Laptops are portable by nature, allowing you to tuck PC performance under an arm while you're on the go, but what about staying connected when not at home, the office, or a bustling cafe? Something with LTE connectivity, like HP's Spectre x360 13t, keeps you in the know no matter where you go. It's a premium convertible with 4K AMOLED touch display with pen support, Wi-Fi 6, and 10th Gen Intel Core processor (CPU) options. If it's not quite what you're looking for, there are a bunch of other great laptops with LTE that we've rounded up right here.
Best Overall: HP Spectre x360 13t
HP's 13-inch Spectre x360 has long toed the line of perfection, albeit with a few glaring flaws that held it back. With the late-2019 model, however, there's not much to dislike. It now uses Precision touchpad drivers for an optimal pointing experience, and the bezel around the display has been shrunk down by 66% to fit more in line with other premium laptops on the market.
A camera still lives above the display despite the thin bezel, and it even manages IR facial recognition for secure logins through Windows Hello. The entire laptop has been shrunk down, and the top-firing speakers have been moved to the bottom, but HP still managed to cram in a relatively substantial 60Wh battery for long life between charges.
Choose from 13.3-inch FHD or 4K AMOLED touch displays depending on need and budget. The latter includes an anti-reflective glass to cut down on glare, and sRGB, AdobeRGB, and DCI-P3 presets bring accurate calibration from the factory. Grab 10th Gen Intel Core CPUs, add up to 16GB of RAM and a 2TB PCIe M.2 solid-state drive (SSD), and enjoy Wi-Fi 6 and LTE connectivity.
Pros:
- 10th Gen Intel Core CPUs
- Wi-Fi 6 and LTE connectivity
- Precision touchpad
- 4K AMOLED touch display with thin bezel
- Big 60Wh battery
Cons:
- Speakers moved to bottom of chassis
- Less expensive options available
Best Overall
HP Spectre x360 13t
Hard to beat
Microsoft Precision touchpad drivers, 4K AMOLED display with anti-glare, 4G LTE, and new 10th Gen Intel CPUs.
Also Great: Microsoft Surface Pro X
Microsoft's Surface Pro X is a bit of a departure from the Pro lineup we've seen over the last few generations. Instead of an Intel-based system, it's powered by a custom Microsoft SQ1 CPU that's essentially a beefed-up Snapdragon 8cx. Combined with the Adreno 685 GPU, up to 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, this is an ideal device for creative types who need to stay mobile.
LTE connectivity from a Snapdragon X24 modem comes standard in all models, and it's accompanied by Wi-Fi 5. The chassis has about the same footprint as other Pro models, yet bezel has been shrunk down to allow for a larger 13-inch display with 2880x1920 resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio. Combined with the new Surface Slim Pen and Signature Keyboard, it is a truly versatile tool.
An IR camera allows for secure logins through Windows Hello, and for ports, you get two USB-C, Nano-SIM, and Surface Connect. Like the Pro 7 and Laptop 3, the Pro X can power dual 4K displays at a 60Hz refresh rate using one USB-C port.
Pros:
- Beautiful display with inking
- Thin and light design
- LTE comes standard
- IR camera for Windows Hello
- Adreno 685 GPU with two teraflops
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi 6
- ARM has some limitations
- No 3.5mm audio jack
Also Great
Microsoft Surface Pro X
The lightest and thinnest Pro available
This ARM-powered Pro brings LTE connectivity, beautiful display, and excellent battery life, all in a thin and light chassis.
Thin and Light: HP Elite Dragonfly
The iconvertible Elite Dragonfly is kind of a mashup of HP's Elite business laptops and the premium Spectre lineup. Its magnesium alloy chassis, dipped in an oleophobic coating, is put through MIL-STD 810G tests to prove its durability. It also includes plenty of security features that will put the mobile professional's mind at ease. The chassis weighs in at just 2.2 pounds (0.99kg) with a 4K display, and it's just 0.63 inches (1.6cm) thin.
Being a part of Intel's Project Athena, the Elite Dragonfly offers Instant On capabilities and delivers extreme battery life that will last a workday and more. It is capped at 8th Gen Intel hardware because of the need for vPro, but you're still getting Wi-Fi 6 to go along with LTE connectivity. Add up to 16GB of RAM and a 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD to complement the CPU.
The display has a slim bezel (86% screen-to-body ratio) and comes available in FHD or 4K with Sure View privacy filter. Above the display is an IR camera to go along with the fingerprint reader for extra security. The laptop features two top-firing and two down-firing speakers to provide solid audio in tablet or notebook mode, and the large Precision touchpad and comfortable keyboard promote productivity.
Pros
- All-day battery life
- Weighs in at 2.2 pounds with 4K display
- Plenty of security features included
- Wi-Fi 6 and LTE connectivity
- Huge Precision touchpad
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- No 10th Gen Intel hardware
Thin and light
HP Elite Dragonfly
Lightweight convertible for professionals
Long battery life, security features, and lightweight build make up the impressive HP Elite Dragonfly.
Best Battery: Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1
If you're looking for a laptop that blurs the line between consumer and business device, Dell's Latitude 7400 2-in-1 is a prime example. It brings up to 15 hours of battery life, a durable all-metal body with a brushed aluminum finish, and plenty of ports. It might weigh a bit more than other convertibles, but the large battery is a significant tradeoff.
There are, unfortunately, no 2K or 4K display options to complement the low-watt FHD model, but what you get has excellent color and contrast, especially for a business device. It hits 100% sRGB and 77% AdobeRGB, and you can add an active pen to the mix for quality inking. An IR camera above the display offers secure logins through Windows Hello.
Want to stay connected at all times? Optional 4G LTE can be added, with a SIM slot residing on the right side of the laptop below the microSD card reader. Other ports include two USB-A, 3.5mm audio, two Thunderbolt 3, and HDMI.
Pros:
- Gorgeous low-watt FHD display
- Good audio
- Impressive battery life
- Premium build quality
- Great port selection
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- No 2K or 4K display
- Expensive
Best Battery
Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1
Excellent battery, super adaptive
Dell's revamped Latitude 7400 2-in-1 for 2019 leads the pack for 14-inch Ultrabooks and overall battery life.
Best Business: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
The seventh-generation ThinkPad X1 Carbon continues the trend we've seen through the earlier generations, with black carbon finish on the durable chassis that's been put through a bunch of durability tests. This is a great laptop if you're working in the field, mainly thanks to LTE connectivity. Unfortunately, there's no Wi-Fi 6 compatibility.
The 14-inch display comes in a few flavors, ranging from low-power FHD to 4K with Dolby Vision HDR400. For something in the middle, there's a QHD option. All displays have excellent color, and the slim bezel around the screen adds to the premium look. PrivacyGuard can be added, which effectively makes the display hard to see unless you're looking straight at it, perfect for working in public. Other security features include fingerprint reader, camera shutter, and optional IR camera for Windows Hello.
Performance is stellar thanks to 10th Gen Intel Core i5 and Core i7 CPU options, 16GB of RAM, and up to a 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD. Ports include two Thunderbolt 3, two USB-A 3.1 (Gen 1), HDMI 1.4, Ethernet extension, and 3.5mm audio.
Pros:
- 10th Gen Intel Core CPU options
- FHD, QHD, or 4K displays available
- Varied port selection
- Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
- Durable ThinkPad build
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi 6
- Relatively pricey
Best Business
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
Keep up with work wherever you are
With 4G LTE modem, powerful performance, and a brilliant display, get a premium business laptop ideal for staying connected.
Best Ultraportable: Microsoft Surface Go
The Surface Go isn't precisely cut out for specialized work due to the hardware inside, but the tradeoff is a versatile, portable device with a lot to offer. If you're looking for a casual laptop to take with you wherever you go, this is it.
Performance hardware includes up to an Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, enough to tackle everyday productivity tasks and even some light gaming. The addition of 4G LTE options means you can stay connected just about everywhere, and you'll get a full workday of battery life from a charge.
The 10-inch display has an 1800x1200 resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio; it's compatible with the Surface Pen for a stellar inking experience, and by adding a Type Cover, you get a true laptop. Ports include USB-C, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Pros:
- Optional 4G LTE connectivity
- Premium compact design
- Touch display with inking
- Great battery life
- Starts at a low price
Cons:
- Limited ports
- Great battery life
Best Ultraportable
Microsoft Surface Go
Combination of size and power
Microsoft's most affordable Surface is the Go, yet it delivers a high-quality computing experience that you can take with you.
Best Convertible: Lenovo Yoga C640
Lenovo has jumped ship from the Snapdragon 850 platform seen in the older Yoga C630, introducing 10th Gen Intel Core CPUs instead with Wi-Fi 6 and LTE connectivity. It's very portable, thanks to the slim, lightweight metal chassis, and it offers plenty of versatility thanks to its convertible design.
The low-watt FHD display is touch-enabled, and it helps boost battery life past the 10-hour mark on a single charge. Above the display is a webcam with privacy shutter, and a fingerprint reader is also available for extra security through Windows Hello.
Choose between Core i3, i5, or i7 CPUs and go with up to 16GB of RAM and up to a 512GB PCIe SSD. Ports include USB-C, two USB-A 3.1 (Gen 1), and a Micro SIM slot; unfortunately, there's no Thunderbolt 3.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life
- Wi-Fi 6 and LTE connectivity
- 10th Gen Intel Core CPU options
- Low-watt FHD display with excellent color
- Quality metal chassis
Cons:
- Storage tops out at 512GB
- No Thunderbolt 3
Best Convertible
Lenovo Yoga C640
10th Gen Intel hardware
Lenovo's Yoga C640 has made the jump to Intel CPUs, bringing Wi-Fi 6 and LTE connectivity wrapped up in a slim metal chassis.
Bottom line
We're starting to see more Windows 10 laptops come with LTE connectivity, and you should be able to find a device that suits your needs. If you're looking for a well-rounded device that can serve as your daily driver, we recommend checking out the late-2019 HP Spectre x360 13t.
Its convertible design offers plenty of versatility, allowing you to use it as a tablet with an active pen or as a standard clamshell Ultrabook for serious productivity. The 4K AMOLED touch display is an absolute stunner, and the bezel has been shrunk down by a whopping 66% for a far better screen-to-body ratio. This has ultimately changed the size of the chassis, making the Spectre x360 more portable than ever.
It's powered by up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD, giving you plenty of performance. It's not going to be a killer gaming machine, and it won't handle intensive specialized work, but it will cut through productivity tasks with ease. A massive 60Wh battery delivers solid battery life, and Wi-Fi 6 brings blazing wireless speeds. If you're on the move, LTE will keep you connected.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Cale Hunt is a staff writer at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on PC, laptop, and accessory coverage, as well as the emerging world of VR. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.
Daniel Rubino is the executive editor of Windows Central. He has been covering Microsoft since 2009 back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Surface, HoloLens, Xbox, and future computing visions. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.