Last Updated on 15/09/2023 by Dolly
As Thunderbolt 4 becomes increasingly widespread, the finest Thunderbolt laptops become more crucial. A laptop that has at least one of these ports is essential for connecting to various devices. After all, Thunderbolt ports are incredibly adaptable. They are used by the greatest external hard drives, as well as modern keyboards, mice, and, most crucially, USB-C displays.
They’re also really fast. A number of laptops these days come with a Thunderbolt 3 version of the connector, which provides speeds of up to 40Gbps. This is four times faster than a USB 3.1. That is why storage devices that use this port send enormous amounts of data so quickly. Anyone working on large projects, such as video editors, photographers, and other creatives, can profit from one.
This port is especially perfect for multi-monitor installations, as it can accommodate up to two 4K displays.
Because it has the same connection as USB-C, you can put in any USB-C peripheral and it will function. Just keep in mind that a USB-C port and a Thunderbolt port are not always the same thing, so check the specs of a laptop to see which one it has before purchasing. If you don’t, you might be unable to utilize some peripherals with your new purchase.
We’re also witnessing an increase in the number of laptops with Thunderbolt 4 connections, which provide a throughput of 32 Gbps, up from 16 Gbps for Thunderbolt 3 controllers, enabling substantially quicker data transfers.
Top 10 Best Laptops with Thunderbolt 3
1. Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch
The MacBook Pro 14-inch (2022), the smaller of Apple’s two new MacBook Pros, is now available in stores, and its big launch hasn’t disappointed. Powered by a choice of Apple’s most amazing CPUs to date, the M1 Pro and M1 Max, this is hands-down the greatest laptop for creative professionals we’ve ever tested, combining the best form and power that Apple can conjure in a compact shell.
In the past, Apple has prioritized style above utility, resulting in earlier MacBooks with a meager number of ports in order to remain thin and light. This time, Apple has not only listened to (finally) its consumers, but it has also welcomed their criticism.
So now we have the MacBook Pro 14-inch (2022), a still relatively small laptop with plenty of connectors — three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI port, one SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe 3 charging port – and plenty of power within. By targeting professionals searching for a truly mobile workstation with the MacBook Pro 14-inch and leaving the thin, light, and sleek design to the more common MacBook Air, Apple has created a gadget that is perhaps more niche, but considerably more successful.
The MacBook Pro 14-inch emphasizes what distinguished this brand of notebooks in the first place. It’s a fantastic piece of equipment for creative workers. From its exceptionally excellent performance to the availability of three Thunderbolt 4 ports (three! ), it can easily operate at full power in battery mode, which most other laptops simply cannot accomplish while disconnected. It also boasts an excellent battery life and a stunning XDR display. It is a pricey laptop to purchase, but what you receive for the price is just amazing. So, if you can afford it, you can’t go wrong with this MacBook Pro.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Apple M1 Pro (8-core) – Apple M1 Max (10-core)
Graphics: Integrated 16-core GPU – 32-core GPU
RAM: 16GB – 64GB
Screen: 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
Storage: 512GB – 8TB SSD
Pros
- Fantastic performance
- Long battery life
Cons
- The screen on the smaller side
2. Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS 15 (2020) may have been the closest any company has come to producing a flawless gadget – that is, until the arrival of its 2022 successor, which elevates the series to the next level. It’s the perfect combination of performance and features, with enough power to do most work outside of 3D design and features as the greatest keyboard, trackpad, display, and speakers in their class.
So, even though the Dell XPS 15 (2020) is more than a year old, it’s still one of the greatest laptops available – not to mention one of the best values, since it should be heavily discounted. Even without the incentives, it’s much less expensive than the 16-inch MacBook Pro. It costs $1,299 (about £1,030, AU$1,890) with a 256GB SSD, 8GB of RAM, and a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 Comet Lake CPU.
Simply put, the Dell XPS 15 (2020) has established itself as a model of Windows laptop perfection. If you’re not tied to the macOS environment, it’s an excellent alternative for professionals, both creative and otherwise.
If you’re looking for the finest Thunderbolt laptop that runs Windows 10, the Dell XPS 15 is the one to choose. In fact, it’s also our recommendation for the best laptop. The only reason the MacBook Pro 16-inch beats it in this comparison is that all of its ports are Thunderbolt 3, whereas the Dell XPS 15 has ‘just’ two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C connectors. However, most individuals should be able to get by with just that. Furthermore, Dell’s upgrade to its 15-inch flagship ticks almost every box when it comes to what we want in a laptop. As a consequence, the Dell XPS 15 (2020) is as near to flawless as a laptop can get and one of the greatest Dell laptops to date; there’s not much we can blame it for. It has some of Intel’s most recent and greatest mobile technology, and it can even be customized with a separate GPU, making it capable of image and video editing, as well as light gaming.
If you’re looking for the finest Thunderbolt laptop that runs Windows 10, the Dell XPS 15 is the one to choose. In fact, it’s also our recommendation for the best laptop. The only reason the MacBook Pro 16-inch beats it in this comparison is that all of its ports are Thunderbolt 3, whereas the Dell XPS 15 has ‘just’ two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C connectors. However, most individuals should be able to get by with just that. Furthermore, Dell’s upgrade to its 15-inch flagship ticks almost every box when it comes to what we want in a laptop. As a consequence, the Dell XPS 15 (2020) is as near to flawless as a laptop can get and one of the greatest Dell laptops to date; there’s not much we can blame it for. It has some of Intel’s most recent and greatest mobile technology, and it can even be customized with a separate GPU, making it capable of image and video editing, as well as light gaming.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
RAM: 8GB – 64GB
Screen: 15.6″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS – UHD+ (3840 x 2400)
Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
Pros
- Fast performance
- Eye-catching design
Cons
- GTX 1650 Ti is a little weak
- 15-inch screen might be too large for some
3. MacBook Pro
Because of its redesigned internals and enhanced keyboard, the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 may be the most important member of the MacBook range. Those who have been holding out due to Apple’s exorbitant price will be relieved to find that this year’s model offers more bang for your buck.
In terms of pricing and power, the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 sits midway between the 16-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air (2020). Its internals is updated with greater features than its predecessor. The simplest configuration doubles the RAM and storage over the previous model and costs $1,299 (£1,299, AU$1,999).
However, there is a newer variant, the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020), that comes with the new M1 chip rather than an Intel CPU. Its performance is already impressive, but owing to the 10th generation Intel CPUs that come with it, this Mac delivers a significant improvement.
Having double the RAM and storage capacity also helps. In our MacBook Pro 2020 (13-inch) versus MacBook Pro 2019 (13-inch) piece, we compared this year’s model to last year’s model to see what truly changed, and there’s an evident performance boost. The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 is an excellent choice for creatives and business individuals that want a powerful yet portable laptop for on-the-go use.
Even MacOS newcomers will find the 2020 model appealing. And, with macOS Big Sur now available for download, it’s never been easier to get started with a Mac.
However, its entry-level configuration has a significant drawback: it has a considerably older 8th generation Intel CPU and slower RAM. To take advantage of some of the most significant upgrades Apple has made to the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro 2020, you’ll need to pay $1,799 (£1,799, AU$2,999) for the model with a 2.0GHz 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 512GB of storage, and 16GB of quicker RAM.
When it comes to appearance, the MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 model is a tad bigger and heavier than the 2019 model, but otherwise, the aesthetics remain the same.
On the interior, there’s a much-improved keyboard that feels comfortable to text on and has adequate key travel, resulting in a gratifying typing experience.
The MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020) has new (and powerful) Intel CPUs and faster RAM speeds for greater performance, all housed in an exceptionally slender 13-inch frame. Apple completes the package with the wonderful Magic Keyboard from the new 16-inch model, finally getting away from that vexing keyboard. Even if you don’t want to go with the 10th-generation Intel Core combinations, you could appreciate the fact that all models have additional storage space for the same price as their predecessors. They are also equipped with Thunderbolt 3 connectors.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – 10th-generation Intel Core i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645
RAM: up to 32GB
Screen: 13-inch Retina display with True Tone
Storage: 256GB – 4TB SSD
Pros
- Improved specs (on some models)
- Larger capacity SSD for starting model
- New keyboard is great
Cons
- Entry-level model still has 8th gen Intel CPU
- You still only get Thunderbolt 3 ports
4. HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 laptop has received a significant revamp, as well as a performance bump, with 10th-generation Intel Core CPUs and Intel Iris Plus graphics, in addition to the flawless 2-in-1 design and beautiful gem-cut chassis. While it is costly, it comes with some nice extras, such as tough security features and Bang & Olufsen speakers. If you value looks as much as performance and overall quality, this is the Thunderbolt laptop for you.
The HP Spectre x360 (2020) is a fantastic choice for anybody looking for a reliable laptop. Even in the shadow of its replacement, the HP Spectre x360 (2022), it can compete, with double the RAM of previous versions, Iris Plus integrated graphics and the Intel Core i7-1065G7 CPU. It also competes with some of the best laptops on the market.
However, it goes beyond raw power. The HP Spectre x360 (2020) not only performs the functions of a basic business laptop and can handle tough assignments, but it also has a design and feature set that would put most usual laptops to shame. It’s even more beautiful than when the series initially debuted, retaining the iconic gem-cut design while delivering a breathtaking 4K touchscreen option across all configurations, which is a great enhancement.
Unfortunately, cramming that much power into such a small chassis has its consequences. The HP Spectre x360 (2020) gets rather hot, especially when performing intensive activities like 3D rendering or 4K video editing. Of course, it’s hardly a gaming computer; the absence of a good graphics card means you won’t be able to play the newest blockbuster games. However, at lesser resolutions, the Iris Plus graphics can handle more than you may imagine, making it ideal for puzzle games and low-poly indie titles.
Of course, all of that glamour comes at a cost. Our model costs $1,749.99 (about £1,350, AU$2,600), which is not a cheap number for a laptop, but we’ll get into that more later. The HP Spectre x360 is more expensive than many 2-in-1s on the market right now, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one with the same raw design and performance excellence.
The disadvantages, on the other hand, far exceed the advantages, and these issues aren’t exclusive to it. There is no lighter laptop that can play games or regulate heat more effectively. The HP Spectre x360 2020 is a sleek, powerful laptop that will accomplish anything you ask of it as a whole.
All of that glamor, of course, comes at a price. Our model costs $1,749.99 (about £1,350, AU$2,600), which is not a cheap number for a laptop, but we’ll get into that more later. The HP Spectre x360 is more expensive than many 2-in-1s on the market right now, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one with the same raw design and performance excellence.
Of course, cramming so much power into such a small chassis has its limitations. The HP Spectre x360 gets rather hot, especially when performing intensive activities like 3D rendering or 4K video editing.
This is also not a gaming computer; the lack of a competent graphics card means that you will be unable to play the newest large games. However, at lesser resolutions, the Iris Plus graphics can handle more than you may imagine – ideal for puzzle games or low-poly indie releases.
However, the disadvantages do not exceed the advantages – not even close. And these issues aren’t exclusive to the HP Spectre x360 (2020); there’s no laptop lighter than the HP Spectre x360 (2020) that can play games or control heat as well. It’s an unquestionably high-quality product, and we give it five stars for that.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch – 13.3″ diagonal 4K (3840 x 2160) UWVA BrightView micro-edge AMOLED multitouch
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Pros
- Stylish and high-quality finish
- Great all-around performance
Cons
- Battery life takes a hit
- Can run hot at times
5. MacBook Air
The thinnest and lightest MacBook from Apple is returning with a vengeance. Not only has it addressed many of the issues raised by its predecessors — particularly, but the troublesome keyboard has also been replaced by a far superior keyboard. However, it also has new and more powerful internal components, additional storage space options, and a cheaper starting price. The MacBook Air is Apple’s most cheap laptop, yet it still has Thunderbolt 3 connectors, making it an excellent alternative if you need Thunderbolt ports but don’t want to spend a fortune.
The Intel-powered MacBook Air (2020) far outperforms its predecessor, the MacBook Air 2019. The 2020 model has improved internals and better minimum storage settings than previous generations. It now has twice the storage space that it did previously. When you combine the improved performance of updated components with Apple’s slimmest line, you have a substantially better bargain for the Air’s target demographic.
For a long time, Apple’s most portable series has been lackluster, especially when compared to its price. There are plenty of Windows competitors in the same price range with better hardware, giving the Air a fight for its money. Furthermore, each year’s refresh has been a tiny upgrade. It’s no surprise that people want more from their Airs.
The MacBook Air (2020) finally takes a step forward. Quad-core CPUs and up to 16GB of RAM are now available without breaking the bank.
With the improvements to the CPU, RAM, and storage, the MacBook Air (2020) is simply a better computer than prior generations. Fans of the Apple Air will appreciate it. And, owing to the M1 processor, those important advancements have been passed on to the next MacBook Air (M1, 2020), which adds even more cores. The MacBook Air experience is as fantastic and streamlined as it has ever been, thanks to the release of the macOS 11 Big Sur.
Unfortunately, it is no longer the thinnest and lightest laptop available (the LG Gram, for instance, is one of several Windows 10 laptops that weighs less than the MacBook Air these days). The MacBook Air for 2020, on the other hand, remains an amazingly tiny notebook with Apple’s renowned design and build quality. While the additional components increase the overall size and weight of the new MacBook Air, it remains a notebook that you can easily and comfortably take around with you.
When it comes to pricing, Apple has pleasantly surprised us by announcing the MacBook Air 2020 at a lower starting price than the 2019 model: $999 / £999 / AU$1,599. Not only is it less expensive, but the specifications are better than last year’s model, with the entry-level model including a dual-core 10th-generation 1.1GHz Intel Core i3 CPU with a turbo of 3.2GHz, 256GB storage, and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM.
The design is nearly the same, with one notable (and welcome) difference: the MacBook Air 2020 has a redesigned keyboard. The original butterfly switches, which were excessively shallow for many users and prone to failure if debris, including dust and crumbs, fell between the keys, have been replaced by the new Magic keyboard, which debuted with the MacBook Pro 16-inch. This provides greater travel while typing, making it seem more responsive, and – most importantly – it looks to have resolved the dependability concerns of the earlier keyboard.
Elsewhere, it’s business as usual, which is excellent news if you like Apple’s products and have been looking for a MacBook Air that works as well as it looks. However, if Apple’s laptops have previously disappointed you, there isn’t much here to sway your view.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Intel Core i3 – i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Storage: 256GB – 2TB PCIe-based SSD
Dimensions: 30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61 cm
Pros
- Lower price of entry
- New 10th generation processors
- Improved keyboard
Cons
- Screen colors a little muted
- Battery life only OK
- Webcam still just 720p
6. Acer Swift 3
Beyond the basic look of the Acer Swift 3, you’ll discover an outstanding laptop with enough power for work and study. The Swift 3 (not to be confused with the Switch 3, another Acer laptop) is a low-cost laptop featuring an all-aluminum body and hefty components, including a USB-C Thunderbolt 3 connection. This laptop is also a joy to use, thanks to its spacious trackpad and backlit keyboard, which provides a comfortable typing experience with adequate travel. Because of its low price, this is certainly one of the finest Thunderbolt laptops available right now.
The Acer Swift 3 (2020) is a low-cost laptop that outperforms other laptops in its class. Whereas most low-cost laptops will deliver a barely adequate computing experience, the Swift series demonstrates that just because a machine is cheap doesn’t imply it can’t still be a good computer. It also functions well as an Ultrabook.
Budget laptops, on the other hand, have more limits than their more costly brothers, and the Acer Swift 3 (2020) is no exception. Some of its predecessor’s shortcomings, such as weak-sounding, downward-facing speakers, have been carried over. However, it has improved on its predecessor by upgrading the performance and battery life while keeping the pricing the same. The Swift 3 is not the Dell XPS 13, but it comes close to a quarter of the price.
Basically, if you want that Ultrabook form factor for a great price, the Acer Swift 3 (2020) is a great option, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
The 14-inch Acer Swift 3 (2020) model we evaluated costs $699 (about £565, AU$1070), and it comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, integrated Intel UHD graphics, and a 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD.
The lowest Swift 3 setup costs $499 (about £405, AU$765) and includes an AMD Ryzen 5 3500 processor, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics.
The Acer Swift 3 comes with a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G4 CPU, 8GB of DDR4 SDRAM, an M.2 PCIe 512GB SSD, and Intel Iris Plus graphics for $799 (about £645, AU$1220).
With this year’s Acer Swift 3, Acer kept its minimalist design concept. The sleek, lightweight aluminum body, which clearly takes inspiration from the Apple MacBook Air, should feel familiar to anyone who has used previous Acer Swift 3 models.
The matte silver finish with a polished Acer logo on the rear is about as flamboyant as the laptop gets, which is precisely what some people want. You will, of course, have to contribute your own personality.
The Swift 3 is 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches and weighs 2.7 pounds, making it extremely portable without seeming fragile. Indeed, when our cat became tired with the box and decided to examine the power line, she dragged the open, running the laptop off a three and a half foot tall desk onto a hardwood floor, and fled, leaving no obvious or significant damage to the outside or internals of the laptop.
While not advised as a test to run on your own PC, it’s good to know that the Acer Swift 3 has a shot in the real world.
7. Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 (2020) now has 10th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 CPUs and a bezel-less ‘Infinity Edge’ display, making it a powerful performance while remaining thin and light. Furthermore, there are other customization choices available, allowing you to truly make the Dell XPS 13 the ideal Thunderbolt laptop for your needs. This model improves on the XPS 13’s already excellent design, but it comes at a hefty price. While this is without a doubt one of the greatest laptops on the market right now, it is also one of the most costly.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 10th generation Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4k (3840 x 2160)
Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Pros
- Gorgeous design
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Lackluster audio
- Expensive
8. Gigabyte Aorus
The Gigabyte Aorus 17X is a Thunderbolt 3 gaming laptop. While Thunderbolt 3 is unlikely to be high on many gamers’ priority lists, it does allow you to swiftly transfer huge data, such as game video, game saves, or even whole games, to an external hard drive. Sure, it’s pricey, but if you want a laptop that can pretty much murder anything in its way, this one has the face-melting performance you’re looking for, with 10th-generation Intel Core CPUs and Nvidia’s most powerful gaming GPUs. Aside from its performance, it has a few other things going for it, such as a stunning display, a mechanical keyboard (nothing less is ideal for gaming) that’s a joy to use, and build quality that’s built to endure.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 16 series – RTX 20 Superseries
RAM: up to 64GB
Screen: 17.3″ Thin Bezel FHD 1920×1080 240Hz Anti-Glare Display
Storage: 1TB SSD (PCIe), 2TB HDD
Pros
- Dominating all-around performance
- Gorgeous display
- Mechanical keyboard is a dream
Cons
- Very, very heavy
- RTX 2080 model needs two power adapters
9. HP Elite Dragonfly
This HP laptop is one of the most elegant and thin computers you’ll ever see, yet it’s also loaded with fantastic features and powerful components.
Don’t be turned off by the fact that the HP Elite Dragonfly is primarily intended for business customers. Because of its fantastic design and stunning screen, this is the ideal laptop for everyone who can afford it. The battery life is fantastic, the keyboard is easy to use, and it offers LTE connectivity. This allows you to insert a SIM card and connect to mobile internet wherever you are, rather than needing to connect to sluggish (and potentially hacked) Wi-Fi hotspots.
It’s pricey, but if you can afford it, it’s certainly one of the best Thunderbolt laptops on the market.
When a business laptop like the HP Elite Dragonfly reaches our desk, we usually roll our eyes and set to work evaluating it. After all, laptops for professionals aren’t meant to be interesting or eye-catching, as they’re meant to get the work done rather than be flashy consumer items. But what if there was a laptop that could perform both functions?
There is, at long last, one. The HP Elite Dragonfly has not just the security and IT capabilities that companies want, but also fast technology, many connectors, and, most significantly, a stunning appearance.
The HP Elite Dragonfly is without a doubt one of the most attractive 2-in-1 laptops we’ve tried in a long time, and it’s so thin and light that we waited a month to review it — simply so we could travel with it over the holidays and into CES 2020.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 13.3″ diagonal Full HD touch display – Full HD touch Sure View display
Storage: 256 GB SSD
Pros
- Impeccable design
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Pretty expensive
10. MacBook Pro
If you want the most performance out of a MacBook without having to commit a theft, the MacBook Pro 15-inch is the way to go. With Hexa-core 9th-generation CPUs and up to 32GB of RAM, you won’t be held back by anything you throw at it – especially now that Radeon Pro Vega 20 graphics are available. With that type of performance and so many Thunderbolt 3 connections, this laptop is a no-brainer if you’re an Apple devotee.
Although the MacBook Pro 15-inch 2019 lacks the generational update we hoped for, it isn’t entirely devoid of critical changes. To its credit, it includes some incremental changes to its specifications as well as a few new features that help cement the line’s place as one of the best professional laptops available.
The absence of a big makeover for the MacBook Pro 15-inch 2019 may be ascribed to Apple holding its major changes for the MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), which was released shortly after. It’s consequently easy to overlook its flaws, especially when you consider its more powerful specifications and vastly better keyboard. Both are nice improvements for MacBook Pro customers who have a 2017 or older model.
The design of the MacBook Pro 15-inch 2019 may resemble that of its predecessor. Nonetheless, it provides Apple with the victory it required at a time when all of these great Windows laptops have increased the stakes in the Ultrabook market. It has undoubtedly provided strong reasons for Windows users to migrate to macOS.
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9
Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 555X – 560X, Intel UHD Graphics 630
RAM: 16GB – 32GB
Screen: 15.4-inch, 2,880 x 1,800 Retina display
Storage: 512GB – 4TB SSD
Dimensions (H x W x D): 34.93 x 24.07 x 1.55cm
Pros
- Powerful
- Decent configuration options
Cons
- Expensive
- Lack of ports
Conclusion
Thunderbolt 3 is a hardware update for USB-C connectors that provides additional power due to an increased number of PCIe lanes. Thunderbolt 3 ports include four PCIe lanes, which allows for more data to be processed at the same time. This allows for novel applications such as quicker file transfers, power supply, and potentially the usage of external GPUs.
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