1. Razer Blade Pro 17.3″ (Top Gaming Pick)
2. MSI WS65 15.6″ (4K workstation laptop)
3. HP Omen 15.6″ (Best Value)
4. HP Specter x360 15.6″ (2-in-1 option)
5. MSI GT75 TITAN 17.3″ (Honourable Mention)
6. Lenovo ThinkPad P53 15.6″ (Honourable Mention)
7. Lenovo Flex 5 15.6″ (Honourable Mention)
In this guide, we've compared seven of the best 4K laptops for 2021 across multiple categories to help you find the right UHD laptop for your needs and budget.
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Despite the fact that 4K is fast becoming the standard definition for new TVs, 4K panels are still not becoming very common in computer displays. This is due to a number of factors, but the main one is that many computer users are either running applications that are supported by the not benefit from using a 4K display, or running applications that require expensive hardware to run properly at 4K (mainly , gaming.)
With the advancement of GPU technology and the hardware required for its operation
4K monitors
As cheaper, 4K displays are also becoming more popular among PC users. And that means for laptops, too. Still, there are a decent number of options for 4K laptops. And while they're priced higher than 1080P laptops, the cost could go up for users who could benefit from using the updated display.
In this guide, we've rated and reviewed seven of the best 4K laptops currently available. So if you're one of those people who could use a higher resolution display on your laptop (be it for higher resolution gaming or professional work), one of the options below should work for you.
A quick look at the best 4K laptops
The table below gives you a quick overview of our picks for the best 4K laptops currently available. We picked best 4K gaming laptop, best 4K workstation laptop, best value option and best 2-in-1 -Laptop with 4K display decided.
SURNAME
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
EVALUATION
GAMES
Razer Blade Pro 17
i7-9750H
RTX 2080
16GB DDR4
1TB SSD
9.6
/10
check price
read review »
JOB
MSI WS65
i9-9980H
RTX 5000
64GB DDR4
1TB SSD
9.3
/10
check price
read review »
WORTH
HP omen
i7-9750H
RTX 2070
16GB DDR4
256GB SSD
9.1
/10
check price
read review »
2 IN 1
HP Specter x360
i7-9750H
GTX 1650
16GB DDR4
1TB SSD
8.7
/10
check price
read review »
*Click on the "Read Review »" links to go to our review of that particular laptop. You can also scroll down this post to see which laptops received our honorable mentions.
1. Razer Blade Pro 17.3″
The best 4K gaming laptop
Intel i7-9750H CPU
NVIDIA RTX 2080
16GB DDR4 RAM
4K / 120Hz
Our rating:
9.6
/10
Check price on Amazon
If gaming is your main concern and you have a big budget, then your best option is probably either this Razer Blade Pro 17 or the GT75 listed below. Since the Razer Blade Pro 17 is slightly cheaper than the MSI GT75 and comes with a higher refresh rate , we chose it as our top 4K laptop choice for gamers.
The Razer Blade Pro 17 is equipped with an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, an RTX 2080 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 memory, a 1TB SSD and a 17.3-inch 4K 120Hz display .The main selling point of the Razer Blade 17 is the fact that it is one of the few 4K laptops currently available with a refresh rate higher than 60 Hz.
For pure gaming purposes, we felt that the higher refresh rate and lower cost made the Razer Blade 17 a better option over the MSI GT75.
However, the GT75 is a true laptop monster. And if you could use a laptop that comes with a more powerful processor, more memory, more storage, and NVIDIA's G-Sync technology, this might be a better option for you.
However, as one of the first 4K laptops on the market with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Razer Blade 17 is well suited for gamers who want an extremely smooth gaming experience alongside their 4K display.
2. MSI WS65 15.6″
Best 4K Workstation Laptop
Intel i9-9880H CPU
Quadro RTX 5000
64GB DDR4 RAM
1TB Solid State Drive
Our rating:
9.3
/10
Check price on Amazon
For graphic design, video editing, CAD work, or any other type of intensive professional use, consider the MSI WS65 4K workstation laptop.
Like the GT75 Titan listed below, the MSI WS65 is another extreme 4K laptop option. The WS65 is equipped with an Intel Core i9-9880H processor, an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 5000 GPU, 64GB of DDR4 memory, and a 1TB SSD.
All of these specs are geared towards providing professionals with a powerful mobile workstation that can handle intensive tasks. However, it costs just over $4,500, making it the most expensive option on this list.
This laptop
will
capable of gaming, but NVIDIA's Quadro GPUs aren't specifically designed for gaming. So if you're looking to mix design work and gaming, the GT75 Titan listed below would probably be a better option.
Ultimately, if you need a 4K laptop purely for professional use and you have a big budget, MSI's WS65 is a high-end option that will serve you well.
3. HP Omen 15.6″
The Best 4K Gaming Laptop (For the Money)
Intel i7-9750H CPU
NVIDIA RTX 2070
16GB DDR4 RAM
256GB Solid State Drive
Our rating:
9.0
/10
Check price on Amazon
Whether you're looking for a 4K laptop for work, casual use, or gaming, this HP Omen model is worth considering. It costs just under $1,700, making it one of the more affordable options on this list.
However, unlike some other affordable 4K laptops, the HP Omen packs a lot more power. It comes with an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, an NVIDIA RTX 2070 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 memory, a 256GB SSD, and a 1TB hard drive .
The i7-9750H and RTX 2070 combo will allow the HP Omen to handle most games on higher settings. And if you need an option that can double as a work laptop, the i7-9750H, the RTX 2070 and 16GB of RAM handle a variety of tasks, from graphic design to spreadsheets to rendering...
In the end, if you don't have an extreme budget but want a 4K laptop that can handle a variety of tasks, then the HP Omen 4K laptop is probably what you're looking for.
4. HP Specter x360 15.6″
The best 2-in-1 4K laptop
Intel i7-9750H CPU
NVIDIA GTX 1650
16GB DDR4 RAM
1TB SSD/1TB HDD
Our rating:
8.7
/10
Check price on Amazon
If you need a 2-in-1 laptop with a 4K resolution display, the HP Specter x360 might be your best option. It comes with a 15.6-inch 4K touchscreen display, an Intel Core i7 Six-core 9750H processor, 16GB of DDR4 memory, an NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU, a 1TB SSD, and a 1TB
hard disk
.It also comes with a pen that makes it stand out for artists and graphic designers.
While the GTX 1650 isn't the best GPU, it should handle less demanding games (League of Legends, Rocket League, Fortnite, Dota 2, etc.) on the 4K display. However, in some cases you may need to lower some of the in-game graphics settings to maintain a playable framerate.
However, the HP Specter x360 isn't the cheapest 4K 2-in-1 laptop out there. At just under $2,000, the price tag for the hardware you get is pretty steep. If you're after a cheaper 4K 2-in-1, in-1, the Lenovo Flex listed at the bottom of this post is worth a look.
If you're looking for a 4K laptop option that offers the versatility of a 2-in-1 laptop, the Specter x360 is probably an option to consider.
5. MSI GT75 TITANIUM 17.3″
Honorable Mention #1
Intel i9-9980HK CPU
NVIDIA RTX 2080
64GB DDR4 RAM
1TB SSD / 1TB HDD
Our rating:
9.5
/10
Check price on Amazon
While we didn't pick the MSI GT75 Titan as the top 4K gaming laptop option, it's not far behind our top pick, the Razer Blade 17. MSI GT75 Titan over the Razer Blade 17.
For starters, the MSI GT75 Titan comes with a 17.3″ 4K
G-sync indicator
.To push graphics-intensive games onto its high-end display, the GT75 Titan comes with an extreme hardware configuration: an Intel Core i9-9980HK
processor
, an NVIDIA RTX 2080 8GB GPU and 64GB DDR4 memory.
The combination of the RTX 2080 and i9-9980HK ensures that despite the more demanding nature of gaming at 4K, you can still achieve a high frame rate in today's top games. And with NVIDIA's G-Sync, your games will feel incredibly smooth.
The GT75 also comes with a ton of storage. You get a 1TB NVME SSD and a 1TB secondary hard drive.
It also comes at an extreme price point. The Titan comes in at just under ~$4,400. That makes it about $700 more expensive than the Razer Blade Pro 17. And it doesn't have the higher 120Hz refresh rate that the Razer Blade Pro offers.
Anyway, it
does
comes with NVIDIA's G-Sync technology (which the Razer laptop doesn't have) and has a more powerful processor, more memory and more storage space.
So if you're looking for an option that can serve as a workstation laptop, the MSI GT75 is a better option. Of course, if you don't want to spend the extra $700, the Razer Blade Pro 17 is also great for work-related tasks.
If you end up having the budget for the GT75 Titan and could use the upgraded hardware for non-gaming purposes, this is probably the best option for you.
6. Lenovo ThinkPad P53 15.6″
Honorable Mention #2
Intel i7-9750H CPU
Quadro T2000
16GB DDR4 RAM
512GB SSD/1TB HDD
Our rating:
8.7
/10
Check price on Amazon
The Lenovo ThinkPad P53 is another solid 4K laptop. In terms of hardware and specs, it's a similar offering to the HP Specter x360 (minus the 2-in-1 design) but at a slightly higher price point.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P53 features an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, an NVIDIA Quadro T2000 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 memory and a 512GB SSD 4K display work fine.
Overall, though, if you have the ~$2,000 to spend on the ThinkPad P53, you're probably better off going with the HP Omen listed above, as it has similar specs, a better GPU, and costs ~$400 less.
7. Lenovo Flex 5 15.6″
Honorable Mention #3
Intel i7-8550U CPU
NVIDIA 940MX
16GB DDR4 RAM
256GB SSD/1TB HDD
Our rating:
8.5
/10
Check price on Amazon
If you're looking for a 2-in-1 4K laptop but don't want to spend around $1,800 on the HP Specter x360, then this refreshed Lenovo Flex 5 might be what you're looking for.
It comes with a 15.6-inch 4K touchscreen display, a six-core Intel Core i7-8550U processor, 16GB of DDR4 memory, an NVIDIA 940MX GPU, a 256GB SSD and a 1TB
hard disk
.And like the Specter x360, it also comes with a stylus.
The NVIDIA 940MX won't be great for gaming, but you probably can't handle demanding titles on this laptop if you keep the in-game settings on low.
The best thing about the Lenovo Flex 5, however, is the price it comes at. It only costs a little over $800, making it a more budget-friendly option for professionals than the HP Specter x360.
So all in all, the Lenovo Flex 5 is worth considering if you're looking for an affordable 2-in-1 4K laptop.
8. Dell XPS 12.5″
Honorable Mention #4
Intel Core M 6Y54
HD graphics 515
8GB DDR3 RAM
256GB Solid State Drive
Our rating:
8.0
/10
Check price on Amazon
Believe it or not, you can do 4K. receive
Laptop for under $1,000
.This Dell XPS laptop features a 4K display, an Intel Core M 6Y54 processor, 8GB DDR3 memory, Intel HD integrated graphics and a 256GB SSD.
The processor isn't the most powerful option, but the laptop costs just over $800, making it one of the cheapest 4K laptop options out there. Its integrated graphics doesn't make it a viable option for gaming unless you have it turn the resolution down. And even then, you'll struggle to play one of the current top titles at a decent refresh rate.
With a 256GB SSD, the Dell XPS 12 doesn't offer a lot of storage, which is a downer. The good news, however, is that you can always add an extra SSD if you need to.
The bottom line is that while this is an affordable 4K laptop, it's pretty slimmed down in terms of specs. However, the weaker processor and integrated graphics and low computational overhead should still be fine for very casual use cases. So if you have one If you need a cheap 4K laptop, this Dell XPS 12 is probably your best bet.
Is a 4K laptop the right option for you?
While 4K laptops aren't very popular right now, there are a few options that will suit anyone who needs a mobile computer with a 4K resolution display. We've evaluated and reviewed seven different 4K options and the best based on a few common use case categories selected. Whether you're looking for a 4K gaming laptop, a 4K workstation laptop, or a cheap 4K laptop for casual use, there should be an option listed above that works for you.
