Laptops are smaller, thinner, and more powerful than ever before ... but they all vary in size and shape. Although most laptops these days have a 13.3-inch display size, some are equipped with screens as large as 17 inches and weigh as much as 9 pounds. So, I've scoured the internet to find the most powerful and portable laptops money can buy.
To separate the best from the rest, I compared more than 40 different mini laptops. I scrutinized them and compared their included ports, operating systems, screens, battery life, keyboards, trackpads, and processors.
Best Mini Laptops
- Best for Students: ASUS L210 Mini Laptop
- Best Budget: Lenovo IdeaPad 3
- Best 2-in-1 PC: Microsoft Surface Go 3
- Best Portable: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet
- Best Battery Life: Acer Swift 3
- Best Basic: HP Stream
- Best MacBook: Apple Macbook Air
- Our Favorite Touchscreen Chromebook: HP Chromebook x360
- Best Budget 2-in-1: Acer Chromebook Spin 311
- Best Chromebook Under $500: Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
What to Consider
I know reading the specifications of a laptop can seem a bit overwhelming (and quite boring), but they're the most important thing to pay attention to when you're shopping for a new computer — whether it's for you, your fourth grader, or your soon-to-be college student. Since choosing the right set of features will ensure you'll be happy with your mini laptop for years to come, I outlined everything you should consider before making the investment.
→ Processor
The newer the processor (CPU), the more power and better performance your new laptop will offer. We suggest that you opt for a product with an Intel Core series chip because it's more capable than the entry-level Celeron series. Affordable mini laptops with the latter are best suited for basic tasks like web browsing, streaming video, or typing Word documents.
→ Battery Life
Given their smaller sizes, mini laptops just don't deliver a battery life as long as full-sized models are capable of. Regardless, battery life can make a significant impact on getting through your work- or school-day, so make sure that the laptop you purchase delivers at least 8 hours of battery life before needing recharging.
→ Memory
The hard drive (HDD, SSD, or eMMC) stores all of your data, including your operating system, games, documents, music, and movies. I recommend at least 64GB of storage. Compared to your computer's RAM, which is essentially short-term memory, the hard drive is your computer's long-term memory: It stores the stuff you want to open and access throughout the lifetime of the machine.
Random access memory, or RAM, stores data your computer needs to access, and helps your computer run multiple applications at a time. 8GB of RAM is ideal, but 4GB will do for light use.
→ Display
A great mini laptop should have a sharp screen with a Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) or higher. Translation? The bigger these numbers, the more detailed the picture on the screen will be, whether you're editing an image on Photoshop or watching Netflix!
→ Connectivity
You should look for a notebook with futureproof Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless standards. Features like these are vital before you make the splurge on a new laptop because they prevent your device from becoming obsolete for as long as possible.
Our picks are perfect for students and creative types searching for a laptop with a smaller-sized screen, impressive battery life, a strong build quality, and a fast processor. Whether you want a two-in-one mini laptop with a detachable keyboard so you can use it as a tablet, a convertible laptop with a flexible hinge so you can share presentations using its screen, or just a cheap Chromebook for browsing the web, I have just the mini laptop on our list for you.
Check out our top picks to help you find the best mini laptop that suits your needs and budget constraints, so you can get work done anytime and anywhere.
1
Best for Students
L210 Mini Laptop
Key Specs
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 processor (dual-core)
- Display: 11.6-inch HD screen
- Memory: 4GB of RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage
- Connectivity: Two full USB ports, one USB-C, microSD card reader, HDMI port
- Battery Life: 10 hours
The ASUS VivoBook is an affordable mini laptop that's great for young students, thanks to its affordable price and portable size. It's equipped with dual USB Type-A ports, a USB-C port, a microSD card slot, and an HDMI out port. Its 11.6-inch display is bright with a 1080p resolution.
Since the screen is on a 180-degree hinge, you can lay it flat on a table to share content with friends, classmates, or colleagues.
With up to 8GB of RAM, an Intel Celeron N4020 processor, and 64GB of storage, this computer might not be the most powerful on the block, but it weighs only 2 pounds and is more than capable of handling most tasks — from editing photos to watching HD videos.
Plus, it has an all-day battery that should last 10 hours on a single charge — plenty of time to finish that book report or science project!
2
Best Budget
IdeaPad 3 Mini Laptop
- Average 8-hour battery life
Key Specs
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 processor (dual-core)
- Display: 11-inch HD screen
- Memory: 4GB of RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage
- Connectivity: Two full USB ports, two USB-C, microSD card reader
- Battery Life: 8 to 10 hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is the best mini laptop for buyers who are on a really tight budget. Despite sporting a price tag that’s under $200, the device doesn't require buyers to make many sacrifices. It offers users a robust set of connectivity features and stereo speakers, as well as a body that's smaller than an A4 piece of paper.
The notebook is best suited for web browsing, streaming video, and editing documents, since it's equipped with an entry-level Intel processor. Need more power? Lenovo makes another variant with an AMD processor.
Out of the box, the IdeaPad 3 runs Microsoft Windows 10 in S Mode, but you can always upgrade to full Windows 10 for free. Buyers who want a more colorful laptop should consider the similar Lenovo IdeaPad 1 laptop, which comes in a brighter blue hue, but has a larger 14-inch screen.
3
Best 2-in-1 PC
Surface Go 3
- Outstanding webcam quality
Key Specs
- CPU: Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y or 10th-generation Intel Core i3 dual-core processor
- Display: 10.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen with 1,920 x 1,280 pixels
- Memory: 4/8GB of RAM; 64GB eMMC or 128GB SSD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, Surface Connect Port, microSD card slot
- Battery Life: 6 hours
The Surface Go 3 is an ultra compact, 10.5-inch tablet that's a capable Windows 11 PC. A budget of just $400 will get you the entry-level Surface Go with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM, but you'll have to pick up the trackpad and keyboard separately.
During my tests with the Surface Go 3, I found that it was powerful enough to handle a steady stream of apps without much slowing down. But I recommend it more so for casual use or light productivity work, not for editing large image and video files.
The Surface Go 3 is also a wonderful video chat companion with twin microphones that help increase clarity and reduce background noise.
Overall, Surface Go 3 is a compact and versatile PC that's perfect for work or play. If you’re looking for a practical, affordable, and stylish mini laptop, you won’t be disappointed.
More: Top-Rated Laptops We Recommend for Kids
4
Best Portable
IdeaPad Duet
Key Specs
- CPU: MediaTek Helio P60T Processor (octa-core)
- Display: 10.1-inch IPS Touchscreen Display
- Memory: 4GB of DDR4 RAM, 128GB SSD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, USB-C port, five-point pogo pins
- Battery Life: 10 hours
The IdeaPad Duet is the best cheap Chromebook that you can buy. This two-in-one computer has a detachable keyboard, meaning you can use it as a tablet or a laptop. The cover even features a kickstand, which makes it easy to prop the Duet up to watch YouTube or have video calls.
The IdeaPad Duet’s 10.1-inch touchscreen is sharp and bright. Although the computer doesn’t feature one of the most powerful or up-to-date processors, it’s still plenty fast enough for web browsing, using social media, responding to email, or doing light photo editing.
Best of all, the device offers users 10 hours of battery life. Our biggest complaint is that the computer only has one USB-C port. Although there isn’t a headphone jack, Lenovo does include an adapter for connecting your wired headphones.
For those who are looking for a cheap Chromebook that's less like a tablet and more like a laptop, consider shopping for the Lenovo Chromebook S330 instead.
5
Best Battery Life
Swift 3 Mini Laptop
Key Specs
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4000-Series
- Display: 14-inch Full HD IPS display
- Memory: 8GB of RAM, 512GB of eMMC storage
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, USB-C port, USB-A port, HDMI
- Battery Life: 13 hours
The Acer Swift 3 is a laptop that manages to find that sweet spot between price and performance. It features a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a massive 512GB solid-state drive — all impressive specs for a laptop that typically costs less than $700.
What makes the laptop really shine, though, is its extensive battery life: You can expect 13 hours of use before needing to recharge. This laptop has received glowing reviews from both Laptop Mag and Wired for its convenient fingerprint sensor, impressive performance, and lightweight design.
Its biggest downside is that it lacks a touchscreen, but at least you won't have to worry about fingerprints dirtying up its high-resolution display!
If a touchscreen is important for you, the HP Envy 13-inch laptop is an excellent alternative that packs a powerful processor, a large 256GB solid-state drive, and a convenient fingerprint reader to unlock the laptop.
6
Best Basic
Stream 11.6-inch Mini Laptop
Key Specs
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 processor (dual-core)
- Display: 11.6-inch HD screen
- Memory: 4GB of RAM, 64GB of eMMC storage
- Connectivity: Two full USB ports, one USB-C, microSD card reader, HDMI port
- Battery Life: 9 hours
The HP Stream is a useful little laptop that's portable and comfortable to use. It runs Windows 10 and is powered by a 1.6 GHz Intel CPU with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage — more than twice the space as the best-selling HP Chromebook 11a. It’s a basic laptop that isn’t very powerful and doesn’t offer a ton of space to store files. Fortunately, however, it has a microSD card slot for some additional storage.
You should be able to get around 9 hours of battery life, which is a little below average in comparison to other mini laptops. Rest assured, though — the HP Stream has a solid design and provides everything you need to accomplish basic tasks, like quick photo editing and internet browsing, for a fair price below $250.
7
Best MacBook
MacBook Air
- Lacks a wide variety of ports
Key Specs
- CPU: Apple M1 chip
- Display: 13.3-inch Retina display (2,560 by 1,600 pixels)
- Memory: 8GB of RAM, up to 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
The latest MacBook Air features vastly improved hardware specs, including a boost in processing and graphics power, a redesigned keyboard, and a more vibrant display.
The laptop is powered by Apple's own M1 chip, which delivers jaw-dropping performance increases and up to 18 hours of battery life. The laptop’s 13-inch screen is sharp, colorful, and outshines the previous Air in every way possible. Its bezels aren’t as thin as those found on some Windows laptops, but you’ll love its larger trackpad and smaller footprint.
As you’d expect from an Apple laptop, the new MacBook Air offers a premium build quality — and surprisingly enough, the computer is made of 100% recycled aluminum. It would make an excellent laptop for a college student or someone who travels frequently.
Read More: Our Full Review of Apple’s Newest MacBook Air
8
Our Favorite Touchscreen Chromebook
Chromebook x360 Mini Laptop
Key Specs
- CPU: Intel Pentium Silver N5000 processor (dual-core)
- Display: 14-inch HD Display
- Memory: 4GB of RAM, 64GB eMMC storage
- Connectivity: Two USB-C ports, 1 USB Type-A, microSD card reader
- Battery Life: 12 hours
The HP x360 is an elegant and incredibly versatile Chromebook with a premium build. It has a 360-degree hinge, so you can fold it back and use it as a tablet.
The notebook comes with the lesser Intel Celeron N4000 processor and only 4GB of RAM. More RAM means better, less sluggish multitasking: Because of this, I recommend Chromebooks with Intel Core processors, but this laptop should be plenty capable for students who do light web browsing, quick photo editing, and the occasional Netflix binge.
All models have a microSD card slot handy for expanding storage when you need to load up on movies before a long road trip. Even better, you can average about 13 hours of battery life on a single charge — an impressive feat for a laptop this portable.
If a touchscreen isn’t important to you, consider the HP Chromebook 14 Series, which has similar specs for a lower price point.
9
Best Budget 2-in-1
Chromebook Spin 311 Convertible Mini Laptop
- More versatile than the competition
- Has plenty of ports
- Only 32GB of storage space
Key Specs
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 processor (dual-core)
- Display: 11.6-inch HD screen
- Memory: 4GB of RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage
- Connectivity: Two full USB ports, two USB-C, microSD card reader
- Battery Life: 10 hours
This two-in-one hybrid laptop sports an attractive and portable design. It's equipped with a better processor than the similar Lenovo Chromebook C330, weighs only 3 pounds, and is less than an inch thick.
The mini laptop is equipped with an 11.6-inch display that's large and bright enough to watch movies and shows. Even better? It’s made with Corning Gorilla Glass, which won't scratch as easily.
Of course, since the laptop is a two-in-one, you can use it like a traditional laptop, a tablet with its touchscreen, rotated for showing presentations, or like a tent (pictured) when space is limited — such as on an airplane tray or when you just want to watch movies.
Despite being a budget laptop, Acer outfitted the laptop with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a MicroSD slot for additional storage. The computer has an impressive 10-hour battery life, making it a great option for those constantly on the go.
10
Best Chromebook Under $500
Chromebook Flex 5 Mini Laptop
Key Specs
- CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i3 (dual-core)
- Display: 13-inch Full HD touchscreen
- Memory: 4GB of RAM, 64GB eMMC
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, 2 USB-C ports, USB-A port
- Battery Life: 10 hours
Lenovo’s Chromebook Flex 5 is our favorite Chrome OS laptop for less than $500. It has a sleek design, a sharp 360-degree touchscreen, a backlit keyboard, plenty of power for a fast and fluid user experience, and access to Android apps via the Google Play store. Weighing less than 3 pounds, the 13-inch Chromebook is also impressively portable.
The best part? The product’s versatile display hinge allows it to instantly transform from a traditional laptop to a big-screen tablet. An optional Lenovo digital pen makes the Flex 5 a surprisingly capable tool for conquering productivity tasks, as well as creative projects.
Thanks to its dual-core Intel processor, it's a cheap laptop that's built to last and deliver a reliable performance for years. Its onboard wired and wireless connectivity features are just as dependable, making it as futureproof as possible.
More: The Best Chromebooks Worth Your Attention
Brandon Carte
Senior Electronics Editor
Brandon Carte has been the technology editor at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been covering the latest gadgets and scouring the internet for the greatest deals; His tech reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com and USA Today.
Stefan Vazharov
Senior Technology Editor
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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