The Lightest Laptops You Can Buy In 2021
Manufacturers do everything they can to make laptops more portable. That often comes with its own set of compromises, however, whether its in the cooling system, the sturdiness of the build, or how much battery capacity is packed inside.
Still, a light laptop can be a useful tool for on-the-go computing, and some are feather-like in their ease of portability. We used our extensive review experience and isolated the Asus ExpertBook B9 as one of the lightest laptops youll find on the market today.
But it doesnt stand alone. We added several other featherweight laptops that push the limit when it comes to shedding pounds.
Asus Expertbook B9 192 Pounds
This 14-inch laptop beats out competitors like the Acer Swift 7 to become one of the very lightest in its class. It packs a 1080p display, a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and up to two stick-shaped M.2 NVMe PCIe SSDs at 2TB each.
Other notable features include two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 3, HDMI output, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and a battery promising up to 24 hours on a single charge. As shown above, the touchpad includes an integrated NumberPad thats accessible by tapping the icon in the touchpads top right corner. A fingerprint scanner sits just below the Right Arrow key and is barely noticeable.
Like many on our list, its designed to be an ultra-portable business laptop for quick work.
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 7 Review: Keyboard And Touchpad
- Responsive backlit keyboard
- Smooth touchpad
Im not the biggest fan of laptop keyboards and touchpads since I find them mostly inferior to dedicated mice and mechanical keyboards. But Im happy to say that the Yoga 9is keyboard and trackpad are the exception because both are great to use.
I have large hands and the spacious keyboard provided me ample room to type. The big palm rests made it easy to type for extended periods. The keys also have a satisfying amount of resistance when pressed.
This iteration of the Yoga 9i has a larger trackpad than last years model. Like the keyboard, the touchpad gave me all the room I needed. I also found it extremely responsive and accurate. The cursor always went exactly where I wanted.
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Lavie Nextreme Carbon Xc550
Next at number 4 is a Japanese only brand which sadly isnt yet available in other countries. NEC was and still is a popular brand in its home country and counts Lenovo as one major investor. The XC550-DA, which we havent tested yet, uses carbon fiber for its chassis and adheres to MIL-STD standards like the rest of the field. It is limited to 8GB of RAM and a Core i5 processor. LaVie claims that the laptop can last up to 24 hours, a barely believable number especially as we couldnt find its battery capacity anywhere. The XC550-DA is possibly the weakest candidate of this line-up.
Best Overall: Dell Xps 13
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is a wonderful machine that knows how to do both tablet and laptop computing very well. Its 360-degree hinge makes it super easy to flip around and use as a tablet, or flipped back into a laptop for when you need to get some real work done. It’s rocking a 13.4-inch 1080p or 4K display with 11th Gen Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor options.
For the best Windows 10 convertible, check out the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.
For RAM, you can get it configured with 8GB or 16GB of RAM if you need the extra memory for multitasking and intensive tasks. In regard to storage, the XPS 13 2-in-1 is available with a 256GB or 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD drive. These will offer great read and write speeds.
The display is Dolby Vision and HDR 4000 certified, with a 90% DCI P3 color gamut, and even has support for Dell’s Premium Active Pen, making it an excellent choice for artists looking to draw on the go. The display is available in both 1080p and 4K resolutions, with touch being standard on all models. We absolutely love this thing.
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Lenovo Thinkpad X12 Detachable
Putting the Microsoft Surface Pro on notice
Specifications
Reasons to avoid
Business laptops are a dime a dozen, but once in a while, you get one thats just a little more special than the others. As far as such portables go, the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is a more versatile option. It boasts a detachable, portfolio-style keyboard that allows its users to seamlessly go from full traditional laptop to that more convenient tablet mode in seconds, minus the bulk. Dont worry, though. As it is still a business laptop, it still boasts a host of excellent business-centric features, like robust security features that matter a lot to business customers and surprisingly long battery life of around 10 hours per full charge .
Of course, theres plenty of power behind all that as well, with 11th-gen Intel Core chips and Intels integrated graphics. Although if youre looking for a business laptop with more robust graphics, you should consider other options as theres no way to configure it with discrete graphics.
Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable
Which Travel Laptop Is Right For You
As you can see, there are a LOT of fantastic options out there.
Ultimately, which travel laptop you go for depends on â¦
- What you plan on using it for
- How often you travel
- How much space you have
- Your budget
Regardless of which sort of traveller you are, you should be able to find the perfect laptop from the list above.
Now, over to you â¦
Which laptop do you think you will go for?
Do you have any other ideas that arenât on this list?
Just drop a comment below and let me know!
Other gear guides you might like:
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Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 Review: Design
- Ultra-thin chassis with thin bezels
- Beautiful graphite finish can smudge easily
- Large keyboard and trackpad
At 13.97 x 8.98 x 0.47 inches, the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 is one of the thinnest laptops weve ever reviewed. Though a tad heavy at 3.11 pounds, its still light enough to carry with you wherever you go.
Save for a small, almost imperceptible Samsung logo, the lid on our graphite review unit is entirely black. The interior is as tasteful as the exterior, with a full keyboard, spacious trackpad and large display with thin bezels. The top bezel is about twice as thick as the side bezels to accommodate the built-in webcam, while the bottom bezel is about half an inch thick.
The graphite finish gives the device an air of elegance. While the chassis feels both smooth and rugged, it smudges easily, even if your hands are clean. This isnt a deal-breaker, but it was disappointing seeing my fingerprints all over the laptop after every use.
Best Travel Laptops: Our Favorites
Not sure which is the best travel laptop to pick up? Go for one of our favorites they are the best value for money in each category!
If you want a Windows laptop, Im recommending the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. It is an amazing laptop slim, lightweight, and incredibly powerful. It will be able to handle any task you throw at it, so its a good option regardless of what you primarily use your laptop for.
It has a great battery life, a built-in fingerprint reader, and a very inviting keyboard that makes replying to emails an enjoyable task. The Dell XPS 13 is also a popular option, but I prefer the Lenovo.
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Acer Swift 7 196 Pounds
The Acer Swift 7 isnt the fastest laptop you can buy it still uses an 8th-gen Y-series low-power CPU whose entire purpose is to reduce heat and save on battery life. The Swift 7 makes some compromises to be very thin and light too, like packing a 32WHr battery and using very lightweight materials that are a bit too flexible.
But what it does right is keep the weight down. Fully configured with a Core i7-8500Y, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB PCIe solid-state drive , and a 14-inch touch display, the Swift 7 only weighs 1.96 pounds. Its just 0.39 inches thick too, making it the thinnest touchscreen laptop as well.
What To Look For When Buying 2
Performance– While some 2-in-1 devices excel mainly as a way to consume media, others can also serve as powerful creation machines. When selecting a 2-in-1 hybrid for your lifestyle, be sure that it has enough of what you need to get work done like a powerful CPU, loads of RAM, and a fast GPU.
Form factor– Most 2-in-1s will either allow you to fold the keyboard behind the screen or completely remove it when you want to use the device as a tablet. Consider the pros and cons of each: While a removable keyboard makes your device much lighter in tablet mode, youll need to keep track of it. Conversely, a flip-back keyboard will result in a bulkier machine, but youll always have it on hand when you need it.
Battery life– Make sure your new 2-in-1s battery life is up to par. You wouldnt want to buy a new device just to learn that it can’t make it through a Netflix binge or your favorite movie.
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Does Apple Make A 2
Technically, no, Apple doesnt offer the traditional 2-in-1 laptop. Its MacBooks are clamshell-only.
However, Apple advertises its iPad Pro as a detachable 2-in-1, although it uses the mobile iPadOS instead of MacOS for desktops and laptops. Like Microsofts Surface Pro, the keyboard is an accessory, which adds to the base price. And because the iPad Pro uses a mobile operating system, you cant install traditional desktop software which is where Microsoft trumps Apple with the Surface Pro 7, for example.
Still, Apple is improving how well the iPad works as a laptop by enabling mouse support and improved file system support in the new iPadOS.
Quick Ultrabook / Premium Laptop Shopping Tips
- Get a good keyboard: Whether youre using an ultrabook to browse the web, send emails, code, write or do other productivity work, the keyboard is one of your primary ways of interacting with your computer. Get something with responsive keys that arent mushy. Low-travel is ok if the keys have the right feel to them, but the last thing you want to do is bottom out while typing.
- Consider what you need in a screen: At a minimum, your laptop should have a 1920 x 1080 screen. Some laptops offer 4K options, though its sometimes harder to see the difference at 13-inches or below. While 4K may be more detailed, 1080p screens give you much longer battery life. OLED screens are becoming far more common on laptops, with deep blacks and bright colors, but often at the cost of battery life.
- Some laptops can be upgraded: While CPUs and GPUs are almost always soldered down, some laptops let you replace the RAM and storage, so you can buy cheaper now and add more memory and a bigger hard drive or SSD down the road. But the thinnest laptops may not have that option, so buy with the future in mind.
- Battery life is important: Aim for something that lasts for 8 hours or longer on a charge . For productivity, many laptops easily surpass this number. But be wary of manufacturer claims, which dont always use strenuous tests. Some laptops are starting to add fast charging, which is a nice bonus that tops you off more quickly.
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Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5
Weight: 1.5 kg
Battery Life: Up to 10 hours battery life
Specs: Intel® Core⢠i5-1035G1 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
Display: 14″, Full HD 1920 x 1080p
Operating system: Windows
Compared to a laptop, a notebook is essentially its smaller, cheaper, and less powerful counterpart. But donât worry, that doesnât mean itâs bad!
In fact, if youâre looking for a more portable and versatile option for non-intensive tasks, then you might be better off buying the LENOVO IdeaPad Flex 5. Itâs not the lightest 2-in-1 laptop, but the design is still slim enough to fit in your backpack.
This model is also something of an in-between. Itâs both a laptop and tablet, while the touch screen and 360-degree hinge let you switch between modes easily.
You can be writing articles one second, scrolling through images the next, and catching up on your favorite show after that.
Also, the 10-hour battery life is pretty impressive. You can easily take only the IdeaPad to a nearby cafe or local library, and you wonât need to charge it the whole day!
Pros of the LENOVO IdeaPad
Cons of the LENOVO IdeaPad
Battery Life: Up to 19.5 hours
Specs: Intel® Core⢠i7-1065G7 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
Display: 13.3″, Full HD 1920 x 1080p
Operating system: Windows
Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360
Samsung
Samsungs newest GalaxyBook2 Pro 360 is the best option for Samsung device users and its customizable with up to 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM.
It comes with Samsungs highly responsive and accurate S pen, great for designers and artists alike. The screen features an AMOLED display which Samsung says is 33% brighter than its previous model and features an incredible contrast ratio for clear visuals in any lighting setting.
As for battery life, youve got fast-charging features with the ability to boost your 2-in-1 laptop to 40% charge in just 30 minutes. Theres an FHD front camera for all your work video calls as well as Dolby Atmos integrated speakers so all your meetings, games and movies will sound crystal clear.
If you own any Samsung Galaxy devices, youll even be able to sync them with this laptop, allowing you to trade media with ease. As for ports, youve got one HDMI port, a Thunderbolt port, a USB-C port and a USB-A port. There are extra privacy features as well, including a fingerprint scanner to protect your data.
If youre a Samsung user, looking for an easy-to-use portable 2-in1 device it doesnt get better than the Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360.
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Best Overall: Surface Pro 8
Theres no beating the Surface series when it comes to 2-in-1s. Theyre powerful, sleek tablets running an OS thats actually designed for productivity. The Surface Pro 8 is Microsofts latest and it addresses most of the issues we had with its predecessor. Its thinner and looks more modern, borrowing the design of last years Pro X. Plus, it has a 120Hz display that makes scrolling endless spreadsheets or emails feel much faster. Just remember to drop the refresh rate to 60Hz if you want to get respectable battery life out of this thing. Windows 11 also offers a better split-screen experience for on-the-go multitasking.
Like most of the other 2-in-1s on this list, the Pro 8 doesnt come with a keyboard cover youll have to pay extra for that. Thats a shame, considering it starts at $1,099. Microsoft offers a variety of Type Covers for its Surface Pros ranging from $100 to $180, depending on whether you want a slot for a stylus on it. But at least theyre comfortable and well-spaced. You can also get the Surface Slim Pen 2 for sketching out your diagrams or artwork, and it also features haptic feedback for a more responsive experience.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
Although it’s not the Surface Laptop, the Surface Pro continues to hit all the right notes if you’re looking for a do-it-all Windows tablet that doubles as a Windows laptop. Microsoft recently overhauled it for the Surface Pro 8, which has a larger 13-inch display, 11th-gen Intel Core processors and two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. The Surface Pro 7 is still around for the time being at a discount, and an updated version called the Surface Pro 7 Plus will stay in the lineup, so you’ll still be able to get the classic Pro design but with new processors.
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Asus Zenbook 3 Deluxe 24 Pounds
The Asus ZenBook 3 Deluxe is one of the lightest 14-inch laptops at just 2.4 pounds. However, its not the newest configuration on the block, still packing 8th-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. Youll also find up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage on an M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD.
For connectivity, this laptop provides three USB-C ports, two of which include Thunderbolt 3. It packs a 14-inch display crammed into a 13-inch frame, which translates to an extremely thin chassis all-around although weve seen thinner bezels in other laptops. The 46WHr battery boasts up to 12 hours on a single charge.
This laptop ships with a multi-port adaptor to make it more compatible than some of its comparably-streamlined contemporaries.
How Light And Portable Do You Need Your Laptop To Be
Travelling with a backpack immediately reduces the size and weight of the laptop you should buy. After all, you wouldnât want your laptop to take up half the capacity of your bag.
If you plan on traveling with a larger suitcase, you might have more room for a larger laptop when packing for your trip. This also means you can enjoy more flexibility in terms of price.
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Q: What Is The Intel Evo Platform
The Intel Evo Platform is a lineup of high-end lightweight laptops designed to deliver the best mobile experience by adapting to the needs and lifestyle of people. These laptops are tested and verified to provide exceptional performance, longer battery life with quick charge capabilities, vibrant and colorful display, and instant wake from sleep.All Evo-certified laptops feature the latest 11th Gen Intel processors , Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and nine or more hours of battery life. So if you need to buy a new laptop and don’t have time for research, look for the Intel Evo badge.