Looking for a new laptop that has USB-C ports? Perhaps you need Thunderbolt 3. Maybe Thunderbolt 3 isn’t a requirement for you and you just want your laptop to be futureproofed. Either way, we’ve rounded up what we think are the best USB-C laptops available to buy today. We’ve got everything from beautifully designed, to those with all-out power.
Staff pick
The Surface Laptop 3 13.5 is a worthy follow-up to last year’s model. While there are no massive changes, the new Intel 10th Gen processor, Instant On, a faster solid-state drive (SSD), Type-C 3.1 port, and huge trackpad make it even better than ever. Battery life is good, and features like Wi-Fi 6 help add some future-proofing. Users can also save money and do a DIY upgrade of storage if they want.
While the Surface Pro 7’s exterior looks like last year’s model (and the year before that), the new 10th Gen Intel processor and Iris Plus graphics bring some serious horsepower to one of the coolest 2-in-1s around. The new USB Type-C port greatly expands its abilities, and switching to Intel for Wi-Fi goes a long way to perfecting this already great convertible.
Dell’s latest XPS 13 features Intel’s 10th-generation processors, along with two Thunderbolt 3-enabled USB-C ports for super-fast file transfer and power to external USB-C accessories such as eGPUs. This is a great convertible laptop designed for people who work on the go, need a touchscreen, and an excellent typing experience in a thin design.
Featuring up to a 9th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB RAM, a GTX 1050Ti graphics card, and a 1TB SSD, this laptop should be able to do everything you need it to. It also features a Thunderbolt 3-enabled USB-C port for fast file transfer, power, and even external GPU support.
Featuring the 10th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, up to 16GB RAM, a 13.3-inch Full HD or 4K touch-enabled display, and a GTX 1650 MaxQ, this laptop was designed by gamers and built for the gamer who needs to get work done too. It has a Thunderbolt 3-powered USB-C port, one USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port, and two USB 3.1 Type-A ports. Attach an external GPU, and you’ll be way on your way to a good gaming session.
The Surface Pro X is a redesign of the Pro form factor we know and love, featuring two USB-C ports and a new Microsoft SQ1 ARM processor on the inside. This is Microsoft’s first ARM Surface since the Surface 2 in 2013, and it has super thin bezels around the display for a more modern look. It also features fast charging and up to 13 hours of battery life on a single charge.
If lightweight is your thing, the 2.5-pound (1.15kg) LG Gram is for you. It comes with an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, a 512GB SSD, 14-inch Full HD touch display, and integrated graphics. It has one USB-C 3.1 port, which isn’t Thunderbolt 3-enabled so you can’t use it for external graphics power, but it’s still great for fast file transfers.
If you’re looking for something for the workplace, the Lenovo Yoga C940 is your best buy. Featuring two USB-C ports, there’s a lot of room for all your USB-C accessories. It’s available in two colors, with 10th Generation Intel processors, 14-inch 1080p or 4K display, and more.
The Surface Book 2 is Microsoft’s flagship laptop, featuring most of the bells and whistles you’d come to expect on a premium laptop. It rocks 8th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, up to 32GB RAM, 1TB of storage, and a beautiful 4K display. It has just one USB-C port, however, and it’s not Thunderbolt 3-enabled. It’s still great for file transfers though.
USB-C is a universal USB port that works with many different external peripherals ranging from USB drives, external GPUs, webcams, and much more. There are different kinds of USB-C, but they all use the same connector. Not all USB-C ports support external GPUs, for example, since that requires Thunderbolt 3 powered by four PCIe lanes, so make sure you pick correctly depending on what you need. If you absolutely need Thunderbolt 3 ports, you’ll want to look at a different laptop list. If you want to take a gander at just overall great laptops, we have a list for that too.
Whether you’re looking for a USB-C enabled laptop that puts emphasis on design like the Surface Pro X, or something with all the power and all the ports, like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, there’s something for everyone in the world of USB-C laptops.
I personally love the Surface Laptop 3 as it feels like the all-round best laptop you can get for great price. It’s super slim, with a USB-A and USB-C port for versatility, and fast charging support so that you can stay topped up in a pinch. It also has a beautiful 13.5-inch or 15-inch display in the 3:2 aspect ratio.
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Staff pick
