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Table of Contents
- Best 13-Inch Laptops in 2021
- 1. Dell XPS 13
- 2. HP Spectre x360
- 3. HP Elite Dragonfly
- 4. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
- 5. Dell XPS 13 (2-in1)
- 6. MacBook Pro (13-Inch)
- 7. Microsoft Surface Book 2
- 8. Razer Blade Stealth (13-Inch)
- 9. Asus Zenbook 13
- How to Choose the Best 13-Inch Laptop
- Summary – Best 13-Inch Laptop 2021
Best 13-Inch Laptop 2021 – Updated by Burbro Editors on April 14th, 2021
When you’re searching for a laptop, you’ll find that one of the most common laptop sizes is the 13-inch laptops. This is because they have a screen that’s comfortable to view while using, and small enough for you to carry around in your backpack or briefcase.
If you’re looking for a 13-inch laptop, you’ll find that there are a lot of options that you can choose as your laptop. While there are many laptop models that you can choose from, it doesn’t mean that they’re all high-quality laptops or worth your money. In this laptop review, we’re going to look at some of the best 13-inch laptops that you can buy. We’ll also be taking a look at some of the features that you may want in your computer, and how to choose the best laptop for your lifestyle.
Best 13-Inch Laptops in 2021
If you’re searching for the best 13-inch laptops, then you’ve come to the right place. In this laptop review, we’ll be looking at some of the best laptops that come with a 13-inch screen size.
1. Dell XPS 13
The Best 13-Inch Laptop for Overall Quality.
If you’re looking for the best laptop for quality, performance and price, you’ll want to look at the Dell XPS 13. This laptop is sleek, lightweight and has enough operating power for almost any programs or software that you’d need to run on your laptop. The Dell XPS 13 features a 13.3-inch screen with a 4K Ultra HD display and an infinity edge touchscreen display. It also comes with up to 1TB of SSD storage so that you’ll never have to worry about deleting files because your hard drive is full. One of the things that we like about the Dell XPS 13 is that it comes with the Cotona Waves Speech Technology. With this feature, you’ll be able to operate your laptop from across the room with voice commands and control your settings, music and other features through your voice. Something that we noticed about the Dell XPS 13 is that it has a long-lasting battery life, making it easier for anyone on the go. With a single charge, you’ll be able to use your laptop for over 10 hours without recharging when you use the power optimization settings.
RAM: 16 GB DDR3
Processor: 1.8 GHz Intel Core i7 Processor
Storage: 512GB-1TB SSD Storage
Graphics: Intel Ultra HD Graphics 620 Coprocessor w/ 1GB Graphics Card
Screen: 13.3 Inch Screen Size with 4K Ultra HD Display and Infinity Edge Touch Screen
Price: $1,443
2. HP Spectre x360
One of the Best 13-Inch Laptops for Students.
If you’re a college student looking for a laptop, you may want to choose the HP Spectre x360. This laptop is lightweight and can fit in your backpack while having enough power and performance for any tasks that you’ll need your laptop to perform. The HP Spectre x360 comes with a 13.3-inch screen and a 4K BrightView Touchscreen Display. It also comes with the 2-in-1 feature that allows you to use your laptop like a handheld device. This feature makes it easier for you to use your laptop, especially if you’re in class and don’t have room for your laptop. One of the things that we liked about the HP Spectre x360 is that it comes with a fingerprint scanner. This allows you to secure your laptop and ensure that nobody will be able to gain access to your laptop without you. The Spectre x360 laptop also comes with power optimization settings that allow you to increase your battery life length. With this laptop, you’ll be able to use your laptop for up to 10 hours without having to charge your laptop.
RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM
Processor: 4.6 GHz Intel Core i7 with Quad-Core Processing
Storage: 512GB Flash Memory SSD Storage
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce MX150 Coprocessor with Dedicated Graphics Card
Screen: 13.3-Inch Screen Size with 4K BrightView Touchscreen
Price: $1,259
3. HP Elite Dragonfly
One of the Best 13-Inch Laptops for Business.
If you’re in business, you’ll want a laptop that looks professional while working as hard as you do daily. One of the best business laptops that you can use is the HP Elite Dragonfly. The HP Elite Dragonfly features a 13.3-inch screen with a built-in touchscreen display. It also comes with the 2-in-1 feature, which makes it easier for you to give presentations to your company, co-workers or clients. The Elite Dragonfly also comes with an HD webcam ideal for business professionals that need to video call their clients and co-workers. Instead of having a pixelated webcam, you’ll look more professional with the High Definition Webcam. While you may hope that your laptop is manufactured properly, there can always be mistakes at the factory. Something that we love about this laptop is that it comes with a one-year warranty that will protect you from any manufacturing defects.
RAM: 16GB DDR3 SO-DIMM RAM
Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i5 with Quad-Core Processing
Storage: 512GB-1TB SSD Storage
Graphics: Intel Ultra HD Graphics 620 with Integrated Graphics Card
Screen: 13.3-Inch Screen with Built-In Touch Screen Display and 16:9 Aspect Ratio
Price: $1,459
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
One of the Best 13-Inch Lightweight Laptops.
People love using a 13-inch laptop because they’re lightweight, and can easily be stored in your backpack while having a large enough screen for ease of use. If you’re looking for a reliable 13-inch laptop, you’ll want to look at the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 laptop. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Iris Plus Graphics and Ultra HD Display so that you can have better screen clarity. This is a lightweight laptop that weighs less than 2lbs while having the 2-in-1 feature, so it feels like you’re using a tablet when you remove the keyboard from the laptop. The Surface Pro 7 also comes with a battery that can last up to 11 hours, while only taking 1.5 hours to charge. This long battery life is ideal for anyone that’s on the go because they won’t need to worry about their battery dying.
RAM: 16GB RAM
Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core Processor i7
Storage: 512GB Flash Memory SSD Storage
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics with Ultra HD Graphics and Integrated Graphics Card
Screen: 12.3-Inch Screen Size with Built-In Touchscreen Display
Price: $1,595
5. Dell XPS 13 (2-in1)
One of the Best 2-in-1 Laptops with a 13-Inch Screen.
As technology advances, it becomes more common to see the 2-in-1 laptops that allow you to use your laptop like a handheld tablet. If you’re searching for a high-quality laptop with the 2-in-1 feature, you may want to look at the Dell XPS 13. While we’ve already covered this laptop, it comes with a 2-in-1 model for ease of use. The Dell XPS 13 (2-in-1) laptop comes with a 13.4-inch touchscreen and infinity edge display for better clarity. As we’ve mentioned, it also comes with the 2-in-1 feature, which makes it easier for you to operate your laptop. One of the things that we love about this laptop is that it’s lightweight and thin. The primary reason why this laptop is so light is that it’s crafted from a single block of aluminum, which provides structural strength while being lightweight. With the Dell XPS 13, they’ve done a thermal redesign so that the laptop doesn’t overheat while you’re using it for intensive tasks. One of the ways that they’ve accomplished this is by adding proper ventilation, and spreading out the fans so that they can cool a greater area.
RAM: 8GB to 32GB RAM
Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor with Quad-Core Processors
Storage: 256GB-512GB SSD Storage
Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics
Screen: 13.4-Inch Screen with WLED Touchscreen Display
Price: $1,695
6. MacBook Pro (13-Inch)
One of the Best 13-Inch Laptops for Programmers.
As a programmer or web designer, you’ll want a laptop with good graphics and powerful enough for all your software and programs. One of the better laptops for programmers is the Macbook Pro, which also comes with a 13-Inch screen. The Macbook Pro comes with a 13-Inch and 16-Inch screen, depending on your preferences. It also comes with a backlit keyboard that makes it easier for you to type without making mistakes because of a poorly lit work area. As with most Mac products, you’ll have a touch ID that you can use to unlock your laptop. One of the reasons we love this feature is because you’ll be able to ensure that nobody can gain access to your laptop unless you’re present. Something that we like about the 13-Inch Macbook Pro is that it comes with a 10-hour battery life. This feature is nice to have as a programmer. After all, you’ll never have to worry about your laptop crashing because your battery died.
RAM: 8-32GB RAM
Processor: 10th Generation Intel Core i5 with Quad-Core Processing
Storage: 1TB SSD Storage
Graphics: Retina Display with True Tone Technology for Clarity
Screen: 13-Inch Screen with LED-backlit Retina Display with IPS Technology
Price: $1,895
7. Microsoft Surface Book 2
One of the Best Laptops for Graphic Designers.
If you’re a graphic designer, you’ll need a laptop that’s powerful while being versatile and easy to use. One of the best 13-inch laptops for designers is the Microsoft Surface Book 2 Laptop. The Microsoft Surface Book 2 features a 13.5-inch touchscreen with PixelSense Display for better clarity while viewing. This laptop also comes with the 2-in-1 feature, which allows you to use your laptop as a tablet, making it easier to use your laptop while you edit your videos and photos. We love the Microsoft Surface Book 2 because it’s thin, sleek and powerful enough for any software or programs that you’ll need to run on your laptop. This laptop also comes with long battery life and can operate for up to 10 hours per charge, which is ideal for anyone that has a busy schedule and doesn’t want to worry about recharging their laptop.
RAM: 16GB LPDDR3 RAM
Processor: 1.9 GHz Core i7-860 with Quad-Core Processors
Storage: 512GB SSD Storage
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Coprocessor with 6GB Dedicated Graphics Card
Screen: 13.5-Inch to 15-Inch Screen Size with Touchscreen PixelSense Display
Price: $1,669
8. Razer Blade Stealth (13-Inch)
One of the Best 13-inch Gaming Laptops.
If you’re a gamer, you’ll want a laptop with high-performance, while having good graphics for a better gaming experience. One of the best 13-inch gaming laptops is the Razer Blade Stealth Gaming Laptop. The Razer Blade Stealth laptop features a 13.3-inch screen with NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics for a better gaming experience. This laptop also comes ready to be connected to an external graphics card to boost your graphics performance. One of the things that we like about the Razer Blade Stealth laptop is that it’s lightweight and durable, due to the aluminum unibody frame. It also weighs 3lbs and is less than an inch thick, which makes it easier to carry. With the Razer Blade Stealth, you’ll enjoy more gaming with long battery life. This laptop’s battery will last for up to 8 hours per charge, so you won’t need to worry about finding a power source to keep your gaming alive.
RAM: 16GB DDR4 RAM
Processor: 3.9 GHz Intel Core i7 with Quad-Core Processors
Storage: 512GB SSD Storage
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with 4GB Dedicated Graphics Card
Screen: 13.3-Inch Screen Size with 100% sRGB Colour Saturation for better visuals
Price: $1,396
9. Asus Zenbook 13
One of the Best 13-Inch Budget Laptops.
While you may want to find a laptop on a budget, you’ll also want to find a laptop that’s high-quality and durable. If you’re looking for one of the best budget laptops, you’ll want to look at the Asus Zenbook 13 Laptop. The Asus Zenbook features a 13-inch screen with Nano Edge Display so that you can have a wider screen. It also comes with an ultra-thin frame and weighs under 3lbs, making it one of the lightest laptops on the market. If you’re looking for a durable laptop, you’ll want to go with the Asus Zenbook 13 laptop. This is because the Zenbooks have been designed with Military Grade testing for durability and have undergone rigorous testing for durability. We like the Asus Zenbook 13 because it comes with a long-lasting battery that lasts for up to 14 hours and has a quick charge technology. You’ll be able to quickly charge your battery in around 50 minutes, which will fill around 60% of your battery life.
RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 RAM
Processor: Intel Core i5-8265u with Quad-Core Processors
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD Storage
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 with 8GB Integrated Graphics Card
Screen: 13.3-Inch FHD Nano Edge Display
Price: $740
How to Choose the Best 13-Inch Laptop
When it comes to 13-inch laptops, there are many options to choose from as your go-to laptop. In this section of our laptop review, we’re going to look at the various features that you’ll want in your 13-inch laptop. While there are features that you’ll need to decide on if you’re going to choose the right laptop, there are other features that aren’t essential for your laptop. However, these additional features can make it easier for you to use your laptop, so we’ll add them to the list.
Here’s how you can choose the right 13-inch laptop.
1. Choose an Operating System (OS)
When you’re choosing a laptop, you’ll need to pick an Operating System (OS) that you’d like to use. If you love an Android interface for your PC, then you’ll want to use Windows, Linux or Chrome, or you could choose the macOS if you prefer Apple.
Before you can choose the right 13-inch laptop, you’ll need to decide on the Operating system that you’d like to use. While there are many Operating Systems that you can choose, this decision will be based on your personal preferences.
Here are some of the common Operating Systems:
- Windows – The Windows Operating system is one of the most common Operating Systems and comes pre-installed on the majority of laptops. This OS has been around for a long time and is relatively reliable.
- macOS – If you’re going to choose a Macbook or any other laptop by Apple, you’ll need to use the macOS. This operating system is designed and used by Apple for all their products.
- Linux – The Linux Operating System is an open-source operating system that you can install on your laptop after you’ve purchased it. This OS is common because it’s more secure and doesn’t allow large companies to have access to your laptop, which adds a level of privacy and security.
- Chrome – If you’re using a Chromebook, you’ll be using the Chrome OS. This Operating System is designed and Run by Google and is added to the majority of Chromebooks that you’ll be able to buy.
Once you’ve decided on the Operating System that you’ll use, it’ll be much easier to find the best 13-inch laptop for your needs. This is because you’ll have eliminated all the other computer models that don’t have the Operating System that you’d like to use.
2. Select a Laptop Style
After you’ve decided on the Operating System that you’d like to use for your laptop, you’ll need to decide on the style of laptop that you’d like to use. When it comes to your laptop’s style, you’ll find that there are many styles that you can use, but your choice should be based on personal preference.
Here are the common styles of laptops that you can choose.
- Touch Screen – One laptop-style that you may decide to choose is the touchscreen laptop. With the touchscreen laptops, you’ll be able to operate your laptop with ease through your finger’s touch, much like your phone.
- 2-in-1 Laptops – The two-in-one laptops are also popular because it allows you to use your laptop like a handheld device. This makes it easier for you to use your laptop in business meetings and presentations. With the 2 in 1 laptop, the screen of the laptop disconnects from the keyboard allowing you to carry the screen like a tablet.
- Traditional Laptops – One of the most common styles of laptops is the traditional laptop. With the traditional style laptop, your laptop screen will not disconnect from your keyboard, and your laptop will be stationary, which is not as convenient to move around.
Before you choose the style of laptop that you’d like to use, you’ll want to set a budget for your purchase. Setting a budget for your purchase will often determine the laptop’s style that you’ll be able to afford. This is because 2 in 1 laptop and touchscreen laptops are more expensive than traditional laptops.
3. Choose Your Specs
Once you decide on the style of laptop that you’d like to use, it’s time to take a look at the specs that your laptop will have. The specs will determine how your laptop will perform and if it is well suited for your needs.
Here are some of the specs that you will want to consider when choosing a laptop.
RAM – The term RAM stands for ‘random access memory’ and is used to quickly open files, tabs, and other programs that you may be running on your computer. When your laptop has enough RAM, you’ll be able to leave your files open without them crashing or giving the ‘not responding’ message. We would recommend that you choose a laptop with at least 8GB of RAM for the best performance.
Processor – The laptop’s processor will ultimately determine how quickly your laptop can operate. If your computer doesn’t have enough processors, you’ll find that your laptop is slow and laggy. We would recommend that you find a laptop with at least quad-core processors to ensure that your computer is efficient and operates quickly.
Storage Capacity – When you’re choosing a laptop, you’ll want to ensure there’s enough storage on your hard drive. If your laptop doesn’t have enough storage, you’ll be deleting files to create room on your hard drive. We would recommend that your laptop has at least 256 GB of storage. While you’ll be able to find laptops with up to 1TB of storage, this much storage will become costly.
Graphics – Unless you’re using your laptop for gaming or editing videos, you won’t need to worry about graphics. Often, your laptop will come with high-quality graphics to ensure that you have a pleasant viewing experience. If you need better graphics, we would recommend that you find a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.
These specs will ultimately determine how quickly your laptop operates, how much storage your laptop has, and whether your viewing experience is high quality or not. We would recommend that you spend some time reviewing these aspects of your laptop before purchasing to ensure that you get a high-quality laptop.
4. Additional Features
Once you’ve chosen your essential specs, you’ll want to look at some other features that you may want to use on your laptop. While these features may not be crucial, they make it easier for you to use your computer.
These features may not affect how your laptop operates, but it will make it easier for you to use. After all, if your laptop is fast and has an excellent viewing experience, but it is challenging to operate with few features that you like, you may not enjoy using your laptop.
Here are some of the additional features that you may want to look for.
- Battery Life – When you’re choosing a laptop, you’ll want to ensure that the laptop has long battery life. If your laptop does not come with long battery life, you always have to worry about recharging your battery. This can become time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you have deadlines to meet and are on the go for your job or college.
- USB Ports – You’ll also want to ensure that your laptop comes with sufficient USB ports. When you’re using your laptop, you’ll want to plug in a wireless mouse, and likely your phone. We would recommend that you find a laptop with at least 2 USB ports, if not more.
- HDMI Ports – If you’re using your laptop for business or college, you’ll likely have to use your laptop for presentations. When choosing a laptop, you’ll want to ensure that your laptop comes with an HDMI port so that you can plug your laptop into a larger screen for presentations. With an HDMI port, you can also use your laptop to stream movies, sports and other videos onto a larger monitor.
- Keyboard – The keyboard is another feature that you’ll want to look for when choosing a laptop. If your laptop has a keyboard that is poorly designed, difficult to use and doesn’t have the right layout that you’re used to, then you’ll find that your laptop is difficult to use when typing. We would recommend that you choose a laptop with a similar screen size as your previous laptop to ensure that your keyboard has a familiar layout that you’re used to.
- Headphone Jack – If you enjoy listening to music while you work, you also want to look for a headphone jack on your laptop. Unless you’re using a wireless headphone set, you’ll need a laptop that comes with a headphone jack to plug in your headphones. While many laptops still come with a headphone jack, it’s something that you want to look for before purchasing a computer, especially if you enjoy listening to music while you work.
There are many other features that you may want on your laptop; however, these are some of the more commonly used features when it comes to laptops. If you can think of other features that you’d like to use on your computer, you’ll want to add them to our list.
5. Security Features
When searching for the best 13-inch laptop, you want to look for security features to ensure that your laptop is protected. Many laptops come with built-in security features; however, there are other security features that you can add to your laptop after you purchased your computer.
Here are some of the security features that you’ll want on your laptop.
- Fingerprint Scanner – With a fingerprint scanner, you’ll be able to lock and unlock your laptop through the use of your fingerprint. This will prevent others from finding your passcode and opening your laptop when you’re not around. While many laptops don’t come with a fingerprint scanner, it’s an essential security feature to protect your laptop.
- Kill Switches – Another security feature that you may want on your laptop is a kill switch. The kill switch is a feature that allows you to turn off the microphone or webcam on your laptop so that outside hackers cannot access your microphone or the webcam. If you’re in college, this feature is also helpful to have when you’re in class because you’ll be able to prevent any incoming calls from friends and family.
- Password Protected Screen Saver – Once you purchase your laptop, you’ll want to enable a password-protected screensaver. This will prevent others from gaining access to your laptop when you’re not in the room because they’ll need to know your passcode to remove the screen saver.
- Privacy Screen Protector – Another security feature that you may want to use is a privacy screen protector. The privacy screen will blackout the vision of anybody that is standing to the side of your laptop, so you’ll need to stand directly in front of the laptop to see what’s on the screen.
There are many other security features that you may want to use on your laptop to protect your identity online; however, these are some of the more commonly used security features for laptops.
6. Warranty
When you’re choosing a laptop, you’d like to assume that the computer is built correctly, and there will be no mistakes or flaws on your computer. However, mistakes can be made and sometimes a computer needs to be returned due to manufacturing defects.
If you’re purchasing a laptop, you’ll want to choose a computer that comes with the warranty to protect yourself from any manufacturer defects. A warranty can also give you buyer protection for mishaps like dropping your laptop or breaking the screen.
We would recommend that you find a laptop with a warranty that lasts for at least one year. This will give you more than enough time to test your laptop and ensure that there are no problems from the manufacturer. If your computer does not come with a warranty, you will want to take it into a tech shop and buy a warranty from a third-party company that can fix your laptop if it’s damaged.
7. Price Range
If you’ve been shopping for the best 13-inch laptop, you’ll know that there are many price ranges when it comes to purchasing a laptop. While it’s easy to spend a lot of money on a laptop, you’ll want to set a budget before you begin shopping.
When you set a budget, you’ll eliminate any laptop models outside your price range, which will make it easier for you to purchase a laptop that suits your needs. A budget will also prevent any buyer’s regret after you’ve made your purchase, and allow you to enjoy a laptop that’s right for your needs, but within your budget.
Summary – Best 13-Inch Laptop 2021
We hope that this article has helped you on your journey to find the best 13-inch laptop. If you’re still unsure about which laptop is right for you, then you may want to use our buying guide to help you choose the right laptop.
Remember to buy a laptop that comes with the warranty so that you can have the buyer’s protection with your purchase. You’ll also want to set a budget before you go shopping for a laptop so that you can find a laptop that is high quality and within your price range.
