Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
10 Best 12 Inch Laptops for 2025: Top Picks Under $1000 You’ll Love!
In 2025, the demand for compact and lightweight laptops continues to rise, especially in the 12-inch category. These devices are perfect for professionals and students alike who need portability without sacrificing performance. In this article, we’ll explore the best 12-inch laptops available on Amazon, showcasing their features, pros, and cons. Below you will find our curated list of the top contenders in this category.
Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022)
Best For: Apple Ecosystem Users
The Apple MacBook Air with M2 chip is a powerhouse in a compact form factor. With a sleek design and long battery life, it’s the perfect choice for users who are already in the Apple ecosystem.
The M2 chip enhances the performance, allowing for smoother multitasking and better efficiency, while the Retina display delivers stunning visuals. The laptop is incredibly lightweight (weighing around 2.7 pounds), making it easily portable for on-the-go professionals or students.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life (up to 18 hours)
- Retina display for vivid colors
- Lightweight and portable design
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to competitors
- Limited ports
- STRIKINGLY THIN DESIGN — The redesigned MacBook Air is more portable than ever and weighs just 2.7 pounds. It’s the incredibly capable laptop that lets you work, play or create just about anything — anywhere
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a next-generation 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and up to 24GB of unified memory
- BIG, BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY — The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display features over 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color and support for 1 billion colors for vibrant images and incredible detail
- ADVANCED CAMERA AND AUDIO — Look sharp and sound great with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, three-mic array and four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — MacBook Air features a MagSafe charging port, two Thunderbolt ports and a headphone jack
Microsoft Surface Go 3
Best For: Versatile Usage
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that can easily transition from a laptop to a tablet. With a 12.4-inch touchscreen and a sturdy design, it thrives in both work and entertainment tasks.
It runs on Windows 11, making it a familiar environment for users of the operating system. The Surface Pen compatibility is a boon for note-taking and creative tasks, while the battery life reaches up to 13 hours.
Pros:
- 2-in-1 functionality
- Great for note-taking with Surface Pen
- Good battery life
Cons:
- Performance may be limited for heavier applications
- Type Cover sold separately
- The perfect everyday laptop – Ultra-portable at under 2.5 pounds with a vibrant 12.4” touchscreen for work or play, wherever you are.
- Colors you crave – Available in Platinum, Sage, Sandstone, and Ice Blue, all in a durable, cool metal finish [3].
- Get your work done effortlessly – Stream all the latest releases, and run your favorite day-to-day apps, now with faster performance and up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage [4].
- Up to 15 hours [1] of battery life – Power through a full day of work, play, shopping, or streaming. Plus, recharge quickly with Fast Charging.
- Fingerprint Power Button – One Touch sign-in provides fast, secure login, cloud access to OneDrive Personal Vault [7] files, and more.
ASUS ZenBook Flip 12
Best For: Entertainment on the Go
Asus’ ZenBook Flip 12 offers a full HD touchscreen display and a surprisingly robust performance for its size. The 360-degree hinge allows for versatile usage modes: laptop, tent, or tablet.
Equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor and a fast SSD, it performs well for casual gaming and productivity tasks. The laptop also includes a backlit keyboard and Dolby audio for an immersive entertainment experience.
Pros:
- Versatile design with 360-degree hinge
- Great audio quality
- Comes with an SSD for faster performance
Cons:
- Heavier than other 12-inch models
- Battery life could be better
- 13.3” OLED 4K UHD Touch Screen 400 nits HDR display with ultra-slim 4-sided NanoEdge bezels
- Luxurious Jade Black finish enhanced with subtle Red Copper diamond-cut edges
- 360° ErgoLift hinge with backlit keyboard
- Latest 11th generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 Quad Core Processor (12M Cache, up to 4.70 GHz, with IPU)
- Fast storage and memory featuring 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD and 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, with Windows 10 Professional
HP Stream 12
Best For: Budget-Friendly Users
For users looking for a budget-friendly option, the HP Stream 12 is a perfect candidate. It features a 12-inch HD display and is powered by an Intel Celeron processor, making it ideal for basic computing tasks.
With a lightweight design and a solid battery life of around 10 hours, it’s perfect for students. The laptop comes with a year of Office 365 included, providing added value.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Lightweight and portable
- Includes Office 365
Cons:
- Limited processing power
- Storage is minimal
- 【Upgraded】Seal is opened for upgrade only.【14.0-inch diagonal HD Display】With virtually no bezel encircling the display, an ultra-wide viewing experience provides for seamless multi-monitor set-ups.
- 【Intel Celeron N4120】Immerse yourself in a world of power and efficiency, where an ultra-low-voltage platform optimizes energy usage. Experience seamless multitasking and smooth performance with the 4-core, 4-way processor.
- 【8GB RAM】Elevate your projects with a high-speed RAM, ensuring faster data processing, seamless multitasking, and improved responsiveness that keeps you in the flow.【64GB eMMC】Massive storage space for your files, applications, and multimedia content, providing fast and reliable data access.
- 【Intel UHD Graphics 600】Enjoy solid image quality that brings your everyday content to life with vibrant colors and sharp details. 【720p HD Camera】Provides high quality video calls, virtual meetings and online interactions.
- 【Windows 11 S included】Experience the most secure Windows ever built with fast boot times, increased responsiveness, and added protection against phishing and malware. 【Dimensions & Weight】12.76" x 8.86" x 0.71", 3.24 lbs. 【Ports】2 x USB 3.0 Type A Ports, 1 x USB 3.0 Type C Ports, 1x Headphone Jack, 1x RJ-45, 1x AC Smart Pin. Silver.
Lenovo ThinkPad X240
Best For: Business Professionals
The Lenovo ThinkPad X240 is designed with business users in mind. It features a durable construction, backlit keyboard, and a comfortable typing experience, making it suitable for heavy typing sessions.
The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and offers solid performance coupled with excellent battery life (up to 12 hours). The display is bright and vibrant, perfect for presentations or watching videos.
Pros:
- Durable and robust design
- Comfortable keyboard
- Great battery life
Cons:
- Heavier than other options
- Limited graphics capabilities
- Get the most out of your laptop with Intel's premium high performance i5-4300U processor at 1.9 ghz
- Store up to 180GB of data and access it even quicker with 8GB of Ram
- Enjoy working on this light 2 pound device anywhere without worries
- Its long lasting battery will allow you to cruise through your day with its user friendly Windows 10 Pro-64 and easy on the eyes 12.5" display at 1366 X 768 resolution
Dell XPS 13 (2022)
Best For: Premium Build Quality
The Dell XPS 13 has long been known for its premium build quality, and the 2022 model continues that tradition. With ultra-slim bezels and a stunning InfinityEdge display, it’s one of the best-looking laptops in its size category.
Powered by the latest Intel processors, it offers top-tier performance, making it a great option for professionals and creative individuals alike. The laptop also boasts excellent battery life, ensuring productivity throughout the day.
Pros:
- Premium design and build quality
- Excellent performance
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited ports
- The first Copilot+ XPS has powerful, on-device AI that delivers cutting-edge responsiveness and unmatched speed for navigating demanding multitasking workloads, enhanced security and efficiency in our thinnest and lightest XPS. The XPS 13 powered by Snapdragon X Plus, effortlessly tackles complex workloads and offers groundbreaking multi-day[2] battery life; the longest runtime in its class
- Snapdragon X Plus (8 Core up to 3.2GHz, NPU up to 45 TOPS) X1P-42-100; 16GB LPDDR5x 8448 MT/s RAM, 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD. Dell XPS 13 impresses with Snapdragon Plus X CPU for sleek design, vibrant display, and strong performance. Create like never before with XPS 13.
- 13.4", Non-Touch, FHD+ 1920x1200, 30-120Hz, Anti-Glare, 500 nit, InfinityEdge; Integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU, Excellent performance powered by Graphics; Expandable to 2 x 4K UHD monitors via USB-C 4 Ports
- Qualcomm FastConnect 7800 Wi-Fi 7 2x2 + Bluetooth 5.4 Wireless Card; 2 x USB4 40Gbps USB Type-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery (Thunderbolt 3 Technology)
- Security Solutions: McAfee+ Premium 1-year, Fingerprint Reader, 1080P IR Webcam for facial recognition
Acer Chromebook 12
Best For: Chromebook Lovers
The Acer Chromebook 12 offers great value with Chrome OS’s streamlined experience. With a solid build quality and a battery life of up to 12 hours, it’s well-suited for both education and casual use.
While it may not have the raw power of Windows laptops, it excels in productivity, thanks to seamless Google integration. The lightweight design further adds to its appeal, making it a perfect travel companion.
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Long battery life
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Limited offline capabilities
- Performance is basic
−$10.90
- Experience Robust Performance: The renewed Acer Chromebook 712 (C871) laptop is powered by an efficient Intel Core i3-10110U processor (2.1GHz, up to 4.1GHz Turbo), ensuring swift multitasking and smooth operation for everyday productivity, web browsing, and streaming.
- Multitask Effortlessly with Ample Memory: Featuring 8GB RAM, the renewed Acer Chromebook 712 (C871) laptop effortlessly handles multiple browser tabs, educational apps, and productivity tools simultaneously, preventing slowdowns during busy work or study sessions.
- Enjoy Quick Boots & Responsive Storage: Benefit from rapid system start-ups and app launches thanks to the 64GB SSD in the renewed Acer Chromebook 712 (C871) laptop, perfect for students grabbing notes between classes or professionals jumping into tasks quickly.
- View Content Comfortably on an IPS Display: The 12-inch IPS screen (1366 x 912) on the renewed Acer Chromebook 712 (C871) laptop delivers clear visuals with wide viewing angles, making it ideal for reviewing documents, video calls, or enjoying entertainment on the go.
- Connect with Versatile Modern Ports: The renewed Acer Chromebook 712 (C871) laptop provides excellent connectivity options, including dual USB Type-C ports (for charging, data, and displays), USB Type-A port, microSD card reader for easy storage expansion, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack.
Samsung Galaxy Book Go
Best For: Windows Experience on a Budget
The Samsung Galaxy Book Go offers a unique combination of power and portability, thanks to its Snapdragon processor. This laptop delivers a comfortable experience for browsing and productivity tasks under Windows 11.
With a 14-hour battery life, it’s designed for all-day use, whether in class or during travel. The addition of support for LTE connectivity makes it ideal for users who need internet access on the go.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Good battery life
- Supports LTE connectivity
Cons:
- Limited performance for heavy tasks
- Not ideal for gaming
−$30.00
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- POWERFUL, YET QUIET: Keep your cool with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platform that delivers responsive, instant-on performance that runs without a fan — for a lightweight device that’s fast and quiet
- POWER FOR HOURS: Email, hold virtual meetings, stream videos, check social media and more; Samsung Galaxy Book Go helps you stay connected and cordless with up to 18 hours on a fully charged battery*
- SLEEK, SLIM, SHOCKPROOF: Durably designed and shockproof with a convenient 180-degree hinge, this compact and light laptop computer spells sophistication in Silver
- PAIR YOUR GALAXY DEVICES: Easily jump from work to personal life with your paired Galaxy devices; Set it up as a second screen with your phone and tablet, share documents with Quick Share, play mobile games on a larger display, and connect your Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds
LG Gram 14 (2022)
Best For: Ultra-Lightweight Design
The LG Gram 14 has garnered attention for its ultra-lightweight design without sacrificing performance. Weighing under 3 pounds, this laptop is ideal for on-the-go users.
The Intel Core i7 processor ensures that it handles multitasking and demanding applications with ease. With up to 18 hours of battery life, you won’t have to worry about charging during long workdays.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- Impressive performance for its size
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Premium pricing
- Durability concerns regarding the lightweight material
−$203.00
- AI Performance Anywhere - LG gram delivers powerhouse AI performance in an ultra-thin, ultra-light design. Weighing just 2.5 lbs., the sleek 14” IPS screen laptop is built for productivity anywhere. With an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor along with gram AI tools built-in, the laptop harnesses both local and cloud AI to accelerate performance, boost efficiency, and fuel productivity.
- Welcome to Copilot on Windows 11 Home - Windows 11 Home brings you closer to what you love. Pursue your passions and maximize your productivity with the new Windows 11 Home. Built with tools to help you multitask, think, create, and connect—all designed with simplicity and intuition in mind. With the power of AI with Copilot, find unexpected ideas, summarize long articles, or provide suggestions for better writing. Those are just a few of the ways AI with Copilot can help support your creative process.
- Hybrid AI: On-Device and Cloud Synergy - LG gram now includes a hybrid AI solution that blends on-device intelligence with the capabilities of cloud-based AI. gram chat On-Device manages local tasks like smart hard drive searches and system adjustments, while gram chat Cloud delivers generative AI responses for document creation, data analysis, and administrative tasks like scheduling—all through intuitive interactions.
- Powered by Intel Core Ultra: Built for AI. Engineered to do it all. - Boost productivity with the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor (Series 2) processor. Experience, lightning-fast speeds, AI-powered multitasking, with 16GB DDR5 memory, and Intel Arc graphics for smooth, high-performance efficient computing.
- Unbelievably Portable. Undeniably Strong. - The LG gram laptop packs incredible performance into a 0.67-inch-thin, 2.5 lbs. frame that’s passed seven military-grade standards for resilience and durability. From your desk to the road, gram Pro is built to go wherever you work and play.
Razer Blade Stealth 13
Best For: Gamers on the Go
For gamers looking for a portable solution, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 combines gaming capabilities with an ultra-portable design. Equipped with an Intel Core i7 and GTX 1650 Ti graphics, it can handle most modern games reasonably well.
The vibrant display and customizable keyboard lighting add to its appeal for gamers. The lightweight construction means you can take it anywhere, making it a perfect companion for gaming sessions on the go.
Pros:
- Good performance for gaming
- Beautiful display
- Portable design
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other laptops
- Shorter battery life under heavy use
- Aspect Ratio:16:9
- Designed for mobility: Ultra-thin, light and incredibly durable with a cnc unibody aluminum frame and long battery life.
- 120hz full HD thin bezel display: Super-fast 120hz full HD display that enables smooth visuals in games, with 100% sRGB color space.
- Razer chroma keyboard and precision touchpad: keyboard featuring single-zone rgb lighting with 16.8 million color options, and a precision glass touchpad.
- Complete connectivity — Includes thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, wireless AX, HD webcam utilizing windows hello, and 4-array mics.
Buying Guide for the Best 12-Inch Laptops
When searching for the perfect 12-inch laptop, it’s essential to consider various factors to ensure you choose the right model for your needs. This guide will help you navigate those considerations, from performance to portability.
1. Performance Details
a. Processor
- Intel vs. AMD: Intel Core i3/i5 and AMD Ryzen 3/5 are popular choices. For general use, i5 or Ryzen 5 is recommended for better performance in multitasking.
b. RAM
- Minimum Requirement: Aim for at least 8GB of RAM for smooth performance. For more intensive applications, consider 16GB.
c. Storage
- Types:
- HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Higher capacity but slower.
- SSD (Solid State Drive): Faster and more reliable. Aim for at least 256GB if using many applications.
2. Display Quality
a. Resolution
- Look for at least Full HD (1920×1080) for sharp visuals. Higher resolutions enhance the overall experience, especially for multimedia tasks.
b. Panel Type
- IPS (In-Plane Switching): Offers better color accuracy and viewing angles compared to TN (Twisted Nematic) panels.
3. Battery Life
- Look for laptops with at least 8-10 hours of battery life for all-day use. Check reviews and real-world tests for accurate estimates.
4. Build Quality and Portability
a. Weight and Size
- A 12-inch laptop should be lightweight (around 2-3 pounds) for easy portability.
b. Durability
- Consider models with robust materials like aluminum or magnesium alloy for better durability on the go.
5. Keyboard and Touchpad Quality
- Ensure the keyboard has good travel and tactile feedback for comfortable typing. Look for a large touchpad with accurate tracking.
6. Connectivity Options
a. Ports
- At minimum, look for USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and an audio jack. Having a microSD card reader is a plus for expanding storage.
b. Wireless Connectivity
- Ensure it has the latest Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 5 or 6) and Bluetooth capabilities for additional wireless devices.
7. Operating System
- Windows, macOS, or Chrome OS: Choose based on your preference and compatibility needs. Windows is versatile for most applications, while macOS is ideal for Apple users. Chrome OS is lightweight and suitable for web-centric tasks.
8. Price Range
- Set a budget before you begin shopping. 12-inch laptops typically range from $400 to over $1,500 based on specifications and brand.
9. Brand and Warranty
- Stick to reputable brands known for good after-sale service. Check warranty terms and customer support options for peace of mind.
10. User Reviews and Ratings
- Always read user reviews to get insights into real-world performance and potential issues. Consider professional reviews and comparisons for informed decisions.
Top Picks to Consider
While specific models may vary over time, here are some well-regarded choices as of 2023:
-
Apple MacBook Air (M1 or M2)
- Excellent performance, battery life, and build quality.
-
Dell XPS 13
- Known for its stunning display and sleek design.
-
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano
- Lightweight, exceptional keyboard, and business features.
-
HP Spectre x360 (12-inch variant)
- Convertible design, great performance, and premium feel.
-
Asus ZenBook 12
- Affordable option with good specs and portability.
Conclusion
Finding the best 12-inch laptop depends on your unique needs and preferences. Keep in mind the key factors outlined in this guide to ensure your investment leads to a satisfying user experience. Happy shopping!
