10 Best Mini & Small Laptops UK 2025

After a small or mini laptop? Look no further.

Mini laptops can be really useful for students as their small size makes them ideal for travelling and carrying around all day. The smaller size of mini laptops makes them slimmer, more lightweight and often cheaper making them a great option for students on a budget who need a laptop for both working and watching Netflix.

Mini laptops and 2-in-1 laptops are ideal for campus life and won’t take up too much space in your rucksack. If you’re looking at mini laptops and want to invest in one, we’ve picked out our favourite models based on screen size, battery life and budget to help you find a model that will work best for you!

Check out our favourite mini laptops for 2025 UK below.

Last updated: 4th March 2025

In this guide:

• Best overall mini laptops UK 2025
• Best 11-inch mini laptops UK
• Best mini laptops for battery life UK
• Best touchscreen mini laptops UK
• Best budget mini laptops UK
• FAQS

Best overall mini laptops UK 2025

1. Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 — Currys, £739

It may be on the pricier side of mini laptops, but if you want to invest in a bit of tech that will see you through your studies and beyond – you can’t go wrong with a Microsoft Surface Laptop. A combination of an incredibly lightweight, yet study design, perfect for the on the go, and a supercharged speed and long battery life. What’s not to love?

What’s in the box:

• 1 x Microsoft Surface Laptop
• 1 x Power adaptor

Technical specs:

• Operating system: Windows 11 Home
• RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5
• Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-1235U Processor
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Battery life: up to 15 hours
• 1x USB 3.2 Type-C
• 1x USB 3.1 Type-A
• Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Black

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: HD+ 1536 x 1024p 
• Screen size: 12.4″
• Touchscreen: HD+ Touchscreen

Pros

• Lightweight and portable
• Long battery life

Cons

• Pricier than other models

Get a student discount at Currys

2. ASUS Chromebook CX1100- Amazon, £197.00

This Chromebook is a nice all around option if you’re considering buying a mini laptop. It’s lightweight, has a 11.6-inch screen and a long battery life for working all day long. Being a Chromebook it benefits from being able to run Google apps to help boost your productivity when it comes to working. The thin casing also makes it easy for travelling if you plan on carrying your laptop around in your bag all day.

What’s in the box:

• 1 x ASUS Chromebook CX110
• 1 x Power adaptor

Technical specs:

• Operating system: Chrome OS
• RAM: 4G LPDDR4
• Processor: Intel® Celeron® N3350 Processor 1.1 GHz (2M Cache, up to 2.4 GHz, 2 cores)
• Storage: 64G eMMC
• WiFi: Yes
• Ethernet: No
• Battery life: up to 12 hours
• Battery type: 2-cell lithium-ion
• Disc drive: No
• Memory card reader: Yes
• HDMI: no
• Audio connections: 3.5mm jack
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Silver

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: Full HD 1366 x 768
• Screen size: 11.6
• Screen type: Anti-glare LED Backlit
• Touch screen: No

Pros

• Lightweight
• Decent specs

Cons

• No touchscreen

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

3. Apple MacBook Air – AO.com £810

Apple are known for their innovative and incredibly sleek designs, which is why they’re a top feature for a mini laptop for students. Especially if you’re a design or artistic student, then the excellent graphics can support your work, even in the lightweight design of the MacBook Air. We’ve found this slightly older model (2022) to offer a lower price than the top of the range (but, by all means, splash out).

What’s in the box:

• 1 x Apple MacBook Air
• 1 x AC adaptor

Technical specs:

• Operating system: macOS
• RAM: 8GB
• Processor: Apple M2 8-core
• Storage: 256GB
• Battery life: Up to 18 hours
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Space Grey

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: 2560 x 1664p
• Screen size: 13.6″
• Touch screen: No

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Long-lasting
• Great battery life

Cons

• No touchscreen
• Pricey model

4. Acer Spin 312 2 in 1 Chromebook – Currys £199

An upgrade on our previous favourite – the 311, the Acer Spin 312 is an excellent smaller size laptop at under £200. This makes it one of the most affordable laptops out there, while not skimping on design or technology. For students with busy workloads and a million assignments to keep on top of, this is an excellent choice.

What’s in the box:

• 1 x Acer Spin 312 Laptop
• 1 x AC adaptor

Technical specs:

• Operating system: ChromeOS
• RAM: 4GB
• Processor: Intel® N100 Processor Quad-core
• Storage: 64GB
• Battery life: Up to 13 hours
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Silver

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: 1920 x 1200p
• Screen size: 12.2″
• Touch screen: Yes

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Long-lasting
• Great battery life

Cons

• No touchscreen
• Pricey model

Best 11-inch mini laptops UK

5. Galaxy Chromebook Go – Argos, £199.99

This Galaxy Chromebook is made for students on the go. Not only is it a sturdy, shock-resistant laptop, it’s also built to last, and even has a spill-resistant keyboard. So no more worrying about trying to soak your laptop in rice! With up to date technology, plus all the additional ports you’ll need for learning, it’s a great option for students everywhere.

What’s in the box:

• 1 x Galaxy Chromebook Go
• 1 x Lithium Ion battery
• 1 x AC adaptor

Technical specs:

• Operating system: Chrome OS
• RAM: 4GB RAM LPDDR4X
• Processor: Intel Celeron N4500 processor 1.1GHz processor speed
• Storage: 64 GB
• Battery life: Up to 11 hours
• Memory card reader: Yes
• Audio connections: Yes, headphones jack
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Black

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: Full HD 1366 x 768
• Screen size: 11″
• Touch screen: Yes

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Built-in tech features plus shock and spill resistant
• Good battery life

Cons

• No disc drive and no touchscreen

Get a student discount at Argos

6. Acer 311 Chromebook – Currys, £179

Despite being small, the Acer Chromebook 311 packs in a lot of features. This Chromebook is smaller than an A4 sheet of paper and weighs just over 1kg, so it’s super lightweight and easy for travelling or working away from home. It’s easily one of the best mini laptops in the UK right now.

What’s in the box:

• 1 x Chromebook 311
• 1 x Quick start guide
• 1 x AC Adapter

Technical specs:

• Operating system: Chrome OS
• RAM: 4 GB, LPDDR4X
• Processor: Intel® Celeron® processor N4500
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Black

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: HD 1366 x 768
• Screen size: 11.6″
• Screen type: TFT LCD
• Touch screen: No

Pros

• Lightweight
• Affordable
• 64GB storage

Cons

• Not the most impressive specs compared to other mini laptops on this list
• Not as long as battery life, only up to 7 hours

Get a student discount at Currys

Best mini laptops for battery life UK

7. LENOVO IdeaPad Duet 5 – Currys, £549.00

Good battery life is something you probably want out of a laptop, especially if you’re using it to work on while you’re away from home. This Lenovo IdeaPad has a battery life of up to 15 hours so you won’t have to worry about running low or finding a plug socket to charge it while you’re out and about.

The tablet weighs just 700g and the keyboard weighs 320g, so it is extremely lightweight, but it’s still a super speedy and powerful laptop. With the separate keyboard, you can switch between a tablet and a traditional laptop depending on how your mood takes you.

What’s in the box:

• 1 x Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5
• 1 x Lithium Ion Battery
• 1 x AC Adapter
• 1 x Pen

Technical specs:

• Operating system: Chrome OS
• RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4X
• Processor: – Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 Processor Octa-core 2.4 GHz
• Storage: 256 GB eMMc
• Battery life: Up to 15 hours
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Silver

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080
• Screen size: 13.3″
• Screen type: OLED
• Touch screen: Yes

Pros

• Touchscreen
• Amazing battery life

Cons

• Not the smallest laptop out there

Get a student discount at Currys

Best touchscreen mini laptops UK

8. IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook 11– Amazon, £259.04

This is a 360° convertible laptop that is a great all round option for a mini laptop. The screen is 11.6-inches and benefits from a streamlined interface and a touchscreen to help you drag and drop files and be creative with your work. While you’re working your changes will be saved automatically (so you never have to worry about losing your work ever again!) and you can work offline too. You can also choose from two different colour options, so you can choose the one that best suits your personal style.

What’s in the box:

• 1 x IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook
• 1 x Power adaptor

Technical specs:

• Operating system: Chrome OS
• RAM: 4 GB DDR4-2400MHz (Soldered)
• Processor: Intel® Celeron® N4020 Processor (1.10 GHz up to 2.80 GHz)
• Storage: 32GB
• WiFi: Yes
• Ethernet: No
• Battery life: up to 10 hours
• Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
• Disc drive: No
• Memory card reader: Yes
• HDMI: unknown
• Audio connections: 1 x headphone/mic port
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Abyss Blue or Almond

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: Full HD 1366 x 768
• Screen size: 11.6
• Screen type: IPS
• Touch screen: Yes

Pros

• Touchscreen
• 2 colour options

Cons

• On the more expensive spectrum compared to other mini laptops on this list

Get a student discount at Lenovo

9. Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 – Currys, £699

If you’re looking for a smart touchscreen mini laptop, this Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 is a great 2 in 1 laptop that offers both a brilliant touchscreen and a keyboard set-up. With a staggering battery life of up to 20 hours, this is an all-round winner that is a great investment when you head to university.

What’s in the box:

• 1 x Samsung Galaxy Book3 360
• 1 x Power adaptor

Technical specs:

• Operating system: Windows 11
• RAM: 8GB
• Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-1340P Processor 12-core 1.9GHz
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Battery life: Up to 20 hours
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Black

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: Full HD 1920 x 1080p
• Screen size: 13.3″
• Screen type: AMOLED
• Touch screen: Yes

Pros

• Touchscreen
• Long battery life

Cons

• Could be a bit smaller

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

Best budget mini laptops UK

10. IdeaPad 3 Lenovo — Amazon, £179.00

If you’re on a budget and you don’t want to shell out too much on a mini laptop, the Lenovo IdeadPad 3 is a great affordable choice. It’s smaller than a piece of A4 paper, but it’s still reliable, fast and powerful. Chome OS and G Suite allows you to work collaboratively and you can work offline too. It costs just £179.99 which is one of the cheapest mini laptops on this list, so you won’t have to break the bank to benefit from having a great laptop.

What’s in the box:

• 1 x Lenovo IdeaPad 3
• 1 x Power adaptor

Technical specs:

• Operating system: Chrome OS
• RAM: 4 GB Soldered LPDDR4 2400MHz
• Processor: Intel®️ Celeron®️ N4020 Processor
• Storage: 64 GB eMMC 5.1
• WiFi: Yes
• Ethernet: No
• Battery life: up to 10 hours
• Battery type: 3-cell lithium-ion
• Disc drive: No
• Memory card reader: Yes
• HDMI: unknown
• Audio connections: 1 x headphone/mic combo jack
• Webcam: HD webcam
• Colour: Onyx Black

Screen specs:

• Screen resolution: Full HD 1366 x 768
• Screen size: 11.6
• Screen type: TN Anti-glare
• Touch screen: No

Pros

• Affordable and budget friendly
• Good battery life
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not a huge amount of memory or storage

Get a student discount at Lenovo

Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits of mini & small laptops

Mini laptops have lots of benefits, mainly the price. Because the laptop is smaller and more compact mini laptops tend to be much cheaper and more budget-friendly compared to laptops with larger screens, and the compact size makes them ideal for travelling or carrying around all day.

Mini laptops also tend to be slimmer and less chunky than laptop models with larger screen sizes, so they’re ideal for someone who only needs a small and portable laptop.

Drawbacks of mini laptops

The obvious drawback of small laptops is the screen size. While this might not be a problem for some people, for people who use their laptops for creative projects and like to have a lot of tabs open, or just want to enjoy movies on a big screen this could be a disadvantage. As mini laptops are often much cheaper, the specs might not be that impressive and you might find it’s worth investing in a bigger model just to benefit from extra storage or features.

How long do mini laptops last?

Laptops are an investment and it’s understandable that if you’re going to be spending a lot of money on a product you’re going to want it to last for a long time. If you take good care of your laptop (being careful to avoid scratches and screen cracking, and not drinking near it) there’s no reason why a laptop can’t last at least 5 years before the operating system starts to slow down and you may start to notice issues or want to upgrade to a new one.

What’s the best laptop under £400?

Some affordable brands for cheap mini laptops under £400 are:

• Acer
• Lenovo
• ASUS
• HP
• Dell

What are the sizes of small laptops?

Laptop screen sizes are measured diagonally and come in a few different sizes.

Mini and small laptops typically measure around 11″-13″, whereas large laptops are around 14″-17″ and above. Smaller screens are great for small workloads, browsing the web, and perfect for taking to university with you.

What is a Netbook?

Back in the day, a Netbook was a small and fairly cheap laptop that was designed mostly for browsing the internet. They don’t really exist anymore and were sold between 2007 and 2013 — before smartphones and more advanced technology were common.

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