The 9 Best Mini Laptops For Getting Things Done

best mini laptops
The 9 Best Mini Laptops For Getting Things DoneCourtesy


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What even counts as a mini laptop? It's not a real well-defined category, so Google "Best Mini Laptop," and you will get a slew of different interpretations. Here's ours: A computer—be it a true Lap-Top, or a tablet with attachable keyboard—that's got less processing power in favor of portability. We like to see screens less than 13 inches, and we're typically looking at RAM around 4 to 8GB. These are not great gaming laptops, so they won't replace your high-processing computers, nor will they be able to edit big photo or video files.

Don't think of these as replacements for your day-to-day laptop. (Unless you just want to surf the web, read emails, and stream movies or TV, in which case you don't need a very powerful computer, anyway.) For most people, these are part-time machines to supplement a more powerful full-time laptops. If you leave your main computer at the office or your WFH desk, these will be enough for your off-hours scrolling. These laptops are for lounging on the sofa with, catching up on emails in your reading chair, watching tv in bed. You get the idea.

11-inch iPad Pro

Apple, not known for their variety of product, have kiiinda made a mini laptop. No doubt because of the success other brands have had with the touchscreen, mini laptop category. The iPad Pro is the new bridge between the iPad and MacBook lines. The iPadOS 16 operating system, as well as the apps you can run, are more MacBook than iPhone. With a keyboard attachment (of course, sold separately) we put this solidly in the mini laptop category, and as such, it's one of the best you can buy.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJLBKMV8?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10054.g.40360148%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>11-inch iPad Pro</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$777.94</p>

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11-inch iPad Pro

amazon.com

$777.94

Chromebook Duet 3

This 2-in-1 Lenovo Chromebook Duet easily makes the switch from laptop to tablet. The battery lasts up to 12 hours, and it all weighs 2lbs with the keyboard attachment, making it an easy option for carrying around in a bag.

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lenovo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Flaptops%2Flenovo%2Flenovo-edu-chromebooks%2Fideapad-duet-3-chromebook-%2811-inch-qcom%29%2Flen101i0034&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.esquire.com%2Flifestyle%2Fg40360148%2Fbest-mini-laptops%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Chromebook Duet 3</p><p>lenovo.com</p><p>$379.00</p>

Chromebook Spin 513

The 360-degree hinge on this Acer Chromebook kinda makes it a toy you can also do work. on. It's a good option for people who like changing up their working or entertainment positioning from sitting at a desk to sitting on the floor to straight up sprawled out on the couch. You can use the computer as a notebook, stand-up display, tent, or tablet.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SK95M4W?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10054.g.40360148%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Chromebook Spin 513 </p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$329.00</p>

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Chromebook Spin 513

amazon.com

$329.00

InfinityEdge Touchscreen Laptop

Dell's InfinityEdge laptop is on the bigger side of mini laptops, but because it's got an ultra-thin design. It has a 13-inch display—standard for laptop size—and is.5 inches in height. It weighs ‎2.7 pounds and you can whirl the keyboard around for optimal personal use. The display is touchscreen, too.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZSFXPZX?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10054.g.40360148%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>InfinityEdge Touchscreen Laptop</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$988.00</p>

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InfinityEdge Touchscreen Laptop

amazon.com

$988.00

Surface Go 3

This is, technically, a tablet. And note that the keyboard attachment that transforms it into a mini laptop is sold separately. That aside, it is a solid option with more medium-sized features, like a 10.5-inch touchscreen, 4GB of memory, and 64GB of storage. It weighs just 1.2 pounds.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093X3H44Y?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10054.g.40360148%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>Surface Go 3</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$549.99</p>

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Surface Go 3

amazon.com

$549.99

x360 Convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook

We love this HP Chromebook for students and anyone who is working in places where outlets are a precious commodity. Its battery life lasts up to 12 hours and 15 minutes (depending on how hard you're using it) and it weighs a mere 3.30 lbs.

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Fhp-14-34-convertible-2-in-1-chromebook-laptop-with-chrome-os-intel-processor-4gb-ram-64gb-flash-storage-silver-14a-ca0036tg%2F-%2FA-83240819%26intsrc%3DCATF_1444&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.esquire.com%2Flifestyle%2Fg40360148%2Fbest-mini-laptops%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>x360 Convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook </p><p>target.com</p><p>$259.99</p>

11.6" Laptop

This Asus laptop has a 11.6-inch display and barely weighs over 2-pounds. Our favorite part of this pint-sized laptop is that the touchpad turns into a numeric keypad with a few clicks, which is outstanding if you have to fire up excel and punch in some data.

<p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fasus-11-6-laptop-intel-celeron-n4020-4gb-memory-64gb-emmc-star-black%2F6498805.p%3FskuId%3D6498805&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.esquire.com%2Flifestyle%2Fg40360148%2Fbest-mini-laptops%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>11.6" Laptop</p><p>bestbuy.com</p><p>$129.99</p>

IdeaPad

Lenovo's IdeaPad is a great option for something smaller and cheaper than your regular laptop. It has a 11.6-inch display, 64GB of storage, and weighs 2.42 pounds. For an option around $100, you can't beat it.

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087YW8FQB?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10054.g.40360148%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>IdeaPad </p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$235.00</p>

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IdeaPad

amazon.com

$235.00

GPD Micro PC

Lanruo's micro PC is one of the smallest mini laptops out there, coming in at a 6-inch display. It's so perfectly reminiscent of a Sidekick. (Google it, kids) Think of it like typing on a bigger cellphone keyboard rather than a tiny laptop one. That said, it's got great specs for being far-and-away the smallest model on the list

<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QYZHM8F?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10054.g.40360148%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><p>GPD Micro PC </p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$559.99</p>

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GPD Micro PC

amazon.com

$559.99

What to Look for In a Mini Laptop?

As with buying anything, looking for the perfect small-screen laptop is a slog through ad jargon and marketing speak. To keep you on the right path, here's what to look for:

  • Power: A lot of complex stuff goes into the measurement of a computer's speed or power, but for the average consumer, you can use brand recognition. Intel is the biggest name, and it's used by almost all PC brands. (Apple used Intel Core processors until very recently.) Anything from the "Intel Core," series is their flagship and worthy of your money. Nowadays, there is big competition from Apple, because the new M2 chip is a triumph which has impressed a lot of tech nerds.

  • Size: Given the Mini Laptop category, we are worried about size here. Screens under 12-inches and weights under 3-pounds will definitely feel mini, but you have some wiggle room to go over that.

  • RAM: This is your computer's temporary storage. Kind of like its short-term memory. The short of it is that higher RAM (measured in gigabytes) makes for a more powerful, faster computer. For mini laptops, 8GB is great, and finding anything higher than that is unlikely.

  • Storage: This is what you're most familiar with. Just straight up, how much data can your computer keep. Anything above 128GB is good, above 256GB is great.

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