Core i7 processors are some of the best laptop CPUs available, offering a balance between performance, thermals, and cost. They’re more capable than Core i3 or Core i5 chips but aren’t as expensive and don’t produce as much heat as Core i9 processors.
High demand has made the Intel Core i7 processor incredibly popular. Many people want to buy these machines because they don’t have a problem getting their hands on an i7 processor, but it can be hard to know which laptop you should get.
There are plenty of great alternatives to the Dell XPS 13, but most importantly the laptop has amazing specs, a screen that will keep you entertained for hours, and battery life that will help you get through a long day.
Best overall: Dell XPS 13 (9310)
REASONS TO BUY
Top-notch specs
Superb display
Great battery life
Outstanding design
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Webcam is just OK
Dell’s XPS 13 Ultrabook is the pinnacle of what a laptop should be. It features cutting-edge specifications and a striking design. It comes in two different models, one with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 CPU and the other with an Intel Core i7-1185G7 CPU that can be configured for your needs. The Dell XPS 13 is a fully loaded laptop. With up to 2TB of SSD, Intel’s Xe integrated graphics, and 16GB of memory, the device has it all. It also has great color accuracy and a 4K UHD display with 500 nits of brightness. A high-power laptop will have 6th generation Wi-Fi, and 5.1 Bluetooth, and last up to 14 hours on a single charge.
The Dell XPS 13 is an attractive laptop with a comfortable keyboard that includes bright backlighting and a high-quality trackpad. Dell’s laptop has two Thunderbolt 4 ports for strong peripheral connectivity. It also comes with a USB-C to USB-A converter you can use if you ever need to connect a USB-A accessory. The device is pricey, but the webcam is just OK. Dell’s XPS 13 is simply an incredible laptop.
Best 2-in-1: HP Spectre x360 14
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent specs
Incredible 3:2 display
Webcam privacy shutter
Quad speakers
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
No LTE option
If you are looking for a versatile and high-performance laptop, check out the HP Spectre x360 14. This sleek 2-in-1 is made with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor and graphics that allow you to enjoy the most reliable visuals. The Intel Core i7-1165G7, it’s powerful, and capable, and provides a much-needed boost for your laptop. It also has Intel Xe graphics for the best graphics performance and 16GB of memory. The specs of this laptop are impressive. The 3:2 HD or 3K2K display with inking support, anti-reflective coating, and excellent color accuracy is a treat to use, and the inclusion of a 720p webcam with a privacy shutter, quad Bang & Olufsen speakers, large 66WHr battery, and Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity options is great, too.
The HP Spectre x360 14 has a unique gem-cut design with striking angular edges. It is one of the fanciest-looking devices on the market. The keyboard’s large size and satisfying keycap travel make it very pleasant to type on, and the trackpad is sturdy too. The HP Spectre x360 14 features dual Thunderbolt 4 ports as well as a USB-A port. It’s one of the best 2-in-1 laptops that money can buy and we’re just sad it doesn’t have LTE options.
Buy the best workstation: Surface Laptop Studio
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent workstation-grade specs
Tons of storage
Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos
Awesome display that can tilt and fold
REASONS TO AVOID
Display could be less reflective
Switching postures is a little awkward
For high-end performance, the Surface Laptop Studio can be outfitted with the Intel Core i7-11370H. This fast and powerful processor allows for a smoother and more responsive computing experience. The configuration options are great, and it supports a maximum of NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti or A2000, up to 32GB of memory, up to 2TB of SSD space, and a large screen with full touch support and 120Hz refresh rate. The device has a front-facing HD webcam, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, dual mics, and both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
The Surface Laptop Studio offers its users powerful processing. Other laptops are similar to this, but Surface redefines the way we view laptops. The laptop is also known for a variety of tablet-like modes for stylus use, including stage mode and studio mode. Switching between displays on this Macbook Pro is not always easy due to how stiff the display is sometimes, but it’s not too much of a concern. There are also two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a Surface Connect slot.
Fastest growing business: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
REASONS TO BUY
Fantastic business-oriented design
Excellent specs
Mobile connectivity options
Very thin and light
REASONS TO AVOID
Webcam could look better
Battery life is just OK
If you’re looking for a laptop that you can use for both business and travel, Ultrabooks are great. Business laptops are lighter and thinner than regular laptops, making them easier to carry. They also have many business-oriented features like mobile connectivity or additional security measures. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano offers users the power and reliability of an Intel Core i7-1165G7 or i7-1185G7, a touch screen display, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD along with the flexibility and security of 4G LTE and 5G, fingerprint reader, IR camera with human presence detection, and a camera cover. It has a great display that is perfect for games. The 13-inch 2160×1350 touch display also features great color accuracy and has a peak brightness of 450 nits.
The ThinkPad X1 Nano is small and lightweight with an 11.5 x 8.15 x 0.55 inches (292.8mm x 208mm x 13.87mm) dimension and a weight of 1.98 to 2.17 pounds (898 to 984 grams). The ThinkPad X1 Nano has a very comfortable keyboard and trackpad and includes Thunderbolt 4 ports, which allow you to connect external peripherals easily. The laptop also has a good webcam. The battery life on this laptop isn’t amazing but it is just enough for an all-day work session.
Best for playing games: Razer Blade 15
REASONS TO BUY
Superb gaming performance
Wide variety of excellent displays
Great trackpad
Strong port selection
REASONS TO AVOID
Very expensive
The keyboard isn’t the best
The Razer Blade 15 offers many of the best gaming laptops on the market. Its specs are impressive, which is why this laptop has so much buzz on the internet. The upcoming refresh models come with the advanced 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12800H processors (you can also choose an i9 if you want more power). When buying a GPU for their system, people can choose from the NVIDIA RTX 3060 and the RTX 3080 Ti.
The laptop is also compatible with up to 32GB of memory and 1TB of SSD space. Built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 also provide top-notch connectivity. There are lots of different displays you can buy from the low-end, affordable 144Hz HD screens all the way up to the high-end, pricey 4K OLED ones. People can choose HD screens with up to 360Hz or one that offers a jack-of-all-trades QHD resolution. The Razer Blade 15’s keyboard isn’t the greatest, but other parts of the computer compensate for it. There are two Thunderbolt 4 ports and three USB-A ports on this computer which makes connecting multiple devices incredibly easy.
The Razer Blade 15 is an excellent laptop for gamers. The cost is well worth the performance.
Best Affordable: Acer Swift 3 (SF314)
REASONS TO BUY
Great specs
Strong connectivity
Great port selection
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Display is just OK
The keyboard and trackpad could be better
With its premium quality, the Acer Swift 3 is a notable exception to numerous other Core i7-equipped laptops. This laptop has an Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor, 512GB of SSD storage, 16GB of memory, and Xe graphics. It is powerful enough to rival other top-of-the-line options while being more affordable. However, the display is not a high-definition screen like many others on this list, and the webcam has a lot of graininess. The features of the laptop aren’t bad, but this laptop is designed for people who want something more affordable.
Other problems with the device include its keyboard and trackpad. The things that bothered me about this laptop’s keyboard were that the keycaps are small, making it harder to spot them (especially if you have big fingers). The trackpad has a rattling click, so that’s something to keep in mind. There’s also a noticeable white-on-silver backlighting and dual USB-A and Thunderbolt 4 ports which are awesome, but not good for regular lighting.
This is a budget laptop that delivers impressive power and features. It has a Core i7 CPU and enough RAM to run modern applications smoothly.
Wrap Up
Some of the best laptops on the market have Core i7 processors, and while we recommend all of them we include in this roundup, our favorite is the Dell XPS 13. With its impressive specs, incredible display, industry-leading battery life, and legendary design, the Dell XPS 13 is unquestionably one of the best Windows laptops with Core i7 configurations available.
