Best Lightweight Laptop in 2023
Finding the best lightweight laptop is not the easiest task in the world. But, it doesn’t need to be difficult. That’s where we come in. Here at PC Guide, our experts have brought together this comprehensive list of the top lightweight laptops money can buy.
We have carefully selected a range of devices that will perfectly suit any budget and use. So, keep on reading to discover your next lightweight laptop with options from top brands Microsoft, Apple, HP and Lenovo.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best lightweight laptop
We chose the best lightweight laptop based on several factors. Not only are they extremely portable and easy to carry, but they are also capable of being very powerful machines that can be enjoyed for a number of different uses.
Whether you need a laptop for your studies, travels or work, we have shopped around to find the best lightweight options that suit everyone’s needs.
All of our top picks weigh in under 2kg to ensure that we are finding the best portable laptops money can buy. We have also considered important characteristics such as processing power, memory size, battery life and user reviews.
Best Lightweight Laptop in 2023
- Great touch screen
- Extremely portable
- Speedy processor
- Missing HDMI ports
- Low resolution screen
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is one of the top options when looking for the best lightweight laptop. It is also a great affordable laptop sitting around $700 for the 512GB model.
Weighing in at only 1.1kg this 12.4-inch laptop is extremely lightweight and portable – suiting anyone who wants to work on the go.
The Surface Laptop Go 2 uses the Intel Core i5-1135G7 and will be able to run and handle most tasks such as word processing and web browsing. You’ll also get a PixelSense, 10 points multi-touch display. Unfortunately, this model is not compatible with Surface Pens so it’s definitely not the best option for those looking for laptops for drawing and graphic design.
- Portable
- Sharp and vivid display
- 18-hour battery life
- Fanless design for quiet use
- Slighter higher price tag compared to competitors
- Three thunderbolt ports
The MacBook Air 2020 is another great lightweight laptop that offers a lot of benefits for users who look for performance, portability, and design.
This laptop can handle various tasks and activities with ease making it a great option for students. It has a phenomenal all-day, 18-hour battery life meaning you can go for a while without having to reach for your charger.
As you would expect, this laptop comes with a stunning 13.3-inch Retina display, providing sharp and vivid images on your screen. The MacBook Air only weighs 1.29kg meaning it is extremely portable and easy to carry around in your bag.
However, it also has some drawbacks. Apple MacBooks are typically more expensive than competitor machines but this is not always the case. You are also limited to storage options due to the fact you cannot expand the memory after purchasing the machine.
With that being said, the MacBook Air is a solid, reliable option that would suit any student looking for a laptop to accompany their studies.
- Vivd 1440p QHD screen
- 2-in-1 Chromebook
- Fast
- Slightly on the heavier side
- Speakers could be better
- Limited ports
The HP Chromebook x2 11 is an awesome choice for someone looking for a 2-in-1 portable, budget laptop.
This option offers a premium look whilst still being completely affordable. Coming in around 11 inches and weighing around 1.99kg this laptop is not only smaller than the others but also slightly heavier.
The HP Chromebook x2 11 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor, which delivers a decently fast performance as well as long battery life. You can expect up to 11 hours of use on a single charge.
Its 2-in-1 nature makes it a great choice for those travelling who are looking for a versatile device. The display is ideal for those who want to stream content due to its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The HP Chromebook works best for everyday tasks such as web browsing and word processing using Google’s suite of apps.
- Awesome battery life
- Fingerprint reader and webcam shutter
- Very lightweight
- All day battery life
- Expensive
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is a top choice for those looking for a lightweight laptop for business. It features a 14-inch touchscreen display and only weighs around 1.12kg.
With this laptop, you will be getting top-notch performance, awesome 16-hour battery life and up to 32GB of RAM. You’ll also get Intel’s 11th-gen Core i5 or i7 processor (depending on the model) and Intel Iris Xe graphics too.
If security is important to you, you’ll be happy to hear that this laptop also comes with its own biometric fingerprint reader and webcam cover to protect you and your laptop from others.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X11 is the ultimate option for business users who need a reliable and versatile machine that can handle any task.
Features and Considerations
Battery Life
Having a good battery life will not only give you peace of mind when using your laptop, but it will also give you flexibility and freedom. It is always wise to look for a solid and ideally all-day battery life that will allow you to work from any location.
Screen Size
Screen size dictates the size of the laptop and keyboard. The larger the screen size the heavier your laptop will be. If you want a lightweight and portable laptop, we recommend not exceeding the 14 to 13-inch mark. Ideally, 13-inch as this is the perfect balance between portability and on-screen space.
Operating System
The best operating system comes down to personal preference. Depending on how you plan to use your laptop will dictate what OS you need to use. Opting for an Apple laptop will give you access to macOS – A smooth, efficient and easy-to-use operating system. Macs offer a premium experience which can handle most day-to-day but also professional tasks.
Chrome OS, is also an excellent option for those who heavily use the Google ecosystem. Although, you will need to have stable access to the internet to use Google’s cloud-based applications.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, why not check out our other buying guides below:
Is 1.4 kg heavy for a laptop?
When it comes to the weight of a laptop, 1.4kg is not heavy at all. Even though you are able to find a few laptops lighter than this, a device with this weight is portable and light enough to take around with you.
Our Verdict
Our top pick goes to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2! This laptop is the ultimate lightweight option for those who look for high performance, portability and value for money.
Let’s not get it twisted, though. All the options we have presented to you are all great lightweight laptops to suit a number of different needs and budgets.