How Much Does a Laptop Weigh [Detailed Guide With Examples]

Here, you’ll get an overview of the main laptop types and their weights.

Ultrabooks & Ultraportable Laptops

The ultrabooks and ultraportable laptops are extremely compact and lightweight and weigh less than three pounds.

They’re designed for frequent travelers and on-the-go users like business people and students.

Since these laptops are compact, their screen sizes tend to be small (mostly under 14 inches). Speaking of ultrabooks, these are slightly larger than tablets. For instance, Surface Laptop 4 has a screen size of 12.4”.

Furthermore, ultrabooks and ultraportables are also not performance-packed. Their compact size limits the hardware they can house.

Therefore, most compact laptops lack dedicated graphics and efficient cooling systems and are unsuitable for demanding processes and apps.

Also, these laptops have limited connectivity options. Take Macbook Air M2, for example; it only offers two thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack.

Some popular ultrabooks & ultraportable laptops are Macbook Air M2, Dell XPS 13, and HP Pavilion Aero 13.

Thin and Light Laptops

The laptops in this category are slightly heavier than ultrabooks and ultraportables. But unlike big laptops, these are still relatively easy to carry and lightweight.

To be precise, most Thin and Light laptops weigh between 3-6 pounds.

Most traditional laptops fall in the Thin and Light category, which means laptops of this type are suitable for most users.

Generally speaking, Thin and Light laptops offer a great balance between performance and portability. That said, most laptops from this category have a screen size of between 14-16 inches.

A popular example of a Thin and Light laptop is Macbook Pro 14”.

It weighs around 3 pounds but provides decent performance with its great M.2 chip, making it suitable for demanding processes like video editing.

Dell XPS 17 (9720) and Lenovo Slim 7 Pro are popular laptops in this category.

Gaming Laptops

Gaming laptops have powerful hardware to run demanding AAA games like a charm.

For instance, they tend to have a newer-generation processor, dedicated graphics card, and lots of RAM.

Apart from that, laptops from this category come with large displays to satisfy gamers’ needs.

The powerful hardware and large display require gaming laptops to be bigger and heavier than normal laptops. Most commonly, gaming laptops weigh between 3-8 pounds.

Since gaming laptops have powerful hardware, they’re also widely used for other power-hungry apps and processes.

For instance, most CAD designers, game developers, and video editors use gaming laptops to process their apps seamlessly.

Some popular gaming laptops are Razer Blade 15, Acer Nitro 5, and Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, weighing 4.6 lbs, 5.01 lbs, and 3.8 lbs, respectively.

Rugged Laptops

The rugged laptops are designed for maximum durability and impact protection.

They are mostly tested against moisture, dust, and shocks to ensure they can stand the test of time. They’re frequently used in the Military and Police departments.

Since rugged laptops are extremely well-protected, they usually weigh between 4-10 pounds.

For instance, Dell Latitude 7330 Rugged is a popular rugged laptop that weighs over 7.60 pounds.

Below, we’ll explore the weights of the most popular laptops.

The right laptop weight depends on the laptop functions and hardware specs you need, your budget, and your portability requirements.

For most users, a laptop that weighs between 2-3 pounds is preferable. Laptops weighing 3-4 pounds are also acceptable, but lighter ones are preferable.

For everyday or casual users, any laptop that weighs between 2-3 pounds will work.

Such a laptop might not have a powerful dedicated graphics card or a large display. But it will be suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, watching movies, and studying.

If you’re a photo/video editor, 3D animator, or game developer who needs stable performance, go for a laptop with dedicated graphics, a powerful processor, and ample RAM.

Such a laptop may weigh over 3 pounds, such as Macbook Pro M2 14”.

Hardcore users require top-tier hardware with effective cooling to allow running power-hungry apps and processes like a charm.

They basically need a portable powerhouse. If you’re among them, expect your laptop to weigh between 3-8 pounds.

Below, we’ll explore the main factors a laptop’s weight depends on.

As mentioned above, the weight of a laptop greatly depends on its type. Ultrabooks, ultraportable laptops, and thin and light laptops are quite compact and lightweight.

Simply put, they’re travel friendly. Whereas gaming laptops and workstation laptops are often larger and heavier.

The screen size of a laptop also plays a role in its weight. Laptops with larger screens tend to be heavier than those with smaller screens.

It’s because the larger screen requires a larger and heavier chassis to support it.

The materials used to construct a laptop can also affect its weight.

Laptops made with lightweight materials like plastic or carbon fiber tend to be lighter than those made with heavier materials like aluminum.

A laptop’s hardware parts can also play a role in its weight.

Laptops with more powerful hardware (like a faster processor or a larger hard drive) may be heavier than laptops with less powerful hardware.

This is because the additional components required for the more powerful hardware can add to the weight of the laptop.

Further, a laptop’s cooling system (fans and heatsink, etc.), charger, and battery may also impact its weight. Speaking of battery, it alone can be half a pound.

When it comes to the charger, it may weigh the same.

You can calculate a laptop’s weight using any weighing scale available. We recommend a digital weighing scale to measure your laptop’s weight accurately.

Other than that, you can also determine a laptop’s weight through the Internet.

Type your laptop’s model followed by the word “weight” on Google to know how much your laptop weighs.

Why Lightweight Laptops Are Preferable

Below are the top benefits of lightweight laptops.

Heavyweight laptops tend to have power-hungry hardware, such as a dedicated graphics card, that consumes a lot of battery. Whereas the less powerful hardware of lightweight laptops requires less power to run.

So, lightweight laptops generally offer longer battery backups. For instance, Apple’s Macbook Air M1 (2.75 pounds) lasts up to 18 hours on one charge.

A lightweight laptop is preferable if you use your laptop frequently and for prolonged periods. You can easily use it on your desk or lap as desired.

Plus, it’ll be easy to carry it across different rooms in your home or departments in your office.

Lightweight and compact laptops are easy to carry along anywhere. Whether you frequently travel to different cities or regularly take your laptop to the office, it’s worth investing in a lightweight laptop.

Bulky laptops look outdated and give a bad impression of your personality. In contrast, lightweight laptops tend to be compact and give a modern look to impress anyone who looks at you with your laptop.

The Surface Pro 8 is among the lightest laptops in the world, weighing only 1.96 lbs. But it has many downsides like poor connectivity options, small screen size, and limited upgradeability.

A recommended lightweight laptop is Macbook Air M2, which balances portability (weighs 2.75 lbs), performance, display size, and other important features.

Other popular lightweight laptops include:

• HP Pavilion Aero
• LG Gram 17 (2022)
• Dell XPS 13 (9310)

Different laptops have different weights, depending on their types, sizes, and many other factors. But most laptops weigh between 2-8 pounds.

This guide explored various types of laptops and their weight ranges.

We also laid down examples of the weights of the most popular laptops. Whichever laptop you consider, be sure it’s lightweight enough to carry along comfortably!

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