Most have enough processing power, RAM, and storage to complete routine multitasking for the typical workday, but specialized models can rival the power of brawnier laptops or desktops with heavy-duty processors, expandable internals, and vivid and large displays with advanced graphics and color rendering. These attributes are helpful for creative tasks such as photo or video editing and enjoyable gaming. Above-average battery life that extends beyond a workday is also a bonus, and some models don’t require a recharge for 18 hours or longer. Other first-rate comforts include cellular connectivity, durable form factors, and biometrics for quick and secure access. Read on for our top picks of the best lightweight laptops. Other helpful features include a fingerprint sensor, backlit keyboard, and a camera shutter cover for more privacy. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon can also be equipped with up to a 1TB SSD and up to 16GB of RAM for easy file storage and seamless multitasking. While the port selection is also generous, this laptop lacks a microSD and does require a proprietary ethernet adapter if you prefer a wired connection. While this convertible is quite small, it still manages to offer a generous edge-to-edge 13-inch touch display with a high 2880x1920 resolution plus an assortment of other desirable assets such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, LTE support, and 1080p front- and rear-facing cameras with 4K quality supported on the latter. The custom Microsoft SQ1 processor with the standard 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD should be speedy and versatile enough for a variety of multitasking, but if you want more memory and storage, up to 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD configurations are available. While it’s not the most advanced display available in the category, the 13.3-inch HD screen will do just fine for most tasks, including video streaming. A bonus is that the 1080p webcam is a step up from most Chromebooks and ultrabooks, which could be great for virtual learning. Another asset is the long 12-hour battery life and the ability to eke out 2 hours of use with a quick 20-minute charge. The Stealth 13 is billed as a gaming laptop, and that it is. Performance-wise, it’s a powerhouse with a tenth-generation Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics, and 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD, which is upgradeable. For general ease of use and productivity, this compact laptop offers other useful features such as biometrics for instant facial recognition access and numerous ports for connecting to gaming or other peripherals. This is a great laptop for productivity. ThinkPads are known for class-leading keyboards, and the X1 Nano does not disappoint. It also has a TrackPointer and an IR camera that supports Windows Hello for quick login via facial recognition. Our reviewer found the display a bit disappointing, though, as it can’t keep up with Apple’s MacBook Air or the new OLED display in Dell’s XPS 13. Still, the X1 Nano would be competitive if not for a serious problem: price. This laptop starts just north of $1,450 and goes up from there. Whatever specifications you choose, the X1 Nano will be a few hundred dollars more expensive than a similar MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13. That’s hard to justify unless portability is your top priority. The display is notably generous at 13.3-inches on the diagonal and with barely-there bezels that put the focus on your work. The long potentially 14-hour battery life and hardware, which includes an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD, are also helpful features for hassle-free hours of writing or multitasking on the move. And at just about 2.6 pounds and 0.67 inches thick, you shouldn’t have trouble finding room in your bag for this portable laptop. You can expect to get at least a full day of battery life from this lightweight laptop, though Huawei says it’s capable of delivering up to 14 hours with office work or up to 15 hours of web browsing. There’s also a handy fingerprint/power button that offers instant access to the machine if you don’t like passcodes or facial recognition. One odd feature that could take some getting used to is the placement of the camera on the top row of the keyboard, which could make finding a flattering angle for video conferencing slightly tricky. Of course, visual tasks require a high-quality display, and the vibrant 16-inch 3072x1920 Retina display is the largest from the brand in laptop form. It uses the P3 wide color gamut to render true-to-life video and photo quality. You can also expect up to 11 hours of battery life, the convenience of a touch bar with secure touch ID access, and a Thunderbolt 3 port that supports up to two 6K external displays. One catch with the specialty chip is that not all apps that run on MacBooks with Intel chips are optimized for M1-equipped models. But popular photo editing software such as Lightroom and Photoshop are covered by native apps or with the help of the Rosetta 2 translator that bridges the gap for hiccup-free use. This latest version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro does have a limited selection of ports (just two Thunderbolt ports), but it also boasts a slew of amenities including a handy Touch Bar with touch-ID access and slots for customizing shortcuts and the longest battery life of any MacBook—up to 20 hours. Matthew Smith is a veteran consumer tech journalist who’s been covering the industry since 2007. He’s the former Lead Editor of the product reviews team at Digital Trends, and he specializes in PC hardware, mobile
What to Look for in a Lightweight Laptop
Screen size: Smaller 11-inch or 13-inch displays can be perfectly adequate for most tasks and more portable at 2 to 3 pounds (or less). It is possible to find larger displays of 15 inches or more if you want or need a bigger screen. The trade off for a bigger screen is a bit more weight to tote around, but it could be worth it. Battery life: Many lightweight laptops also tend to have solid battery performance. If you prefer spending less time recharging or searching for an available outlet while traveling, some models have extended capacities of 11 hours or more. Processor and memory: Ultrabooks or light convertible laptops can typically handle any routine computing task you ask of them, but if you have special needs like photo editing, video editing, or gaming, you’ll want to look for more powerful processors and extra RAM that can support more involved software or demanding tasks.
