Windows laptops have been around since the 1980s, consistently growing in popularity among various user groups. Professionals swear by them, and students love how affordable they can be.
For a time, Windows machines had the reputation of not being stylish or contemporary. But thanks to avant-garde line-ups like the Microsoft Surface, even that is changing. You can now find cool, and svelte Windows PCs that run like the wind and are up to complicated tasks, managing to look lightweight and sleek while on the job.
The advent of Intel Core i7 has ensured that many Windows laptops are also up for online gaming. Gameplay can take up a lot of muscle and mandate other requirements like dedicated GPUs and immersive displays. Companies like Acer are working to make gaming on computers much more accessible without losing realism.
Where Windows laptops truly excel is cost-effectiveness. You can find some genuinely smooth laptops that combine speed, portability, and style at less than $1300.
As a buying decision, it makes perfect sense for students, young professionals, or casual users who wish to stick to a tight budget.
Why Choose a Windows PC with i7?
If you have only used an Intel Core i3 or i5, you will find the i7 a considerable boost. It has multiple cores and shows powerful processing in different working environments.
An i7 can easily handle complex jobs such as multimedia editing with the Adobe suite or running simulations for a scientific project. Multitasking is the USP here. Hyper-threading and efficient cooling ensure that all your tasks get processed speedily without excessive heat build-up.
The i7 range of CPUs has become quite popular, prompting many tech manufacturers to incorporate it into lean, mean Windows-based machines.
Top 7 Best i7 Windows Laptop 2023
The advent of Chromebooks, MacBooks, and Android tablets threatened the territory of Windows laptops for a while. But the rising demand for high-performing, portable laptops has infused a new lease of life into the category.
Top manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Acer now create powerful, svelte and contemporary Windows laptops. These machines excel at complicated tasks like scientific simulation or multimedia editing without the exorbitant price tag of a corresponding MacBook.
Windows PCs are now a prime consideration for buyers looking to bundle flexibility and affordability. We have collected some of the finest Intel Core i7 laptops for a diverse user base.
Best i7 Laptop: Dell XPS 15 9530
- Versatile and high-performance
- Multiple connectivity options
- Portable and durable build
- Expensive
- Average camera for the price
The Dell XPS 15 9530 takes the crown for its versatility as a multimedia, business, or entertainment machine. This Intel Core i7 laptop is performance-focused with RTX 4050 graphics, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The latest graphics card offers excellent ray tracing, much-improved performance with additional cores, and better use of artificial intelligence than previous generations.
This $1,999 laptop has an FHD+ screen with 500 nits brightness and an almost 93% screen-to-body ratio for a vivid and vibrant display. Waves Nx audio delivers loud and pleasing output.
Connectivity is a high point for Dell, and this laptop offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports and Wi-Fi 6. Also, since it weighs just over 4lbs, carrying it around isn’t cumbersome. A backlit, excellently designed keyboard and a premium chassis enhance its look, feel, and usability.
Best 2-in-1 i7 Laptop: HP Spectre x360
- A flexible form factor for travel
- Comfortable and color-accurate display
- Long battery life
- Limited upgradability
- It is rather expensive
The HP Spectre x360 is a productive and flexible 2-in-1. We love its tall UHD+ touch display to facilitate easier reading. It emits lower blue light and exhibits Delta E <2 and 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy. Adaptive color is also helpful in improving your overall experience by tweaking the settings per your environment. Processing-wise, this laptop offers 16GB RAM and a 2TB SSD.
This $1,799 laptop has a 5MP camera with helpful features like auto-framing for work calls. HP has integrated reminders on screen time and distance to ensure that long work hours don’t cause undue eye strain.
It is a secure device with a fingerprint reader and privacy settings integrated into an optimized keyboard. The battery can last over 10 hours, letting you work freely from any location.
Budget i7 Gaming Laptop: ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2023)
- High performance
- Clear display with accurate color rendition
- Low portability
- The FHD screen may not stand up against competitors' higher resolutions
Check out this 16″ Intel Core i7 laptop for under $2000: the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2023). It has plenty going where gameplay is concerned: an RTX 4060 card, 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 165Hz refresh rate. The MUX Switch further ramps things up, offering a performance boost of up to 10% during demanding gameplay.
The dazzling FHD display uses Dolby Vision and sports an immersive screen-to-body ratio of 90%. Moreover, it uses Pantone-validated color over a 100% sRGB gamut. The specs are perfect for more than satisfying gaming, especially at this budget-friendly price. We can overlook its heavy build (over 10lbs) for the wins in screen real estate and processing specs.
For designers and creators: Razer Blade 15
- Very high performance for multimedia projects
- Lightweight design
- Smooth and quick upgradability
- Expensive
- Battery life is poor
- The screen brightness is not as good as some competitors
For around $2,500, you can bring home a fantastic creator laptop: the Razer Blade 15. Powered by an Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and an NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card, it performs outstandingly for demanding projects. The QHD screen with a 240Hz refresh rate guarantees the detail you need for animation, content editing, or design.
Razer employs vapor chamber cooling to keep the innards performing at their best. The thin and lightweight build also works in its favor as the preferred choice among creative professionals.
A vital point in its popularity is the convenient upgradability: up to 4TB and 64GB per your usage needs.
i7 Gaming Laptop: Acer Predator Helios 16
- High refresh rate
- Gaming-friendly keyboard
- Effective cooling
- Average battery life
- Heavier than some other options
The Acer Predator Helios 16 works fabulously as an i7 gaming laptop, comprising 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. An RTX 4070 GPU and 240Hz refresh rate help you make the most of AAA titles using extensive special effects and ray tracing. Further, G-SYNC minimizes stuttering and delays for exhilarating gaming.
Acer provides Killer Wi-Fi 6E connectivity to support online gaming. It also has two high-speed Thunderbolt 4 ports. Although it is heavier at 5.73lbs, it remains portable (to an extent) and is also sustainable due to expert heat management.
A standout feature is the backlight keyboard with mini-LED lights; it delivers a brighter, more efficient experience. This one will cost you $1,899.
Budget i7 Laptop: Acer Swift Go 14
- Affordable pricing for the specs
- Lightweight design
- Efficient heat dissipation
- Excellent QHD camera for video calls
- The brightness is not great
- The screen suffers from the occasional glare
Cheap and agile, this $899 computer is a fantastic choice for students and professionals. The Acer Swift Go 14 offers 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. Combined with an Intel Core i7, these technical specs realize reliable performance in the campus, workplace, and entertainment den. A twin-air cooling system keeps you working uninterrupted without affecting system performance.
As expected from Acer, this device is lightweight and easy to carry at just 2.73lbs. It also boasts a 100% sRGB color spectrum and Killer Wi-Fi 6E for unhindered connectivity.
The QHD camera is competent and successfully uses technologies like background blur, auto-framing, etc., to provide the best video-calling experience.
Cheap i7 Laptop: HP Laptop 15-fd0047nr
- Very affordable
- Long-lasting and quick-charging battery
- Easy to carry around
- Average performance
- Not suitable for gaming or content projects
- Lacks Thunderbolt 4 ports
The HP Laptop 15 costs only $629.99. That’s cheap for an Intel Core i7 computer. It skimps on a few other things – 8GB RAM and a 128GB SSD – but works well for anyone who doesn’t need too many resources vis-a-vis memory and storage. It uses two front-facing speakers to produce louder and clearer audio.
This computer has a brilliant camera that employs a privacy door and technology to reduce ambient noise. It also has a good battery backup (over 8 hours). It also charges quickly: up to 50% in just 45 minutes. A comfortable build of 3.52lbs makes it portable and suited to travel.
Conclusion
Picking a Windows i7 laptop can be a wise decision to meet your requirements at home and work. A convertible can be ideal for content creators on the go but not as conducive to gaming. You should also choose a screen size that fits the available space in your office and backpack.
A 13” 2-in-1 like the HP Spectre x360 might be perfect for travelers; gamers may need a 16” display to get more real estate for maximum immersion. Many users side with a 14” or 15” laptop to obtain a balance.
The Acer Predator Helios is an excellent choice for PC gaming, packing premium features and enviable specs in a compact body. Creators like artists, photographers, social media influencers, etc., frequently side with the Razer Blade 15 to design and share effortlessly.
A few Windows i7 laptops now let you pick a display configuration to match your requirements. The whole gamut is open: from FHD and 4K to OLED and beyond. Other things to consider are the available storage space, unplugged usage, and the available connections.
While most of the laptops we have recommended prioritize performance, you should also factor in budget and portability while making a purchase decision.
