Note: Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.
Laptops are becoming all the more productive with technology advancements which is aiming to pack the best of both hardware and software within ultra-light and super sexy frames without being too hefty on the pocket.
Advanced processor, storage technology and RAM is hiking up the productive capacity of man’s new best friend. 11-inch is the perfect screen size for those who wish to carry a portable laptop along.
So today we have prepared a list of Best 11 inch laptop you simply can’t afford to ignore if you are planning to change your age old PC this coming Diwali. Knowing about these well-suited candidates will not only save your time and money but also give you an upper hand above that know-it-all engineer cousin of yours.
First you need to have a clear understanding about the basic elements to look into before zeroing on our purchase.
Processor holds the first criteria. Usually 11-inch laptops are powered up by Intel Pentium, Intel Celeron or Intel Atom processors. Usually these low powered CPU’s are perfect for video playing and Web surfing.
Intel Core i5 is perfect for standard use. Next comes the call on storage and hard drive. Notebooks usually pack in two alternatives – Solid state hard drive (SSD) of 16, 32 or 128GB and conventional hard drive (HDD).
You should select an optimum mix which leads to quick booting and application launch. Storage can be backed up by cloud in budget laptops. HDD is quite rare and packs in reasonable and substantial platter hard drives which add to your laptop’s warmth and weight.
Usually such hard drives run at 5400rpm however the super-fast ones score a brilliant 7200rpm. While gauging the connectivity parameter, go for laptops having more than one USB 3.0 port which is a quicker alternative to the USB 2.0 especially for connecting with external hard drives.
Read This Article: 5 Best Laptops For Nurses And Nursing Students
HDMI video port, SD card reader and 802.11ac Wi-Fi are also essential elements which guarantee performance excellency in the long run.
Our Top Picks for Best 11-inch Laptops
1. Dell Inspiron 3000
Specs:
Since the beginning Dell has been making strides for capturing the touch screen market. The company never failed to stun users with its state of art product launches with passing time each of which brought ahead significant improvement compared to its predecessors.
The 3000 model from Dell has a 11.6 inch multi-touch display and 7th generation AMD A6 processor. The process is sufficient for light use without creating a budget hardship for its users.
The laptop includes 32GB of eMMC storage. This isn't a large storage capacity, so you'll want to use cloud-based services or invest in an external SSD for backups and other secondary storage needs.
Aimed mostly towards home users and students, the laptop feels sturdy and portable weighing around 4 pounds. It's one of the Best 11 inch Laptop with its LED backlit display having a high definition resolution of 1366x768 pixels.
The numeric pad is absent and the backlit feature is missing but overall the keyboard ensures a comfortable typing experience. The accurate touchpad with gesture recognition and precise pointing helps in error free navigation. Its processor clocks in at 2.5 GHz (boost up to 2.9 GHz).
Whether you are composing spreadsheets, doing like casual video editing or streaming movies, the A6 processor can manage it all with ease. However running demanding programs like 4K video editing would pose a serious challenge for the 3000 series laptops.
Its 4GB RAM can’t be expanded but packs in more than enough space for casual users. Dell packs Lithium Metal battery in this model which can run for five to seven hours maximum.
This laptop scores high in the sound frontier with Waves MaxxAudio which brings along advanced audio processing to reduce background noise and add dimensionality to videos and music. This paves the path for accurate voice recognition and clearer web chats using Skype.
2. ASUS Chromebook Flip 2-in-1
Specs:
The Asus Chromebook Flip featuring a 360 degree hinge falls under the budget category of Best 11-inch Laptops available in the market. The 2cm bezel of the Asus model having an IPS display of 10.1 inches looks pretty decent with its brushed silver exteriors.
The connectivity part gets looked after by two USB 2.0 ports, one charging port, mini-HDMI, headphone jack and a microSD card reader slot. The 360 degree hinge brings to light the forward looking perspective of the Asus Flip manufacturers who have tried to pack in utmost practicality in the laptop’s thin frame.
Use it in a variety of positions with complete peace of mind as the structure feels solid and the hinge feels sturdy. At 890 gram the Asus laptop is portable enough to carry around in a backpack but considerably heavy for being used as a tablet.
Complete typing satisfaction is guaranteed to the Chromebook Flip users with deep key travel of its tactile keyboard keys. The trackpad may be undeniably small but highly responsive thus promising accurate navigation. The built in speakers of this Asus model is quite tiny but given the size, that’s the best which can be offered.
This hybrid comes with a touchscreen but be prepared to proceed with multiple finger presses for getting your work done. If you have low intensity tasks to perform such as web browsing then the Asus hybrid promises a battery life of nine hours. But demanding tasks such as video streaming can drain out the battery life by 13-15%.
3. HP Stream Laptop PC 11-y010nr
Specs:
Hewlett Packard takes pride in coming out with customer centric devices and the 11-y010nr serves as a model laptop of the budget category for those on a lookout of a basic laptop to meet their computing needs.
Manufactured especially for students, the HP variant comes in Violet Purple and Aqua Blue colour options. At 2.57 lbs, this laptop measuring 11.8x8.1x0.71 inches is highly portable. Its 1.6GHz Intel Celeron N3060 dual-core processor performs basic operations with much ease. Remotely graphic intensive tasks or high end games won’t run properly in this PC but given the price tag and size, what else could you expect?
The HP Stream 11 comes with one year’s free subscription of Office 365 Personal which brings along 1TB of cloud storage which is a must for churning the utmost potential out of internet connected laptops. Paired with the latest Windows 10, top notch security features get guaranteed under the HP roof.
Its 4GB of RAM assists in background running of programs like downloading attachments, listening to music and word processing on the go. A tough contender of our Best 11-inch Laptop category comes with a maximum screen resolution of 1366x768 pixels and promises pretty decent graphics.
As long as the brightness level is kept high and you position yourself centrally before the display screen, the pleasing colour and contrast view works out just fine. Lack of IPS technology makes the colour wash out if the screen is not tilted properly.
The full sized keyboard packs in properly positioned Control and Delete keys and function keys in the top row meant for adjusting volume level, brightness, airplane more etc. Key travel is shallow but fairly snappy assuring good feedback.
4. Samsung Chromebook 3
Specs:
The simple looking Chromebook believes in the ideal of offering more flash inside rather than pumping up the external style quotient. Its Intel Celeron processor is staple in low end machines.
At just 2.5 pounds, the Chromebook 3 is highly portable and perfect for those who have to travel a lot. Its textured exterior and spill resistant keyboard is perfect for children thanks to hardy architecture which can withstand small accidents.
Its dual core processors runs at 1.6GHz for normal multitasking activities but extends up to 2.6GHz for high range functions. 2MB of cache memory also limits functionality after a certain level is reached.
Its Intel HD 420 graphics card might struggle under demanding tasks. Thus serious gamers will be in for a major disappointment in case they want to run state-of-art games in this Samsung model. The limited application sphere of the Chromebook 3 is perfect for its 4 gigabytes of LPDDR3 RAM.
It promises the battery life of a whopping 11 hours which is far more than its competitors and contemporaries. Thus even if it is a super lengthy flight, the Chromebook 3 will keep you covered. The HD Anti-Reflective display of this Best 11-inch Laptop contender comes with image enhancer which promises great picture quality.
Although the machine does not have a high power intake, it sums up pretty high resolution and intricate detailing. The Chrome operating system comes in built with a large number of applications like AirDroid Premium and Little Bridge.
Related Reading: See our detailed review of the Samsung Chromebook 3 here
5. Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11E
Specs:
The Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11E is a midrange convertible laptop which has been designed exclusively to withstand bumps and bruises of rough usage. The dark grey finish of the Lenovo Yoga accentuates its ThinkPad line.
The rounded corners of the Lenovo offering with rubberized bumper positioned around the lid protects the display screen whereas the reinforced hinges helps in opening up the laptop screen in stand, tent and tablet modes alternatively.
Its MIL-SPEC chassis helps this beast withstand even the most extreme of humidity, temperature, weight and vibration. At 3.5 pounds, the Yoga model measuring 0.9x11.8x8.3 allows optimum portability.
Notwithstanding its rugged design, the spacious chiclet styled keyboard and equally comfy touchpad assures easy navigation and accurate typing. Its 11.6 inch touchscreen comes with Dragontail glass providing six times more protection compared to regular glass.
Its IPS technology having 1366x768 pixel resolution promises great display from any angle. Such excellent graphics secure the position of the Thinkpad Yoga in our list of Best 11-inch Laptops. Embedded in its lower bezel is a 720p camera which helps in video chatting via Skype.
The connectivity frontier of Lenovo Yoga gets looked after by a USB 3.0 port, HDMI output port, power switch and volume controls. The left side packs in one USB charging port, one Ethernet port, a headphone jack, a power jack and a four in one SD card slot.
6. ASUS VivoBook E200HA
Specs:
Asus tries to pack in long battery life and high productivity on the go in a thin frame with its latest offering in the budget laptop segment. Its plastic build gets covered up under a decent job of metallic paint whereas a simple black matte finish screen encompasses the keyboard to add to its premium feel.
The passively cooled processor does not create the requirement for ventilation grilles or fans which would have otherwise dampened its svelte look. Weighing only 2.2 lbs the VivoBook is considerably lighter than its contemporaries fighting out the Best 11-inch laptop battle and can be your constant companion during travelling.
Input output connectivity remains as one of the top credits of the VivoBook series with state-of-art 802.11ac WiFi backed by Multi-User MIMO technology which can pump up your Wi-Fi network range. Strong Bluetooth 4.1 enhances connectivity amongst smart devices.
Its right edge houses the headphone socket and USB 2.0 port whereas the left portal comes out packed with one USB 3.0 port, micro-HDMI socket, power input and microSD slot. Given its basic task requirement, the connectivity options are more than sufficient.
Its chiclet styled one-piece ergonomic keyboard with minimal key float and 1.8mm of key travel time accentuates the solid typing experience. ASUS Smart Gesture technology banks on optimized hardware and software to bring along input precision.
Sophisticated touchscreen smaller in comparison to average laptops built in line with smartphones foster easy navigation. Manual and automatic display enhancements can be tailored to individual liking. ASUS Splendid technology fine-tunes display settings and produces vivid images with utmost colour accuracy.
11.6-inch TN LCD having maximum resolution of 1366 x 768 makes everything look just the right size. Its quad core processors can operate with multiple tabs, word processing tasks as well as running email client but beyond this, its performance drops painstakingly.
7. ASUS Chromebook C202
Specs:
Asus Chromebook C202 is meant to take on rough usage with its rubber wrapped frames and spill resistant keyboards. Its rubber bumpers pass the 3.9 feet drop test with flying colours whereas its keyboard passes the 66 cubic cm spill resistance test.
High pressure testing and extreme twist force ensure stress resistance which becomes an ongoing malice with regular use. Using nano-moulding technology in its corners and exterior edges, the Chromebook ensures the security of its critical components and reduces accident impact.
At just 2.65 pounds, this ultralight Chromebook packs in two strategically placed grips which helps in reducing slipping incidents through better holding traction. If you are planning a group discussion then the Chromebook C202 can be your ideal companion with its 180 degree hinge which paves the path for easy screen sharing.
The children friendly keyboard comes with 2mm key travel time and 15% larger character prints for comfortable typing and more accuracy. The machine earns the title of one of the Best 11-inch Laptop with a battery life of ten hours which has been tested after playing a video in loop which exceeded the 80 nits brightness level.
Its 360 degree Wi-Fi antenna features the next gen 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi which minimises poor signal connection and strengthens reception. Easy and fast file transmission gets guaranteed with the built in SD card reader, HDMI and USB ports.
Its impressive 11.6 inch high definition display with anti-glare technology and wide viewing angle completes the Chrome OS experience. The screen resolution of 1366x768 accentuates the image clarity and makes the picture spring to life even when used outdoors.
8. HPx360 13T
Specs:
The budget laptop from the house of HP is perfect for college and school goers. Its attractive textured design comes with a 360 degree hinge which makes screen sharing all the more easy and fun while watching movies with a big group of friends at night. Its chassis is made up of solid plastic material imparting a sturdy feel to the 13T.
The flexible hinge is a rip off from its predecessor’s design line. Fold it into table mode or flip it like a tablet, options are endless with this hybrid ultraportable HP offering. Weighing just 2.78 pounds, this laptop ensuring optimum portability can be held using just one hand.
Although a bit on the smaller side, but its keyboard ensures accurate and comfortable typing. The island style keyboard is well spaced and the touchpad is highly responsive aiding in easy navigation.
The Lithium-ion battery keeps the juice running for more than 14 hours on single charge, which is very impressive. The 8th generation i7 processor, 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD makes this laptop a workhorse and a worthy desktop replacement. Its 12 inch FHD touch-screen display allows finger touch navigation and brings along maximum resolution of 1920x1080 pixels.
Along with Intel UHD Graphics 620, photos and videos look more lifelike. The premium Bang & Olufsen laptop speakers churn up high quality bass and treble enough to fill up a medium sized room.
9. Apple MacBook Air MJVM2LL
Specs:
The 11.6 inch MacBook struts past its peers in the Best 11-inch Laptop race with its svelte good looks. The all-aluminium exterior brings along the Apple stamp which has remained unchanged since 2010.
Weighing just 2.38 pounds, the MacBook Air is much thinner and slimmer than other ultraportables. However such slim frame has to be achieved by sacrificing in the I/O port segment.
Powered by 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-5250U processor and Intel HD Graphics 6000, multimedia tasks get a swanky new makeover. Its 4GB RAM can be upgradable up to 8GB which is more than enough for multitasking in the Mac OS X environment.
However if you want to run multiple applications in one go then you need to opt for an upgrade. The 128 GB PCle-based super-fast flash storage is perfect for everyday use. Apps load much quickly during testing and system boots in lightning speed.
The MacBook Air has a year’s warranty which is common in midrange Windows offerings. 3D tasks will generate mediocre results but simple games such as Diablo III will run with much ease. The 1406 Lithium ion batteries can suffice up to five hours of average running time.
Its left side is stocked with two microphones, one headset jack, one USB 3.0 port and one MagSafe 2 power jack. Right side packs in another USB 3.0 port and one Thunderbolt 2 port for super-fast data transfer. Wireless connectivity gets established via Bluetooth 4.0 and integrated 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
Its glass covered trackpad works perfectly in sync with multitouch gestures and its backlit chiclet style keyboard feels very comfortable to use even in dark surroundings.
10. Acer Chromebook CB3-131-C3SZ
Specs:
The 11.6 inch Acer Chromebook stands out from the crowd with its beautiful look having subtle tactile patterning. And given its budget friendly price tag it offers complete value for money.
The third generation Chromebook having an ultra-thin frame of 11.6 inches makes it super portable for being easily carried around in a backpack, purse or brief case. Its fan less keyboard fosters comfortable typing without being too noisy.
The high definition anti-glare display featuring IPS technology offers tremendous productivity outdoors. Its HDMI port helps in screen sharing with bigger devices and the HD webcam paves the way for impressive picture quality while engaging in a video chat whether for personal or official purpose. Up to 9 hours of battery power lets you optimise your productivity whether at work or play.
Acer’s latest Files application “USB Drive” stores all the files thus fostering one click sharing through the built-in UBS 3.0 port. The Chromebook also offers two years of free storage of data weighing 100GB in the Google Drive.
The Chromebook comes built-in with 2.16 GHz Intel Celeron processor, 2 GB DDR3L SDRAM and 16 GB Flash Memory SSD which makes easy applications smooth sailing, reduces its weight, extends battery longevity and makes the laptop software more snappy.
Its 11.6 inch HD display featuring IPS technology and a screen resolution of 1366x768 pixels make the screen icons easily readable. Such powerhouse features pave its way into our list of Best 11-inch Laptops which offer end-to-end utilization of resources.
Conclusion
Now you know which one to select from the bevy of options available in the market place. Targeted mostly at college goers and school kids who are running on a tight budget, these best 11 inch laptop are the best option which money can buy.
And performance also does not get compromised with superb processor, internal storage, screen resolution etc. In the world of laptops, sky is the limit.
The more sugar you put, the sweeter the end products become. But given the budget category, these laptops will surely deliver happiness along with its technicalities.
Read Another Article: 5 Best Laptops For Animators And Animation