The lightest laptops and ultrabooks in 2020 – the complete updated list

For me, a laptop’s overall weight is one of my main concerns when shopping for something that’s supposed to be highly portable, something I’ll constantly grab along to work or school or during my commute. In fact, a lightweight and sturdy build matter more than having the most compact footprint or the thinnest chassis, although these normally come side by side.

Manufacturers rarely advertise the weight of their devices, but since I’d reckon many of you out there are interested in this sort of lightweight computers, I’ve put together a few lists of the lightest options you can find in stores all around the world based on a couple of criteria. We’re looking at regular clamshell ultrabooks, 2-in-1 convertibles, Windows tablets, and a few Chromebooks, snappy and well-priced options for everyday use these days.

The latest versions of each device are included in these lists, which I update periodically with new entries.

To make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for, I’ve split the post into several different sections, starting with:

• the lightest overall laptops that weigh less than 2.2 pounds (or 1 kg),
• a couple of ultracompact options under 2.6 pounds (or 1.2 kg),
• as well as lists of the lightest sub-14-inch, 15-inch, and 16 & 17-inch laptops.

We’re doing our best to keep the article up-to-date, but if you spot anything that’s light enough to be included and is not, please tell us about it in the comments section at the end of the article so we can add them up.

I’ve also included details on the hardware specs, screen size, and battery size for each unit, and the latter is particularly important, as some units skimp on battery size in order to weigh that little, and that’s not something I’d be comfortable sacrificing on my everyday computer.

Ultra-lightweight laptops under 2.2 pounds / 1 Kg

These are the lightest computers you can find in stores these days that weigh less than 1 kilo. I’ve included mostly complete laptops in here, but also a few tablets that keep under the 1 kilo limit with their included keyboard folios/docks.

Some of the lightest uncompromised laptops of this generation: Fujitsu LifeBook UH90, Lenovo THinkPad X1 Carbon and the HP ProBook Aero

Ultra-Compact options that weigh less than 1.2 kilos

This is a list of mini ultrabooks, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1s with sub-13-inch displays that weigh between 2.2 and 2.6 lbs (1 to 1.2 kg).

The lightest 13 and 14-inch ultrabooks under 1.2 kilos

This section includes lightweight 13 to 14-inch laptops that weigh between 2.2 and 2.6 lbs (1 to 1.2 kg).

Check out my detailed article on 13-inch ultraportables for more lightweight options.

The lightest 15-inch laptops under 4 lbs (1.8 kilos)

While full-size 15-inch laptops are not primarily designed with a lightweight chassis in mind, some of you might actually want a thin-and-light laptop with a bit more power and a larger screen, that’s why I’ve compiled the following list of 15-inch notebooks that weigh less than 4 pounds (roughly 1.8 kilos).

However, you’ll find two types of laptops in this class. On one hand, there are the 15-inch models based on Intel Core U hardware, and I’ve only included those options that weigh less than 3.5 lbs in this class. On the other, there are the more powerful models built on Core Hor Ocre U platforms and mid to high-level dGPUs, and in this case, I’ve included those that weigh 4 lbs or less.

There’s also a wide range of 15-inch laptops that weigh between 4 and 4.4 lbs, including both multimedia and gaming models. Check out this post for my detailed list of recommended 15-inch portable laptops.

The lightest 16 and 17-inch laptops

In case you’re interested in a lightweight large-screen laptop, the following table includes the few portable 16 and 17-inch notebooks out there. The limit is set at 5 lbs (2.25 kg) for 16-inch models and 5.5 lbs (2.5 Kg) for 17-inch models, regardless of the hardware specs.

Some of the lightest 17-inch laptops: MSI GS75 Stealth, Dell XPS 17, and the LG gram 17

Here’s a short glossary of the terms mentioned above:

• Types:
  • Ultrabook: standard shaped clamshell computer;
  • Convertible: 2-in-1 laptop with 360-degree convertible display;
  • Detachable: 2-in-1 laptop with detachable stand-alone display;
  • Chromebook – a laptop running Google’s ChromeOS operating system;
  • Business – everyday laptop with a tougher chassis and a few features that make it best fir for business environments (fingerprint readers, vPRO, TPM, etc);
  • Multimedia – complete all-day performance laptops meant for daily use, demanding work-loads and light gaming;
  • Workstation – performance laptops meant for demanding work-loads and creative work;
  • Gaming – ultraportables with powerful graphics chips, able to deal with games;

Wrap up

This pretty much wraps up these lists of lightweight and portable laptops. I might have left some of them out, so if you spot anything that’s missing and should be in here, let me know in the comments below.

Furthermore, for more details about ultrabooks, check out all the other articles here on the site. And if you have any questions or need any help picking the best thin-and-light laptop for your needs, drop me a line in the comments section or by email, I’ll be around to reply.

The post The lightest laptops and ultrabooks in 2020 – the complete updated list appeared first on UltrabookReview.com