Best Thunderbolt 4 Laptops

Thunderbolt 4 is the current connectivity standard to enable multiple connectivity modes from a single port on your laptop. The Thunderbolt 4 port uses a USB-C connector but has enhanced capabilities like supporting ultra-high resolution extended displays, faster data transfer speeds, and high-speed external enhancements such as eGPU and external SSD.

Thunderbolt 4 is a significant improvement over the last-gen Thunderbolt 3, and hence a lot of users would want this advanced connectivity standard on their laptops. With the EU coming up with legislation that mandates the standardization of charging and connectivity ports for all portable computing devices, Thunderbolt 4 now makes more sense. It is something that you should ensure that your laptop comes with, no matter if you are a gamer or a business user.

The new Thunderbolt 4 port is highly versatile; it can power devices, transfer data, and carry video signals. There is enough bandwidth on a single Thunderbolt 4 port to support up to five storage devices through a dock. Finally, there is versatility as it is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB, PCIe, and DisplayPort.

Comparison of the Best Thunderbolt 4 Laptops

Image	Product	Details	Check Price
	Dell XPS 15 9520	Display: 15.6-inch IPS Resolution: 1920x1200 FHD+ CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 RAM: 16GB DDR5 Storage: 512GB SSD Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack Weight: 8.88 lbs.	Buy on Amazon
	Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10	Display: 14-inch IPS Resolution: 1920x1200 WUXGA CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U GPU: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 32GB LPDDR5 Storage: 512GB SSD Ports: 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 2 x Thunderbolt 4 1 x HDMI 2.0 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack Weight: 3.00 lbs.	Buy on Amazon
	Razer Blade 15	Display: 15.6-inch Resolution: 2560x1440 QHD CPU: Intel Core i7-12800H GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 RAM: 16GB DDR5 Storage: 1TB SSD Ports: 3 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 1 x Thunderbolt 4 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack Weight: 4.40 lbs.	Buy on Amazon
	Acer Predator Helios 300	Display: 17.3-inch IPS Resolution: 1920x1080 FHD CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 RAM: 16GB DDR5 Storage: 512GB SSD Ports: 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1 x Thunderbolt 4 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.4 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1 x RJ45 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack Weight: 6.61 lbs.	Buy on Amazon
	ASUS ZenBook 14X OLED	Display: 14-inch OLED Resolution: 2880x1800 2.8K CPU: Intel Core i7-1260P GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX550 RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 Storage: 512GB SSD Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack Weight: 3.09 lbs.	Buy on Amazon
	LG Gram 17Z90Q	Display: 17-inch IPS Resolution: 2560x1600 WQXGA CPU: Intel Core i7-1260P GPU: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 16GB LPDDR5 Storage: 1TB SSD Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 2 x USB-A 1 x HDMI 2.0 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack Weight: 2.98 lbs.	Buy on Amazon
	Acer Aspire 5 A5	Display: 17.3-inch IPS Resolution: 1920x1080 FHD CPU: Intel Core i5-1235U GPU: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 16GB DDR4 Storage: 512GB SSD Ports: 3 x USB-A 1 x RJ 45 1 x Thunderbolt 4 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack Weight: 4.85 lbs.	Buy on Amazon
	HP Spectre x360	Display: 16-inch IPS Resolution: 3072x1920 3K CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H GPU: Intel Iris Xe RAM: 16GB DDR4 Storage: 2TB SSD Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 4 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm Combo Jack Weight: 5.0 lbs.	Buy on Amazon

1. Dell XPS 15 9520 – Best Thunderbolt 4 Laptop Overall

The Dell XPS 15 comes with a big 15.6-inch anti-glare display with 500nits brightness on a sleek build. The display has high color coverage and contrast ratio resulting in colorful and sharp imagery on the FHD+ display. The speaker grills are at the sides of the keyboard, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port making up for physical connectivity.

At the heart of the new XPS lies the all-powerful 12^th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H with six performance and eight efficiency cores resulting in 20 threads that offer huge boosts in multi-threaded tasks. Dell equips the new XPS with a 2^nd Gen RTX graphics card with 4GB GDDR6 memory making the laptop versatile but increasing its overall weight.

For storage, there is a 512GB SSD conforming to PCIe4 standards and 16 gigs of DDR5 RAM. Scope for upgrades are limited, but users can connect high-speed devices through the Thunderbolt 4 ports. There is Intel Killer-powered Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity. A 6-cell, 86 Wh battery powers the laptops, and there is a 130-watt adapter for charging.

Our Take

Dell XPS 15 9520 is a versatile device that impressed us with its build and styling features. Its cooling is impressively placed, and we wish there were more user upgrade features and physical ports.

2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 – Best Business Laptop with Thunderbolt 4

For years now, Lenovo’s ThinkPads series of laptops are the go-to choice for business professionals. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 comes with the most updated specifications. It has a 14-inch WUXGA IPS touch-enabled display with 400-nits brightness and an anti-glare coating. The lid has a matte coating that gives the laptop a premium look and feels. The keyboard is backlit, and the keys have classic Lenovo keypads.

A 12^th gen Intel Core i7-1280P processor with 20 threads powers the new ThinkPad and enables highly efficient multitasking. The six performance cores have a peak frequency of 4.80GHz with Intel Iris Xe graphics and 24MB cache memory. The laptop has 32GB LPDDR5 memory to assist business users in multitasking.

For storage, there is a 1 TB SSD and a good selection of connectivity ports including two Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Its speakers are powered by Dolby Atmos, with the grill seen beside the keyboard. There is Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, and optional LTE support for WWAN connectivity.

Our Take

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is a durable laptop with good battery life. Its processor intelligently manages sustainability and performance while its light weight makes it portable enough to be used on the go.

3. Razer Blade 15 – High-Performance Gaming Laptop with Thunderbolt 4

Razer is the pioneer of gaming laptops, and the Blade 15 is right now your best bet at mainstream gaming that is portable and affordable. This highly rated laptop has a 240Hz refresh rate, a 15-inch QHD display, and a 100 percent DCI-P3 color space that is G-Sync compatible and low response time. The laptop has a T6 CNC aluminum finish with an illuminated logo on the lid.

Razer equips its 15-inch gaming device with an Intel Core i7-12800H processor and an Nvidia RTX 3060 video card with 6GB video memory and 16GB DDR5 physical memory. The combination is powerful enough to run any game available at the highest settings, and even the keyboard is enticing with individually backlit keys. The touchpad is glass and has gesture support, while a 1 TB SSD module makes up for storage.

Connectivity options galore with a Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports. There is Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E powered by an Intel AX1690 receiver and Bluetooth 5.2 combo for wireless connections. Razer Blade 15 has an 80Wh battery and a 230-watt power adapter for charging.

Our Take

The Razer Blade 15, with its 4K screen, high color space, and refresh rate, takes gaming to a new level. It is blazing fast thanks to the impressive internals, and the battery is powerful enough to last long.

4. Acer Predator Helios 300 – Best Thunderbolt 4 Laptop for Content Creation

The Helios 300 is another highly rated laptop from Acer’s Predator lineup with a massive 17.3-inch FHD display with a high 144Hz refresh rate. The panel is IPS but still manages a decent 3ms response time, and the color space is perfect across different matrices, but the bezels could be much thinner. The keyboard comes with a four-zone RGB backlit, a full number pad, and arrow keycaps.

Powering the Helios 300 is the same Intel Core i7-12700H as the Dell XPS, while the Nvidia RTX 3060 churns out frames befitting the high refresh rate display through its 6GB GDDR6 video memory. The laptop is built tough, with heat vents at the rear and side edges. There is DTS: X-powered audio and some helpful proprietary tech that gamers would find useful.

The Helios 300 comes with 16GB DDR5 RAM and 512GB SSD with PCIe 4 connectivity. Multiple connectivity options include the latest-generation USB-A ports, Thunderbolt ports, HDMI ports, and even a MiniDisplay Port. There is Intel Killer Wi-Fi and Ethernet for low latency while gaming.

Our Take

Helios 300’s big 90Wh battery kept us in the game for over four hours at a stretch. Its keyboard incites the desire to play and the graphics processor is a beast that devours any game you throw at it.

5. Asus ZenBook 14X OLED – Best Display on a Thunderbolt 4 Laptop

The OLED display on the Asus ZenBook 14X has a massive 2.8K resolution that makes the 14-inch panel exquisite to work on. The screen is VESA HDR compatible with Pantone validation and supports touch with vivid colors and imagery making everything displayed seem to come to life. The build is compact and military-grade, with neatly cut vents and a lightweight design thanks to its aluminum body.

The laptop sports an Intel Core i7-1260P processor with four performance and eight efficiency cores. The chip is a low-power workhorse with a 4.70 GHz boost frequency to take you through demanding tasks. For graphics, there is Nvidia GeForce MX550 that manages casual gaming pretty efficiently. The keypad is crisp with an interactive trackpad that has smart controls and improves multi-tasking. The trackpad also doubles up as the number pad when required.

There is ample scope for multi-tasking thanks to 16GB DDR5 RAM and adequate storage in a 512GB SSD. With the ZenBook 14X OLED, you also get a 3-month Adobe Creative Cloud suite that will appeal to the creator in you. The laptop comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 for connecting devices and Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity.

Our Take

The new ZenBook has a spectacular display with a strong build that lasts through heavy usage. Its multi-tasking capabilities are phenomenal thanks to its huge memory and multi-tasking capable processor. The value quotient on the Asus ZenBook 14X OLED is excellent.

6. LG Gram 17Z90Q – Best Battery on a Thunderbolt 4 Laptop

Big display devices are often plagued with battery issues unless it’s an LG Gram. This 17-inch monster superbly balances a good display and a performance that keeps being powerful for over 10 hours. The LG Gram has a 2K anti-glare IPS display with a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut and is built to last. The side bezels are razor thin, with the webcam on the top bezel supporting facial login.

Like the ZenBook, the LG Gram 17Z90Q is powered by an Intel Core i7-1260P processor but has only Intel Iris Xe for graphics. This laptop is suitable for heavy business use, entertainment, and light editing of photos and videos. The 16GB DDR5 memory allows unhindered multi-tasking, and a terabyte of SSD storage that enables you to store your media library and watch it on the go.

The LG Gram is lightweight, and comes with an Intel Evo branding that enables its 80Wh battery to last long. It has a military-grade build and weighs less than 3.00 lbs. making it an excellent portable device to carry around. There are multiple physical connectivity options with two Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A ports. You can connect to wireless networks through Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth.

Our Take

The LG Gram is a performer, built on a solid platform of 12^th Gen Intel processors and Intel Evo branding. It’s a rugged device that is meant to last all day. Its display is commendable, as are its connectivity options.

7. Acer Aspire 5 A5 – Highly Affordable Thunderbolt 4 Laptop

Acer has a penchant for offering laptops with the latest tech at dirt-cheap prices, and the Aspire 5 A5 is precisely what a student could be looking for. There is little to compromise on this 17.3-inch laptop that ticks all the essential boxes. Its IPS panel works on FHD resolution and has adequate brightness for daytime use. The body is aluminum and features a lift hinge mechanism for ease of use.

The Intel 12^th Gen Core i5-1235U processor is a value-for-money processor designed for Ultrabooks. It provides the boost you’ll need through occasional heavy loads, but also focuses on sustained performance through its higher efficiency cores. The laptop comes with 16GB DDR4 physical memory and 512GB SSD for storage. Acer manages thermals well in the Aspire 5 A5 through the intelligent placement of vents and heat pipes.

Unlike many costlier laptops, the Aspire 5 A5 supports dual-band Wi-Fi and is compatible with 2×2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi. It also features a physical Ethernet port and has multiple software enhancement that boosts online communications through the laptop. Acer equips the new Aspire 5 with a Thunderbolt 4 port, three USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio port.

Our Take

Different performance modes on the Aspire 5 A5 are impressive and handy for pushing the laptop a bit when you need more power. Even without an Evo branding, the Acer Aspire 5 A5 returns decent battery backup, and the keyboard is strikingly similar to HP’s.

8. HP Spectre x360 – Best Convertible with Thunderbolt 4

Convertibles are excellent head turners, and what more to grab some eyeballs than the HP Spectre X360. The latest edition maintains the precision cut corners of the x360 series. Theupdated specs, such as the improved touch-enabled 16-inch 3K IPS display come with a blue light filter and 100% sRGB color space.

The all-powerful Intel Core i7 -12700H processor coupled with Intel Iris Xe graphics and 16GB DDR4 RAM enables unparalleled multi-tasking whether you use the device as a laptop or as a tablet. Barring mainstream gaming and heavy content creations, there is virtually anything that you can throw at the Spectre X360, and it will breeze its way through.

The new Spectre x360 has more than enough storage in the 2TB SSD it comes with, and there is scope to connect high-speed external devices through the two Thunderbolt 4 ports it comes with. Wireless connectivity is managed by Wi-Fi 6E powered by Intel AX 211 and Bluetooth 5.2. It has an 83Wh battery for power and a 90-watt charger to juice the 6-cell battery when needed.

Our Take

The HP Spectre x360 is a laptop with enough style to make you stand out from the crowd. It has power packed performance and a keyboard that makes working on the convertible an exhilarating experience.

Best Thunderbolt 4 Laptops – Our Buying Guide

Buying the best laptops is highly satisfying as there aren’t many restrictions on the budget. You don’t need to consider trade-offs because you are after the best. Here are things you need to consider.

Display

The best laptops usually have an IPS panel with a minimum Full HD resolution and HDR. Look for displays with a minimum of 99 percent color space across different spectrums like DCI-P3, sRGB, and Adobe RGB. Lastly, remember that bezels eat up a lot of screen space, and the thinner they are, the better.

Build Quality and Portability

Metal build improves durability, but high-quality aluminum also increases the weight of the laptop. 810-D military grade toughness ensures high durability across the hinges but keeps the weight within portable limits. In the case of gaming laptops, there is usually more heat; hence make sure there are adequate vents for thermal management.

Processor

Processors have a hierarchy according to their processing power; hence, choosing the best processor depends upon the utility you are looking for. Core i3 processors are the least powerful and best suited for laptops meant for consuming streaming content.

If entertainment through videos, the internet, and movies is your only requirement going for Core i5 and i7 processors would be overkill. The Core i5 is more suitable for business, and regular use as they have enough power to run typical business applications, and the battery lasts the entire day. For gaming and content creation, you would need to churn a lot of frames and process a lot of heavy data, and anything below Core i7 would be a bottleneck. Go for Core i9 if you are looking for desktop alternatives.

Graphics

Most low-power Core i3 and Core i5 processors come with Intel Iris iGPU that should be sufficient for casual use and light content creation. Intel Iris Xe and Iris Plus iGPU are even suitable for casual gaming. For serious gaming and content creation, go for higher series Nvidia RTX cards such as the RTX 3070 Ti, RTX 3080, or RTX 3090 with at least 4 GB GDDR6 video memory. Make sure you check the power consumption as Max-Q variants of these cards are low-powered and perform at a lower level than non-Max-Q counterparts.

RAM and Storage

The best laptops must have at least 16GB DDR5 RAM, while the higher, the better. In some cases, users can access the RAM and storage compartments themselves, which is particularly useful in case you want to increase the storage capacity or double up the physical memory of the laptop.

For storage, 1TB is a healthy place to start as long as the SSD compartment is user accessible. More storage ensures you carry a lot of data locally and only depend a little on cloud storage solutions.

Connectivity

Connectivity includes physical and wireless connectivity options. In the case of ports, you need to ensure the device you are zeroing in on has the latest USB ports and that there is diversity. A combination of USB-A, USB-C, and Thunderbolt 4 ports ensures you can connect multiple devices with different interfaces. Thunderbolt 4 is an extremely essential port that allows users to connect to 4K displays, while an HDMI port is a healthy alternative.

MU-MIMO Wi-Fi 6 is the minimum your laptop should support for wireless connectivity along with Bluetooth 5.1. Some slightly better protocols, such as Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, are good to have if budget isn’t a constraint. LTE connectivity is an advantageous alternative for those places where there either isn’t any or no reliable public Wi-Fi. However, it would be worthwhile noting that the wireless access point should also broadcast signals over Wi-Fi 6.

Battery and Charging

For laptops, battery performance is a deal breaker, and the best laptop should at least last close to five hours if it’s a gaming one. For ultrabooks powered by low-powered processors, look for Intel Evo branding that requires the laptop to meet specific requirements that should elevate battery runtimes to around 10 hours.

No one likes to wait hours to recharge their drained laptops in a fast-moving world. Hence look for fast-charging adapters. Usually, these are denoted by high wattage and support Power Delivery through USB-C. However, fast charging also shortens battery life, and you should ensure you are not overcharging the laptop.

Best Thunderbolt 4 Laptops – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Thunderbolt 4 and traditional USB-C?

As per the interface, Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C look the same, but their capabilities differ. Thunderbolt 4 is a protocol that is delivered by a USB-C port. Regular USB-C does not support external displays as it cannot carry video signals, but Thunderbolt 4 ports can support two 4K external monitors. Non-Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports have a bandwidth of 10 or 20 Gbps, whereas Thunderbolt 4 ports support 40 Gbps.

Are Power Delivery-supported USB-C ports the same as Thunderbolt 4 ports?

Power Delivery protocol supports a larger wattage to pass through a USB-C port and is meant only for charging devices such as laptops. Thunderbolt 4 ports have more to them than just charging devices. They support high-speed external storage devices and enhancements such as eGPU cases that allow connecting discreet graphics cards to laptops for more graphics power.

Is Thunderbolt 4 the same as USB4?

Similar to Thunderbolt 4, USB4 is a protocol delivered through a USB-C interface, but USB4 doesn’t have the dual monitor support that Thunderbolt 4 has. However, USB4 can support a single 8K and even a 16K display with a 60Hz refresh rate. Both have the same 40 Gbps bandwidth, but Thunderbolt 4 ports have higher minimum requirements than USB4 ports.

Will my HDMI monitor support Thunderbolt 4?

Since their physical interfaces are different, an HDMI port will not directly support a Thunderbolt 4 cable, but you can extend your display using a USB-C to HDMI adaptor. These cables come at a premium but have link speeds up to 48 Gbps and support 4K video signals at 120Hz and 8K video signals at 60Hz.