The best 13-inch laptop 2019: the top 13-inch laptops we've reviewed

These days, it’s hard to avoid the need for one of the best laptops. However, there’s one core reason to opt for one of the best 13-inch laptops – they’re the perfect size. 15-inch laptops are just too big, and if you get something less than 12 inches you’ll be left squinting. The best 13-inch laptops, then, are right in the sweet spot – they’re perfect for watching online videos and getting some work done.

We still love the Dell XPS 13, but it’s not the only ‘right’ choice. We’d get it if you wanted the new MacBook Air, or even the HP Spectre x360. Yeah, the XPS 13 is beautiful, but you don’t have to worry about awkward camera placement on those other laptops. The best 13-inch laptops all excel in different ways.

At the end of the day, finding the best 13-inch laptop depends on what you need it for. Are you just looking for a traditional laptop, without any extra features? Or, are you looking at the best 2-in-1 laptops that can transform into one of the best Windows tablets? What about the best Macs, with macOS Mojave rather than Windows 10? The choice is yours – there’s a whole world of laptops out there.  

It’s not often that we run into a 13-inch laptops that hits all the right boxes, without having to compromise on anything. And, the Huawei MateBook 13 does exactly that. Packed with the latest Intel Whiskey Lake processors and Nvidia MX150 graphics in a chassis that really should be too small to handle them, the Huawei MateBook 13 is a powerhouse that will fit in any travel bag. And, it’s affordable – what more could you ask for?

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13  

The Dell XPS 13, while its changes over last year’s model are subtle, is still one of the best 13-inch laptops. On the high end, the 4K display offers a sharper picture across the board. But, even if you can’t afford the top end model, the gorgeous design, lengthy battery life and SD card slot aren’t going anywhere – plus, you’ve got a quad-core processor no matter what poison you pick. It’s going to be one of the best 13-inch laptops, no matter which configuration you go for. 

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

It’s not as powerful as its 15-inch counterpart, but everything else about the 13.5-inch version of the Surface Book 2 makes for one of the best 13-inch laptops for anyone looking for a mobile workhorse. No matter if you’re a professional or creative, the Microsoft Surface Book 2, with its more compact form factor, rocks an aesthetic that’s just as gorgeous as its predecessor. What’s more, the dynamic fulcrum hinge is even stronger now, which only complements its robust, quad-core processor. 

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2

With Razer’s reputation, a laptop as pretty, thin and light as the Razer Blade Stealth comes as a major surprise, but it’s one of the best 13-inch laptops out there. The Razer Blade Stealth – in its all new gunmetal finish – rocks not just style, with its 400-nit display brightness and full-size USB 3.0 ports, but it also has a few tricks up its sleeve to make it a performance beast. The 8th-generation Kaby Lake Refresh processor makes this laptop a force to be reckoned with. It doesn’t have the best battery life in the game, but for a laptop this good, it’s worth it. 

Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth

For anyone who prefers premium build quality over everything, the HP Spectre x360 contains everything you could ever ask for in a 2-in-1 without compromise. Weighing in at just 2.78 pounds and measuring just over half an inch thick, it’s as thin as it is light. Plus, with up to a 4K display and 8th-generation Intel processors, it’s one of the best ways to experience high-quality video streaming as well as 720p gaming on a hybrid. We didn’t even mention the plentitude of ports. You’ll get two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports on top of a USB 3.1 Type-A – so you shouldn’t need a ton of adapters. 

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360

If you’re looking for a thin, svelte and fast 13-inch laptop to haul around with you, and you don’t mind giving up some premium features, you’ll fall in love with the Asus ZenBook 13. Coming in at just half an inch thick and weighing just 2.5 pounds, this is the perfect laptop to carry when traveling. And, don’t think you have to give up on power with all this portability, either. The Asus ZenBook 13 features quad-core Intel processors, 8GB of RAM and a fast SSD. The only thing you’re missing here is USB-C, and while it’s a nice feature to have, it’s easy to look past in a laptop this stylish. 

Read the full review: Asus Zenbook 13 

No one likes change, we get it. Still, the 15.6-inch frame of the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin we once knew will soon be erased from our memories forever, but the new 13.3-inch model doesn’t seem like an awful upgrade. It’s bounced two generations into the future in terms of processing power, and even though there are no discrete graphics – we’re happy to see a keyboard that can compete with some of the heavy hitters. It’s not going to blow your mind, yet as far as hybrid notebooks go, this one ain’t too shabby (plus it’s cheaper than a weaker MacBook Pro). 

Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 7 Spin

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the HP Spectre x360

The original Surface Laptop was already one of the best 13-inch laptops – it had a gorgeous screen, competent internals and fantastic build quality. It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that its sequel, the Surface Laptop 2 takes everything the original did and does it better. You’re not going to find any radical changes here, but the speedy 8th-generation processors, 8GB of RAM at the base level and, most importantly, the removal of Windows 10 S, all add up to make one of the best laptops out there. Especially if you’re a student. 

Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2

As time goes on, 2-in-1 laptops are becoming more popular, and their manufacturers are improving them at a rapid pace. This is especially true for Lenovo – it’s been creating drop-dead beautiful convertibles for years, much like the Lenovo Yoga 920. This 13-inch laptop brings Thunderbolt 3 to the table, an improved webcam – and most importantly – an 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Refresh processor with every configuration. The fans get loud, but the Lenovo Yoga 920 is certainly among the best 13-inch laptops on the market.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920 

The MacBook Pro 2018 feels like the final form of Apple’s pro series laptop since its 2016 redesign. It keeps the thin and light design, but brings a wealth of improvements, both to the hardware within and, more importantly, Apple has vastly improved the Butterfly keyboard – making it quieter and more reliable. So, you no longer have to worry about it breaking cause a piece of dust appeared under the spacebar. So, if you need an ultra-portable workhorse running macOS Mojave and you can justify the cost, the 2018 MacBook Pro won’t let you down. Keep in mind, though, the model without the Touch Bar is still running last year’s hardware. 

Read the full review: MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid-2018) 

• Want more choices? Check out our list of the best laptop 2019

Bill Thomas, Joe Osborne and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

Contributer : Techradar - All the latest technology news http://bit.ly/1HfKWn0