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This versatile and super-compact 1.7-pound and 0.28-inch thick build and excellent 15-hour battery life make it an ideal traveling laptop. While the keyboard and accompanying pen are sold separately and you’ll have just two USB-C ports to work with, the main body of the Surface Pro X can rest flat on a surface or be propped up at your preferred angle with the help of the kickstand positioned on the back of the device. If you’re keen on the flexibility a convertible laptop offers, the Microsoft Surface Pro X is an attractive option. While the port selection is also generous, this laptop lacks a microSD and does require a proprietary ethernet adapter if you prefer a wired connection. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon can also be equipped with up to a 1TB SSD and up to 16GB of RAM for easy file storage and seamless multitasking. Other helpful features include a fingerprint sensor, backlit keyboard, and a camera shutter cover for more privacy. The larger 14-inch FHD, anti-glare and low-power display offers crisp views of whatever you’re working on and the spill- and drop-proof build and impressive battery life of up to 18.3 hours makes this a capable portable work station. This laptop won’t be cumbersome to travel with since it weighs just 2.4 pounds and measures just a bit over 0.5 inches thick. Lightweight work laptops should travel well and be able to get you through the day on a single charge, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon fits that description to a tee. Read on for our top picks of the best lightweight laptops.
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Other first-rate comforts include cellular connectivity, durable form factors, and biometrics for quick and secure access. Above-average battery life that extends beyond a workday is also a bonus, and some models don’t require a recharge for 18 hours or longer. These attributes are helpful for creative tasks such as photo or video editing and enjoyable gaming.
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Most have enough processing power, RAM, and storage to complete routine multitasking for the typical workday, but specialized models can rival the power of brawnier laptops or desktops with heavy-duty processors, expandable internals, and vivid and large displays with advanced graphics and color rendering. While they’re usually much slimmer and smaller overall than the best 17-inch and larger laptops, most lightweight laptops are capable enough to tackle whatever tasks you throw their way without the burden of extra weight. If you need a device that can travel well or is easy to move around, the best lightweight laptops are totable 2- to 4-pound ultrabooks with displays that range from 13 to 16 inches.
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