Best lightweight laptops
Many PC users prefer to buy the lightest laptops they can take with them when traveling, to work or to a cafe. However, light weight is far from the only requirement for mobile models. Users are looking for multifunctional powerful devices, and manufacturers are offering ever more refined and best lightweight laptops. The rating will tell you what to look for when buying, and help you choose the best laptop in terms of price and quality.

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How to choose a lightweight laptop
The choice of a lightweight laptop depends primarily on its purpose. A businessman needs a fashionable multifunctional laptop with a good level of data protection. The student will be more interested in compactness and the opportunity to buy cheaper. For professional work in heavy programs, you need the most productive model. When reviewing the manufacturers' proposals, the technical characteristics of lightweight notebooks, user reviews, reviews and expert opinions, and the level of purchase were studied. When comparing models and adding them to the TOP of the best, the following criteria were taken into account:
- Performance;
- Convenience of the keyboard and touchpad;
- Build quality and materials used;
- Design;
- The presence of full-fledged connectors;
- Battery life;
- Equipment;
- The presence of an installed OS;
- Manufacturer's warranty;
- Value for money and functionality;
- Availability in stores.
The priority of these criteria is different for all buyers. Someone chooses stylish novelties of the market, for others more important is the durability and reliability of the laptop, confirmed by the manufacturer's warranty.
Lightest 13.3-inch laptops
The most popular are 13-inch models. They are as compact as possible, fit into small bags, backpacks and are comfortable for work or presentations at a meeting with clients. The selected top 6 models proved to be the most productive and convenient in operation.
Asus VivoBook S13 S330UA
Thin and light laptop from one of the world's leading technology manufacturers. It weighs only 1,200 g and is 1.8 cm thick. It is based on a 2-core processor from Intel. The standard clock frequency is 2,200 MHz - increased in turbo mode to 3,400 MHz. This is enough for multifunctional office work and some games. The memory capacity, depending on the selected configuration, can be 128, 256 or 512 GB.
The battery provides up to 12 hours of operation without a network, if necessary, there is a quick 50-minute charging function. Users note the quality of the display with excellent color reproduction. Wide viewing angles and high contrast ratio add depth to the picture and enhance the comfort of using a PC. The model is presented in 2 colors: the case can be gold or silver. Comes with a compact envelope case.
Advantages
- Thin frames;
- Convenient touchpad;
- Backlit keyboard with 3 brightness levels;
- High-quality fingerprint scanner;
- Practically not heated;
- 2 full-size USB ports and an HDMI connector.
disadvantages
- Inconvenient location of the shutdown button next to the Del key;
- There is no camera.
The Asus VivoBook S13 S330UA is a good compact device for work and school purposes at an affordable cost.
Dell Latitude 7390
It ranks among the best light laptops for its excellent speed and performance. It is based on a modern i5-8250U processor with full 4 cores. The reliability of the model is confirmed by a 3-year manufacturer's warranty. The device is sold with pro version of Windows 10 installed.The final equipment of the laptop can be selected independently in the manufacturer's configurator. The appearance of the laptop is simple, and therefore elegant. The rubberized surface of the lid prevents it from slipping out of your hands.
Of the communication features, it is worth highlighting support for NFC. For the safety of storing data on the device, encryption of the entire disk has been done, and to identify the user, a fingerprint scanner is built into the panel. The touchpad takes up a large area and has a slightly rough surface for wet fingers. All reactions are set in the driver menu. The battery charge with minimum PC usage without load is almost 28 hours. When watching videos and active use, the battery life is reduced to 12.5 hours.
Advantages
- Excellent screen without PWM;
- High-quality assembly;
- Convenient keyboard;
- Smart card reader;
- The possibility of upgrading iron;
- There are antennas for LTE.
disadvantages
- Sometimes the lower part of the case heats up noticeably;
- High price among competitors;
- Marked case.
The slim model from Dell in the upper price range is an excellent business assistant ready to travel with its owner to all meetings and business trips.
Huawei MateBook X
Rugged laptop with anodized aluminum chassis. The assembly of all elements is beyond praise. The keyboard backlight has 3 levels of brightness, making it comfortable to work with in any light. The model's screen is her main pride. 2K resolution gives excellent color reproduction, optimal saturation and sharpness of the image. The display is protected by impact-resistant glass.
The laptop is quiet, fast with comparable loads. Only when the tasks are oversaturated does the case get a little warm. The set includes not only a standard charger, but also an adapter for other connectors.
Advantages
- Convenient keyboard;
- Juicy embedded sound without distortion;
- Fast and accurate fingerprint scanner;
- Convenient location of the power button.
disadvantages
- Not a capacious battery (the charge lasts an average of 5-6 hours);
- The glossy screen glares in the bright sun.
Huawei offers the lightest laptop for working with the most comfortable keyboard in the ranking. For those who type a lot and prefer to carry their device with them, this is the perfect choice.
Lenovo IdeaPad 320s 13
The cheapest lightweight 13 ”laptop in this ranking. The metal case in gray or gold is durable and pleasant to the touch. Also, the matte finish does not leave fingerprints. Of the decorative elements, there is only a neat “Lenovo” lettering in the corner. And the total weight of the device is 1,200 g. The laptop can be opened 180 degrees, which allows it to be used in absolutely any position.
The matte IPS screen with excellent brightness does not glare even in bright sunlight. Color reproduction is easily adjusted by manual calibration. Above the screen is a 1MP camera, which is quite enough for video chats or conferences. The sound is not too loud, but it is spacious and balanced. And music lovers can connect external speakers or headphones via a mini-jack. Of the wireless communications, the model boasts only Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The 4,000 mAh battery is enough for 6 hours of active work on a PC.
Advantages
- Good build without backlash and squeaks;
- MicroSD slot allows you to recessed the entire card;
- Convenient touchpad;
- Wide viewing angles;
- Powerful, energy efficient processor with 4 cores.
disadvantages
- Noisy cooler.
This model has a factory defect of the wireless adapter, that is, the laptop does not see wireless networks. When buying, it is imperative to check its stable operation.
Asus ZenBook S
The lightest laptop of the models presented in the rating: its weight is 1,000 g. The aluminum case is durable and resistant to mechanical damage. It is made to military standards, which means it can withstand temperature changes and even small drops.
A distinctive feature of the new compact Asus models is ErgoLift technology. When you open the screen, the keyboard rises slightly, which increases comfort when working at the desk and improves the performance of the cooling system.The medium-sized glass touchpad has a built-in fast fingerprint scanner. The matte touchscreen display has a 4K resolution. It is surrounded by thin 6mm bezels. The viewing angle is 178 degrees.
Advantages
- Stylish navy blue case with gold rim;
- Large hard disk size from 256 GB to 1 TB;
- 3 USB ports;
- Quiet cooling system;
- High performance;
- HD webcam.
disadvantages
- Heats up when charging;
- Marked case;
- It is inconvenient to open with one hand.
This model from Asus is a premium lightweight fashion laptop with an unusual design. It is suitable for daily use and solving any office tasks.
HP Specter 13-af000
The thinnest ultrabook in the world at 1,000 g. Its compactness does not compromise performance. The model easily pulls heavy programs (Autocad, Photoshop and others).
The magnesium body is strong, does not bend and is resistant to mechanical damage. The bezel-less touch screen has rich color reproduction and wide viewing angles.
The opening angle of the structure is 130 degrees. The sound for this class of notebooks is pretty good, but you shouldn't expect concert sound. A protective case is included. The model is charged from a regular USB cable, so you don't have to carry a bulky charger with you.
Advantages
- High build quality;
- Ergonomics;
- Durable body;
- 4 PCI-E lanes for connecting an external video card;
- Powerful processor (4 cores, 8 threads).
disadvantages
- Noisy cooling system;
- Not the best autonomy.
The HP Specter 13-af000 is a great Ultrabook. In conjunction with an external video card, it can be used as a gaming laptop.
Lightest 14-15 '' laptops
For fans of large screens and people who work with photography, graphics and other visual materials, light laptops with a screen diagonal of 14-15 inches are preferable.
Asus E406SA
The cheapest lightweight laptop in the ranking. It has a diagonal of 14 ", the weight of the device is 1.320 g. Outwardly, it looks quite simple: a gray plastic case with a mirrored manufacturer's logo. The matte screen does not glare in the sun, the color rendition is only suitable for photo editing at an amateur level. Above the display are microphones and a webcam designed for video chats.
At the heart of the laptop is a processor on 2 cores. It is not very powerful, but the model does not pretend to be a gaming computer. The built-in video card is also enough for office tasks. The model comes with a home version of Windows 10 installed.
Advantages
- Large touchpad with multi-touch gesture recognition;
- Decent build quality
- Loud speakers;
- A good set of interfaces;
- Capacious battery.
disadvantages
- Small screen resolution.
A lightweight laptop with a good battery that lasts up to 15 hours of use, will be a good companion in work and study. Its affordable cost is another argument in favor of buying it.
Msi PS42 8RB
Stylish lightweight 14-inch laptop, one of the best in its price segment, as its compact size and low weight (1.190 g) are successfully combined with decent performance. Brushed aluminum body fits perfectly in the hand. It's also nice that it doesn't leave fingerprints on it.
A full-fledged MX150 (25W) graphics card allows you to play most modern games. The battery life is pleasing: charging the laptop at medium loads lasts up to 9-10 hours. The keyboard backlighting is nice. The laptop does not have a preinstalled OS, thereby reducing its cost and giving the user the right to choose.
Advantages
- Convenient keyboard;
- Good cooling system;
- 4-core i5 processor;
- Thickness - 16 mm.
disadvantages
- Flimsy construction;
- A keyboard print remains on the screen.
The manufacturers made the place for the camera non-standard, and most users do not like it. For convenient use, you have to tilt the screen forward slightly.
Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Ultrabook (6th Gen)
Lightest 14 '' laptop weighing just 1.130g.This lightness is achieved using carbon fiber with a pleasant velvety texture. The matte screen with a good 300 nits brightness margin allows it to be used in any light. The battery lasts for 8-10 hours of active use.
A well-thought-out cooling system allows the laptop to stay cool, even under significant loads. The device is waterproof and is not afraid of a glass of water spilled on the keyboard or a cup of coffee. The model can be turned into a gaming computer by connecting an external graphics card via USB-C.
Advantages
- Touch screen;
- The optimal number of connectors;
- Camera shutter;
- Built-in LTE modem;
- 3 years international warranty;
- Expands 180 degrees.
disadvantages
- Small touchpad;
- Bad keyboard backlighting.
The reference model for business notebooks. The reliability of the device is confirmed not only by the full manufacturer's warranty, but also by the certification for operation on the ISS.
Acer Swift 5 (SF515-51T)
Best 15-inch light laptop. It weighs just 999g plus a 150g charger. The powerful i7-8565U processor and fast next-generation SSD drive provide instant responsiveness and fast system boot up in 8-10 seconds. This model from Acer is the best 15-inch laptop for travel and frequent commuting.
It is suitable for working with office programs, cloud services and other daily tasks. Its autonomous work reaches 10 hours. And the model is 15.9 mm thick to accommodate full-size ports.
Advantages
- Bright touch screen with good color rendering;
- Good performance;
- Opens 180 degrees;
- Compact charging;
- 2 years warranty;
- Solid monolithic assembly.
disadvantages
- There is no bass and bass in the speakers;
- Inconvenient touchpad.
Also available with a glossy screen. Reviews about it are mostly negative, users complain of numerous glare and insufficient brightness.
Dell Latitude 5590
One of the cheapest compact models on the market with i7, 16 RAM, 512 SSD and MX130 discrete graphics card. To achieve an affordable cost, the manufacturer opted for a simple plastic case. There is no doubt about its reliability, since the laptop is made according to the military Mil-Std 810g standard and is resistant to mechanical damage.
Under the space bar there are 2 buttons that replace the mouse and the joystick between them. This greatly simplifies the process of moving the cursor around the screen and controlling the device. A capacious battery allows you to use a laptop without recharging for 8-10 hours.
Advantages
- Quiet, comfortable backlit keyboard
- Proprietary performance / cooling control software;
- Matte screen with ips matrix;
- Full size HDMI and USB ports
- Possibility of connecting an external monitor.
disadvantages
- It heats up noticeably under load;
- Unusual arrangement of keys "home" and "end".
Professional tests show that the screen only reproduces 50% of the sRGB colors. The model is not recommended for people whose activities are related to graphic editors.
HP EliteBook 850 G5
15-inch lightweight laptop, powered by the powerful i7 processor from Intel. The laptop comes with Windows 10 Pro installed. A well-thought-out security system is represented by several programs at once. The build quality is excellent: all parts fit tightly to each other, when using the device, there is no backlash or squeaks. The laconic design without additional decorative elements gives the laptop an elegant appearance.
The display depends on the selected configuration: the model features a regular matte IPS and a 4K touchscreen. Achievable brightness - 400 cd / m22and sRGB coverage is 89%. This is a good indicator, but not ideal for professional use of graphic editors.
Advantages
- Non-marking aluminum body;
- Camera with built-in shutter closure;
- Communication elements - Wi-Fi, Bluethooth, cellular modem, USB type-C;
- Fast fingerprint scanner.
disadvantages
- Short keyboard travel, from which hands quickly get tired;
- Inconvenient scrollball.
Convenient compact laptop for everyday use and business tasks.According to the results of numerous ratings, the model has the highest indicators of reliability, performance and usability.
Which light laptop is better to buy
When choosing the best lightweight laptop, you need to focus on the tasks that will be in front of it. For the simplest office or educational tasks, the budget option is suitable. The cheapest model in the rating is Asus E406SA at a price of 16,000 rubles.
13-inch laptops are especially popular among lightweight models. In the TOP of the best were:
- Asus VivoBook S13 S330UA - laptop for work and educational purposes at an affordable cost;
- Dell Latitude 7390 is the model with the best battery life. With active use, the battery lasts for 12.5 hours. And encryption of all information will help keep it safe even if the device is lost;
- Huawei MateBook X - compact laptop with an excellent 2K screen, durable aluminum casing and a comfortable keyboard;
- Lenovo IdeaPad 320s 13 - the most budget 13-inch laptop presented in the review;
- The Asus ZenBook S is a luxury fashion ultrabook with a minimum weight of 1,000 g. ErgoLift technology makes working on it even more comfortable in any conditions;
- The HP Specter 13-af000 is the thinnest model with excellent performance levels.
Among the 14-inch lightweight laptops, the best are:
- Msi Ps42 8rb is one of the most successful models in its segment due to its combination of low weight, decent performance and long battery life;
- The Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Ultrabook (6th Gen) weighs 1.130 g and is the benchmark for business laptops. The device is distinguished by the quality of all materials used and the level of assembly.
15-inch models weighing up to 2 kg are also very popular. In their TOP:
- Acer Swift 5 (SF515-51T) - the lightest laptop on the market with a weight of 999 g;
- Dell Latitude 5590 is a rugged military grade laptop that resists mechanical damage;
- The HP EliteBook 850 G5 is the best performing compact laptop in this ranking.
Having studied the TOP-12, the user will be able to choose the best model of the desired diagonal based on its technical characteristics, ease of use and combination of price and quality.
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