Laptops are among the essential bits of equipment you need in your life. With so many technological advances this past decade, it is hard to imagine life without these devices. When buying a laptop for either official or personal use, many people often neglect to consider weight. A lighter laptop is an important consideration because it will help you carry your workaround with ease and save on back pain from dragging a heavier bag everywhere!
How much does a laptop weigh?
Laptops are designed to be portable, but their portability depends on the size and weight of the laptop. Standard laptop sizes can be divided into five categories: ultrabook, ultraportable, thin and light, desktop replacements, and luggables. Depending on the class of the device, a laptop’s weight may range from approximately 2lbs to 8lbs. Description of different categories of laptops are:
● Ultrabook/ Chromebook (2-3 lbs.):
Ultrabooks are a type of high-end laptop that must meet a few Intel-imposed specifications. Intel owns the Ultrabook TM brand and decides what criteria a laptop must meet in order to be considered for inclusion in this elite group. Ultrabooks are a “distinct” type of laptop computer. They resemble normal notebooks in appearance and behavior in many ways. Ultrabooks must be compact (18 mm thick or less for machines with displays under 14 inches and 23 mm for those with larger screens).
Size and average weight: 9-13.5″ x 8-11″ x 11″ x 1-2″. This type of laptop is somewhat hefty.
● Luggable (8 lbs.):
Released in 1982 for the first time, the luggable computer was an early computer that weighed 15 to 30 pounds and was easier to move than earlier computers. These computers featured a single unit with a small CRT monitor and keyboard. The keyboard was sometimes separate. Unlike laptops, these computers provided significant advantages in terms of mobility compared to the normal computer of the day.
Size and average weight: >18″ x >13″ x >1″. These laptops are more extensive and heavier in size.
Why weight of a laptop matter?
Weight is important in several ways. It depends on your choice and intent. Just like anything, it is a feature that needs to be considered before making the purchase. It may be more significant to some, but not to others. You probably want the lightest laptop available if you’re a traveler or someone who must bring your laptop everywhere. If you leave your laptop home, you probably wouldn’t care about the weight.
Normally, the larger the laptop screen size, the more the weight is. But some laptops are becoming lighter and portable with larger screens nowadays. Earlier, most laptops were bulky and difficult to carry, but recently there are a lot of business and commercial models which are lighter and reduced in size that are much easier to carry.
Today’s premium laptops are made out of lightweight materials such as magnesium and carbon fiber, making them lightweight, stylish, and durable. You can get more power-packed laptops with lighter weight as well. The processing power varies from desktop computers, so laptops and lighter models are intended for word processing or presentation purposes.
If you often travel, the weight of one’s laptop matters a lot, if not the most. For travelers, portability and mobility should be the top priority for buying laptops. But traveling with laptops can be a real pain. A portable computer is rather large and hefty.
Together with the chargers and other equipment, your travel bag can take up plenty of room. Moreover, if you’re not careful, your laptop can get damaged quite easily. It is always a good idea to check the weight of your laptop when traveling.
Why checking for travel weight is necessary?
Looking for the “travel weight” is necessary to get a more accurate estimate of real-world weight. This figure should include the weight of the laptop with its power adapters and possible media bays. Some desktop-replacement laptops that demand a lot of power require power adapters that can weigh as much as a third of the laptop.
The weight of a laptop is what tends to affect the portability of a computer most directly. Any frequent traveler who has to bring a laptop around airports and hotels will attest to the fact that the lighter systems are easier to bring along even if you don’t have all the functionality of the larger systems.
If you are a frequent traveler and moving between various meetings and places, getting a high-end slim laptop is better. You don’t want to purchase something that might hurt your back or fills your backpack. Some desirable details for a portable laptop are provided here:
• Weight: under 3 lbs.
• Screen size: under 14 cm.
• Less than 0.7 inches in thickness.
Taking the foregoing specifications into account, Ultrabooks are ideal for regular travelers. They are very lightweight and take minimal baggage space. Lightweight laptops are popular among travelers.
Which components increase laptop weight?
The weight of a laptop will change depending on what features the laptop has. If you have more power-heavy features, that will mean that your laptop will have to have a heavier fan for cooling purposes. A larger battery may also be necessary because the laptop needs to last longer. The weight of a laptop can therefore change depending on the needs of the user.
Gaming laptops are known to be the heaviest among the laptops. There are some factors why gaming laptops are so heavy.
Cooling solutions:
Gaming laptops are bigger than normal laptops in terms of size, mainly because of the size of the cooling solutions installed inside the laptop. Since gaming laptops are more powerful and work harder, they will consume more power and generate more heat, hence the bigger cooling solutions to cool it down.
Battery:
Aside from the cooling, the battery is also a factor when it comes to a gaming laptop’s overall weight. Gaming laptop batteries are generally bigger and heavier than a normal laptop battery.
Display:
The display of a gaming laptop contributes to the increment of its weight. Although there are gaming laptops and normal laptops with a 15.6″ screen size, most of the gaming laptops today come with 17.3″ screens. These screens are fixed mostly in metal covers which also add to the total weight of the laptop.
Ports:
Gaming and normal laptops have similar ports, but other than the usual HDMI/VGA, USB, and audio ports, gaming laptops tend to have even more. They contain different display outputs, multiple USB ports, which in some cases is double what a normal laptop has. These extra ports add to the total weight of the laptop, but not by much.
Keyboard:
In the overall weight of a gaming laptop, the size and type of the keyboard are also a factor. The gaming laptops have customized keyboards with built-in mechanical keyboards, which are wider due to dedicated keys for gaming.
Casing:
With all the fancy hardware installed inside a gaming laptop, it is structured and protected in the case. A gaming laptop case is usually big as they need to store all of the components without sacrificing airflow. If the components inside are big, the casing is going to be big.
How to choose your suitable laptop?
Whether you need a laptop for business purposes, educational purposes, or gaming purposes, it is crucial to consider the features and specifications that will best suit your individual needs.
First, Pick Your Operating System
Before you look at laptops, you must first figure out which operating system (OS) will work best for you. Doing so will help you determine which hardware you need to use.
There are four major computer operating systems. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s an overview of each:
Windows: This OS doesn’t get much press anymore, but it gets the job done. It’s the best choice if you need Microsoft apps like MS Office, Access, or Outlook. There are also more Windows laptops to choose from than any other OS.
MacOS: Apple’s MacOS is a bit more beginner-friendly than Windows, but it’s tightly coupled with the company’s hardware. It probably isn’t your first choice if you don’t own an iPhone or iPad, and your options are limited to MacBooks.
Chrome OS: Chrome OS is a good choice if you can do most of your laptop tasks in a web browser. Chrome laptops (called Chromebooks) are also among the cheapest (and least powerful) you’ll find, so the OS is also worth considering if you’re on a tight budget.
Linux: If you don’t need MS Office and don’t mind a learning curve, you can install Linux on just about any piece of laptop hardware ever created. The catch is that popular apps like MS Office and Adobe’s Creative Suite won’t run.
Understanding Processor Names (CPUs)
There are essentially two companies that make laptop processors: Intel and AMD.
Intel Processors
Intel‘s main processors are the Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9. The Core i3 is the least powerful; the Core i9 is the most powerful. Intel uses cryptic strings of numbers and letters within each of these chip lines that give you more information about that chip’s capabilities and when it came out.
AMD Processors
AMD‘s chip naming is just as difficult to decipher as Intel’s. Generally, an Intel i5 is indistinguishable from a Ryzen 5, outside of very specific benchmarks. They’re similar when you’re doing things like browsing the web or editing documents. It’s the same for the Intel i7 and Ryzen 7 and the Intel i3 and the Ryzen 3.
RAM
Random-access memory, known as RAM, is what your laptop uses to hold data while the processor does things with it. Consider RAM as a workplace. You should be able to accommodate your working place with all things you are working with right now. You can’t work at your workstation if it’s too little. Likewise, you cannot open browsers tabs or finish compiling your files if you run out of RAM.
Your laptop will eventually freeze, and you will have to start it again. One thing to look at is if your RAM is soldered to the motherboard before you buy. You cannot upgrade the RAM manually if it is soldered. Again, if you’re programming and compiling software or editing video clips, two tasks that require a lot of RAM, you’ll want 16 GB at minimum. You’ll probably be happier with 32 GB if you can afford it.
Hard drive
The hard drive is where you’ll store all your data. Think of this as the filing cabinet next to your workstation. The most common choice these days is a solid-state drive (SSD), although some budget laptops still use spinning drives. Go for an SSD drive if you can afford it—at least 256 gigabytes. SSDs are faster, especially if they use an NVMe connection, which moves data in and out of the hard drive much quicker than the older standard, known as SATA.
Sometimes you’ll find laptops with an SSD with NVMe to run the operating system, but an older SATA drive to store files. This gives you the best of both worlds: speed where you need it but still budget-friendly. The minimum amount of space we recommend is 256 gigabytes. If you plan to install many games or software or save a lot of photos or video, that will quickly eat up space.
Ports
While the CPU, RAM, and hard drive will have the biggest impact on performance, the amount and types of ports on your laptop are important. Ports are the various ways of plugging things into your laptop, like USB devices or recharging them.
You will want at least one 1 USB-C, one 1 USB-A, and a microphone/headset jack. Look into USB-C charging and an SD reader too.
Webcams and hinges
Your laptop should have a webcam. For some reason, there are still laptops in 2024 that don’t have them. Most webcams are still 720p, especially on lower-priced laptops. That’s fine if you’re not using it much, but with Zoom being a way of life for many folks these days, you might be happier with a 1080p camera.
How to test the laptop’s hinge? The laptop’s hinge is a hard part of testing if you’re buying from an online store. If possible, head to a local store so you can actually hold the model you’re interested in. Try opening it with one hand. That might sound silly, but trust me, not being able to open your laptop with one hand is annoying.
Size and weight
Based on the type of work you intend to use your laptop for, the size and weight of the laptop should be considered. The standard laptop size is 12.5 to 14-inch, providing the best combination of usability and portable. Large screens are great when you’re not traveling a lot, and smaller models are great for children.
Battery life
Battery life is ideal for 8+ hours if you plan anywhere to take your laptop.
Budget
Considering all these factors mentioned above, opt for a laptop with the closest similarities in specifications and features within your price range.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a laptop weigh in KG?
Ans: The average laptop weight in kg is 1.5 to 2.5 kgs depending on the laptop’s size and features. The lightest laptops can only weigh around 1kg. Generally, the weight ranges between Small laptops (14-inch) – 1.5 to 2kg. Medium laptops (16-inch) – 2 to 2.5kg. Large laptops (17-inch) – 3kg.
2. How much do Lenovo laptops weigh?
Ans: The weight of a Lenovo laptop depends on the laptop models and their series. For example, Lenovo ThinkPad is a Windows 10 laptop with a 14.00-inch display that has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels which weighs 1.36kg.
3. How much does a dell laptop weigh in kg?
Ans: Dell laptops’ weight in kg is somewhere between 1.1 to 2.5 kg. Categories of Dell laptops like gaming laptops (normally the heaviest and bulkiest), casual laptops (for students and office-oriented purposes), and notebooks (the lightweight kind) all have different weights.
4. How much does a laptop weigh for shipping?
Ans: Depending on the size and weight of individual laptops, the weight for shipping varies. These gadgets normally weigh 4-10 pounds and are 15-20 centimeters large and 10-15 centimeters high.
5. Is a 5-lb laptop heavy?
Ans: Most laptops 15 inches long (38 centimeters) are often approximately 5 pounds (2.3 kg), a weight that you can carry daily between your home office and office. For the people who love lightweight laptops, 5lbs can be a big deal. But, as per technology and specifications, it is not too heavy for a high-tech heavy working machine.
6. How much does a 17-inch laptop weigh?
Ans: 17-inch laptops weigh between 4 to 8 lbs. It is quite large in size. Even the best 17-inch laptop also requires portability in terms of battery life and carrying weight. A 17-inch notebook can weigh about 4 to 6 pounds, and a 17-inch gaming laptop can weigh about 5 to 8 pounds.
Wrapping Up
The popularity of lightweight laptops is all-time high now. Laptop manufacturers are now producing more thin and light laptops. Apple’s Macbook Air and Acer Swift are some examples. Considering the trend, it is safe to say that heavy laptops like Compaq Portable ii will become less relevant in the coming days. The average laptop weighs between 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg.