If you ’re looking for a balance between capability and massiveness , a 13 - inch laptop computer is an ideal pick . That said , not all 13 - in laptops are created adequate . In our opinion , the Apple MacBook Air M3 is one of the most well - rounded 13 - inch laptops available today , but there are plenty of other options reckon on the lineament you want and the price you ’re unforced to pay .
Most of the top 13 - inch laptop are focalise on poise tycoon and portability , but you could find everything frombudget laptopsto high - endgaming laptopswith a 13 - column inch display . Here are the proficient 13 - in laptops you should be await at today .
The overall best 13-inch laptop
Apple MacBook Air M3
The MacBook Air M3 is the double-dyed laptop computer for all but the staunchest Windows traditionalist , with a massive update that institute it more in line with the received MacBook design . It ’s lightweight , fabulously thin , exceedingly knock-down , and stack with the calibre - of - life history features that Macs are recognize for . From exceptional battery aliveness to a large touchpad and one of the best laptop keyboard , the MacBook Air M3 derive with everything the typical laptop computer drug user need to succeed .
The latest MacBook Air features Apple ’s ARM - based M3 chip that ’s both libertine and exceedingly efficient . It ’s so major power - efficient that it does n’t even require a rooter . It stays nerveless simply by pass oestrus through the Al body , so you may keep work without disorder anyone .
For portability , the MacBook Air M2 is 0.44 inches thick , and it only press 2.7 pound . The port wine choice is n’t great with just two Thunderbolt port , but you’re able to easily expand the pick with aThunderbolt 3 dock . The new invention brings back the breakaway MagSafe 3 king link .
The MacBook Air M3 is a seriously impressive laptop for anyone looking for a extremely portable , very powerful motorcar . In some ways , it’seven better than the MacBook Pro . One caveat : the new M4 chipset will be arriving in the MacBook Air early in 2025 , so if you ’re not in a huge precipitation to buy , that might be something to wait for .
The best budget 13-inch laptop
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
If you want as much laptop for as little money possible , we intimate the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 – also known as the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 . The Leontyne Price fluctuates , but it ’s quite old at this point , so you’re able to discover it for just a few hundreds bucks at this point . Despite its age , it ’s a elastic 2 - in-1 that still has enough performance for your everyday tasks .
This can be peculiarly voiceless to discover in this Leontyne Price range , where the compounding of lower specification and older part can think of power or speed upshot for the unwary . But Lenovo has make do to build the Chromebook Flex 5 for execution , and the snappy Chrome OS loading helps verify there are no annoying wait time as you work .
When we review it , our unit of measurement had a four - core / eight - thread AMD Ryzen 3 5300 CPU , 8 GB of RAM , and a banging 512 GB of SSD storage . That ’s enough performance to make the lightweight Chrome OS vaporize through demanding workflows . The model that ’s available today is a number lower - power , with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of memory board , but the Core i3 - 10110U is plenty fast for a Chromebook .
Fortunately , you still get the 13.3 - inch 1080p covert , Wi - Fi 6 compatibility , and loads of barrage fire life .
When it comes to low-cost 13 - in laptops , it remains one of the very best .
The most powerful 13-inch laptop
Asus ProArt PX 13
The ProArt PX13 is a super - small laptop computer that still pack a net ton of power . It ’s not the lightest 13 - in laptop computer at 3.04 pounds or the sparse at 0.70 in , but that ’s hunky-dory . It ’s the cost you give to pile so much ability at heart .
The eminent - end configuration come with an AMD Ryzen 9 AI HX 370 , 32 GB of RAM , a 1 TB SSD , and an amazing truehearted Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU . That ’s fast enough to roil through demand video editing tasks and even run some games . Regardless of the configuration , the machines come with a 13.3 - inch 16:10 2.8 K presentation ( 2880 x 1800 ) OLED exhibit with incredibly active colors and ink-black Shirley Temple Black .
Battery life history is n’t the good , but it ’s still surpringly respectable for such a herculean laptop . There is n’t another 13 - inch car that can lay title to being so unbelievably fast , and in fact , only the Asus ’s own ROG Flow X13 devote it a run for its money .
Best 13-inch Windows laptop
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition
The Surface Laptop 7th Edition is one of the gravid 13 - column inch laptops out there , with its 13.8 - in screen – in fact , it straddle the line between 13 - in and 14 - inch . The alone characteristic of its display , however , is the 3:2 view proportion screen . While every other option on this leaning uses a 16:10 or 16:9 shape , Microsoft has always stuck to the taller 3:2 for its Surface devices , and I have a go at it the decision . You get more perpendicular screen real estate , allowing you to see thing like more of a webpage or extra course in a spreadsheet .
It just feels great to employ , one of the independent reason why it became our reviewer ’s " daily carry " in 2024 , despite all the other laptops that came out this year .
It ’s also a salient laptop in its own right , sporting the efficient Snapdragon X chips , which allow dissolute performance and long - lasting bombardment life sentence . In fact , it ’s really the only laptop computer on this list that can keep up with the M3 MacBook Air in that esteem . It does have a duad of one - ups over the MacBook Air too , namely its 120Hz refresh rate , better port selection , and , again , that magniloquent exhibit . It might be a stretch to call it a 13 - inch laptop computer , but it ’s certainly the salutary MacBook Air alternative you could bribe .
The best 13-inch gaming laptop
Asus ROG Flow X13
The Asus ROG Flow X13 take away over our top spot as the good 13 - inch gambling laptop computer thanks to a combination of forward-looking components and innovative figure . It ’s not only a gambling laptop but it ’s also a 360 - degree convertible 2 - in-1 with a taller 16:10 aspect proportion display , making it function for more than just play . Looking at it , you ’ll see the resemblance to the repose of the Asus ROG line , with a simple all - black exterior and sloping line of descent on the lid and thenar quietus that add some flair .
It packs in some serious power , with newer components than those in our critical review unit include an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti . That ’s tight enough for advanced titles at 1080p and adequate graphic setting . And Asus built in a proprietary PCIe connection that allow you to expound the laptop computer ’s GPU via an external expansion box , bundled with some configurations , that endorse up to the RTX 4080 .
The ROG Flow X13 ’s 13.4 - inch display runs at a 1920 x 1200 declaration , which is fine for gamers , and it indorse touch and a 120Hz refresh pace . There ’s also a QHD IPS showing at up to 165Hz . Ports are a bit limited , but that ’s to be expected on such a diminished gambling laptop computer .
It did n’t receive an update in 2024 , but if you may find the 2023 model on discount , it ’s still a great steal .
An innovative and sleek 13-inch laptop
Dell XPS 13
There ’s no question some hoi polloi lost their pursuit in the XPS line recently . The XPS 13 , XPS 14 , and XPS 16 have all adopt a pretty crude and controversial pattern – a futuristic facial expression that might have been a bit ahead of its meter . The LED capacitive tactile sensation buttons for certain rubbed people the wrong way , our reader admit , who felt like only receive in the way of the typewriting experience . The unseeable tactual feedback trackpad is a bit more serviceable , and it for sure looks impressive .
We ’d never convince someone to buy a laptop computer like the XPS 13 who ’s questioning the decision . The lack of a phone shit alone is a turn - off all on its own . But for those drawn to the look of this laptop , the tardy example ( 9350 ) makes up for some of the more controversial elements with some excellent battery living , thanks to Intel ’s late Core Ultra Series 2 onboard . That goes a long way toward make this extremely premium equipment feel like it ’s worth the money .
So while it ’s not for everyone , those that are pull in to this excogitation will witness plenty to have it off , and the carrying into action and barrage life back it up .
The ultimate premium Chromebook
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook
Although there are a short ton of Chromebooks on the grocery , there ’s really just one that stands out for have first-class performance , a quality anatomy , and a adorable purpose . That laptop is the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook , which represents the ultimate agio Chromebook and the one you want if you do n’t want any Windows or MacBook envy .
Yes , the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is aimed at the business market , with up to a 12th - gen Intel Core i7 - 1265U with vPro for great Chrome OS Enterprise support . However , the laptop is not bad for any high - end Chrome OS users , with up to 32 GB of RAM and 512 GB of PCIe SSD storage to top executive through the most demanding workflows . The 13.5 - inch 3:2 WXUGA+ ( 2,256 x 1,504 ) IPS exhibit is excellent as well .
But the icing on the bar is the presence of some advanced and , in some cases , groundbreaking features . First , there ’s Thunderbolt 4 living , which is strange on Chromebook . The vPro support is a first , as is the haptic touchpad that works as well as the MacBook Force Touch version . Finally , the 5MP webcam provides a superior videoconferencing experience . You ’ll pay for all this power and the breadth of capability , but it ’s worth it .
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes , it definitely does . The variety in size can make things like working in applications side by side much more fluent . The overall size of the laptop also cause a difference in portability . Sliding a 15 - inch laptop computer into a backpack is n’t always possible , and neither is prove to use it in cramped locations like a small java shop mesa or on an aeroplane .
Perhaps more importantly , though , there are significant differences in form options between 13 - inch and 15 - inch laptop computer . Take the Dell XPS 13 and XPS 15 , for instance . The XPS 13 maxes out at a four - core mainframe with integrate graphics , while the XPS 15 can now include up to a 14 - core CPU with a discrete RTX 3050 Ti graphic card . The extra space in the physical body set aside for these more herculean components , meaning they ’ll cater a substantial hike in public presentation .
A 13 - in laptop may not seem as visually immersive as a larger screen can , but if your GPU can defend your favorite plot , then a 13 - inch laptop would raise to be an fantabulous gambling equipment . While your situational awareness is undoubtedly improved with bigger displays , the sieve may not fully patronize the game . It would be best if you twice - checked your larger laptop computer ’s eyeglasses ; The C.P.U. , RAM , SSD , and GPU all need to be able to comfortably support the parameter required for your game .
