Laptops have been one of the best technological innovations recently because of their portability and productivity. For instance, a lighter laptop will allow you to be more mobile and make it less strenuous to carry around. On the other hand, a heavier laptop is generally more powerful but sacrifices portability and mobility.
However, many people overlook the laptop’s weight when looking for a new laptop. So, if you’re wondering, what is the average weight of a laptop? We’ll answer this question in detail below and outline the factors determining a laptop’s weight.
Laptop Weight by Category
The overall weight can influence your decision when searching for a new laptop. Modern laptops typically weigh between 3 and 8 pounds (1.5 kg to 3 kg). Standard laptops are generally lighter than gaming laptops. As a result, understanding the various categories will be crucial. Here is the average weight of the four laptop categories.
Ultrabook Laptops
Ultrabook laptops are among the lightest and smallest laptops available, measuring only 9–13.5 inches x 8–9 inches and weighing only roughly 3 pounds. These laptops are functional and provide portability. However, the smaller weight also means you should expect a smaller screen size, so this may not be the best option for long periods of intense work.
Ultraportable Laptops
These laptops have dimensions of 9–13 inches x 8–9 inches x 0.3–1.3 inches, making them very portable. Ultraportable laptops typically weigh around 3 pounds, which is significantly less than the weight of a typical laptop. They’re also really quiet, with most models offering touchscreen support.
Light Laptops
Although not as light as the Ultrabook or Ultraportable laptops, they are still among the thinnest laptops available, measuring around 11–15 inches x 10–11 inches x 0.4–1.5 inches and weighing anywhere from 3 to 5 pounds. These laptops are small enough to fit into any workspace while remaining light enough to be portable.
Gaming Laptops
Generally, gaming laptops measure 15 inches x 11 inches x 1–2 inches and typically weigh around 5 pounds. As a result, they’re less portable but naturally more powerful than the options above. This may be the best option for resource-intensive work, and the larger screen is great for media consumption. However, it is still light enough to carry on shorter commutes.
Factors That Determine Laptop Weight
A laptop’s weight varies depending on the features it has. If you want powerful features, your laptop will probably require larger cooling systems, batteries, etc. Let’s look at the various factors that determine a laptop’s weight.
Display
A laptop’s display also contributes to its weight. Bigger displays generally mean larger components, meaning they will be heavier than laptops with smaller displays. On gaming laptops, displays are usually 17.3″ and are usually mounted in metal covers, which add to the laptop’s overall weight.
Ports
Standard and gaming laptops have a similar array of ports. However, gaming laptops typically have more than the standard USB, HDMI/VGA, and audio ports. Moreover, they have multiple display outputs and USB ports, which are sometimes double what a standard laptop has. Therefore, these additional ports add a small amount to the overall laptop weight.
Cooling Systems
Typically, gaming laptops are larger than standard laptops, owing to the size of the cooling system installed. Because gaming laptops have loads of power, they consume more power and generate lots of heat, requiring larger cooling systems.
Casing
A laptop’s casing is one of the significant factors in a laptop’s overall weight. Different laptops come with cases of different materials, such as aluminum or plastic. For instance, a laptop with an aluminum casing will be heavier than one with a plastic casing, regardless of the internal components. Furthermore, a larger laptop case will weigh more than a smaller one. This is one reason why gaming laptops generally weigh more than standard laptops.
Battery
Apart from the cooling systems, the battery also contributes to the overall weight of a gaming laptop. The bigger the battery, the heavier the computer will be.
Keyboard
The keyboard’s size and weight also play a role in the average weight of a laptop. For instance, gaming laptops come with wider mechanical keyboards, which take up more space and add extra grams to the overall weight. On the other hand, standard laptops use a regular keyboard and don’t weigh as much.
Conclusion
Laptops come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Generally, laptops typically weigh between 3 and 8 pounds. It is, however, preferable to conduct your research on the particular laptop model you’re interested in. The screen size, battery, casing, cooling system, etc., contribute to a laptop’s overall weight. Moreover, laptop weights are categorized based on the laptop type, and we hope this article has shed light on the average weight of a laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laptops are typically classified according to their display sizes. Typically, the thinnest and lightest computers on the market have 11 to 12-inch screens and weigh between 2.5 and 4 pounds. Overall, 13-to-14-inch screens offer the best balance of functionality and portability.
The average laptop weighs between 1.5 and 3 kilograms, depending on its size and features. Moreover, the lightest computer can weigh as little as 1 kg. Generally, the weight ranges from 1.5 to 2 kg for 13″–14″ laptops, 2 to 2.5 kg for 15.6″ laptops, and roughly 3 kg for 17″ laptops.
The heaviest laptops can weigh 5 to 8 pounds which is quite substantial in size. The heaviest laptops usually come with a bigger screen, affecting the components’ size and casing needed. It’s no surprise that gaming laptops are typically the heaviest laptops available.
