Top 10 Best 13 Inch Laptops 2020 (Best Portable Laptops)
Looking to get yourself a 13-inch laptop but still confused with the many options with different screen sizes? Well, that’s what we’re here for. Right from Windows laptops like Dell’s XPS series and Surface Book 2 to Apple’s MacBook Pro, there are a lot of the best 13-inch laptops available for purchase, but the first thing you should keep in mind is the use case scenario. For example, a student has different needs than what an entrepreneur or writer would say.
With that in mind, we shared what to look for when determining your next laptop screen size.
All 15 ”and 17” laptops are sturdy but at the same time carrying it on the go is a real job, not to mention working on the go. The other thing to note is based on the simple fact that not all users need a laptop with a large screen that excels in brute force. Sure, 15-inch devices have a playable size screen packed with great hardware, but imagine a writer or businessman working on a powerful 15-inch laptop without actually using it to its full potential.
Next up, the 11-inch ultra-portable laptops built for work on the go are strikingly weak. While these laptops provide users with portability, they cannot be relied upon for productivity tasks as they lack performance.
So what is the optimal screen size that also makes up a balanced laptop?
They are 13-inch laptops.
Laptops with a 13-inch screen are more comfortable to carry because they are lightweight, although that doesn’t mean they compromise on power. It’s well equipped to handle tasks ranging from simple writing to editing photos and videos, and even gaming.
To make it easy for our readers, we have carefully selected a few of the 13-inch laptops that we consider to be the best laptops one can buy right now.
Best 13 Inch Laptops – Top Picks
1. Dell XPS 13 (Best Selection Overall)
The Dell XPS 13 is quite possibly the smallest 13-inch laptop, a neat device, and a machine just as powerful. The XPS 13 comes in various configurations for users to choose from. From around $ 900 to $ 2000, the XPS 13 offers a choice between a 13.3-inch Full HD + display (touch or no touch) or a 13.3-inch InfinityEdge Touch display with 4K UHD + resolution (3840 x 2400 pixels).
However, depending on the type of usage, some components may be upgraded by the user. For normal to mid-range use-case scenarios, the XPS 13 with the 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor is a value-for-money option. However, for the most demanding tasks, we suggest using the variant with the 10th generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor. Likewise, the 8GB RAM with 256GB SSD makes up for a fairly good configuration but users have the option to choose up to 16GB RAM and 2TB SSD as we mentioned earlier, The most value-for-money offering is the XPS 13 with Core i5 and 8GB of RAM that caters to students and business people alike.
Dell’s XPS 13 (2020) comes in two colours, standard platinum silver with black carbon fibre palm rest and all-new frosting finishes with alpine white woven fibreglass comfort rest. The laptop’s body is made of CNC milled aluminium, and the screen is topped with a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass. 6. The XPS 13 has a full-size backlit keyboard. All this makes the Dell XPS 13 the most balanced 13-inch laptop, so don’t let this slim profile make you think otherwise.
| Hardware Specifications of Dell XPS 13 9300 (2020) | |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1035G1 1.0 GHz Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 3.6 GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4 3733MHz RAM |
| Storage | 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Display | 13.4 Inch Full HD+ InfinityEdge Display (1920 x 1200) |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 Hours |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs |
2. Microsoft Surface Book 2 (Best 2-in-1)
Surface Book 2 is a premium laptop that’s easy to work on while on the move. It features a 13.3-inch PixelSense touch screen. The screen can also be separated from the rest of the body and left in tablet mode. Use the Surface Precision Mouse, Surface Pen, and Surface Dial, and it’s a device for the creators.
For around $ 1,300, you get a 13.3-inch screen, an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. This setup is powerful and can handle intensive applications like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Autodesk SketchBook, and others. For professional users, Surface Book 2 can also be configured with an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor and a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 GPU that can even run titles like Forza 7 easily (configure it at Microsoft).
Overall, it is a perfect 13 inch 2-in-1 laptop for college students or people interested in art and design. However, its higher price tag may not make it a budget fit for everyone here.
| Hardware Specifications of Microsoft Surface Book 2 | |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-8650U 1.9GHz Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 4.2 GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR3 RAM |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 2GB DDR5 Graphics |
| Display | 13.5 Inch PixelSense Display with 3000 x 2000 Resolution |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro Creators Update 64-bit OS |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 Hours |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs |
3. Apple MacBook Pro 13
It’s probably the default 13-inch laptop for people looking to invest in a MacBook. MacBook Pro 13 is a beast as it comes with powerful 8th generation Intel processors and Touch Bar and is now standard on all 13 models. MacBook Pro is available with up to 16GB of memory, 4.7 GHz Turbo Boost thanks to the new Intel chipset, and read speeds of up to 3.2GB / s SSD depending on the storage option you choose (128GB / 256GB / 512GB) which can be customized The largest is up to 2 TB. All this is backed by up to 10 hours of battery life.
Doesn’t it contain the perfect blend of beauty and mind? Now, we get that few of you might be considering a MacBook Air. Well, it’s also a great machine but only if you don’t need professional hardware. The new MacBook Air is powered by Intel’s Y-series chipset which is good enough for everyday productivity tasks, but anything more than that would be pretty weak. However, it’s still good enough for students or anyone wanting a portable 13-inch MacBook with retina display.
Returning to MacBook Pro, it also features a new True Tone Retina display that adjusts colour according to ambient lighting for a better viewing experience. However, if you have to modify images or do anything that requires accurate colour vision, you might have to turn the True Tone feature off. The MacBook Pro 13 powered by an eighth-generation Intel Core i5 processor with Touch Bar and Touch ID starts at $ 1,299. For those who want the most powerful 13-inch MacBook, the top-of-the-line model costs $ 2,499 and comes with 512GB SSD storage.
| Hardware Specifications of MacBook Pro 13 | |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 2.4 GHz Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 4.1 GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR3 2133MHz RAM |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 |
| Display | 13.3-inch Retina True Tone Display with 2560 x 1600 Resolution |
| Operating System | macOS Catalina |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 3.02 lbs |
4. HP Envy 13t (Best Value for Money)
A beautiful HP laptop, the Envy 13t features an all-aluminium design that helps keep the laptop durable and lightweight. As such, the laptop weighs only 2.71 pounds and is extremely thin at 0.59 inches. The Envy 13t hinge has also been completely modified and now features this new design that raises the base of the laptop slightly to make room for airflow. This, in turn, raises the keyboard slightly, allowing for a comfortable typing experience.
The Envy 13t is available in several configuration packages. The default configuration, which costs less than $ 1,000, consists of a 10th-generation Intel Core i7-10510U processor with UHD Graphics support and 8GB of RAM. It features a beautiful 13.3 ”HD display with narrow bezels and 256GB SSD storage, making it one of the best value for money 13” laptops.
With the addition of $ 80, users can upgrade to Nvidia GeForce MX250 dedicated 2GB graphics that make it ultra-capable, while for $ 160 you get the default price on an additional 8GB of RAM, for a total of 16.
If a user wants a touch screen on the Envy 13t, they can get it for an additional $ 50 but that’s not the case. HP lets you bypass the Full HD display, which is why users can upgrade to a 13.3-inch 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) IPS edge-to-edge touchscreen for an additional $ 140.
All in all, the HP Envy 13t is a great and very convenient 13-inch laptop that has one of the most powerful processors. It’s customizable too, so it’s good for everyone.
| Hardware Specifications of HP Envy 13t | |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-10510U 1.8 GHz Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 4.9 GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 256GB Intel SSD with 16GB Intel Optane Memory |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics |
| Display | 13.3 inch Diagonal Full HD IPS WLED-backlit Display with 1920 x 1080 Resolution |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs |
5. Lenovo IdeaPad 730s
If you are looking for a MacBook that runs on both Windows, then the Lenovo Ideapad 730s is probably the closest thing. It has a slim look like MacBook Air and a beautiful 13-inch screen with small bezels.
The laptop is a thin and light device similar to the MacBook Air and still has a keyboard with decent travel keys. It is very comfortable to type and its touchpad is spacious with great precision.
However, performance is where the IdeaPad 730S completely outperforms the MacBook Air. It comes powered by the latest Whiskey Lake Intel processors which are much more powerful than the Y-series Intel processors on the MacBook Air. Moreover, it costs a lot less than the entry-level MacBook Air!
The Lenovo Ideapad 730s may not be the ultrabook with a unique look, but it is easily one of the most premium 13-inch Ultrabooks you can buy right now. Although it is a replica of Apple’s MacBook Air, it definitely has an improved keyboard and internal parts that provide adequate performance to get you hooked to just about anything, at least by ultrabook standards.
| Hardware Specifications of Lenovo Ideapad 730s | |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8265U 1.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 3.9 GHz, 6MB Cache) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 RAM |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD 620 Graphics |
| Display | 13-inch full HD IPS Display with 1920 x 1080 Resolution |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home 64-bit |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 2.4 lbs |
6. ASUS Chromebook 13 C300SA
This is the cheapest 13-inch laptop on our list and it’s best for casual users and content consumers whose workflow includes minimal laptop usage. The Asus Chromebook C300SA is more suitable for media consumers thanks to its speakers and a 13.3-inch HD (1366 x 768 pixels) screen.
It is powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Core Celeron N3060 processor. The CPU is supported by 4 GB of RAM and 16 GB of eMMC storage. Being a Chromebook, it runs on Google’s Chrome OS and provides up to 10 hours of battery life. It offers HDMI and USB 3.0 ports and thankfully it also has an SD card reader to expand your low storage space.
The ASUS Chromebook C300SA could be an ideal choice for college students to take notes and complete assignments and also for business people looking for a long-lasting and lightweight computer that can allow them access to the Internet and Google’s web app suite.
| Hardware Specifications of ASUS Chromebook 13 C300SA | |
| Processor | Intel Celeron N3060 1.6 GHz Dual Core Processor (Turbo up to 2.4 GHz) |
| RAM | 4GB DDR3L 1866 MHz RAM |
| Storage | 16GB eMMC (Free Google Drive 100GB Storage) |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 400 |
| Display | 13.3 inch HD Display with 1366 x 768 Resolution |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 3.1 lbs |
7. ASUS ZenBook UX331FA 13-inch Ultrabook (Best for Students)
Asus ZenBook 13 UX331FA is the company’s latest ZenBook to be powered by an 8th generation Intel Core i5-8265U processor and is backed by 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD storage. This setting makes it our pick as the best 13-inch laptop for students overall.
ZenBook 13 is just 0.55 inches thick and weighs less than 2.5 pounds thanks to the aluminum body. It features a high-definition 13.3-inch screen with minimal side edges that represent a modern laptop design. Moreover, the laptop has a backlit keyboard and it charges up to 60% in just 49 minutes.
This configuration, ideal for college students, is available for around $ 700. The other variant that brings the custom Nvidia MX150 to the table, the Asus ZenBook 13 UX334FLC-AH79, costs $ 1,000. Both types are perfect value for money offers and as such are ideal purchases for all college students looking for a 13-inch laptop under $ 1,000.
| Hardware Specifications of ASUS ZenBook 13 UX331FA-AS51 | |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8265U 1.6 GHz Quad-Core Whiskey Lake Processor (Turbo up to 3.9GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR3 RAM |
| Storage | 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display | 13.3 Inch Full HD wide-view NanoEdge Display with 1920 x 1080 Resolution |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 Hours |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs |
8. HP Spectre x360 (Best 13-inch Convertible Laptop)
If you’re a fan of convertibles, you’ll enjoy HP’s 2020 Specter x360 13-inch convertible laptop. It looks luxurious in its new design and carries that elegance with it. The Specter x360 features a 13.3-inch HD IPS touchscreen with Gorilla Glass NBT. Buyers can choose to upgrade this to a 4K screen or have it with a privacy screen to stay protected from voyeur mates.
It comes with HP active pen in the box which is perfect for taking notes and supports up to 2048 different pressure levels, so it’s also good for sketching and sketching. The base version of the Specter X360 which costs $ 1,100 is supported by an Intel Core i5-1035G4 processor, Intel Iris graphics, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage.
Experienced users can also upgrade various hardware components from processor to storage capacity. The latest version of the Specter x360 features a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage.
| Hardware Specifications of HP Spectre x360 (2020) | |
| Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G4 1.1 GHz quad-core Processor (Turbo up to 3.7 GHz, 6MB Cache) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 2133MHz RAM |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe NMVe M.2 SSD |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics |
| Display | 13.3 inch diagonal Full HD IPS micro-edge WLED-backlit multi-touch Display |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 Hours |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs |
9. LG Gram 13 (Thinnest & Lightest)
With its name, LG’s Gram 13 weighs just under a kilogram, or 2.13 pounds to be exact. It features a 13.3-inch HD IPS display that supports touch input. The Gram 13 is powered by an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor which is backed by 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The LG Gram 13 is an ultra-light laptop with a carbon-magnesium alloy body, so we understand the accompanying durability factor. However, the Gram 13 is MIL-STD-810 certified, so it’s durable and offers up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The LG Gram 13 costs around $ 1,000, so it definitely offers a lot more than its counterparts like the Dell XPS 13, but the USB-C port doesn’t support Thunderbolt 3 connections.
| Hardware Specifications of LG Gram 13 | |
| Processor | Intel 8th Generation i5-8265U Quad-Core Processor (Turbo up to 3.9 GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display | 13.3 inch Full HD IPS Touchscreen Display |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 Hours |
| Weight | 2.1 lbs |
10. Razer Blade Stealth 13 (Best 13-inch Gaming Laptop)
Distribute the best 13-inch gaming laptop available today. Razer manufactures gaming laptops that are every gamer’s dream. The Razer Blade Stealth is no different. It features a 13.3-inch screen with Full HD or 4K resolution and has wide viewing angles and excellent colour reproduction. The keyboard that the company calls Chroma Keyboard supports 16.8 million colours. A different colour for each key and I’m still with millions.
Blade Stealth is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium, then CNC milled, resulting in this neat 0.58-inch machine. The laptop is powered by an 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8565U processor at speeds of up to 4.6GHz on Turbo Boost. This is also supported by 16GB of RAM and SSD storage of your choice (256GB, 512GB, or 1TB).
As far as graphics are concerned, it has a dedicated and efficient Nvidia GeForce MX150 GPU for everyday productivity tasks and light image editing. However, if you need more power, this ultrabook also comes with a GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU or it can turn into a full beast by plugging in a Razer Core X external GPU which of course costs an extra ($ 300 at Razer Store) + GPU of your choice).
So, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 is not only the perfect laptop for the coffee table but also a machine that is well suited for professional users and gamers when connected to an eGPU. However, all of these bells and whistles come at a premium price that can run to $ 2,500 or more, making them out of the reach of budget buyers.
| Hardware Specifications of Razer Blade Stealth 13 | |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-8565U 1.8 GHz quad-core Processor (Turbo up to 4.6 GHz, 8MB Cache) |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR3 2133 MHz RAM |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe M.2 SSD |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce MX150 4GB DDR5 Graphics + Razer Core eGPU |
| Display | 13.3 Inch Full HD 60Hz Display with 100% RGB |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 11 Hours |
| Weight | 2.9 lbs |
Well, that was a really long list of laptops that currently rule the best space for 13-inch laptops. From the default option like Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Pro 13 to the Razer Blade Stealth 13 we believe is the best 13-inch gaming laptop available today. For students, we suggest the Asus ZenBook UX331FA laptop due to its affordable price, while for business professionals, we think an HP Envy 13t or Specter x360 would be ideal as it has a premium that often reflects a businessman.
There are several other options on the above list together with some for budget buyers like the ASUS Chromebook C300SA and Acer Chromebook R13, which are great for browsing the web and checking emails. Then there’s the premium 2-in-1 laptop with stylus support like the Microsoft Surface Book 2, which is a perfect fit for artists and designers.
As we said before, deciding which laptop to buy can be a daunting task. Knowing your personal use case can help you choose the best 13 ”laptop that suits your requirements and your lifestyle.
