13 inch laptop size is the sweet spot for the perfect balance between power and portability. While 11 inch laptops are super portable, they lack the full-fledged power of a regular-sized laptop. Whether you are a working professional who wants to get a part of your work done during your everyday commutes or a college student who needs to attend multiple classes and take notes, you cannot go wrong with a 13 inch laptop.
Just like regular-sized 15 inch laptops, 13 inch laptops are available for varied requirements, including gaming, productivity, casual use, and entertainment. With this list of 10 best 13 inch laptops, we have made it easy for you to explore your options.
Minimum Requirements for buying best 13 inch laptops in 2021
To further help you make an informed decision, we have prepared a list of minimum hardware requirement sheet below:
- CPU: Even if you choose an entry-level 13 inch laptop, a core i3 CPU is a must-have. For work and entertainment-related requirements, core i5 and above are the right choices.
- GPU: Integrated graphics chipset such as Intel UHD Graphics suffice for lightweight graphics processing requirements. For more intensive tasks such as graphics designing, CAD designing, gaming, and machine learning, a dedicated GPU is a must-have.
- RAM: Many programs such as browsers, system security, and automatic update finders use plenty of RAM in the background. Therefore, a minimum of 8 GB RAM capacity is a must-have.
- Storage: SSD offers more benefits than HDD storage, The two most important ones being fast read and write speeds and lightweight design. For higher performance, having a minimum of 128 GB SSD storage is beneficial. 500 GB HDD storage capacity is good as secondary storage.
- Connectivity options: Ports such as Thunderbolt 3 port, USB Type C port, ethernet port, HDMI port, mini display port, and SD card reader open up customization options which, in turn, helps you further improve the laptop’s performance.
Review of best 13 inch laptops of 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 13 inch – best overall
MacBooks are undoubtedly one of the most iconic choices in the 13 inch chassis size department. For maximum power and performance, MacBook Pros hold a dominating position. The new MacBook Pro 13 inch carries the powerful performance DNA of its predecessors and holds its stance as one of the best 13 inch laptops.
the best of power and portability
Powering the new MacBook Pro 13 inch is the 10th generation Intel i5 4 core CPU. With a base computing power of 2.0 GHz, the laptop’s CPU crushes work-related tasks such as preparing reports and presentations, editing documents and spreadsheets, using ethical hacking analytical tools, rendering high-resolution videos, and simulating 3D CAD models. With Intel Turbo Boost technology, the CPU can crank up to 3.8 GHz of peak computing performance.
For delivering unfailing graphics processing performance, this model uses Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 graphics chipset. Multitasking experience on the new MacBook Pro 13 inch is simply one of the best, thanks to its 16 GB DDR4 RAM capacity. Equally stunning is the laptop’s boot-up and file/program-loading speed that its 512 GB SSD storage delivers.
The 13.3 inch Retina display of this model uses true tone technology to deliver an immersive and comfortable viewing experience. The proprietary Touch Bar that’s integrated into this model improves accessibility which, in turn, improves your work productivity. Like other MacBooks, this model comes equipped with a scissor mechanism keyboard and a wide trackpad. The four Thunderbolt 3 ports included in this model supports charging as well as display connectivity. A headphone/mic jack is also included.
Pros:
- Powerful performance
- Top-of-the-line multitasking performance
- Touch Bar improves accessibility
- One of the best audio performances
- Premium look and feel
Cons:
- Limited selection of ports
- Non-upgradable internals
- Weight is a bit on the heavier side
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch – best budget 13″ Mac
If you want to stick to the MacBook territory but with a limited budget, you cannot go wrong with the new Apple MacBook Air 13 inch. This model brings the same high-quality user experience of MacBook Pro in a trimmed-down performance and price. It’s simply one of the best 13 inch laptops for mid-level computing performance requirements.
best-in-class portability backed by power
This particular model comes equipped with a 10th generation Intel i5 4 core CPU that has been calibrated to run at a base frequency of 1.1 GHz. The overclocking computing performance of the CPU reaches 3.8 GHz. With the CPU’s powerful performance, working on videos work-related tasks such as data crunching, graphics designing, using CAD software, and using analytical and software testing tools become easy for you. The laptop’s performance is equally reliable on the graphics processing front as it uses an Intel Iris Plus graphics chipset. Further augmenting your work productivity is the 8 GB DDR4 RAM and 512 SSD storage duo that this laptop packs.
Visuals come to life in the new MacBook Air 13 with its 13.3 inch Retina display that has rich colors and superior brightness. Apple has included a dedicated fingerprint reader on the keyboard bay which improves security as well as accessibility. For external connectivity options, this model includes one headphone/mic jack and two Thunderbolt 3 ports that support charging as well as display connectivity.
Pros:
- Good CPU performance
- Sleek and lightweight chassis
- Premium look and feel
- One of the best audio performances
- Dedicated fingerprint reader
Cons:
- Non-upgradable internals
- Limited selection of ports
- Can run a bit hot during extensive usage
Jumper EZbook X3 Pro – best budget overall
It’s often the lesser-known brands and their products that deliver immense value in well-priced offerings. One such example is the EZbook X3 Pro by Jumper. This model packs a good computing power in a well-designed and built chassis that’s otherwise reserved for range-topping models. The best part is, it doesn’t have a premium price tag.
‘the’ best 13 inch laptop under $500
Jumper EZbook X3 Pro houses an Intel Gemini Lake N4100 4 core CPU. With the CPU’s performance that ranges from a base 1.1 GHz to an overclocking frequency of 2.4 GHz, getting all your work done, including preparing presentations and reports, hosting online meetings, coding, and graphics/CAD designing becomes an effortless experience. The CPU is paired with Intel Graphics 600 integrated graphics card that smoothens animations and refines stills and motions. It improves your experience on the graphics front for work as well as entertainment. This laptop’s performance is equally smooth in the multitasking department as it uses an 8 GB DDR4 RAM. Also, the addition of 128 GB SSD storage makes this laptop come close to perfection for an affordable offering.
Compared to other affordable 13 inch laptops, Jumper EZbook X3 Pro has a stunning-looking display. The laptop’s 13.3 inch Full HD display has a thin-bezel design that complements the overall sleek chassis. For external connectivity options, this laptop includes one USB Type C port, one USB 3.0 Type A port, one TF card reader, and one headphone/mic jack.
Pros:
- Good overall performance
- Upgradable SSD storage
- Backlit keyboard
- High-quality metal build
- One of the most lightweight chassis
Cons:
- Limited selection of ports
- Can run a bit hot under heavy loads
- Can run a bit hot during intensive usage
Acer Swift 13.3 inch – best for basics
When choosing a laptop, not everybody requires a powerful computing performance. Acer Swift 13.3 inch is designed to cater to low-powered computing requirements at an affordable price tag. Although one of the cheapest 13 inch laptops, this model packs everything that is required for reliability.
a lightweight performer for children and basic needs
This Acer 13.3 inch laptop uses Intel Pentium N4200 4 core processor to help you work on document editing, browsing the web, using social media, streaming online content and other such lightweight tasks. The base computing performance of the CPU clocks at 1.1 GHz and overclocking performance at 2.5 GHz. The Intel HD Graphics 505 integrated graphics chipset helps this laptop score mid-level ratings in the graphics processing performance department.
This laptop comes equipped with 4 GB DDR3 RAM which is good for lightweight multitasking. Acer has included 64GB eMMC storage as a standard offering in this model. There is an option to integrate SSD storage for increasing storage capacity.
Acer hasn’t cut any corners in this laptop not just on the computing performance front but also in the design territory. The laptop’s 13.3 inch full HD display has a thin-bezel design which contributes to a modern overall look. Also, this model is one of the few affordable 13 inch laptops to come with a dedicated fingerprint reader. One USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port, one USB 2.0 Type A port, two USB 3.0 Type A ports, one HDMI port, one SD card reader, and one headphone/mic jack offer external connectivity options in this laptop.
Pros:
- Good overall lightweight performance
- Upgradable storage
- Dedicated fingerprint reader
- Lightweight chassis
- Good audio performance
Cons:
- Average multitasking performance
- Not designed for heavy work
- Average battery backup
HP Envy 13 – best performance
One of the best moves that a laptop brand can make is to combine versatility with power, and HP has done just that with its Envy 13 inch laptop. This laptop is one of the most powerful models among some of the other HP 12 inch and 13 inch laptops. This model is also one of the best-looking 13 inch laptops that HP has in its catalog.
HP Envy 13 inch houses an 8th generation Intel i7 4 core processor in its considerably sleek chassis. The base and overclocking frequency of the CPU clocks at 1.8 GHz and 4.6 GHz respectively. Together with NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU, the CPU helps you effortlessly complete all your work-related tasks, such as hosting online meetings, preparing monthly reports, creating and editing spreadsheets, and coding.
looks great, performs exceedingly well
The 16 GB DDR4 RAM that is included in this model also plays an important part in delivering consistently-smooth performance. Similarly, 512 GB SSD storage helps improve boot-up and file-loading speed in this laptop.
Apart from an impressive computing performance, HP Envy 13 inch also deserves the moniker of one of the best ultrabooks in the display department. The 13.99 inch touchscreen display of this model offers stunning visuals with a 4K resolution. And not to forget the ultra-thin bezel design which opens up more viewing space. This model makes no compromise on the accessibility department as well.
The combo of a wide-spaced ergonomic keyboard and a large-sized trackpad works great in improving your productivity. Two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type A ports, one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port, one SD card reader, and one headphone/mic jack are included as external connectivity options.
Pros:
- Powerful CPU and GPU
- High-quality display with 4K resolution
- Dedicated fingerprint reader
- Upgradable SSD storage
- Bang & Olufsen audio improves audio performance
Cons:
- No HDMI and ethernet port
- Can run hot under heavy loads
- Average battery backup
Razer Blade Stealth 13 – best 13″ ultrabook of 2021
The conception that powerful gaming performance is reserved only for regular-sized laptops has now become a thing of the past. Well-configured, powerful 13 inch laptops like the Razer Blade Stealth 13 sure do let users enjoy uncompromised gaming experience while offering the best of portability.
Razer Blade Stealth 13 comes as one of the best 13 inch gaming laptops with its beefy 10th generation Intel i7 4 core CPU that runs at a base frequency of 1.3 GHz. With the capability of overclocking up to 3.9 GHz of peak computer power, the CPU helps you play even the most computing-intensive PC games.
a new definition for gaming ultrabooks
Equally powerful is the NVIDIA GTX GeForce 1650 Ti Max Q GPU of this laptop which helps you smoothly play Assassin’s Creed series, Fortnite, Doom series, Forza Horizon 4 and other modern PC game titles. For delivering a high-powered multitasking bandwidth, the laptop uses 16 GB DDR4 RAM. Further improving the gaming performance of this gaming laptop is 512 GB SSD storage.
Despite the compactness, the 13.3 inch touchscreen display of Razer Blade Stealth 13 delivers an immersive gaming experience with a stunning 4K resolution. The display’s thin bezel design lends a contemporary look to this laptop. Customization gets easier in this gaming laptop with the availability of one Thunderbolt 3 port, one USB Type C port, two USB 3.1 Type A ports, and one headphone/mic jack.
Pros:
- Powerful gaming performance
- 4K touchscreen display improves viewing experience and accessibility
- Upgradable SSD storage
- High-quality, durable metal chassis
- RGB keyboard
Cons:
- Can run a bit hot during intensive gaming
- No ethernet and HDMI port
- Easily catches fingerprints and smudges
ASUS ZenBook S – best for upgrading
Your productivity reaches a peak when you have a laptop that has a powerful performance and an unmistakable utilitarian design. ASUS ZenBook S is one such laptop that you can get your hands on. The productivity-focused configuration of this laptop is well-suited for both college students and working professionals.
Inside the sleek chassis of ASUS ZenBook S is an 8th generation Intel i7 4 core CPU that helps you get the best out of your work productivity with its 1.8 GHz of base and 4.6 GHz of overclocking computing performance. This laptop uses Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated graphics chipset for delivering a mid-level graphics processing performance that suffices for work as well as entertainment.
utilitarian design at its best
Multitasking performance is on par with the computing performance of this laptop. 16 GB DDR3 RAM comes as a standard offering in this model. On the storage front, this laptop packs 512 GB SSD storage capacity which is available for upgrades.
ASUS ZenBook S is undoubtedly one of the best small laptops with a stunning display. The 13.3 inch ultra HD 4K touchscreen display of this laptop makes no compromises when it comes to delivering a high-quality viewing experience. The biggest highlight of this model is undoubtedly its innovative hinge which raises the keyboard angle when the display is tilted back. This, in turn, creates an ergonomic typing angle. Two Thunderbolt 3 ports, one USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port, and one headphone/mic jack offer external connectivity options in this laptop.
Pros:
- Powerful CPU
- Upgradable SSD storage
- Dedicated fingerprint reader
- Harman Kardon audio improves audio performance
- Premium look and feel
Cons:
- Non-upgradable RAM
- Limited selection of ports
- May require driver updates
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 – best premium features
Just like other laptop brands, Dell has several powerful 13 inch models in its catalog, with one of the most popular being the Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1. This model brings the powerful performance of regular-sized XPS laptops but in a compact and well-designed chassis. In other words, it helps you get the best of both worlds, power, and portability.
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 gets a base 1.3 GHz of computing power from its 10th generation Intel i7 4 core processor. With an overclocking performance of 3.9 GHz, the laptop’s CPU helps you make sure no task is left undone. An Intel Iris Plus Graphics integrated graphics chipset joins the CPU in powering this laptop with a mid-level graphics processing performance.
ultra-powerful 2-in-1 offering
This model excels in the multitasking department with a whooping 32 GB DDR4 RAM that makes switching back and forth between different programs an effortless experience. Also, with 512 GB of SSD storage capacity, this laptop lets you store everything you need to quickly fire up.
Despite being one of the small screen laptops, the 13.4 inch full HD touchscreen display of this model offers a spacious viewing room with an ultra-than bezel design. Also, the 2-in-1 form factor of this laptop model makes it easy for you to tilt the display all the way back to use this laptop as a high-performing tablet. Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1’s port selection is of the likes of MacBooks; it includes two Thunderbolt 3 ports; the extra additions are one headphone jack and one micro SD card reader.
Pros:
- Powerful overall performance
- Touchscreen equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Fingerprint reader integrated into the power button
- Premium look and feel
- Good wireless connectivity performance
Cons:
- Non-upgradable RAM and storage
- Can run a bit hot under heavy loads
- Weight is a bit on the heavier side
Dell Inspiron 7386 2-in-1 – best 13″ in 2-in-1 category
Exploring some of the best 13 inch 2-in-1 laptops doesn’t necessarily mean you have to limit your options to just premium models. This is because mid-range priced 2-in-1 laptops, like the Dell Inspiron 13 7386 feature a perfect balance of versatility and powerful performance in a non-premium price tag. This model offers everything that you can get in a premium laptop while being easy on your pockets.
Dell Inspiron 13 7386 uses the 8th generation Intel i5 4 core CPU that powers you for all your work and entertainment-related requirements with its 1.6 GHz of base and 3.9 GHz of max computing power. The CPU is paired with Intel UHD Graphics 620 integrated graphics chipset which helps this laptop excel at basic photo editing, browsing the internet, streaming online content, and other lightweight graphics performance requirements.
full-throttled performance with less to spend
An 8 GB DDR4 RAM comes standard in this model. 256 GB SSD storage offers a good amount of storage capacity. If your storage capacity requirement increases over time, you can easily upgrade the storage of this laptop.
Dell Inspiron 13 7386 has a 13.3 inch full HD touchscreen display that has a higher level of brightness and a balanced contrast ratio. This smooth rotation of the hinges makes transforming this laptop into a tablet an effortless experience. For external connectivity options, this laptop includes one USB 3 Type C port, one USB 3 Type A port, one SD card reader, one HDMI port, and one headphone/mic jack.
Pros:
- Powerful CPU
- Upgradable storage
- Fast SSD performance
- High-quality build
- Fingerprint reader integrated into the power button
Cons:
- Non-upgradable RAM
- No ethernet port
- Can run a bit noisy and hot under heavy loads
Lenovo ThinkBook 13s – best compact design
For a powerful work-focused performance, Lenovo ThinkPads have long been the go-to choice for working professionals as well as students. If you want the same performance of a regular-sized ThinkPad in a compact chassis size and that too with a budget-friendly price, you cannot go wrong with the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s.
The fact that Lenovo ThinkBook 13s uses the 8th generation Intel i7 CPU and Intel UHD Graphics 620 chipset in a non-premium price tag makes it one of the best 13 inch laptops around. The base 1.8 GHz of the computing power of the CPU helps you complete all your work-related tasks in a jiffy.
a powerful & affordable workhorse
With Intel Turbo Boost technology, the CPU can crank up to 4.6 GHz of max computing power and help you nail complex spreadsheet functions, deploy ethical hacking tools, and render high-resolution videos and 3D CAD models. The availability of 16 GB DDR4 RAM along with the upgradability option makes this laptop a strong performer in the multitasking department. Storing all your entertainment and work-related essentials become easy with the laptop’s 512 GB SSD storage capacity.
Lenovo ThinkBook 13 sports a 13.3 inch Full HD display that has a 180° rotation. The ergonomic layout of the keyboard works wonders in contributing to your overall work efficiency. Lenovo has included two USB 3 Type A ports, one USB 3 Type C port, one HDMI port, and one headphone/mic jack for offering external connectivity options in this laptop.
Pros:
- Powerful overall performance
- Upgradable RAM and storage
- Fingerprint reader integrated into the power button
- Backlit keyboard
- Lightweight and sturdy chassis
Cons:
- Body design is a bit bulky
- Can run a bit noisy during extensive usage
- Average build quality
FAQs
1) Is 4K worth it on a 13 inch laptop?
Yes. Average-level viewing experience on 13 inch laptops is now a thing of the past. Some of the best 13 inch laptops with 4K resolution deliver stunning visuals which helps you make the most out of entertainment as well as work.
2) Is a 13 inch laptop big enough?
Although 13 inch laptops don’t have the largest display sizes, they certainly suffice for helping you efficiently get your work done as well as enjoy entertainment content.
3) Should I get a 13 inch or a 15 inch laptop for college?
If you want the best of portability, you cannot go wrong with a 13 inch laptop. However, if you want a spacious viewing experience for college as well as entertainment and gaming, a 15 inch laptop is the right choice for you.
4) Is the MacBook Pro 13 inch worth it?
If you are looking for the right balance between a powerful performance and portability, yes, the MacBook Pro 13 inch is definitely worth the choice.
5) Why are smaller laptops more expensive?
Smaller laptops aren’t necessarily expensive; it’s the high-end models that are expensive. In other words, smaller laptops such as 11 inch and 13 inch laptops are available in the affordable as well as premium pricing segment.
6) Is the Dell XPS better than MacBook?
Both Dell XPS and MacBook Pro positioned at the premium segment and are equipped with high-performance hardware configuration. However, both laptops are unique in their own right. For versatility, Dell XPS is the right choice. For consistent performance and longevity, MacBook Pros are peerless.
Conclusion
Sure, 13 inch laptops are portable. However, portability isn’t the only highlight of laptops in this size territory. It’s possible to use a powerfully-specced 13 inch laptop as your go-to computer as well. By making the right upgrades and customizations, such as increasing RAM and storage capacity, and using an external or cloud-based GPU, you can transform your 13 inch laptop into a powerful computing machine you’ve always dreamt about.