Top picks for Windows 10 PCs for Windows Hello
Hate having to enter a password to sign into your PC? A feature in Windows 10 called Windows Hello lets you use biometric sensors to recognize your face or fingerprint, giving you Enterprise-level security without having to remember a password. Not all Windows 10 PCs are ready to work with Windows Hello, but here are four of CNET’s favorites that do.
The following CNET staff contributed to this story: section editor Dan Ackerman and senior editors Lori Grunin and Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, visit cnet.com.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
CNET rating (out of 5)
4 stars (outstanding)
THE GOOD This version fits a larger screen with a higher resolution into a slightly slimmer body than last year’s model. The pen and keyboard cover are also improved, and this is one of the first mobile systems shipping with Intel’s latest processors.
THE BAD The Type Cover keyboard has to be purchased separately; battery life isn’t enough for a full day.
THE COST $538.99 to $899
BOTTOM LINE A host of refinements cements the Surface Pro 4’s position as the best-in-class Windows tablet.
HP EliteBook x360
CNET rating (out of 5)
4 stars (outstanding)
THE GOOD Solid construction and powerful components; a slim, light body; it includes useful ports missing from similar systems, and it has a fantastic battery life.
THE BAD Audio is tuned for conference calls, but is poor for music and movies; the remote management app is hard to set up.
THE COST $1,599
BOTTOM LINE This is a pricey professional hybrid that has crossover appeal for anyone looking for useful features and a great design.
Microsoft Surface Studio
CNET rating (out of 5)
4 stars (outstanding)
THE GOOD The computer has a fantastic 28-inch screen with excellent color, mounted on smooth hinges that fold down to an artist-friendly angle. The excellent Surface Pen stylus returns and the new Surface Dial shows promise. Every model has good-to-great dedicated graphics hardware.
THE BAD It’s extremely expensive, and doesn’t include the flashy Dial accessory by default.
THE COST $3,499 to $3,699.99
BOTTOM LINE Microsoft’s ambitious love letter to creative professionals is the touch-screen iMac of your dreams — albeit crazy expensive and running Windows.
Dell XPS 15
CNET rating (out of 5)
4 stars (outstanding)
THE GOOD It has a beautiful, high-resolution and accurate broad-gamut display, and it incorporates the Nvidia GTX 1050 gaming GPU, which raises playtime performance in general-purpose laptops.
THE BAD The webcam is in a terrible location at the bottom of the display, and the fan can get loud.
THE COST $1,699.99
BOTTOM LINE Powerful with a great screen, the Dell XPS 15 delivers solid gaming and affordable mobile workstation-class performance in a relatively compact package.
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