Companies are still breaking new ground with 5G networks, and so too is the market for 5G laptops. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that what’s currently available holds no value outside of increased connectivity. Many of the laptops on this list have so much more to offer than the latest cellular network.
What are the benefits of a 5G laptop?
In a world where Wi-Fi generally reigns supreme, you might find yourself asking why you’d ever even need to consider picking up a 5G laptop. You may even own a 4G compatible device and feel that it does the job well enough, so why bother? After all, 2020 was the year 5G was poised to really kick things off, and yet, some of the roaring hype for the service has dwindled. In 2022, however, more regions are gaining better 5G coverage, meaning 5G laptops have a chance to shine. There is more to 5G than just extended network coverage. As 5G expands and more areas are able to access the network, the potential of the service will become more apparent. The mainstream 4G network has a ceiling of speeds up to 100 megabits per second while 5G is capable of up to 10 gigabits per second, which is a hundredfold improvement over 4G speeds. To put those numbers in context, the average fixed broadband speed in the U.S. (according to speedtest.net) hovers around 60Mbps for uploads and 175Mbps for downloads. That means 5G may actually have the potential to leapfrog ahead of conventional internet connections, delivering lightning-fast downloads, gaming, and streaming to your home wirelessly (at least in some areas). While the majority of our favorite 5G laptops won’t allow you to install and run the latest AAA games, you could reliably stream games to your device thanks to zippy 5G speeds and the current trend of cloud-based game streaming services. And when you’re on the move, you can turn even the most business laptop into a gaming notebook, all through the cloud. A 5G laptop is, if nothing else, future-proofing yourself with an alternative option for connecting to the internet. 5G has the potential to last a decade, so this choice will afford you on-the-go and (eventually) at-home internet at speeds you won’t be able to deny.
What are the best 5G laptops?
One of the best 5G laptops right now is the Dell Latitude 9420 2-in-1 with 5G. Its 11th Gen Intel CPU and 16GB of RAM make this convertible business laptop an excellent performer and one that never has to leave your side thanks to its superb battery life, which is just over 15 hours. It’s a true all-day always-connected device, but it will hit your wallet, especially if you add 5G. Another fantastic option for business users is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 9). With epic battery life, impressive 11th Gen Intel CPUs and up to 32GB of RAM, a class-leading keyboard, and a slim, lightweight design, this 5G laptop can go the distance. There are also more brillaint options, including the HP Elite Dragonfly Max and intriguing HP Elite Folio. However, the best 5G laptop for you will depend on a few things. Consider how much usage you require from the device while you’re on the move; how much you want to pay; and how long you’ll be willing to wait to pick one up. Also, keep in mind that with some of these laptops, you’ll have to add on 5G connectivity. Whatever the case, check out the best 5G laptops you can grab right now.
The best 5G Laptops
Dell’s Latitude 9420 2-in-1 is a top convertible business laptop that offers fast performance, a gorgeous 16:10 display, and long battery life in a slim, but durable chassis. This is as close to a “no-compromise laptop” as I’ve seen. Few rivals are as versatile and feature-filled as the Latitude 9420 2-in-1, which flaunts a gorgeous 14-inch QHD+ 16:10 display in a slim and lightweight chassis. Performance is excellent thanks to 11th Gen Intel chips, and innovative security features will give you peace of mind that your privacy is protected. While it can be pricey, especially if you add the 5G option to it, that doesn’t stop it from being one of the best business laptops and the best 2-in-1 laptops you can get. The Latitude 9420 2-in-1 is the laptop you can rely on when on the move with its 5G connectivity. See our full Dell Latitude 9420 2-in-1 review Lenovo made several welcome changes to the 9th Gen edition of its flagship business model. On top of fast performance from 11th Gen Intel CPUs, you get epic battery life, powerful quad speakers, a new 14-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and plenty of ports, all in an impossibly lightweight chassis (2.5 pounds). But it’s still those classic ThinkPad features — a durable design (with MIL-STD-810G strength), best-in-class keyboard, and stealthy black/red aesthetics — that carry the X1 Carbon to greatness. Yes, we wish the ThinkPad X1 Carbon hadn’t ditched the SD card reader in the previous, and top configurations can get very expensive, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better overall business machine. See our full Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 (Gen 9) review Lightweight, durable, secure, and fairly powerful, these are the qualities every business laptop worth its salt should have. The HP Elite Dragonfly Max has all of that and more. Weighing a mere 2.5 pounds, the Dragonfly Max offers a plethora of security features, rugged durability, over 13 hours of battery life, and an 11th Gen Intel processor — all in a strikingly attractive chassis that passed 19 MIL-SPEC tests. Plus, you get an incredibly bright vivid display with a built-in privacy screen, 5G connectivity, a powerful webcam and speakers, and comfortable keyboard. What else could you want? Well, a cheaper price would be nice, along with the inclusion of a stylus. However, when it comes to 5G portability wrapped up in a do-it-all laptop, the HP Elite Dragonfly Max won’t disappoint. See our full HP Elite Dragonfly Max review The HP Elite Folio is packed with innovative, solution-solving tech — not gimmicks — that substantiates its $2,000 price tag. It also gives the Energizer Bunny a run for its money; it lasted a jaw-dropping 16 hours and 21 minutes on a charge. Not only does the Elite Folio have the endurance of an Olympic champion, but it breaks records like one, too. The Elite Folio is the world’s first business convertible with a spectacular pull-forward mechanism. The feature lets you transform the display into a digital easel so you can get your Bob Ross on. The Elite Folio comes with an awesome stylus — a plus for users who have an affinity for digital note-taking and doodling. HP is transparent about the fact that the Elite Folio is not a powerhouse laptop for graphics-intensive, CPU-hogging activities. But for users that don’t have a demanding workload, this 5G laptop will still impress in its processing power. See our full HP Elite Folio review The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium (Gen 1) sets itself apart in the often boring world of business laptops with a mind-bendingly thin sub-half-inch frame and titanium construction that we haven’t seen in years. It doesn’t stop there either; the 3:2 aspect ratio has its ardent fans, but we haven’t seen it on too many laptops outside of the Huawei MateBook X Pro (2022) and Surface Laptop 4. It’s brilliant for being productive, which is what the X1 Titanium is first and foremost crafted to do. That chassis makes it stand out as a 2-in-1 business laptop; it is easy to handle in tablet mode and while I miss having a silo for the pen from a convenience standpoint, a full-sized pen feels a lot better in your hand. Add on its 5G connectivity, and you have yourself a reliable 2-in-1 business laptop. See our full Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga review
