The lightest laptop and ultrabook in the world (2024)- complete list

In this article, we’re discussing the lightest laptops and ultrabooks currently available in stores.

A laptop’s overall weight is one of my main concerns when shopping for a highly portable computer, the kind I’ll constantly grab along to work or school or during my commute, or something I can comfortably bring with me when traveling. In fact, a lightweight and sturdy build matter more to me than having the most compact footprint or the thinnest design, although in most cases the lightest laptops are also some of the thinnest and smallest as well.

How much does a laptop weigh?

These days, the average laptop weight is somewhere between 2 and 7 pounds (900 grams to 3.2 kilos), and varies depending on screen size and the capabilities of each design. Compact ultrabooks typically weigh 3 lbs or less, with the lightest models under 2 lbs (1 kilo), while powerful work and gaming laptops weigh 5+ lbs.

In between, you’ll find a multitude of all-around laptops that weigh between 3 to 6 lbs, based on their specs and features. The more powerful the machine, the higher the weight.

Manufacturers rarely advertise the weight of their laptops, but since many of you are interested in this sort of lightweight computers, I’ve put together a few lists of the lightest options you can find in stores all around the world based on a couple of criteria.

We’ll be looking at regular clamshell ultrabooks, 2-in-1 convertible laptops, Windows tablets, powerful gaming/work notebooks, and a few Chromebooks, so there’s something in here for each and every one of you.

I’ll also add that only the latest versions of each device are included in these lists, which I update periodically with new entries. At the same time, this article is not a top of the lightest laptops or a classification of the best lightweight laptops out there – you’ll find that topic more thoroughly covered in this separate article over here.

To make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for, I’ve split the post into several different sections, starting with:

• the lightest overall laptops that weigh less than 2.2 pounds (or 1 kg),
• compact 10 to 12-inch options under 2.6 pounds (or 1.2 kg),
• as well as lists of the lightest sub-14-inch, 15-inch, and 16 & 17-inch laptops.

I’ve also included details on the important hardware specs, screen size, and battery size for each unit, and the latter is particularly important when it comes to lightweight laptop computers, as some units skimp on long battery life in order to weigh as little as possible, and that’s not something I’d sacrifice on my everyday computer.

The lightest laptops under 2.2 pounds / 1 Kg as of 2024

These are the lightest laptop computers you can find in stores these days that weigh less than 1 kilo. I’ve included mostly complete laptops in here, but also a few tablet formats that keep under the 1 kilo limit with their included keyboard folios/docks.

Keep in mind that I’ve only included in here devices that can be utilized as fully functional laptops, which means devices that include a QWERTY keyboard. That means I’ve left out some tablets and some gaming handhelds that lack a keyboard, but otherwise weigh less than a kilo, such as the Steam DecK or the Asus ROG Ally or the Lenovo Legion Go.

Also, you should be aware of the differences in format, screen size, hardware and battery capacity on these devices, especially the lower you go on weight.

Furthermore, as a heads-up, make sure to look into reviews for more details on the overall build and feel of these laptops, as well as more insights on their ergonomics, performance and battery life, as some compromises were made with some of these ultra-light products in order for them to weight as little as they do, and it’s best to be aware of these compromises in advance.

Some of the lightest uncompromised laptops of this generation: Fujitsu LifeBook UH90, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and the HP ProBook Aero

The lightest small laptops that weigh less than 1.2 kilos /2.5 lbs

This is a list of mini ultrabooks, Chromebooks, and 2-in-1s with sub-13-inch displays that weigh between 2.2 and 2.7 lbs (1 to 1.2 kg).

The even lighter variants that weigh less than 1 kilo have been included in the first subsection of this article.

Lightweight 13 and 14-inch ultrabooks – under 1.2 kilos / 2.5 lbs

This section includes lightweight 13 to 14-inch laptops that weigh between 2.2 and 2.6 lbs (1 to 1.2 kg). Just as before, the lighter variants that weigh less than 1 kilo have been included in the first subsection of this article.

These aside, check out our more detailed analysis on 13-inch ultraportables for a few more options that do not meet the strict weight limits chosen for this selection, but are still among the best ultrabooks money can buy these days, such as the Dell XPS 13, Microsoft Surface Laptop or the Apple MacBook Air. You should also check our Chromebook Buying guide for some more options in that class.

The lightest 15-inch laptops under 4 lbs

While full-size 15-inch laptops are not primarily designed with a lightweight chassis in mind, some of you might actually want a thin-and-light laptop with a bit more power and a larger screen, that’s why I’ve compiled the following list of 15-inch notebooks that weigh less than 4 pounds (roughly 1.8 kilos).

You’ll mostly find two types of laptops in this class. On one hand, there are the 15-inch models based on Intel Core i5/Core i7 U or AMD Ryzen 5/7 U hardware platforms with Intel/AMD integrated graphics, and I’ve only included those options that weigh less than 3.5 lbs in this class, in order to keep to a more manageable selection. On the other, there are the more powerful models built on Intel Core H/U or AMD Ryzen HS/H platforms with some sort of mid to high-level Nvidia GeForce dGPUs, and in this case, I’ve included those that weigh 4 lbs or less, as I feel slightly sacrificing on the portability is compensated by the vastly superior performance with these products.

If you’re looking for a more ample selection of excellent thin-and-light laptops with 15+ inch displays, this article is a must-read for you, as it also covers those options that go slightly over the limits we’ve set for this article, but compensate for it with higher-quality constructions, extra features, and capabilities that some of these ultra-lightweight models might not completely check for you.

There’s also a wide range of 15-inch laptops that weigh between 4 and 4.4 lbs, including both multimedia and gaming models. Check out this post for my detailed list of recommended 15-inch portable laptops.

The lightest 16-inch and 17-inch laptops

In case you’re interested in a lightweight laptop with a larger 16-inch or 17-inch display, the following table includes the few portable options out there.

The limits are aggressively set at 4.4 lbs (2 kg) for 16-inch models, and more permissively at 5.5 lbs (2.5 Kg) for 17-inch models, regardless of the hardware specs, and that’s because many of these larger products are full-performance laptops with powerful specs and modern features, the kind I’d expect you’d want in a larger-screen computer.

Some of the lightest 17-inch laptops: MSI GS75 Stealth, Dell XPS 17, and the LG gram 17

Here’s a short glossary of the terms mentioned above:

• Types:
  • Ultrabook: standard-shaped clamshell computer – here’s a detailed ultrabook definition;
  • Convertible: 2-in-1 laptop with 360-degree convertible display;
  • Detachable: 2-in-1 laptop with detachable stand-alone display;
  • Chromebook – a laptop running Google’s ChromeOS operating system;
  • Business – everyday laptop with a tougher chassis and a few features that make it best fit for business environments (fingerprint readers, vPRO, TPM, etc);
  • Multimedia – complete all-day performance laptops meant for daily use, demanding work-loads and light gaming;
  • Workstation – performance laptops meant for demanding work-loads and creative work;
  • Gaming – ultraportable laptops with powerful graphics chips, able to deal with games;

Wrap up

This pretty much wraps up these lists of the lightest and most portable laptops in the world.

I might have left some of them out, so if you spot anything that’s missing and should be in here, let me know in the comments below.

Furthermore, for more details about ultrabooks, check out all the other articles here on the site. And if you have any questions or need any help picking the best thin-and-light laptop for your needs, drop me a line in the comments section or by email, I’ll be around to reply.

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