Best 13-inch laptops
In many ways, a 13-inch laptop is the perfect size for a portable PC; they’re not as fiddly and squint-inducing as netbooks, but not as heavy and awkward as a full-on notebook.
And, there are plenty of PC and Mac options available, too.
For a broader view, look at our best laptops in the world today. But whatever you do, read on to find our favourite 13-inchers of the past few months in no particular order.
1. Dell XPS 13
A revolution in laptop design
CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-6200U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) | Storage: 256GB SSD
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Gorgeous bezel-less display Strong performance No Ethernet port Off-center webcam
Fortunately for us, the XPS 13 isn’t all beauty and no brains. This laptop features the horsepower to make work and play enjoyable, and it has just enough battery life to never leave you in a lurch. Regardless of whether you choose to upgrade to the touchscreen quad HD+ version, or if you stand pat with the full HD model, the Dell XPS 13 will provide you with a delightful experience for years to come.
2. 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
The smallest MacBook Pro is a force of nature
CPU: 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel Iris Graphics 6100 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch IPS, 2,560 x 1,600 pixels | Storage: 128GB SSD
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Faster processor Superb battery life Force Touch underdeveloped Unchanged design
Though it may not have the 12-inch MacBook’s slick design, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina features Apple’s Force Touch Trackpad that uses different levels of sensitivity instead of mechanical buttons to make clicks. Solid Apple build quality, a great display and decent levels of performance across the board make the new MacBook Pro with Retina one of the safest bets on a 13-inch laptop today.
3. Lenovo Yoga 900
Lenovo’s flagship Ultrabook bends to your will
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, up to QHD+ 3,200 x 1,800 IPS display | Storage: 512GB SSD
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Gorgeous display Slim design Shallow keyboard No pen input
Lenovo practically invented the convertible laptop with its Yoga product line, and the Yoga 900 bears the fruits of its labors throughout the years. Equally as sleek as the Yoga 900 yet packing the power of Intel’s Core-series processors, it piles brains, beauty and brawn into one delightful package.
4. Asus ZenBook UX305
A truly excellent ultrabook at a very agreeable price point
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, up to QHD+ 3,200 x 1,800 IPS display | Storage: 512GB SSD
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Vibrant, glare-free screen Excellent keyboard and trackpad Weak sauce graphics Tinny speakers
The ZenBook UX305 is a well-built, fully metal machine that’s thin, light and attractive. Now available with Intel’s full-fat Core i-series processors in addition to the usual Core M chips, the UX305’s astonishing value makes it hard to ignore. Updated with a gorgeous QHD+ display, it stands out as a shining example of a computer that offers power and portability in a small package that doesn’t break the bank.
5. 13-inch MacBook Air
The best battery life in a 13-inch laptop
CPU: 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 6000 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, LED-backlit glossy display (1,440 x 900) | Storage: 256GB SSD
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Fantastic battery life 802.11ac Wi-Fi No Retina screen Not easily upgradeable
In 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. If you don’t like the look of its lowly 1,440 x 900 pixel-resolution display, there’s always the 12-inch MacBook – and new MacBook Air models are expected to launch this summer.
Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article
Source: techradar.com