The days of hauling a heavy laptop between work and home are over – all of the major brands are releasing increasingly thinner and lighter offerings that don’t sacrifice power for convenience. Here are some of the best you can get in Australia.
There are plenty of options out there, but we have based our best-of list on the most impressive. Some contain future proof specs that make them market dominators, others are great all rounders or entry level machines, and some are just so stunning that you can’t help but do a double take. We have something for just about everyone here.
HP Spectre x360
Combining carbon fibre, a sexy piston hinge and gold detailing – this laptop is designed to look stunning. But it isn’t just about the aesthetics.
The rich screen display and tactile keyboard means that it will be future proof for awhile. It’s also the lightest available laptop on the market, making it an incredibly competitive option.
It also offers USB Type-C and a great charge speed, which is perfect for convenience and productivity at work at uni. It’s going to help you stay connected.
It’s also considered to be a bit of a challenge to Apple. Not only does it encroach on the ‘pretty’ territory, it packs more power than the latest MacBook and is sold at a lower price point.
Check it out here.
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1920×1080 or 1840 x 2160 backlit multi-touch
- CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7
- RAM: 4GB – 16GB
- GPU: Intel HD 620
- Storage: 128GB – 512GB
- Dimensions: 324.8mmx218.44×15.24mm, 1.82kg
Dell XPS 13
At 13.3 inches and 1.29kg, it is one of the most compact models out there, but doesn’t compromise on decent specs. Its latest incarnation continues to impress with its updated Kaby Lake processor, quick SSD and decent GPU offering with Intel HD Graphics 620.
Adding a stylish rose gold option, the high quality finishes continue to hardy and not easily scratched. The carbon fibre keyboard also offers a sweat free experience for long periods of use.
Clearly not wanting to fix something that wasn’t broken, the thoughtful tweaks made to the new XPS 13 continues to keep it at the top of its game.
Check it out here.
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1920×1080 or 3200×1800
- CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7
- RAM: 4GB – 16GB
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620
- Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSD
- Dimensions: 304x200x9-15mm, 1.29kg
Asus ZenBook UX305
If you’re looking for an entry level machine at a decent price point, the Zenbook UX305 is a good choice.
It isn’t particularly innovative and its CPU is a relatively low-powered Core M one, but it’s affordable and you’ll do well with it if you don’t opt for anything too hardcore.
It also sports a respectable amount of flash storage and a sizable trackpad and keyboard. Its aluminum finish and attractive lid pattern are also impressive. Sure, there are cheaper models that you could opt for, but they won’t be as capable.
Check it out here.
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1920×1080 pixel or 3200×1800 pixel QHD+
- CPU: Intel Core M3-6Y30 – M7-6Y75
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 515
- Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
- Dimensions: 324x 226×12.3mm, 1.2kg
Apple MacBook Pro 13 Inch
Apple has some serious competition in the ultrabook market these days, but its most recent MacBook 13-inch offering proves that it is still near the top for a reason.
It’s thinner, lighter and more powerful than the previous generation, as well as providing that sleek finish that we have come to expect from the brand.
Its Intel Core i5 processor enables it to handle some heavy duty processing, which is good news for anyone working with video. If you need something even more hardcore, you may want to look at the 15-inch.
The coolest aspect of the latest Pro is the dynamic Touch Bar. Replacing the function keys the displayed icons change depending on what apps you’re using. Just be aware that the entry level 13-inch model doesn’t have this feature.
The only real downsides to the 2016 Pro is that it’s sorely lacking in ports, offering only 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack. Although this means you can charge your devices quickly, it may prove inconvenient if you still still HDMI out or even SD support.
Check it out here.
- Display:13.3-inch, 2560×1600 pixels
- CPU: Intel Core i5
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: Intel Iris Graphics 540
- Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
- Dimensions: 304.1×212.4×14.9mm,1.37kg
Microsoft Surface Book
Microsoft’s revolutionary Surface Book wowed the world when it was launched.
With its great battery life and high-end specs in the new Performance Base variant, this is one of the most powerful thin and light Windows 10 machines on the market.
What makes this all the more impressive is that it’s a 2-in-1, offering versatility to suit whatever situation you’re in at the time. The only downside is that it’s a little bulkier than most 13-inch machines due to its novel hinge design – but that may be worth it considering the specs.
Check it out here.
- Display: 13.5-inch, 3000×2000 pixels
- CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- GPU: Intel HD 520 – Nvidia GeForce
- Storage: 128GB – 256GB PCIe3.0 SSD
- Dimensions: 312x232x13mm, 1.51kg
Razer Blade Stealth
A brand usually geared at gamers, the Razer Blade Stealth is perfect for anyone looking for an ultra book that exerts raw power.
Geared with a brand new seventh-generation Intel Kaby Lake processor, Intel HD Graphics 620, optional 4K resolution and up to 16GB of RAM – this is a rig for someone who means business. Perhaps literally.
This is capable of so much more than simple Office Suite and Photoshop use, and all in a compact 1.29kg package. Even though the charger is rather large and inconvenient, the battery life does balance out this feature.
Check it out here.
- Display: 12.5-inch 2560×1440 –- 4K 3840×2160
- CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7
- RAM: 8GB – 16GB
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620
- Storage: 128GB – 1TB SSD
- Dimensions: 321x206x13.1mm, 1.29kg
HP Spectre
This is the kind of 2-in-1 that makes you feel more stylish just by being in its presence.
The tactile keyboard feels gorgeous to touch and pairs nicely with the rich screen display – an exercise in forward thinking that will most likely pay off for the brand.
Rounding the entire rig off with its attractive piston hinge, incredibly thin and light design and solid specs, this is the perfect choice for someone who wants to get stuff done and look good while doing it.
Check it out here.
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1920×1080 pixels
- CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7-6500U
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: Intel HD 520
- Storage: 256 – 512GB SSD
- Dimensions: 325x229x10.4mm, 1.11kg
Lenovo Yoga 900S
Yet another challenger to the 12-inch MacBook, this 2-in-1 from Lenovo combines style with performance.
The watchband hinge is a beautiful way to convert from laptop to tablet mode, proving that practicality can be pretty.
Learning from its previous generations, the Yoga 900S offers more battery life, and more powerful precessor and improved graphics. It also one ups Apple on the port offerings, still opting to have full-sized USB 3.0.
Check it out here.
- Display: 13.3-inch, 3200×1800 pixels
- CPU: Intel Core i7
- RAM: 18GB – 16GB
- GPU: Intel HD 520
- Storage: 256GB – 1TB
- Dimensions: 324x225x14.9mm, starting at 1.29kg