7 Top Picks
4 Reviewers
26 Hours of Research
22 Options Considered
12-inch laptops may seem less popular than other laptop sizes. However, they are as good as their larger counterparts. A 12-inch laptop is lightweight and portable, making it suitable for traveling users. Besides, they perform well, ensuring I enjoy smooth motions and operations.
There are a multitude 12-inch laptops available in the market. However, you'll need to consider the processor, battery life, display, and design, among other factors, when buying one. This article is an in-depth review of the best 12 inch laptop. In addition, I have also covered the buying guide. Read through, and good luck.
3 Top 12 Inch Laptop
1. [Best Overall]
5/5
The best 12 inch laptop is Microsoft 12.4 Multi-Touch Surface Laptop Go. This laptop has high-end features that guarantee top performance, making the laptop ideal for various tasks, including demanding ones.
2. [Best For The Money]
4.9/5
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is a powerful laptop with features guaranteeing elite performance. The laptop has an Intel Core i5 with high processing speed, ideal for intensive tasks. It features an ultra-slim portable design, letting me fit it inside my backpack and move around with it more conveniently.
3. [Best For The Clear Images]
4.8/5
ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 is a high-end laptop with an elegant design. The laptop's slim, portable design lets me carry it more efficiently. It also has sharp and clear images to enhance my experience.
Best 12 Inch Laptop Reviews
[Best Overall]
5/5
The best 12 inch laptop is Microsoft 12.4 Multi-Touch Surface Laptop Go. This touch screen laptop has high-end features that guarantee top performance, making the laptop ideal for various tasks, including demanding ones. The Core i5 laptop features a high processing speed for smooth operations. It also has a 1536 x 1024 screen resolution to produce sharp, clear images.
Microsoft 12.4 Multi-Touch Surface Laptop Go Features
The laptop has 1536 x 1024 with sharp and clear images to produce a more vibrant display, enhancing my experience.
It has a 10-point multi-touch display, letting me conveniently run multiple programs simultaneously.
The omnisonic speakers with Dolby Audio deliver the best sound quality to enhance my experience.
The laptop features the 10th Gen Intel Core i5 1035G1 Quad-Core processor with high processing power to offer desired performance for intensive tasks.
The laptop is refurbished and in good working condition. It is also fully functional, ensuring I conveniently carry out operations.
It has 8GB RAM, letting me run several programs smoothly without slowing down the PC.
It also has a 128GB SSD, letting me efficiently save and retrieve my files and documents quickly. I could also launch apps instantly, enhancing my experience.
The laptop has Integrated Intel HD Graphics that delivers a smooth display to enhance my experience.
It supports Windows 10 Home in S Mode with more productivity features to enhance my performance.
Specifications
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 128GB SSD |
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 |
Processor | 10th Gen Intel Core i5 1035G1 Quad-Core processor |
Graphics card | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics |
Weight | 1.00 lbs |
Dimensions | 9.27 x 12.19 x 1.93 inches |
Pros
Cons
[Best For The Money]
4.9/5
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is a powerful laptop with features guaranteeing elite performance. This thin laptop has an Intel Core i5 with high processing speed, ideal for intensive tasks. It features an ultra-slim portable laptop design, letting me fit it inside my backpack and move around with it more conveniently. Below, find more features.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go Features
The laptop has a 10th-generation Intel Core i5 1035G1 (1.00GHz) CPU with dedicated performance for smooth operations.
It has 4 GB LPDDR4X memory, letting me carry out average tasks, including emailing, watching movies, and running Microsoft Office more efficiently.
It also has 64 GB eMMC storage, letting me store my files. However, this storage space limits how many files I can save without lagging the PC.
The laptop supports Windows 10 Home in S mode, letting me access powerful Windows features at an exceptional value.
The laptop's touch screen display lets me take notes and sketch more efficiently.
The laptop is ultra-thin and portable with 2.45 lbs average weight, letting me carry it more easily.
The laptop supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi: 802.11ac, letting me share files more efficiently and surf the internet.
Specifications
RAM | 4GB |
Storage | 64GB eMMC |
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 pixels |
Processor | 10th generation Intel Core i5 1035G1 (1.00GHz) |
Graphics card | Integrated Intel UHD Graphics |
Weight | 2.45 lbs |
Dimensions | 11.0 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches |
Pros
Cons
[Best For The Clear Images]
4.8/5
ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 is an affordable laptop with an elegant design. The laptop's slim, portable design lets me carry it more efficiently. It also has sharp and clear images to enhance my experience. In addition, the 32GB laptop features a 360-degree hinge that lets me flip the laptop to use a more convenient tablet mode.
ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3 Features
The laptop has an 8-core MediaTek 8183 Processor with up to 2.0 GHz processing speed for smooth operations.
The laptop has 32GB eMMC storage, letting me save my files for future use. It also has 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, letting me open several tabs simultaneously without slowing down the PC.
It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), letting me surf the internet to live stream my favorite shows. It also supports Bluetooth 4.2, letting me share files more efficiently and enjoy quality sound on my external sound bar.
The laptop has a 1366 x 912 screen resolution with sharp, clear images to enhance my experience.
Though the stylus pen is sold differently, it supports USI stylus support for efficient note-taking.
The 360-degree hinge allows me to flip the laptop to use other convenient modes, including tablet, stand, and tent mode.
It has comprehensive port connectivity. It supports one USB 2.0 Type-A, one USB 2.0 Type-C, and one microSD card reader for flexible connectivity.
Specifications
RAM | 4GB |
Storage | 32GB eMMC |
Resolution | 1366 x 912 pixels |
Processor | 8-core MediaTek 8183 Processor |
Weight | 2.51 lbs |
Dimensions | 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.66 inches |
Pros
Cons
HP EliteBook x360 1020 G2 12.5 IPS Touchscreen Display, Full HD (1920x1080) 2-in-1 Business Laptop is a powerful laptop with features that guarantee powerful performance. This HP business laptop features an Intel Core i5 processor with high processing speed for smooth operations. It also has 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage, letting me multitask and save more files efficiently.
HP EliteBook x360 1020 G2 12.5 IPS Touchscreen Display, Full HD (1920x1080) 2-in-1 Business Laptop Features
The laptop has 256 GB SSD storage, letting me save unlimited files and documents. I could also retrieve the saved files quickly and launch programs instantly, ensuring a smoother user experience.
The 8GB allows me to open several tabs and run multiple programs simultaneously without affecting the laptop's performance. In most cases, I multitasked more efficiently, allowing me to do more within a short period.
The laptop features a more powerful processor to ensure smoother operations.
It supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac, letting me surf the internet uninterruptedly. Therefore I could conveniently live stream my favorite shows.
The laptop also supports Bluetooth wireless connectivity, letting me connect to an external soundbar for improved-quality sounds.
The laptop supports Windows 10 Pro Operating System for improved productivity.
It has a Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) screen resolution with accurate and sharp images for a more vibrant display.
Specifications
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 256GB SSD |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
Processor | Intel Core i5-7300U |
Weight | 2.00 lbs |
Dimensions | 11.41 x 8.03 x 0.53 inches |
Pros
Cons
Apple produces high-quality laptops with elegant designs and powerful batteries. Apple MacBook (MMGL2LL/A) 256GB 12-inch Retina Display (2016) Intel Core M3 Tablet is no different. This touchscreen tablet has a 1.1 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core M3 Processor with a high processing power for the smooth running of intensive tasks. It also has 8GB memory and 256GB SSD storage for smooth display and motion. In addition, it has a dedicated Intel HD Graphics card for stunning display.
Apple MacBook (MMGL2LL/A) 256GB 12-inch Retina Display (2016) Intel Core M3 Tablet Features
The laptop has a 1.1 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core M3 Processor with up to 2.2 GHz processing frequency, ensuring that my demanding tasks run smoothly.
The laptop supports Mac Operating System with more advanced accessibility features for enhanced performance and productivity.
It has Intel HD Graphics 5300 with high graphics performance, delivering a smooth and stunning display.
The laptop features a 78-Key Full-Size Keyboard with well-spaced characters to enhance my typing experience.
It has a multi-touch display, letting me navigate the PC more efficiently.
The laptop features an Active-Matrix Retina display supporting IPS technology with accurate colors and wide viewing angles..
The laptop has a 2304 x 1440 pixel resolution with 226 ppi pixel density, producing super-crisp images.
It has 8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM, ensuring I run several programs smoothly without slowdowns. The 256 GB, PCIe SSD storage lets me save unlimited files and retrieve them quickly.
Specifications
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 256GB SSD |
Resolution | 2304 x 1440 pixels |
Processor | 1.1 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core M3 Processor |
Weight | 2.00 lbs |
Dimensions | 12.1 x 8.7 x 2.0 inches |
Pros
Cons
4.5/5
Acer Chromebook 512 Laptop is a powerful Chromebook ideal for various uses. The laptop supports Chromebook Operating System with enhanced Chromebook virus protection to protect my files and documents. The OS also boots quickly and updates automatically, keeping me up-to-date.
Acer Chromebook 512 Laptop Features
The laptop is compatible with all Google Apps, allowing me to download, edit, and convert Microsoft Office files into slides, sheets, and Google docs.
It has 32GB eMMC storage for file storage. In addition, it has 100GB of Google Drive space, letting me backup my files efficiently.
The laptop has an Intel Celeron N4020 processor with a CPU performance ideal for day-to-day home tasks and entertainment.
The laptop has HD plus (1366 x 912) screen resolution with sharp, clear images to enhance my experience.
It has an IPS display with accurate color reproduction and wide viewing angles for an enhanced watching experience.
The laptop has 4GB LPDDR4 memory, letting me run multiple programs smoothly without lagging.
It supports 802.11ac Gigabit Wi-Fi 5, letting me access the internet and stream my favorite shows.
Specifications
RAM | 4GB |
Storage | 32GB eMMC |
Resolution | 1366 x 912 pixels |
Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 processor |
Weight | 3.09 lbs |
Dimensions | 11.65 x 9.0 x 0.8 inches |
Pros
Cons
4.4/5
The last one on my list is the Lenovo ThinkPad X270. It is a high-end laptop with top features for high performance. The lightweight laptop features an Intel Core i5 processor with high processing speed for smooth operations. It also has high memory and storage, ensuring efficient multitasking and unlimited storage of files.
Lenovo ThinkPad X270 Features
The laptop has one USB-C, one HDMI, and two USB 3.0 ports, letting me connect external devices efficiently.
The laptop has a Full HD 1080p screen resolution, wide viewing angles, and accurate colors to make my experience better.
It has an Intel Core i5-6300U processor with up to 2.4GHz, letting me run demanding tasks smoothly.
It has 8GB RAM, letting me open multiple tabs smoothly without lagging.
The laptop has 512GB SSD storage, letting me save more files and retrieve them quickly. I could also launch programs and apps instantly.
The laptop supports Windows 10 Pro Operating System with advanced productivity features to enhance my productivity.
Specifications
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | 512GB SSD |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
Processor | Intel Core i5-6300U processor |
Weight | 2.79 lbs |
Dimensions | 8.21 x 21.1 x 0.8 inches |
Pros
Cons
Best 12 Inch Laptop Buying Guide
The buying guide for the best 12-inch laptop is as follows.
Processor
The best 12-inch laptop should have great performance. Therefore, I'll need to ensure that it has a powerful processor. Luckily, most 12-inch notebooks have high-end processors with top-guaranteed performance for running day-to-day and intensive tasks smoothly. However, the specific processor varies depending on the tasks you intend to use the laptop for.
I recommend Intel Core i3 laptops for users wishing to use their 12-inch laptops for daily tasks. These tasks may include, live streaming, web browsing and watching movies. Alternatively, you can opt for an Intel Celeron processor - they are equally up to the tasks.
However, you may need a more powerful processor if you use your 12-inch laptop to run demanding tasks. Ardent gamers and design professionals should aim at the Intel Core i5 processor. There's no harm in upgrading to even better processors like in the Intel Core i7 laptops. In fact, you'll get much better performance to boost your productivity and experience.
Battery Backup
12-inch laptops are small and compact. Therefore, they may have limited space to integrate large, high-performing components. However, you shouldn't overlook the battery life of your laptop. The best 12-inch laptop should have a battery life of at least six hours. The long battery life helps me use the laptop for long sessions with a single charge, which is excellent for traveling users. I like using my laptop outdoors, and it's rare to find power outlets in these setups.
Long battery life helps me use my laptop efficiently, complete my tasks, and even watch some movies without draining the battery. Consider longer battery life, such as eight hours and above, if options are available.
Design
A small and compact laptop is ideal for travel. The 12-inch laptop fits perfectly in my laptop backpack, making me carry it more effortlessly. I like the design quality of most 12-inch laptops - they are sleek and stylish to catch the users' attention easily. These laptops should also have a classy exterior and backlit keyboard to elevate my style quotient.
In addition, the best 12-inch laptop should also weigh less. On average, it should have between 2.0 and 3.0 lbs weight. The lightweight design lets me carry it more conveniently when I move from one area to another.
Display
When considering the best 12-inch laptop display, focus more on the screen resolution. The best 12-inch laptops should at least have an HD (1,280 x 720 pixels) resolution. This resolution should produce sharp and clear images on the 12-inch screen. However, I recommend Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) screen resolution for the best user experience. Full HD displays have sharper and more accurate images than HD displays.
Also, you must consider the panel type. The IPS panel is preferable as it has accurate color reproduction, producing sharp, accurate, and more detailed images. This panel also has wide viewing angles, letting me enjoy quality display from wide angles.
Additionally, IPS panels have relatively higher refresh rates and fast response time, ensuring smooth display for the best user experience.
The touchscreen feature is also crucial in a 12-inch and mini laptop, as most are 2-in-1. I can easily navigate a touchscreen laptop, especially in tablet mode, enhancing my user experience.
Remember to consider an anti-glare display. This display has reduced eye fatigue to protect the user's eyes. Therefore, I can work for long hours without affecting my eyes. If the laptop doesn't have an anti-glare screen, ensure it supports eye care technology. Flicker-free and Low Blue Light are the most common eye care technology the 12-inch laptops support.
Connectivity Options
12-inch laptops are ideal to use on the go. Therefore, in one way or the other, you'll need external device connectivity. The best 12-inch laptop should have comprehensive port connectivity for flexible device connectivity. It should support HDMI and USB ports for connecting external storage, monitors, or charging my accessories. It should also have a built-in card reader, letting me connect external storage devices. In addition, it should support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity for reliable internet access and efficient file transfer.
FAQs
Is a 12-Inch Laptop Good?
Yes, 12-inch laptops are good. These laptops are lightweight and portable, letting me carry them more easily. Besides, they have high-performing processors for Microsoft Office, emailing, surfing the internet, and reading ebooks. I use my 12-inch laptop for studying, entertainment, and general home use. However, they aren't ideal for demanding tasks like hardcore gaming.
Is a 12-Inch Laptop Big Enough?
Yes, a 12-inch laptop is big enough. Twelve inches is ideal for most tasks, including taking and reading notes, web surfing, emailing, and general home use. It is also the perfect size for a travel laptop. However, this size is limiting when multitasking. When splitting the screen into several windows, fine details may look blurred, affecting my user experience. Also, the limiting size is not for competitive gaming.
What Is the Most Trusted Laptop Brand?
The most trusted laptop brand is Apple. Most users trust Apple because of the high quality of their laptops - most of which have high-performance Apple M1 chips. Besides, Apple is trusted because they produce laptops with durable build quality, powerful batteries, and an appealing design.
