X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

These Windows 10 PCs let you sign in with your face or finger

Windows Hello

Joshua_Goldman.jpg
Joshua_Goldman.jpg
Joshua Goldman
Dell XPS 13 (late 2017)
1 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Windows Hello

Hate having to type in 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, though, so here's a rundown of some of our favorites that do.  

microsoft-surface-pro
2 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Microsoft Surface Pro

Since it's part of Windows 10, it only seems right to start with Microsoft's top-of-the-line two-in-one, the Surface Pro, which has an IR camera above its 12-inch, 2,736x1,824-pixel touch display for face recognition. 

microsoft-surface-pro
3 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Microsoft Surface Pro 4

There's an IR camera in the Surface Pro 4, too, if you want to save some money by buying the 2017 Surface Pro's predecessor. 

Microsoft Surface Laptop
4 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Microsoft Surface Laptop

The software giant's newest Surface product is a pure clamshell laptop running on the streamlined Windows 10 S operating system. Its $1,000 starting price (£979 or AU$1,500 in the UK and Australia) includes an IR camera. 

microsoft-surface-book-i7-019.jpg
5 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Microsoft Surface Book i7

But, if you'd still prefer a two-in-one, but one that was more laptop than tablet, the Surface Book i7 has an IR camera as well. 

microsoft-surface-studio-product-01.jpg
6 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Microsoft Surface Studio

If you'd rather have a desktop, Microsoft's magnificent Surface Studio has an IR camera built in above its gorgeous display. Microsoft also has a desktop keyboard with a hidden fingerprint sensor if you don't want to buy a whole computer.  

Dell XPS 13 (late 2017)
7 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dell XPS 13

Dell recently updated its 13.3-inch ultraportable with eighth-gen Intel Core i-series processors that promise to deliver more than 40 percent better performance. But regardless of processor, you can get it with a fingerprint sensor. 

dell-xps-13-2-in-1-10.jpg
8 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1

The hybrid version of Dell's 13.3-inch ultraportable can be configured with with either a fingerprint reader or IR camera. 

dell-xps-15-2017-12.jpg
9 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dell XPS 15 (2017)

For graphics pros or anyone just looking for a premium laptop with a 15.6-inch screen that's not a Mac, the XPS 15 has it all, including an optional fingerprint reader. 

dell-inspiron-7000-2-in-1-13-and-15-inches-2017-02
10 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1

Dell put IR cameras in many of its latest Inspiron models of all sizes, including the updated Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1. 

acer-spin-7-08.jpg
11 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Acer Spin 7

The Spin is Acer's line of ultrathin two-in-one PCs that are available with a fingerprint sensor built into the upper-left corner of their unusually wide touchpads. 

acer-switch-alpha-12-09.jpg
12 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Acer Switch 7

Acer's Surface Pro competitor, the Switch 7, 5 and 3, are available with a fingerprint reader for logging on with Windows Hello.

Toshiba Portege X20W-D
13 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Toshiba Portege X20W-D

This excellent little 2-in-1 for business gives you the option to sign in with either your finger or facial recognition: It has an IR camera and fingerprint sensor. 

Alienware 15 (2017)
14 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Alienware 15

Alienware's 15-inch gaming system has an IR camera for unlocking it, and it also works with Tobii Aware software that will automatically adjust settings to save on battery life based on your presence. 

alienware-13-r3-oled-03.jpg
15 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Alienware 13 R3 OLED

Alienware's 13-inch laptop has the same facial-recognition features as its linemate. 

Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
16 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Samsung Notebook 9 Pro

This pen-enabled hybrid includes facial recognition as part of its premium design. 

samsung-notebook-9-2017
17 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Samsung Notebook 9

One of the lightest 15-inch laptops available, the 2017 Notebook 9 has a built-in fingerprint reader. 

Lenovo Miix 720
18 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Lenovo Miix 720

While several of Lenovo's laptops and two-in-ones include a fingerprint reader for Windows Hello log-ins, the detachable Miix 720 has an IR camera.

lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-14.jpg
19 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon

The X1 Carbon is Lenovo's smallest and thinnest ultraportable for business and it includes a fingerprint reader. 

lenovo-yoga-910-01.jpg
20 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Lenovo Yoga 910

The Lenovo Yoga 910 fits more screen into less space with a 13.9-inch display in the body of a 13-inch laptop. A fingerprint reader comes standard. 

lg-gram-13-24.jpg
21 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

LG Gram 13

The Gram 13 is one of the lightest laptops you can buy, and it just so happens to include a fingerprint sensor in the touchpad. 

asus-vivobook-s15
22 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

Asus VivoBook S15

The budget-friendly Vivobook gives you a big 15.6-inch screen in an ultraportable body with a built-in fingerprint reader. 

asus-ifa-zenbook-flip-14
23 of 27 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Asus Zenbook Flip 14

Asus doesn't seem to be a fan of IR cameras in its laptops. However, many of its upcoming ZenBooks, including the all-new Flip 14 two-in-one, have fingerprint sensors with Windows Hello support. 

hp-elitebook-x360-19.jpg
24 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP EliteBook x360

HP's latest professional hybrid has one of the longest-running batteries we've tested and includes both an IR camera and fingerprint sensor. 

hp-spectre-x360-13-inch-2017-02.jpg
25 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Spectre x360

The 13-inch Spectre x360 two-in-one has a lot in common with the business-oriented Elitebook x360 including an IR camera for facial recognition. 

hp-spectre-x360-15-inch-11.jpg
26 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Spectre x360

HP also makes a 15-inch version of the Spectre x360 with a fantastic display and an IR camera right above it. 

hp-curved-envy-aio-34-09.jpg
27 of 27 Sarah Tew/CNET

HP Curved Envy AIO 34

One more desktop option for you, if you'd like to use facial recognition to sign into a curved 34-inch all-in-one. 

More Galleries

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos
2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars
conceptss01_440.jpg

2007 Los Angeles Auto Show: concept cars

14 Photos
Best sound bars under $300
polk-magnifi-mini-15.jpg

Best sound bars under $300

18 Photos
2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty
2018 Ford F-150 diesel

2018 Ford F-150 Power Stroke reports for diesel duty

22 Photos
Cosplay at Comic-Con 2016: From Stormtroopers to Sansa Stark
dsc0515.jpg

Cosplay at Comic-Con 2016: From Stormtroopers to Sansa Stark

34 Photos
Music-friendly cell phone accessories

Music-friendly cell phone accessories

11 Photos