13” Lightweight laptops
Most of us are used to being able to take our laptops with us everywhere. Here’s my top 5 lightweight laptops to consider buying;
| Size | CPU | RAM | Storage | Weight | Battery | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Swift 1 | 13.3" | Intel N4200 Quad Core | 4GB RAM | 64GB eMMC | 2.87 lbs | 10 hrs | Check Price |
| Dell XPS 13 | 13.3" | Intel i5 7200U | 8GB RAM | 128GB SSD | 2.7 lbs | 12 hrs | Check Price |
| Asus ZenBook 3 | 12.5" | Intel i5-7200U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD | 2.1 lbs | 9 hrs | Check Price |
| Asus ZenBook UX310 | 13.3" | Intel i5-8250U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD | 2.6 lbs | 9 hrs | Check Price |
| Acer Swift 7 | 13.3" | Intel Core i7-7Y75 | 8GB RAM | 5122 GB SSD | 2.48 lbs | 9 hrs | Check Price |
Acer Swift 1
13.3” | Intel N4200 Quad Core | 4GB RAM | 64GB eMMC | 2.87 lbs | 10 hrs
We start with the most affordable laptop in this list which comes in a thin sleek metal body that is only 18mm thick. With a $350 price tag and its modern look, this laptop could easily be mistaken for a Chromebook
The screen is a full HD LCD screen with a matte display which prevents glare and reflections but the brightness is slightly dim but is perfectly acceptable at this price. All standard ports are included along with a USB-C port for fast charging other devices like phones and tablets.
The keyboard and trackpad are of a good standard and this little laptop is a perfect mobile companion for any work that needs to be completed out and about because it weights only 2.87 lbs. It’s powered by an adequate 4 core N4200 Intel processor with 4GBs of RAM. These specs make Windows feel a bit slow at times and you shouldn’t buy this laptop if you intend on doing more than just everyday tasks. For Linux users this is a good candidate to make a slim stylish Linux machine because the hardware will run well under most distros. The main reason to recommend this laptop is its low price, its elegant look and its ability to be used for common computing tasks.
Dell XPS 13
13.3” | Intel i5 7200U | 8GB RAM | 128GB SSD | 2.7 lbs | 12 hrs
In my experience Dell’s business range of laptops tend to be of a high standard and this laptop does not disappoint with 8GBs of RAM and 128 GBs of SSD storage. The 7th generation Intel i5 processor outputs less heat making this laptop comfortable to use and the battery really does last all day. This is also a powerful processor and you’ll get excellent performance all round.
The IPS full HD touch screen is gorgeous to look at and use even for long periods of work. The build quality also deserves praise for its metal chassis covered with a paint coating giving it a sophisticated feel. A USB-C port is included which also doubles up as a Thunderbolt port and although the laptop has a 13.3” inch screen it feels a lot smaller when carrying it around.
This Dell XPS 13 is priced at a mid-range audience and apart from the average keyboard and trackpad everything else on this laptop feels premium including the backlight on the keyboard. I highly recommend this laptop for its performance, build quality and high specs.
Asus ZenBook 3
12.5” | i5-7200U| 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD | 2.1 lbs | 9 hrs
The first thing you’ll notice about the ZenBook 3 is how thin it is at only 12mm thick and when you pick it up it only weighs 2.1 lbs. It’s also slightly smaller at 12.5 inches than the standard 13.3 inch laptops making it really portable.
The IPS full screen is glossy and bright protected by gorilla glass as used on mobile phones. Along with these features and the slim bezel this screen is built to be focused on and used. The gold highlights on the casing and backlighting for the keyboard finish off the unique look that this laptop delivers.
For such a compact frame Asus have decided to include only 3 ports: power, headphone jack and a USB 3.1 Type C. Sacrifices have been made for a slender body and you’ll need to buy an adapter to connect peripheral devices.
Intriguingly, there are 4 speakers and software that enhances the audio which generates audio of a surprisingly good standard. There’s also a fingerprint sensor integrated into the top corner of the trackpad. Both the trackpad and keyboard are nothing special but more than satisfactory, although there is some flex in the keyboard.
The 7th gen Intel i5 processor performs well with 8GBs of RAM and handles tasks like photo and video editing. Battery life is good but not great but overall if you’re looking for a laptop that’s light and portable the ZenBook 3 is good value for money.
Asus ZenBook UX310
13.3” | i5-8250U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD | 2.6 lbs | 9 hrs
The Zenbook UX310 comes with an aluminium body that gives it a premium look along with a anti glare full HD screen and vibrant colours. The chassis itself is not as slim as the other laptops in this post at 18mm thick although its overall look is sleek, understated and polished.
18mm is still thin when compared to standard laptops and the benefit of a thicker body is that all the normal ports are included as well as a USB 3.1 type C port. The keyboard and mouse are pretty standard although it is backlit and the battery life is average at 9 hrs.
The 7th generation i5-8250U processor combined with 8 GBs of RAM has no problems with video streaming and normal to more intensive computing tasks. The strength of this laptop is that it’s positioned in the middle for everyday use, you could say that this is the laptop that the average person should buy.
It’s light, portable and attractive at a good price for these specs. Although we all want a laptop with all the bells and whistles often we end of using only half its power and speed. For those who want a laptop that does the things you do everyday but enough left in the tank for more, this is the laptop for you.
Acer Swift 7
13.3” | Intel Core i7-7Y75 | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD | 2.48 lbs | 9 hrs
Released only recently the Acer Swift 7 is an amazingly thin laptop at only 9.9mm thick and weights only 2.48 lbs. As you carry it around with you everywhere, you’re sure to attract the attention of envious eyes. This of course comes at a price and this laptop is the most expensive on this list.
Being so thin means that it only has 2 USB 3.1 type C ports, a headphone jack and the power connection. If you can work with that the rest of the features on this laptop are worth the higher price tag. There’s a fingerprint reader, a wide trackpad, a backlit keyboard and full HD IPS screen with gorilla glass for added durability.
The build quality is excellent and even though the laptop is so thin and light it feels sturdy when using it. The overall look is trendy and alluring with its gold inner surface and matte black aluminium case.
The processor is the the 7th gen Intel Core i7-7Y75 so there’s no problem with using this as your daily driver and workhorse. Battery life is on the lower end at 9 hrs but that’s still a whole work day for most. The Acer Swift 7 is a beautiful laptop with powerful hardware to backup its looks, the price is on the higher end but that’s the price you pay for a stunning lightweight laptop like this.
Lightweight laptops are getting better and better while getting more affordable, so if you’re looking for a new laptop don’t be tempted by the clunky laptops that look like they belong to a different era.