It’s 2023, and 5G is practically everywhere, even on your next laptop. Laptops with data connectivity existed before 5G rolled out, and now it’s time for 5G to shine as new machines emerge. Hence, we picked the best 5G laptops that you can buy in the United States right now.
For business users or for those who are always on the move, staying connected is essential. What if you’re somewhere with no access to a WiFi network? Having 5G connectivity on your laptop can be pretty convenient, and we are here to pick the best out of the swarm.
What to look out for on an ideal 5G-enabled laptop
Most OEMs, like before, have several laptop variants that support 5G connectivity, and it’s often an add-on service that costs extra while buying a regular laptop. Here are some things to note about 5G laptops:
- Cost: Unlike standard laptops, 5G-enabled laptops tend to be pricey because they’re not just any other laptop. You will find that laptops with data connectivity are either business laptops or premium series unsuitable for everyday users.
- Specifications: You would expect that if you’re paying a hefty sum, you will get top-of-the-line specifications. However, since the laptops are business-oriented, the OEMs only focus on the things that matter.
- Usage: 5G laptops aren’t for everyone yet. You can easily find relatively cheaper laptops with the same or better specifications, but 5G comes with a compromise.
4 best 5G laptops to buy in 2023
Note: The items in this list aren’t in any order of preference.
1. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
Firstly, the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 makes it to the list of the best 5G laptops. Samsung recently made a comeback to the laptop market, and it was indeed successful. Likewise, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is a top-performing laptop that checks most boxes.
The 2-in-1 form factor paired with a 15.6-inch AMOLED display is the perfect choice for every user, and it even comes with an S-Pen. Moreover, it houses an 11th-gen Intel Core i5 Evo platform along with 8 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage. With added 5G connectivity, it is an excellent option that even everyday users can pick.
| Processor & Graphics | Intel 11th Generation Core i5 1135G7 Evo platform with Iris Xe graphics |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| SSD | 256 GB |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 13.3-inch 1080p AMOLED panel touchscreen display |
| Battery | Up to 20 hours (advertised) |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 2.43 pounds (or 1.1 kg) |
2. Surface Pro 9 5G
Microsoft’s Surface lineup has become rock solid since the launch of the previous generation of machines. Likewise, the Surface Pro 9 is an excellent, albeit expensive, ultrabook for power users everywhere. Hence, it is among the best 5G laptops you can get in 2023.
Housing a 13-inch touch screen, you can completely detach the Surface Pro 9’s keyboard to convert it into a fully functional tablet. It’s an ideal laptop for content creators, and you can fully utilize its 5G capability no matter what you’re doing—moreover, the Surface Pro 9 features 16 GB of memory and 256 GB of SSD storage.
| Processor & Graphics | Microsoft SQ3 chip designed by Qualcomm |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| SSD | 256 GB |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 13-inch 2880 x 1920 PixelSense touchscreen display with Microsoft Ink support |
| Battery | Up to 19 hours (advertised) |
| OS | Windows 11 Home on ARM |
| Weight | 1.94 pounds (or 0.89 kg) |
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
Lenovo’s ThinkPad series has always been an excellent choice for durable business laptops, and the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 does not disappoint. While the laptop has a relatively higher price tag, it’s an excellent package of hardware that wouldn’t let you down. Overall, it’s among the best 5G laptops you can get in 2023.
Featuring an Intel 12th-Gen Core i7 vPro CPU and 16 GB of memory, it can handle anything you throw at it with ease. Moreover, you can get started with your work anywhere with its 5G connectivity (add-on to be selected separately). Lenovo lets you choose if you require the 5G option that costs extra over the base laptop.
| Processor & Graphics | Intel 12th Generation Core i7 1260P vPro platform with Iris Xe graphics |
| RAM | 16 GB (upgradable up to 32 GB) |
| SSD | 256 GB |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 14-inch 1080p 16:10 IPS panel touchscreen display with 100% sRGB |
| Battery | 57 Wh battery with Rapid Charge |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 2.48 pounds (or 1.12 kg) |
4. Lenovo ThinkPad X13s
Finally, the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s makes it to the list of the best 5G laptops in 2023. It features an ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx processor. You can choose from the base laptop option or get 5G connectivity as an add-on by paying extra.
Moreover, the ThinkPad X13s is a great budget option that houses 8 GB memory and 256 GB memory. 5G-enabled laptops are relatively expensive, but this one makes up for it. Overall, it’s a durable 5G laptop for light users on the move.
| Processor & Graphics | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 SC8280XP Processor |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| SSD | 256 GB |
| HDD | N.A. |
| Display | 13.3-inch 1080p 16:10 WUXGA panel display with 100% sRGB |
| Battery | Up to 28 hours (advertised) |
| OS | Windows 11 Home on ARM |
| Weight | 2.35 pounds (or 1.06 kg) |
Our recommendation: The best 5G laptops
Judging from this list, you might wonder if there aren’t enough 5G laptops in the market. While OEMs have released several 5G-enabled laptops, their availability is of concern. Hence, we have only picked the primarily available ones.
If you’re having trouble picking one, we recommend going for the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 as it’s an overall great machine suitable for most users. However, if you want to go all in, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is undoubtedly the best among them that provides the most value.
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