By Robin Owens 13 days ago, Hardware
The best portable laptops from famous brands.
Over time, laptops became slimmer, more lightweight and acquired ergonomic features. It resulted in a cutting-edge laptop design. I’ve tested the 10 most popular portable models to give my comprehensive verdicts below.
If you are looking for the best portable laptop, you will probably need a lightweight and slim device with long-lasting battery life. However, choosing a model that will work for you may seem a real challenge. Study this list of the best options available on the market and pick the one that meets your needs.
CPU: 1.1 GHz Intel Core i3 Dual-Core | GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 13.3-inch | Screen resolution: 2560x1600 | Weight: 2.8 pounds
⊕ Excellent design and high-quality construction
⊕ Upgraded scissor-switch keyboard
⊕ Large touchpad
⊕ First-class audio quality
⊖ Limited input/output options
The 2024 Apple MacBook Air has a well-elaborated design, excellent keyboard, a high-quality touchpad and other things you would love. This power-efficient and thin laptop will be a perfect option if you consider the overall quality rather than its raw performance.
MacBook Air caters to the needs of those who want to achieve a first-class user experience. It will meet the demands of the majority of users unless you need a real workhorse.
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Screen resolution: 1920x1080 | Weight: 3.75 pounds
⊕ Robust build quality
⊕ Modern, appealing design
⊕ Well-built tiny chassis
⊕ Top-tier performance
⊖ Lacks a Thunderbolt 3 port
Asus VivoBook 15 boasts a combination of a well-thought-out design, large screen, top-class day-to-day performance, multiple connectivity options and reasonable price. Although the battery doesn’t show impressive results, it is still decent for an affordable 15-inch lightweight laptop.
All in all, the Asus VivoBook 15 F512JA-AS34 has an excellent price-performance ratio so that it will be a nice option for office, home and education purposes.
CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 | GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 | Weight: 4.08 pounds
⊕ Good value for money
⊕ Stylish design
⊕ Excellent performance
⊕ Poppy, responsive keyboard
⊖ Only one USB-C port
Being reasonably-priced, HP Pavilion incorporates top-class capabilities. This portable laptop competes with premium laptops for writers and students, offers excellent value for money and stylish design. Its strong performance and impressive functionality make it a decent option on the current market. Even though it is a budget-friendly option, it has a few downsides.
CPU: 4-core Intel Core i5 | GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 13.3-inch | Screen resolution: 2560x1600 | Weight: 3.1 pounds
⊕ Enhanced keyboard
⊕ Top-class Retina display
⊕ Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
⊕ Long-lasting battery
⊖ Limited number of ports
There is an ongoing debate among Mac laptop shoppers which model to opt for, the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. Aside from improved configurations, the latter comes with an upgraded Magic Keyboard with a more comfortable feel. It also has more powerful capabilities compared to the entry-level configuration of the $999 MacBook Air.
Numerous Windows ultraportables have long emulated the style and functionality of the MacBook Pro. Moreover, it can get more expensive rather quickly as you add upgrade options. With the redesigned keyboard, this ultrabook laptop will allow you to experience the power of total control in your hand.
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Screen resolution: 1920x1080 | Weight: 3.75 pounds
⊕ Excellent price-performance ratio
⊕ Stylish design
⊕ Impressive performance
⊕ Poppy and responsive keyboard
⊖ A bit dim display
The HP 15-dy1036nr is a stylish small laptop with a top-notch design and reliable performance. It comes at an affordable price. Interestingly, but it has very few drawbacks for a budget laptop. The HP 15-dy1036nr includes impressive capabilities.
Although the manufacturer has slashed prices to a level well below the rivals, this HP model demonstrates some premium features. The HP 15-dy1036nr deserves praise for its design and favorable cost-to-benefit ratio.
CPU: Quad Core AMD Ryzen 5 3500U | GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 14-inch | Screen resolution: 1920x1080 | Weight: 3.3 pounds
⊕ Excellent battery life
⊕ Strong performance of CPU and GPU
⊕ Backlit keyboard
⊕ Multiple ports
⊖ TN panel
The distinctive feature of the Lenovo IdeaPad S340 is its long-lasting battery. You can surf the web for up to 12 hours and view videos for up to 10 hours. The strong performance of CPU and GPU ensure a lag-free operation when surfing the web, watching movies and working with documents.
This slim laptop can also handle such games as DOTA 2 and CS: GO at more than 60 FPS due to the discrete NVIDIA graphics card. Aside from the HDMI input, the IdeaPad S340 boasts USB Type-C 3.1 (Gen. 2) and two USB Type-A 3.1 (Gen. 1) ports. An SD card reader is a pleasant bonus, as well.
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U | GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 14-inch | Screen resolution: 1920x1080 | Weight: 3.63 pound
⊕ Soft-touch and sturdy surface
⊕ Touch-sensitive display
⊕ Webcam cover privacy
⊕ Two USB-A ports
⊖ Feels heavy for a 14-inch laptop
While being more affordable than flagship light laptops, the Lenovo Flex 5 delivers excellent performance suitable for processor-intensive tasks, such as media files editing, number-crunching operations or casual gaming. This model is one of the most popular convertibles in the crowded scene of mid-range laptops.
Due to the innovative AMD Ryzen processor, the Flex 5 offers a perfect compromise between price and top-tier performance, which makes it a decent model for different types of users.
CPU: Intel Core i3-10110U | GPU: Intel Integrated Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Display: 13.3-inch | Screen resolution: 1920x1080 | Weight: 2.97 pounds
⊕ Convertible design
⊕ Touch-sensitive display with pen support
⊕ Webcam covering for better privacy
⊖ Poor battery life
⊖ Display colors aren’t bright
While costing only $409, the Chromebook Flex is a compelling option for those who prioritize productivity. It employs a responsive keyboard, webcam covering to improve your privacy and convertible design. Moreover, this ultraportable laptop has the first-class build quality and a robust chassis. If you are looking for a good laptop on a budget, the Flex Chromebook will be a no-brainer purchase.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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MacBook Air
Our choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Asus VivoBook
Budget choice |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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HP Pavilion
Premium choice |
CHECK PRICE → |
Although Windows and macOS are the most widely-used operating systems, you can also consider an ultralight laptop with Chrome OS. Regardless of which operating system you opt for, they all are user-focused and well-elaborated. However, if your previous machine runs on Windows, it is advisable to pick a laptop with the same OS. Thus, you can save your time on getting used to a completely new interface and features.
The processor is the most important part of your laptop since it performs all your tasks. It has clock speed which is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz). If you want to purchase an ultrabook laptop, it should have at least a 1.6GHz processor. In case you are going to run resource-intensive software, it is recommended to consider at least a 2GHz laptop.
You can pick a laptop with a standard GPU if you are going to do simple tasks and office work. However, if you need a machine to use demanding software or play resource-intensive games, you should pay special attention to the type of graphics card. Also, you will need to know how to read the numbers and letters on your GPU to choose the most suitable option.
Screen sizes are typically measured in inches. 13-14 inches is a standard size for a laptop display. Although ultraportables are lightweight and compact, you won’t find the one with large screen size. Laptops with displays of 15 inches and more are considerably larger and heavier.
Display resolution means the pixel dimensions of the screen. The more pixels the screen displays, the sharper images it produces. For simple tasks and video playback, 1920×1080 (widescreen HD format) will be enough. However, if you are going to work with graphics or video editing software, you will need to pick an ultraportable laptop with a higher resolution.
If it comes to memory space, you can choose between HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The majority of lightweight models come with a Solid State Drive since its small size better fits an ultraportable laptop. Although HDD is slower, it has more storage capacity.
Some computers can slow down when a user runs multiple software simultaneously. This is because they have an insufficient amount of RAM. The point is that RAM controls how much data a laptop can process. For an ultrabook laptop, 8 GB of RAM will be enough to handle the everyday workload. However, if you are going to work with video or graphics editing software, you’d better choose a laptop with more RAM.
Before making a purchase, it is necessary to consider the connectivity options of your laptop. The majority of options available on the market come with just USB or USB and Bluetooth. Nevertheless, the new MacBooks come with a USB-C port. So, if you want to connect a USB-compatible device to your MacBook, you will need to use an adapter.
The most powerful and the most lightweight laptop is the HP Pavilion.
MacBook Air fully deserves the title of the best laptop, as it’s the best portable laptop ever.
Yes, they can, but the level of performance will vary depending on the specific specifications of the laptop. High-end portable laptops with powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and ample RAM can provide a smooth gaming or video editing experience.
However, it's important to note that for the most demanding tasks, desktop computers often offer more power and flexibility.
The average lifespan of a portable laptop is typically around 3 to 5 years, although it can vary depending on usage, maintenance, and quality of components. Regular software updates and maintenance, along with proper handling and care, can help extend the lifespan of a portable laptop.
It's important to note that technological advancements and changing user needs may lead individuals to upgrade their laptops before the end of their lifespan.
It’s MacBook Air.
The best slim laptops are the MacBook Air, Asus VivoBook and HP Pavilion.
