With many of our business users being mobile in this new age of portable computing, one of the biggest questions is –

How much does the average laptop weigh ?

Of course, as the old adage goes….. This depends!

When we strive to find laptop computers with a lower weight we must loose other benefits. A compromise will need to be made on powerful hardware, large displays and hard disk capacity. All of these components not only add to the physical weight of the laptop they also require further power, thereby increasing the weight of the power adapter. 

Although laptop weights are included in the specifications, the power adapter, keyboards, mice and other peripherals are not. Typically power adapters are heavier adding significantly to the laptop’s weight

Why are you wanting a lightweight laptop ?

Even though most of us desire a lightweight laptop in the expectation we can carry it around easily, the reality is, most laptops don’t travel that much. Frequent travelers are now utilizing, ultraportable laptops, Microsoft Surface Pro, Apple MacBook pro  or even tablets to keep travel weights down.

The majority of notebook computers sold by PIP, are typically for business purposes. Replacing the office Desktop Computer. This way all work can easily be taken home and worked on either in the home office or on the kitchen table. In this scenario, PIP typically suggests purchasing a docking station for each location. This way heavier components, such as the power adapter and large screens do no need to be transported.

The exception to this is our students, who must carry their laptops to and from school as well as to and from class. However, most school content is either streamed or distributed via cloud technology. With this being the case, students are typically offered lighter laptop variants in the form of, Google Pixel Books, Chrome Books, Mac Book Air or Microsoft Surface Pro.

Do you need a large screen ?

A bigger the screen = a heavy laptop.

Glass is heavy, and is the ideal choice for monitors. If they are touch screens then they must be made of glass due to the technology of touch screens. A larger screen also means a larger notebook. Therefore a 17-inch laptop will be considerably larger than 15-inch laptops. Many manufactures take advantage of this extra space by installing larger hard disks, larger batteries, DVD drives or more powerful hardware, such as dedicated graphics cards for video editing. More added weight.

The larger footprint also means the notebook shell must also be larger and therefore added weight. With the more expensive units utilising carbon fiber to overcome this.

If better choice for these larger laptops is utilisng multiple external monitors for video editing, business analytics or a gaming laptop

Will this be replacing your desktop computer ?

We have covered most of this in the two previous subjects.

Typically, with smaller devices available now, Mac Book Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro, Google Pixelbook, Google Chrome Book, the average laptop is more of a portable computer than a laptop.

We are no longer concerned about excellent battery life, rugged laptops, screen size

Important factors for standard laptops now, depending on specific needs are :

• Powerful hardware / Powerful processor
• Dedicated Graphics Cards
• Ports
• Hard Drive Space
• Gaming laptop

Will this be a gaming laptop ?

I’m not going to cover the dedicated gaming laptop here great detail as these are

Hover many business users also like to play games on their work computer during the weekend. For these users, standard laptops are not the best laptops for this purpose.

If gaming or business analysis is required, a laptop with powerful hardware / powerful processor, plenty of RAM and dedicated graphics cards, will be the best laptops for this purpose.

Size of the laptop will be much larger as will the weight of the laptop. they will typically also have a large display. If it can be avoided these types of notebooks should not serve as desktop replacement devices.

Do you actually want a new laptop ?

I see it all the time. A client makes an informed decision to purchase a new laptop. We find the best option, after weighing up the various factors. Not long after the client has added 3 large screens, a printer, wireless keyboard & mouse. When I go to visit, you can even see the “new laptop”.

The perfect laptop has turned into the perfect desktop !

Standard Laptop Weights (Intel Core i5 chipset – 15-inch laptops)

• MSI Modern 14 Lightest Laptop @ 1.4kg.                                           Price $1200.00
• Dell Latitude 5540 Laptops Weight: 1.6 kg.                                         Price $1550.00
• Lenovo Think Book 15 GEN. Laptops Weight: 1.7kg.                         Price: $1200.00
• ASUS Vivo Book 15 Laptops Weight: 1.7kg.                                       Price:  $1400.00
• HP Pro book 450 Laptops Weight: 1.8kg.                                           Price: $1550.00

All weights provided by manufacture specification sheets. Prices are correct at time of publishing and are used for comparison purposes only. Of course these and any other laptops can  be purchased direct from PIP. Contact PIP for details.