Laptops are, by nature, designed to efficiently balance portability and performance, allowing you to tuck a PC under your arm while you’re on the move. The best Windows laptops with 5G and/or 4G LTE push that mobility to the next level by offering connectivity just about anywhere you go. If your phone has service, so too will your laptop.
Whether or not you really need 5G in a laptop comes down to how you use your PC. Not only do these PCs offer connectivity in more places, but you can also expect better privacy thanks to always having your own network. Public Wi-Fi is often convenient, but it’s not the best option if you’re worried about your data.
Because laptops with 5G generally lean toward a professional lifestyle, you can also often pick up extra security features and a more durable design. Not all 5G laptops are straight business, however, with the Surface Pro 9 coming in as the most versatile option for pros or more casual users who simply need a reliable internet connection everywhere.
There are more 5G laptops expected this year with the launch of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform, and we’ll be sure to update this guide when we’ve had a chance to test the new PCs. For now, I’ve collected seven of the best 5G Windows laptops available that we’ve reviewed or have plenty of experience with.
The quick list
Looking for a quick rundown of the best Windows laptops with 5G and 4G LTE connectivity? You’re in the right place, and you can click through each option for a more extensive look at the pros, cons, and review highlights where available.
Best overall
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 with 5G remains the best option overall for most people. It’s versatile with tablet or notebook modes, it has snappy performance, and the high-res touch display is easy on the eyes with impressive inking capabilities.
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2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12)
Best business
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is now in its twelfth generation, and Lenovo is still finding ways to improve its design, keyboard, and touchpad. It’s one of the more premium and feature-laden business laptops you can buy today, and it’s available with optional 5G connectivity.
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Thin and light
HP’s Dragonfly G4 measures just 0.64 inches (1.6cm) thin and weighs in at 2.2 pounds (0.99kg) to start, making it a perfect option for pros who prefer to travel light. There are many config options available, with optional 5G connectivity to complement its Wi-Fi 6E.
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4. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9)
Best convertible
The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) can be considered the convertible counterpart to the X1 Carbon, offering a similar premium build quality with more versatility. It’s highly configurable with Intel’s latest Core Ultra CPUs, and you can add 5G connectivity.
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5. Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3
Best rugged
Panasonic’s Toughbook 55 Mk3 is designed to withstand conditions well beyond what you’d normally find in an office, making it ideal for industry use where you need maximum durability. Optional 4G LTE connectivity is available, but note that faster 5G is not an option.
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6. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano (Gen 3)
Best compact
The X1 Nano (Gen 3) is Lenovo’s most compact business laptop in the premium space, bringing tons of high-end features, 2K display, and the usual durable ThinkPad design. Wi-Fi 6E is joined by optional 4G/LTE connectivity, but note that 5G is not available.
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7. HP ZBook Firefly 14 (G10)
Best workstation
HP has a huge list of configuration options for its ZBook Firefly 14 (G10) mobile workstation, giving professionals, developers, and creators a lot of room to build the perfect device. Wi-Fi 6E comes standard, but 5G connectivity is available with the FHD+ and QHD+ displays.
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The best laptops with 5G and 4G LTE connectivity in 2024
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If the quick list of laptops above didn’t have the right info for you to make a final decision, I’ll now get into a more detailed breakdown of what makes these the best PCs with 5G and/or 4G LTE mobile connectivity. We’ve reviewed and used most of these PCs or their predecessors, and otherwise have experience with them to ensure that they’re quality laptops.
Best overall
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 with 5G is still the best 2-in-1 laptop with additional mobile connectivity. Yes, the Surface Pro 10 for Business is on the market; however, 5G models are not yet available. The standard Surface Pro 10 for consumers, which we know will come with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Elite platform, is still expected to launch in June.
The Pro 9 with 5G is the best all-around PC for most people who want WWAN connectivity, as it costs less than the other options in this list. It might not have all the same business features and additional security measures, but it’s still a premium 2-in-1 device with nimble performance from Microsoft’s SQ3 Arm processor.
In our Surface Pro 9 review, Senior Editor Zac Bowden remarked, “This PC is amazing. I love the display. I love the design. I love the premium chassis. I love the Type Cover.”
The 13-inch touch display has a 3:2 aspect ratio, perfect for a tablet, and it hits a crisp 2880×1920 (2.8K) resolution. The dynamic refresh rate goes up to 120Hz for a smooth look, and the inking experience is top-notch with the Slim Pen. On that note, one of the downsides is that the detachable keyboard and active pen are sold separately.
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1 handle standard wireless connectivity. On the 5G (mmWave) side, there’s support for both a physical Nano SIM card and eSIM.
Read our in-depth Surface Pro 9 review
Best business
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has long been one of our favorite business laptops, and it has now reached its twelfth generation. This brings new Intel Core Ultra CPUs, a redesigned chassis that’s thinner and lighter than ever, an optional haptic touchpad, and the same outstanding typing experience that’s expected from ThinkPad.
In our ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) review, Windows Central’s Zach Boddy remarked that “Lenovo has achieved something extraordinary with its latest and greatest enterprise laptop.” However, it does come with an extreme price (at least when it’s not part of one of Lenovo’s frequent discounts), which amplifies the middling battery life and average Core Ultra performance.
Nevertheless, this is an outstanding laptop for professionals with deep pockets. Lenovo offers up to a 14-inch 2.8K display with OLED panel, Dolby Vision, DisplayHDR True Black 500, and 120Hz refresh rate, with a bunch of other options at a cheaper price.
Connectivity is either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.3, and the WWAN is handled by 5G (Sub-6) or 4G LTE (CAT16), depending on your preferences. There is a Nano SIM slot, plus there’s eSIM support built in.
Read our in-depth ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12) review
Thin and light
HP’s Dragonfly G4 is the successor to the Elite Dragonfly G3, bringing a performance (and name) overhaul to the thin and light business laptop. Weighing in at 2.2 pounds (0.99kg), it’s a high-end choice for pros who often travel.
The laptop is secure with many of HP’s enterprise features, it’s built to a high standard, and the keyboard and touchpad are comfortable and promote productivity. In our HP Elite Dragonfly G3 review, Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino called it “a super light, long-lasting, ultra-mobile laptop that delivers in all the primary areas.” This also applies to the Dragonfly G4.
The newer model is configurable with 13th Gen Intel Core U-series vPro chips, as well as up to 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage. The 13.5-inch display has a 3:2 aspect ratio and comes in a bunch of different options, ranging from 1920×1280 at 400 nits up to 3000×2000 OLED at 400 nits.
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 come standard in all models, but you can also add 4G LTE (CAT16) or 5G wireless connectivity. These laptops don’t come cheap, but HP has really nailed the design and features for business users.
Read our in-depth HP Elite Dragonfly G3 review
Best convertible
Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 (Gen 9) is the direct successor to the X1 Yoga (Gen 8); it received a name change to help differentiate the business-focused X1 line from the consumer-focused Yoga line. We loved the ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 8) in our review, and the ninth-gen model has only improved the laptop.
The new Gen 9 model has a smaller footprint and weighs less than its Gen 8 predecessor, and it has a new raised communications bar above the display to house the 8MP webcam with optional human presence detection. The haptic touchpad is larger, but there’s no longer a silo for the active pen. Instead, it can connect magnetically to the side of the PC.
Lenovo offers Intel’s Core Ultra U-series vPro CPUs, up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and up to 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage. Its dual 2W speakers support Dolby Atmos, and the 14-inch touch displays range from a 1920×1200 (FHD+) resolution up to 2880×1800 with OLED panel, Dolby Vision, and 120Hz refresh rate.
You can configure up to Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.3, and the optional 4G LTE (CAT16) or 5G (Sub-6) modems handle WWAN connectivity.
Read our in-depth Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 8) review
Best rugged
Fieldworkers and industry professionals often need a laptop that can survive conditions well beyond what you’d find in a usual office. That’s where the Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 excels.
In our Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 review, Windows Central’s Daniel Rubino said, “If someone like me, who is particular about laptops, finds it appealing, emergency medical technicians, police officers, or military personnel would likely appreciate its speed, dependability, and all the contemporary features of a 2023 prosumer laptop.”
It’s a chunky 14-inch device with three modular bays for easy upgrades, built for semi-rugged durability with MIL-STD-810H and IP53 certifications. You can work with two batteries, together offering more than 24 hours of runtime, and performance is solid from Intel’s 13th Gen Core P-series chips.
The laptop has 92dB speakers for audio you can hear anywhere, the 1080p camera has an IR sensor and a privacy shutter, and there’s a decent selection of ports. The Toughbook 55 offers 4G LTE connectivity, but it does not make the jump to 5G.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 review
Best compact
Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Nano (Gen 3) takes the premium X1 design ideas and shrinks them down to offer one of the most portable business laptops on the market. It weighs in at about 2.19 pounds (0.99kg) for non-touch models, and it measures just 0.57 inches (14.4mm) thin.
Despite its compact stature, it boasts a quad-speaker setup with Dolby Atmos, a communications bar with an FHD webcam, an IR sensor, optional human presence detection, and a comfy ThinkPad keyboard.
The 13-inch display has a 2160×1350 (2K) resolution, 450 nits brightness, 16:10 aspect ratio, 100% sRGB color, and optional touch functionality (with an anti-reflective finish). Intel’s 13th Gen Core P-series vPro CPUs are available, as well as up to 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are standard, and you can configure them alongside 4G LTE. A Nano SIM slot is included in models with WWAN connectivity.
Best workstation
HP’s lineup of ZBook laptops aims to replace desktop workstations with more mobile laptop options, and the Firefly offshoot is the most mobile option. In our ZBook Firefly 14 (G10) review, Zach Boddy said, “It performs flawlessly, the keyboard is comfortable, the screen is incredible, and everything just worked.”
This mobile workstation is made for creators and designers who need a color-accurate display, specialized discrete graphics, and a ton of configuration options. You can get up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1370P CPU, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and a discrete NVIDIA RTX A500 GPU, altogether offering snappy performance.
The 14-inch display has a top config with 2560×1600 (QHD+) resolution, IPS panel, 500 nits brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and anti-glare finish. If you don’t need quite as many features, there are also FHD+ options at a more affordable price.
As for wireless connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are joined by optional 5G for internet everywhere.
Read our in-depth HP ZBook Firefly 14 (G10) review
How to choose the best 5G laptop for you
A laptop with 5G or 4G LTE connectivity is particularly beneficial for frequent travelers, busy professionals, college students, and anyone else who needs to stay connected to the internet at all times. Not having to rely on public Wi-Fi will boost privacy and security, and you’ll have a connection practically anywhere that there is cell service.
Yes, mobile connectivity on the Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) requires a data plan, and your laptop needs special hardware inside to access the network. This includes a Nano SIM slot or eSIM functionality, antenna, and modem.
5G and 4G LTE are both WWAN standards, with 5G being the newer generation. It’s backward compatible with older networks, meaning that your 5G modem will work with 4G LTE networks (at lower speeds). Some of the laptops in this collection are still using 4G LTE; if you’d like the best bandwidth possible, you’ll want to stick with 5G.
With all this in mind, our top pick is Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 with 5G. It’s a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that starts at a more reasonable price, mostly due to it not being a business-focused PC. If you’re a regular Windows user who wants 5G without enterprise extras, this should be your first choice.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12), Dragonfly G4, and X1 Nano (Gen 3) are all high-quality business laptops with 5G or 4G LTE connectivity, while the Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 takes durability and ruggedness to the next level for certain industries. And if you’re a designer or creator with specialized tasks in mind, HP’s ZBook Firefly 14 (G10) is a mobile workstation with strong performance and 5G connectivity.
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform offers 5G connectivity
Windows on Arm is set to be revolutionized with the launch of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform later this year. The System-on-Chip (SoC) includes an Oryon CPU, Adreno GPU, and Hexagon NPU for AI tasks, with 5G capabilities by default. While it will still be up to OEMs to decide whether they want to include the feature in their laptops, it should mean a wider selection of 5G laptops that can run Windows.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our current picks for the best Windows on Arm laptops. The Surface Pro 9 with 5G also takes the top spot there, but we’re expecting it to be replaced when the Surface Pro 10 running the Snapdragon X platform launches in June.
