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Today’s 13-inch laptops provide compact and light-weight designs that may effortlessly slip right into a bag, making them the best alternative for on-the-go productiveness. But simply because they’re small doesn’t imply they’re not highly effective. These laptops pack a punch with trendy processors and ample RAM, permitting them to sort out a variety of duties, from on a regular basis shopping to modifying images and movies. Many of the best fashions additionally provide lovely high-resolution shows, offering gorgeous visuals for watching films and taking part in video games. Whether you’re a scholar or working a hybrid schedule, the best 13-inch laptops strike a stability of portability, efficiency, and flexibility that may adapt to various existence.
How we selected the best 13-inch laptops
Before upgrading to my present machine, I used a 13-inch MacBook Pro. The stability of measurement and energy match my wants throughout a time once I regularly traveled for work, together with to CES, E3, and Mobile World Congress—loopy busy tradeshows the place each ounce in your backpack counts as you’re in your ft all day. The compact design allowed me to hold it round continuously, and it may deal with varied duties with out points. My expertise utilizing laptops of all sizes—plus over a decade of writing about computer systems—has given me invaluable perception into what to look for in a 13-inch laptop computer. I dug into options like portability, efficiency, design, battery life, and affordability to search out the best fashions of this measurement.
The best 13-inch laptops: Reviews & Recommendations
The 13-inch laptops on this checklist prioritize portability whereas becoming a number of use circumstances, from working at residence to touring overseas. Although 14-inch and 15-inch laptops have turn out to be extra widespread with the rise of distant work, the market for 13-inch laptops stays robust, with a number of wonderful choices starting from gaming powerhouses to ultra-thin portables with long-lasting batteries. There’s even a mannequin that you would be able to configure and assemble your self when you want the DIY strategy.
Best total: MacBook Air with M2
Specs
- Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina
- Processor: Apple M2 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches
- Weight: 2.7 kilos
Pros
- Lightweight
- Beautiful high-resolution show
- Fantastic efficiency
Cons
- Base mannequin storage can replenish quick
As we present in our full assessment, the MacBook Air with Apple’s M2 chip is a robust, transportable laptop computer with a beautiful show and modern, light-weight design. The laptop computer’s M2 processor provides an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, whereas the bottom mannequin consists of 8GB of reminiscence and 256GB of storage. The Air is geared towards portability however nonetheless delivers spectacular efficiency, permitting you to deal with on a regular basis computing (e.g., engaged on paperwork, shopping the net, emailing) and extra intensive duties like modifying images, movies, and graphics.
The MacBook Air with M2 is just 0.44 inches thick and weighs a feathery 2.4 kilos, making it straightforward to hold round all day. Like Apple’s different laptops, the MacBook Air options MagSafe charging, Touch ID, and an expansive trackpad that helps multi-touch gestures. It additionally provides a cushty scissor-switch keyboard and a 1080p webcam for higher-resolution video calls. While the Air not has the long-lasting wedge form of years previous, the laptop computer stays as transportable as ever whereas providing one of many best designs available on the market.
For a bigger display screen, we suggest the 15-inch MacBook Air. The laptop computer has related specs, so that you’re primarily getting the identical expertise in a bigger chassis.
Best design: Dell XPS 13 Plus
Specs
- Display: 13.4-inch 4K OLED
- Processor: Intel thirteenth Generation Core i7
- Memory: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB
- Dimensions: 11.63 x 7.84 x 0.6 inches
- Weight: 2.7 kilos
Pros
- Beautiful show
- Excellent efficiency
- Premium design
Cons
Dell’s XPS line is a favourite at PopSci—the XPS 15 is our best Windows laptop computer—and the XPS 13 Plus isn’t any completely different. Featuring a premium design and a beautiful 4K OLED show, the 13 Plus takes some huge swings that assist it stand out from the gang. Granted, not each resolution is a house run, however we nonetheless think about it one of many nicest laptops at this measurement, thanks largely to an invisible touchpad, all-metal construct, and spacious keyboard.
The Dell XPS 13 Plus ditches the row of perform keys you historically see above a keyboard’s numbers. Instead, Dell opted for capacitive buttons, with symbols that gentle up for the completely different capabilities. There’s no headphone jack. And, as we stated, the trackpad is “invisible,” which means there are not any strains to point the place it begins and ends; the realm beneath the keyboard is solely one massive piece of glass. While these modifications could not work for everybody, they make for what is definitely an unbelievable design.
Best for gaming: ASUS ROG Flow X13
Specs
- Display: 13.4-inch Quad HD
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7000 Series
- Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
- Memory: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB
- Dimensions: 11.77 x 8.35 x 0.6 inches
- Weight: 2.8 kilos
Pros
- Capable of taking part in high-end AAA titles
- High refresh fee show
- Excellent for non-gaming duties
Cons
Ultraportable laptops are typically for getting work carried out in espresso retailers, libraries, and airport lounges. But all of us want a break from the insanity. That’s the place the ASUS ROG Flow X13 comes into play. With an AMD Ryzen 9 7000 Series processor and GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, ASUS’ compact laptop computer is the best splurge as a result of it delivers the facility and efficiency of bigger fashions. That means the laptop computer can deal with the most recent AAA titles, permitting you to play your favourite titles on the go.
The X13 encompasses a 13.4-inch Quad HD show with a 165Hz refresh fee for clean visuals. The laptop computer boasts Intelligent Cooling expertise to maintain temperatures underneath management throughout intense gaming classes. The system combines {hardware} and software program to ship spectacular cooling efficiency when issues get heated. Additionally, the X13 encompasses a 2-in-1 convertible design for extra flexibility when modifying paperwork, watching films, and taking part in video games.
Best 2-in-1: HP Spectre x360 13.5
Specs
- Display: 13.5-inch 3:2 OLED
- Processor: Intel thirteenth Generation Core i7
- Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB
- Dimensions: 11.73 x 8.68 x 0.6 inches
- Weight: 3 kilos
Pros
- Beautiful OLED show
- Versatile 2-in-1 design
- Long battery life
Cons
The HP Spectre x360 13.5 is a terrific convertible with a modern and transportable design that’s nice for conventional laptop computer and pill use circumstances. You can configure it with a 3:2 facet ratio OLED show, providing vibrant colours, excessive distinction, and deep blacks. The 3:2 facet ratio supplies extra vertical area, making it good for shopping the net and dealing on paperwork.
The 2-in-1 is powered by an Intel thirteenth Generation Intel Core i7 Evo processor, delivering implausible efficiency for demanding duties and inventive tasks. Meanwhile, the laptop computer boasts a classy design with a premium aluminum chassis and 360-degree hinge to transition between laptop computer and pill modes. It’s this versatility that makes the Spectre x360 13.5 such an incredible device for completely different eventualities, whether or not you’re working or enjoyable.
Best funds: Framework Laptop
Specs
- Display: 13.5-inch
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
- Memory: 8GB
- Storage: 250GB
- Dimensions: 11.68 x 9.01 x 0.62 inches
- Weight: 2.8 kilos
Pros
- Endlessly customizability
- Easily repairable
- Compact, light-weight design
Cons
For those that need full management over the parts of their laptop computer, the Framework Laptop 13 is value testing. Thanks to its modular design, you possibly can choose the precise parts and ports you need, providing you with a laptop computer tailor-made to your particular person style. Everything from the processor, storage, and RAM will be upgraded down the road, and you may swap out different components everytime you need.
These options give the Framework Laptop 13 a novel place out there. For DIY lovers, the machine supplies a variety of worth by providing you with higher management over the expertise. Want extra USB-C ports? Buy an enlargement card. Want so as to add Ethernet? Buy an enlargement card. It’s a novel tackle the trendy laptop computer and a enjoyable answer for anybody with expertise constructing a PC. In addition to its modular design, the Framework encompasses a vibrant, high-resolution show, a spacious trackpad, and biometrics.
What to contemplate when shopping for a 13-inch laptop computer
The main promoting level of a 13-inch laptop computer is its portability. But there are different elements to contemplate exterior of its measurement. We’ve rounded up the 13-inch fashions that cater to all preferences and budgets.
Processor
A processor is the mind of a laptop computer and is accountable for orchestrating every part the pc does, from fundamental duties to complicated computations. From loading purposes to taking part in video games, the processor handles all of it. The newest processor from Apple is the M3, combining the CPU, graphics processing unit (GPU), safety enclave, neural engine, and shared reminiscence on a single piece of silicon. For Windows laptops, Intel and AMD are the first CPU makers, with the most recent being Intel’s thirteenth Gen Core and AMD Ryzen 7000 Series processors. Intel is planning to launch a extra highly effective processor codenamed Meteor Lake on the finish of this yr.
To guarantee clean operation, think about the processor’s clock pace (measured in GHz) and the variety of cores, particularly for demanding duties like content material creation. The larger the GHz and the extra cores typically interprets to raised efficiency. If you primarily browse the net and test emails, a processor with decrease GHz and fewer cores will suffice (and prevent cash!). However, for multitasking, gaming, or inventive work, a extra sturdy processor with larger GHz and extra cores is really useful.
Graphics
While the CPU handles the principle duties, the GPU is specifically designed to tackle the heavy lifting of every part associated to graphics. This consists of displaying photographs, movies, and animations, making the GPU essential for gaming, video modifying, and even net shopping. The extra highly effective the GPU, the smoother and better-looking the graphics will likely be. Laptops both function an built-in or devoted GPU; built-in graphics embody the GPU on the identical chip because the CPU.
Powerful laptops typically function devoted GPUs for enhanced efficiency, particularly these designed for gaming. However, there’s a trade-off: devoted GPUs could make a laptop computer heavier and bulkier, which could not be excellent for customers prioritizing portability. Additionally, these GPUs eat extra energy, which means you’ll should be extra conscious of your battery life and charging habits to keep away from working out of juice when no outlet is close by.
Memory
Random Access Memory, or RAM, serves as a short lived workspace for purposes to retailer knowledge the pc must entry rapidly. More RAM means extra space for the laptop computer to work with, leading to quicker efficiency and smoother multitasking. We suggest a minimal of 8GB for extra fundamental duties, like net shopping and emailing. Consider a minimum of 16GB of RAM when you plan to run a number of purposes concurrently. Choosing the correct amount of RAM is crucial for a smoother computing expertise. While it may be costly to configure your laptop with extra RAM, it might be value it because you typically can’t improve after the very fact.
Display
Your laptop computer’s show is one other key ingredient to an gratifying person expertise. One vital issue is the show’s decision, which refers back to the variety of pixels packed into the display screen. The extra pixels, the sharper and extra detailed the show will seem. High-end laptops typically boast 2K (2560×1440) and even 4K (3840×2160) resolutions, excellent for content material creation and multitasking because of the elevated display screen actual property. Budget-friendly fashions would possibly provide 1080p (Full HD) resolutions, enough for fundamental duties like modifying paperwork and net shopping.
The panel expertise is equally vital, impacting the viewing expertise. IPS (in-plane switching) panels provide wider viewing angles and good colour accuracy, making them appropriate for on a regular basis duties. OLED (natural light-emitting diode) panels ship superior distinction and vibrant colours. Gamers would possibly prioritize excessive refresh fee shows (120GHz and above) for smoother animations, which may present an edge in fast-twitch video games like Call of Duty.
For professionals working with photographs and movies, correct colour illustration is essential. Look for shows with a minimum of 95% sRGB colour gamut protection to make sure sensible and constant colours. DCI-P3 provides a fair wider colour vary, offering 26% extra colour area than sRGB. This prolonged colour vary permits for extra vivid and saturated colours, making it a superb alternative for duties that demand vibrant imagery.
Storage
Solid-state drives (SSD) are the brand new customary for laptop computer storage, using extra superior expertise than conventional laborious drives. SSDs don’t have any shifting components, translating to lightning-fast pace for loading information and purposes. Home consoles just like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 all have SSDs. An SSD is a game-changer whether or not you’re a gamer or content material creator.
For most customers, a 256GB SSD supplies sufficient storage for all of the stuff that will accumulate in your laptop computer over just a few years. Consider upgrading to a 512GB and even 1TB SSD when you work with massive paperwork, images, and movies. Alternatively, a conveyable laborious drive can provide extra storage whereas reserving your laptop computer’s storage for vital paperwork and purposes.
Connectivity
Just as a result of this part is final doesn’t make it any much less vital. While conventional USB-A ports are nonetheless related for varied peripherals, newer laptops typically function USB-C and Thunderbolt 4. These high-bandwidth ports allow blazing-fast knowledge switch, simplifying duties like importing and exporting massive media information.
An HDMI port enables you to join your laptop computer to an exterior show, excellent for multitasking and gaming. Meanwhile, a built-in card reader is useful for transferring media from a digital camera’s reminiscence card to your laptop computer. You can use a USB hub to increase your laptop computer’s connectivity choices if it doesn’t have all the required ports. However, built-in ports present probably the most seamless and hassle-free expertise, eliminating the necessity for extra equipment and simplifying your work setup.
FAQs
Q: Is 13 inches too small for a laptop computer?
No, a 13-inch laptop computer isn’t too small. Laptops on this vary are extra compact, positive, however they’re nonetheless nice for getting work carried out. Their measurement makes them simpler to hold for prolonged intervals and places much less pressure in your again. Of course, there are some cons to utilizing a smaller laptop computer. The smaller display screen can restrict multitasking, whereas the typing expertise is probably not excellent for the reason that keyboard on a 13-inch laptop computer will be cramped. Ultimately, it comes right down to what matches your preferences and funds. If you want probably the most display screen actual property doable for multitasking, think about a 14-inch laptop computer or 15-inch laptop computer. That stated, when you journey regularly or want to make use of your laptop computer on the go, a 13-inch laptop computer is less complicated to hold round.
Q: Can I get a 13-inch laptop computer for underneath $500?
Absolutely, although you’ll make sure concessions with a laptop computer underneath $500—the principle one being that a big majority of selections will run ChromeOS. Compared to laptops with Windows or macOS, it’s a way more light-weight working system, however it may possibly deal with the commonest scholastic duties—writing paperwork, creating displays, studying, and sending e-mail—with ease. You shouldn’t anticipate the {hardware} of even the best funds 13-inch laptops underneath $500 to run full video modifying and music manufacturing suites with out some hiccups, nor play AAA video games, however one thing just like the Lenovo Flex 5 can nonetheless be an especially useful machine for fundamental productiveness.
Q: Are 13-inch laptops good for gaming?
It relies upon. You can discover highly effective gaming laptops at this measurement, however they often gained’t be as highly effective as bigger fashions. The compact measurement may also result in thermal throttling, particularly throughout intense gaming classes, leading to decreased efficiency and fan noise. Likewise, the display screen measurement isn’t excellent for longer gaming classes, particularly for fast-paced or aggressive video games the place each element issues. Still, a 13-inch gaming laptop computer provides portability, making it straightforward to sport wherever. If gaming is your high precedence, think about one thing larger (or, higher but, think about constructing a gaming PC). Our roundup of the best gaming laptops, in addition to the best low cost gaming laptops, will provide you with a greater concept of the best stability of measurement, efficiency, and value.
Final ideas on the best 13-inch laptops
The MacBook Air with M2 is the best 15-inch laptop computer, so it’s no shock it’s additionally the best 13-inch laptop computer. It’s skinny, light-weight, and provides sufficient energy to deal with most duties, together with modifying images and movies. The laptop computer additionally options arguably the nicest design in Apple’s lineup. If you favor Windows, the choices above ought to match the invoice. Whether you want one thing for faculty or work, you possibly can’t go mistaken with any of our picks. The alternative comes right down to your preferences and funds.
Why belief us
Popular Science began writing about expertise greater than 150 years in the past. There was no such factor as “gadget writing” after we revealed our first concern in 1872, but when there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for on a regular basis readers means we might have been throughout it. Here within the current, PopSci is absolutely dedicated to serving to readers navigate the more and more intimidating array of gadgets available on the market proper now.
Our writers and editors have mixed many years of expertise masking and reviewing shopper electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however after we’re reviewing gadgets exterior of our rapid wheelhouses, we do our best to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information folks to the very best suggestions. We know we don’t know every part, however we’re excited to reside via the evaluation paralysis that web purchasing can spur so readers don’t should.