9 BEST Slim & Lightweight Laptops in 2024

Last Seen: Aug 4, 2024 @ 3:53pm 15AugUTC

Aditya Agarwal
@adityaagarwal

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Laptops are meant to be portable. But today, we all know how difficult it is to find a laptop that can be carried easily and doesn’t compromise functionality. Whether you’re a student or a working professional, we can agree when I say that buying a slim and lightweight laptop with proper performance is everyone’s dream.

Even I have experienced the struggle of trying to fit a bulky laptop in a bag, traveling with it, and using it on the go. Therefore, I searched for thin, light, yet powerful laptops for two months. This article concludes my reviewing spree to find the best slim and lightweight laptops in 2024, so read on!

The best slim and lightweight laptops in 2024 are the MacBook Air, ASUS Zenbook 14X, Microsoft Surface Pro 9, LG Gram 17, and Dell Latitude 3540. MacBook is among the best slim and light laptops overall. Zenbook is one of the best slim and light laptops running Windows. Surface Pro 9 is a capable 2-in-1 slim and light laptop.

Best Slim & Lightweight Laptops

1) Apple MacBook Air 13″ M3

MacBook Air 13″ is undoubtedly the most efficient machine of all the slim and lightweight laptops in 2024. I quite appreciate its classic design and astonishingly slim body at 0.44 inches. I am not a fan of shiny hardware, but MacBook has a shiny yet minimalistic and classy vibe; I love it.

This 2.7-pound machine, despite being light, is solid thanks to its aluminum unibody. With the latest M3 chip, I can safely recommend it to anybody as their ultimate personal computer. The fanless design ensures minimal thickness and noise for this best slim and lightweight laptop.

Features:

• Battery:  The MacBook Air boasts a 52.6-watt-hour lithium‑polymer battery, with a claimed life of 18 hours. Throughout my assessment, It easily outlasted a typical workday or even a few days with light use! While the battery is not the largest, Apple’s software optimization more than covers it.
• Display: The display offers 500 nits peak brightness and a sharp 2560×1664 resolution screen with Liquid Retina technology.
• Trackpad: This machine lives up to the high standards of Trackpad set by Apple. I found that it is remarkably functional and supports pressure-sensing and multi-touch gestures, making navigation a breeze.
• Speakers: Trust me when I tell you that the MacBook Air delivers a genuinely immersive auditory experience with great speakers and technology like Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio.
• Camera And Microphones: I tested the 1080p FaceTime HD camera, three microphones, and clever technology for enhanced video and audio clarity. During my review, they worked extremely well and boosted me during meetings and calls.
• Touch ID: At the top right corner of the keyboard sits the key for Touch ID, a convenient and secure way of unlocking the laptop and signing in to websites and apps with just a finger’s touch. I must say, it’s quite fast and user-oriented.

Pricing:

* AppleCare+ (3 Years) not included

Color Options: The 13″ MacBook Air is available in 4 iconic colors – ‘Midnight’, ‘Silver’, ‘Space Grey’, and ‘Starlight’.

2) ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED (Q420V)

Zenbook 14X OLED is a top-tier choice among slim and lightweight laptops in 2024. I was impressed with its slim body, measuring just 0.67 inches, making it a stylish companion for any setting. Also, its lightweight design, weighing in at just 3.44 pounds, makes it the perfect travel companion.

With the powerful 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, this machine delivers exceptional performance. It’s quite ideal for multitasking and creative tasks. I recommend the ZenBook 14X OLED as a standout choice for anyone who seeks a blend of style, performance, and portability in a laptop.

Features:

• Display: Sporting a 14.5″ NanoEdge OLED HDR display with thin bezels, I was in awe of this display. The brightness reaches 550 nits, and the resolution can be set to 2880 x 1800. The cherry on the cake is the ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate!
• Build Quality: The laptop has passed multiple military-grade durability tests, which is a testament to its longevity. It even has Corning Gorilla Glass, making it resistant to wear and tear.
• Thermals: Zenbook has ASUS’s advanced ‘IceCool’ thermal technology, which can intelligently cool the laptop. I could actually control the balance between performance and fan noise with 3 modes.
• Keyboard: The Zenbook’s keyboard uses ASUS’s ErgoSense technology, providing a comfortable and satisfying typing experience. The key travel feels just right, which makes for effortless typing.
• Touchpad: ASUS’s ErgoSense technology makes the input experience ultra-smooth, too. It’s resistant to fingerprints and easier to clean. Also, the touchpad supports some intuitive gestures and doubles as a virtual numeric keypad!
• MyASUS: A suite of handy ASUS apps and tools that increase the laptop’s utility by maintaining, updating, and optimizing your system. I particularly found AI Noise-Cancelling, File Transfer, Fan Profile, and Screen Mirroring to be very useful.

Pricing: 

Color Options: The ASUS Zenbook 14X OLED comes in one finish, ‘Inkwell Gray’.

3) Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Surface Pro 9 is among the the best slim, lightweight laptops with versatile 2-in-1 functionality. I find its design quite sleek, and the 13-inch PixelSense display is very vibrant and clear, which delivers crisp visuals for both work and entertainment during my review period. 

The Intel 12th Gen processor ensures powerful performance and smooth multitasking, while the impressive battery life allows me to stay productive on the go. I liked the built-in kickstand and detachable keyboard, which provide flexibility in usage modes, from laptop to tablet and studio. This 2-in-1 laptop is ideal for a vast majority of use cases.

Features:

• 2-in-1: The Surface Pro 9 functions as both a laptop and a tablet, which enabled me to diversify my use cases across both modes. I quickly discovered that the detachable keyboard and touchscreen enable easy switching between typing and touch-based input.
• Security Features: This laptop includes advanced security features such as Windows Hello facial recognition and a TPM 2.0 chip meant for enterprise-grade security. These features provide enhanced protection for your data and personal information.
• Display: The Surface Pro 9 sports a fantastic 13-inch PixelSense display with a high resolution of 2880 x 1920. Its dynamic refresh rate goes up to 120Hz. Apart from delivering sharp and vibrant visuals, the touchscreen supports 10-point multi-touch and pen input for versatile usage.
• Speakers: The 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos onboard the Surface Pro 9 deliver clear and immersive sound quality. The audio experience is top-notch.
• Ports: It has various ports, including two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, a Surface Connect port, and a Surface Type Cover port.

Pricing: 

Color Options: The Surface Pro 9 is available in 4 different colors – ‘Graphite’, ‘Platinum’, ‘Sapphire’, and ‘Forest’.

4) LG Gram 17

Gram 17 is the largest display on a slim and lightweight laptop in 2024. Even with its large 17-inch display, it maintains a slim profile measuring 0.7 inches. I was genuinely shocked when I easily carried it around, thanks to it weighing in at almost 3 pounds. It almost feels unnatural!

A robust magnesium alloy body makes this lightweight powerhouse quite durable. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s powered by an Intel Core i7 processor, so you know that this laptop delivers exceptional performance, handling a wide range of tasks with ease. If you’d like an ideal slim & lightweight laptop that prioritizes the display and combines performance, portability, and durability, I recommend getting the Gram 17.

Features:

• Display: The 17-inch IPS display features a high resolution of 2560 x 1600, a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 99% DCI-P3 color gamut, and a Variable Refresh Rate. All these ensure a delightful experience every time I consume media on this machine.
• Keyboard: The Gram’s keyboard is backlit and features a comfortable, responsive typing experience. Its full-sized layout includes a numeric keypad, which, in my opinion, gives the laptop versatility.
• Audio: The LG Gram 17 delivers a decent auditory experience with its two 3W stereo speakers. Dolby Atmos enhances the listening experience with its presets and equalizer. Watch movies, listen to music, and attend video calls with HD Audio.
• Mini Adapter: One underrated feature of the LG Gram 17 that I discovered has to be the power adapter that complements the lightweight laptop that it powers – its compact design takes up the space of a phone charger!
• Ports: Gram 17 includes a versatile selection of ports, such as two Thunderbolt 4, two USB 3.2, HDMI, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack.

Pricing:

Color Options: The LG Gram 17 is available in one color – ‘Black’.

5) Dell 2023 Latitude 3540 

Latitude 3540 is one of the most efficient slim and lightweight laptops in 2024. Being a premium business laptop, it showcases a slick design with quite a slim profile at just 0.71 inches thick. This made it perfect for any professional setting I carried it to.

Weighing in at 3.99 pounds, I found this laptop quite robust, thanks to its durable aluminum chassis. Moreover, it’s equipped with Intel’s Core i7 processor, which delivers outstanding performance. I easily recommend this to anyone needing a reliable workhorse.

Features:

• Display: The display on this business-oriented laptop is a 15.6-inch anti-glare screen for bright indoor environments. It supports a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. The refresh rate is a decent 60Hz, and the brightness can reach up to 250 nits.
• Battery: Two battery capacity options are available – 42 Wh and 54 Wh. Both are available with ExpressCharge and ExpressCharge Boost capabilities. Also, you can choose between a 4.5mm barrel or a USB Type-C adapter, both rated as 65W AC. 
• Security Features: Upon exploring, I discovered great confidentiality features. There’s an optional fingerprint reader, chassis intrusion detection, Windows Hello, a mechanical camera shutter, and a dedicated mic mute button.
• Conference Features: Attending calls on this laptop is an overall solid experience. ‘Intelligent Audio’ technology removes background noise and echoes on both ends of the call. ‘Voice Quality Monitoring’ makes it easy to judge your voice quality.
• Connectivity: This slim and light laptop doesn’t compromise on connectivity. The available ports include an external SIM card tray, USB 3.2, RJ45, Wedge Shaped Lock Slot, HDMI 1.4, USB Type-C, Universal Audio Jack, and more. Wifi 6E is supported, too.

Pricing:

Color Options: The Dell Latitude 3540 is available in one color – ‘Black.’

6) Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 12

Thinkpad X1 Carbon Gen 12 is a powerhouse among slim, lightweight laptops in 2024. It exhibits the Thinkpad line’s timeless design, which the world of professionals has grown in love with. But that’s not all –  it sports an incredibly thin profile of just 0.59 inches. Its lightness (weighing a mere 2.42 pounds) and impressive battery life make it an ideal choice for business travelers.

This best slim & lightweight laptop not only exudes elegance and professionalism – it’s powered by the latest Intel Core i7 processor, which easily handles everyday tasks. Therefore, I can confidently recommend it as the ultimate productivity tool for any professional who likes to work even while they’re on the move. 

Features:

• Performance: This laptop delivers exceptional performance with its LPDDR5x RAM that can be configured up to 64GB. Also, the PCIe Gen4x4 SSD storage, which can reach up to 2TB, made this machine incredibly efficient and fast throughout my testing.
• Display: The slim and light laptop features a stunning 14-inch 2.8k OLED display with vibrant colors and sharp details. The anti-glare screen reaches up to 400 nits of brightness and ensures absolute clarity in every lighting condition I investigated.
• Audio: Equipped with two speakers that support Dolby Atmos, this laptop delivers immersive audio quality, providing clear and rich sound. It also has two 360-degree quad-array microphones and is Dolby Voice certified for professional conferencing.
• Keyboard: Renowned for its excellent keyboard, this laptop offers the ultimate typing experience with air intake keys having 1.5mm travel. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also spill-resistant and is backlit with white LED lighting. 
• Ports: It includes a wide variety of ports, such as two Thunderbolt 4 ports that support speeds up to 40Gbps, two USB-A (5Gbps), HDMI 2.1 (4K at 60Hz), and an audio jack. 

Pricing:

Color Options: The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 is available in one color – ‘Eclipse Black’.

7) ASUS ROG Flow Z13

ROG Flow Z13 is one of the most unique and niche slim and lightweight laptops in 2024. I noticed its portability right away with its ultra-lightweight design, weighing just 2.6 pounds and measuring a mere 0.51 inches in thickness. However, it’s not the exterior that it’s renowned for.

I was seriously surprised when I found out that this 2-in-1 thin & lightweight marvel combines the power of a gaming laptop with the versatility of a tablet. It delivers exceptional performance without compromising on portability, making it perfect for gaming on the go. I highly recommend that gaming enthusiasts and creatives check it out.

Features:

• 2-in-1: This innovative device combines the power of a gaming laptop with the versatility of a tablet, making it a dreamy and perfect choice for gamers on the go. There are umpteen use cases for a device so powerful yet so portable!
• Gaming Performance: Powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB graphics, the ROG Flow Z13 delivers exceptional gaming performance. It even has a beastly 16GB LPDDR5 RAM on board.
• Intelligent Cooling: I analyzed the impressive cooling technology during my hands-on time with this device, including a custom vapor chamber, liquid metal CPU cooling, and Arc Flow fans. It works just fine.
• Display: Featuring a 13.4-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600) touchscreen Nebula display, the ROG Flow Z13 offers crisp and vibrant visuals. It has a 165Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3, 500 nits of brightness, Pantone Validation, and supports Dolby Vision.
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• Accessories: The ROG Flow Z13 can use a detachable backlit keyboard with 1-zone RGB and a stylus. There’s also the extremely cool XG Mobile eGPU, which makes the device a hardcore gaming workstation. These accessories simplify switching between gaming and productivity tasks, offering a complete 2-in-1 experience.

Pricing: ASUS ROG Flow Z13 – $1,693

Color Options: The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is available in one color – ‘Black’.

8) HP Elite Dragonfly G4

Elite Dragonfly G4 is one of the lightest, slimest, and most lightweight laptops in 2024. Weighing in at just 2.2 pounds with a thickness of 0.64 inches, I’m absolutely in awe of this engineering marvel crafted from a premium blend of aluminum and magnesium. It looks sleek and professional. It’s astonishing how light it is – I could only believe it when I picked it up myself.

Ideal for on-the-go professionals, it lasted a typical day’s use with ease, ensuring that I could stay productive without frequent recharging. The Dragonfly G4’s compact, slim design doesn’t compromise performance, and I highly recommend business executives consider this laptop.

Features:

• Security Features: With the AI-enhanced HP Wolf Security, HP Sure Click, and Sure Sense, your data stays protected against prying eyes and unauthorized access. The Dragonfly G4 ensures your security without compromising convenience.
• Battery: Boasting a long-lasting 6-cell 68 Wh Li-ion polymer battery, this laptop didn’t give up until I did. It easily lasted more than 12 hours on a single charge, allowing me to work for extended periods.
• Display: The Dragonfly G4 features a stunning 13.5″ diagonal 1920 x 1280 touch IPS display with vibrant colors and sharp details. It can reach up to 400 nits for visibility in bright environments and has aesthetically pleasing narrow bezels.
• Audio: On the audio front, this laptop is impressive. It has a quad stereo speaker system with Bang & Olufsen audio technology. HP Audio Control software also helps in reducing mic and speaker noise and provides an equalizer with presets.
• Ports: The HP Elite Dragonfly G4 includes two Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps signaling rate), USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and an audio jack. This ensures you stay connected and productive with all your essential peripherals and devices.

Pricing: HP Elite Dragonfly G4 – $1,575

Color Options: The HP Elite Dragonfly G4 is available in 2 colors – ‘Slate Blue’ or ‘Natural Silver’.

9) Acer Chromebook Spin 714

Chromebook Spin 714 is quite a package among slim and lightweight laptops in 2024. It is a sleek and lightweight 2-in-1 device, weighing just 3.02 pounds and featuring a slim 0.71-inch profile. I found its robust aluminum chassis to be quite durable. Yet, it doesn’t compromise on style.

Powered by the Intel Core i7-1355U processor and boasting a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen, it delivers powerful performance and vibrant visuals. Being a Chromebook, it is quite fast during mundane things like booting up. The bottom line is simple – it’s ideal for on-the-go productivity due to its long battery life and versatile design.

Features:

• Chrome OS: The Chromebook Spin 714 runs on Chrome OS, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience. With automatic updates and Google’s ecosystem, it’s perfect for those who value simplicity and efficiency.
• 2-in-1: It easily transitions between laptop and tablet modes, making it ideal for both work and play. Its 360-degree hinge provides flexibility, allowing you to use it in various modes to suit your needs.
• Display: The 14-inch WUXGA (2560 X 1600) IPS touchscreen display greatly enhances the viewing experience. With its aesthetic narrow bezels, you get more screen real estate for work and entertainment.
• Camera: The built-in MIPI 2K webcam provides clear and crisp video quality. Its privacy shutter is a great security feature, and noise-reducing dual microphones ensure you’re heard loud and clear, making remote communication a breeze.
• Ports: This slim laptop comes with various ports, including an audio jack, USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI, providing versatile connectivity options.
• Accessories: Included with the Spin 714 is a stylus with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity that fits neatly into the device for easy access. It enhances productivity, allowing you to take notes, sketch, or navigate with precision. I honestly think it’s really fun to use.

Pricing: Acer Chromebook Spin 714 – $999

Color Options: The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is available in one color – ‘Gray’.

What are the best alternate slim and lightweight laptops in 2024?

This article talks about some of the best slim and lightweight laptops in 2024. However, there are a few honorable mentions, that couldn’t make it into the list but are worth checking out if you’re in the market for slim and lightweight laptops in 2024. 

• Dell XPS: The XPS is widely renowned as one of the best ultraportable laptops on the market in 2024. It didn’t make this list due to its recent models not performing up to the benchmark their predecessors had set.
• Acer Swift: Acer’s Swift lineup has a range of slim and lightweight laptops in 2024 that offer good performance while remaining very portable.
• MSI Prestige: In 2024, the Prestige series offers slim, lightweight, and stylish laptops that are tailored for graphics-intensive tasks like content creation and gaming. They have great hardware specs and vibrant displays.
• HP Spectre x360: Considered one of the best convertible ultrabooks, the Spectre x360 is packed with the latest technologies. It is well-designed, has a great OLED display, amazing performance, and more.
• Apple MacBook Air 13″ M2/M1: Apple’s laptops have shifted the market dynamics in lightweight computing ever since the release of their M1 chip. These slim and lightweight laptops, being a few years old, are still more than enough for most consumers. You can get these at impressive discounts in 2024.

What are Ultraportables?

Ultraportable #Laptops are a category of laptops that are designed to be extremely light, thin, and easy to carry. This makes them ideal for users who prioritize mobility without sacrificing too much on performance. Some key characteristics of ultraportables are:

• Weight and Thickness: The weight of an ultraportable usually falls in the range of 2-3 pounds. Their thickness is generally less than 0.8 inches thick. Due to this, they are easy to carry around.
• Build Materials: Ultraportable laptops generally use high-quality materials like aluminum, magnesium alloy, or carbon fiber. This allows them to maintain a low weight while still being durable and feeling premium.
• Performance and Battery Life: Even with their compact designs, ultraportables have efficient processors, sufficient RAM, and fast SSD storage. Also, they prioritize battery efficiency, making these laptops perfect for performing everyday tasks, even on the go.
• Examples: There are many ultraportables available in the market. Some of them are Apple MacBook Air, Asus Zenbook, Dell XPS, HP Elite Dragonfly, Microsoft Surface Laptop, Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon, and more.

What’s the benefit of a slim and lightweight laptop?

#Slim&LightweightLaptops offer numerous benefits. They’re an excellent choice for almost every kind of user. Their portability allows users to easily carry them between meetings, classes, or during travel without feeling burdened. They often come with long battery life, ensuring that users can work for extended periods without needing to recharge frequently.

The compact and sleek designs of lightweight laptops also make them aesthetically pleasing. Despite their smaller size, many lightweight laptops do not compromise on performance, often featuring powerful processors, fast SSDs, and high-quality displays. Additionally, the reduced weight and compact form factor can contribute to better ergonomics, reducing strain during use and improving overall comfort.

FAQs – Slim and Lightweight Laptops in 2024

Conclusion – Slim and Lightweight Laptops

Slim and lightweight laptops are highly portable. However, they don’t compromise on performance, battery life, build quality, and innovative features. This makes them an ideal choice for many kinds of users, be it students, professionals, or even casuals. Here’s a concluding table for you to recap on the best slim and light laptops in 2024.

Last Seen: Aug 4, 2024 @ 3:53pm 15AugUTC

Aditya Agarwal

@adityaagarwal

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