7 of the Best Laptops for Travelling

These ultra-thin and super-light laptops will practically levitate into your luggage, writes Nic Healey.

Asus ZenBook Flip S

$2699

This convertible laptop has the 360-degree ErgoLift hinge design that lets you fold the screen flat in either direction, facilitating a tablet feel when you fold the 13.3-inch screen all the way back. That makes the 10.9-millimetre width and 1.1-kilogram weight even more impressive. It’s fast, with eighth-generation processor technology from Intel, and the blue and gold colour scheme is striking.

Apple MacBook

From $1899

Each new generation of MacBook shaves a little more weight and thickness from the previous range but the latest models are quite remarkable. At 13.1 millimetres thick, this is not the thinnest option here but, at just 920 grams, it’s easily the lightest. You still get Apple’s high-resolution Retina display on the 12-inch screen, plus high-end Intel processors and innovative battery technology offering 10 hours of life. If the space-grey colour is a little tame, don’t worry – gold, rose gold and silver are all on the menu.

Razer Blade Stealth

From $2199

Razer is best known for gaming hardware but the Razer Blade Stealth is all business, albeit with a solid dose of science-fiction cool when it comes to style. Its 13.3-inch screen is super-high resolution – Quad HD, in fact – and it boasts a very sizeable 16GB of RAM for faster processing. Razer’s Chroma tech means the individually backlit keys can be programmed to display any of 16.8 million colours in any pattern you want, which will set you apart from the pack.

Lenovo Ideapad 720S

From $1499

The only model here without an Intel processor, the Lenovo Ideapad 720S uses AMD’s Ryzen series, which integrates more powerful graphics processors than you’d normally see in a device this size. It’s 13.6 millimetres thick and just 1.14 kilograms. And while the 13.3-inch screen isn’t touch-sensitive, the laptop does have JBL speakers for impressive sound.

Acer Switch 5

From $1599

Featuring a detachable keyboard, the Switch 5 has a clever easel-style back hinge that lets you angle the 12-inch screen. The Acer Active Stylus makes it good for creative types who enjoy the pen-and-paper feel of a quality touch-screen experience. Pop off the keyboard and you have a device just 9.6 millimetres thick but still running Windows and using Intel processors.

HP Spectre 13

From $2599

As a brand, HP conjures thoughts of practical business computers but the Spectre 13 adds style to considerable substance. This laptop is ultra-portable: 10.4 millimetres at its thinnest point and weighing only 1.1 kilograms. The 13.3-inch screen comes in resolutions up to 4K but be prepared to pay extra for that option. The aluminium and carbon fibre frame adds durability, while the full-size keyboard is perfect for the worker on the move.

Microsoft Surface Laptop

From $1499

Unlike other Surface models, the laptop isn’t convertible but it does offer the same appealing combination of style and power. The slightly unusually sized 13.5-inch touch screen (2256 x 1504 resolution) works with Microsoft’s Surface Pen, while colour options like burgundy and cobalt blue are eye-catching points of difference.

Top image: Andy Lewis