5 Reasons To Consider A Mini Laptop

Later versions of Chrome OS introduced a traditional desktop interface and a platform allowing “native” packaged software written in HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to be developed for the platform. For Windows 7, Microsoft introduced a new stripped-down edition intended for netbooks known as “Starter”, exclusively for OEMs. In comparison to Home Premium, Starter has reduced multimedia functionality, does not allow users to change their desktop wallpaper or theme, disables the “Aero Glass” theme, and does not have support for multiple monitors. The OLPC project followed the same market goals laid down by the eMate 300 eight years earlier.

Quantity limits may apply to orders, including orders for discounted and promotional items. Despite our best efforts, a small number of items may contain pricing, typography, or photography errors. Correct prices and promotions are validated at the time your order is placed.

You get one Gigabit Ethernet port, a pair of Thunderbolt/USB-C 4 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, and two Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports. You can use the Thunderbolt and HDMI ports in any combination to connect up to two external monitors, which is fewer than the three or four external monitors that Intel’s graphics support. If you prefer macOS to Windows or Chrome OS, Apple’s Mac mini (the 2020 model with Apple’s M1 processor, not the 2018 model with any of several Intel processors) is the mini PC you should get.

In most instances, you should still stick to a gaming PC in a Mini-ITX case if you’re looking for something small, because such a PC will have better cooling, cost less to build, and be easier to upgrade later on. If you’re more concerned about portability, a gaming laptop is a better option. The HP ProDesk 405 G6 shares the ProDesk 400 G6’s design and port layout but uses AMD Ryzen processors instead of Intel Core processors. The version with a Ryzen 5 Pro 4650GE should offer about the same processor performance as an Intel Core i5–based mini PC but much faster integrated-graphics performance, which is better for Fortnite and other less-demanding and older games. But like many AMD Ryzen systems, the ProDesk 405 G6 is frequently out of stock, which might be a problem if you can’t afford to wait. Also make sure not to buy the version based on the Ryzen 5 Pro 3400GE or 3350GE, both of which are a generation older and don’t perform as well.

Apple refitted its keyboards in 2019 and the MacBook Pro uses the same scissor switches which are really great in terms of travel and tactility. Our tester pushed the battery to 18 hours of 4K streaming at max brightness. Apple’s ever-expanding catalog of ARM-compatible apps makes this a solid buy for professionals, creators, and gamers. All that comes with some compromise since the laptop itself weighs almost five pounds. The design of the laptop hasn’t really evolved much over the years, which may be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your tastes. The discrete GPU also sucks up battery life like crazy, so if you’re on the go, you’ll want to stay close to an outlet.

Furthermore, with a 2736 x 1824 resolution, you’re going to be experiencing little to no glare. Instead, the screen has a high contrast and this will keep your eyes relaxed when you have to use your laptops for long periods of time throughout the day. In this guide, we’ve rated and reviewed seven of the best mini laptops money can buy. You may want a laptop with a good-quality webcam, and you can also find webcams that support features like face tracking or facial recognition. Examine all of the devices you plan on connecting to your laptop—mice, headphones, speakers, monitors—and make sure the laptop has compatible ports for each of your devices. Some laptops will have an SSD (solid-state drive), some will have an HDD , and some will even have both an SSD and an HDD.

Most people want a screen that’s large enough so they won’t be squinting when trying to read an email or research a topic, but people have different preferences when it comes to portability. Some people want a laptop that’s as lightweight and portable as possible, while others are going to keep the unit stationary for the most part, and only move it around the house occasionally. You will find conflicting information on this, but the best answer is, not really. That means they don’t like to be all the way empty or all the way full. Leaving a laptop plugged in will usually leave your battery all the way full.

Never generation of the highly portable notebooks are actually 2-in-1 PCs with touch displays and convertible designs. Ultraportables usually include processors with lower voltages and lower power consumption than those in standard notebooks. The 2020 update to the Dell XPS 13 not only makes it one of the best small laptops in terms of size and performance but also a premium choice for laptops of any size. With excellent reviews for its performance and an elegant and compact design, this mini laptop establishes itself as one to consider when looking for a smaller machine. Beyond impressive performance, it also has an impressive battery life of 11 hours with the 4K UHD display configuration. It’s got a 13.4-inch 4K FHD InfinityEdge Touchscreen with Intel HD Graphics, an 11th Generation InteI Core i5 processor and 8 GB of RAM.