Windows 10 Upgrade: Best New Computers to Replace Your PC

The best new computers to replace your old Windows 10 PC

The clock is ticking for Windows 10 users! Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows 10 on October 14th. If you’re still clinging to an older PC, you’re facing a tough choice. While you can snag a free 12-month Extended Security Update, it’s really just a temporary band-aid. Plus, even if your machine *can* upgrade to Windows 11, anything older than a year won’t be able to utilize Microsoft’s exciting new Copilot+ AI PC features like Windows Recall or Studio Effects. So, if your current PC is already showing its age – think sluggish performance, loud fans, or a battery that dies too fast – it’s probably the perfect time to upgrade to a shiny new system. We’ve done the hard work for you, sifting through the best options to help you find your next great computer.

The best Windows 10 laptop replacements

Surface Laptop 13.8-inch
Microsoft’s Snapdragon-powered Surface Laptop is a glimpse into the future of Windows PCs. It’s incredibly lightweight, surprisingly powerful despite its mobile chip, and boasts an astonishing battery life of over 17.5 hours in our tests. While you might encounter some minor compatibility issues with really old Windows software, for most users, this laptop offers one of the best PC experiences available today. If you’re on a tighter budget or prefer a smaller screen, there’s a $700 13-inch model. For those who need more screen real estate, the $1,200 15-inch version is definitely worth considering.

Dell 14 Premium
Last year, we raved about the XPS 14. Now, reimagined as the Dell 14 Premium, it remains an absolutely fantastic machine. It exudes luxury, offers a premium feel, and features one of the market’s best displays. Be prepared for a slight learning curve with its unique invisible trackpad (seamlessly integrated into the palm rest) and capacitive function key row, but it’s a small adjustment for such a high-quality laptop.

ASUS ZenBook S 14
The ASUS ZenBook S 14 truly impressed us with its robust hardware, exceptional battery life (over 16 hours!), and solid build quality. This laptop is a testament to ASUS’s innovation. It’s even lighter than a MacBook Air and offers more practical ports, including two USB-C, one USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack. Its unique Ceraluminum case feels incredibly refined, and the OLED screen is simply stunning.

Apple MacBook Air
Now, hear me out before you react! Apple’s latest computers are so good that Windows users should seriously consider making the switch to Macs. While adapting to macOS might take a little time, the incredible speed and phenomenal battery life offered by Apple’s M-series chips make it well worth the effort. The MacBook Air continues to be one of the best laptops available, boasting an incredibly thin, fan-less design and far more power than you’d expect. Plus, if you’re an iPhone user, you’ll unlock seamless features like phone mirroring that are hard to replicate on Windows.

The best Windows 10 desktop replacements

Dell Slim Desktop
If you’re in search of a straightforward desktop replacement, the Dell Slim desktop is an excellent choice. Even the entry-level configurations offer ample power for everyday computing tasks, all packed into a frame significantly smaller than traditional tower PCs. For those needing a performance boost, consider the slightly pricier Dell Pro, which can accommodate up to 32GB of RAM and dedicated graphics cards.

Apple Mac Mini
The Apple Mac Mini stands out as one of the most powerful mini-desktops on the market. It’s delightfully compact and starts at just $599 (keep an eye out for frequent sales that can drop the price by $100!). As with the MacBook Air, we believe it’s worth considering a move to macOS due to Apple’s truly impressive hardware. Don’t worry about your peripherals – you can connect any monitor, and your existing PC keyboard and mouse will work perfectly.

Geekom A6 Mini
While we haven’t personally tested the Geekom A6 Mini, it’s widely regarded as one of the best Windows mini-desktops in the $400-$500 price range. It features a very capable AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor (even offering a bit of gaming power), 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Honestly, for most basic productivity work, you won’t need much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to upgrade to a new computer if my current Windows 10 PC still works fine for me?
Your Windows 10 PC will technically still function after Microsoft ends support on October 14th, but relying on it long-term isn’t a smart strategy. While the free Extended Security Updates buy you another year, it’s essentially life support. After that, your Windows 10 PC won’t receive crucial security updates or any improvements, leaving it vulnerable to hacking and malware. Plus, if you’re still using an old Windows 10 machine, its physical components might be nearing the end of their lifespan anyway. If you choose to continue using it, make sure to back up all your important data and avoid using it for critical tasks.

Can a Mac run native Windows software?
Yes, virtualization software like VMWare and Parallels can allow you to run Windows applications within macOS. However, this involves purchasing a copy of Windows and dedicating a significant portion of your disk space to it. These days, most popular applications are available for both Windows and Mac, so it’s always a good idea to check if a native Mac version of your favorite Windows app exists first.

Can a Chromebook or iPad replace a Windows 10 PC?
Chromebooks and iPads serve very specific purposes. Chromebooks are excellent, budget-friendly devices for web browsing and online apps, while iPads excel at enhancing your mobile internet experience with larger screens for browsing, apps, and media consumption. However, neither are ideal as direct replacements for a Windows 10 PC, which offers access to the full ecosystem of Windows software in addition to web capabilities. While they might work for some niche uses, we believe the dedicated PC options listed above provide a more comprehensive and full-service replacement.

I have a ton of PC games. What’s my best upgrade option?
Good news for gamers! Finding a solid gaming desktop from a reputable brand is easier than ever. When upgrading, aim for at least 32GB of RAM (as newer titles are quite memory-intensive) and an NVIDIA RTX 40-series or AMD Radeon RX 9000-series GPU. For CPUs, I’d recommend sticking with Intel’s 13th-gen chips or AMD’s Ryzen 8000-series processors as a minimum. And don’t overlook gaming laptops! They’ve made huge strides over the past decade, and you can now find powerful, portable models that are also excellent for multimedia and productivity work.