INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
These days, having a laptop is almost essential, but there’s only one reason to own the best 13-inch laptop: 15-inch laptops are just too
The best 13-inch laptops are the new standard for notebook displays, and with good reason
It’s enough for gaming, and it’s enough for work – and everything in between
And, because it’s the most common laptop size around these days, there is a wide variety of 13-inch laptops to cull through.The Dell XPS
13 is, by far, one of the best laptops ever made, having won TechRadar’s Best in Class award three years running
However, we can also understand why someone would prefer the HP Spectre x360 or even the MacBook Air
While the XPS 13 is beautiful and thin without losing performance, these other laptops aren’t hindered by unfortunate webcam placements
What’s more, all of these laptops do different things.In the end, what makes for the best 13-inch laptop is largely personal preference
Do you want a more traditional laptop that does its job well or a 2-in-1 laptop that gives you tablet mode What about a machine that runs
macOS High Sierra instead of Windows 10 You’ll find choices with all these qualities and more here as we run through the best 13-inch
The only facet they all share is their screen size – everything else varies by entry
Dell XPS 13Best-in-class like you’ve never seen it beforeCPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB
– 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSDGorgeous new designImpressive
performanceWhite option is pricierStill gotta’ move that webcamIts changes are subtle, and yet the Dell XPS 13 is still the best 13-inch
On the high end, it now offers a 4K display, for a sharper picture across the board
But even if you can’t afford higher tier configurations, the beautiful design, lengthy battery life and even the SD card slot are still
there – plus you’ve got a quad-core processor no matter what poison you pick
Better yet, the 13.3-inch display of the XPS 13 has been squeezed into a smaller frame, which explains Dell’s marketing line: ‘the
world’s smallest 13-inch laptop.’ Now stew on that, as you admire the Dell XPS 13’s gorgeous, albeit more expensive, Alpine White
finish. Read the full review:Dell XPS 132
Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch)Bigger isn’t always better: a memoirCPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD 620 – Nvidia
GeForce GTX 1060 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense display | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSDVery good battery
lifePowerful Very expensive Not as powerful as 15-inch modelAs much as its performance pales in comparison to its all-powerful 15-inch
counterpart, everything else about the 13.5-inch version of the Surface Book 2 is perfect for the mobile workhorse user environment
Whether you’re a professional or a creative, the Microsoft Surface Book 2, with its more compact flare, rocks an aesthetic that’s just
as exquisite as its predecessor
What’s better, the dynamic fulcrum hinge is stronger than you remember, which only complements its robust, quad-core processor. Read the
full review:Microsoft Surface Book 23
Razer Blade StealthFancy an Ultrabook for more than just gamersCPU: Dual-core – quad-core Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
– Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) LED-backlit IGZO touchscreen | Storage: 256GB – 1TB
SSDLarger, brighter displaySubtler aesthetics on gunmetal versionShorter and shorter battery lifeNo 4K display option in sightYou wouldn’t
expect a laptop made by one of the biggest names in PC gaming to be thinner and lighter than a MacBook Pro, and yet here we are
The Razer Blade Stealth – in its all-new gunmetal finish – boasts not only a gorgeous and practical aesthetic, what with its 400-nit
display brightness and full-size USB 3.0 ports, but it also has a few tricks up its sleeves to make it perform faster
At long last, the 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Refresh have made it into the newly 13.3-inch version of the Razer Blade Stealth
Though it received a ding on the battery life, an Ultrabook this fast is worth a 16-minute shorter use time on a single charge.Read the full
review:Razer Blade Stealth4
HP Spectre x360 Proving the pen is mightier than the swordCPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB
– 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSDStylus includedStunning featuresWeak
hingesAnnoying keyboard layoutFor those who prefer premium quality parts over exceptional affordability, the HP Spectre x360 contains
everything you could ever ask for from a 2-in-1 without compromise
Weighing only 2.78 pounds (1.26kg) and measuring just over half an inch thick, it’s as light as it is thin
Plus, with up to a 4K screen and 8th-generation Intel processors paired with integrated UHD graphics, it’s one of the best ways to
experience high quality video streaming as well as 720p gaming on a hybrid
That goes without mentioning the ports, of which there are plenty
You’ll get two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 connections in addition to USB 3.1 Type-A, a welcome variety to say the least.Read the full review:HP
Samsung Notebook 9Great performance on the cheap CPU: Dual-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen:
13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED anti-reflective display | Storage: 256GB SSDThin, smart stylingCompetitively pricedMicro-sized video
portsShort battery lifeWhile Samsung may not be well known for its laptops – beyond its Tab Pro S convertible, at least – Samsung’s
follow-up to the 2012 Series 9 Notebook has impressive performance at a competitive price
Marketed as an Ultrabook, it’s certainly disheartening to know it can only last 5 hours in between charges, but given its beautiful
design, it almost doesn’t matter
As a bonus, with the Samsung Notebook 9, you won’t have to deal with the bloatware that makes many other Windows laptop the target of
derision on tech forums. Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this
Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Dell XPS 13 6
Samsung Notebook 7 SpinDifferent, but not forgottenCPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB | Screen:
13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED with touch panel | Storage: 256GB SSDExcellent keyboardLong battery lifeFuzzy 480p webcamStylus not
includedEveryone hates change
However, while the 15.6-inch frame of the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin we once knew will soon be erased from our memories forever, the new
13.3-inch model doesn’t seem like a terrible upgrade
It’s bounced two generations into the future in terms of processing power, and although there are no discrete graphics present, we’re
glad to see a keyboard that can compete with some of the heavier hitters
It’s nothing revolutionary, yet as far as hybrid notebooks go, this one ain’t too shabby (plus it’s cheaper than a weaker MacBook
Pro).Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 7 SpinThis product is only available in the US at the time of this writing
UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Surface Laptop 7
Surface LaptopMicrosoft’s most direct shot at the MacBook yetCPU: 7th generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
– Iris Plus Graphics 640 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 2,256 x 1,504 PixelSense display | Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSDGorgeous
designWell builtWindows 10 S is limitedNo USB-CThe Surface Laptop is Microsoft’s first stab at a 'traditional' laptop, if you can even
call it that knowing full well that its PixelSense touchscreen and Alcantara keyboard are anything but conventional
Featuring a full stack of U-series 7th generation Intel Core i processors, the Surface Laptop beats out Apple’s 12-inch MacBook any day of
the week, and for a lower starting price at that
Despite the ports and operating system being limited, the Surface Laptop is appealing for its laudable design, beautifully vivid screen and
impressive performance. Read the full review: Surface Laptop8
Lenovo Yoga 920Versatile with a generous helping of eleganceCPU: Quad-core Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM:
8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.9-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSDLovely designThinLacks graphical
powerKeyboard still annoys in tablet formAs 2-in-1 laptops have become more prevalent in recent years, their manufacturers have been
improving them at a nigh-equal pace
This rings true for few laptop makers more than it does for Lenovo, however, who has taken the liberty of crafting drop-dead gorgeous
convertibles with standout watch band-like hinges, much like that of the Yoga 920
This rendition of Lenovo’s increasingly popular brand of hybrids sees the integration of USB-C ports, a centered webcam and, perhaps more
interestingly, an 8th-generation Intel quad-core processor regardless of which configuration you opt for
It does purr more loudly than expected, and tablet mode could use some work, but the Lenovo Yoga 920 is ultimately worth its price of
admission.Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920 9
13-inch MacBook AirThe best battery life in a 13-inch laptop CPU: Dual-core Intel Core i5 – Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 6000 |
RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, LED HD (1,440 x 900) | Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSDFantastic battery life802.11ac Wi-FiNo Retina screenNot
easily upgradeableIn a market densely populated with slim-line laptops from a massive range of manufacturers, Apple's MacBook Air fights on
admirably – though it started showing its age on the outside a long time ago
It has Intel's fifth-generation Core-series processors rather than the newest Skylake variants, but it's still a capable machine; even more
so since Apple made 8GB of RAM standard across the line.Read the full review: 13-inch MacBook Air10
13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch BarThe smallest MacBook Pro is a force of nature CPU: Dual-core Intel Core i5 – Core i7 | Graphics: Intel
Iris Plus Graphics 640 – 650 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch IPS, 2,560 x 1,600 pixels | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSDFaster
processorSuperb battery lifeForce Touch underdevelopedUnchanged designThe latest iteration of Apple’s seminal MacBook Pro series is here,
and as you would expect it makes a number of notable improvements over last year’s offering
While it might not exactly feature the strongest battery life in the game (scoring under an hour less than last year’s offering), it does
offer increased performance by way of a new CPU and faster RAM
Add that to Apple’s continued dedication to simplicity and beautiful design and you have a laptop that is sleek, portable and reliable
Read the full review:Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2017)Joe Osborne and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this
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