The 5 Best 13-inch Laptops Reviewed
Although PCs were all the rage way back when, that is no longer the case. 13-inch laptops are an increasingly popular device from which to work, game, and use for social media and general browsing. A 13-inch laptop combines the abilities of a PC with the user-friendly nature of a laptop. Not too big and not too small, this is the perfect device for anyone with a busy lifestyle who needs to take their device on the go with them.
Unlike laptops of the past, new models of 13-inch laptops bring large amounts of storage, high speed core processors and fantastic longevity to your user experience. You can take these compact but user-friendly laptops anywhere, from coffee shops, to trains, planes, or just from your desk to your couch!
During the coronavirus pandemic, many people who previously worked in offices using company devices are now working from home on their own computer. This is the perfect time to upgrade, as there is no telling when we will all be back in the office as normal. If you are sick of using your slow, old laptop or you simply want a more capable device to work to the best of your ability, read on to find out the five best 13-inch laptops on the market right now!
Best 13-inch Laptops
1. Dell XPS 13
This brand new Dell model is all the range online right now. Cut from aluminium with Gorilla Glass 6, the materials alone are enough to pique your interest in this laptop. Built with a 10th Generation Intel Core i7, this laptop has powerful processing abilities that are likely to last for years on end.
You don’t need to worry about this laptop overheating. There’s nothing worse than hearing your laptop heave and feeling it overheat on your knee or the desk! The Dell XPS 13 has dual fans located over a wide surface area within the laptop structure.
All these fantastic internal specs work seamlessly to create an easy and long lasting user experience that cuts above similar models on the market.
Other features of this laptop include touch-ID switch on and login button, a lightweight and thin appearance and stunningly vibrant graphics. Dell’s newest 13-inch model is the perfect solution to working from home and on the go, combining all these factors for an amazing laptop you can rely on.
Simon, an Amazon reviewer, wrote, “Battery is outstanding if you compare to “any” product of this size. I know specs and read reviews but let me tell you this is your go to laptop for mobility, performance, and work.”
Dell’s reputation precedes them, so don’t sleep on this fabulous new model from an iconic brand that can level up your technology game for good.
- Precision cut from a block of aluminum in two pieces so there is no variability in construction.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 6 is tough, damage resistant, durable, elegant and allows for no flex in its display.
- Dual fans separated to spread heat over a larger area, to dual heat pipes to hidden exhaust venting through the hinge,
- The power button lets you log on with just a touch
- A 2.25mm high quality HD webcam gives you the best camera experience.
2. Apple MacBook Pro
The Apple MacBook Pro is probably the most famous, or infamous, model of laptop out there. Some people love Macs and some people despise them, but whatever your position on Apple products, the new Apple MacBook Pro is definitely worth considering.
Why is the new MacBook worth it? The proof is in the specs. Unlike the Dell model, Apple’s latest MacBook requires no external SD card – its 256GB or mighty 512GB capacity will serve you quite well we think!
Apple has created many versions of the MacBook Pro in the past, but this all-new model features their first ever chip designed specifically for Mac products. The M1 chip integrates multiple systems into one chip, giving this laptop exceptional performance in all areas.
Mac’s typically stunning graphics don’t fail to deliver on this model – MacOS Big Sur, their latest operating system, features a new layout designed for an enhanced user experience. With up to 20 hours of battery life on this new model, there isn’t much to feel sorry about when it comes to this Apple MacBook Pro!
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the new Apple MacBook Pro has made the list!
- Apple-designed M1 chip for a giant leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Get more done with up to 20 hours of battery life, the longest ever in a Mac
- 8-core CPU delivers up to 2.8x faster performance to fly through workflows quicker than ever
- 8-core GPU with up to 5x faster graphics for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 16-core Neural Engine for advanced machine learning
3. ASUS ZenBook 13
While ASUS is not as common a household name as Dell or Apple, this mighty 13-inch laptop is a punch in the market right now. With almost 1000 five star reviews featured on Amazon, the proof is in the customers’ ravings about the new ASUS ZenBook 13.
Operating on Windows 10 Pro, this ASUS 13-inch laptop is a great alternative to purchasing an Apple product. With a 512GB hard disk able to carry a hefty file load, this ZenBook is perfect for work, gaming, or as a first laptop for a teenager who is currently studying at home.
Featuring an ASUS-original design of the ErgoLift hinge, this laptop is perfect for those who suffer with RSI or other difficulties when typing. The keyboard of this 13-inch laptop is slightly tilted to maximize wrist comfort while you work or game. Featuring a dual-function touchpad that is separate from the keyboard itself, this laptop is not to be underestimated.
Not only this, but the ASUS ZenBook 13 comprises a military-grade body. This laptop is tested under rigorous conditions that mimic day to day travel, wear and tear, knocks and scuffs; all to ensure that you can rely on this sturdy machine to accompany you wherever you need to go!
- Powerful & fast for effortless on-the-go computing: 8th generation Intel Core i7-8565U processor, 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD & 16GB RAM
- Durable & reliable: meets the ultra-demanding MIL-STD-810G military standard for reliability and durability, undergoing a punishing testing regime
- Long battery life: powered by a high-capacity battery that won’t let you down
- Exclusive ErgoLift design: an engineering masterpiece designed to automatically tilt the keyboard to the most comfortable typing position, plus it improves cooling and audio performance
- Professional Grade: use Windows your way with Windows 10 Professional and hardware TPM security
4. Apple MacBook Air
Just like the MacBook Pro, Apple’s newest model of MacBook Air with Apple M1 Chip is one to watch for your potential future laptop. At 13 inches wide, but comprising a lighter weight than the Pro, Apple’s MacBook Air is perfect for university students, office workers, nomadic travelling writers or school students.
Forgot your charger at home? No problem. The latest Apple MacBook Air has up to 18 hours of battery life; this astonishing longevity allows for flexible charging schedules and won’t let you down on a long work day.
As described with the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air is one of Apple’s first models to contain the M1 chip, designed specifically for Mac products. This chip is stated to be an incredible addition to Apple’s already-slick but often criticised operating systems.
One Amazon reviewer, R, went the extra mile. They wrote,
“Let me start this off by saying I was very skeptical. Lifelong Windows user, I’ve only had an iPod touch (2011) and very briefly an iPhone 6 (I think). I also have pretty demanding needs as far as day to day laptop use goes.
This thing has handled everything I’ve thrown at it so far. The only drawback is that my current model only has 8GB RAM, but if you’re conscious about what you have open it’s not an issue; even with more intensive programs like Photoshop or Unreal Engine 4. Neither of which are even optimized for the platform yet, which as stated in the title, is really impressive.”
Even the skeptics are raving about this model. Could it be your next 13-inch laptop?
- All-Day Battery Life – Go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Powerful Performance – Take on everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming with ease. The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation while using way less power.
- Superfast Memory – 8GB of unified memory makes your entire system speedy and responsive. That way it can support tasks like memory-hogging multitab browsing and opening a huge graphic file quickly and easily.
- Stunning Display – With a 13.3 inch Retina display, images come alive with new levels of realism. Text is sharp and clear, and colors are more vibrant.
- Why Mac – Easy to learn. Easy to set up. Astoundingly powerful. Intuitive. Packed with apps to use right out of the box. Mac is designed to let you work, play, and create like never before.
5. Dell Inspiron 13
If you are searching for a cost-effective laptop under $1000, the Dell Inspiron 13 has got you covered. This laptop is an ideal starter computer for youngsters, or for anyone who is looking for a simple, durable, reliable machine that does what it says on the tin.
Dell has a long standing reputation of being a market favourite, and it is simply due to the reliability and sturdiness of their laptops. The Dell Inspiron 13 might not be the most astonishingly sleek or beautiful model, but its trusty Windows 10 Home OS and i5-470k CPU model makes up for the elegance lost.
The Dell Inspiron 13 comprises both a standard laptop and touch screen function, meaning it can be easily used for design, touch typing and in-meeting modifications to presentations and similar things. Its dual ability to act as a tablet and laptop makes this laptop surprisingly versatile compared with the other laptops in this countdown! Plus, with a price tag at well under $1000, the Inspiron 13 is by far the most cost-effective model on the list.
Andres C on Amazon writes, “Good laptop for college. […] It’s very sleek, very light, quick to boot up, it has a long battery life, and overall very convenient to have and carry around.”
Need we say more?
- Dell Inspiron 2 in 1 laptop
- Weight: 3. 220 lbs
- System Ram Type: Ddr4 Sdram
13-inch Laptops vs. 15-inch Laptops
Choosing between 13 and 15-inch laptops can be a hard decision. On one hand, 15-inch laptops usually have higher specs, more screen real estate, and better battery life. On the other hand, the smaller laptops tend to be lighter, more portable, and less expensive. Ultimately, the right size to get will depend on what you need out of your laptop. For more information about how 13-inch laptops compare to 15-inch laptops, watch this video:
Conclusion
Within this list you can find three different brands who are doing the most in the 13-inch laptop market in 2022. Whether you choose a Windows or Mac OS, a touch-screen model or a traditional laptop, or opt for lightness over graphics, you know you can find exactly what you need for your next laptop purchase.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced us all to rely further on our technology. Don’t let this opportunity to upgrade go to waste; if you are battling an old machine and need to take the plunge and start afresh, use this guide to help you figure out your priorities.
All these 13-inch laptops comprise all you need in a computer; durability, long battery life, portability, high speed processing and graphics to boot. Don’t compromise, level up. You, your work and your gaming experiences are worth the investment.