Is it somehow significant that you're talking about a laptop? As far as I'm aware, the options are the same regardless of the type of computer on which you are playing (except that I've never seen CoX on a Mac, so I can't comment on that platform).
The way I'm aware of to change to windowed mode is to go to Menu > Options > Graphics and Audio > Graphics > Screen/UI Resolution and choose "Windowed" in the drop-down.
Since discovering Windowed mode quite some time ago, I'll never play any other way again. I love having CoX up but still being able to easily navigate to other windows.
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StainedGlassScarlet - L50 Spines/Inv Scrapper | Badges: 1,396
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You can also edit your shortcut to include "-fullscreen 0"
For example:
"C:\Program Files\City of Heroes\CohUpdater.exe" -fullscreen 0
How do I set COH up to run in windowed mode on my laptop. I think there is a way, just forget how.