Whether you’re into photography, videography, or sound and music production, you’ll typically need a high-performance laptop that offers improved speed and storage for a more efficient workflow. But in this day and age, you’ll also need a portable one that you can bring wherever your creativity takes you. This is where 13-inch laptops come in.
Many professionals in the media production industry find 13-inch laptops to be the ideal size as they are not too big and heavy to lug around nor are they too small that they will leave you squinting. The great thing is that there are a handful of options for laptops of this size that don’t compromise many of the high tech specs that you need to get your work done.
Check out our list of the best 13-inch laptops that sell like hotcakes.
Best 13-Inch Laptops
While these 13-inch laptops are all great digital workhorses, they excel in different areas. We will discuss their key features and specifications to help you figure out which one is the best 13-inch laptop for you and your specific needs.
Apple MacBook Pro 13” (Mid 2018) ()
The MacBook Pro has certainly come a long way since its first generation model in 2012 and fourth generation base model (with the revolutionary Touch Bar and Touch ID sensor) in late 2016. Now, what seems to be the final form of the 13-inch Pro boasts of several significant improvements, notably its quieter and more reliable Butterfly keyboard and the latest Apple operating system, macOS Mojave.
With the option to use the speedy Intel Core Quad-Core i7 Processor, up to 16GB RAM, and 2TB storage in the most expensive variant — along with a dependable graphics processor and stunning Retina display — the 13-inch MacBook Pro makes an ultraportable workhorse that’s great for any application (if the budget permits and you don’t need a built-in memory card reader, that is).
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core Quad-Core i5 – i7 Processor
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
- 13.3” (2560×1600) Retina Display
- 720p FaceTime HD Camera
- Touch Bar with Integrated Touch ID Sensor
- 8GB – 16GB RAM / 256GB – 2TB SSD
- 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Ports
- macOS High Sierra / Mojave Operating System
- Weighs 3.02 lbs (1.37 kg)
Microsoft Surface Book 2 ()
The Surface Book 2 is considered to be the direct competitor of the MacBook Pro line, so that should give you an idea about its caliber. It can be powered up by either the Intel Core Quad-Core i5 or i7 processor and the Intel UHD 620 or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics cards, plus it offers up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage.
This Microsoft workhorse is known for its high-resolution display, which uses multi-touch technology and can be detached, so you can use the screen as a tablet, or attached the other way around, so you can share your screen during presentations.
We can’t expect this 2-in-1 laptop to be as powerful as its full size (15-inch) version, but it’s just as sleek and stylish, plus it has a much stronger screen support hinge that eliminates screen wobbling while you’re typing and ensures many years of use.
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core Quad-Core i5 – i7 Processor
- Intel UHD 620 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
- 13.5” (3000×2000) PixelSense Display
- 5MP User-Facing & 8MP World-Facing Webcam
- 8GB – 16GB RAM / 256GB – 1TB SSD
- 2x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type A), 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type C) Ports
- SD/SDHC/SDXC Media Card Slots
- Windows 10 Pro (64-Bit) Operating System
- Weighs 3.38 lbs (1.53 kg)
Asus ZenBook 13 ()
If you’re looking for a personal laptop that looks good and is just fast enough for most applications, you’ll love the 13-inch Asus ZenBook. It’s thin, elegant, and super lightweight, making it the perfect laptop to bring when you travel. It’s also equipped with an Intel Core i7-8550U processor, an Intel UHD Graphics 620 card, and a full HD NanoEdge display.
Even with their affordable model featuring 8GB RAM and 256GB solid state drive, you can already do some decent photo, video, or audio editing, although you’ll definitely need to get the higher end version of the ZenBook 13 if you’re serious about getting into media production.
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core i7-8550U Processor
- Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
- 13.3″ FHD (1920×1080) NanoEdge Display
- VGA Web Camera
- Up to 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD
- 2x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type A), 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type C) Ports
- 1x MicroSD Media Card Port
- Windows 10 Home Operating System
- Weighs 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg)
Dell XPS 13 ()
The Dell XPS 13 is definitely the best laptop on the market if you’re looking for a sharp, spectacular display. Its highest-end model features 4K resolution and powerful quad-core processors, aside from 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, making it the perfect option for viewing and editing higher definition photos and videos.
Even if you can only afford the model with the full HD display, the XPS features smaller screen bezels, giving you more pixels to work with and allowing it to bear a much smaller frame compared to other laptops on this list — hence its marketing line, “the world’s smallest 13-inch laptop.”
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core Quad-Core i5 – i7 Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics 620
- 13.3” FHD (1080p) – 4K (2160p) InfinityEdge Display
- 720p Widescreen HD Webcam
- Windows Hello-Compliant Infrared Camera
- 8GB – 16GB RAM / 256GB – 1TB SSD
- 2x Thunderbolt 3, 1x USB 3.1 (Type C) Ports
- Media Card Reader
- Windows 10 Home (64-Bit) Operating System
- Weighs 2.68 lbs (1.22 kg)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 ()
Like the Surface Book, Microsoft’s Surface Laptop was already considered one of the best 13-inch laptops when it was released last year. It featured a gorgeous screen, advanced hardware, and high-quality construction. But when the second generation model arrived, it was what the original should have been.
Now, the latest version of the Surface Laptop offers an upgrade up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, aside from the same high-resolution PixelSense touchscreen display and 8th Generation Intel Core i5 to i7 processors — for a significantly lower price tag compared to other laptops of the same level. It’s definitely worth the purchase if you want a pure and powerful Windows 10 laptop experience.
Key Specifications:
- 8th Generation Intel Core i5 – i7 Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics 620
- 13.5” (2256×1504) PixelSense Display
- 720p User-Facing Video Webcam
- 8GB – 16GB RAM / 128GB – 1TB SSD
- 1x Mini DisplayPort, 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type-A) Port
- Windows 10 Home Operating System
- Weighs 2.83 lbs (1.28 kg)
Asus ZenBook Flip S ()
Asus undoubtedly builds impressive hardware, and that includes their ZenBook Flip S. Characterized by its ultra-thin design and 360-degree flippable touchscreen display, this sophisticated convertible laptop can also be used as a tablet. And at a little over one kilogram, it’s actually the lightest laptop on this list.
As for its specs, you definitely won’t be disappointed as the high-end version offers up to 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a 4K screen, adding the ZenBook Flip S to the short list of powerful, acclaimed laptops that can support heavy workloads for a wide variety of professional applications.
Key Specifications:
- 8th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor
- Intel HD Graphics 620
- 13.3” FHD – 4K NanoEge Multi-Touch Display
- VGA Web Camera
- Up to 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD
- 2x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type C) Ports
- 3-in-1 SD Card Reader
- Windows 10 Pro (64-Bit) Operating System
- Weighs 2.4 lbs (1.09 kg)
Apple MacBook Air (2018) ()
Apple finally released the latest version of MacBook Air with much-awaited upgrades this year, making their most affordable laptop model more attractive, high-tech, and up-to-date than ever before.
It features 48 percent more color and narrower bezels, giving you a wider and more vibrant Retina display. It also bears Apple’s newest keyboard design, plus a built-in Touch ID sensor for more secure logins and purchases on Apple Pay. The Force Touch trackpad has also been enlarged by 20% to provide an enhanced touch navigation experience.
Meanwhile, to really live up to its name, it has become a quarter pound lighter and 10 percent thinner. The MacBook Air is the best choice for those who prefer the Apple OS but also need hours of battery life and portability that can rival that of the ZenBook Flip S.
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core Dual-Core i5 Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics 617
- 13.3” (2560×1600) Retina Display
- 720p FaceTime HD Camera
- Integrated Touch ID Sensor
- 8GB – 16GB RAM / 128GB – 1.5TB SSD
- 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) Ports
- macOS Mojave Operating System
- Weighs 2.75 lbs (1.24 kg)
HUAWEI MateBook X Pro ()
If you’re looking for the widest-looking screen possible, consider the HUAWEI MateBook X Pro. Its FullView design offers up to 91% screen-to-body ratio, thanks to its super-thin bezels, and ultra-vivid 3K LTPS multi-touch display (with anti-fingerprint glass coating) that lets you navigate it intuitively and accurately with your fingers.
With a maximum resolution of 3000×2000, a choice between two reliable graphics processors, and up to 16GB RAM, the MateBook X Pro suits the needs for powerful hardware and a massive display—minus the cost and bulk.
Key Specifications:
- Intel Core Quad-Core i5 – i7 Processor
- Intel Graphics HD 620 – nVIDIA GeForce MX150
- 13.9” 3K (3000×2000) Multi-Touch LTPS Display
- 1MP User-Facing Webcam
- Touch ID Fingerprint Security System
- 8GB – 16GB RAM / 256GB – 512GB SSD
- 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 (Type-A), 1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Type-C), 1x Thunderbolt 3 Ports
- Windows 10 Signature Edition (64-Bit) Operating System
- Weighs 2.93 lbs (1.33 kg)
