Windows Laptops 2025: 7 Top Picks for Battery, Modularity, and Power

Mashable’s recent roundup of the best Windows laptops for 2025 puts a stake in the ground: Windows machines are no longer playing catch‑up with Apple — in several key areas they’re leading the conversation on battery life, repairability, and flexible performance. The piece highlights seven machines that stand out this year, from the battery-marathon Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 to the endlessly modifiable Framework Laptop 13 — a device that’s pitched not as the cheapest spec sheet on the block but as the closest thing to a “buy-it-for-life” PC.

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Background / Overview​

The 2024–2025 laptop cycle proved decisive for Windows OEMs. New silicon — Intel’s Core Ultra family, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X variants — plus renewed emphasis on battery efficiency and user repairability have reshaped buyer expectations. Reviewers and lab tests now measure more than raw single‑thread speed: battery endurance, AI acceleration (NPUs), thermals, and real-world workload performance are central to evaluations. Mashable’s list reflects that shift, spotlighting machines that either match or surpass current MacBook models in areas that matter to many users: endurance, modularity, and price-to-features balance. (tech.yahoo.com)
This feature unpacks Mashable’s seven picks, verifies the headline specs where possible, offers critical analysis of strengths and trade‑offs, and flags claims that need caution because laptop performance varies widely by configuration and test conditions.

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The seven picks — at a glance​

Below are the seven laptops Mashable put forward as the best Windows machines of 2025. Each entry includes the core reasons Mashable selected it, independent verification of the most important specs or claims, and an analysis of who should actually buy it.

• Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 — Mashable’s top pick (best overall)
• Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (Gen 9) — Best 2‑in‑1 / conversion star
• Asus Zenbook A14 — Lightweight, long battery life (value that challenges MacBooks)
• HP OmniBook X 14 — Mid‑range champion with exceptional endurance
• Acer Swift X 14 (2024) — Creative workhorse with good value
• Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1) — DIY, repairable, future‑proofing
• Alienware m16 R2 — Gaming and content‑creation powerhouse for those who also want portability

These are the machines that, according to Mashable’s hands‑on testing and editorial choices, are most likely to make Apple users reassess their default allegiance to macOS machines.

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1) Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 — the endurance headliner​

What Mashable reported​

Mashable crowned the Surface Laptop 7 its top Windows pick, calling out near‑class‑leading battery life, solid design, and on‑device AI features enabled by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite in the consumer SKUs and Intel Core Ultra in business SKUs. Mashable’s testing indicated runtime figures that rival — and in some tests surpass — Apple’s M‑series MacBooks.

Independent verification​

• Multiple outlets and lab tests reported exceptional battery life for Snapdragon X Elite Surface SKUs, including near‑23‑hour local video play or very long mixed‑use runtimes depending on the test. These results have been widely noted in coverage of the Surface Laptop 7. (tech.yahoo.com)
• The Surface Laptop 7 is available in two main platform tracks (Snapdragon X-series consumer SKUs and Intel Core Ultra for business), which explains differences in compatibility, I/O, and real‑world behavior. (en.wikipedia.org)

Analysis — why Apple fans should care​

• Battery life: For daylong work and heavy media consumption, the Snapdragon X Elite SKUs deliver an edge. If you prize staying unplugged, this is a meaningful counterargument to “Apple has the battery crown.” (tech.yahoo.com)
• AI integration: On‑device NPUs enable Copilot+ features that can speed workflows (local Recall, image editing assistants). For users who rely on AI assistants and offline privacy, this is a practical differentiator.
• Trade‑offs: Arm‑based SKUs still face occasional compatibility hiccups with legacy x86 apps; enterprise IT may prefer Intel SKUs for management features and Thunderbolt support. Test mission‑critical applications before switching.

Bottom line: the Surface Laptop 7’s combination of battery endurance and polish is the clearest single answer on Mashable’s list to users who cite Apple’s battery and integration advantages.

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2) Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 (Gen 9) — a 2‑in‑1 that doubles as a sound system​

What Mashable reported​

Mashable recommended the Yoga 9i 14 as the best convertible, emphasizing its vivid 2.8K OLED screen, Bowers & Wilkins‑tuned soundbar hinge, and strong productivity chops. The Yoga’s convertible form factor and display quality make it a credible creative and media machine.

Independent verification​

• Reviews from PCWorld, RTINGS, and others confirm the Yoga 9i’s class‑leading hinge‑integrated speaker system and high‑quality OLED display, with positive notes on sound and color accuracy. RTINGS and PCWorld measured the Yoga’s display at 120Hz and praised its audio. (pcworld.com)

Analysis — why Apple fans should care​

• Display and audio: For content consumption and light editing, the Yoga’s OLED 2.8K panel and hinge speakers create a “portable living‑room” effect that many MacBook users will envy.
• Versatility: The 2‑in‑1 form factor plus pen support covers tablet‑style note‑taking and sketching better than MacBooks without an external iPad.
• Trade‑offs: Thermal behavior under sustained heavy CPU/GPU loads can be a limiting factor; this isn’t the fastest pure raw‑compute device compared to some Intel Ultra or Ryzen AI machines.

If you want a convertible that feels premium and performs like a productivity partner, the Yoga 9i is one of the best Windows answers on the market this year.

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3) Asus Zenbook A14 — light, long‑lasting, and price‑competitive​

What Mashable reported​

Mashable called out the Asus Zenbook A14 as a lightweight rival to Apple’s MacBook Air family: slim magnesium‑alloy chassis, remarkable battery life numbers in some SKUs, and a price that undercuts many MacBook configurations.

Independent verification​

• The Zenbook A14 (2025) debuted at CES as a direct MacBook Air competitor with a Snapdragon X variant promising extraordinary battery life; follow‑up reviews confirmed excellent endurance and ultralight construction. Windows Central and The Verge coverage emphasize the A14’s portability and battery efficiency. (theverge.com)

Analysis — why Apple fans should care​

• Portability: If you want something lighter than the MacBook Air and don’t need wide x86 compatibility, the Zenbook A14 is compelling.
• Battery life vs compatibility: Snapdragon SKUs win on endurance but can face app compatibility limits; if your workflow is browser and cloud apps, this matters less.
• Price: The A14’s pricing strategy puts premium materials and battery endurance at a value point that will entice budget‑minded MacBook shoppers.

The Zenbook A14 is a pragmatic alternative to Apple for those who prioritize battery life and portability over raw x86 application compatibility.

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4) HP OmniBook X 14 — midrange, but with surprising staying power​

What Mashable reported​

Mashable singled out the HP OmniBook X 14 as an excellent midrange pick with very strong battery numbers and a solid keyboard experience.

Independent verification​

• Independent reviews — including The Verge, Wired, and Creative Bloq — note the Omnibook X series’s outstanding endurance in real‑world battery loops, with some testing reporting in the mid‑teens to high‑teens hours in careful scenarios. These findings align with Mashable’s praise of the OmniBook’s battery life. (theverge.com)

Analysis — why Apple fans should care​

• Two‑day potential: For heavy road users the OmniBook can approach “two‑day” use patterns with conservative settings; that’s a tangible advantage over many MacBooks in mixed use.
• Value: It’s positioned as a practical office laptop that emphasizes battery and typing comfort rather than flashy industrial design.
• Trade‑offs: Display brightness and speakers lag behind class leaders; if you need color fidelity for pro photo or video work, look elsewhere.

For users who prioritize endurance and everyday comfort over peak creative performance, the OmniBook X 14 is a clear alternative to the MacBook Air’s balanced design.

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5) Acer Swift X 14 (2024) — creative power without a huge price​

What Mashable reported​

The Acer Swift X 14 is Mashable’s pick for value‑oriented creators: a lightweight chassis, discrete graphics in some SKUs, and enough port selection and screen fidelity to handle photo and video editing on the go.

Independent verification​

• Reviews and buyer guides position the Swift X series as a workhorse for creators who don’t want to pay premium Razer/Dell/Apple prices. It’s a frequently recommended value pick for editing workflows that don’t require the most powerful discrete GPUs. (windowscentral.com)

Analysis — why Apple fans should care​

• Value for creators: If your creative apps are Windows‑native (Premiere, DaVinci), the Swift X gives GPU‑accelerated performance at a price that undercuts many MacBook Pro configs.
• Trade‑offs: Battery life and thermal headroom won’t match the most efficient Arm or custom silicon laptops; the Swift X is a mainstream trade‑off between power and portability.

Acer’s Swift X remains a strong “workhorse” alternative for creatives on a budget.

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6) Framework Laptop 13 — the repairable, upgradeable wildcard​

What Mashable reported​

Mashable’s review of the Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core Ultra Series 1) emphasized what makes the Framework unique: a truly modular, user‑serviceable design that lets owners replace motherboards, memory, storage, keyboard, display, and the clever expansion cards without special tools. Mashable’s reviewer praised a 17‑hour real‑world battery result for the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H test unit but also noted that Geekbench 6 multi‑core numbers for the specific unit were lower than many competitors — a single test reported a multi‑core figure (8,231) that placed it behind similarly priced alternatives. The review concluded that the Framework is overpriced on paper but unmatched for long‑term value and repairability.

Independent verification​

• Framework’s ongoing platform updates are documented by Ars Technica, Forbes, and The Verge. Framework has expanded its upgrade options to include Intel Core Ultra motherboards and later AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series motherboards; the company also sells individual mainboards and expansion cards to existing owners. These independent reports validate Framework’s modular strategy. (arstechnica.com)
• Geekbench entries for Framework Intel Core Ultra systems show a spread of results depending on the exact SKU, thermal profile, and memory configuration. Public Geekbench browser entries include multi‑core scores ranging from mid‑8,000s to above 12,000 for higher‑end Core Ultra 7 configurations — illustrating how widely performance varies by build. This variability explains why one reviewer’s particular configuration could score ~8,200 while other identically‑named models benchmark much higher. (browser.geekbench.com)

Analysis — why Apple fans should care​

• Repairability & future proofing: Framework’s modular ethos is unique in the mainstream laptop market. Owners can replace or upgrade the mainboard (e.g., switching from Intel Core Ultra to AMD Ryzen AI 300), add more RAM or storage, swap displays or keyboards, and buy expansion cards to change the port mix. For long‑term total cost of ownership, that matters a lot.
• Performance variability: Performance depends heavily on the chosen mainboard and runtime configuration. A cheap DIY build with a lower‑tier Core Ultra 5 will not beat a tuned Zenbook or XPS in raw synthetic benchmarks. Mashable’s observation that their tested configuration lagged in Geekbench is consistent with public benchmark variability. (browser.geekbench.com)
• Trade‑offs: The price premium buys fixability and customization, not necessarily the best out‑of‑the‑box benchmark figures. Expect to pay more initially if you want the spare‑parts ecosystem and the right‑to‑repair promise.

Verdict: For DIYers, IT departments, sustainability‑minded buyers, and anyone who hates planned obsolescence, Framework is a radical alternative to disposable thin‑and‑sealed laptops. If you want the absolute top benchmark numbers for the money, other models may deliver more raw speed.

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7) Alienware m16 R2 — when gaming and content creation collide​

What Mashable reported​

Mashable included the Alienware m16 R2 as the best gaming laptop choice on the list: high‑performance discrete GPUs, robust thermal systems, and a larger display suited for both gaming and demanding creative work.

Independent verification​

• Gaming and hardware outlets continue to list the Alienware m16 R2 as a high‑performance laptop with options for discrete Nvidia‑class GPUs, strong cooling, and a 16‑inch display that improves immersion and editing timelines. Performance and thermals are usually praised while battery life and fan noise are called out as expected trade‑offs. (theverge.com)

Analysis — why Apple fans should care​

• Windows machines can be powerful and portable: For those who need workstation‑grade GPU performance in a relatively portable package, Windows gaming laptops remain the only realistic MacBook alternative (outside of external GPU solutions).
• Trade‑offs: Battery life and noise levels remain far from MacBook-like refinement; this is a performance first, endurance second purchase.

If your workflow is GPU‑intensive, the m16 R2 is a clear Windows choice.

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Cross‑cutting issues: benchmarks, battery tests, and the truth behind the numbers​

Benchmarks are configuration‑sensitive​

Public benchmark repositories (Geekbench browser) show wide score ranges for the same laptop model name because RAM, thermal firmware, Windows power plans, platform drivers, and even SSD behavior can move the needle dramatically. Mashable’s single‑unit Geekbench number for the Framework (8,231) is one datapoint — other Framework Intel configurations and Core Ultra 7 builds have scored significantly higher in independent labs. Treat single benchmark numbers as illustrative, not definitive. (browser.geekbench.com)

Battery life: testing methodology matters​

Battery runtimes quoted in reviews (video loop, web browsing, mixed‑use) are not directly comparable unless the same methodology and settings are used. A “local video loop” can produce extremely long numbers for ARM-based SKUs; mixed workload runtimes will be shorter. When reading headlines that say “X beats the MacBook,” check the test type and settings. Mashable’s top pick acclaim for the Surface Laptop 7 is rooted in such endurance numbers, but they applied specific local playback or mixed tests — results will vary with real user workloads. (tech.yahoo.com)

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Who should buy which machine? Practical recommendations​

• Surface Laptop 7 — Buy if you want the best battery life for mixed use and deep Copilot+ integration; verify app compatibility for legacy x86 tools. (tech.yahoo.com)
• Yoga 9i 14 (Gen 9) — Buy if you want a premium convertible with best‑in‑class speakers and an excellent OLED touchscreen for casual content creation. (pcworld.com)
• Asus Zenbook A14 — Buy if you want extreme portability and battery life in a MacBook‑style package without Apple’s price. (windowscentral.com)
• HP OmniBook X 14 — Buy if you prioritize battery endurance and a strong keyboard on a budget‑oriented business machine. (creativebloq.com)
• Acer Swift X 14 — Buy if you’re a creator who needs discrete GPU acceleration on a budget. (tomsguide.com)
• Framework Laptop 13 — Buy if repairability, upgradability, and long‑term value matter more than the lowest upfront price or synthetic benchmark crown. Verify that you’re comfortable with DIY builds or the modular buying model. (arstechnica.com)
• Alienware m16 R2 — Buy if you want near‑desktop gaming and GPU‑accelerated creative performance in a (reasonably) transportable chassis. (theverge.com)

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Risks, trade‑offs, and red flags to watch​

• Compatibility on Arm SKUs: Apps that rely on x86 binaries, legacy drivers, or niche professional tools may not run optimally on Snapdragon or other Arm platforms. Validate essential software before buying an Arm‑first machine. (en.wikipedia.org)
• Thermals vs sustained performance: Thin, premium chassis often throttle under sustained workloads. For heavy prolonged encoding/rendering, prioritized thermals and higher‑TDP platforms perform better than slim ultrabooks. (tomshardware.com)
• Benchmarks vary by SKU: Don’t assume a model name guarantees a specific benchmark; pay attention to the CPU/GPU SKU, RAM speed, and thermal configuration. Public benchmark entries show differences even within the same model family. (browser.geekbench.com)
• Price vs total cost of ownership: Premium sealed laptops can be cheaper upfront but more expensive over time if you replace rather than repair. Framework flips that calculus — more expensive up front but cheaper to maintain long‑term if you intend to keep and upgrade. (forbes.com)

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Final verdict — can Windows really make Apple fans jealous?​

Yes — in specific dimensions. Mashable’s list highlights where Windows laptops now genuinely outcompete MacBooks: battery endurance (Surface Laptop 7, Zenbook A14), value for creators (Swift X), modular repairability (Framework), and raw gaming/creative GPU power (Alienware). Those areas, combined with ever‑improving displays and refined industrial design across many OEMs, mean a strong, pragmatic case exists for switching — especially for users who value long battery life, hardware flexibility, or Windows‑native creative workflows.
However, the decision is not blanket. Apple still leads on consistent app compatibility, tightly integrated hardware/OS tuning, and the single‑thread efficiency of its M‑series chips in many creative workloads. The best approach is to match your primary workflows to the machine: a Surface or Zenbook for endurance and mobility, a Swift or Yoga for creator value, a Framework for longevity and repairability, and an Alienware m16 R2 for GPU‑heavy workloads.

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Takeaway checklist before buying​

• Confirm your critical applications run on the machine’s platform (Intel x86 vs Arm).
• Compare power profiles and battery test methodologies across reviews.
• Inspect the exact SKU: Core Ultra 5 vs 7 vs 9, Ryzen AI 300 vs older Ryzen, and the GPU model matter.
• Consider long‑term costs: repairability, upgrade paths, and vendor support.
• If sustainability and upgradeability matter, weigh a modular option like Framework against sealed competitors.

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These seven machines show why Windows is no longer just "good enough" — it’s now an active, competitive alternative that offers different and sometimes superior trade‑offs to Apple hardware. For buyers who measure value in battery life, repairability, or raw GPU throughput, Mashable’s list is a practical starting point — and a useful reminder that the state of the Windows laptop market in 2025 is, frankly, enviable.

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Source: Mashable SEA The 7 best Windows laptops of 2025 to make Apple fans jealous