The bezel is ultra thin to maximize the workable space despite the compact form factor—best of both worlds. The touchscreen allows you to use the laptop like a tablet if your would prefer. It has a refresh rate of 120 Hz with exceptional contrast at 600 nits of brightness.

It's compact, solidly built and great for travel, but the slightly larger 13.8-inch version is the better choice as a daily driver.

A docking station can transform your laptop by reducing cable clutter, enlarge your screen space and get more work done. Save some time and plug in.

There are many high-quality laptops for under $500 that don’t necessarily skimp on power, memory or screen size.

The Windows Central team has tested and reviewed more than 65 Windows laptops in the past year, and I've curated this list with the 9 best options as well as several honorable mentions.