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Whether you are a student or a professional, a lightweight laptop is something convenient to carry while traveling, whether that is a daily commute or a trip. In an age where portable computers often weigh upwards of 8 lbs, finding a good lightweight laptop that can still do everything you need it to can be difficult. As laptop screens keep growing and GPUs keep getting chunkier, it is understandably difficult for manufacturers to keep laptops light.
Recent years have seen leaps and bounds in the performance of laptops, and more are likely to follow. This has resulted in a huge number of competitively priced devices flooding the market, often confusing those uninitiated with scanning a spec sheet to find the best option. Hence, here are five of the best laptops under 4.5 lbs to buy right now.
5 lightweight laptops to go for in 2023: Lenovo IdeaPad 3, MSI GF63 Thin, and more
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1) Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Intel Core i3 - $400
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is usually available on e-commerce platforms for less than $400. For a laptop this cheap, it comes with great specifications and even an SSD. It also has a touchscreen display, a bonus at this price. At 3.7 lbs, it is also quite light.
However, it does come with integrated graphics, though that might be expected at this price point. Some users also might dislike the off-center trackpad, but an external mouse can fix that. Others complain that the display lacks contrast, but that is easily fixed using dark mode.
It is worth noting that there is an Intel Core i5 version of this laptop, so power users should check that out. But this is the best choice for students or buyers with budget constraints.
2) MSI GF63 Thin - $800
If you want a gaming laptop that is still light enough for travel, the MSI GF63 Thin is the device for you, as it is considerably lighter than most models out there. Despite this, it has decent performance stats, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 with 4 GB of VRAM, and all the important ports.
Its 144 Hz display makes it optimal for gamers. The laptop also packs a sturdy aluminum body. However, it can get quite hot while in use, making it uncomfortable to use from one's lap. Also, its battery life isn't the best, but that is expected from a gaming laptop.
Interestingly, it ships with an Intel Core i5 11400H. The H variants are Intel's most powerful (and power-hungry) chips, so it is a pleasant surprise to see one in a relatively lightweight laptop. It is usually available for under $800 on e-commerce platforms.
3) Asus Vivobook S 14 Flip OLED - $1000
Usually available at around $1000, this laptop is a great option no matter what your needs are. The Ryzen 7 7730U is a decent processor (roughly equivalent to an Intel Core i7) that works for pretty much all users. It also has 16 GB of RAM, a miracle considering all the other features. It is quite light considering its spec sheet and its metal body. Hence, it is a device that punches above its weight.
It is a 2-in-1 laptop, meaning that you can simply fold it to turn it into a tablet (it has a 2.8K 90 Hz OLED touchscreen display). Moreover, it has Corning Gorilla Glass protection, a feature rarely found on laptops. It is also compatible with the Asus pen, making it one of the most versatile lightweight laptops in this price range.
4) Macbook Air M2 - $1400
If it's a Macbook that you are after, the Macbook Air M2 is a no-brainer. A ridiculously lightweight laptop at 2.7 lbs, it sells for around $1400. Considering that Macbooks are well-known for their hefty price tags, this is no surprise.
While it has a stellar processor, quite possibly the very best on a lightweight laptop, the 256 GB SSD is a letdown at this price. However, since it is absurdly thin - a little over a centimeter thick - this is understandable. Additionally, it lacks fans, making it heat up quickly under higher-than-usual workloads.
5) Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED - $1500
Never has the saying "you get what you pay for" been more true. Barely making this list at 4.4 lbs, it packs some of the best specifications available on a lightweight laptop. The Asus Vivobook Pro 16 OLED pairs an AMD Ryzen 9 6900H with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 TI. It ships with 32 GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD.
There are a few complaints - the 60 Hz display is unacceptable at this price range, and gamers should steer clear from it. Some people have also complained about the touchpad's sensitivity and positioning, but this is readily fixed with an inexpensive external mouse.
A 16-inch 4K OLED display with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio mated with a Harmon Kardon speaker system makes for an amazing multimedia experience. All this doesn't come cheap - it costs $1500.
Why aren't lightweight laptops for everyone?
While having a lightweight laptop might feel like a big pro, it usually has to sacrifice performance capabilities to get there. Devices that are both lightweight and powerful are not only rare but also usually very expensive.
Gaming and business laptops are almost always built like tanks, and weigh about as much, too. Hence, if you prioritize power over portability, a lightweight laptop is not for you.
