Best 13 inch laptop UK [2023]

If you’re interested in buying a 13 inch laptop, then it can be hard to know where to start. However, I’ve compiled a short list of the best 13 inch laptops that I think would be perfect for anyone.

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a student, or you just need something to browse the internet in the evenings, they should suit. A solid laptop is an investment, and making the right one will ensure that you don’t regret it.

As long as you meet the specs that you need – I typically advise 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage to people who aren’t sure exactly what they’re looking for. Anyway, let’s get started and run through some of my favourite options that you may want to consider.

Best 13 inch laptop UK

ProductImageGet More InfoScreen SizeSpecs
Huawei Matebook 13Dell XPS 13 9300 13.4 inch FHD+ Laptop, Intel Core i7-1065G7, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 10 Home, (Silver)Check Price at Amazon13 inch8GB/512GB
Dell XPS 13Dell XPS 13 9300 13.4 inch FHD+ Laptop, Intel Core i7-1065G7, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 10 Home, (Silver)Check Price at Amazon13.4 inch8GB/256GB
Macbook AirApple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID; Space GreyCheck Price at Amazon13.3inch8GB/256GB
Dell Inspiron 13Dell Inspiron 13 7391 2-in-1 13.3 Inch FHD Touchscreen Convertible Laptop with Active Pen (Black) Intel Core i5-10210U, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, FINGERPRINT READER, Windows 10 HomeCheck Price at Amazon13.3 inches8GB/512GB
Apple MacBook ProApple New MacBook Pro M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) - Space Grey (Latest Model)Check Price at Amazon13 inches8GB/512GB
HP ENVY x360HP ENVY x360 13.3' 2-in-1 Laptop PC 13-ay0008sa, Touch Screen, AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, FHD, Nightfall blackCheck Price at Amazon13.3 inches8GB/256GB
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Ultra-Thin 13” Touchscreen Laptop (Platinum) - Intel 10th Gen Quad Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Windows 10 Home, 2019 EditionCheck Price at Amazon13.5 inches8GB/128GB

HUAWEI MateBook 13

Dell XPS 13 9300 13.4 inch FHD+ Laptop, Intel Core i7-1065G7, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, Windows 10 Home, (Silver)

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 13 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Processor: Intel i5 processor | Average Battery Life: 8 hours

I’m a fan of the Huawei Matebook series, and the 13 inch version of the laptop is as good as any other of their releases. The best thing about opting for Huawei is that you manage to get the premium quality and power of brands like Apple, but the prices are more similar to that of Acer or ASUS.

The Matebook 13 comes with 512GB of storage, which should be more than enough to keep anyone satisfied. Along with the standard 8GB of RAM, you also get an i5 Intel core processor and Nvidia GeForce MX250 GPU.

This ultra laptop comes with a full 2160×1440 res display, and it has a large screen to body ratio which makes the most of the laptop size. It’s also very light at only 1.3kg, so it would make a great portable laptop as well.

The specially designed “shark fin” fans help to keep the laptop cool, so you won’t need to worry about it overheating either. That means that when you are running larger programs that take up a little more processing power, this can help to keep things going as normal.

You can also very easily link this up to your phone, so if you have an Android phone, then this would be a perfect option. You can stream anything from your phone onto your laptop with a few clicks.

So if you want the kind of compatibility that Apple products have with each other, then this can provide that. This is part of Huawei Share, which is designed for you to have several devices all rolled into one.

The Huawei Matebook gives us a great option for people who are interested in getting the best value for their money. For the average person, it’ll provide everything you need to get work done.

Pros

10th Generation i5 Quadcore processor and NVIDIA GeForce MX250 are great.
Perfect for those looking for simplicity.
Awesome price when you consider the specs.

Cons

Battery life could be a little better to compete with premium models.
Not as thin and lightweight as others out there.

Overall Verdict: One of the best laptops when it comes down to value for money.


Dell XPS 13

Dell XPS 13 FHD Thin and Light, InfinityEdge Laptop, Intel Core i5-10210U, 8 GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Windows 10 Home (Silver)

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 13 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Processor: Intel i7 | Average Battery Life: 9.5 hours

The Dell XPS 13 has gone toe to toe with the other big hitters within the laptop industry. Whilst the Thinkpad is perfect for business use, the Dell XPS 13 has proven to be one of the best laptops for regular, everyday users.

The newest generation of the XPS is available in both 8 and 16GB of RAM, and you can purchase it with either an i5 processor, or my preference is to opt for an Intel i7 processor.

This is because the i7 processor is going to be up to 27% faster than the i5, which will help your laptop to operate at a faster speed. Whilst not a necessity, it is worth the investment if you want the best 13 inch laptop possible.

The base model comes with 512GB of SSD storage, which can be upgraded if necessary. So, it has the right parts to make a great laptop. But, this isn’t all you should be looking for when purchasing one.

Another thing you’ll want to consider is design. This laptop is beautifully made, with an aluminium chassis and carbon fibre rest that make it stand out from other laptops. It’s also thinner than the previous XPS model, being only 1.4cm thick.

The screen uses scratch resistant Gorilla glass, and the Dolby display will deliver some beautiful, vibrant colors. Overall, there’s a reason why this laptop remains in competition with the other premium models that are on the market, and it would make a great choice for pretty much anyone.

Pros

Definitely one of the best out there in terms of display and visual quality.
New Gen Intel core processors keep it fast.
The Dell XPS 13 has a great battery life.

Cons

Some will say it’s overpriced for what you’re paying.
Not the best touchscreen out there.

Overall Verdict: Coming with a 10th Gen Intel core i7 processor, the Dell XPS 13 is a cool choice if aesthetics are important to you.


Macbook Air

Apple 2020 MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip, 13” Retina Display, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Backlit Keyboard, FaceTime HD Camera, Touch ID; Space Grey

Operating System: Mac | Screen size: 13.3 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Processor: M1 chip | Average Battery Life: 10 hours

The Macbook Air is always a safe option for anyone that’s not entirely sure on which laptop they should buy. There’s a reason why it’s still one of the most sold laptops worldwide, especially in the US and the UK.

Macs run on a different operating system to the other Windows laptops I’ve mentioned. Not only this, but they’re designed differently as well, and getting used to a Mac can have a steep learning curve. But within a few weeks, you’ll get used to the sensitive trackpad and the layout design of the laptop.

The Apple Macbook Air M1 typically comes with the same specifications that you’ll find in every other base model premium laptop. 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage is pretty much the norm now.

The base model of the Air use to come with a i3 Processor, but it wasn’t long until Apple wanted to upgrade this to something more powerful. It now comes with their own unique M1 processor, which has 8 cores and is much more powerful than the original. Apple have managed to still maintain the fairly low price too.

It also comes with a full HD retina screen, which has true tone technology. This means that it adjusts to your environment to give you the best quality view possible.

Apple do get some criticism for charging a higher price for these moderate specs with their laptops, but to be honest it’s a similar price to Dell’s XPS range and Lenovo’s Thinkpad.

You’re really paying extra for the quality of the laptop itself and the amazing customer service you get from Apple. I don’t think you’ll find many people who will argue that Apple doesn’t have the best support out of any major laptop retailer. Plus, Mac’s are great if you use an iPhone, as it’s really easy to sync them together.

Anyway, this is another top class laptop that would be a great choice for pretty much anyone, from student to worker. The difference between the Air and the Apple Macbook Pro has definitely narrowed in recent years.

Side note – If you’re going to use it at home, then I’d advise you consider getting an additional Apple Magic Mouse and a Magic keyboard. This can help to increase productivity, and it’s actually a lot better for your posture if you keep yourself from hovering over your laptops keyboard.

Pros

High quality retina display.
Countless hours of battery life.
The best sound quality out of any laptop.

Cons

Ideally would have a better processor.
Not much more to upgrade to the Pro.

Overall Verdict: The heavily improved Macbook Air delivers in overall performance if you’re happy with an Apple laptop.


Dell Inspiron 13 7391

Dell Inspiron 13 7391 2-in-1 13.3 Inch FHD Touchscreen Convertible Laptop with Active Pen (Black) Intel Core i5-10210U, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, FINGERPRINT READER, Windows 10 Home

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 13.3 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Processor: Intel i5 | Average Battery Life: 8 hours

No good list of laptops nowadays is complete without a solid 2-in-1 option. For those looking for a convertible 13 inch laptop, then the Dell Inspiron is a pretty great option. Although the Inspiron line isn’t as popular as the XPS line, it’s still proven to be one of their most commended releases.

The good thing about a convertible laptop is that it completely gets rid of the necessity for any other form of tech in the house – you won’t need to get another tablet, for example. You can easily adjust this with the 360 degree rotor, which allows you to put it into tablet mode or tent mode.

Unlike many other 2-in-1s this model comes with a stylus pen. This makes it the perfect option for artists, designers or even just adults and children who enjoy drawing. You’re going to want one of these for any touch screen laptop.

In terms of the specs, this is actually one of the more powerful 2-in-1s available out there, with an i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. It also comes with a nice 512GB of storage, which should be sufficient space to store a lot of files and programs.

With a fingerprint reader, advanced noise reduction and all the ports you need, it’s easy to see why this model comes so highly recommended. The Inspiron is undoubtedly one of the best 13 inch convertible laptops available today, and it’s at a pretty decent price too.

Pros

2-in-1 design effectively gives you both a tablet and laptop to use.
Responsive and easy to use.
Includes Dell Active Pen stylus with the laptop.

Cons

Sound quality is pretty poor compared to others.
High quality screen gives it limited battery life.

Overall Verdict: Anyone looking for a touchscreen laptop will be hard pressed to find anything better than this Inspiron model.


Apple MacBook Pro

Apple New MacBook Pro M1 Chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) - Space Grey (Latest Model)

Operating System: Mac OS | Screen size: 13 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Processor: M1 chip | Average Battery Life: 8 hours

Even though the Air provides good value for money, if you have the funds then it might pay to opt for a Macbook Pro. The 2020 version of the Pro is similar to that of previous years, but it’s been at the top of the pile for a while now.

Of course, you’re always going to pay a little extra for a Macbook than you would for other brands, but the UX is different class. The specs of this model are pretty good, with 8GB RAM and an Apple M1 processor to match.

The only downside of the current M1 chip is that it’s only capable of running with a maximum of 16GB of RAM. This means that it’s not going to be capable of working with more RAM than this, which may be needed for some tasks (like video editing).

For most people though, 8GB of RAM and the M1 chip are going to be a great match. It also comes with 512GB of SSD storage space too, which should be enough for most.

What’s probably most impressive to those who haven’t used a Macbook before is the Retina display, which produces colours far better than 99% of other laptops out there.

So whilst you might pay a little extra for a Macbook Pro, you’re going to get a good laptop that will last you a good 5+ years (I still have a Pro that’s 5 years old and it works as well as when I bought it!).

Pros

Mac OS is the best for user experience.
The entry level is all most people will need.
They seem to last forever, so no need for an upgrade any time soon.

Cons

Would prefer a better Intel processor.
Not the best webcam.

Overall Verdict: The Macbook Pro will be one of the best 13 inch laptops for the foreseeable future.


HP ENVY x360

HP ENVY x360 13.3' 2-in-1 Laptop PC 13-ay0008sa, Touch Screen, AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, FHD, Nightfall black

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 13.3 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 | Average Battery Life: 6.5 hours

The x360 is available in quite a few different models, with the Envy being the midrange model from HP. You could also consider the Spectre, but it’s more expensive than this model (however it typically uses more expensive parts).

This convertible laptop is pretty perfect for those who are looking for something to use daily. It’s a lightweight and easily portable laptop that you can carry around with you all day without hassle. It is a simple enough design, but it works well.

With the Ryzen processor, you’re also going to get some great performance and many actually find that it runs cooler than an Intel processor, too. This might, in turn, give your battery a longer lifespan. It also has an AMD Radeon GPU, which is a solid graphics card.

Although 2 in 1 laptops aren’t really known for their long battery life, this model does give you a pretty good 6 or 7 hours before you have to think about recharging it. So this, plus everything else, make it one to consider for those who wouldn’t mind a 2-in-1 laptop.

Pros

Great build quality and internal components.
Narrow bezel design makes the most of the screen space.
Good touch display and inbuilt fingerprint reader.

Cons

Battery life lets it down a little bit.
No stylus included.

Overall Verdict: This is a good choice for those on a tight budget looking for a convertible laptop.


Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Ultra-Thin 13” Touchscreen Laptop (Platinum) - Intel 10th Gen Quad Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Windows 10 Home, 2019 Edition

Operating System: Windows | Screen size: 13.5 inch | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB SSD | Processor: Intel i5 Processor | Average Battery Life: 7+ hours

Finally, we’ll look at the Microsoft Surface laptop. Whilst this model hasn’t been as popular as some other premium laptops, it still shouldn’t be overlooked.

In terms of design, this blows all of the other laptops out of the water. It’s slim appearance is really one of the best around, and it weighs just over a kilogram. So, it’s very easy to carry around with you for the day, making it perfect for students. It has an interactive touchscreen, and the sound and mic quality are very good too.

It comes with the standard specs of 8GB/128GB, typical of most premium laptops nowadays. It also uses an i5 processor, and it has an average battery life of 6.5-7 hours. Microsoft state that it has more than this, but the reality is that battery isn’t where this laptop is strongest. However, what it does do well is in its minimalist design and general aesthetic.

So if battery life is a big concern to you, then this is probably going to be one that you’d rather skip. However, if you use your laptop mainly at home, then this won’t matter to you. And in every other area, the Surface 3 is a solid laptop.

Pros

One of the most stylish laptops out.
Good touchscreen and speakers.
Ultra thin and lightweight, making it great for portability.

Cons

Quite expensive for the spec.
Not the best in terms of power.

Overall Verdict: Perfect for anyone looking for a stylish and slimline laptop, with the large trackpad being a highlight.


Common FAQs about 13 inch Laptops

Is a 13 inch screen too small for a laptop?

If you’re wondering whether a 13 inch screen is too small for a laptop, then you’re not alone. Typically, 13 inch screens are the most sold laptops size by quite a distance, however obviously this may be because they are cheaper than larger screens too. For most people, a 13 inch screen will be a perfect size. You could also consider larger sizes, like a 15 inch wide laptop or a 17 inch wide laptop too.

What size screen laptop is going to be best for me?

The screen size of your laptop is entirely dependent on what you prefer. However, the majority of users prefer to use a minimum of a 13 inch laptop screen. This is especially true for people who will spend long hours on their laptop, as it is a lot easier on your eyes than using a small notebook screen.

Is 32GB of RAM too much for most people?

For the majority of people, 8GB of RAM is going to be fine. In fact for many, 4GB of RAM would probably be fine too. However for those who have intensive programs that take up a lot of RAM space, then a 16GB laptop might be necessary. A 32GB RAM laptop is going to be overkill for the vast majority of people, and is only really recommended for gamers (many games nowadays require specs of 12GB or more).

Which OS should I choose for my laptop?

There are various different operating systems that you can choose for your laptop, and it can be very confusing understanding how they differ. If you aren’t sure which would be best for you, then you should probably opt for either a Windows or Mac OS. They can both do pretty much everything the average person would ever need.

Would I lose my data by changing my OS?

If you were to just wipe your system completely clean and install a different OS, then obviously you would lose your data. But if you wanted to switch from say Windows to Mac operating system, then you can dual boot these and manage to transfer your data over. This isn’t too difficult to do, even if you’re not the best with computers.

13 Inch Laptop Buying Guide

When you’re looking to purchase a laptop, there are a few different things that you’ll want to think about. This is definitely true if you’re going to opt for a 13 inch laptop, because there are so many of them out there that it can be really difficult to know which one to opt for.

Convertible 2-in-1 – You may think that you want a regular laptop. But if you’re someone that has a tablet at home too, then it makes sense to combine both of these into one machine. Nowadays, you can find a convertible laptop that is very light, and won’t feel too heavy to carry around with you.
Battery Life – If you ask users what most of them are looking for in a laptop, then battery life would come up pretty high. Although most of us use out laptops whilst plugged in, you should still think about how much battery life you laptop has, and whether you’ll ever need to use it.
Storage space – Something that really grinds my gears is companies stuffing a whole ton of storage into a laptop unnecessarily. Many of us nowadays have our files stored in Google drive, so in many cases, you won’t need a terabyte of storage. So, don’t buy anything that you’re not going to use.

Conclusion

There are a ton of different 13 inch laptops available for purchase, and it can be really difficult to tell which one would be best for your needs.

Hopefully, I’ve helped you figure this out a little bit by going through some of the top laptops that have decent enough specifications, and will be suitable for most people. If you still aren’t sure, then feel free to browse the site to try and find another option.

Purchasing a solid laptop can be one of the best investments that you can make. So, it’s important that you look around and find the right model for you.

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About Alex

Hello, I'm Alex and this is my website, Spacehop. I started the site as a way to talk about myself, and a few years later we're now a team of 6! I still work full time at a major PC retailer in the UK, and I'm a bit of a tech whizz (self-proclaimed, unfortunately!).

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