based processors in Windows laptops have come a long way since they first debuted in 2017, so much so that they're now fully capable chips that trade blows with the latest alternatives from the likes of Intel, AMD, and even Apple Silicon.
Our current pick for the best Windows on ARM laptop is the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, but there are plenty of alternatives designed for different types of users. I've also included some honorable mentions based on hundreds of hours of testing here at Windows Central, giving you a complete look at the best Windows on ARM laptops available in 2026.
February 11, 2026: I've added the ASUS Zenbook A14 as a runner-up to the Surface Laptop 7, and I've expanded the honorable mentions section. — Cale Hunt
TL;DR: Summary of our findings
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- You can find Windows on ARM devices in all kinds of form factors, including tablets, 2-in-1s, laptops, and even desktops (you can learn more at our Windows on ARM FAQ).
- Best overall — Surface Laptop 7: Premium Surface design and Snapdragon's X chips come together to deliver the best Windows on ARM laptop available today.
- Runner-up — ASUS Zenbook A14: For those who want to travel light and spend less, the Zenbook A14 is a laptop that costs a lot less than you might think, despite an OLED display and extreme battery life.
- Best 2-in-1 — Surface Pro 11: This is the 2-in-1 Windows PC form factor perfected at last.
- Best value 2-in-1 — Surface Pro 12-inch: A smaller version of the Surface Pro is more affordable and easier to take with you everywhere you go. Great for more casual users.
- Best value laptop — Surface Laptop 13-inch: Like the Surface Pro 12-inch, the smaller Surface Laptop is more affordable and more portable, perfect for casual users who want a premium device without overspending.
- Best business — HP EliteBook Ultra (G1q): If you desire extra security, management, and durability, HP's EliteBook Ultra (G1q) is where I recommend looking first.
Zac is a senior editor for Windows Central with expertise in Windows PCs, including laptops, tablets, and desktops. He's the go to guy for information about the latest Windows features, as well as the latest hardware features.
Best overall Windows on ARM laptop
My recommended Surface Laptop 7 configuration:
Microsoft's Surface Laptop 7 is hands-down the best Windows on ARM laptop and Copilot+ PC you can buy right now. It's the ultimate combination of Microsoft design, with the sole purpose of creating the perfect Windows laptop. It's so good, I think it's even better than the MacBook Air from a design perspective!
It features a minimalist contemporary design with no gimmicks. The laptop features a wedge shape that gives it a thinner profile towards the front of the device, and the laptop lid can be lifted with one hand. The bezels around the display are thin, and the screens are beautiful with high resolutions and touch capabilities.
The keyboard and trackpad might be some of the best I've ever used, with Macs included. The keyboard is so incredibly satisfying to type on, and the haptic touchpad is the best on the market. It's smooth, responsive, and works just like you'd expect.
On the inside, we have the Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite, which are the bees' knees right now. They're incredibly powerful and super-efficient, meaning you should get incredible battery life on the Surface Laptop 7.
The laptop can be configured with either 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB RAM in certain regions. Storage options include 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB options as well, though storage is easily upgradable, so there's no reason to spec storage too high.
The Surface Laptop 7 is also available in four colors, those being Black, Silver, Blue, and Gold. The Blue Surface Laptop 7 is incredibly striking, but sadly, it's only available in the 13.5-inch configuration.
👀 Read our full Surface Laptop 7 review
Runner-up Windows on ARM laptop
My recommended ASUS Zenbook A14 configuration:
The ASUS Zenbook A14 comes in weighing less than a kilogram thanks to its "Ceraluminum" chassis construction, yet it's surprisingly sturdy and refined. You get a decent selection of ports, including USB4, HDMI, USB-C, and USB-A, and the keyboard manages 1.3mm of key travel for a comfy experience.
The laptop is powered by a Snapdragon X Plus SoC with snappy performance, but it's the battery life that really turns heads. Former Windows Central reviewer Zachary Boddy noted in their Zenbook A14 review that it reliably lasted for 12 hours with regular use.
Boddy adds: "There's no absurd throttling being done to achieve that endurance, either. I tested the Zenbook A14 on and off the charger with identical settings, and observed a 0.7% drop in CPU performance and a 1% drop in GPU performance."
Despite the affordable pricing, ASUS includes a gorgeous Lumina OLED display. It measures 14 inches with an FHD+ resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, and outstanding contrast.
👀 Read our full ASUS Zenbook A14 review
Best 2-in-1 Windows on ARM laptop
My recommended Surface Pro 11 configuration:
Not only is the Surface Pro 11 the latest in a long line of 2-in-1 laptops from Microsoft, but it was also the first Copilot+ PC ever announced (you can learn more at our Copilot+ PC FAQ).
Like previous Surface Pro devices, this latest model operates like a powerful tablet with a built-in kickstand. However, you can also purchase the official keyboard and attach it to the tablet to turn the Surface Pro 11 into a laptop.
Unsurprisingly, the latest Surface Pro has several configuration options to choose from, including the choice between two ARM-based processors — Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-80) or Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-64).
Meanwhile, the laptop can come with either 16GB or 32GB of RAM with the option of having a 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD. Just be aware that only a configuration with the Snapdragon X Elite processor can feature a beautiful 13-inch 2.8K OLED touchscreen, whereas a Snapdragon X Plus model will feature a more standard 13-inch LCD touchscreen.
You can build your Surface Pro 11 with the specific specs you want on the Microsoft website or choose from several prebuilt configurations at retailers like Best Buy or Amazon.
👀 Read our full Surface Pro 11 review
Best value Windows on ARM 2-in-1
My recommended Surface Pro 12-inch configuration:
The Surface Pro 12-inch is easily the best value for money if you can find it on sale. It's a premium 2-in-1 tablet with a premium chassis, great touchscreen display with uniform bezels, and an incredibly portable design. It retails for $799, but you can often find it for less.
As it's a Surface Pro, it features that same iconic kickstand built right into the chassis, which means you can prop it up on any desk at any time. It has a keyboard and pen accessory that is sold separately, transforming this device from a capable tablet into a productivity driven laptop.
On the inside, the Surface Pro 12-inch is powered by a Snapdragon X Plus SoC, paired with 16GB RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage. It has built-in Windows Hello face unlock, similar in speed and security to Face ID on the iPad Pro, along with a 90Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling in apps feel very smooth.
It's an overall great device, and good value for your money if you factor in all the additional accessories you might want to buy. It's easily the thinnest and lightest modern Windows on ARM device on the market, making it a great travel companion if that's something you're also considering.
👀 Read our full Surface Pro 12-inch review
Best value Windows on ARM laptop
My recommended Surface Laptop 13-inch configuration:
If you want a Windows on ARM PC that's been designed from the ground up with portability in mind, and you don't want a 2-in-1 like the Surface Pro 12-inch, your next bet is Microsoft's new Surface Laptop 13-inch. It's the smallest Windows on ARM laptop on the market right now, with a 13.0-inch screen size in a lightweight (1.22kg) package.
With a 13-inch 1080p display, it's smaller than most Windows laptops in general. That makes it great for travel and slipping into a backpack, while still maintaining a screen that's large enough to feel productive to work on. Under the hood, it's powered by a Snapdragon X Plus, paired with 16GB RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage.
The device comes in cheaper than the flagship Surface Laptop 7, with a starting price of around $899. The chassis is premium, featuring an all-aluminum design and one of the best keyboards and trackpads on a laptop to date.
The 1080p display is fine, and it does support touch, which is always a bonus. Instead of Windows Hello face unlock, it features a super-fast fingerprint reader built into the power button, which can instantly authenticate and log you in with a quick touch. It also features the best battery life in a Surface today!
👀 Read our full Surface Laptop 13-inch review
Best Windows on ARM business laptop
My recommended HP EliteBook Ultra G1q configuration:
When it comes to business, you want to make sure that your laptop is secure against potential malware while also being durable for travel. That's where the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q really stands out from other Windows on ARM laptops.
This Windows on ARM and Copilot+ PC laptop is a Secured-Core PC that protects your data on multiple levels including hardware, firmware, and software. As part of that, this device includes HP Wolf Pro Security to specifically protect against Malware and phishing attempts. This being the case, the laptop is ideal for anyone who often handles more confidential information for work. Meanwhile, the 5MP, IR camera does have a shutter to protect your privacy.
Design-wise, the laptop is better suited than some competitors to deal with potential drops and bumps that might happen during transit thanks to the fact that it has a 19 MIL-STD 810 durability certification. As such, you can feel more comfortable while you travel with it.
As with many Copilot+ PCs, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q features a Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-78) that offers an 18W TDP. Users currently don't get any choices when it comes to specs. Right now, there's only 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. There isn't a microSD card, either, so you can't increase storage that way. Unlike many competitors listed here, this laptop's touchscreen isn't an OLED, but it does reach 2.2K resolution in 16:10 aspect ratio.
👀 Read our full HP EliteBook Ultra G1q hands-on impressions
Windows on ARM laptops: Honorable mentions
- ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507): A 3K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is what really steals the show here, but it's an overall great multipurpose 15.6-inch PC. 👉 Read our full Vivobook S 15 review
- Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini X: Laptop? No. This is a mini PC powered by a Snapdragon X chip, ideal for anyone who mainly sits at a desk and doesn't necessarily need to pay laptop prices. 👉 Read our full IdeaCentre Mini X review
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge: Both the 14 and 16-inch versions come with a beautiful AMOLED display that offers a 2880x1800 resolution,16:10 aspect ratio, 120Hz variable refresh rate. 👉 Read our Galaxy Book4 Edge vs. MacBook Pro comparison
How we test Windows on ARM laptops
Windows on ARM laptops undergo the same testing process as every other PC that comes our way at Windows Central.
We start on the outside, analyzing build quality, hinges, port selection, and airflow, then dive into the keyboard and touchpad to test comfort and ease of use. From there, we move on to speaker volume and clarity, camera quality, and other external features.
Displays are measured using a colorimeter, which allows us to gauge color accuracy and brightness. In the same manner, we often use FLIR cameras and decibel meters to test heat and fan noise.
Performance and battery life are tested using popular benchmarks, but we certainly don't stop there. Because PCs that come our way are actually tested in a real-world scenario, we can offer insights into how the laptop's chip and battery fare over days of actual work.
How to choose the best Windows on ARM laptops
The biggest reason to choose a Windows laptop powered by an ARM chip is for the longer battery life, often housed in quieter and thinner chassis that you don't find on similarly performing Intel and AMD laptops. You can find Windows on ARM devices in all kinds of form factors, including tablets, 2-in-1s, laptops, and soon even desktops (you can learn more at our Windows on ARM FAQ).
• Best Copilot+ AI PCs
• Windows on ARM FAQ
• Windows 11 apps run on ARM
• I'm obsessed with Windows on ARM
The best laptop with an ARM processor will ultimately come down to your personal preferences for form factor, display size, and performance. If you want more power, stick with Snapdragon X Elite. If you want to spend less, go with Snapdragon X or X Plus.
We think the best Windows on ARM laptop on the market right now is the Surface Laptop 7, because it offers the best overall package with great battery life and performance, in a premium chassis and flagship featureset.
The ASUS Zenbook A14 is a close runner-up. It amazed us with its lightweight design, snappy performance, extreme battery life, and OLED display, and it costs less than the Surface Laptop 7.
The Surface Pro 11 remains the top 2-in-1 option for those who want a more versatile PC that can morph into a true tablet, and the Surface Pro 12-inch shrinks it down and makes it more affordable.
Professionals who require additional security, durability, and management features should instead check out the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q. It's probably overkill for casual users, but it has a nice feature-to-price balance for pros.
Be sure to check out our roundup of the best Windows laptops if you're looking for the best overall Windows laptop, ARM or not!
Windows on ARM FAQ
There is a lot to know about Windows on ARM, so here is a catchall FAQ section to answer any questions you might have.
What does "Windows on ARM" mean?
This is a quick way of saying that a device has an Arm-based processor and runs a version of Windows that's designed to work with Arm architecture.
What is the difference between Windows on ARM and x86?
For years, x86 architecture has been the standard for laptop and desktop processors. Meanwhile, Windows on ARM is relatively newer. Overall, x86 is more powerful than Windows on ARM, but Windows on ARM is far more battery-efficient while still offering solid performance.
Is ARM good for Windows?
Yes, it is. But, as with all things, it depends on what you need the computer to do. Windows on ARM allows devices to be lighter and less power-hungry than x86 PCs. So if you want a light-weight laptop with decent performance, and great battery life, then Windows on ARM is especially nice.
It used to be that few programs worked with Windows on ARM, but that is no longer the case. Most software works with these devices. In fact, we're increasingly seeing more and more Windows on ARM devices as time goes on.
How do I know if my laptop is Windows on ARM?
You can tell what kind of processor architecture your laptop utilizes by going into Settings on Windows → System → About. Under Device specifications, look for the System type. If it says it has an ARM-based processor then you have Windows on ARM.
What does ARM stand for?
British tech company Acorn Computers first created ARM, which initially stood for Acorn RISC Machine. Nowadays, ARM stands for Advanced RISC Machines.
What programs work with Windows on ARM?
Most Windows 10 and Windows 11 programs work on Windows on ARM PCs.
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