The 10 best mini laptops to get work done anytime, anywhere
Whether you want a cheap Chromebook or a versatile two-in-one laptop, I found the best mini laptops for every use-case and budget.
Whether you want a cheap Chromebook or a versatile two-in-one laptop, I found the best mini laptops for every use-case and budget.
Editor's Note: We reviewed our current recommended picks to ensure they are in stock, available, and accurately priced. We are confident that these are the best mini laptops on the market as of July 2022.
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 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.
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, , or your 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 and 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.