Best 13-inch laptops

(Updated January 23, 2012 1:17 AM PST)
Dan Ackerman
Dan Ackerman
Senior editor
Scott Stein
Scott Stein
Senior editor
This category is reserved for 13-inch laptops, which are a perfect hybrid for globe-trotting business types (or campus-trotting students). They hit the sweet spot of portability, performance, and features. Be prepared to pay a bit of a premium for performance, but if you ask us, 13 inches is the new mainstream.

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, Summer 2011) Editors' Choice - Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, Summer 2011)

The latest version of the 13-inch MacBook Air vastly outperforms its predecessor, and can finally be called suitable for mainstream use, instead of relegated as a niche product.

Price: $1,498.00 - $1,599.00 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, Summer 2011)

HP Folio 13 Editors' Choice - HP Folio 13

When it comes to Windows ultrabooks, the HP Folio 13 is the best of the bunch in terms of performance, price, and ergonomics, provided you can live with a less-than-razor-thin design. This laptop is targeted at small businesses but it's really for anyone who wants a reliable ultrabook that isn't a MacBook Air.

Price: $1,048.99 - $1,328.17 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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HP Folio 13

Sony Vaio Z

Sony's high-end Z series laptop lives up to its luxury reputation, with a slim, lightweight body, plenty of processing power, and a highly specialized GPU dock.

Price: $2,549.99 - $2,999.99 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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Sony Vaio Z

Samsung Series 9 NP900X3A (13-inch)

The $1,649 Samsung Series 9 NP900X3A certainly won't be for every wallet, but this light, well-featured, and striking 13-incher is the closest the Windows world will ever come to a MacBook Air. However, its higher-than-the-Air price will be hard to stomach.

Price: $1,549.99 (check prices)

4 stars

Excellent

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Samsung Series 9 NP900X3A (13-inch)

Toshiba Portege Z835-P330

Another entry in the MacBook Air clone wars, the Toshiba Portege Z835 offers great bang for the buck in some areas, but also looks and feels a bit cheap.

Price: $964.99 (check prices)

4 stars

Very good

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Toshiba Portege Z835-P330