The main factor that differentiates a laptop from a desktop computer is portability. Desktops tend to be more powerful than desktops but are generally immobile. Today’s laptops are pushing the boundaries so hard that they are lighter and more powerful than ever. Some of the best lightweight laptops can process complex input without slowing down due to the thin form factor.

If you are stuck between a slim and light laptop against a bulkier one that is more powerful, there are some key factors you should consider. The elements will determine whether you get the most out of your device or settle to complaining daily.

A laptop is a long-term purchase, meaning that the right choice could impact so many things, including your productivity, satisfaction, and health. We’ve compiled a review of some of the best brands in the market, such as HP, Samsung, Lenovo, and Acer, just to mention a few. Here are our top 10 best lightweight laptops. Browse each product on this list and weigh their pros & cons against you’re personal preferences. Once you finish this guide, you can pick the best lightweight laptop for you!

Editors choice

1. Apple MacBook Air (2020)

9.85 / 10

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The Apple MacBook Air is a light but powerful laptop built for moderate computer users who have an eye for design and performance. The 12-hour battery life will let you leave the charging brick at home if you don’t want to drag the extra weight around.

With the laptop, you are getting a beast if you plan on heavy office and web use. The dual-core 10th-generation Intel Core i3 CPU is sufficient to breeze through all your favorite applications on the move.

The laptop comes with Touch ID, which you will need for convenient unlocking and faster authentication. The extra convenience will help you, especially as mask-wearing has become a necessary part of daily life.

For people looking for a laptop with sufficient storage, the Apple MacBook Air will perfectly fit the bill. You are getting 128GB of fast SSD, which is handy if you need to transfer files between devices efficiently. Coupled with the flash storage is 8GB of main memory, which will make a massive difference in how you multitask and handle various instances of the same program, such as a browser.

The Apple MacBook Air is an excellent laptop in terms of audio output since it comes with stereo speakers, which give you a broader audio spectrum for all kinds of music. There is a good chance that you won’t have to buy any external speakers to boost the performance of this laptop.

Key Features

  • Intel Iris Plus graphics
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Immersive display
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 13.3 inches
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Battery Life: 12 hours
  • Operating System: MacOS
  • Brand: Apple
Pros

  • Sleek and elegant design
  • Fast updates
  • Quick program launch times
Cons

  • Doesn’t run Windows apps
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Premium pick

2. Dell XPS 15 9500

8.70 / 10

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The Dell XPS 15 9500 is one of the smallest 15.6-inch high-performance laptops characterized by a stunning 4K display and great architecture. The 15.6 UHD means that you enjoy a 16:10 display featuring an impressive edge-to-edge view.

Fitted with adobe RGB, DCI-P3 color gamut, and the Dolby Vision technology, the XPS 15 delivers over 16 million ultra-vivid colors that are 40 times brighter than traditional displays. This laptop is equipped with multiple creative tools necessary for creating unique designs. The NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 Ti graphics present combine with the 16GB memory to accelerate the creative performance of this laptop.

The XPS 15 is among the few lightweight laptops that do not overheat when performing highly demanding tasks. Fitted with dual fans and dual heat pipes, the unique thermal design of this laptop ensures effective heat distribution and performance.

Also, this laptop gives you an immersive audio experience with a 3D surround sound courtesy of the quad-speaker design that makes it suitable for streaming music as well as gaming. The 512GB hard disk provides significant storage space for some of your games and other important files.

At just 4.5 pounds, the XPS 15 is light enough to carry around in a backpack. The compatibility of this laptop with USB Type-C makes it a good choice due to the reliability of these ports. The 12-hour battery life of the XPS 15 also makes it good for both indoor and outdoor activities. The best part is that it is fitted with the eye-safe display technology for healthy viewing.

Key Features

  • 512GB storage
  • Integrated eye-safe display technology
  • Stunning 4K display
  • Separate dual fans
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 15.6 inches
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Battery Life: 12 hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home
  • Brand: Dell
Pros

  • Compact and sleek design
  • Great sound experience
  • High performance
  • Multiple configuration options
Cons

  • The GPU is not the best for hardcore gamers
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Best value

3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

9.30 / 10

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The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a thin and light 14-inch laptop with the latest and greatest for such a portable package. The laptop has one of the best displays in the market, thanks to the FHD technology display. You will have no trouble reading notes and consuming media in direct sunlight since the glare is hardly noticeable.

The laptop comes with powerful processors, which include the CPU and GPU. The AMD Ryzen 5 processor is a flagship CPU that can easily handle whichever program you through at it. Multitasking and dual-booting can be accomplished effortlessly with the processor. Similarly, the Radeon Vega 8 GPU is perfect for moderate gaming, which you may need to unwind after a long day of classes of business presentations.

Consumers looking for a well-designed but powerful laptop will love what Lenovo presents on this laptop. The bezels around the display are thin, the colors on the entire product are muted, and the trackpad is extensive. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 will work perfectly as a business-oriented laptop that you can take with you on the road with such features.

Optimization on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is excellent thanks to the fast 8GB RAM coupled with hardware optimizations around the display and the battery. You will notice that the laptop boots faster than other thin and light machines and switches between open programs in a snap. Launching apps and games will also be smoother than other lightweight laptops, which is necessary, especially if you plan on using the laptop for presentations.

Specifications

  • Screen Size: 14 inches
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Battery Life: 11 hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home
  • Brand: Lenovo
Pros

  • Fast performance
  • Great for medium gaming
  • Great audio performance
Cons

  • Tends to overheat under load
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4. Microsoft Surface 3

9.70 / 10

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The Microsoft Surface 3 is an excellent Windows computer that comes with a bit of everything that you need in a portable laptop. The laptop will be perfect for people who simply need a powerful computer for taking around without being weighed down or sacrificing performance. The design of the Microsoft Surface 3 complements the jack-of-all-trades look that the laptop has going.

The laptop comes with a powerful processor and memory configuration to keep all your programs running smoothly. The Intel Core i5 is a modern CPU that has the latest performance features that you are not going to find anywhere else. Multitasking will be fluid and fast, which is what you want, especially if you will be using the laptop for classes or business meetings.

Some manufacturers often skimp on RAM to cut down costs when designing their lightweight laptops. That is not the case with the Microsoft Surface 3 since you are getting 8GB of main memory that will come in handy for light and moderate computer processing. With such a memory, you will not have any trouble opening multiple Chrome tabs and switching between them fluidly without any reloads and lags all day. The Microsoft Surface 3 is perfect for multitasking on the go.

The display quality is one of the most critical considerations for lightweight laptops since they are meant to be used outdoors and in brightly-lit environments. You are getting great viewing angles if you get this 13.5-inch laptop. Glare and unsightly viewing angles will be a thing of the past on the Microsoft Surface 3.

Key Features

  • Tone-on-tone color and hue
  • USB C and USB A
  • Fast-charging
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 13.5 inches
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Battery Life: 11.5 hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home
  • Brand: Microsoft
Pros

  • Excellent battery life
  • Clear and rich audio
  • Great software optimization
Cons

  • May attract fingerprints due to the finish
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5. ASUS ZenBook 13

9.55 / 10

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The ASUS ZenBook 13 is a sleek and feature-packed 13-inch lightweight laptop with some of the industry’s best features. The laptop has a unique look that is muted but professional-looking. The ASUS ZenBook 13 will definitely turn heads once you place it on the table in a conference meeting or a lecture hall.

Apart from the stunning looks and the small form factor, the ASUS ZenBook 13 has powerful internals that are not found in other laptops of the same size. You will get a stunning 16GB of RAM, which is more than enough for multitasking and heavy processing. With such memory, you can fire up a dozen browser tabs and work between them smoothly. You will not face any lags or input stutters.

The ASUS ZenBook 13 has a modern processor that will handle all kinds of computing tasks, from browsing to word processing, media consumption, and some light gaming. The Intel Core i7 is one of the most powerful CPUs in the market. The processor comes with support for the latest input and output technologies. Such a feature can be incredibly useful if you plan on using external appliances for classroom and business presentations.

If you need a lightweight laptop that runs the latest software out of the box, ASUS ZenBook 13 will be an ideal choice. You’ll get a Windows 10 Pro key, which will set you up for years. With the OS, you are guaranteed that all your favorite apps and games will run smoothly. You can also use the key in other machines, provided that you can prove that you own the ASUS ZenBook 13.

Key Features

  • Comes with FHD WideView
  • MIL-STD-810G military build
  • TPM software security
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 13.3 inches
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Battery Life: 10 hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
  • Brand: Asus
Pros

  • Easy multitasking
  • Doesn’t overheat
  • Excellent display
Cons

  • The battery is not strong for heavy use
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6. Acer Swift 3

9.15 / 10

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One of the best ultra-light and thin laptops in the market is the Acer Swift 3. There’s a certain magic about the computer, from a powerful CPU to impressive battery life. Nothing feels short of futuristic.

Inside is the versatile AMD Ryzen 7 4700U processor that packs massive power into the chassis. The processor ensures your laptop won’t get overwhelmed when handling intense games and demanding tasks. With this computer, users can breeze through content creation jobs comfortably when on the go.

Sporting a dimension of 12.73 x 8.62 x 0.63 inches and weighing 2.65 pounds, this laptop is a perfect travel companion. These features allow you to toss the computer into a purse or tiny backpack while traveling. You don’t have to worry about carrying bulky weight on your shoulders.

Being Amazon Alexa enabled, you can set alarms, reminders, and other appointments. Since traveling involves meeting with new faces, the laptop features a handy fingerprint reader. As such, users can secure their files and data from unauthorized users. The 8GB LPDDR4 and 512GB NVMe SSD allow you to store and open massive applications with ease.

Even when on a long-haul flight, the laptop performs as expected thanks to its impressive battery life. The 11.5 hours gives you the power to a full day of handling tasks and entertainment. The Acer Swift 3 is generous when it comes to ports. The one HDMI port, USB-C port, USB 3. 2 Gen 1 port, and others ensure you have several ultra-fast data transfer options.

Key Features

  • Alexa Built-in
  • Radeon Graphics
  • Backlit keyboard
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 14 inches
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Battery Life: 11.5 hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home
  • Brand: Acer
Pros

  • Highly portable
  • Multitasking muscle
  • Great battery life
Cons

  • Sluggish SSD
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7. Google Pixelbook Go

9.00 / 10

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The Google Pixel Go has consistently wowed users with its versatility and convenience. This laptop is ideal for on-the-go productivity while still delivering impressive battery life and performance.

Powered by the 8th Gen Intel Core processor, this laptop can handle almost any task you throw at it. From watching late-night Netflix shows to early morning report writing, you will find this laptop more useful. The battery is incredible enough to excite the move users. With up to 12 hours of battery life, you don’t need to carry its charger when working in coffee shops.

The Google Pixelbook Go is crafted for maximum comfort. The hush keys are comfortable and quiet, while the touchpad is highly responsive and spacious. With the fanless design, your laptop stays cool, enabling you to use it when placing it on your laps. Simply put, this laptop is an ideal companion for people who love traveling.

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With 8GB RAM, this laptop allows you to open various running applications quickly. Weighing only 2.33 pounds plus a 13mm thin design, moving around with this laptop will not be stressful. The built-in Titan C security chip protects your data, password, and information for maximum security.

The vibrant and crisp 13.3-inch display makes streaming and working on spreadsheets easy. The screen features up to 8.3 million pixels for providing you stunning images when watching movies. Additionally, the dual stereo speakers deliver quality sounds when listening to music or video chatting.

Key Features

  • Built-in antivirus software
  • Brilliant HD touchscreen
  • Backlit keyboard
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 13.3 inches
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Battery Life: 12 hours
  • Operating System: Chrome OS
  • Brand: Google
Pros

  • Chiclet styling
  • Impressive battery life
  • Great performance
Cons

  • A bit dim in direct sunlight
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8. Huawei Matebook X Pro

8.90 / 10

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The Huawei Matebook X Pro is lightweight but with the full functionality of a PC. If your job requires you to travel from one place to another, then you will love this laptop. Combining unprecedented power in a stylish and thin chassis, this laptop doesn’t disappoint when it comes to improving your computing experience.

The laptop allows you to enjoy up to 14 hours of office work, 12 hours of video playback, and 15 hours of web browsing. With such power, you can work on demanding video editing jobs and still have enough juice to enjoy some gaming. The NVIDIA GeForce MX150 enables users to play with quality images. The immersion allows you to feel as if you are part of the game.

Apart from its stylish design, the laptop has some nifty security features. Interestingly, the power button doubles as a fast and secure log-in for utmost security on your data. Also, the pop-up privacy webcam sits discretely on your keyboard and will only pop up when required.

Featuring the advanced 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, the performance of this laptop is 40 percent faster than its predecessor. The processor gives you enough horsepower for multitasking and smoother gaming experiences. With the 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD memory, the laptop offers plenty of storage to store and run applications. Consequently, you don’t have to worry about running out of storage when downloading files when on the move.

Key Features

  • NVIDIA GeForce MX150
  • Privacy pop up camera
  • One-touch power button
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 13.9 inches
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Battery Life: 12-15 hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home
  • Brand: Huawei
Pros

  • Sufficient storage
  • Great security capabilities
  • Easy to carry around
Cons

  • Inferior sounds
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9. Spectre x360

8.40 / 10

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The 2020 HP Spectre x360 is a lightweight, state-of-the-art laptop with a sleek design and an incredible battery life. Regardless of its small size, the Spectre x360 holds nothing back on performance. This laptop is extraordinarily thin and weighs approximately 2.78 pounds.

The 2020 HP Spectre x360 is fitted with a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS display that delivers high-quality images and vivid colors at a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The Spectre x360 is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop, meaning that it can as well be used as a tablet. The best part is that its 13.3-inch display is a backlit touchscreen making it suitable for use as a tablet.

The Spectre x360 has multiple ultramodern features, including two Thunderbolt 3 ports that are capable of transferring up to 40GBs of data per second. This laptop comes with a dual array digital microphone that makes it effective for recording.

The audio experience of the Spectre x360 is something to note. Fitted with quad speakers that are powered by Bang and Olufsen, this laptop has a rich and premium sound that is further enhanced by the HP Audio Boost technology present.

The Spectre x360 is also known for its four cores and 8MB cache. The two combine with the 16GB memory to improve the performance levels of the laptop. The Intel turbo boost technology present expands the base frequency of the CPU from 1.8GHz to 4.0GHz, which directly translates to higher performance. The 16-hour battery life of the Spectre x360 improves its rating among lightweight laptops.

Key Features

  • Touchscreen
  • 512GB storage
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 13.3 inches
  • Memory: 16GB
  • Battery Life: 16 hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home
  • Brand: HP
Pros

  • Stunning display
  • Great build
  • Excellent performance and speed
  • Enhanced security through the fingerprint scanner
Cons

  • Weak webcam
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10. Samsung Galaxy Book S

8.20 / 10

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The Samsung Galaxy Book S is a feather-light heavyweight laptop with incredible performance and excellent battery life. Built with a backlit keyboard, an aluminum chassis as well as a full HD 13.3-inch touchscreen, this laptop weighs slightly over two pounds making it light to carry around.

The Galaxy Book S combines its Intel Core i5 processors with the 8GB memory to enhance performance. Interestingly, the system is built fan-less, yet it manages to stay quiet and cool even when performing highly-demanding operations.

This laptop incorporates additional safety features, including a built-in fingerprint sensor, which allows you to secure your data. The Galaxy Book S is also fitted with two USB-C ports allowing for quick transfers so you can keep working.

The Galaxy Book S is built for power and made for speed. The high-performance of this laptop is complemented by its 256GB storage, which can be expanded up to 2TB, creating enough space for your basic PC operations.

Unlike most conventional laptops, carrying your laptop charger is not a routine practice for Galaxy Book S owners. While the battery life will differ depending on the use, a single charge will see you through for up to 17 hours.

This laptop is fitted with the 802.11ax 2×2 160 MHz wireless technology, which delivers 2402 Mbps maximum theoretical data rates, which is three times faster than the standard wireless technology. The 10-point touch display of this laptop generates up to 355 nits making it suitable for outdoor activities.

Key Features

  • 1.4GHz CPU speed
  • Full HD touchscreen
  • 256GB storage
  • Backlit keyboard
Specifications

  • Screen Size: 13.3 inches
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Battery Life: 17 hours
  • Operating System: Windows 10 Home
  • Brand: Samsung
Pros

  • Excellent design
  • Easy to carry around
  • Thin and super-light
  • Fast and quiet
Cons

  • Lacks an elaborate outdoor mode
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The most significant selling point of lightweight laptops is portability and the sleek design. Such laptops tend to be 2.20 pounds or less in weight, which means that they are lighter than some university books. The biggest market for lightweight laptops is the business-professional class. The people who buy light ultra-books are usually looking for a laptop with a full keyboard, a full computer screen, and enough power to process email and documents on-the-go.

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Great Battery Life And Compact Design

Another critical consideration that professionals look for in a lightweight laptop is battery life. Ultra-books should be able to keep you going for a full day without a charge because you may not have time to connect them to the brick if you are on the road. The battery must be thin enough to fit inside the laptop without sacrificing its capacity to last all day.

Lightweight laptops should be esthetically pleasing because you probably use them in public spaces most of the time. You don’t want a rugged military-looking laptop on your desk in a coffee shop. Not only is it likely to be too heavy, but it might leave people wondering why you didn’t just work from home instead.

Like the case of battery life, you don’t want a laptop that is too thin that its structural integrity is compromised. Manufacturers have to consider a trade-off between thinness and sturdiness. The best lightweight laptops are those which strike the golden balance and excel in every area. You should only buy an ultra-book if it’s strong enough to withstand basic falls but still within the 2 pounds weight range.

Powerful Internals And Beneficial Functions

While weight and battery life are the most important considerations when buying an ultra-book, you want to make sure that you need to address the primary tasks you need to accomplish. A great lightweight laptop should have a powerful processor. You should consider flagship options from AMD or Intel. You want to ensure that the clock speed of the CPU is at least 4.0GHz before buying.

Storage is another critical factor in the performance of a lightweight laptop. A great road warrior needs to have at least 8GB RAM coupled with a sizable SSD hard disk. An SSD of about 512GB will be enough for most light and moderate users. With such storage and main memory, you are guaranteed fast performance on the web browser, word processors, and media clients.

If you are in the market for a lightweight laptop, chances are that you expect to consume some media on the device. The keyboard, screen, and speakers should be designed and implemented in a manner that complements your lifestyle.

The keyboard should be easy and comfortable to type on, while the screen should have excellent viewing angles. The display should have at least 500 nits of brightness to ensure that text visibility is not an issue.

Now that you’ve reached the end of this guide, you can revisit our list of the best lightweight laptops and find the perfect one for you!

FAQ

Q: What are some of the best lightweight laptops?

Technology moves quickly, making constant improvements to computer hardware. Today, some of the best lightweight laptops include products like the Dell XPS 15 9500, the Microsoft Surface 3, the Apple MacBook Air, the Asus ZenBook 13, and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3. By pairing a sleek build with superior hardware, users can expect these laptops to cover a variety of different needs. The Dell XPS 15 9500 laptop, for example, has a superior battery life but it also offers 512 GB of storage. Yet it weighs just 6 pounds. The Microsoft Surface 3 has an impressive screen size, and a solid memory, and it weighs just 2.79 pounds.

Q: Which laptop is the lightest?

It’s fairly easy to find a lightweight laptop. But finding a lightweight laptop that also performs well is a tougher challenge. The LG Gram 14 is one of the lightest laptops on the market. This product weighs just 2.2 pounds. But it also comes with loads of amazing features. In fact, you can expect this laptop to come with a built-in Alexa. It has 512 GB of storage, 16 GB of memory, and an impressive Intel Core i7-1165G7. It’s also easy to appreciate the LG Gram 14 for its excellent battery life and sturdy construction. Despite its compact size and lightweight design, it still provides users with all of the top-of-the-market features.

Q: Are lightweight laptops reliable?

In some cases, finding a lightweight laptop means that the device’s abilities will be compromised. But in others, you can achieve that low weight without trading off must-have features. The Dell XPS series of laptops is known for its lightweight design, yet the brand refuses to compromise quality. Most of these laptops come with the latest software to provide users with a fast and efficient work environment. Yet, their weights are often just 2 to 3 pounds, which makes them competitive with the Apple MacBook Air and other notable lightweight laptops.

Q: Which Apple laptop is the lightest?

The Apple MacBook Air is consistently known as the lightest Apple laptop. This model weighs just 2.8 pounds. It also measures just 0.76 inches in thickness at its broadest part. So, it’s fairly easy to tuck a MacBook Air into a backpack without noticing a substantial change to the weight or bulkiness of your bag. Lightweight laptops allow users to stay portable, moving from home to the office with little to no effort. And the Apple MacBook Air has been claiming the market as one of the best lightweight laptops for many generations.

Q: How thin should a lightweight laptop be?

A laptop’s thickness has more to do with personal preference than efficiency. But, generally speaking, computer fanatics will be impressed with a laptop with a thickness of an inch or less. To put this into perspective, the MacBook Air has a maximum thickness of 16mm (or 0.63 inches). Generally, the thinner the laptop, the more lightweight it’ll be. This means it’ll be easier to transport and carry while you’re on the go. It is important to note that thin laptops are typically more prone to acquiring blemishes or nicks as you move because of their slight build. But when treated with care or paired with a laptop case, users can expect lightweight laptops to be reliable.

Q: Does weight matter when it comes to laptop efficiency?

The short answer is that it depends. In many cases, investing in a lightweight laptop means that users will be compromising their ability to acquire the latest technology. For example, the MacBook Air is extremely compact and easy to transport. But it generally comes with a lower storage capacity and processing unit. In other cases, it is possible to find laptops that contain the latest software without being built like tanks. It’s always best to research the latest software to determine whether or not a particular laptop is current. 

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