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Buying a new laptop is always hard, but it's not for lack of choice. There are lots of fantastic laptops out there, and choosing one can be tricky. There are different form factors, sizes, processors, and many more factors to consider. But one factor that tends to be pretty important when choosing a laptop is its weight. Laptops are meant to be portable, and carrying a heavy device in your backpack gets uncomfortable very quickly. Some of us want something truly portable, and we're here to help you find it. We've rounded up some of the best lightweight laptops you can buy right now.
All the laptops on this list are either shipping with Windows 11 or can get the upgrade for free, so you don't have to worry about that. If Windows isn't your thing, you can also check out our list of the best Macs, as well as the best Chromebooks. Windows is generally the operating system that can work best for anyone though, so all the options on this list are great.
Best overall: Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 2
In 2021, Samsung made quite the splash with the original Samsung Galaxy Book Pro family, and this year, it's made it even better. The new Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro series comes with upgraded processors and a design that's still incredibly thin and light.
Let's start with performance, and the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro comes packing Intel's new 12th-generation processors, and specifically, it has been upgraded to the P series. These new processors have a 28W TDP, meaning you can get even more performance out of them, though at the expense of some battery life. Still, it comes with up to an Intel Core i7-1260P, meaning you get 12 cores (4P + 8E) and 16 threads in total, a huge upgrade over the previous generation. Plus, you get up to 32GB of RAM (though we've only seen models up to 16GB) and a 1TB SSD for storage. Samsung has also said there will be a version with discrete graphics, though it doesn't appear to be up for sale just yet.
One of the things that makes this a special laptop is its display, just like last year's model. Regardless of the size you choose, you're getting a Full HD (1920 x 1080) display, and most importantly, an AMOLED panel. OLED displays in laptops are becoming a little less rare, but they're usually a premium option with a very high resolution, high battery consumption, and a high price. With the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro, you can have AMOLED as the default option, and it comes in a reasonable Full HD resolution, making it much more accessible to just about anyone. That means you get true blacks, vivid colors, and very high contrast ratios - even more so than last year because the Galaxy Book 2 Pro has a brighter display, too.
A big upgrade for the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro compared to its predecessor is in the webcam. It now comes with a 1080p camera instead of 720p, which is something we're seeing a lot more of in 2022. Companies are finally realizing that good webcams are important, and they're making better ones. There's still no Windows Hello facial recognition, though, so you'll have to make do with the included fingerprint reader.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro is its design. It's all because of how incredibly light it is, even with the new and more powerful processors. The 13-inch model weighs a mere 1.92lbs, and even the larger 15-inch version is only 2.45lbs (without dedicated graphics, at least). Even some smaller laptops often weigh more than that, so it's very impressive. Not only that, it's also incredibly thin at 11.2mm for the 13-inch model and 11.7mm for the 15-inch model. And to top it all off, it looks great in both graphite and silver colorways. It has something of a dual-tone design, with a slightly different color on the inside compared to the outside.
Finally, in terms of ports, the Galaxy Book Pro includes one Thunderbolt 4 port, one regular USB Type-C port, one USB Type-A port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. That's quite good for a laptop of this size, and if you get the 15.6-inch model, there's also an HDMI port, so you really can't complain about that. It's a great laptop that covers all the basics, even with its crazy thin design.
Just like last its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro is certainly worthy of being considered one of the best lightweight laptops out there, and one of the best laptops in general. It's lightweight, fast, it has a great display, and there really isn't much to complain about here. There's also a convertible version that may or may not be on this list as well.
Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro is one of the thinnest and lightest laptops around, but it still comes with Intel's 12th-gen P-series processors and high-end specs.
Best lightweight 17-inch laptop: LG gram 17
17-inch laptops aren't usually the first that come to mind when thinking of lightweight devices, but that's the main focus of the LG gram. This lineup of laptops packs solid specs into an incredibly light design, and that includes the 17-inch model.
It starts with top-notch performance, powered by a 12th-generation Intel Core processor, specifically the Core i7-1260P. Yes, LG has also opted to use the Intel P-series processors, which means you get 12 cores, 16 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.7GHz, which makes this a very fast laptop. There are also integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics to handle some light GPU workloads. Plus, LG packs a large 80Wh battery inside this laptop, so battery life will probably be better than many other laptops with P-series processors. Aside from that, you get 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, making this a fantastic laptop to use throughout college or for work, with enough space for all your files.
The display is one of the big highlights here, being a large 17-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This means the screen is taller than your typical 16:9 laptop, and this is fantastic for work since you get extra vertical space for text and other UI elements that might require scrolling. Not only that, but this panel comes in Quad HD+ (2560 x 1600) resolution, meaning it's a very sharp screen with extra headroom to scale down UI elements to smaller sizes if you want to have even more screen real estate. Beyond that, it covers 99% of DCI-P3, so this is a great laptop for creative work, too.
LG has also gone ahead and upgraded the webcam with this year's model. Now, the LG gram 17 has a 1080p camera, which is much more suitable for meetings and video calls. Not only that, though, LG has also finally added an IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition, making it easier than ever to unlock your PC.
Design-wise, naturally, the focus is on the weight. At 2.98lbs, the LG gram 17 might not be one of the lightest laptops in general, but when you consider it's a 17-inch laptop, that's very impressive. Many 15-inch laptops weigh more than this, so this is incredibly portable for a device of this size. And at 17.7mm, it's not the thinnest device around, but it's still definitely easy to pick up with one hand. Looks aren't all too noteworthy, but the sleek black look of the gram 17 at least means it fits in anywhere.
Finally, for ports, the LG gram 17 comes with two Thunderbolt 4 ports - both on the same side, unfortunately - two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. That's a solid supply of connectivity for all kinds of peripherals and displays, so you shouldn't have any trouble using the gram 17 with your current setup.
No one else is really making lightweight laptops of this size, and for that reason alone, the LG gram 17 would already be the best in this category. But that's not to say this isn't a fantastic laptop, and it offers solid performance, great battery life, and a fantastic screen for getting work done. It's definitely worth it if you need a big screen you can take anywhere.
LG Gram 17
The LG gram 17 challenges the conventions of 17-inch laptops by being very light and portable while also offering solid performance and battery life.
Best lightweight convertible: Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360
We may already have highlighted the standard Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro, but the convertible variant has some significant differences that make it worthy of its own entry. It still has a lot of what makes the clamshell model great, and it certainly deserves to be on this list.
Performance-wise, the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is nearly identical to the non-convertible model. It comes with Intel's 12th-generation Core processors, either a Core i5-1240P or a Core i7-1260P. That means you get 12 cores and 16 threads, along with speeds up to 4.7GHz and built-in Intel Iris Xe graphics. The convertible model doesn't have the option for discrete graphics, though. You do still get up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of storage (though, again, only models up to 16GB and 512GB, respectively, seem to be available right now), You're not missing out on performance by going with the convertible.
The display is also nearly identical as far as resolution and quality go. You can get either a 13.3-inch or 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) Super AMOLED display, with all the benefits that come with it, such as true blacks and vivid colors. In this case, though, you also get a touchscreen and support for the S Pen, which makes it easier to draw, doodle, or take written notes on this screen. Of course, being a convertible means you can rotate the display all around and use the laptop as a tablet, too. Similar to the clamshell model, while it's great to have a Full HD AMOLED display on a laptop, some may have liked the ability to go a little higher.
Something else that's similar in the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is the webcam, which is a new and improved Full HD sensor with a wider field of view, so you can look better during video calls. There's still no Windows Hello facial recognition, though, so you'll have to rely on the fingerprint reader to unlock your PC if you don't want to use a password or PIN.
Where Samsung's convertible differs from the clamshell version is in the design. As you'd expect with a convertible, the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is slightly thicker, at 11.5mm for the 13.3-inch version and 11.9mm for the 15.6-inch model. it's also heavier, with the 13-inch variant coming in at 2.29lbs and the larger sibling going all the way to 3.1lbs. It also comes in different colors, doing away with the dual-tone look of the clamshell model. You can get it in silver, graphite, or burgundy, and that last one really helps this laptop stand out from the pack since you don't see it that often.
Ports are also very different on the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 compared to its non-convertible sibling. It comes with a Thunderbolt 4 port, two standard USB Type-C ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. You have to sacrifice a lot of variety to go with this convertible design, and that's just because convertibles have to be designed differently. Still, it's a big tradeoff, so you have to ask yourself if you'd rather have the versatility of a convertible, or more ports readily available.
Regardless, this is a fantastic convertible laptop if you want something that's very thin and light. You get plenty of performance and a surprisingly lightweight design, plus a great display. It's not perfect, but it's easy to recommend.
Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360
The Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is a surprisingly lightweight convertible that somewhow still features Intel's 12th-generation P-series processors, plus other high-end specs.
Best lightweight clamshell laptop: Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon
Carbon fiber is a very lightweight material that's still durable, and one Lenovo has been using for a long time with its popular ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Now, it's bringing that material to the mainstream with the new Lenovo Slim 7i laptop, a very lightweight laptop that certainly deserves to be considered one of the best.
Performance-wise, the Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon delivers the goods with 12th-generation Intel Core processors, specifically the Core i7-1260P. As we've mentioned, this is a 12-core, 16-thread processor, and it can boost up to 4.7GHz, which makes it one of the fastest ultrabook processors around, plus it has Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics. That powerful CPU is backed up by 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage, so you have everything you need for a great experience all around in terms of performance. There aren't a lot of configuration options available, but you shouldn't need them.
The display is equally great, too. This is a 13.3-inch panel and it comes in the 16:10 aspect ratio and Quad HD+ resolution (2560 x 1600). Again, Lenovo doesn't offer any configuration options here, but this is a phenomenal display for its size, and it's going to be great for just about any kind of work. It's sharp and the extra height is ideal for productivity. Plus, it has a 90Hz refresh rate for a smoother-feeling experience and it covers 100% of the sRGB color space.
Above that display, there's a bit of bad news. The Lenovo Slim 7i makes do with a 720p webcam, which isn't quite up to the standards of 2022. Many of Lenovo's laptops come with 1080p cameras, and it would have been nice to see that here as well. Still, at least it includes Windows Hello facial recognition, something that's definitely welcome in any laptop.
As the name suggests, the Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon is made from carbon fiber, but only partly. The lid is made of carbon fiber, but the base is made from a magnesium-aluminum alloy, which also helps this laptop be as light as it is. Indeed, it weighs a mere 2.17lbs, and it's 14.8mm thin, so portability is great with this laptop. Because of that mix of materials, the laptop also looks pretty unique. The lid comes in a dark shade of grey (called Onyx Grey), and the base is slightly lighter, coming in Storm Grey. It gives the laptop a bit more personality, which we always appreciate.
The big downside with this thin and light design is the port setup, which is quite limiting. You get one Thunderbolt 4 port and a regular USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and that's it. There's not even a headphone jack, which is strange considering thinner laptops still have it. Still, not everyone relies on a lot of accessories, and if you want portability, you might not care about carrying accessories at all.
It's not a perfect laptop, but the Lenovo Slim 7i offers a strong combination of performance, a great display, and a lightweight design, all for a lower price than you'd pay for most similarly-specced laptops. It starts at $1,300, but that already includes the processor, RAM, and display specs we mentioned above (as well as 512GB of storage). That's a very good price.
Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon
The Lenovo Slim 7i Carbon is an extremely lightweight laptop that delivers powerful performance and a great display.
Best budget lightweight laptop: HP Pavilion Aero
HP recently introduced the Pavilion Aero, which the company calls its lightest consumer laptop ever. And while it's light, that's far from the end of the story here, and this is in fact one of the best bang-for-the-buck laptops you can get right now. Starting at $799 (that's the MSRP, the price is often much lower), this is a fantastic laptop.
For starters, this is a powerful laptop, coming with up at an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor, which makes it the first AMD-based laptop on this list. But this Ryzen 7 is a fantastic CPU, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads, plus boost speeds up to 4.5GHz, which is fantastic for a 15W processor. Intel's 12th-generation processors have more cores, but AMD still comes out on top in thread count, and that means multi-tasking performance is bound to be great. In addition to that, you can get up to 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. But it's almost more impressive to look at the base model: The HP Pavilion Aero starts with a six-core Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, which is great for this price.
That's a consistent theme with the HP Pavilion Aero, and it continues in the display. The HP Pavilion Aero comes with a Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) display at the base level, and that's already impressive. For starters, that's fairly sharp, and not every laptop at this price guarantees that, but not only that, it's one of the very rare laptops in this price range to have a 16:10 aspect ratio. As we've said above, this is great for productivity, and you can make it even better by upgrading to a Quad HD+ (2560 x 1600) panel, which is another feature you won't find on a laptop this cheap.
Of course, sacrifices have to be somewhere, and the webcam here is still 720p and there's no Windows Hello facial recognition. Seeing as this is still fairly common, it's not that big of a sacrifice compared to most other laptops, but it's still a bummer. You do get a fingerprint reader below the keyboard for biometric authentication, though.
Much like other laptops on this list, the HP Pavilion Aero's design is all about being light, and it weighs just 2.2lbs, making it very portable. It's just over 17mm thin so it's fairly portable in that regard, too. While the overall design isn't all that unique, what makes the Pavilion Aero interesting is that it offers four colors to choose from, which is rare for affordable metal laptops. The colors are fairly subdued, but you can choose from silver, white, gold, and pink, which isn't a bad selection at all.
Finally, in terms of ports, the HP Pavilion Aero has some shortcomings, but it's not all HP's fault. Being an AMD-based laptop, it couldn't have Thunderbolt support, so you get a standard USB Type-C port, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. Without Thunderbolt, it would have been nice if the USB ports were faster, but otherwise, HP offers a solid supply here. While the laptop comes with a barrel-type charger, you can use the USB Type-C port to charge if you want the extra convenience.
Like any laptop, the HP Pavilion Aero isn't perfect, but for its price, this is one of the best lightweight laptops and it offers incredible value for your money. It hasn't been upgraded with newer processors yet, but that's not surprising either, and you're still getting a lot of performance with this model.
HP Pavilion Aero 13
The HP Pavilion Aero is a lightweight and affordable laptop with some of the best specs you'll find at this price.
Best lightweight gaming laptop: ASUS ROG Flow X13
Gaming laptops are probably not the first kind of PC you think of when your goal is to get something light, but the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is a very impressive machine in that regard. It's packing some powerful processors, but it's still sleek and surprisingly light for what it offers.
For starters, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is the only laptop on this list to pack 35W processors, specifically up to an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS. The increased power draw means more performance, and with 8 cores, 16 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.9GHz, performance isn't something you're going to be missing. This is a very fast machine, and even the integrated AMD Radeon 680M graphics can already handle some lightweight gaming. But you also get up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics, specifically with 35W of power, so you can definitely run modern games on this small and light laptop. Plus, you get up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage depending on your configuration.
If you want more power, you can also buy the ROG XG Mobile, an external GPU/dock ASUS created specifically for this laptop. It has an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, and it's both heavy and expensive. If portability is your goal, this isn't something you need, but if you want something that can run more intensive games at home and be lighter on the go, it's a valid option.
The display on the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is a 13.4-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which isn't all that common for gaming laptops. Gaming displays tend to be wider, but this also means the ROG Flow X13 is great for both work and play. There are two versions - a Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, ideal for gaming, or an Ultra HD+ (3840 x 2400), which is more suited for content creation. Regardless, you're going to get a great experience here, and Full HD+ is definitely sharp enough for a screen of this size. You also get touch and pen support, because this is actually a convertible laptop.
As usual, the webcam is one area that's somewhat neglected with the ROG Flow X13, and it's a 720p camera without Windows Hello support. Again, this is still more common than we'd like it to be, so it's not like your experience will be much worse than other laptops in this regard. And if you want Windows Hello support, the ROG Flow X13 does have a fingerprint reader built into the power button.
Design-wise, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is a black laptop, but it still looks pretty unique when you look closely. The lid and the wrist rest area are both covered in diagonal lines engraved into the chassis, giving the laptop a slightly edgier look that helps it stand out. And as far as portability goes, the Flow X13 weighs just 2.87lbs, which is very light for a laptop with this kind of power. Plus, it's 15.8mm thin. Considering the hardware inside and the fact this is a convertible, those are impressive numbers, even if they don't rival the thinnest and lightest laptops out there.
As for ports, you get a solid selection. There are two USB Type-C ports, one of which is part of the custom ROG XG Mobile connector, but if you're not using the external GPU, you can use it as a standard USB Type-C port with power delivery. You also get one USB Type-A port, HDMI, and a headphone jack, which covers most basic needs in terms of connectivity. You don't get Thunderbolt as this is an AMD-based laptop, but you still have a solid supply of ports and they're all relatively fast.
This is a laptop I've personally bought and own myself (I'm using it to write this text right now), and it's fantastic. It's very light and portable, but you can use it to play fairly modern games without a problem. If you want a lightweight gaming laptop, this is definitely one of the best.
ASUS ROG Flow X13
For gamers who value mobility, the ASUS ROG Flow X13 is one of the best lightweight gaming laptops you can find. It's also a convertible, and it's great for work too.
Best lightweight business laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
Lenovo's ThinkPad lineup contains some of the most iconic business laptops out there, and out of those, none is more iconic than the ThinkPad X1 Carbon. It's one of the longest-running ThinkPad families, and the latest model comes with big improvements.
Performance-wise, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has received a big upgrade with the transition to Intel's 12th-generation processors. Not only are these newer processors, though, these also come from the new P-series with a 28W TDP, so they're even more powerful. You can configure the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 with up to an Intel Core i7-1280P processor, which means you get up to 14 cores (6P + 8E) and 20 threads, along with boost speeds up to 4.8GHz, and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. This is easily the most powerful ThinkPad X1 Carbon yet. You also get up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD, which is great for something of this size.
Being a business laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is well-known for its wide array of configuration options, and that includes the display. This is a 14-inch panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is fantastic for productivity due to the extra vertical space and the larger surface area in general. The base model comes in Full HD+ (1929 x 1200) resolution, and you can add touch support or a Privacy Guard display to protect your information from prying eyes. However, you also get upgrade options for the resolution. There's a 2.2K (2240 x 1400) IPS panel option, a brand-new 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED display, or an Ultra HD+ (3820 x 2400) IPS panel, with the option for touch support. There are tons of options and they're all great, so you can tailor it to your exact preference.
One of the big upgrades with the latest generation of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the webcam, which is now a 1080p camera instead of 720p. That video quality upgrade is significant and it's something we're seeing more and more of in 2022. Windows Hello facial recognition isn't included by default in every configuration, but it is available as an option, in addition to the included fingerprint reader.
All of this comes wrapped in the iconic Lenovo ThinkPad design, featuring a black chassis highlighted by red accents on the ThinkPad logo, TrackPoint, and mouse buttons. It's pretty much what you've come to know and love in a ThinkPad, but it's still modern where it matters - it measures 15.36mm thin (with a Full HD webcam), and it weighs just 2.48lbs. It's certainly a very portable laptop despite its old-school look.
Despite how thin and light it is, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon isn't lacking in ports. You get two Thunderbolt 4 connections, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.0b, a headphone jack, and an optional nano-SIM slot if you want to add cellular connectivity. And on that note, you can outfit this laptop with either 4G LTE or 5G support so you can stay connected to the internet wherever you go.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is one of the very best business laptops of this year, and it offers all the business features you could want along with top-tier performance and some great display options, all in a lightweight design.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is one of the best business laptops you can buy each year, and the latest model comes with a big performance boost and new display options.
Also great: HP Elite Dragonfly G3
If you want something with a slightly more modern design, the HP Elite Dragonfly G3 is another fantastic business laptop that actually has some potential advantages over Lenovo's offering. The Elite Dragonfly series is HP's cream of the crop for business laptops, and the latest model packs some big changes.
In regards to performance, the HP Elite Dragonfly is also packing Intel 12th-generation processors, but it comes with the 15W models, which don't have quite the same performance, but they also don't use as much power. You can go up to an Intel Core i7-1265U, which gives you 10 cores, 12 threads, and boost speeds up to 4.8GHz, which is still plenty fast for a laptop. Of course, Intel vPro features are also supported. You can also configure this laptop with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, so you have everything you need for a premium experience.
The display is a 13.5-inch panel and it comes in the 3:2 aspect ratio, which we don't see all that often outside of Surface devices. This screen is even taller than a 16:10 aspect ratio, so if you want more vertical space, this is a great laptop for that. It comes in Full HD+ resolution (1920 x 1280), and you can't go higher than that, but there are a few upgrades you can make. You can add touch support, an anti-glare coating to make the screen more visible under bright lights, and even HP Sure View Reflect, arguably the best privacy screen any laptop offers right now.
One of the best things about this laptop is that it comes with a majorly upgraded webcam. This is a 5MP sensor that supports 1080p video, but it also has a bunch of smart features like auto framing and lighting correction to make sure you always look your best during video calls and meetings. Of course, Windows Hello support is also included, so you can easily unlock your PC just by looking at it.
The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 is exactly what you'd expect from a business laptop design-wise. It's silver, and it looks clean, albeit potentially boring to non-business users. It's kind of unfortunate because its predecessor, the Elite Dragonfly Max, came in a more unique "Sparkling Black" colorway and it was a convertible, but HP went back to basics for this model. At 16.26mm, it's not incredibly thin, but it does start at 2.2lbs of weight, so it's really easy to carry around anywhere you go.
You also get a decent variety of ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 connections, one USB Type-A port, HDMI, and a headphone jack. There's also optional support for LTE Cat16 or 5G cellular connectivity, so you can stay connected to the internet from just about anywhere you go. This covers all the basics for business users, and cellular connectivity is great to have if you care about mobility. It actually makes a bit more sense to have it in a laptop with 15W processors like this, since it will likely get you better battery life.
All of this comes at the cost of... well, the cost. It's an expensive laptop, but that's pretty typical for premium business laptops. If you want this lightweight design, powerful specs, and manageability features, that's something you have to be ready for.
HP Elite Dragonfly G3
If you want business-oriented features in a more modern package, the HP Elite Dragonfly G3 is a fantastic laptop.
Best lightweight tablet: Surface Pro 9
Microsoft's Surface Pro line has consistently been one of the best Windows tablets you can buy, and the Surface Pro 9 is no exception. While it may look similar on the outside compared to its predecessor, a few things make this new model a bit more interesting.
For starters, it comes with new processors, as you might expect for any generational upgrade. The Wi-Fi comes with Intel's 12th-generation Intel Core U-series processors up to a Core i7-1255U, while the 5G version has a Microsoft SQ3 chipset with eight Arm-based cores. Both models should offer great overall performance for day-to-day tasks, though the Intel variant will be better for raw speed. Rounding things out, up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD is also an impressive combination for a tablet, though the Arm-based version is limited to 16GB and 512GB, respectively.
The display is the same on both models, and it's fantastic. It's a 13-inch panel with a 3:2 aspect ratio, and it comes with 2880 x 1920 resolution, which is incredibly sharp for this size. On top of the high-resolution panel, it also has a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes animations and motion look much smoother, and that's something you don't see too often in Windows tablets. The screen supports touch and pen input, and it also supports tactile signals with the Surface Slim Pen 2, creating small vibrations to simulate the feel of a pen on paper.
Surface Pro tablets are also known for their cameras, and that's no different here. A 5MP front-facing camera with 1080p video delivers strong image quality for video calls and meetings, and there's also a rear camera with a 10MP sensor and support for 4K video. The front-facing camera also supports Windows Hello facial recognition.
It's a lot easier to have a lightweight device when there's no keyboard attached, and the Surface Pro 9 comes in at around 1.9 pounds, depending on the model you get. If you add the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard, it naturally gets a bit heavier, but it's still a very portable machine, plus not everyone will need the keyboard to go with it. The Intel model also has one major benefit, and that's the color options, which include the new Forest and Sapphire colorways that look stunning. The 5G model is sadly only available in Platinum, though you can at least get the Signature Keyboard in any of the four colors.
Ports are one area that received a bit of a downgrade this generation. The Surface Pro 9 removes the headphone jack, and you only get two USB Type-C ports now. On the Intel model, those ports support Thunderbolt, so you can use high-end docking stations to connect displays, and other peripherals, or use an external GPU. On the 5G variant, they only support USB 3.2 Gen 2, so they're less versatile.
We'd argue the Intel variant of the Surface Pro 9 is a bit better in some ways, but the 5G model does give you cellular connectivity and potentially better battery life. Both models are worth considering, and you can check them both out below.
Surface Pro 9 (Wi-Fi)
The Surface Pro 9 comes with 12th-generation Intel Core processors, and it features an array of beautiful colors for the first time ever. It's easily one of the best tablets out there.
Surface Pro 9 5G
The Surface Pro 9 with 5G is powered by the Arm-based Microsoft SQ3 chipset, and it packs a 120Hz display, plus 5G support for the first time on a Surface device.
These are all some of the very best laptops you can buy today, so if you want something lightweight, you can't go wrong with any of them. While all of these are light, they do come in various sizes, so you can definitely find something that still suits your tastes. We chose the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 2 as our top pick because it's one of the lightest laptops you can find, but it's still a full laptop with a keyboard, a solid selection of ports, and extra-fast 28W processors. Plus, it has a great AMOLED display available in every configuration.
Another thing that's worthy of appreciation is some devices at least still try to look a little different. It's great to see PCs like the HP Pavilion Aero and Surface Pro 9 that deviate a bit more from the typical silver and black colors most laptops tend to have. If you want something that stands out from the crowd, those are two great options, too.
