10 Best Lightweight Laptops

The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is considered to be at a midrange price level and offers 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. It's powered by the Apple M1 chip, which includes a 7-core GPU. The battery capacity is strong, supporting up to 15 hours of typical usage, which, alongside its weight of 2.8 pounds, makes it very portable. The 13.3-inch screen is an IPS panel with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, not a touchscreen, and has good color accuracy with full coverage of the sRGB space and almost full coverage of the DCI-P3 space, enhancing the display quality. It doesn't have a number pad but features a high-quality backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader for security. Connectivity includes two USB-C ports that support Thunderbolt and charging. The MacBook Air is fanless, thus operates silently, and is well-regarded for its build quality and heat management. Its performance is good for general use scenarios and fair for 3D/machine learning and engineering tasks, so while it's not tailored for intensive gaming, it's a reliable choice for everyday productivity and entertainment.

The Acer Swift 3 comes at a lower midrange price with a solid balance of features for general consumers. Its Intel i5 processor and integrated Iris Xe graphics offer good performance for everyday tasks and some light gaming or creative work but aren't optimized for more demanding 3D, machine learning, or engineering software. Equipped with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, it should handle multitasking and ample data. The 14-inch IPS display provides decent color accuracy and viewing angles, though it's not the best choice for color-critical work. The laptop is quite portable, weighing under 3 pounds, and has a good battery life that can support typical usage for around 12 hours. Additionally, build quality and heat management are rated good, making it suitable for mobility and use in different environments. With a variety of ports including USB-C and Thunderbolt, connectivity is versatile, but the absence of an Ethernet port might be a drawback for some. A backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader enhance usability, although if you're looking for a laptop with a higher refresh rate, better speakers, or dedicated gaming features, other models may be more fitting.

The Dell Inspiron 14 5425 is a budget-friendly option with decent computing power, courtesy of the AMD Ryzen 7 processor, making it suitable for everyday tasks and some more demanding applications. It offers a satisfactory amount of storage and memory, with options for expansion. The integrated Vega 8 graphics can handle light gaming and graphical tasks, but may not be ideal for intensive gaming or high-end graphic design. With a weight that balances portability and build, it's a good fit for on-the-go use while maintaining a 14-inch display, which has a resolution favouring productivity and content consumption. Battery life is adequate for a day's work, and the laptop has a backlit keyboard, which is helpful in low-light conditions. Keep in mind, though, that while it's versatile enough for general use, professionals needing advanced computational or graphical capabilities may find it limited.

The MSI Summit E13 Flip Evo is a midrange 2-in-1 convertible laptop that can be used as both a laptop and a tablet, suitable for business and general use with a premium build and an Intel i7 processor coupled with integrated graphics. Adequate for tasks like office work, web browsing, and light photo editing, it offers a compelling touchscreen experience with good color coverage. Its 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage should suffice for everyday multitasking. However, it's not built for intensive gaming or high-end engineering software due to the absence of a dedicated graphics card. Keep in mind its lack of an Ethernet port requires wireless connections or an adapter for wired internet. The device is fairly portable with a reasonable weight, and offers a variety of modern USB-C and Thunderbolt ports for connectivity. It has an above-average battery life, backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and facial recognition for added security and convenience.

The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is a midrange laptop that offers a solid blend of performance and portability, making it a good choice for general use. Its main processor and GPU are both Apple's M2 chip, which provides good general performance and can handle some lighter engineering tasks. Keep in mind, for 3D rendering, machine learning, or heavy gaming, the performance might not meet the demands of those intensive tasks. It features 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, which is ample for everyday tasks, but may be limiting for more demanding applications. The battery life is commendable, providing up to 15 hours of typical usage, and its fanless design ensures silent operation. Its 13.6-inch IPS display with a high resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio delivers clear and vibrant images with wide color coverage, but it does not have a touchscreen or high refresh rate. The MacBook Air is highly portable, weighing just 2.7 pounds and with a thickness of 0.44 inches, enhanced by its sleek build quality. For connectivity, it includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports but lacks Ethernet or HDMI ports. The keyboard and webcam quality are rated as excellent, adding to the appeal for professionals on the go. Notably, there are no available slots for RAM or storage expansion. If you prioritize a balance of portability, build quality, and overall performance for everyday tasks, the MacBook Air (2022) is a compelling option.

The HP EliteBook 845 G9 is set at a lower midrange price and targets business users with its premium features. Its 14-inch IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and above HD resolution is crisp and offers good color coverage, making it suitable for general work and some image editing. The combination of a capable AMD Ryzen 5 processor and AMD Radeon graphics can handle everyday tasks easily and even provide fair performance for 3D rendering and light engineering work. However, for tasks that require high-end graphics processing like intensive gaming or advanced machine learning, the performance may not be optimal. The 512 GB storage and 16 GB RAM are sufficient for most users, but if you require more space, there is an available storage slot for upgrades. With its backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, and a good selection of ports including USB-C, this laptop has modern connectivity options. This laptop is relatively lightweight at just over 3 pounds, making it very portable for on-the-go professionals. Its battery life is solid, allowing for up to around 12 hours of typical use, which is beneficial for long workdays away from the charger. Overall, the HP EliteBook 845 G9 is an excellent choice for business and general use, offering a balance of performance, portability, and features, though it's not the best choice for high-end gaming or the most demanding engineering simulations.