Best small, light laptop (€700 max)

Piglet85

Looking for a very portable, lightweight, thin, (13.3 inch max but ideally less) laptop under €700. I'll be using it primarily for a lot of word processing and browsing, but would like it to be SSD if possible and have decent storage space. All recommendations gratefully received!

James 007

I am in the same boat as you. Currently I have a work Lenovo ThinkPad S260, screen size is I think 12.5 inches. I am looking for my own personnel laptop on your budget, i5 processer, SSD and at most a 13.5 inch screen, preferably 13 inch or less. Everything at value seems to be 14 or 15 inch screens, which I find disappointing.

What I have seen yesterday is this:

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-13-an0506sa-13-3-intel-core-i5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10188980-pdt.html

13.3 inch screen
Windows 10
Intel® Core™ i5-8265U Processor
RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 256 GB SSD
Full HD display

What I cannot tell if the 256 GB could be upgrade to 1 TB. I have checked website UK Crucial & it doesnt seem to have it in their system which leads me to believe it cant be.

This is the only reason I am holding back until I can see if I can get the same spec above for one that has the flexibility of adding more storage. Anyone out there that would be able to confirm for the same spec above, much appreciated.

James 007

I am tempted to get the below, its a 14 inch screen, but has double the harddrive space & costs 589euro, so double the hard drive for 130 euro less. It is 1.6kg v's 1.3kg weight for the 13.3 inch option.

HP Pavilion 14-ce3501sa 14" Laptop
Intel® Core™ i5-1035G1 Processor
Memory: 8 GB RAM / 32 GB Intel® Optane™
Storage: 512 GB SSD

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce3501sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-512-gb-ssd-silver-10198859-pdt.html

James 007

Ok, I think I have found what I am looking for. It costs 800 US Dollars. I know I could buy it on amazon. Does anyone know where one could buy one of these.

Asus Zenbook 13 UX331FA-AS51
Processor Intel Core i5-8265U 1.6GHz 8th Generation Processor (Turbo up to 3.9 GHz, 6M Cache)
RAM 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Storage 512GB Solid State Drive
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 620
Display 13.3-Inch Full HD NanoEdge Display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64-bit OS
Battery Life Up to 14 hours
Weight 2.5 lbs

James 007

Ok, I think I have found what I am looking for. Its for 800 US Dollars on Amazon, does anyone know if it is available anywhere else. Its only 1.14kgs too.

Asus Zenbook 13 UX331FA-AS51
Processor Intel Core i5-8265U 1.6GHz 8th Generation Processor (Turbo up to 3.9 GHz, 6M Cache)
RAM 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Storage 512GB Solid State Drive
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 620
Display 13.3-Inch Full HD NanoEdge Display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64-bit OS
Battery Life Up to 14 hours
Weight 2.5 lbs (1.14kgs)

https://laptopunderbudget.com/best-laptops-under-700-dollars/

Piglet85

James 007 wrote: »

Ok, I think I have found what I am looking for. Its for 800 US Dollars on Amazon, does anyone know if it is available anywhere else. Its only 1.14kgs too.

Asus Zenbook 13 UX331FA-AS51
Processor Intel Core i5-8265U 1.6GHz 8th Generation Processor (Turbo up to 3.9 GHz, 6M Cache)
RAM 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Storage 512GB Solid State Drive
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 620
Display 13.3-Inch Full HD NanoEdge Display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64-bit OS
Battery Life Up to 14 hours
Weight 2.5 lbs (1.14kgs)

https://laptopunderbudget.com/best-laptops-under-700-dollars/

Thanks James! Funnily enough I've been eyeing this one up too, looks perfect but the fact that it doesn't seem to be available on this side of the Atlantic is what put me off. I don't know enough to be sure what issues that might raise (other than the obvious like power supply, delivery from the States, etc.). Would be great if it was for sale here though.

James 007

James 007 wrote: »

I am in the same boat as you. Currently I have a work Lenovo ThinkPad S260, screen size is I think 12.5 inches. I am looking for my own personnel laptop on your budget, i5 processer, SSD and at most a 13.5 inch screen, preferably 13 inch or less. Everything at value seems to be 14 or 15 inch screens, which I find disappointing.

What I have seen yesterday is this:

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-13-an0506sa-13-3-intel-core-i5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10188980-pdt.html

13.3 inch screen
Windows 10
Intel® Core™ i5-8265U Processor
RAM: 8 GB / Storage: 256 GB SSD
Full HD display

What I cannot tell if the 256 GB could be upgrade to 1 TB. I have checked website UK Crucial & it doesnt seem to have it in their system which leads me to believe it cant be.

This is the only reason I am holding back until I can see if I can get the same spec above for one that has the flexibility of adding more storage. Anyone out there that would be able to confirm for the same spec above, much appreciated.

you could just buy a bigger ssd - 1tb, 2tb etc yourself

lists both sata 2.5 inch size and m.2 on crucial as being compatible.

(the one that it comes with most likely m.2 slot stick type)

https://eu.crucial.com/eur/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP---Compaq/pavilion-14-ce3501sa

if you scroll down sizes of >= 1tb listed

the faster m.2 nvme types are more expensive

James 007

glasso wrote: »

you could just buy a bigger ssd - 1tb, 2tb etc yourself

lists both sata 2.5 inch size and m.2 on crucial as being compatible.

(the one that it comes with most likely m.2 slot stick type)

https://eu.crucial.com/eur/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP---Compaq/pavilion-14-ce3501sa

if you scroll down sizes of >= 1tb listed

the faster m.2 nvme types are more expensive

Yes, but could you recommend a decent 13 to 13.5 laptop that would be compatible with the upgrade that you have recommended

James 007

This one is good value, however its a 14 inch model at 589 euro, 512Gb

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-14-ce3501sa-14-laptop-intel-core-i5-512-gb-ssd-silver-10198859-pdt.html

This one is a 13.3 inch at 719 euro, 256Gb, so only half the storage

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-pavilion-13-an0506sa-13-3-intel-core-i5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-silver-10188980-pdt.html

Both the above are i5 Intel processors only

James 007

Piglet85 wrote: »

Thanks James! Funnily enough I've been eyeing this one up too, looks perfect but the fact that it doesn't seem to be available on this side of the Atlantic is what put me off. I don't know enough to be sure what issues that might raise (other than the obvious like power supply, delivery from the States, etc.). Would be great if it was for sale here though.

Id say its not manufactured any more, my guess only. i5 Intel processor.

i5 Intel processors are now with i7 or better again i9 Intel processors, so ASUS seem to only manufacture these upgraded models Piglet85

Actually, I need to correct myself, you can still buy them from BOX/SCAN/Amazon but not at the price I would want to pay for it.
https://www.box.co.uk/ASUS-ZenBook-P333FA-A3202R_2693218.html

James 007

James 007 wrote: »

Yes, but could you recommend a decent 13 to 13.5 laptop that would be compatible with the upgrade that you have recommended

that laptop is. the link is the compatible ssd results for the hp laptop....

I wouldn't worry about 13.3 inch vs 14 inch. It's the weight that you'll notice

this is 1.35kg which I'd classify as light. 1.6 even 1.5 kg don't have same perception of lightness even tho it's only 200 to 300 g in it.

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-vivobook-14-k403fa-14-intel-core-i5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-blue-10195163-pdt.html

719 euro

i5, 8gb ram, 256 ssd. long battery life

James 007

Yes, I have done a bit of research, so if I get a chance I will put it up tonight.
Apologies, it is indeed 13.3 inch, I have seen that now. Max upgrade is to 1TB SSD not bad either, but no upgrade in RAM possible, I have this one on my research list too, update later tonight.

Mango Joe

Get an Lenovo Thinkpad on Adverts with i5 or i7, 8GBs RAM, SSD, backlit keyboard and a full HD screen.

If you can negotiate with Seller to get a good clean, unblemished example you'll be buying a €1400 laptop for €300-400.

They are beautiful machines, I adore mine.

I've bought numerous others for friends and family also.

Eastcoastgreen on Adverts.ie is a good safe bet - I've no connection to this Seller.

James 007

I have done a bit of research however it is all open to correction. The two on the list that stand out for me are the following to give extra storage capacity at a later stage & increase RAM:

HP ProBook 430 G6 5TJ81ET#ABU, Intel Core i5 8265U, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
HP Pavilion 14-ce3520sa, Intel Core i7 8265U, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

See attached PDF. Perhaps there are other laptops out there too that I have not come across with similar specs.

Thanks Mango Joe,I have reviewed some of those too & will think about it too

Needs Must

Following this thread as I'm in the market too, I know it's over the 700e but any thoughts on this one. Thanks.
ASUS ZenBook 14 UM431DA 14” AMD Ryzen 5 Laptop - 256 GB SSD, Blue

Needs Must

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-zenbook-14-um431da-14-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-blue-10194537-pdt.html

James 007

Needs Must wrote: »

Following this thread as I'm in the market too, I know it's over the 700e but any thoughts on this one. Thanks.
ASUS ZenBook 14 UM431DA 14” AMD Ryzen 5 Laptop - 256 GB SSD, Blue

Very good if you are looking at the weight alone. I too would like a light weight, but I am undecided, see attachment, 4 in yellow are my preferred options. I think Id prefer Intel as a processor, but AMD stack up too, Im no expert, youtube.

I would like to have a combination of the following light weight/13.3 inch screen/good storage capacity/good future storage capacity.

HP Pavilion 14-ce3501sa does not stack up weight wise, but gives 0.5TB (twice the laptop your looking at) storage, but look what it gives for future storage, 2TB, quadruple your storage.

Comparing the two HP Pavilion 14's, (1st & 4th choice), they both have 0.5TB, and both have great future storage capacity, however its i5 vs i7 processors, hence the 200euro difference, is it worth that, I dont know. Also you would need to check if your current choice offers future storage capacity if thats something you want. UK Crucial & Mr Memory dont seem to have yours on their system for upgrade recommendations.

Our 2nd choice is equivalent in weight with your choice, likewise with RAM & current storage, however our 2nd choice wins out on future storage, 1TB, doubling its storage capacity, also wins on price 120euro difference. Processors are probably similar. You would need to check on all other criteria like Windows 10 provided or not etc.

Just looking back at my choices, Im now favouring towards 1 and 4, both have 1.6kgs, so I need to check weight vs a 1.3kg, one in each hand. If someone could tell me is it worth having an i7 processor over an i5 processor then, no. 4 it is for me.

i7 not worth the cost over i5 in the u range of cpus. there is less than 10% perf in it with those cpus as they are both 4-core.

there is a new high-end u class cpu coming out with 6 cores but it's not out yet and will be expensive.

Piglet85

Thanks for all the advice on this, it was really helpful. Ended up going for this: https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-zenbook-14-um431da-14-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-blue-10194537-pdt.html

Very good spec for the price and really light, which was important to me.

AmberGold

Piglet85 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice on this, it was really helpful. Ended up going for this: https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-zenbook-14-um431da-14-amd-ryzen-5-laptop-256-gb-ssd-blue-10194537-pdt.html

Very good spec for the price and really light, which was important to me.

Whats the screen like?

James 007

glasso wrote: »

i7 not worth the cost over i5 in the u range of cpus. there is less than 10% perf in it with those cpus as they are both 4-core.

there is a new high-end u class cpu coming out with 6 cores but it's not out yet and will be expensive.

Bsed on that comment Glasso I'll probably go ahead & purchase the HP Pavilion 14-ce3501sa

James 007

James 007 wrote: »

Bsed on that comment Glasso I'll probably go ahead & purchase the HP Pavilion 14-ce3501sa

the zenbook is a great option tbh

lovely machine