Home > Multimedia Laptops > Best 4k Laptops
Everybody will agree that laptops displays quality has made an incredible leap in the recent past. And the leap is even more obvious when you look at the best 4k laptops.
While most mid-range & high-end laptops are now shipped with HD displays, some are looking for an even better watching experience.
And UHD laptops are giving you exactly that: an incredibly vivid & colorful display. But the display is not everything. If you’re looking for a laptop to watch movie or for a gaming laptop, you’ll need more than just a great display…
So check our Top 12 best 4k laptops to find which one suits you the best!
Our Top 3
#1 – Dell XPS 15 |
#2 – Asus Zenbook UX330UA |
#3 – Microsoft Surface Pro |
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Awesome 4k Display & Light Design |
Ultra-Light & Gorgeous 4k Laptop |
Portable 2-in-1 with 4k Display |
| 15.6″ QHD | 13.3″ QHD | 12″ QHD |
| Intel i5 with 8 GB of RAM | Intel i5 with 8 GB of RAM | Intel i7 with 8 GB of RAM |
| 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD |
| Up to 11 hours | Up to 12 hours | Up to 9 hours |
| Jump to our Review | Jump to our Review | Jump to our Review |
What to expect from the best 4k laptops
First let me say that 4k screen laptops are not for everyone. If you are like most users, you won’t need a high resolution like that. Save a bit of money and go for an HD screen, it’s going to be more than enough.
But if you need a 4k laptops to watch movies, are into high-end video or photo editing or need a high-res gaming laptop, then the best 4k laptops are definitely what you are looking for!
Design & Quality
QHD laptops are not different from any other. They fit on the same frame and they don’t make the laptop bigger or heavier.
Thus, you’ll have a laptop that has the same sturdiness & design as you would normally have. The only difference… they are not installed on budget laptops, so forget about cheap plastic.
Depending on the price you pay, you’ll either have a very high-quality metal laptop, or a normal, good quality notebook.
Display & Graphics
Let me start saying that 4k laptops are not exactly all 4k… but that’s only if you want to be picky (or you work in a movie production environment). Actually, there are many standards: 4k, UHD, etc. 4k has become more a marketing term than a technical, so we’ll use the former here to simplify things!
So how do 4k displays look like? Awesome! Bright, vivid colors and an image definition like you’ve never seen before on a laptop! Great for watch movies or for professionals.
Performance
A 4k display requires more power than a normal one. Rendering all those pixels is more demanding on your graphics card.
So, if you’re looking for a gaming machine, definitely go for a good GPU. Otherwise, an i5 processor laptop will do the trick, while an i7 is better.
Audio
Here it varies. You won’t find any bad audio since you find that mostly on low-cost laptops. But also some are significantly better than others. Check out the individual reviews if it’s something that is of prime importance to you.
Other Aspects
Another thing to consider is battery life. That ultra-high-resolution laptop will drain the battery much faster than with an HD display. Expect at least 25% less battery life than usual.
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Specs for the Top 12 Best 4k Laptops
Graphics 12, 13, 15-inch Processor Intel Pentium, m3, i5, i7 RAM 4 to 16 GB Storage 128 to 1000 GB Battery life 6 to 12 hours OS Windows 10, ChromeOS, MacOS Thickness / Weight 0.33 to 1″ / 1.73 to 5.69 lbs Price Range $$, $$$, $$$$
Top 12 Best 4k Laptops
1 – Dell XPS 15 – 15″ QHD
“Awesome 4k Display & Light Design”
If you’re looking for the best 4k laptop, the XPS line is definitely one of your best choice. Whether you choose the 13-inch version, the 2-in-1 model or this awesome 15-inch laptop with UHD display, you’re in for a treat.
Not only will you get one of the most colorful, bright & vivid 4k display on the market, but you also get a high-quality, solid laptop that weight less than most of the competition. That means that you can enjoy that great display anywhere. And, you also get a mid-range graphics card to run 3D software smoothly or play some games. A really great choice!
Pros
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Cons
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| Graphics | 15.6″ QHD touchscreen (3840 x 2160) with NVIDIA GTX 960M |
| Performance | Intel i5 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 11 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.66″ / 4 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$$ |
Other similar versions (prices may vary)
13-inch QHD + Integrated, 
Hybrid version
2 – Asus Zenbook UX330UA – 13″ QHD
“Ultra-Light & Gorgeous 4k Laptop”
I’m recommending the ZenBook series so often, I’m not even sure how to compliment it anymore! It’s seriously a high-quality, good-looking line that never disappoints. And this UX330UA with UHD display is certainly not any different!
It has a sleek, cool-looking, ultra-light body and enough performance for most users. Of course the 4k display will drain more battery than an HD display, but nonetheless, it still has a very decent battery life. It makes for a great laptop for college. Really one of the best UHD laptops out there. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
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| Graphics | 13.3″ QHD screen (3200 x 1800) |
| Performance | Intel i5 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 12 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.53″ / 2.65 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$ |
3 – Microsoft Surface Pro – 12″ QHD Detachable
“Portable 2-in-1 with 4k Display”
Ok, let me start by saying this: this 12-inch laptop doesn’t have a 4k display per se. Not according to technical stats. But the Surface Pro series always had one of the best display on the market, with a resolution that doesn’t show any pixel. We really have a high-end, high-resolution display here!
If you are often on the road and need a laptop to put in your bag to carry anywhere easily, this is it. It’s the perfect road companion. So light & small, you forget you are carrying it. And with as much – if not more – power as any other laptop. Also, as a 2-in-1 laptop with 4k display, it’s very versatile. All-in-all, the best in its category. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
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| Graphics | 12″ QHD touchscreen (2736 x 1824) |
| Performance | Intel i7 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.33″ / 1.73 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$ |
Recommended for you:
4 – HP OMEN 15t – 15″ QHD
“Powerful UHD Gaming Laptop”
If you’re looking for a UHD gaming laptop, HP made one here that delivers a lot of value. For a decent price, you get an ultra-powerful device with an i7 processor, 16 GB and a solid NVIDIA graphics card. That laptop won’t lag behind, believe me!
And of course, to take advantage of all that power, HP equipped the Omen 15t with a very nice 4k display that will make games more realistic than ever. Add that to a pretty decent audio system and you’re in for an immersive experience.
Pros
|
Cons
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| Graphics | 15.6″ QHD screen (3840 x 2160) with NVIDIA GTX 1050 |
| Performance | Intel i7 with 16 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD + 1000 HDD (7200 rpm) |
| Battery life | Up to 6 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 1″ / 5.2 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$$ |
5 – Samsung Chromebook Pro – 12″ HD Convertible
“Nice 4k Chromebook”
Here we get something different. Instead of having an expensive device with a big screen, you actually get a 12-inch laptop with a UHD display. And the good news, it’s a laptop that sells under $500! Now that’s interesting!
Samsung really stepped-up the Chromebook game by making a ‘high-end’ UHD Chromebook. One that doesn’t look nor feel cheap, but that still remains affordable. You get a nice, responsive UHD display, more than enough performance to browse the web and a good-looking design. It’s definitely one of the best 4k Chromebook on the market.
Pros
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Cons
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| Graphics | 12.3″ HD touchscreen (2400 x 1600) |
| Performance | Pentium or better with 4 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours |
| OS | ChromeOS |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.5″ / 2.4 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$ |
6 – HP Spectre X360 15t – 15″ QHD Convertible
“Awesome but Costly”
I’m always a bit annoyed when I review the HP Spectre X360. I always want to put it higher on the list, where it deserves to be. It’s such a nice laptop with a really great display, a loud quad-speakers audio system & a gorgeous design. Almost perfect… But it’s so dang expensive!
It should be in the top 3 best 4k laptops on the market, there are no doubts about that. So if money is less of a concern for you, go for it! You’ll get one the best 15-inch 2-in-1 laptops money can buy!
Pros
|
Cons
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| Graphics | 15.6″ QHD touchscreen (3200 x 1800) with NVIDIA MX150 |
| Performance | Intel i7 with 16 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 11 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.7″ / 4.42 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$$ |
Other similar versions (prices may vary)
Hybrid version# 7 to 12 Best 4k Laptops
7 – Apple MacBook – 12″ HD
“Nice 12-inch from Apple”
Apple was the pioneer of the ultra-high definition devices. They even have their own name for it: Retina display. Oh Apple, you are really the king of marketing… Pun aside, their displays were and are still the leaders in quality and resolution. And this 12-inch laptop is no different.
It’s a really nice, good-looking – of course – 12-inch notebook equipped with a gorgeous UHD display. It also has enough power to run all the programs you’d want on a small laptop.
Pros
| Cons
|
| Graphics | 12″ HD screen (2304 x 1440) |
| Performance | Intel m3 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
| OS | MacOS |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.52″ / 2 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$$ |
8 – Lenovo Yoga 900 – 13″ QHD Convertible
“High-Quality 13-inch”
The Yoga laptops has always impressed me with their quality design. And this one is no different. For a decent price, you get a super powerful high-end hybrid laptop that has a solid & good-looking design.
And, of course, you get a bright UHD display. The Yoga series always had good quality displays, this one is no different.
| Graphics | 13.3″ QHD touchscreen (3200 x 1800) |
| Performance | Intel i7 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.59″ / 2.8 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$ |
9 – HP Envy 13 – 13″ QHD
“Nice Mid-Range Laptop”
The HP Envy is a nice & affordable mid-range laptop that competes very well in its market. You’re going to like the nice ultra-light design, the vivid QHD display and the loud audio. It’s really a neat device. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
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| Graphics | 13.3″ QHD screen (3200 x 1800) |
| Performance | Intel i7 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 7.5 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.51″ / 2.8 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$$ |
Other similar versions (prices may vary)
Hybrid version10 – Dell Inspiron i7559 – 15″ QHD
“Affordable UHD Gaming Laptop”
This one is not for you if you are looking for a portable device. At 5.69 pounds, it’s not light for sure. But if you want an affordable UHD gaming laptop, it might be a good choice. It doesn’t have the latest GPU, but combined with its i7 processor it will play recent games with a good frame-rate.
So if you’re looking for a gaming laptop under $1000 that is equipped with a high-resolution display and that delivers value, you just found it!
Pros
|
Cons
|
| Graphics | 15.6″ QHD screen (3840 x 2160) with NVIDIA GTX 960M |
| Performance | Intel i7 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 8GB + 1000 GB Hybrid |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 1″ / 5.69 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$ |
11 – Samsung Notebook Spin 9 – 13″ QHD Convertible
“Exceptional UHD Display”
It’s not the most known laptop line, but the Notebook 9 series is a really nice one. It’s light, portable & powerful. And, as Samsung has a lot of knowledge in building displays, it boasts an exceptional UHD display. I would have a slightly better keyboard and battery life, but since you’re here looking for great displays, this one has to be on your list.
Pros
|
Cons
|
| Graphics | 13.3″ QHD touchscreen (3200 x 1800) |
| Performance | Intel i7 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 7.5 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.59″ / 2.87 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$$ |
12 – Acer Switch 5 – 12″ QHD Detachable
“Nice UHD Detachable”
Don’t let its spot on this list of the best 4k laptops fool you. I really like the Acer Switch 5! Acer built a really neat 12-inch detachable laptop that competes with its more expensive competition.
It really has everything you need in a small laptop. It’s a high-performing machine that won’t make any noise thanks to its fan-less cooling system, and it has a vivid UHD display. And the keyboard is more comfortable than some others.
Pros
|
Cons
|
| Graphics | 12″ QHD touchscreen (2160 x 1440) |
| Performance | Intel i5 with 8 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
| OS | Windows 10 |
| Thickness / Weight | 0.63″ / 2.8 lbs |
| Price Range | $$$$ |
Other similar versions (prices may vary)
Intel i7 + 8 GB RAM
Erik is the owner and main editor of lptps.com. He has been working in computers and information technology for more than 20 years. He’s a business analyst, developer, and avid traveler.
