The best 13-inch laptops 2021 - rating of inexpensive but good ones

Today, manufacturers offer a wide range of ultrabooks with a screen diagonal of 13 inches, which will be an excellent choice for work. They are mobile and compact, which allows you to take them with you every time you leave the house. Their advantages include light weight, balanced characteristics, a good screen and a keyboard that allows you to quickly type large amounts of text. To make it easier for you to make your choice, we have prepared a rating that includes only the best models of laptops with a 13-inch screen diagonal, which should be considered as an option for purchase in 2020-2021.

HP PAVILION 13-an0

The TOP budget 13-inch laptops includes an excellent model from HP, which is made in a stylish gold casing. It looks expensive and premium despite the fact that the price tag for the device is quite affordable. With the HP PAVILION 13-an0 you can deploy your workspace anywhere. The portable gadget is equipped with a 13.3-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. The Windows 10 Home operating system is preinstalled on an SSD with a capacity of 128 or 256 GB. It loads quickly, as do all applications installed on the SSD. He also made it possible to make the body thinner.

The ultrabook comes with Core i3 / Core i7 chipsets with a frequency of 1.6-2 GHz, which is combined with 4 or 8 GB of RAM. With such technical characteristics, you won’t play much games, but it copes well with graphics processing, video playback and other everyday tasks. An important advantage is the lithium-ion battery, which lasts up to 11 hours and 30 minutes of use. Built-in graphics - UHD Graphics 620.

Pros:

  • Nimble;
  • Thin and light;
  • Plastic-aluminum housing;
  • Large touchpad;
  • A pair of USB 3.0 and 1 USB type C, HDMI and a memory card slot;
  • Fast fingerprint scanner;
  • Comfortable and responsive keyboard without false positives;
  • Not a bad sound.

Minus:

  • Cooler hum under load;
  • Large power supply.

How to choose a 13-inch laptop?

When choosing a laptop with a 13-inch display diagonal, there are eight important technical parameters to consider:

  1. The category of 13-inch laptops includes devices with a screen diagonal of 33.02 cm . Also included in this category are laptop computers with 13.3″ and 13.5″ screens. All these models are compact in size and light in weight.
  2. Matrix . It is responsible for the quality of the image displayed on the screen, the width of viewing angles, contrast and realistic color rendering. In 13-inch models, a matrix made using In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology is most often installed. IPS matrices support higher resolutions (Full HD, 2K, 4K), and also have the largest color gamut coverage and maximum viewing angles (178°C).
  3. Processor . The small size of a laptop does not prevent manufacturers from installing modern and high-performance processors. The most popular in 13-inch models are chipsets from Intel (Core i3, Core i5, Core i7) and the Apple M1 SoC processor (in Apple laptops). They will allow you to quickly process files and maintain stable operation of “heavy” programs.
  4. Cooling system . When using a powerful processor in a laptop, it is imperative that a good cooling system is provided. It will protect your laptop from overheating and burnout of microcircuits. Ideally, there should be a cooler with a fan and holes for heat removal.
  5. RAM . To use resource-intensive programs for creating graphics and games on a laptop, you need from 16 to 32 GB of RAM. To perform standard office tasks, watch movies and surf the web, this type of memory can vary in the range of 6–8 GB.
  6. Video card . Laptop computers with a 13-inch display diagonal are mostly equipped with integrated video cards, such as: Intel Iris Plus, Intel Iris Xe, Intel HD, Intel UHD, AMD Radeon. More expensive models can have the following types of discrete controller installed: Apple graphics 7-core or 8-core, NVIDIA GeForce
  7. Drive type . Compact laptop models are mostly equipped only with solid-state drives (SSDs), as they run resource-intensive programs and open files faster. Only HP provides hard drives (HDD) in its design. They are good for storing large amounts of information.
  8. Battery . 13-inch laptops are equipped with high-capacity batteries that allow you to use the devices for a long period of time without connecting to the network. Minimum capacity batteries (37.7 Wh) can keep the laptop running for 6-8 hours. The maximum capacity batteries (67 Wh) can operate up to 22 hours.

Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3″ 2021

The updated line of ultrabooks belongs to the upper price category and is created as a direct competitor to the Apple MacBook Air 13″. They are united by good communication capabilities, stylish design, similar weight and overall dimensions, as well as performance levels. But the Mi Notebook Air 13.3″ 2021 has one important advantage - it costs significantly less, which makes it an excellent choice for those who are accustomed to the Windows operating system and prefer to use it.

The beautiful all-metal body is highly rigid, allowing it to withstand a variety of impacts. Bright and detailed images are displayed on the 13.3-inch FullHD screen. For its manufacture, IPS technology was used with its characteristic maximum viewing angles and good color gamut.

If your work requires you to print large amounts of text, then the Mi Notebook Air will be a good choice thanks to its low-profile LED-backlit island keyboard. The performance will also not disappoint you, because it is driven by 4-core Intel Core i5/i7 processors, which are complemented by 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and 256 or 512 GB NVMe SSD drives. Combined with the MX250 discrete graphics card, you can play any game, although often at low or medium graphics. The autonomy is provided by a 4-cell rechargeable battery, the charge of which lasts up to 8 hours.

Pros:

  • Super design and pleasant tactile sensations;
  • Good level of performance, which is enough for most games and professional tasks;
  • Discrete video card;
  • Value for money;
  • Comfortable typing thanks to a comfortable backlit keyboard;
  • Fingerprint's scanner;
  • Weight 1.3 kg;
  • Very quiet;
  • Good and loud sound;
  • There is a slot for a second SSD;
  • Up to 8 hours without recharging.

Minuses:

  • A power supply with a Chinese plug, which requires an adapter for our sockets.

The best laptops in the middle segment - price up to 65,000 rubles

We've decided on budget options. Now it’s worth considering decent laptops in the top price category in 2021.

I would like to note that there is no universal or specific parameter for choosing such a laptop. For example, for doing business, each strategy is individual and has its own characteristics. Let’s say that the owner of an online clothing store needs productivity, as well as the ability to process photos in a graphics editor. Travel agency representatives benefit from speed and mobility; stock exchange employees benefit from uninterrupted network connectivity and smooth operation. For gamers - to play the game. Therefore, the best-selling and popular models are good for each buyer in their own way.

Toshiba Portege Z30-C-138

For those in need of a powerful laptop (without loss of mobility or time), this option from Toshiba is suitable. This manufacturing company has invested a colossal amount of chips in the device. For example, a VGA port, a fingerprint scanner and other interesting useful things.

This device has the following characteristics: processor: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i7-6500U, 13.3-inch screen, video card: Intel HD Graphics 520 and 512 GB SSD hard drive. The cost of such a laptop is around 40,000 rubles.

Toshiba Portege Z30-C-138

Advantages:

  • You can connect to your device using ports and features;
  • Duration of autonomous operation up to eleven hours;
  • Compactness.

Flaws:

  • Low display resolution;
  • Screen (viewing angle);
  • The layout is not very convenient.

Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2017

Currently, it makes no sense to talk about the popularity of this company. It produces very powerful and fast models. The in-house operating system is well optimized.

The presented model is equipped with a Retina display, has a 13.3-inch screen and 1440*900 pixels. Processor – Core i5, SSD – from 128 to 512 GB, RAM – 8 GB. Weight – 1.35 kg. Working hours are between eight and nine hours. The operating system is, of course, MacOS.

Products of this brand are preferred by those people who value their time, love convenience and well-organized work. This model will provide just such work. It is universal - it can be used both for work and for entertainment. The cost of such pleasure is from 53,000 rubles.

Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2017

Advantages:

  • Uninterrupted operation without virus attacks, slowdowns and lags;
  • All indicators from charging to the light when the camera is turned on;
  • Convenient touchpad.

Flaws:

  • Not every software runs on the operating system;
  • Not always suitable for working (with documents);
  • Matrix quality.

Asus NovaGo TP370QL

ASUS was the first to release a laptop of this type. It is made like a transformer with a diagonal of 13.3 inches.

Productivity is not great. However, this does not prevent you from buying it for use in the office (for example, for multimedia purposes). Plus, there is a capacious battery installed in the ultrabook case. Thanks to these criteria, this gives us an incomparable Always-On (that is, always on) laptop. These characteristics make it possible to work on a laptop like a smartphone. You can never turn it off and charge it as needed. Cost - from 53,100 rubles.

Asus NovaGo TP370QL

Advantages:

  • The device is equipped with an ARM chipset;
  • Low power consumption;
  • Capacious battery.

Flaws:

  • You cannot run applications that rely on OpenGL;
  • Changes to Windows Shell may cause applications to display incorrectly.

Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3

This laptop is presented by the Chinese company Xiaomi, which is famous mainly for its good smartphones. This device stands out among the neighboring five laptops in its compactness and lightness. I would like to say right away that its weight is only 1.3 kg. The body is made of metal. Screen size: 13.3 inches. Excellent IPS matrix with 1920×1080 detail. Processor - Core i5/i7 from Intel with Kaby Lake cores and a frequency of 2.5 or 2.7 GHz. Standard RAM memory capacity is 8 GB. The video card is only a separate mobile GeForce MX150 from NVIDIA with 2 GB of memory.

The model has a 40 Wh battery, providing an average of about nine hours of battery life. Cost – 63,590 rubles.

Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3

Advantages:

  • Fingerprint scanner for full authorization;
  • Excellent color rendition;
  • Sturdy metal body;
  • Good sound.

Flaws:

  • Does not see flash cards;
  • Bad camera;
  • The keyboard backlight is uneven + low brightness levels.

Apple MacBook Air 13 2021

Even now, the Apple MacBook Air 13 2021 remains a good choice based on performance and weight. Apple manages to combine powerful hardware and the thinnest metal body, which is what you want from a 13-inch laptop. The display has a glossy finish, a resolution of 1440×900 pixels and is made using TN technology, which is why viewing angles are far from perfect.

From the factory, the high-speed SSD drive is equipped with the macOS Sierra operating system, which is distinguished by its functionality, intuitive interface and incredible performance. Autonomy is the strong point of the gadget, because it lasts up to 12 hours. There are modern wireless communications, including Wi-Fi 802.11ac and a gigabit LAN port. The Intel Core i5 processor includes 2 cores and 4 threads. The standard clock speed is 1.8 GHz, but it can be overclocked to 2.9 GHz. It is complemented by 8 GB of built-in slow DDR3 1600 MHz RAM and an HD Graphics 6000 video core.

Pros:

  • Ergonomic;
  • Easy;
  • Stylish;
  • Productive;
  • Ideal for working with texts and processing graphics;
  • Manufacturing materials;
  • Up to 12 hours without recharging;
  • Responsive touchpad.

Minuses:

  • Low resolution TN matrix;
  • Soldered DDR3 RAM with low frequency.

DELL INSPIRON 5368

This is not a simple model, but a two-in-one device, as it is a transformable laptop with a touch screen. The Dell Inspiron 5368 is a great companion in any situation, on the road, at home or while working. Thanks to the high-quality Full HD display, you can enjoy beautiful and clear images, which plays a significant role in cases where you work with photographs or just like to watch movies. For the Internet and watching movies, the laptop is simply ideal, even considering its compact size. By the way, the Inspiron is not an ordinary model, but a full-fledged laptop, since it provides for a 360-degree rotation of the body components, and, thanks to the excellent tightness, not a single element will dangle, so the device will serve faithfully. If you decide to look for a laptop for travel, a laptop from Dell would be a good option, as it is quite powerful and at the same time compact. As for performance, the main parameters are as follows: dual-core Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3 GHz processor, 8 GB of RAM, integrated Intel HD Graphics 520 graphics card and 1 TB storage.

Pros:

  • Not a bad processor
  • Laptop function
  • A workhorse with modern capabilities

Minuses:

  • Weak camera
  • Slow hard drive

ASUS ZenBook 13 UX331UN

The premium Asus ZenBook 13 series attracts with its design, battery life and balanced parameters. The laptops in the series use a 13.3-inch IPS matrix, which operates at a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, which gives them a density of 165 PPI. It was possible to fit the powerful filling into a miniature aluminum case weighing 1.12 kg. and less than 14 mm thick.

Top-end performance is combined with a beautiful design, which is the merit of 4-core Intel Core i5 and i7 chipsets with an improved Intel Hyper-Threading multi-threaded computing mechanism. RAM is 8 or 16 GB, but it is of the outdated LPDDR3-2133 format. Windows 10 Home OS comes pre-installed on a 512GB or 1024GB SSD. The main advantage over competitors is the presence of an integrated Nvidia GeForce MX150 video card, which is better at processing graphics and provides a decent level of 3D performance. The island keyboard is equipped with a white backlight, which ensures comfortable typing even in the dark. Music lovers will appreciate the spacious and clear sound from the Harman Kardon speakers.

Pros:

  • Lightweight - only 1.12 kg;
  • Variety of available ports and connectors;
  • Bright and detailed display;
  • Discrete video card;
  • Up to 14 hours of autonomy;
  • Lots of RAM and built-in memory;
  • Performance;
  • Super sound;
  • Quiet.

Minuses:

  • The touchpad does not always respond correctly to user actions, which is due to unfinished software.

TOP 5 best gaming laptops 13 inches

Apple MacBook Pro 13 Late 2020

Apple MacBook Pro 13 Late 2021 is a laptop that is primarily famous for its powerful single-chip processor (Apple SoC), Apple graphics 8-core video controller and very high-quality Retina display .
The 13.3-inch display has an IPS matrix with very wide viewing angles and True Tone technology, which allows you to convey all colors, shades and halftones as realistically as possible.

For data storage, a solid-state SSD drive of 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB is provided . You can fully charge your computer battery in 1.5–2.5 hours using a 61 W power supply.

The built-in Touch ID fingerprint scanner will help protect your laptop from interference from other people.

Specifications:

  • screen – 13.3″ (2560×1600);
  • battery – 58.2 Wh (20 hours);
  • OS – macOS.

pros

the battery holds a charge for a long time;

high level performance;

quiet cooler.

Minuses

few ports and connectors.

HP Envy x360 13-ay

The HP Envy x360 13-ay convertible laptop is a multifunctional device that can be used in four modes: as a regular laptop, as a tablet, as a tent, and also as a console for connecting a gamepad .
For ease of use, the laptop keyboard is equipped with a two-level white LED backlight. To save power consumption, the LEDs under the keys will turn off after 30 seconds of inactivity.

A six-core AMD Ryzen 5 processor and an integrated AMD Radeon Graphics controller with an additional 512 MB of video memory are responsible for performing resource-intensive tasks..

Programs and files are stored on an SSD drive (256, 512, 1024 GB).

The sound system from Bang and Olufsen is of good quality. The matrix, produced using IPS technology, has a very large brightness reserve. An ultra-sensitive touch panel is installed on top of it.

Specifications:

  • screen – 13.3″ (1920×1080);
  • battery – 51 Wh (11–13 hours);
  • OS – Windows 10 Home.

pros

transformable design;

bright and color-rich screen;

battery life.

Minuses

defective keyboard.

ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 UX363

The convertible ultrabook ZenBook Flip 13 UX363 has an incredibly compact size and low weight (1.3 kg), and can also open 360° thanks to the ErgoLift hinge .
The touchpad on the computer is combined with a numeric keyboard unit. Despite its small dimensions, the device is fully equipped with all the necessary ports and connectors, such as: two USB-C ports, HDMI, and USB-A. The high-capacity battery quickly charges up to 60% in just 49 minutes.

The thin-frame NanoEdge touch display supports both manual control and using the included ASUS Pen stylus.

The image on the screen has Full HD resolution.

The powerful configuration of the Intel Core i7 processor and Intel Iris Xe Graphics is carefully selected to ensure high speed multitasking.

Two stereo speakers guarantee clear sound even at high volume levels.

Specifications:

  • screen – 13.3″ (1920×1080);
  • battery – 67 Wh (16 hours);
  • OS – Windows 10 Pro.

pros

touch screen;

powerful processor;

Comfortable keyboard and touch pen included.

Minuses

poor cooling.

HUAWEI MateBook X

Modification X of the HUAWEI MateBook laptop is equipped with a powerful Intel Core i5 central processor and a built-in Intel HD Graphics 620 or Intel UHD Graphics graphics adapter .
The thin LTPS screen reproduces clear and rich images in 3K quality. Data storage and fast loading of programs is carried out using a built-in SSD drive of 256 or 512 GB and RAM of 8 or 16 GB.

To protect the user's confidential data, the laptop's design includes a power button, which integrates a fingerprint scanner and a webcam hidden in the keyboard..

The useful smart function Huawei Share is provided by the manufacturer for pairing a laptop and smartphone wirelessly using a special sensor.

Specifications:

  • screen – 13″ (2160×1440);
  • battery – 41.4 Wh (6–8 hours);
  • OS – Windows 10 Home.

pros

bright and color-saturated picture;

key backlight;

compact size and light weight.

Minuses

insufficient cooling under heavy loads.

ASUS VivoBook S13 S333

The ASUS VivoBook S13 S333 mobile laptop is extremely lightweight (only 1.2 kg) and thin (14.9 mm) .
Fast charging will help you get up to 60% charge in just 49 minutes. All this makes the device very convenient for transportation and work outside the home. The built-in audio system, developed by the American company Harman Kardon, makes the sound in the speakers larger and richer .

The LCD matrix is ​​responsible for the image in Full HD quality, excellent color rendition and wide viewing angles. To process multimedia content, the laptop has an Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce discrete video controller.

An innovative touchpad with a combined NumberPad 2.0 numeric keypad and an ergonomic keyboard will be comfortable for long and constant typing.

Specifications:

  • screen – 13.3″ (1920×1080);
  • battery – 50 Wh (5–6 hours);
  • OS – without OS / Windows 10 Home / DOS.

pros

touchpad with numeric keys;

fingerprint scanner;

surround sound without distortion from the built-in speakers.

Minuses

gets very hot in resource-intensive tasks.

Xiaomi RedmiBook 13″ Ryzen Edition

In 2021, the Chinese manufacturer updated its family of Ultrabooks, offering improved performance at a low price. The body is assembled from thermally hardened aluminum alloy and its thickness does not exceed 18 mm. By choosing it, you get a decent level of performance and up to 11 hours of use without recharging, which is enough for one working day.

Thanks to fast charging technology, it replenishes 50% charge after just 34 minutes. The device weighs only 1.23 kg, making it a good option for everyday use and long trips. It gets your work done and gives you access to entertainment wherever you are. Xiaomi RedmiBook 13″ Ryzen Edition is equipped with a 13.3-inch screen with thin frames and FullHD resolution. This is an excellent IPS matrix with its characteristic maximum viewing angles.

The performance will also not disappoint you, because it is responsible for 6 and 8-core Ryzen 5 4500U or Ryzen 7 4700U chipsets, made using an energy-efficient 7-NM process technology. To ensure it reaches its full potential, there is 8 or 16 GB of DDR4 RAM with a high frequency of 3200 MHz and a high-speed solid-state drive. For graphics processing, the built-in Vega 6 and Vega 7 graphics are used. It copes with everything except games. Yes, they will, but not all of them are on the top chart. Two-channel acoustics from Harman contribute to high-quality sound.

Pros:

  • Good powerful 13-inch laptop;
  • Capacious battery;
  • Appearance;
  • Compact and lightweight aluminum housing;
  • Ultra-fast charging;
  • 16 GB of fast RAM;
  • Productive processor and juicy matrix;
  • Excellent sound from Harman.

Minuses:

  • The keyboard is not backlit.

DELL XPS 13 Ultrabook

The high-performance gadget attracts with its price, quality and functionality. It was created as a direct competitor to ultrabooks from the Apple corporation, for which there was also a place in our ranking of the best. Performance is not the strongest side of the hero of our review, because it is the responsibility of the Core i5 or Core i7 chipsets with 2 cores and 4 threads. Their standard clock speed is 2.7 GHz, but it can be overclocked to 3.5 GHz. RAM can be up to 16 GB, but in DDR3-1866 format. This is paired with up to a terabyte of SSD storage that runs Windows 10 Home.

The processor integrates Intel HD Graphics, which provides entry-level 3D performance. The argument for buying an ultrabook is the stunning IPS display, which, with a 13.3-inch diagonal, operates at a resolution of 3200x1800 pixels. There are three USB ports, including USB 3.1 Type-C, Thunderbolt v3 and Wi-Fi 5. There is an HD webcam, a good microphone and stereo speakers. The all-metal body weighs 1.2 kg. and hides inside a capacious battery that lasts up to 11 hours without recharging.

Pros:

  • Slim and beautiful;
  • Sturdy metal and carbon fiber body;
  • Does not bend;
  • Pleasant tactile;
  • Keyboard backlight, the brightness level of which changes automatically depending on the lighting around you;
  • Fast - loading Windows takes no longer than 10 seconds;
  • Autonomy;
  • Silent.

Minuses:

  • Heating under load;
  • There is no RJ-45 port (for connecting wired Internet).

Acer Aspire v3-372-p6zd

Acer Aspire v3 is distinguished by its stylish and functional design. Not only does the design of the laptop stand out with a good matte screen, it is also lightweight at only 1.6 kg, all the airiness is emphasized by the aluminum lid and the company logo. This model has many connection ports, and allows you to charge your gadgets (smartphones, tablets, etc.) via USB, even when the power is turned off. And thanks to the wireless connection and MU-MIMO technology, the device is considered to be quite fast when accessing the Internet. If you decide to choose a good and lightweight laptop for yourself, the Acer Aspire will be the ideal option, and it boasts not only appearance, but also performance. So, the chipset here is Intel Pentium, RAM is 6 GB, which is easily expandable up to 16 GB, in addition, you can work with this excellent and lightweight laptop even when it is not connected to a power outlet, because it does not require recharging for a long time, about 5 -6 hours. In addition to the above-described 2.1 GHz 4405U processor, the filling includes: a built-in Intel HD Graphics 510 video card and a 128 GB SSD drive.

Pros:

  • Stylish body
  • Long battery life
  • Latest wireless technologies
  • Matte screen

Minuses:

  • The keyboard takes some getting used to
  • Quiet speakers

Xiaomi RedmiBook 13″

Xiaomi offers light and productive ultrabooks of modest size, the thickness of the aluminum case does not exceed 18 mm. You should immediately add autonomy to the list of advantages, because a fully charged battery lasts up to 11 hours of use. Fast charging technology is supported, due to which 50% reaches 50% after 35 minutes.

The thin-frame 13.3-inch display with FullHD resolution is made using IPS technology. Despite the affordable price, you get a high level of performance, which is the merit of the 10th generation 4-core Intel Core i5/i7 processors. In addition to them, there is 8/16 GB of RAM without the possibility of upgrading and a fast 512 GB SSD. An inexpensive model from a Chinese manufacturer can be chosen to solve a wide range of both household and professional tasks. Thanks to the MX250 discrete graphics card, you can play many games at comfortable graphics settings.

Pros:

  • Weight and dimensions of the case;
  • Interesting design;
  • Opens with one hand, like a MacBook;
  • Decent sound;
  • Price;
  • Productive;
  • Nice build.

Minuses:

  • There is no webcam;
  • Noise from coolers.

Lenovo IdeaPad 710s Plus

The main advantage of this modern ultrabook is a new generation dual-core processor - Intel Core i5 6200U 2.3 GHz, an incredibly powerful 2 GB video card - NVIDIA GeForce 940MX and advanced solid-state drive technology, resulting in a device that is not only mobile and elegant, but also productive. As for the SSD storage capacity, only 128 GB is available. This device can work for 6 hours without additional recharging, and if we take into account the ultra-fast Wi-Fi network protocol, we can note that this is the best model for work or business trips. At the same time, movie lovers are also not left out, since this high-quality laptop is distinguished by the presence of high-quality surround sound technology. Another impressive detail is the thin display frame, which easily competes with modern models. Among the TOP 7 laptops, this model takes an honorable fifth place and can be an excellent solution for work or play.

Pros:

  • Performance
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Stylish magnesium alloy body
  • High quality display

Minuses:

  • Few ports
  • The touchpad has a not very pleasant surface
  • Buzzing noise during high loads

Huawei MateBook 13 2021

Speaking about the best 13-inch laptops for work, we cannot ignore the Huawei MateBook 13 2021, which has everything to become a bestseller. Compared to its competitors, it produces more detailed images thanks to its 2K resolution (2160x1440 pixels), which is displayed on a 13-inch IPS matrix. Due to this, we get excellent elaboration, saturation and contrast of each picture. The brightness level is limited to 300 cd/m2, which is enough for use both at home and outdoors.

A decent level of performance is provided by AMD Ryzen 5 / Intel Core i5 processors with a base frequency of 1.6/2.1 GHz and the ability to overclock to 4.1 GHz in Turbo Boost mode. RAM is 8 or 16 GB, but it is not the fastest and operates at a frequency of 2133 MHz.

Graphics can be either integrated - AMD Radeon Vega 8, or discrete GeForce MX250. A 512 Gb SSD is intended for storing games, music, videos and photos. There is a 1 MP webcam, a fingerprint scanner, good speakers and a microphone. The aluminum case is equipped with USB 3.0 ports. HDMI, VGA, USB C and weighs 1.3 kg. The 42 Wh battery gives up to 11.6 hours of autonomy. If you need a good screen and balanced characteristics, then Huawei MateBook 13 2020 is the best in this regard.

Pros:

  • Price quality. It is difficult to find something better in a budget of up to 50,000 rubles;
  • Memory capacity;
  • Comfortable backlit keyboard that spans almost the entire width;
  • The case is hard and pleasant to the touch. The key travel is elastic and not very short;
  • Color rendition and 2K screen resolution;
  • Powerful cooling system, which is enough to spare;
  • Fingerprint sensor in the power key;
  • Very fast charging.

Minuses:

  • The RAM is soldered into the board, which means you won’t increase its volume in any way;
  • Few USB connectors;
  • The screen is glossy, which can cause glare in the sun.

Huawei MateBook X Pro 2021

Huawei MateBook X Pro 2021 has a good screen with thin bezels and touch input. Its color gamut reaches 100% sRGB. This is where the advantages just begin, because with a diagonal of 13.9 inches, it displays an image with a resolution of 3000x2000 pixels, which makes it incredibly detailed and rich. The matrix features increased contrast, improved color reproduction and maximum viewing angles.

There is NFC, which is used for quick synchronization with brand smartphones - Huawei and Honor. Despite the top-end equipment, the best 13-inch laptop has a modest weight of 1.33 kg and a thickness of 14.6 mm. The beautiful matte body is made of aluminum alloy. A fingerprint scanner is integrated into the power button. The keyboard also has a built-in webcam that extends at the right time.

The good level of performance is thanks to the quad-core 10th generation Core i7 chipsets, which are helped by 16 GB of DDR3 RAM with a frequency of 2133 MHz. It is built-in, which is why there are no prospects for its modernization. The SSD comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Pro. A discrete Nvidia GeForce MX250 video card is responsible for graphics processing. High-speed network access is provided through Wi-Fi 5 or a gigabit LAN port. The battery lasts up to 13 hours of use without recharging.

Pros:

  • The best screen with 100% sRGB color gamut and a resolution of 3000x2000 pixels;
  • Capacitive SSD - up to 1 TB;
  • 16 GB RAM;
  • Quick pairing with brand phones via NFS;
  • About 13 hours of autonomy;
  • Cool design;
  • Fingerprint scanner;
  • The lid can be opened with one hand;
  • Good backlit keyboard;
  • A good camera, but with a bad angle due to its location;
  • The cost is noticeably lower than competitors with similar characteristics;
  • One of the best touchpads;
  • Versatility - suitable for both work and not too demanding games;

Minuses:

  • The location of the webcam is inconvenient, which makes you look down on your interlocutor.

Premium laptops

MacBook Air 13 (2020)

  • Display resolution: 2560x1600
  • Matrix: IPS
  • Processor: Apple M1
  • Memory: 8/256…16/2000 GB

In 2021, Apple released a long-awaited update to the MacBook Air line. The laptop received a Retina display, built on an IPS matrix, as well as a fast Apple M1 processor. Its power is quite enough for office tasks and amateur-level graphics processing. Inside there is from 8 to 16 GB of RAM and up to 1024 GB of internal storage.

Before buying this model, it is worth considering that the Air line is not designed for heavy workloads (MacBook Pros are provided for these purposes). Therefore, we recommend the Air 13 (2020) to those who are looking for a compact and stand-alone laptop for work or study.

Advantages:

  • ergonomic body;
  • a lot of memory;
  • CPU;
  • Retina display;
  • autonomy.

Flaws:

  • not for resource-intensive tasks.

HUAWEI MateBook X Pro 2020

  • Display resolution: 3000x2000
  • Matrix: LTPS
  • Processor: Core i5 10210U / Core i7 10510U
  • Memory: 16/512…16/1024 GB

A powerful unit that can handle not only simple games and office tasks, but also graphics processing at a professional level. The flagship's autonomy ranges from 8 to 13 hours, depending on the load.

The laptop weighs 1.3 kg, so it can be easily carried in a bag or kept on your lap. Owners of Huawei smartphones will appreciate the ability to connect the device to a computer and convenient interaction.

The flagship's main drawback is its poorly designed cooling system. Because of this, the processor heats up to 70-80 degrees at peak loads.

Advantages:

  • screen quality;
  • comfortable keyboard and touchpad;
  • performance;
  • autonomy.

Flaws:

  • mediocre sound;
  • gets very hot.

Razer Blade Stealth 13.3 (2020)

  • Display resolution: 1920×1080, 3840×2160
  • Matrix: IPS
  • Processor: Core i7 1065G7
  • Memory: 16/512 GB

The rating is completed by a universal laptop. Suitable for any task: gaming, graphics processing and video editing. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which guarantees smooth images in dynamic scenes. At the same time, the weight of the device is less than 1.5 kg, which is rare for gaming books.

This device is not intended for office use. It is necessary for gamers, designers or programmers. And if you do not fall into these categories, we recommend that you do not spend money on Blade Stealth and consider other models.

Advantages:

  • performance;
  • versatility;
  • screen with a frequency of 120 Hz;
  • display with resolution up to 4K.

Flaws:

  • overpriced.

HP Specter x360

Processor : Intel Core i5 – i7 | Video card : Intel UHD Graphics 620 – Nvidia GeForce MX150 | RAM capacity : 8 GB – 16 GB | Display : 13.3-inch full HD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) touchscreen | Built-in memory : 256 GB – 2 TB PCIe SSD

  • Elegant appearance
  • Long battery life
  • High price

If you think a laptop's good looks aren't an asset, then you're clearly not familiar with the Specter x360 . The device has a stylish design and boasts fairly high performance. HP Specter x360 is powered by the latest Intel and has from 8 to 16 GB of RAM (depending on configuration). Moreover, it is a 2-in-1 device that can switch between tablet and laptop modes.

Microsoft Surface Book 2

Processor : Intel Core i5 – i7 | Video card : Intel UHD 620 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 | RAM capacity : 8 GB – 16 GB | Display : 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense| Built-in memory : 256 GB – 1 TB SSD

  • Long battery life
  • High performance
  • High price
  • Not as powerful compared to the 15-inch model

And although the 13-inch version of the Microsoft Surface Book 2 can hardly be called the most powerful in the series, it is still one of the best netbooks on the market. Whether you'll use the device for office tasks or resource-intensive programs, the Microsoft Surface Book 2 is great for everything. The laptop is equipped with the latest quad-core processor from Intel and boasts high performance. Plus, unlike most other 2-in-1 devices, it has a detachable keyboard, making it much easier to use in tablet mode.

Lenovo Yoga C930

Processor : 8th generation Intel Core i7 | Video card : Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM capacity : up to 16 GB | Display : 13.9" UHD (3840 x 2160) - 13.9" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Glossy multi-touch with Dolby Vision support | Built-in memory : up to 2 TB PCIe SSD

  • High build quality
  • Reliable
  • Long battery life
  • Not the best graphics adapter

Even though the Lenovo Yoga C930 has a 13.9-inch display and is slightly larger than a typical 13-inch laptop, the device boasts strong performance and durability. It is ideal not only for everyday tasks, but also for entertainment. The Lenovo Yoga C930 has an excellent display with deep color reproduction, a good keyboard and a decent trackpad. The disadvantage is that the graphics adapter is not the best. Although it is fully compensated by other advantages.

MacBook Pro 2018

Processor : quad-core Intel Core i5 - i7 | Video card : Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 - 655 | RAM capacity : 8 GB - 16 GB | Display : 13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 Retina | Built-in memory : 256 GB – 2 TB SSD

  • High performance
  • Stylish design
  • High price

MacBook Pro 2018 is very similar in shape to the MacBook Pro 2021 version, and most importantly, it ideally combines a thin body, stylish design and high performance. The device boasts powerful hardware and a silent Butterfly . Moreover, thanks to the latter, you no longer need to worry about every speck of dust that accidentally gets under the key, which can break the laptop. If you're looking for a portable yet high-performance device running macOS Mojave , the 2018 MacBook Pro won't let you down.

Removed from selection

Surface Laptop 2

Processor : Intel Core i5 – i7 8th generation | Video card : Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM capacity : 8 GB – 16 GB | Display : 13.5-inch, 2,256 x 1,504 PixelSense | Built-in memory : 128 GB – 1 TB SSD

  • High performance
  • Stylish design
  • No Thunderbolt 3 support

The first 13-inch laptops in the Surface boasted a great screen, powerful hardware, and excellent build quality. Surface Laptop 2 not only surpasses its predecessor in every way, but also takes the line to a whole new level. The device is powered by an 8th generation Intel Windows 10 (previously there was a “stripped down” version of Windows 10 S ). All this makes the Surface Laptop 2 one of the best 13-inch laptops.

Dell XPS 13

Processor : Quad-core Intel Core i3 – i7 | Video card : Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM capacity : 8 GB – 16 GB | Display : 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Built-in memory : 256 GB – 2 TB SSD

  • Great design
  • High performance
  • The price is too high for the white model

the Dell XPS 13 since last year's model , it's still one of the best 13-inch laptops out there. In the most expensive configuration, the device boasts 4K display with a resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels, which provides excellent color reproduction and high display clarity. Even if you can’t afford a top-end model, then the fashionable design, long battery life and SD card slot will not go away in cheaper trim levels. Most importantly, the laptop is powered by a quad-core Intel processor. The Dell XPS 13 is without a doubt one of the best 13-inch laptops in any configuration.

Asus ZenBook 13

Processor : Intel Core i5-8250U | Video card : Intel UHD 620; Nvidia GeForce MX150 | RAM capacity : 8 GB | Display : 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) with touchscreen support | Built-in memory : 256 GB – 1 TB SSD

  • Long battery life
  • Built-in fingerprint scanner
  • No USB-C

If you're looking for a powerful, compact laptop that you can easily carry with you, but are willing to sacrifice some premium functionality, then consider the Asus ZenBook 13 . With a body thickness of just half an inch and a weight of 1.3 kg, it is an ideal device for those who travel frequently. And you don't have to sacrifice performance. The laptop is powered by a quad-core Intel , has 8 GB of RAM and an SSD with a capacity of up to 1 TB. Asus ZenBook 13 perfectly combines power, portability and stylish design. The only drawback is the lack of USB-C ports, but this is not such a serious problem.

Samsung Notebook 7 Spin

Processor : Quad-core Intel Core i5 | Video card : Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM capacity : 8 GB | Display : 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED with touchpad | Built-in memory : 256 GB SSD

  • Great keyboard
  • Long battery life
  • Bad webcam
  • PStylus sold separately

Bad news for fans of the 15.6-inch Samsung Notebook 7 Spin - most likely, the company will discontinue them in the very near future. Fortunately, they will be completely replaced by 13.3-inch models. And although they are unlikely to be able to compare with their “big brothers” in terms of performance, they are quite decent compact devices. The 13-inch Samsung Notebook 7 Spin is powered by a quad-core Intel Core i5 , boasts an excellent keyboard and long battery life.

Apple MacBook Pro 13 with Retina display and Touch Bar Mid 2020

The rating of 13-inch laptops in 2021 is headed by the Apple MacBook Pro 13 2021, which is based on the 10th generation Intel Core i5/i7 processor with a 4-core architecture and a 10-nm process technology. It is complemented by a quiet but at the same time efficient cooling system, 16 or 32 GB of LPDDR4X RAM with a frequency of 3733 MHz and an NVMe SSD drive with a capacity of 512 GB to 4 TB. Combined with the advanced Intel Iris Plus graphics, the user receives a high level of performance and the ability to decode content up to 8k resolution.

The benefits don't end there, because the updated Apple MacBook Pro 13 features a new Magic Keyboard with a scissor mechanism, bright backlighting and a Touch Bar. No less pleasing is the 13-inch screen, which has a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels with support for proprietary True Tone and Night Shift technologies. The aluminum body not only looks great and can be opened with one hand, but is also less than 16mm thick and weighs 1.4kg. Maximum battery life is 10 hours.

Pros:

  • Very comfortable;
  • A stunning display with a range of proprietary technologies and high resolution;
  • Long autonomy;
  • Excellent performance;
  • Touch Bar and easy-to-use backlit keyboard;
  • Clear and spacious sound;
  • Sizes and premium design;
  • Performance.

Minuses:

  • Noise and heat under heavy loads.

Which 13-inch laptop is better to choose this year?

  • The best option for games is Huawei MateBook X Pro 2021, Xiaomi RedmiBook 13″, Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3″ and Huawei MateBook 13 2020, which, unlike competitors, are equipped with a discrete MX250 graphics card, powerful processors and sufficient RAM;
  • The Apple MacBook Pro 13 2021 is perfect for work, which has a top-end high-resolution display, a comfortable backlit keyboard, a proprietary MacOS operating system and powerful hardware that allows the laptop to cope with 8K video rendering. Also a good option would be Huawei MateBook X Pro 2021, Huawei MateBook 13 2021, Xiaomi RedmiBook 13″, Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3″ and Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3″;
  • In terms of autonomy, ASUS ZenBook 13 UX331UN wins.

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Rating of the TOP 15 best 13-inch laptops of 2021

PlaceNamePrice
TOP 5 best 13-inch laptops by price/quality for 2021
1Apple MacBook Air 13 Late 2020Find out the price
2HUAWEI MateBook 13Find out the price
3ASUS ZenBook 13 UX325JAFind out the price
4Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5Find out the price
5HP ProBook 430 G6Find out the price
TOP 5 best gaming laptops 13 inches
1Apple MacBook Pro 13 Late 2020Find out the price
2HP Envy x360 13-ayFind out the price
3ASUS ZenBook Flip 13 UX363Find out the price
4HUAWEI MateBook XFind out the price
5ASUS VivoBook S13 S333Find out the price
TOP 5 best budget 13-inch laptops
1HP PAVILION 13-an1Find out the price
2DELL INSPIRON 5391Find out the price
3HP ProBook 430 G7Find out the price
4Xiaomi RedmiBook Air 13″Find out the price
5ASUS VivoBook S13 S330Find out the price
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