When it comes to modern laptops, bigger is not always better. A small 10-inch laptop, like a notebook, can pack a big punch! These days, a top-tier 11.6-inch laptop outperforms most mainstream gaming laptops in terms of battery power and stamina, and they’re way easier to take with you anywhere.
Portability is just one of many benefits of owning a laptop 11-inch or smaller. A mini laptop can be stored just about anywhere, including in overhead bins and seat pockets on aeroplanes. They’re so lightweight you’ll hardly notice your 11-inch laptop even after carrying it around all day.
Keep reading to learn more about the best 12-inch laptops and under on the market, and you’ll soon realize good things really do come in small packages.
Best 10-inch Laptops in South Africa
Ten inches is about the smallest size a personal computer can be and still be considered a laptop. When we think about our favourite 10-inch laptops, there’s one machine that stands out from the pack: the IdeaPad Duet 2-in-1 by top manufacturer Lenovo.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 2-in-1
For those who need to take their work on the go, a combination of tablet/laptop is often ideal. That way, you get the versatility of a tablet with the keyboard and processing power of a laptop.
Enter the Lenovo IdeaPad. This sleek little machine is deceptively powerful for its size and is widely considered one of the best Chromebooks out there. While other laptops its size have a battery life of around ten hours, the IdeaPad can last for nearly twenty-four hours, even while carrying out high-performance tasks like streaming HD video!
Thanks to its Chrome OS, the IdeaPad has access to the entire Google suite, making it the perfect workhorse for many office employees. Best of all, the IdeaPad is shockingly affordable for its quality. If you’re in the market for a tiny but mighty laptop, you really can’t go wrong with this one.
Best 11.6-inch Laptops in South Africa
If you want a mini-laptop that’s as terrific for casual gaming and video streaming as it is for work tasks, your best bet is a laptop 11-inch to 11.6 inches. 12-inch laptops aren’t commonly manufactured these days, and if you opt for the next smallest size (13-14″), you’ll be sacrificing the portability that makes small laptops so wonderful.
Luckily, you’ll find a huge variety of 11.6-inch laptops in South Africa. Here are just a few of our favourites.
1. Acer Chromebook
Light, compact, and durable, the Acer Chromebook is ideally suited to most daily computing tasks, including web browsing, word processing, and media playback. It’s a terrific choice for a work-from-anywhere lifestyle, and it’s also a strong contender if your child needs a computer for school.
Acer laptops are popular thanks to their impressive battery life and durable builds, and the Acer Chromebook is no exception. Ample ports and Bluetooth capability round out the specs of this versatile little machine.
2. Asus Laptop 2-in-1
Known for attracting legions of diehard fans, Asus laptops represent some of the widest variety you’ll find from a single manufacturer. The 2-in-1 is a dream come true for designers, artists, travellers, and anyone who has trouble making decisions. It offers Chromebook-level processing power with the sleek profile and touchscreen capability of a tablet.
If that’s not enough, the Celeron N4500 processor is powerful enough to run popular games like Minecraft and Stardew Valley. You’ll have a tough time finding a better-quality machine at this price point.
3. Acer Spin B3
Acer’s take on the 2-in-1 offers twice the memory of the Asus version with a slightly less powerful processor. It’s the laptop of choice for anyone who needs plenty of file storage but isn’t as interested in casual gaming or video streaming.
Not a fan of Chrome OS? Acer’s Spin B3 uses Windows 11! You’ll also love the convenient touchscreen, included stylus, and multiple ports, including one for HDMI output.
4. Lenovo Chromebook
Lenovo laptops are consistently rated as some of the best in the business, along with MSI laptops and Gigabyte laptops. The difference is that neither of the latter brands offers top-tier mini-laptops or Chromebooks. Fortunately, the Lenovo Chromebook is here to fulfil every desire you could possibly ask from a high-performance PC of this size and weight.
The Lenovo Chromebook has a sophisticated anti-glare display to make working in windowed areas easier on the eyes. It also has an awe-inspiring memory capacity for its dimensions, with a whopping 32 GB available for your use. Choose this solid and durable all-rounder if you want a mini-laptop that can handle just about anything.
5. Asus Chromebook
The Asus Chromebook bears notable similarities to many Dell laptops in the 13- to 14-inch range, but it’s significantly smaller and far more portable. Its 16.9 display makes it a more-than-capable choice for streaming your favourite movies and TV shows, and its 32 GB of storage lets you take your most important photos and documents on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 11.6 inches a good size for a laptop?
Yes! In fact, when you go looking for a laptop 11-inch, you’ll likely discover far more options measuring 11.6 inches. That’s about the smallest display a mini-laptop can have while still possessing enough space for respectable components.
Which is better 10, 11, or 12 inches for a small laptop?
It depends on the traits you value most in your personal computer. For example, if you need your machine to fit in a small space, 10-inch laptops or two-in-one tablets might be best. If you want the widest possible screen without sacrificing portability, consider a laptop 11-inch or 11.6 inches instead.
12-inch laptops are uncommon these days; you’re more likely to find 13.5-14-inch screens, which may be too large for your needs.
Which laptop is best in small size?
You’ll need to consider what you want out of your laptop. Is it mostly for gaming, word processing, video streaming, or a combination? Small laptops come in various configurations, and you’re sure to find one that meets your needs.
Wrap Up
Small, lightweight laptops offer higher performance than ever. There’s now an impressive range of mini-laptops that can do everything their bigger cousins can do without burdening their owners while on the go – many even double as tablets!
Convenience is far from the only benefit. Small computers are lightweight, stylish, impressively versatile, and take up very little storage space.
If you need a computer that vibes with your wanderlust or work-from-anywhere lifestyle, a laptop 11-inch or 11.6 inches might be just the thing. Shop PC International’s collection of small laptops and meet your perfect match today!
