Best 4K Laptop in 2023 – our top picks
If you’re looking for the best 4K laptop, then we have you covered right here.
There was a time when finding a laptop with 4K (or UHD) resolution was challenging, and the options were few and far. However, now, much like 4K TVs, 4K laptops have become common (although not as common as the FHD ones, but we’re on our way there).
At the moment, if you browse through the 4K laptops available, you will find quite a bit of variety. Most 4K laptops are aimed at gamers and creators, with a bunch of options available for general use. You can choose from LED, mini-LED, and even OLED displays, depending on your budget and preference.
As far as performance goes, you can find 4K laptops that come with the latest hardware, like Intel 13th-gen processor and NVIDIA RTX 4000-series graphics card. However, if you do not require so much computing or graphics power, then you can check out options with more modest components, which should also be comparatively more affordable.
With that being said, there’s quite a variety of 4K laptops, so you can be picky. And to make your search easier, we have rounded up what we think are some of the best 4K laptops.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best 4K laptop in 2023
For this guide, we looked at several 4K laptops from multiple brands, compared them, and picked the ones that we thought were the best. The laptops have been selected based on specs like CPU, GPU, display features, and other important aspects. Further, we are regularly adding new products to our guides to keep them as updated as possible – so you can check back here again soon for new 4K laptops.
Best 4K Laptop in 2023 – our top picks
- 4K OLED display & touchscreen
- NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU
- Intel 12th-gen i9 processor
- Mediocre battery life
If you want the best 4K laptop for general use, then we think that the Dell XPS 15 might be a good fit.
The laptop runs on an Intel 12th-gen i9 processor paired with NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU, which, together, should deliver powerful performance and cut through demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
The model we have selected has 32GB RAM along with a 1TB SSD, which should be sufficient for most people. However, you can choose to change this configuration as per your requirements and budget.
The highlight here is the 15.6-inch screen that has 4K resolution, so you can expect high picture quality. Plus, this is an OLED display, which should deliver high contrast and vivid colors. Moreover, you get a touch-enabled screen, which should give you more intuitive controls – something that creators would be interested in.
- 17-inch 4K display
- Almost bezel-less screen
- 13th-gen Intel i7 processor
- Heavy
If you want a 4K laptop without spending too much money, then we think that this HP model might be a fit.
To start with, the laptop sports a 17.3-inch screen with 4K resolution, so you can expect the laptop to deliver vivid, detailed visuals. Much like some of the best 17-inch laptops, this one, too, has an IPS display, which should give you wider viewing angles. To add to that, you get an almost-edgeless screen, so you should have more screen space.
Under the hood, the laptop runs on a 13th-gen Intel i7 processor, which is one of the recent CPUs. The processor has 14 Cores and 20 Threads and has a max boost speed of 5.0GHz, which should run demanding tasks quite smoothly.
For graphics, the laptop comes with Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which is an integrated GPU that should process graphics well. You should be able to run games on it with low settings without a hitch.
As far as connectivity options are concerned, the laptop has multiple ports, like three USB 3.2 Type-A, two Thunderbolt 4, one HDMI 2.1, an audio jack, and more – so plugging in peripherals should not be a problem.
- 13th-gen Intel 13950HX processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU
- 16-inch mini-LED display
- Expensive
If you want a laptop for 4K gaming, then you should check out the new Razer Blade 16, which we think is one of the best Razer laptops.
To start with, the laptop packs in an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, which is the newest GPU that features advanced ray tracing and DLSS 3.0 – so you can expect a smooth gaming experience.
Further, this GPU is paired with a 13th-gen Intel 13950HX processor that promises to run resource-intensive tasks like gaming and content creation smoothly. Many of the best gaming laptops available out there have 13th-gen Intel processors and RTX 4000-series GPUs, so you should be able to run AAA games and heavy applications without breaking a sweat;
Coming to the display, the laptop sports a 16-inch mini-LED display that has a peak brightness of 1000 nits and 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy, which are all great features to have if you’re planning to use this device for creative tasks.
Plus, much like some of the best 16-inch laptops, you get 4K UHD resolution, so you can expect stunning, detailed picture quality. The laptop lets you switch between 4K/120Hz and FHD/240Hz, which is good news for gamers who need to switch between 4K gaming and a high refresh rate.
Considering the screen size, the Razer Blade 16 is quite portable. The laptop weighs around 5 pounds, which should be portable for most users. Plus, it comes with a lightweight GAN charger, so you can carry the whole setup around.
- 17.3-inch 4K display
- NVIDIA Quadro RTX A3000 GPU
- Intel 12th-gen i9 process
- Expensive
If you’re a professional creator looking for a 4K laptop, then you should check out the MSI CreatorPro X17, which we think deserves to be one of the best MSI laptops.
The laptop sports a 17.3-inch 4K display, which should deliver high picture quality. Plus, you get a 100% DCI-P3, which is great news for creators as they should be able to get good color accuracy. Plus, you get a 120Hz refresh rate, which should ensure that your tasks run without any screen-tearing or stuttering.
On the inside, the laptop packs a 12th-gen i9 process that promises to deliver efficient performance and handle demanding tasks like gaming and editing.
Further, this processor is paired with an NVIDIA Quadro RTX A3000 GPU, which is equivalent to the RTX 3060 graphics card. The RTX A3000 is made for designers, engineers, and artists, so you can expect it to carry the load without breaking a sweat.
As this laptop is targeted towards professionals, it promises to be portable. The laptop weighs 11.44 pounds, which, given the screen size, should not come as a surprise. However, it certainly does weigh a bit less than other 17-inch laptops.
What to consider when looking for a 4k laptop
Purpose
Are you looking for a laptop to help with work? Or one for gaming? Certain 4k laptops will be geared towards different purposes, with varying GPUs, CPUs, and other components and special features to match. So keep in mind what you want to use the laptop for when searching.
Budget
Look – 4K laptops don’t come cheap. However, you might still want to consider a budget when looking to make sure you don’t completely break the bank. There is still a wide variation in prices between models, so take this into consideration.
GPU and CPU
Performance is important for any laptop, but with a 4K resolution, you’ll want to ensure you’re getting the most out of your display by matching it to a top-notch GPU and CPU. Most of the ones we found operate on the latest Intel or AMD CPUs, with Nvidia’s GeForce GPUs dominating the field.
Think about how much power you need – the more speedy internal processors will cost you more but ensure a speedier and smoother performance. For instance, if you want to perform demanding tasks that need high graphics power, then you should check out the best Intel 13th-gen laptop as well as the best RTX 4090 laptops.
Size and weight
Finally, you’ll want to think about the size and weight of the laptop. Is it for home or the office? Do you want to take it around with you – if so, you’ll need a lighter model. For instance, some of the best lightweight laptops weigh around 4 pounds or less than that, which makes them really portable.
Is 4K overkill for a laptop?
For most people, a 4K resolution will not be necessary. However, of you’re a competive gamer or creative professional, it’s something you might want to look into. A 4K display will elevate your workspace and make minute details a lot more clear.
Do 4K laptops exist?
Believe it or not, 4K laptops do exist. They provide a super immersive laptop display which is a cut above most of the offerings on the market – if you can afford the lofty price.
Our Verdict
If you want a 4K laptop that is great for general use (that is, gaming, content creation, or even work), then we think that the Dell XPS 15 9520 is a solid option. The laptop sports a 15.6-inch OLED display with 4K resolution, so you can expect high contrast, vivid colors, and overall great picture quality. Plus, this display is touch-enabled, so users should experience more intuitive controls. On the inside, the laptop packs an Intel 12th-gen i9 processor paired with an NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU, which, together, should be sufficient to play games or run any kind of resource-intensive tasks.