Laptops under 2 lbs : A list of the Best Ultra Portable Laptops

Choosing a new laptop is usually quite the hassle, especially when you are specifically looking for an Ultra portable laptop that can handle your daily workload and which you can easily carry around with you. Most people consider a laptop that weighs less than 3 lbs or 2,5 lbs an ultra portable, and to help you find the best ultra portable laptop for you we have compiled this short list of some of the best laptops under 2 lbs available right now.

What makes a laptop “Ultra Portable”?

In late 2011, Intel first introduced the term “Ultrabook“, to differentiate modern thin and fast laptops from the laptops that came before. An Ultrabook is a laptop that embodies two different features: portability and power. These laptops are usually lighter and slimmer than a regular laptop, while still being packed with enough power to perform some more advanced tasks.

In theory, an Ultrabook is powerful and portable, that you can use it on the go, like when you’re on a train or overseas. However, the definition of an Ultrabook varies from costumer to costumer: since everyone has different needs, the perfect Ultrabook for you, may not be that perfect for someone else.

The term “Ultraportable”, however, was used to for a class of laptops that are smaller and lighter than a typical notebook, and unlike ultrabooks; these laptops usually offered mediocre performance, and were mostly for kids. However, things have changed since then, and with laptops getting thinner and thinner; ultra portables now perform as good as a regular laptop, and offer good reliability even for business users.

How to choose the best ultra portable laptop for your needs?

When shopping for a new laptop, you should always make a list of your specific requirements. Whether you want to edit some videos for work or just watch a movie, you must have a good inkling of what you will do with your laptop.

I guess if you’re here, you’re mainly searching for the lightest and thinnest laptop out there. And while portability can be a major concern, you shouldn’t overlook other features that can make a difference in your daily use. So check the spec sheet carefully in order to determine which laptop is best for your needs. Here is some help:

Specifications

We know how hard it can be to understand computers specifications, so don’t feel too bad about it, since we have simplified the basic details that you should know when evaluating the components of an Ultrabook.

• Processor

Usually, Ultrabooks have good processing power, translating in a faster boot time and in gaming-like performance. If you want your laptop to be fast and capable of handling more than mundane daily tasks, search for the latest processors.

• Storage

Most Ultrabooks come equipped with SSDs that will hold about 150 GB of data. If you are someone who priorities space or will require lots of programs to be installed, then you should look for models with more than 500 GB or even 1 TB. This will give you enough storage space to store all your work files, such as videos or photos.

• Graphics

Since Ultrabooks are so portable and slim, most of them only come equipped with an integrated card, usually from Intel. Those are fine if you want to do some more mundane tasks, like edit videos or photos. However, if you desire to play some PC games, you will need to look for a model with an NVIDEA or AMD graphics card.

Best laptops under 2 lbs

So, now that you have an idea about ultra portable laptops and how to choose the best laptop for your needs, here is a short list of laptops under 2 lbs, and 2,5 lbs. This list will be updated regularly, so if you have a suggestion, ask as in the comments below!

Acer Swift 7 SF714-52T-73CQ

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The Acer Swift 7 SF714-52T-73CQ is one of the lightest laptops out there, and one of the best laptops under 2 lbs you can find. This laptop weigh 1,96lbs, and comes with an 8th gen Intel Core i7 8500Y Processor, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD.

The Swift 7 won’t be the best choice for power, like playing games, however, it is quite capable of more typical tasks thanks to its UHD Graphics 615 Card. Acer built an elegant and slim laptop a Full HD 14-inch touchscreen display, that transfers a resolution of 1920 x 1080.

Making it even less suitable for power and work, it has only one USB Type-C port. Although it supports most of what you need, it is still inconvenient for most professionals. The battery life lasts up to 13 hours of usage, meaning it holds up pretty well.

If you are not a gamer and just want to relax and watch netflix on the go, then this is the way to go.

Apple MacBook 12-inch

Apple was one of the first manufacturers to introduce thin laptops into the market with the Macbook Air. And one the best and lightest laptops they offer right now is the Macbook 12.  This laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB of RAM and up to 512GB of SSD Storage. And of course, it barely weighs 2lbs, which is slightly lighter than the Macbook air 11.

Apple products are known for their incredible built quality, and the 12-inch MacBook is no exception. With its 12-inch Retina Display, providing an astonishing 2304 x 1440 resolution, the Macbook 12 is a serious option to consider. However, there is one downside to this laptop, and it’s the number of ports, as this macbook has only one USB-C port.

Maybe you can’t consider this option when looking for powerful gaming or video editing Ultrabook, but with the MacBook 12-inch, you will be able to do most things. This option is elegant, lightweight and its battery can last up to 12 hours, making it even more suitable for digital nomads.

Acer Swift 5 SF515-51T-507P

Another one from Acer, the Swift 5 is an Ultrabook powered by an Intel Quad-core i5 Processor, with a speed of only 1.60 GHz. It has 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD of storage.

This laptop might not have the most powerful processor on the list, but it does have a slightly better graphics card than others, thanks to the UHD Graphics 620. We also found some problems with its built quality, sometimes causing the laptop to be annoying to use, especially due to its keyboard.

The real feat of this laptop is its big 15.6-inch Full HD touch display, carrying a 1920 x 1080 resolution, and its amount of ports: one USB Type-C port, two USB 3.0 ports and one HDMI port. This makes this Ultrabook perfect for some light work on the go, as the device can hold up to 10 hours of battery life.

LG gram 13Z980-A.AAS7U1

LG makes some of the best ultra portable laptops out there; and if you’re looking for a reliable lightweight laptop, then consider the LG Gram 13. This laptop comes with an 8th gen  Intel Core i7 8565U Processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD . The LG Gram 13 is capable of handling your daily workload, and provide consistent performance, even with demanding tasks (unless you’re playing games). The LG gram 13Z980-A.AAS7U1 is definitely one of the best laptops under 2lbs to consider right now.

The 13,3 inch IPS display alsohas an ultra-slim bezel, which helps reduce the overall footprint; and it comes with a vast array of ports too: one HDMI port, one USB 3.0 Type-C port, two USB 3.0 ports, one Micro-SD slot and one headphone out port.

Battery life is also very good, and it can last up to 18 hours, making it way longer than most our other options.

ASUS ZenBook S UX391FA-XH74T

Last but not the least, the ASUS ZenBook S UX391FA-XH74T is another option to consider if you’re looking for a powerful laptop under 2 lbs. The ASUS ZenBook S UX391FA-XH74T comes with an Intel Core i7-8565u Processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB of SSD storage.

Props to Asus for building such a premium quality device, as this Ultrabook is elegant, functional and extremely well built. With a 13.3-inch 4K display, this is a perfect option for video editing and for watching movies, especially thanks to its huge 3840 x 2160 resolution.

The ZenBook S has three Type-C ports, and two of them offer Thunderbolt 3 connectivity too. Its battery was designed to charge fast and can withstand up to 9 hours of life. That is way lower than other options on this list, but understandable, due to its amazing 4K screen. In short, the ZenBook S is one of the best laptops under 2lbs if you have the budget, and need an ultraportable that packs lots of power.