Best Portability for Laptops

If your day away from your desk, the last thing you need is a bulky laptop slowing you down or one you need to plug everywhere you go. You might also be looking to lighten up your mobile toolkit, maybe even eliminate the need to carry a bag for a tablet or netbook altogether.

This list is all about lightweight, compact laptops with long battery life without consideration for cost-effectiveness. If you're strapped for cash, scroll down to the budget section for options at below-average prices.

Easiest to Carry US$318 - US$1170

Here are the smallest, lightest and longest-lasting laptops I have on file with absolutely no regards for price:

Easiest to Carry under $500

Need something cheaper? No worries; here are the most portable laptops priced below average.

There might be some overlap with the list above, but everything down here is considered a budget-friendly laptop.

  • #3, Laptops (under $525)
    Acer Chromebook 311

    Acer Chromebook 311 from US$240;
    ~$318 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck2/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability5/5
    Autonomy3/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck4/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power2.5/5
    Storage4.5/5
    Portability4.5/5
    Autonomy1/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck1.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability4.5/5
    Autonomy2.5/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
    Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 64.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 29.60 x 19.90 x 1.82 cm
    Weight: 1.100 kg

    Pricing Accuracy

    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Best Buy site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
  • #1, Laptops (under $525)
    Acer Spin 11-inch Convertible Chromebook

    Acer Spin 11-inch Convertible Chromebook from US$360;
    ~$468 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck3/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability4.5/5
    Autonomy5/5

    by Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck4.5/5
    Versatility for the Price2.5/5
    Power3.5/5
    Storage4/5
    Portability1.5/5
    Autonomy5/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck4/5
    Versatility for the Price3/5
    Power3.5/5
    Storage4.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy5/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck2/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability4.5/5
    Autonomy5/5

    by Large Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck4/5
    Versatility for the Price2.5/5
    Power3/5
    Storage3.5/5
    Portability2.5/5
    Autonomy5/5
    Specs
    Processor: MediaTek MT8183
    Graphics: ARM Mali-G72
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 64.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 29.00 x 20.60 x 1.88 cm
    Weight: 1.200 kg

    Pricing Accuracy

    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Best Buy site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
  • #4, Laptops (under $525)
    Asus Chromebook C204MA 11-inch Chromebook

    Asus Chromebook C204MA 11-inch Chromebook from US$260;
    ~$338 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck1.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4.5/5
    Autonomy3/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck3.5/5
    Versatility for the Price3.5/5
    Power2.5/5
    Storage1.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy1.5/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck1.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy3/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
    Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 32.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 29.20 x 19.90 x 2.01 cm
    Weight: 1.200 kg

    Pricing Accuracy

    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Staples site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
  • #5, Laptops (under $525)
    Asus Flip C234MA 2-in-1 Chromebook

    Asus Flip C234MA 2-in-1 Chromebook from US$28015%, Best price yet!
    ~$368 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck1/5
    Versatility for the Price5/5
    Power0/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability4.5/5
    Autonomy5/5

    by Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck3.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power2/5
    Storage4/5
    Portability1.5/5
    Autonomy4.5/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck2/5
    Versatility for the Price5/5
    Power1.5/5
    Storage4.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy4/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck1/5
    Versatility for the Price5/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy5/5

    by Large Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck3/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power2/5
    Storage3.5/5
    Portability2/5
    Autonomy4/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
    Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 64.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 29.20 x 19.90 x 2.01 cm
    Weight: 1.200 kg

    Pricing Accuracy

    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Best Buy site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
  • #6, Laptops (under $525)
    Asus 14-inch Touch Screen Chromebook

    Asus 14-inch Touch Screen Chromebook from US$32020% cheaper than usual
    ~$420 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck0.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy4.5/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck1.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power3/5
    Storage1.5/5
    Portability3/5
    Autonomy3.5/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck0.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy4.5/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Pentium N4200
    Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 32.00 GB
    Screen Size: 14"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 32.26 x 22.80 x 1.66 cm
    Weight: 1.200 kg

    Pricing Accuracy

    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Staples site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
  • #7, Laptops (under $525)
    Asus C523NA 15.6" Chromebook (Touch)

    Asus C523NA 15.6" Chromebook (Touch) from US$280;
    ~$368 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck0.5/5
    Versatility for the Price3.5/5
    Power0/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy2.5/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck1.5/5
    Versatility for the Price2.5/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1.5/5
    Portability2/5
    Autonomy0.5/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck0.5/5
    Versatility for the Price3.5/5
    Power0/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy2.5/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N3350
    Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 500
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 32.00 GB
    Screen Size: 15.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 35.81 x 24.89 x 1.52 cm
    Weight: 1.410 kg
    from US$273.1

    Pricing Accuracy

    Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×

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The typical price for laptops is $949.99 but you can set a budget below:

Looking for something else?

Laptops can also be compared based on the following characteristics:

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This list fluctuates constantly as I add new devices, retire old ones or when they go on sale so go ahead: bookmark this page and come back often.