10 Best 4K Laptops 2023 (4K UHD, 120Hz)

In recent times, 4K laptop have become immensely popular for the sheer beauty they add to life.

The level of detail you experience with a 4K screen on your computer is breathtaking.

While the most popular 4K resolution is UHD or 3840 x 2160, many companies also offer other options.

While zeroing down on a product, it is critical to consider multiple aspects like the screen size, brightness, viewing angles, and, imperatively, performance.

In tune with the taste of the audience, the amount of 4K content has also multiplied. A small screen with high pixel density will give you the best picture quality on Netflix or your design project. It is why the choicest 4K laptops use a 13” to 17” screen size.

Our Picks: 10 Best 4K UHD Laptops in 2023

From Dell and HP to brands like MSI, Razer and Lenovo, most prominent manufacturers have designed 4K laptops. Many of the available choices are 13”-17” laptops priced at $1300-$2500.

4K makes less sense if you want a screen size less than 14”. There is a limit to what the human eye can decipher, especially as small displays, anyhow, offer sharp imagery.

Here are the ten best picks in the market today, many of them suitable not only for audio-visual activities but also for everyday work and travel. The secondary priorities vary, from battery backup to mobility and security.

1. ASUS VivoBook Pro 16X OLED 4K Laptop

If you have used an ASUS laptop before, you will be familiar with the reliability and performance it brings to the table.

The ASUS VivoBook Pro 16X OLED 4K laptop, priced at $1,649.99, is an option worth exploring if you are looking for a UHD OLED 4K display.

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This 16″ device offers a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut along with an ultra-thin bezel to minimize any external interference. Thunderbolt 4 connections let you access your designing paraphernalia without eating up the inbuilt memory.

This laptop gets powered by latest AMD Ryzen 9 6900H CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. It houses an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, thereby befitting both gamers and creative professionals. ASUS is committed to keeping things sustainable, employing a powerful “Ice Cool Plus” mechanism to keep things cool amidst intensive tasks.

ASUS also gets brownie points for designing a portable laptop: it weighs 4.41lbs and measures 0.74”.

2. Best 4K UHD+ Laptop: Dell XPS 15 9520

For the users looking for an immerse display with responsive performance, nothing beats the Dell XPS 15 9520.

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This 15-inch powerhouse packs in all the essential features that you’d need for your personal and professional computing needs. The highlight of this device is offering workstation-like performance in a rather compact setting.

Also see, The Best Dell Gaming Laptops (RTX 3080 Ti)

Powered by the latest 12th Gen. Intel Core i9-12900HK processor and up to RTX 3050 GPU configuration, lags and delays aren’t existent in this model. However, the display is what steals the show.

Users can expect the most out of the 15.6” 4K UHD+ display panel with 4K support and 16:10 aspect ratio. Backed with Eyesafe display technology, you won’t ever have to complain about putting strain on your eyes.

Furthermore, the model unlocks four working modes, including quiet, performance, cool and optimized. This allows easy adjustments to the fan speeds, performance and the overall battery life.

Ideally created for content creators, the XPS 15 9520 is integrated with 1TB SSD storage and up to 32GB RAM for superior multitasking experience.

The model runs on the Windows 11 Home OS.

Pros

• Modern and aesthetic design
• Clarity and crisp audio output
• Latest RGB-backlit keyboard design
• Immersive 4K display panel
• Responsive touchpad

Cons

• Battery life isn’t the best
• Fans can get loud when performing at Turbo speed

3. Best 4K Mac Laptop: Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch

When you seek splendid visuals and extreme multimedia performance, a MacBook continues to have an edge.

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The 2021 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (3456 x 2234) will cost you $2,499.00, but what it delivers in exchange is exemplary.

You get a beautiful liquid retina XDR display with brightness up to 1600 nits and a six-speaker system with studio-grade sound.

Performance-wise, you can rejoice in up to 64GB of RAM and up to 8TB of storage. If you need to edit heavy-duty multimedia content like a movie, this kind of power will let you run all your applications. Plus, you can quite literally carry your studio with you.

Related Post: 8 Best 16-inch Laptops (12th Generation Intel CPUs)

This MacBook Pro offers unbelievable battery backup of up to 21 hours. It is enough to last a workday and night – right in sync with the needs of the modern professional. It is a slim device at 0.66” and weighs 4.7lbs.

4. 4K Gaming and Editing: Razer Blade 15

Despite being a staple product from the brand, the Razer Blade 15 is a bestselling option that every user takes pride in.

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The latest version of this 4K gaming laptop is powered by the 12th Gen. Intel Core i9 processor with RTX 3080 Ti GPU configuration.

So, performance is a factor that no user has to worry about with this model. Besides that, the Blade 15 comes with up to 5.3GHz Turbo boost that further renders the most intensive tasks and applications without delays and buffer.

Coming to the display, it is equipped with a compact, narrow bezel 15.6” 4K UHD display panel with 144Hz refresh rate. Alongside visual clarity, users can maximize their performance with buttery smooth visuals and true to life color reproduction.

Recommended: Top 10 Best ASUS Gaming Laptops (RTX 3080Ti)

The combination of 1TB SSD storage with 32GB RAM configuration offers 50% improved performance than the previous generation, further making it ideal for every PC usage. As for the thermal solutions, Razer has integrated the device with the next-gen Vapor Cooling Chamber for optimal cooling.

Pros

• Unmatched performance
• Crisp and true to life color reproduction on the display
• 50% improved RAM performance
• Comfortable RGB-backlit keyboard
• Sleek and lightweight design

Cons

• Quite a highly priced model
• Gets overheated quickly

5. Best 2-in-1 4K laptop: HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop

Its not everyday that you get access to the best of both worlds, right? With the HP Spectre x360, you can unravel the comfort of a convertible laptop and enjoy stunning visuals on a 4K display.

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Featuring unique specifications like adaptive dimming and screen time reminders to protect your vision in the long run.

The model is powered by the Intel Core i7-12700H with up to 4.7GHz Turbo Boost technology and Intel Iris Xe graphics for crisp and responsive visuals. What further boosts the performance and productivity is the combination of 512GB SSD storage with 16GB on-board RAM for superior multitasking.

As for the display, the laptop is equipped with a 16” 3K+ multitouch-enabled display panel with low blue light reflection and 400 nits brightness. It comes pre-installed with Windows 11 Home OS.

Reasons to buy

• Stunning and sleek design
• Responsive display
• Faster storage configuration

Reasons to avoid

• Battery life isn’t that great
• Heats up quite often

6. Best 4K Gaming Laptop: MSI Titan GT77

Gaming on a 4K laptop is a next-level experience, one that you will be appreciative of in the long run. The MSI Titan GT77 is a beast, despite the hefty price point. Its close to $3000 but definitely worth the buck if you are an advanced gamer.

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The model is powered by the Intel Core i7-12700HX processor and RTX 3070 Ti GPU for unparalleled gaming and productivity without a single glitch. Gamers get to live through each frame of the game, thanks to the expansive 17.3” UHD display panel with 120Hz refresh rate that elevates the gaming experience to the next level.

Also see, Best MSI Gaming Laptops with RTX 3080 Ti GPU

The Titan GT77 also comes with a combination of 1TB SSD storage and 32GB RAM, which elevates the overall performance and responsiveness of this gaming laptop to new heights, without any questions asked. It runs on Windows 11 Pro.

Reasons to buy

• Immaculate and unstoppable performance
• Expansive display panel
• Faster refresh rate

Reasons to avoid

• Quite bulky
• Very expensive

7. Cheapest 4K laptop: ASUS VivoBook 16X

You don’t always have to pay a hefty price to acquire a laptop with 4K display. The ASUS VivoBook 16X provides a budget-friendly option but without compromising on any of the important specifications.

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The laptop is fuelled by the Intel Core i7-12700H CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics, both of which provide the users with responsive performance and round the clock productivity without any buffers and glitches in the process.

Paired with a fingerprint sensor, the model also takes care of the security and privacy of the users.

VivoBook 16X is equipped with a 16” 4K OLED display, which is the highlight of this laptop. Furthermore, you also get to streamline your performance with 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM. It comes preinstalled with Windows 11 OS, which is a bonus for its price.

Reasons to buy

• Premium and lightweight construction
• Responsive performance
• Stunning 4K OLED display

Reasons to avoid

• Battery life is average
• Port selection isn’t optimal

8. 4K OLED Laptop: ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 OLED UX582

Another popular 4K OLED display laptop worth mentioning in the list is the ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15. This one is specifically created for content creators and artists and features a secondary 14” display, known as the ScreenPad Plus, which is the USP of the model.

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As far as performance goes, the model is powered by the Intel Core i9-12900H processor with GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU for uninterrupted performance like no other. Available in an unique Celestial Blue color, the laptop is also backed with 1TB SSD storage and 32GB RAM for the ultimate productivity.

If you are concerned about the primary display, the ZenBook Pro Duo is equipped with a 15.6” OLED 4K touch display that renders accurate color reproduction and stunning visuals. It runs on the Windows 11 Pro OS.

Reasons to buy

• Premium design and look
• Responsive and highly optimized RAM
• Comes with secondary display

Reasons to avoid

• A bit bulky
• Configuring the secondary display can be a little complicated

9. Lightweight 4K UHD laptop: ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10

Lenovo is known for their slim productivity laptops and the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is a worthy mention in that list.

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Besides the portable nature, the model also stands out with its compact yet responsive 14” UHD 4K display panel with up to 2400p screen resolution and 500 nits brightness.

The model is powered by the 12th Gen. Intel Core i7 processor with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. It is built on Intel Evo platform, so users won’t have to compromise in terms of usability, performance and responsiveness.

What further propels the performance quotient in this model is the integration of up to 2TB SSD storage with up to 32GB RAM configuration. The model is one of the most lightweight productivity laptops, weighing at 1.2 kgs. It comes preinstalled with Windows 11 OS.

Reasons to buy

• Slim and lightweight
• Responsive 4K display
• Built on Intel Evo platform

Reasons to avoid

• Lacks certain ports
• Audio output is average

10. Dell XPS 17 9720 17-inch 4K Laptop

This one is for the ultimate large-screen 4K experience.

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The Dell XPS 17 17-inch 4K laptop will cost you a steep $2849.99, so the acquisition makes sense only if you genuinely require incredible power and high-res imagery (read: professional editing, film-making, etc.).

This XPS device has an Intel Core i7-12700H at its core, along with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. That is enough and more power for all kinds of design projects.

The UHD+ monitor has a lot more to it. An anti-reflective coating allows you to work in outdoor settings. An NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card dazzles you with ray tracing and images enhanced by artificial intelligence. The brightness – a tremendous 500 nits – and a 100% Adobe RGB color gamut make everything vivid.

Here is another charming bonus: for a 17” device, it is quite portable at 0.77” and 4.79lbs.

Do you really need a 4K Laptop?

A standard 4K laptop will cost you at least $1300, making it an expensive investment. You may come across cheaper options, but the chances are that the hardware will be compromised.

It makes sense to splurge if you can truly appreciate the improved detail that the high pixel density will provide. If your day-to-day usage pattern centers on internet browsing and going through text, the enhanced clarity will not mean much to you.

However, if you watch multimedia content or work on creative projects like film editing and photography, a 4K screen can be an absolute delight. For instance, a laptop like the MSI Creator 15 UHD lets you focus with an ultra-thin-bezel display, plenty of connections, and stellar cooling.

If you are a gamer considering a 4K laptop, you may have to do with lowered settings and frame rates. For competitive gamers, a 1080p screen tends to provide better refresh rates.

That said, some laptops like the GIGABYTE AERO 15 can serve perfectly well for committed gamers. It comes with a wide color gamut, a dedicated GPU, and a Pantone validated display for an engaging experience.

Buying a 4K Laptop: Considerations

Here are some vital things to consider when scouting for a 4K device:

• Display features: A 4K screen will not serve you well unless the screen also has a high brightness level. Look for at least 300 nits, although 500 nits and more is a fantastic scenario. It is also wise to ensure that the monitor offers good viewing angles. That way, you will not need to adjust your screen frequently while sitting back and enjoying a film.
• Battery backup: Powering a 4K laptop is a battery-hogging affair, which is why most options in the market offer lower battery capacity than their 1080p counterparts. You will also need to double-check the heat dissipation mechanism to guarantee that overheating issues do not interfere with your user experience.
• Dedicated graphics: Typically, you do not need a dedicated GPU with a 4K laptop if you intend to pursue everyday activities like browsing the internet or streaming multimedia. However, if you wish to work on A/V content and run applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, you require a graphics card.

Conclusion

Purchasing a 4K laptop is a big decision. It involves a large sum of money and, if you have not considered things enough, it may not suit your lifestyle or requirements. When compared to an FHD model, 4K tends to deliver poorer battery life and lower portability.

Nonetheless, deciding to bring home a 4K laptop can be jaw-dropping for anyone who appreciates crystal-clear imagery.

Assessing the display in full is an intelligent way to filter through the available 4K options. For example, the new Dell XPS 15 9520 gives you low blue light emissions, lots of screen real estate, and Dolby Vision.

It goes a long way in reducing eye strain and letting you complete projects without developing a headache.

Laptops like the 2021 Apple MacBook Pro prioritize performance and unplugged usage, proving that a 4K screen resolution does not equate to being bogged down by operational or sustenance issues.

Some 4K laptops also suit versatile purposes like being a work platform or a travel companion. If you get the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9, you can be comfortable at work because of the full suite of security solutions.

4K computers have ushered in a mini-revolution in how we perceive things and pushed the boundaries of what is possible to visualize on a laptop display. Thanks to 4K, it is a glorious world out there.