By Robin Owens 16 days ago, Hardware
What are the best 11-inch laptops on the market?
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the trends in the PC market for the last ten years, you’ve noticed that large computers are slowly becoming extinct, as manufacturers are putting out more and more state-of-the-art 11” laptops that are equipped with the latest technology.
Such a laptop allows you to do your work wherever you are, can be easily packed in a backpack, and taken with you on your trips.
The type and size of laptop you need is mostly determined by what you want to use the laptop for. If you want a super-portable model with solid specifications that is easy to pack and carry, then an 11” laptop is the optimal choice for you.
However, choosing the size is only half the task, as you also have to determine which model will offer you the best balance between weight, functionality, and price. If you need help with that, simply read the overview below and find the best 11 inch laptop for your needs!
CPU: Apple A12Z Bionic | GPU: Apple A12Z Bionic GPU | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Display: 11-inch | Weight: 1.04 pound
⊕ Terrific screen brightness
⊕ Amazing battery life
⊕ Heavy-duty A12X CPU
⊕ 2nd Gen Apple Pencil
⊖ High price
⊖ Doesn’t have a touchpad
If you don’t mind replacing an 11 inch ultrabook with a tablet with touchpad controls and terrific performance, then this might be the ultimate choice for you. The iPad Pro offers enhanced cameras and a screen that now has as a max refresh rate of 120Hz.
Other than improving on almost every single area imaginable compared to the 2018 version, this model also comes with mouse and trackpad compatibility. That exact addition is the main reason why this product became a reliable laptop alternative.
Besides, the iPad Pro offers many features that you won’t find in a Mac or PC such as the state-of-the-art Pencil stylus and the various augmented reality apps that remain unrivaled on the market. If you’re into drawing and graphic design, this beautiful, well-built, and powerful device becomes an even more attractive option.
CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Display: 11.6-inch | Weight: 2.2 pound
⊕ Surprisingly lightweight
⊕ Amazing keyboard
⊕ Reasonable price
⊕ Stylish, refined design
⊖ Mediocre battery
⊖ Bland screen
When it comes to value for money, the VivoBook just might be the best 11 inch laptop you can get your hands on right now. Equipped with a durable battery and packed into a small body, you can take this ASUS device anywhere you want.
The VivoBook is powered by an Intel Celeron N4000 processor, 4GB of RAM and comes with a pre-installed version of Windows 10. It’s perfectly suited for handling both casual activities like web browsing, video viewing, and document editing, as well as more complex tasks without any significant drops in performance.
That said, don’t expect this model to be a powerhouse like some of the more expensive options on the list. It won’t blow you away with earthshattering performance, stunning screen quality or eternal battery life. Instead, the VivoBook offers 3 things: a cheap price, lightweight design, and versatile connectivity.
CPU: Intel Quad-Core Celeron N4100 1.10 GHz | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 128GB | Display: 11.6-inch | Weight: 2.97 pound
⊕ IPS screen
⊕ Robust housing
⊕ Quiet performance
⊕ NVMe SSD
⊕ Water-resistant keyboard
⊖ Subpar screen brightness
⊖ HD resolution (1366 by 768)
⊖ Glossy screen
The ProBook x360 just might be the best 11 inch laptop as it comes with a reliable, lengthy hinge and a big touchpad, however, it is somewhat held back because of the slightly disappointing display quality. This device is primarily targeted at millennials that want a compact laptop suitable for both working and gaming, while being offered at an attractive price.
Supplied with Windows 10 and a keyboard with a terrific layout, you get the best of both the laptop and tablet worlds. The 4GB of RAM and the 128GB SSD are also on the higher end of what you’ll usually find in such a small device. You can also get an 11.6 inch laptop in this series, although it’s mainly aimed at students and professors, offering some special features that are perfect for educational establishments.
CPU: Intel Celeron N4100 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 11.6-inch | Weight: 1.85 pound
⊕ State-of-the-art design
⊕ Quality build
⊕ Great performance
⊕ Reliable and convenient keyboard
⊕ Supports USB Type-C charging
⊖ Isn’t compatible with an active pen
⊖ Touchpad could have been larger
The X4 is a fantastic option for users that require a portable, multifunctional, and reasonably-priced 11 inch Windows laptop that will allow them to do their work on the go. While it doesn’t have the most long-lasting battery, the fact that you can charge it from portable batteries makes up for that drawback.
Teclast offers terrific features for its price, sporting a 2-in-1 design and allowing you to switch between laptop and tablet modes as you see fit. X4 has an 11.6 IPS touchscreen that enables you to enjoy photos and videos in amazing quality. Supplied with Windows 10 Home, the laptop provides an intuitive and convenient user experience, further supported by the Celeron N4100 Quad-core CPU, which is great if you like to multi-task.
The X4 comes with 2 cameras that can be used for taking beautiful photos and selfies. The device has a secure, metal body, is only 9mm thick, and weighs a mere 840grams, offering you all the portability you might need. The stepless back stand is also a nice addition that can come in handy in many situations.
CPU: 7th Generation AMD A9-9420e Processor with Radeon™ R5 Graphics | GPU: AMD Radeon R5 | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Display: 11.6-inch | Weight: 2.57 pound
⊕ Attractive price
⊕ Light and zippy
⊕ Produces amazing graphics
⊖ Can heat up a bit too much
This model is a powerhouse of a 11 inch gaming laptop, as it’s supplied with an AMD A9-9420e CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of built-in storage space. It’s a touch model with a native resolution of 1366 by 768 and an integrated Radeon R5 GPU that guarantees you get to enjoy a crisp, properly-rendered image regardless of what you’re doing.
The Inspiron comes with multiple connection options such as USB inputs (3.1 and 2.0), 802.11bgn for WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a micro-SD slot. The device only weighs 4.15lbs and can be set to either tablet, tent, or media mode. The integrated Dell Color Profiles allow you to enjoy rich, stunning colors, while the small size makes Inspiron the ideal travel companion both for a casual walk in the park and a long trip abroad, allowing you to stay entertained or productive wherever you are.
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i3 (3.2GHz) | GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 13.3-inch | Weight: 2.8 pound
⊕ Stunning, high-res "Retina" screen
⊕ Interesting color options
⊕ Good performance
⊕ Replaceable battery
⊖ Lacks a "MagSafe" power connector
⊖ Exprensive
While you might doubt the quality of MacBoor Air because of its attractive price, its screen will pleasantly surprise you. Even though the resolution isn’t anything you haven’t seen before in a 13” display, the image is extremely bright and clear, and the native definition of 2560x1600 is more than enough given the small size of the device. The screen is based on IPS technology, which allows you to view the displayed image from the sides without a loss of color or detail.
This laptop is supplied with 10th-gen Intel CPUs as well as an Intel Plus GPU, allowing you to enjoy up to 80% better performance compared to its predecessors.
This MacBook is also equipped with a TouchBar and a TouchID fingerprint detector. The latter is an underappreciated addition that simplifies the process of buying things online or on the App Store and allows you to instantly log into sites and social networks. Meanwhile, the TouchBar allows you to set shortcuts and fast-actions for apps that you use the most.
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | GPU: Adreno 640 | RAM: 6GB | Storage: 128GB | Display: 10.5-inch | Weight: 1.65 pound
⊕ Outstanding performance
⊕ Good battery
⊕ Nice camera quality
⊖ Underdeveloped software
⊖ Spotty fingerprint sensor recognition
The Galaxy Tab S6 offers the ultimate Android experience and has a lot more to offer than it may initially seem. If Windows isn’t a necessity for you, you’ll find that the Android OS has a lot of features and apps for you to explore as long as you’re ready to make peace with some limitations.
The keyboard book cover is pleasantly convenient, storing the device is extremely simple, and the S6 is suitable for both entertainment and work usage. It can be a lifesaver when you have to travel but can’t afford to bring a larger device with you or if you want to go on a trip while still being able to do something productive when needed.
This 11 inch 2 in 1 laptop comes with 2 cameras. The back camera offers a 13MP sensor and a 5MP sensor equipped with a wide-angle lens, which gives you a lot of versatility when it comes to taking photos. The front camera offers a solid 8MP, which is more than enough for taking a high-quality selfie.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Apple iPad Pro 11-inch
Our Choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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ASUS VivoBook
Budget |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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HP ProBook x360
2-in-1 Laptop |
CHECK PRICE → |
Given that that you only have to deal with an 11.6” screen, it’s recommended to pick a model with a big battery. By getting a high-capacity battery, you’ll ensure the laptop offers superior performance and longevity. That said, if you’ll also use highly-demanding hardware, be prepared that the battery won’t last as long as it would have with a more modest setup.
Since the screen is relatively small, 4K resolution isn’t a relevant topic even for the best 11 inch laptop. The optimal approach would be to go with a 720p resolution model that will ensure your battery lasts a long time. However, purchasing a laptop under 600 dollars with Full-HD support is also a viable option if you mainly plan to use it for watching movies, streaming services, and gaming.
While the fact that 11-inch laptops are extremely small sounds like an undeniable upside in theory, in practice, you have to deal with relatively small keys, which can be a problem if you plan to type a lot. Give preference to models with a convenient keyboard layout that won’t quickly tire out your fingers. You can purchase a separate mouse and keyboard and connect them to the laptop whenever you have to complete a long school- or work-related project. It also makes sense to invest in a laptop with fingerprint reader for safety measures.
Since you’re interested in 11" laptops, you’ll probably be on the move a lot, which is why it’s important to check what USB inputs and internet connectivity options are available. Several USB inputs (both 3.1 and 2.0) are essential if you want to connect peripherals such as keyboards, SSDs or mice. Internet-wise, the typical Wi-Fi options in small laptops are either 802.11AC or Gigabit WiFi.
Small laptops aren’t exactly known for providing a ton of storage space, as they are mainly designed for storing documents and other types of data. If that isn’t an issue, then go ahead and purchase an 11” model. However, if you require more space, then you should think about external storage options. Since CD drives are nearly obsolete, the go-to storage devices for small laptops are USB flash drives that offer the same level of portability and convenience. Additionally, you can use eMMC, HDD, and SDD storage options.
There is only one real answer to this question and that answer is – portability. With the industry standard being currently 15”, 11-inch models are not only a lot smaller, which makes them a lot easier to fit into bags and backpacks, but are also noticeably more lightweight.
Sadly, this is one of the few drawbacks of an 11 inch laptop. Akin to the extra-slim ultrabooks, such small models aren’t created to be upgraded. In most situations, the provided 4GB of RAM will be built-into the motherboard and since the manufacturer’s main intention is to save space, you won’t find a second slot either. This means that even if you take the laptop apart, which is a bad idea in itself, you still won’t be able to increase the amount of available RAM.
If saving costs is your top priority, then you can fetch a Chromebook for $200. However, the prices for good laptops with Windows start at $400 and there are more feature-rich laptops under 1000 dollars.
Even though it’s recommended to store all crucial data in the Cloud or on a hard drive that is safely hidden in your house, you should think about buying an SSD that you can use while you’re on the move. SSDs offer better performance, are more reliable, and aren’t as fragile as your average hard disk.
