Looking for a new laptop and think a 1080p screen just isn't enough? Then you've come to the right place, as we've listed the best 4K laptops money can buy.
While some people may think that 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 to be precise) is overkill on small laptop screens, there are a number of reasons why you'd want to go ultra HD.
For a start, ultra-high definition resolution on smaller screens makes for some incredibly sharp and impressive visuals. Fire up a 4K video from Netflix or YouTube and you'll be incredibly impressed.
It also means you've got more desktop space despite the smaller screen, so you can have more windows open at once.
Also, if you're going to use the laptop for photo editing, then a 4K display will show off your digital photographs in stunning detail.
Windows 10 also does a great job of scaling for 4K resolutions. This means it can alter the size of text, icons and buttons so they are easy to read and use on high resolution displays.
So, without further ado, let's take a look at the best 4K laptops on sale today.
1. Dell XPS 13
Still one of the best laptops ever made
Specifications
CPU: 8th generation Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4k (3840 x 2160)
Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
Reasons to buy
+ Centered IR webcam Gorgeous new design Beautiful optional 4K display
Reasons to avoid
- Steeper starting price White option is pricier
The Dell XPS 13 makes an appearance in many of our 'best laptops' lists, and for good reason. This is a simply brilliant laptop that comes with a stunning 4K display and gorgeous thin and light design. You get a choice of new 8th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, and there are plenty of customization options that allow you to tweak the XPS 13 to best suit your needs and budget. Oh, and talking about that 4K display: it's surrounded by a bezel-less 'Infinity Edge' design.
2. HP Spectre x360
A 2-in-1 with an affinity for high fashion
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) IPS touch panel
Storage: 256GB – 1TB
Reasons to buy
+ Stylus included Stunning features
Reasons to avoid
- Weak hinges Annoying keyboard layout
A gorgeous 2-in-1 with a strikingly thin frame, the HP Spectre x360 is a fantastic 2-in-1 laptop that also comes with a 4K screen. It's powered by Intel’s 8th-generation Kaby Lake R processors, which gives it enough oomph to run programs and media at 4K, and it can even play some games (though at lower resolutions). If you're after the best versatile 4K laptop, this is the one to get.
3. Razer Blade Stealth
Don’t be fooled: this is more than a gamer’s laptop
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 16GB
Screen: 12.5-inch UHD (3,840 x 2,160) – 13.3-inch QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800)
Storage: 256GB – 1TB PCIe SSD
Reasons to buy
+ Larger, brighter display Subtler aesthetics on gunmetal version
Reasons to avoid
- Shorter and shorter battery life No 4K display option in sight
One of the drawbacks of having a 4K laptop for gaming is that you need beefy specs to make sure games play brilliantly at UHD resolution, and thankfully the Razer Blade Stealth has the chops for delivering games and media at 4K. It's a brilliant gaming machine, and it comes in other screen resolutions as well, so check before you buy if you want the 4K edition.
4. HP Spectre 13
The thinnest Ultrabook with 4K
Specifications
CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8 – 16GB
Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160)
Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
Reasons to buy
+ Impossibly thin and light Top-notch looks
Reasons to avoid
- Light on ports Second-rate trackpad
HP has produced another stunning 4K laptop with the HP Spectre 13. It has a gorgeous design and it's incredibly thin and light as well, making it one of the thinnest 4K laptops money can buy. It also packs plenty of power as well, with 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake R processors running the show. If you're after the best 4K laptop for working on, this is a brilliant choice.
5. Dell XPS 15 2-in-1
Making power portable
Specifications
CPU: Intel Core i5-i7
Graphics: Radeon RX Vega M GL Graphics with 4GB HMB2 Graphics Memory
RAM: 8GB
Screen: 15.6-inch, 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) InfinityEdge anti-reflective touch display
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Reasons to buy
+ Impressive power Ultra-thin design
Reasons to avoid
- Kind of expensive
Here's another brilliant 4K laptop from Dell. This is a brilliantly powerful 2-in-1 laptop that's powered by an Intel Kaby Lake G-series processor, and it also features enough graphical horsepower to allow you to edit photos and videos in stunning 4K, as well as play modern games at high resolutions as well. As well as all that, it also features a gorgeously-svelte design to boot.
- 4K on laptops: is it worth it?
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Matt Hanson
Managing Editor, Core Tech
Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. He’s personally reviewed and used most of the laptops in our best laptops guide - and since joining TechRadar in 2014, he's reviewed over 250 laptops and computing accessories personally.
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