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 $503 - $2474

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.

  • Acer 11 Guillaume's pick; 6 times!

    Acer 11" Chromebook from $18017%, Best price yet!
    ~$269 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck2.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy3.5/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck4.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power2.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy2.5/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck2.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy3/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N2840
    Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 16.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 29.40 x 20.40 x 1.86 cm
    Weight: 1.10 kg
    $179.00 from Canada Computers as of 2018-07-17 12:02:32, EDT

    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 Canada Computers site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
  • Acer 11

    Acer 11" Chromebook from $300;
    ~$390 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck1.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power1/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy3.5/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck4/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power3.5/5
    Storage2.5/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy2.5/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck2/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power1/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy3/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N3060
    Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 32.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 29.40 x 20.40 x 1.87 cm
    Weight: 1.10 kg
    $299.99 from Best Buy as of 2018-07-17 11:55:46, EDT

    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. ×
  • Asus T100TAF Transformer Book Convertible Netbook

    Asus T100TAF Transformer Book Convertible Netbook from $290;
    ~$375 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

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

    by Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck1/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1.5/5
    Portability2/5
    Autonomy4.5/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck2.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power1/5
    Storage2.5/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy4.5/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck1/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy4.5/5

    by Large Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck0.5/5
    Versatility for the Price5/5
    Power0/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability2.5/5
    Autonomy4.5/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Atom Z3735F
    Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
    Memory: 1.00 GB
    Storage: 32.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.1"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 26.40 x 17.00 x 2.50 cm
    Weight: 1.10 kg
    $284.99 from Amazon as of 2018-07-17 05:19:29, EDT

    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 Amazon site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
  • Acer 11.6 Guillaume's pick; 29 times!

    Acer 11.6" Convertible Chromebook from $350;
    ~$457 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck3/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power1/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability4/5
    Autonomy4.5/5

    by Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck4/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power2/5
    Storage1.5/5
    Portability2/5
    Autonomy4/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck4.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power4/5
    Storage2.5/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy4/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck3/5
    Versatility for the Price4.5/5
    Power1.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy4/5

    by Large Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck3.5/5
    Versatility for the Price5/5
    Power1.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability2.5/5
    Autonomy4/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N3160
    Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 32.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 29.39 x 20.40 x 1.93 cm
    Weight: 1.30 kg
    from $340.45

    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. ×
  • Asus Chromebook C200MA-XB11-CB

    Asus Chromebook C200MA-XB11-CB from $23087% cheaper than usual
    ~$319 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck0.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy4/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck2.5/5
    Versatility for the Price3.5/5
    Power0.5/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability3/5
    Autonomy3.5/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck0.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power0/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability3/5
    Autonomy4/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N2830
    Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
    Memory: 2.00 GB
    Storage: 16.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 30.48 x 20.07 x 2.03 cm
    Weight: 1.13 kg
    $229.00 from Amazon as of 2018-07-17 05:14:23, EDT

    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 Amazon site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
  • Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series 2-in-1 Netbook

    Dell Inspiron 11 3000 Series 2-in-1 Netbook from $340;
    ~$430 with accessories

    Device Ratings

    by Laptops standards

    Bang for the Buck1/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power1/5
    Storage0.5/5
    Portability3.5/5
    Autonomy3.5/5

    by Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck1.5/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power1.5/5
    Storage1.5/5
    Portability2/5
    Autonomy2/5

    by Netbooks standards

    Bang for the Buck3/5
    Versatility for the Price3.5/5
    Power3.5/5
    Storage2.5/5
    Portability2.5/5
    Autonomy2/5

    by All Smart Devices standards

    Bang for the Buck1/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power1/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability3/5
    Autonomy3/5

    by Large Tablets standards

    Bang for the Buck1/5
    Versatility for the Price4/5
    Power1/5
    Storage1/5
    Portability2/5
    Autonomy2.5/5
    Specs
    Processor: Intel Celeron N3060
    Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
    Memory: 4.00 GB
    Storage: 32.00 GB
    Screen Size: 11.6"
    Screen Resolution: 1366×768
    Dimensions: 27.84 x 19.84 x 2.08 cm
    Weight: 1.46 kg
    $339.99 from Amazon as of 2018-07-17 05:40:07, EDT

    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 Amazon site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×

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Looking for something else?

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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.