Thin and light laptops are quite popular among laptop buyers. They are a great choice for anyone who is prioritizing probability and wants to get the work done on the move. Earlier, buying a thin and light laptop meant compromising on performance as smaller laptops were not able to offer the same level of performance as larger devices. However, things are very different now, Buyers can now expect excellent displays and powerful processors and can handle even the most demanding programs such as photo and video editing. This means you can use them for work as well as entertainment, thereby making them the right choice for most people. Further, if you want to do casual gaming, these portables can handle that too. But in the crowded market of portables, it can be confusing to choose the right one for yourself. If you’re searching for a thin and lightweight laptop, you have landed in the right place. We have compiled some of the best portable laptops on the market that feature vibrant displays, powerful processors, and premium designs so you can pick the best of the best.
Things to consider before buying Thin & Light laptops
Most thin and light laptops come with integrated GPUs to power the graphics. They cannot efficiently handle resource-intensive programs targeted at 3D modeling, photo and video editing, graphics rendering, and more. For that, you should go with powerful gaming laptops with dedicated GPUs. That said, if you’re aware of the drawbacks of the thin and light portables, here’s how you can make sure you’re getting the most out of these compact machines.
- Processor: If you’re aiming for anything other than basic browsing and word processing, choose from the mid-range processors. Most recommend going with the latest generation Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen R5 series of processors to handle demanding tasks.
- GPU: Laptops with Intel processors usually come with Intel UHD Graphics or Intel Iris Xe Graphics or AMD Radeon Vega Graphics. Intel Iris Xe Graphics is the most powerful integrated GPU out of the two Intel GPUs. Powerful GPUs ensure you can run most programs with ease. While these integrated GPUs cannot handle graphics-heavy tasks such as gaming, if you ever want to play the latest titles, you can expect decent performance and achieve playable frame rates, in some cases, with the latest generation of integrated GPUs. That said, thin and light laptops aren’t generally designed for gaming and you might be better off with dedicated laptops.
- Thermal management: The performance of a laptop is one of the most important factors to consider before buying it. Thin and light laptops due to their inherent design may suffer from thermal throttling. This may result in the laptop not keeping up with higher processing loads, resulting in lags and other issues. So, ensure that the thin and light laptop you’re purchasing can efficiently dissipate heat for a good, sustained performance.
- Storage and RAM: Ensure the laptop uses either the latest PCI Gen4 or at least the PCI Gen3 interface for the SSD for fast read/write speeds and boot times. Similarly, see if the laptop runs on the latest DDR5 RAM for increased overall performance.
Best Thin & Light Laptops
Apple MacBook Air 2022
The 2022 Apple MacBook Air is more powerful than ever thanks to the new Apple M2 chip at the core. The latest redesign of the MacBook Air is quite a departure from what we have seen since the original MacBook. It is thinner and lighter and has a much-improved display along with huge battery improvements. Of course, the showstopper here is the new M2 chip, which Apple says, comes with an 18 per cent faster CPU and 35 per cent faster GPU, and up to 40 per cent faster neural engine performance. All of these improvements come with improvements in energy efficiency too. The company claims the 2022 Apple MacBook Air now offers up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. It has a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display that can also peak up to 500 nits brightness to offer excellent sunlight legibility. It supports P3 wide colour and Apple’s True Tone Technology. The portable also has an improved 1080p FaceTime HD camera with a three-mic array and four-speaker setup (with spatial audio support) to offer an excellent video conferencing experience. And there is Touch ID as well to make it easy to unlock your MacBook.
Dell XPS 9315 Laptop
The Dell XPS series is yet another quality thin and light laptop on the market. These series of portable are known for their premium designs, vibrant displays, and equally good keyboards. The flagship Dell XPS 9315 now comes with an even thinner design and packs a 12th Gen Intel Core processor. Graphics are handled by an Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which is Intel’s most powerful integrated GPU for laptops. It has 16GB LPDDR5 RAM for smooth multitasking and app rendering. There is a 512GB SSD as well to help with quicker boot times and app launches. At the front, the laptop sports a 13.4-inch FHD+ AG Infinity Edge 500 nits display, which makes it great for consuming multimedia content as well. The chassis of the Dell XPS 9315 weighs just around 1.1kg and the whole build is ultra slim for premium looks. The laptop gets a backlit keyboard to help you easily type in a dimly lit environment. There is a fingerprint reader for quick authentication. It also gets a USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port that allows for Display Port and Power Delivery.
ASUS Zenbook S 13 (2022)
Asus ZenBook S 13 (2022) comes with a 13.3-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1800p) OLED touch display with an aspect ratio of 16:10 for increased screen real estate. And its 90Hz refresh rate makes everything on the screen appear smoother. Further, the display peaks up to an impressive 550 nits brightness and covers 100 per cent DCI-P3 colour gamut. Further, the panel is Pantone Validated and is VESA-certified for Display HDR True Black 500; this not only makes Asus ZenBook S 13 (2022) great for creative professionals who do colour-sensitive tasks, but an excellent choice for watching movies as well. Under the hood, the portable packs an AMD Ryzen 7 6800U Mobile processor and integrated AMD Radeon Graphics. It also has 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The laptop supports pen input with Asus Pen 2.0.
Software-wise, the machine runs on Windows 11 and comes with Office Home and Student 2021. The laptop is extremely thin and lightweight and manages to include a 67Wh battery. And with basic usage, the company promises up to 8 hours of battery backup on a single charge. The laptop also has a backlit keyboard with 1.4mm of travel for a comfortable typing experience. Connectivity is handled by the three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports with Display and Power Delivery support and. Wireless connectivity dual-band Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. It gets a 720p HD camera and a built-in fingerprint sensor for easy authentication. If you want an ultra-thin portable with powerful performance that can get the tasks done on the go, consider this among the best options.
HP Spectre X360
This is the 2022 refresh HP’s popular thin and light laptop, the HP Spectre X360. And it’s just as great as its predecessor. It has a beautiful design and comes with a slightly tweaked display this time, but it is just as vibrant. The HP Spectre X360 is easily one of the best 2-in-1s you can buy on the market. It comes with a vibrant 13.5-inch (WUXGA) OLED touchscreen in a 3:2 aspect ratio for expanded vertical space. The display also has a peak brightness of 400 nits and covers 100 per cent of the DCI-P3 colour space for excellent colour accuracy. It is also flicker-free to reduce eye fatigue. Further, it gets an anti-reflective Gorilla Glass coating as well.
The HP Spectre X360 also packs AI features to improve the overall user experience. This includes HP Glamcam and HP Presence, Auto framing tech, Wake on Touch, Appearance filter, Touchless Gesture Control, and more. There is also a 5MP IR camera for high-resolution video calls. HP is also promising an impressive 17 hours of battery life with typical usage on a single charge.
Powering this sleek portable is a 12th Gen Intel Evo Core i5 processor, which gets you both battery life and excellent performance when needed with its Hybrid core architecture. There is also a whopping 16GB RAM to smoothly handle all the tasks you throw at it. The laptop gets a fingerprint reader, a backlit keyboard, and audio by B&O. HP Spectre X360 (2022) also gets the versatile Thunderbolt port 4 and supports pen input for easy drawing and note-taking. And lastly, the laptop is Intel Evo certified so you can be sure it delivers on its promises.
LG Gram 14
LG Gram series of laptops are yet another series of portables that are quite popular among consumers. The LG Gram 14 ships with a 14-inch IPS (WUXGA) 16:10 panel with anti-glare coating. The display covers a 99 per cent DCI P3 colour gamut and can offer up to 350 nits brightness for excellent sunlight legibility. At its core, the LG Gram 14 packs a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P processor for powerful performance. Further, it has 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and Intel Iris Xe Graphics for graphics. The portable packs a large 72Wh battery, which the company says provides up to 23.5 hours of continuous playback on a single charge. There is a Full HD webcam with IR and LG Glance for security. Further, the laptop also comes with AI Noise cancellation for clear video conferencing. There is a fingerprint reader as well for easy authentication. You also get a 6 month Microsoft 365 subscription. Connectivity-wise, it gets a Thunderbolt 4 port with Power Delivery, three USB-C ports, and an HDMI port. LG Gram 14 lives up to its name by weighing just 999 grams, making it one of the lightest devices on the market.
Samsung Galaxy Book2 360
With the release of the Samsung Galaxy Book2 360, Samsung has won the hearts of many ultrabook enthusiasts. This Evo-certified portable comes with a 13.3-inch FHD Super AMOLED touch display and a sturdy all-metal build. It weighs just around 1.16kg and comes in a 12.9mm thin chassis, ideal for users who are always on the move. Powering this 2-in-1 ultrabook is the 12th Generation Intel EVOTM Core i7-1255U processor and Intel Iris Xe Graphics. It further has 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. The laptop runs on Windows 11 and has pre-installed Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 as well.
You’re also not missing out on any essential ports because of the extremely thin build too. You get an HDMI port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, a USB Type-C port, a USB3.2 port, a microSD card slot, and a headphone/mic combo. It has a 61.1Wh battery that charges at 65W speed via the Type-C port. There is a 720p webcam with Intelligent Video Call Solution that should allow for a great video calling experience. The laptop also gets a fingerprint reader, accelerometer sensor, and gyro sensor. It also gets pen input support. You also get useful utilities from Samsung such as Samsung Flow, Samsung Notes, Studio Plus, Samsung Security, Quick Share, Galaxy Book Smart Switch, and more to make using the Samsung Galaxy Book2 360 a feature-rich and intuitive experience.
Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3
The Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3 is a budget alternative on this list that packs powerful hardware. The portable comes in a 19.9mm thin build and a weight of 1.7kg. The portable is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U7 processor with Intel Iris Xe Graphics. Further, it offers a whopping 16GB RAM for smooth performance across the OS and apps. It has a 15.6-inch FHD panel that is surrounded by thin bezels for increased screen real estate and a premium look. The company is promising up to 8 hours of battery with typical usage. The laptop also supports Rapid Charge, which is said to charge the battery to up to 80 per cent in just an hour. Lenovo Ideapad Slim 3 also has Lenovo Aware, which comes with features such as Attention Reminder, Break Reminder, and distance posture detection. This helps you maintain your well-being while working long hours. The two 1.5W speakers also get Dolby Audio support for immersive audio. There is a standard set of ports collection as well for comprehensive connectivity. The laptop has a 720p webcam with a privacy shutter to protect your privacy while not using the laptop. It runs Windows 11 and comes with Office Home and Student 2021.
Xiaomi Notebook Pro 120G
Next on our list is the Xiaomi Notebook Pro 120G. The Xiaomi Notebook Pro 120 is one of the best value-for-money ultraportables on the market. The portable comes with the powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12450H processor and a dedicated Nvidia MX550 Graphics to handle graphics loads. This means you can run demanding tasks such as photo and video editors. Further, the notebook packs 16GB LPDDR5 RAM clocked at 5,200MHz along with the 512GB SSD that runs on the PCIe 4.0 interface for faster app launches and quicker boot times. You also get Microsoft Office Home and Student 2021 pre-installed. The portable from Xiaomi also promises to offer up to 9 hours of battery life on a single charge with its 56Wh large battery. It also supports fast charge, which takes the machine from 0 to 50 per cent in around 35 minutes so you quickly get started on what were doing. It gets a high-resolution webcam and two built-in 2W speakers to offer a hassle-free video conferencing experience.
The notebook sports a thin-bezel 14-inch IPS display that has a QHD+ (2560 x 1600p) resolution for crisper visuals. It has a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and high frame rates in your favourite games. The display is also certified to cover a 100 per cent colour gamut to offer excellent colour accuracy. Moreover, the display also supports DC Dimming and is flicker-free to provide you with a comfortable viewing experience for long hours. Xiaomi Notebook Pro 120G is made with CNC precision-cut aluminium alloy, which means this machine is engineered for the long haul too.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
If you want an absolute premium portable with all the features you can get, and are ready to splurge, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the one to consider. It is as premium as it gets. It offers an excellent display, great battery life, a comfortable keyboard, and a Full HD IR webcam. All this is packed in a rugged build too; complying with the 12 MIL-STD-810H durability standard. It is powered by a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255UG4 processor and Intel Iris Xe Graphics with DirectX 12.1. It has 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD to store apps movies, games, and everything in between. Software-wise, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon runs Windows 11 Pro with lifetime validity to provide you with the professional tools to get the work done. 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200p) IPS display (antiglare) with a peak brightness of 400 nits. And it gets 100 per cent sRGB coverage to let you work with colour-sensitive tasks such as colour grading, editing and other similar tasks.
Sound also takes a front seat on the premium potable with the two 2W woofers and two 0.8W tweeters with Dolby Atmos support to offer a truly immersive and booming sound. The laptop gets a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port (always-on), two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, a Nano-SIM card slot, and a headphone/mic combo jack for comprehensive connectivity. The manufacturer says the laptop supports up to four external displays to turn it into a truly dependable machine for work. There is a fingerprint reader as well for an easy and intuitive authentication experience.
There is an FHD webcam with the Think Privacy Shutter and quad-array four microphones, 360-degree far-field, and Dolby Voice you can expect disturbance-free video conferencing. If you’re a writer, you’ll love the backlit keyboard on this laptop that comes with a six-row, spill-resistant, and air intake design. it also has multimedia Function keys with Unified Communications controls. Wi-Fi 6E A and Bluetooth 5.1 are handling wireless connectivity for fast, stable data transfer rates. Lastly, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon weighs just 1.12kg and is just 15.36mm in thickness, which makes the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon one of the best portables around.
HP Pavilion 14
HP Pavilion 14 is the last portable on our list. This one comes with a 90Hz 14-inch OLED (2.8K) display for vibrant visuals. It offers 400 nits peak brightness and is HDR compatible. HP Pavilion 14 is powered by the Intel Core i7-12700H processor and Intel Iris Xe Graphics. The laptop gets a backlit keyboard and dual-speakers tuned by B&O for rich sound reproduction. The laptop also gets Alexa built-in for smart assistant features. Further, it has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 combo handling the wireless connectivity. The laptop provides up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge and has HP Fast Charge support to quickly help juice up the battery. It packs 16GB DDR4 RAM and 1TB SSD. Software-wise, the portable runs Windows 11 Home. It also has Microsoft Office Home & Student 2021 preinstalled to help with productivity. It gets two SuperSpeed USB Type-C 10Gbps ports with USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4, and HP Sleep and Charge, 2two SuperSpeed USB Type-A 5Gbps ports, a headphone/microphone combo, and an HDMI 2.1 port.
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