Whether it’s for working at the office or watching movies at home, most of us have some reason to keep a laptop in our life, but even the slimmer and more streamlined models can be a little bit bulky. And while a tablet can remedy that issue somewhat, they aren’t going to offer the same level of power and versatility that you’d get from a conventional laptop.
An 11-inch laptop is one of the best choices in these cases, but there’s plenty of junk to sort through to find a good one. If you want to find the real jewels, look no further. ISITRATED.com has researched the topic extensively and come up with 10 of the best 11-inch laptop models available today. We’ll even provide you with a primer on how to shop smarter for a smaller laptop.
- 10 Best 11 Inch Laptops in 2022
- Lenovo Chromebook C330 11.6-Inch Convertible PC
- Apple MacBook Air MJVM2LL/A 11.6-Inch laptop
- Samsung Chromebook 3, 11.6-Inch
- Dell Inspiron 3000 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
- Acer High Performance 11.6 Inch HD Laptop
- HP 11.6 Inch Chromebook Laptop
- ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02 11.6-Inch Laptop
- Dell Inspiron i3162-0003BLU 11.6-Inch Laptop
- Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11E
- ASUS VivoBook L203MA 11.6-Inch
- 11 Inch Laptop Buyer’s Guide
- Central Processor
- Graphics Processor
- Operating System
- Battery Life
- Display
- RAM
- Storage
- Form Factor
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Best 11-Inch Laptop?
- How Big is an 11-Inch Laptop Screen?
- What is the Best Laptop for Travel?
10 Best 11 Inch Laptops in 2022
| Award | Design | Laptops | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight and Versatile Performance |  | Check Price | |
| Standard Apple Quality |  | Check Price | |
| A Stellar Choice for Students |  | Check Price | |
| A 2-in-1 Productivity and Entertainment Workhorse |  | Check Price | |
| Simple and Straightforward Performance |  | Check Price | |
 | Check Price | ||
 | Check Price | ||
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Lenovo Chromebook C330 11.6-Inch Convertible PC
Lightweight and Versatile Performance
Chromebook and 2-in-1 are two of the most buzzy phrases in consumer electronics today, but Lenovo have managed to combine them together into a laptop that’s both budget-conscious and surprisingly effective. The presence of the Chrome OS ensures that you’ll have lightweight performance in addition to a lightweight frame, and the additional security options that come in a Chromebook can be of great benefit to younger and older laptop users.
And the presence of Chrome OS also means better battery performance. The touchscreen hasn’t been neglected either. It’s bright and vibrant enough to use effectively outdoors, and it’s very responsive to the touch screen gestures.
| Operating System | Chrome |
| Central Processor | MediaTek MT8173C |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
| Battery Life | 10 hours |
| Form Factor | 11.5 x 0.77 x 8.48 inches, 2.64 pounds |
Pros
- Screen is bright and colorful
- Boots up in a matter of seconds
- Decent range of ports
- Also works with Linux
Cons
- Built-in speakers are disappointingly weak
Apple MacBook Air MJVM2LL/A 11.6-Inch laptop
Standard Apple Quality
The MacBook Air takes everything that’s great about an Apple Macbook and shrinks it down to a size only slightly larger than the typical tablet. And while Apple is known for its luxury-level prices, the Apple MacBook Air is actually a relatively affordable 11-inch laptop to boot. The presence of an Intel Core i5 processor is actually pretty impressive for the reasonable asking cost, and the integrated Intel HD graphics card is actually better than the average.
Even the hard drive on the Macbook Air is pretty respectably sized for the price. It doesn’t have the largest storage space, but it should be more than capable for most of the work you’d want to accomplish on such a small laptop. And the trademark Apple design is on full display here. If you’ve spent years getting used to the unique wrinkles of Mac OS, this 11-inch laptop will feel just like coming home again.
| Operating System | Mac OS |
| Central Processor | Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| Battery Life | 10 hours |
| Form Factor | 13.4 x 9.3 x 2.4 inches, 2.38 pounds |
Pros
- Great CPU for the price
- Unique and streamlined OS
- Great battery performance
- Bright and vibrant display
Cons
- Expensive to make upgrades
Samsung Chromebook 3, 11.6-Inch
A Stellar Choice for Students
If you’ve been reading this list and wincing at the costs, have no fear. The Samsung Chromebook 3 is available for under two hundred dollars, but it manages to squeeze a great deal of efficiency out of the specs here thanks to the fact that it runs on the Chrome OS. This is easily one of the best 11-inch laptops for students – able to maintain multiple tabs at once while also being a solid choice for entertainment.
Further enhancing its value on campus is the durability of its design. While we don’t recommend dropping the Samsung Chromebook on purpose, it’s designed to take a beating and continue to run like new. The keyboard is even fully waterproofed to prevent disaster in the case of accidental spills. The hinge allows the screen to sit perpendicular to your desk or inclined at 180 degrees.
| Operating System | Chrome |
| Central Processor | Intel Celeron N3060 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB eMMC |
| Battery Life | 11 hours |
| Form Factor | 11.37 x 8.04 x 0.7 inches, 2.54 pounds |
Pros
- One of the best options for students
- Above-average battery life
- Incredibly low asking price
- Lightning-fast booting times
Cons
- Body can sometimes run hot
Dell Inspiron 3000 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
A 2-in-1 Productivity and Entertainment Workhorse
Dell has made a somewhat out-of-the-ordinary decision by fashioning a two-in-one 11-inch touch screen laptop that runs on Windows 10. The appeal to users who like more customization with their laptops is clear, but this is also one of the best 11-inch laptops if you’re looking for an entertainment device. Video and music streaming were clearly a high priority here, as Dell has packed in both a crisp display and a pretty impressive stereo system.
The storage capacity here may be a little light, but you have a lot of cost- and space-effective solutions available to you since this 11-inch laptop comes with multiple USB ports and a slot for an SD card. But this clearly isn’t a laptop where the touch screen was a secondary consideration. You can easily shift between different standing configurations with a smooth flip.
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Central Processor | Intel Celeron N3060 |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB SSD |
| Battery Life | 7 hours |
| Form Factor | 11.48 x 7.95 x 0.83 inches, 4.41 pounds |
Pros
- Responsive multi touch design
- Runs on the Windows 10 OS
- Powerful MaxxAudio sound system
- Webcam capable of shooting in 720p
Cons
- Very small storage capacity
Acer High Performance 11.6 Inch HD Laptop
Simple and Straightforward Performance
The Acer High Performance Laptop runs on Windows 10 just like the Dell Inspiron 3000, but this 11-inch laptop takes a more conventional approach to laptop design. The Intel HD graphics card is partnered with an Intel Celeron central processor for a decent level of mid-range performance.
The backlit display promises a resolution of 1366 x 768, and it’s accompanied by ComfyView technology which does one of the best jobs of avoiding glare and reflections. This 11-inch laptop promises an HDMI port in addition to both a USB 3.0 and a USB 2.0 port. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both built-in.
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Central Processor | Intel Celeron |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB SSD |
| Battery Life | Not disclosed |
| Form Factor | 11.5 x 8 x 0.9 inches, 2 pounds |
Pros
- Crisp 1366 x 768 resolution
- Runs on Windows 10 Pro
- Supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Dual speakers and headphone jack
Cons
- Unattractive and boxy design
HP 11.6 Inch Chromebook Laptop
Even for a Chromebook, this HP 11.6-inch laptop is one of the best deals around. The 1366 x 768 11-inch display will provide a decent level of clarity for most users, and the battery life of over half a day is truly exceptional even when compared to the best lightweight 11-inch laptops.
Apart from that, this is business as usual for the standard micro-budget 11-inch model: an Intel Celeron matched with an Intel HD graphics card and an incredibly small hard drive that expects much of your storage space to come from the cloud. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and this is quite possibly the best value anywhere.
| Operating System | Chrome |
| Central Processor | Intel Celeron |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB eMMC |
| Battery Life | 12.75 hours |
| Form Factor | 11.3 x 8 x 0.7 inches, 2.5 pounds |
Pros
- Available for only $120
- Incredibly long battery life
- Full-sized island keyboard
- Anti-glare 1366 x 768 display
Cons
- Build quality is a little cheap
ASUS Chromebook C202SA-YS02 11.6-Inch Laptop
Looking for a petite computer that can take a beating? This ASUS Chromebook is definitely among your best choices. The keyboard is fully spill-resistant, and it’s reinforced by rubber guards and firm grips so even clumsier users don’t need to worry about damaging this 11.6-inch laptop. And if the worst happens, this laptop is designed to sustain a fall from four feet.
The 180-degree rotating screen makes it easy to swap between getting work done and vegging out in front of your favorite TV show or movie. This is clearly built with students in mind, and the sturdy design means it’s even appropriate for the K-12 crowd.
| Operating System | Chrome |
| Central Processor | Intel Celeron |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 16 GB eMMC |
| Battery Life | 10 hours |
| Form Factor | 11.6 x 0.9 x 7.9 inches, 2.2 pounds |
Pros
- Incredibly durable build quality
- Screen rotates at 180 degrees
- High security thanks to Chrome
- A great choice for kids
Cons
- Keys can feel a little cheap
Dell Inspiron i3162-0003BLU 11.6-Inch Laptop
The Dell Inspiron is a pretty by-the-books laptop in terms of design, but we prefer to think of it more as reliable than boring. It sports a Celeron processor, an Intel graphics card, and a decent price tag to match, and the blue design is a nice change from the boring black that’s so prevalent in the industry.
But this is primarily a laptop that’s designed to facilitate your needs quickly and responsively. The USB 3.0 connection offers data transfer speeds up to twice that of the 2.0 protocol. And listening to music and watching movies will feel better with MaxxAudio Pro.
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Central Processor | Intel Celeron |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
| Battery Life | 9 hours |
| Form Factor | 7.7 x 11.5 x 0.8 inches, 2.82 pounds |
Pros
- Very budget-conscious price
- Comes with USB 3.0
- MaxxAudio Pro sound
- Works in extreme temperatures
Cons
- A little bulky
Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11E
With its sleek design and the seamless ability to switch between tablet and laptop modes, the Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga is one of the coolest consumer devices on the market. The screen itself is glare-resistant, backlit, and designed to look great even from wide angles.
Navigating the Yoga is a breeze too. The touch screen is highly responsive, and the keyboard feels better than those you’d find on most computers within this price range. The wireless connection here is steady and stable, so you’ll get reliable service just about anywhere.
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Central Processor | Intel Celeron |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| Battery Life | 8 hours |
| Form Factor | 10 x 0.9 x 9 inches, 4 pounds |
Pros
- Seamless 2-in-1 design
- Good viewing angles
- Incredibly hardy design
- Comfortable keyboard and touchscreen
Cons
- Performance is middling
ASUS VivoBook L203MA 11.6-Inch
A glance at the ASUS VivoBook will reveal specs that will seem familiar to anyone who’s sought out the best ultraportable laptops, but it’s in good company, and it does make some breaks from the formula. The N4000 processor is a step up from all but the best small-sized computers.
The latest Wi-Fi format is on display here, providing users with a reliably steady and dependable connection to their wireless internet. With its sleek design, this model is more lightweight than plenty of other machines on the market, and the durable hinge rotates at 180 degrees.
| Operating System | Windows 10 |
| Central Processor | Intel Celeron |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
| Battery Life | 10 hours |
| Form Factor | 11.3 x 7.6 x 0.67 inches, 2.2 pounds |
Pros
- Keyboard is full-sized
- Versatile hinge
- Expansive connectivity options
- Comes with Office 365
Cons
- Touchpad is somewhat sluggish
11 Inch Laptop Buyer’s Guide
The average standard for a laptop is 15 inches, and laptops of this size tend to dominate the market. Far rarer are 11-inch laptops, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some great models around. If you want the best 11-inch laptop, you should keep your expectations in check. Specs and features aren’t often going to be able to compete with those of a larger laptop in general, but that doesn’t mean that smaller models aren’t worth your time. We’ll focus our guide on the specs and features you should look out for when shopping for an 11-inch laptop.
Central Processor
A smaller form factor means that there’s less space for internal components, and that’s going to have an impact on practically all the specs. But where that lack of space really hits hard is with the central processor. As the brain of a laptop, the central processor is the most important piece of hardware.
As far as most 11-inch laptops are concerned, you can usually expect an Intel Celeron processor, which represents Intel’s lower-end line of central processors. Once you start to approach the higher price points for the best 11-inch laptops, you’ll start to see Intel Core series processors. If fast performance is a top concern for you, look for models in the Core series.
Graphics Processor
If you’re looking to do photo and video editing or gaming, we’d definitely say the graphics processor should be a top consideration. But when shopping even for the best 11-inch laptops, you shouldn’t be expecting to play much more than mobile or indie games. For the sake of space and budget considerations, every 11-inch laptop tends to use an Intel HD graphics card. That means they have to share RAM with the central processor. Settling for an Intel HD card is just a sacrifice you’ll have to make for the advantages that come with an 11-inch laptop.
Operating System
The most common operating system for an 11-inch laptop is Chrome OS. Chrome OS is a purely cloud-based platform, and that means it offers a much lighter load on your central processor. Since producing an 11-inch laptop means making sacrifices in terms of specs, Chrome OS can provide an extra boost that can make all the difference.
The main disadvantage of Chrome OS, though, is that it’s a very closed environment, and there isn’t a whole lot of customization available. For those that want more control over how their 11-inch laptop works, Windows 10 or Mac OS is going to be your top choice. The former is pretty readily available. The latter, less so. The only laptop on our list that runs on Mac OS is the Macbook Air.
There is a third option. Linux requires a bit more technical expertise, but it offers much more personal customization, great security, and higher speeds. It’s also completely free and can be booted from a thumb drive. It’s not going to be for everyone, but those with the will to push forward might find it to be the best choice for an 11-inch laptop.
Battery Life
One of the best advantages of smaller laptops is that you can take them with you when you travel. But if you’re going to be out and about with your laptop, the battery is going to be a big deal. Fortunately, the smaller size and less powerful specs that come in 11-inch laptops mean that they use significantly less power than larger laptops. You can generally look forward to a battery life of around 10 hours or more with laptops of this size.
Display
You shouldn’t expect an 11-inch laptop to be able to stream the latest content in 4K, but for most users, a 4K resolution isn’t going to be necessary. The smaller 11-inch screen means that there are diminishing returns with the more megapixels you pack in. Most 11-inch displays are going to offer a resolution of 1366 x 768. That’s significantly less than Full HD resolution but still better than the prior high definition standard of 720p.
Many 11-inch displays will also come with anti-glare and anti-reflective coatings. If you plan on traveling a lot with your laptop, this might be worth the investment. These screens make it much easier to read from the screen even in brightly lit environments.
RAM
Random Access Memory, generally shortened to RAM, is always an important consideration when shopping for a laptop because it can really help your computer processor work at its best. RAM is no less important for 11.6-inch computers, but the amount of RAM you have access to will be a bit more limited.
For most laptops we recommend on ISITRATED.com, 4 GB RAM is the bare minimum we recommend. But in the world of the 11-inch laptop, it’s likely all you’re going to get. But that’s not such a bad thing. There’s a point at which more RAM isn’t going to have any noticeable effect, and that bar is pretty low for Intel Celeron processors. In any case, many laptops allow you to upgrade the RAM pretty easily if you decide you need a boost.
Storage
Storage capacity is another spec that takes a real hit on smaller laptops. In many cases (particularly with Chromebook models), the expectation is that you’ll be storing most of your photos, videos, and files in the cloud. Others may give you a 128 GB or even a 256 GB solid-state drive, but these tend to be the exception rather than the rule.
Fortunately, an issue with storage is even easier to remedy than RAM. You can simply get a flash drive or an SD card and use them as backup hard drives in most cases. And while it’s not the best solution, modern portable storage devices are more prevalent and reliable than ever before. We’ve already put together a guide to the best external hard drives of 2022.
Form Factor
If you’re looking to get a more compact laptop, the form factor is likely going to be a big consideration. While there isn’t typically that much variance in terms of dimensions and weight, the difference of a pound can make a big difference if you’re looking to take your computer with you on long trips. And if you’re looking to get a smaller computer for a child, form factor should be one of the main factors to pay attention to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best 11-Inch Laptop?
If you’re looking for the best raw performance, it’s hard to ignore the Apple MacBook Air. This is the laptop you want to get if you’re looking for a smaller machine that still offers some serious performance. And even not taking Apple’s high pricing into consideration, this 11.6-inch laptop is a great deal.
How Big is an 11-Inch Laptop Screen?
When measuring a laptop screen, the length is measured from corner to corner. So an 11.6-inch screen will sport a width of 10.11 inches and a height of 5.69 inches. All told, that accounts for a total area of 57.50 square inches for a laptop with an 11.6-inch screen.
What is the Best Laptop for Travel?
We’re in love with the HP highlighted above. You can get over 12 hours on a single charge, and this laptop is available for barely over a hundred dollars. It’s one of the best deals around, but it’s an especially great choice if you want something to travel with.
Wrapping Up
An 11-inch laptop isn’t going to be the right choice for everyone, but these laptops do serve a valuable role in the space between traditional laptops and tablets. And with some of these laptops available for barely more than a hundred dollars, they’re available to just about everyone. Our guide above should fill you in on everything you should expect from hardware and features as well as some of the best 13-inch laptops on the market.
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