10 Best Small Laptops For Work 2023 in all Price Ranges

Lightweight, compact and small laptop for working on the road or at home, fits in the glove compartment of your car. On budget models, you can watch a movie or edit a document, and on premium models, you can edit a video and install games. here we will discuss best small laptops for work and every purpose.

Best Small Laptops For Work

List of Best Small Laptops For Work

  1. Acer SPIN 1
  2. ASUS Vivo Book R540UB
  3. Huawei MateBook 13 2020
  4. Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3
  5. Lenovo ThinkPad E14
  6. Apple MacBook Air 13 Late 2018
  7. Lenovo THINKPAD Edge E595
  8. Apple MacBook Air 13
  9. HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 2020
  10. ASUS ZenBook 13 UX334

history of the laptop

The first laptop appeared in 1982 by order of the US government. But it was too expensive for citizens (at least $ 8 thousand) and remained unclaimed. Soon, the developers presented an improved model for $ 1,795. The device with a 5-inch screen weighed 11 kg and became widespread.

here are the Best Lightweight Laptops For Business.

Helpful tips for choosing Best Small Laptop For Work

Buy laptops only from large chain stores or directly from the manufacturer. Make sure you have a stamped warranty card so that in the event of a breakdown, the device will be taken to a service center.

Check the display for dead pixels before purchasing. Open and close the lid several times, type text on the keyboard. The laptop should not creak or make extraneous sounds. If there are small cracks, abrasions and scratches on the case, refuse to purchase.

Check with your dealer for the operating system installed. If Free MS-DOS is specified, then you will have to spend extra money to buy the software.

Best Budget Small laptops for work

Many inexpensive small laptops struggle to handle modern games with realistic graphics. But they are suitable for surfing the Internet and working with documents.

Acer SPIN 1

In the top of the smallest notebooks for work is the Acer SPIN 1. It turns into a tablet with a touch screen when rotated 360 degrees. The battery capacity is enough for editing documents in office programs during the day.

Acer SPIN 1
Pros
  • A stylus is included with the laptop
  • The hinges are strong and lock well in any position
  • Rugged housing partly made of aluminum
  • Standard set of software installed
  • HDMI output for connecting to a projector
  • Full HD video support
  • No noise due to passive cooling
  • Fully charged in 2 hours
Cons
  • Performance is not enough for many modern games
  • Hangs when working simultaneously 3-4 applications
  • Wakes up slowly from sleep
  • Heats up a lot
  • Laptop won’t go into tablet mode if reinstalling Win10 Home
  • Touchpad may hang
  • Marked screen
  • Can’t expand RAM and hard drive

The device is equipped with a highly sensitive touchscreen display. Acer SPIN 1 will not cope with video editing and “heavy” games, but it is suitable for simple racing and office programs.

Specifications
Screen diagonal11.6 ″
Screen resolution1920 x 1080
CPUIntel Celeron N3350 1.1 GHz
Video cardIntel HD Graphics 500
RAM4 GB
Battery lifeup to 9 o’clock
Weight1.5KG
Overall dimensions20 * 298 * 210mm

ASUS Vivo Book R540UB

The power of this inexpensive laptop is enough for watching movies and working in Photoshop. It automatically adjusts the fan mode, protects parts from overheating and maintains an optimal temperature. The battery charges 60% in 50 minutes.

ASUS Vivo Book R540UB
Pros
  • The fan is quiet
  • Does not overheat
  • You can increase the RAM
  • Loads quickly
  • Clear sound from built-in speakers
  • FHD screen
  • The display does not glare
  • Availability of SSD + HDD
Cons
  • Fingerprints remain on the case
  • Hangs in multitasking mode
  • No on / off indicator
  • Many games published before 2017 won’t start
  • Few connectors
  • No floppy drive
  • No LAN connector
  • Keyboard rattles when pressed

Thanks to Splendid technology, the user can quickly switch between screen settings profiles. The laptop has all standard outputs, connects to any monitor and projector.

Specifications
Screen diagonal15.6 ″
Screen resolution1920 × 1080
CPUIntelCorei3 7020U 2.3 GHz
Video cardNVIDIA GeForce MX110 2GB
RAM6 GB
Battery lifeup to 5 hours
Weight2 Kg
Overall dimensions27 * 381 * 252mm

Read also Best Laptops For Travel And Work.

Best mid price small laptops for work

Mid-range notebooks last longer than budget devices and have a more powerful processor.

Huawei MateBook 13 2020

Among 13-inch laptops, the Huawei MateBook 13 2020 stands out. Due to its 4.4 mm thick bezel, the device visually appears larger. The display takes up almost 90% of the screen surface.

Huawei MateBook 13 2020
Pros
  • Fast charging supported
  • Bright screen
  • Fingerprint embedded in the power button
  • The operating system boots in 10 seconds
  • Compatible with Huawei / Honor and Huawei One
  • Hop smartphones
  • Comfortable keyboard with large keys
  • Soft blue and white keyboard backlight
  • Touchpad responds to light touches
Cons
  • Very noisy
  • It gets very hot
  • There are highlights around the edges of the screen
  • Keyboard backlit unevenly
  • Poor sound quality
  • No USB port
  • The case squeaks when opening and closing
  • Screen glares in the light

The slim 13-inch case is made of aluminum and protects the insides from damage.

 Specifications
Screen diagonal13″
Screen resolution2160 × 1440
CPUCore i5
Video cardAMD Radeon Vega 8 / NVIDIA GeForce MX250
RAM8 GB
Battery lifeUp to 11 hours
Weight1.3KG
Overall dimensions286x211x15 mm

Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3

The small and lightweight Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3 is suitable for arranging a compact workplace for working on a laptop at home. Its performance is enough for text editing and video editing.

Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3
Pros
  • Does not make noise during operation
  • Bright LED keyboard backlight
  • Charges 50% in half an hour
  • Shock-resistant one-piece aluminum body
  • Clear sound
  • You can buy and connect a second SSD drive
  • The screen does not glare
  • Keyboard soft buttons
Cons
  • Slows down the connection to Wi-Fi
  • No card reader or network port
  • Heats up during work
  • Inconvenient location of the Home / End keys
  • Doesn’t charge from Power bank
  • The laptop will have Chinese Windows if you buy it directly from the manufacturer
  • No Russian letters on the keys in the factory configuration
  • Screen edge flares

The dual-core processor and powerful RAM ensure the work of several programs at once without freezing.

Specifications
Screen diagonal13.3 ″
Screen resolution1920 × 1080
CPUIntel Core i5 7200U 2.5 GHz
Video cardNVIDIA GeForce 940MX
RAM8 GB
Battery lifeup to 9.5 h
Weight1.31 kg
Overall dimensions16 * 310 * 211mm

Lenovo ThinkPad E14

The top 14-inch laptops for work include the Lenovo ThinkPad E14. It is the best compact laptop for work. Its audio system supports Dolby Audio and includes a built-in subwoofer. The sound is powerful, crisp, and with deep bass. Take look if you are in search of the Best Budget 2-In-1 Laptops.

Lenovo ThinkPad E14
Pros
  • Matte screen eliminates glare
  • Backlit keys
  • Eyes do not get tired of the screen during long work
  • The webcam has a security shutter
  • Pure sound
  • Waterproof keyboard
  • Coolers are almost inaudible
  • Power button combined with a fingerprint scanner
Cons
  • Fragile case
  • The work surface flexes easily when pressed
  • HDD makes crunchy sounds
  • No keyboard backlight
  • There is no slot for an additional battery
  • Marked screen
  • Powerful games won’t launch
  • No card reader

The fingerprint scanner protects the data stored on the hard drive. The owner will be able to release the lock with one touch.

Specifications
Screen diagonalfourteen”
Screen resolution1920 × 1080
CPUIntel Core i5 10210U 1.6 GHz
Video cardIntel UHD Graphics
RAM16 GB
Battery lifetill 12 o’clock
Weight1.73 kg
Overall dimensions17.9 * 325 * 232mm

Best Small laptops for premium work

Premium models cannot be bought inexpensively. But you don’t have to choose between size, power, and battery capacity. Users will be able to work in Photoshop or AutoCAD and listen to music in parallel. Laptops will not freeze.

Apple MacBook Air 13 Late 2018

This small work laptop is perfect for word processing, social networking, and watching movies. Judging by the reviews, it can handle even some modern games with powerful graphics.

Apple MacBook Air 13 Late 2018
Pros
  • Wakes up from sleep mode in 2 seconds
  • The speakers are on the sides
  • Doesn’t get warm on my knees
  • Illuminated keyboard
  • Keys responsive to light touch
  • You can buy apps with one touch of your finger on the scanner
  • Sound can be heard clearly even in noisy environments
  • Fits in the glove compartment of the car
Cons
  • Slows down Touch ID
  • Keys get greasy quickly
  • Both Thunderbolt connectors are on the left
  • Poor webcam image
  • Makes noise
  • The period and comma in the Russian layout is located at the top in a row of numbers
  • Missing MagSafe connector
  • Doesn’t connect to docking station

The high screen resolution and over 4 million pixels ensure vivid and lifelike images. And the battery will last for 8 hours of working with documents and watching a movie.

Specifications
Screen diagonal13.3 ″
Screen resolution2560 × 1600
CPUIntel Core i5-8210Y
Video cardIntel UHD Graphics 617
RAM16 GB
Battery lifeUp to 13 hours
Weight1.25 kg
Overall dimensions15.6 * 304.1 * 212.4

Lenovo THINKPAD Edge E595

A small work laptop with a powerful quad-core processor and enhanced security. Anti-glare technology reduces eye strain in low-light indoor environments.

Lenovo THINKPAD Edge E595
Pros
  • Supports multitasking
  • Silent cooling system
  • There is room for a second SSD
  • USB type-C charger available
  • The keyboard doesn’t flex
  • TrackPoint availability
  • Left and right mouse buttons are built into the touchpad
  • You can increase the RAM
Cons
  • Large touchpad (easy to touch when using the keyboard)Missing USB 3.0
  • Fingerprints remain on the aluminum cover
  • No webcam shutter
  • Keyboard is not illuminated
  • Fn button layout custom
  • Dolby Audio not included
  • Sold only with preinstalled operating system

The laptop is equipped with ports and connectors for connecting peripheral devices.

Specifications
Screen diagonal15.6 ″
Screen resolution1920 × 1080
CPUAMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 2.1 GHz
Video cardAMD Radeon RX Vega 10 / AMD Radeon Vega 8
RAM16 GB
Battery life10.3 h
Weight2.1 kg
Overall dimensions369 x 252 x 19.9 mm

Apple MacBook Air 13

Among compact notebooks for working with a good battery – Apple MacBook Air 13. The manufacturer offers a choice of three body colors: gold, silver, “space gray”.

Apple MacBook Air 13
Pros
  • Fingerprint unlock without password
  • Solid milled aluminum housing
  • Fully charged in 2 hours
  • Doesn’t make noise
  • Automatically adjusting the white balance on the screen
  • Boosted bass for more immersive sound
  • FaceTime HD camera
  • Wake up quickly from sleep
Cons
  • Overheats during operation
  • Only 2 USB ports
  • Soiled body and screen
  • Poor camcorder quality
  • Limited RAM
  • Not all programs work on mac OS
  • Gadgets of other companies are not connected
  • Mac OS fonts appear blurry

The device cannot be called cheap. But the tenth generation processor will cope well with any activity: from surfing the Internet to working in a graphics editor.

 Specifications
Screen diagonal13.3 ″
Screen resolution2560 × 1600
CPUIntel Core i5 1.1 GHz
Video cardIntel IrisPlus Graphics
RAM8 GB
Battery lifetill 12 o’clock
Weight1.29 kg
Overall dimensions16.1 * 304.1 * 212.4mm

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 2020

The best small laptops for work include the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 2020. The case is available in two colors: emerald green and gray.

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 2020
Pros
  • Sensitive touchpad
  • Includes Multiport
  • There is a Share function for fast file sharing with a smartphone
  • Does not glare in the sun
  • Touch screen
  • SSD is easy to replace with a larger one
  • Thin screen bezels
  • Does not hang under heavy load
Cons
  • The camera is located in the keyboard, so you look down on your interlocutors
  • No Dolby Atmos, and the sound is significantly worse than previous generations of HUAWEI
  • It gets pretty hot
  • Easy to scratch from the stylus pen
  • When you press the top of the screen, the lid moves
  • Due to the extension, some programs do not work correctly
  • Plastic feet do not hold the laptop
  • Keyboard back light turns off after a few seconds of inactivity

Huawei laptop and smartphone are combined into one device. The phone screen will be mirrored on the display, and files can be easily dragged and dropped with the mouse.

Specifications
Screen diagonal13.9 ″
Screen resolution3000 × 2000
CPUIntel Core i5 8265U 1.6 GHz
Video cardNVIDIA GeForce MX250 2GB
RAM8 GB
Battery lifetill 12 o’clock
Weight1.33 kg
Overall dimensions15 * 304 * 217mm

ASUS ZenBook 13 UX334

The premium models include a small ASUS ZenBook 13 UX334. Its narrow bezels make it as comfortable as a laptop with a 17-inch display. The device is equipped with a powerful processor and does not freeze in multitasking mode.
And with a finger scanner, you can make an online purchase with one touch.

ASUS ZenBook 13 UX334
Pros
  • ScreenPad availability
  • The working area is enlarged due to narrow frames
  • Silent keyboard
  • Glare-free matte screen
  • When open, the keyboard tilts at a comfortable angle
  • Utilities for ScreenPad developed
  • Pure sound from Harman Kardon speakers
  • Voice control system works
Cons
  • Does not support PowerBank charging
  • The fan makes a loud noise
  • Smaller keyboard than previous ASUS models
  • Docking station won’t connect
  • You will not be able to use all the capabilities of the video card without installing additional coolers
  • Key labels are not clearly visible due to bright keyboard backlighting
  • The cable comes out of the power supply at a right angle and breaks over time
  • Small Shift Button

You don’t have to purchase a branded case. It comes in the kit.

Specifications
Screen diagonal13.3 ″
Screen resolution1920 × 1080
CPUIntel Core i7 10510U, 1.8 GHz
Video cardNVIDIA GeForce MX250 2GB
RAM8 GB
Battery lifeup to 13 hours
Weight1.3 kg
Overall dimensions17.9 * 302 * 189mm

how to maintain a laptop performance

Small notebooks require careful handling, even with a shock-resistant metal case. Do not keep the laptop on your lap or blanket for more than 30 minutes. Otherwise, the ventilation openings will be partially blocked and the device may be burned. If you enjoy watching movies while lying on your couch, buy a cooling pad.

If you need the Best Laptops For Computer Engineering Students read the article.

The inside of the laptop must be cleaned once every 1-1.5 years. Do it yourself only if you already have experience and understand the internal structure. In other cases, it is better to entrust the work to the workshop staff.

Handle the display cover with care. Do not place objects on it, do not press and open it gently, without sudden movements.

Clean the laptop screen with a cotton cloth or special cleaning wipes. Do not spray cleaning products directly onto the display or use chemicals. Cover the device after use to protect the display from dust and dirt.

Small laptops are designed for years of office and home use. Observe safety precautions and treat your devices with care to prolong their life.

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