In 2008, Steven Jobs pulled out the first MacBook Air out of a slim office envelope. It created an enduring image about how slim and light Apple’s MacBook Air series has remained. The MacBook is not the only lightweight laptop that’s stood the test of time. We’ve seen options from brands like Dell, Samsung and ASUS that have created a huge market for ultrabooks, that have come to define a lightweight laptop.
If 2020 and 2021 where about WFH lifestyles, we’ve seen the re-emergence of business travel from 2022 that built up further through this year. As more business travellers hit the road, we’ve seen the rise of the ultrabook, lightweight laptops that don’t compromise on the things that matter for most users – performance and battery life. We round up some of the best lightweight notebooks that make for the perfect work + play companions. Just what you need on a long flight:
Apple MacBook Air M2
It’s the biggest overhaul of the MacBook Air. The wedge shaped form has finally made way for an all-new design language. The new Air is just 11.3mm thin, it weighs around 1.2kg, is thin from every angle and crafted with a durable, all-aluminium unibody enclosure that feels incredibly solid. It’s powered by Apple’s M2 Chip, which takes the breakthrough performance, power efficiency and capabilities of the M1 even further. This laptop features a more powerful 8-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU, so you can get more done faster. It’s also one of our favourite ultrabooks because of its vibrant 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display.
Price: Rs 1,19,000 onwards
Microsoft Surface 9 Pro
One of the lightest ultrabooks you can buy right now. The all-new, ultra-slim Surface 9 Pro weighs under 900gm. It blurs the lines between a laptop and a tablet; it’s where work and fun seamlessly merge. At its heart is an an Intel 12th Gen Evo Processor that also optimises battery life (15.5 hours according to Microsoft). There’s 5G support when you’re on the move and two handy USB-C ports in the mix.
Price: Rs 1,05,999 onwards
Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra might have hogged all the limelight during the brand’s first big event in February, but we also spotted Samsung’s new Galaxy Book series during the India launch event. The Book 2 series was one of our favourite Windows computing devices, the Book 3 series is the next chapter. The Book 3 360 delivers the versatility of a laptop and a tablet with its intuitive 2-in-1 hybrid experience. It’s a powerful laptop one moment and flips to tablet mode. The in-box S-Pen adds to its appeal as a device for creative professionals.
Price: Rs 1,09,990
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro
One of our favourite Lenovo Yoga devices till date. Lenovo’s recent Yoga line are all kitted with 12th generation Intel Core processors with faster graphics and improved battery performance. It’s the 14-inch 2.8K QHD+ OLED display with a 16:10 aspect ratio display that is the headline feature. Add Dolby Vision and a 90Hz refresh rate and you get the perfect binge-watch screen. The Slim 7i Pro comes in a choice of Cloud Grey and Storm Grey premium aluminium designs, while its soft-touch keyboard enables an easier and effortless typing experience.
Price: Rs 110,990 onwards
ASUS Zenbook S 13 OLED
ASUS likes to call this laptop ‘Thincredible’. It’s a fair description for an ultra-thin, super light device that weighs around 1kg. It’s 37% thinner (just 10.9 mm thin) than its predecessor. The 13.3-inch 16:10 2.8K OLED HDR NanoEdge display is one of the talking points of this device that makes it totally binge-proof. The 2023 Zenbook that has just debuted in India uses efficient 13th Gen Intel Core Processors and is crafted with an all-aluminium chassis. ASUS has also worked hard on the environmental impact of this laptop – it’s the first Zenbook made entirely of eco-friendly materials.
Price: Rs 94,990 onwards
