Microsoft Surface 3 was the first laptop to trend the 3:2 aspect ratio. More companies have since joined the race to launch ultrabooks similar displays. That should come as a no surprise since taller screens have more advantages in terms of productivity than you can imagine.
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What Is an Aspect Ratio?
An aspect ratio is the ratio of the width of the image to its height. If you’ve noticed black bars on top or bottom of your screen or the sides when watching videos, that has to do with the aspect ratio.
Historically, most displays used a conventional aspect ratio of 4:3, which was the standard for movies. Think of the nearly square old school television. If you watch the old 4:3 movies on your laptop today, you’ll notice black bars on the sides (pillarboxing).
However, filmmakers wanted to display more imagery on a single frame, and that’s when the transition to widescreen aspect ratios (16:9 and 16:10) began. Many high definition TVs with widescreen screens entered the market, but 16:9 was adopted as the standard for movies and displays since it can display almost every aspect ratio.
Only Apple has maintained the 16:10 aspect ratio on its MacBook notebooks to date.
Today, most of the laptops come with the 16 by 9 aspect ratio. They are excellent for watching movies, YouTube videos, Netflix, and your favorite TV shows. You can also snap several windows side by side for smooth multitasking.
However, you’re not buying a powerful and expensive laptop just for entertainment, are you?
Benefits of 16:10 and 3:2 Aspect Ratio Laptops
Productivity is the main reason most people buy portable, powerful laptops. The taller aspect ratio laptops can fit more screen vertically, giving you more room to view content without much scrolling. Since its widescreen, you can also display windows side-by-side to boost your productivity workflow significantly.
If you’re browsing a lot or using apps like Microsoft Word and Excel, a laptop with a 16 by 10 or 3 by 2 aspect ratio is your best bet. Books, magazines, and documents feel more realistic when viewed on displays such as the Surface Laptop 3.
Content creators can have more screen to monitor their videos and multiple tracks without having to hide the taskbar or resize their preview windows. For instance, you can view more than three tracks on Sony Vegas, without having to scroll the timeline repeatedly.
For an updated version of 3:2 Laptops, please check this article: The 7 Best 3:2 Aspect Ratio Laptops
Check out the updated version of 16:10 Laptops: 10 Best 16:10 Aspect Ratio Laptops
Best 16:10 Aspect Ratio Laptops
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Dell XPS 13 9300 | Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics RAM: 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4x Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 13.4", FHD+ (1920x1200) Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Battery: 18 Hours* Weight: 2.8 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | LG Gram Laptop 17 | Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics RAM: 16GB DDR4 Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 17", WQXGA (2560x1600) Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Battery: 17 Hours* Weight: 2.98 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | MacBook Pro 16-Inch | Processor: 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9880H Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M RAM: 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 16", 3072x1920 Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Battery: 11 Hours* Weight: 4.3 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 | Processor: Intel Xeon E-2276M Graphics: Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000 RAM: 32GB DDR4 ECC Storage: 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 17", WUXGA (1920X1200) Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Battery: 6 Hours* Weight: 5.27 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | Dell XPS 17 | Processor: Up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 Graphics: Up to GeForce RTX 2060 with Max-Q RAM: Up to 32GB 2933MHz DDR4 Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: Up to 17.3", UHD+ (3840x2400) Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Battery: N/A Weight: 4.65 lbs | Check on Dell |
 | Lenovo IdeaPad S540 | Processor: Up to AMD Ryzen 7 4800U/ 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics/ Intel UHD Graphics RAM: Up to 16GB DDR4 Storage: Up to 512B PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 13.3", QHD 2560x1600 Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Battery: 18 hours* Weight: 2.9 lbs | Check on Lenovo |
 | Razer Book 13 | Processor: Up to 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: Up to 16GB Storage: Up to 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 13.4", FHD+ (1920x1200), UHD+ (3840x2400) touch Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Battery: 14 Hours* Weight: 2.9 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | Dell Precision 5550 15-inch | Processor: Up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10750H Graphics: Up to NVIDIA Quadro T2000 RAM: Up to 32GB DDR4 2933Mhz Storage: Up to 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 15.6", FHD+ (1920x1200), UHD+ (3840x2400) touch Aspect Ratio: 16:10 Battery: 13 Hours* Weight: 4.06 lbs | Check on Dell |
Best 3:2 Aspect Ratio Laptops
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Acer Swift 3 (2020) | Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G4 Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics RAM: 8GB LPDDR4 Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 13.5", 2256x1504 Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Battery: 10.5 Hours* Weight: 2.65 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 | Processor: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G7 Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics RAM: 16GB LPDDR4x Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD Screen: 13.5", 2256x1504 Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Battery: 11.5 Hours* Weight: 2.83 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | Huawei MateBook 13 | Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 RAM: 8 GB LPDDR3 2133 MHz Storage: 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD Screen: 13", 2K (2160x1440) Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Battery: 10 Hours* Weight: 2.86 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | Google Pixel Slate | Processor: 8th Gen Intel Core i7 Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 RAM: 16GB Storage: 256GB SSD Screen: 12.3", 3000x2000 Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Battery: 12 Hours* Weight: 1.6 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga | Processor: Up to 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1160G7 Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: Up to 16GB 4267MHz LPDDR4x Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe SSD Screen: 13.5", QHD (2256 x1504), Dolby Vision Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Battery: 11.7 Hours* Weight: 2.54 lbs | Check on Lenovo |
 | ASUS ZenBook S (11th Gen) | Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 16GB Storage: 1TB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD Screen: 13.9", 3.3K (3300x2200), 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3 Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Battery: 12 Hours* Weight: 2.98 lbs | Check on Amazon |
 | HP Spectre x360 14 (EVO) | Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 Graphics:Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 16GB LPDDR4x-3200 SDRAM Storage: 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD, 32 GB Intel Optane memory Screen: 13.5", 3K2K (3000 x 2000) OLED, multitouch Aspect Ratio: 3:2 Battery: 12 Hours* Weight: 3 lbs | Check on BestBuy |
1. Dell XPS 13 9300 – 16:10 Aspect Ratio Professional laptop
For a long time, Dell XPS 13 has been the best ultraportable laptop that you can buy. The XPS 13 9300 (2020) edition gets even better with a larger display, fantastic design, improved keyboard, and plenty of power for everyday use.
Dell followed the footsteps of Apple Mac notebooks by including a 16:10 aspect ratio in their leading XPS lineup. The 13-inch and 17-inch XPS will both feature the tall display, perfect for improving productivity.
Design
We have seen a lot of design upgrades in the Dell XPS 13 since its launch. 2019 saw Dell move the webcam from the bottom to the top bezel, like most laptops, but the bottom bezel was still visible.
The new Dell XPS 13 (9300) trims the bottom bezel dead, making it one of the compact ultrabooks available. The 16:10 display is 6.8 percent larger from the previous XPS 13, providing more screen real estate for your business productivity.
The laptop sports a machine-milled aluminum chassis and a carbon fiber palm rest, ensuring maximum durability and minimum weight. It’s very portable at 2.8 pounds and 0.58 by 11.64 by 7.82 inches (HWD), fitting in most laptop backpacks.
The new XPS 13 (9300) has an improved backlit keyboard with slightly larger keys than last year’s model. The trackpad is also larger and uses Microsoft Precision driver for an accurate and responsive experience. A fingerprint scanner completes the impressive design of the XPS masterpiece.
Processor
A 10th generation Intel Core i7 Ice Lake processor powers the Dell XPS 13 with clock speeds up to 3.9GHz. The four-core processor has integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics. Onboard there is 16GB memory and 512GB NVMe solid-state drive.
Display
The display is a 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) touchscreen with an anti-reflective coating. The resolution is slightly larger than the standard FHD (1920 x 1080), thanks to the 16:10 aspect ratio. The screen is very bright at 500 nits, which makes it suitable for outdoor use.
Dell combines Dolby Vision and a high 1500:1 contrast ratio to deliver true-to-life visuals with deep blacks and brighter whites. The laptop covers 100 percent sRGB and 90 percent DCI P3 color gamut, producing breathtaking colors perfect for content creation.
Connectivity
Onboard you get the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity. In terms of ports, the laptop comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports that support four lanes of PCI Express 3.0. There are no USB legacy ports, but the laptop ships with a Type-C to USB Type-a adapter.
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3
- 1 x microSD
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
Dell XPS 13 (9300) is a complete ultrabook with a perfect balance between power and portability. The tall 16 by 10 display meets the needs of most creators and professionals. With Thunderbolt 3 ports, you can turn this portable laptop to your main productivity rig with the right external monitor and eGPUs.
- Narrow bezels on all four sides
- Excellent 16:10 display
- Elegant design
- Backlit keyboard
- Two Thunderbolt ports
- Does not support 4G LTE
2. Acer Swift 3 – 3:2 Aspect Ratio Budget Laptop
The Acer Swift 3 (2020) is the best option if you’re looking for a taller display on a budget. It features a 3:2 aspect ratio, which is slightly slim and taller than 16:10 laptops.
The laptop comes with updated specs for 2020, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, and superb battery life up to 16 hours with fast charging.
Design
The new Swift 3 sports a modern look with thin bezels and a shiny silver finish. At 2.65 pounds, it is one of the best lightweight laptops in the market right now. The aluminum and magnesium alloy chassis is reasonably rigid and does well in hiding smudges.
However, the only downside with the design is the keyboard. It is an excellent and compact keyboard, but the silver finish makes the keycaps hard to read because of the white backlight.
Processor
The Acer Swift 3 (2020) features a 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor with a base frequency of 1.10GHz and up to 3.7GHz with Turbo Boost. Unless you want to render 3D models or 8K video editing, that’s enough power for everyday use and entertainment.
Acer pairs the processor with 8GB RAM and 512GB NVMe solid-state drive for fast storage access. The memory is soldered in a non-upgradeable manner.
Display
The best highlight of the new Swift 3 is its display. It comes with a 13.5-inch IPS screen with a 2256 x 1504 pixel resolution, providing very sharp visuals and crisper text. That’s almost twice as many pixels as Full HD 1080p display.
The glossy screen delivers vivid colors and better contrasts for realistic images, but it does have its cons. It is poor in reducing glare and reflections in bright environments, which is a significant disadvantage when using your laptop outdoors.
Connectivity
The new Swift 3 gets Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 for improved performance and range, especially in crowded areas. There is a USB Type-C port that supports 10Gbps speeds, power, and video passthrough. There are multiple USB ports for connecting legacy devices, unlike the Dell XPS.
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
- 2 x USB 2.0
- 1 x HDMI
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
The Acer Swift 3 (2020) is an outstanding mid-range laptop in the market. The 3:2 screen is excellent for boosting productivity and for students. The Ice Lake processor provides enough power for everyday use and lightweight gaming. Overall better than its predecessor. However, Acer still has some work to do to improve the user experience in outdoor environments.
- Compact, lightweight design
- Sharp 3:2 display
- Excellent performance for everyday use
- Plenty of ports
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5
- Keyboard and glossy display not suitable for outdoors
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 – 3:2 Aspect Ratio for Business
Microsoft Surface lineup is the master of the 3 by 2 aspect ratio. Microsoft always has prioritized business productivity on its Surface products, which is why most sports the tall 3 by 2 display. Surface Laptop 3 is a portable powerhouse with improved speed and performance, ready for your office tasks.
This laptop can get you through all day with up to 11.5 hours of battery life. And with fast charging, you can get up to 80 percent charge in just one hour.
Design
Surface Laptop 3 comes with a clean, stylish design that fits every environment, whether in the office, school, or home setup. It’s available in four different finishes: sandstone, matte black, cobalt blue, and platinum.
The device measures 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches (WDH) and 2.83 pounds. It’s easy to carry, ensuring you stay productive just about anywhere.
Surface 3 comes with two keyboard finishes. The blue and platinum models feature Alcantara fabric on the keyboard deck while the others are metal. The keyboard is reasonably comfy and compact but lacks backlighting.
Processor
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 comes with a quad-core 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor with speeds up to 3.7GHz. The Ice Lake processor has integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics. The laptop delivers impressive performance in a compact and lightweight form factor.
Onboard there is a removable 256GB SSD and 8GB of memory. There are high-end configurations with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage.
Display
Surface Laptop has nearly the same picture quality as the Swift 3. It’s a 13.5-inch “PixelSense” display with a 2256 x 1504 resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio. That is around 201 Pixels Per Inch (PPI), delivering sharp and very detailed visuals.
Connectivity
Thanks to the Ice Lake processor, the Surface Laptop 3 supports the latest gen Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard. It also comes with Bluetooth 5.0, which offers improved wireless connectivity with increased range.
The ports include USB-C and USB-A ports for connecting unlimited devices, including monitors, docking stations, and legacy USB devices.
- 1 x USB Type-C
- 1 x USB Type-A
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
- 1 x Surface Connect port
Surface Laptop 3 is an outstanding laptop perfect for productivity and everyday use. It’s one of the best lightweight laptops available. Microsoft beefed it up with a powerful Ice Lake processor, providing improved speed and performance. The laptop sports its iconic 3:2 display, which has more screen to boost your productivity.
- Tall 3:2 display with multitouch support
- Lightweight for productivity
- Solid performance
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5
- Replaceable SSD
- Keyboard not backlit
4. LG Gram Laptop 17” – Light Laptop with 16:10 Aspect Ratio
The lightest 17-inch laptop in the world gets a 16:10 aspect ratio and Ice Lake upgrade. LG Gram has the best ultrabook laptops, ranging from 13.3-inch to the massive 17-inch. They are perfect for the road, and now more powerful than ever.
The LG Gram 17 has an improved 80Wh battery that provides up to 17 hours of power. It can last the whole day without recharge so you can go anywhere and stay productive.
Design
The 17-inch laptop comes in a 15-inch frame, the size of most 15.6-inch laptops. It has narrow bezels and weighs 2.98 pounds, which is almost the same weight as 13.3-inch ultrabooks.
The Gram 17 is sturdy and durable, having passed seven military-grade tests for durability. The magnesium alloy chassis gives it a lot of strength and keeps weight to a minimum.
Onboard, there is a full layout backlit keyboard with a number pad. The keys are large and comfortable for longer typing hours. There is a fingerprint reader on the power button for quick logging in and authentication.
Processor
The laptop features a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor with Iris Plus graphics, providing plenty of power for everyday tasks and 1080p gaming. The CPU supports 4K content creation and photo editing, allowing you to see your work on a bigger screen.
Like most ultrabooks, Gram 17 comes with 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD and 16GB memory. The laptop provides power and speed in its compact and lightweight form factor.
Display
LG Gram 2020 comes with a widescreen IPS display featuring a 16:10 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1600 resolution. See more content without scrolling and focus on improving your productivity. The screen has 177 PPI, which means sharp and crisp images.
Connectivity
LG Gram 17 (2020) supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for reliable wireless connections. Onboard, a Thunderbolt 3 port supports 40Gbps data transfer, power delivery, and up to 5K video passthrough.
- 1 x Thunderbolt 3
- 1 x HDMI
- 3 x USB 3.1
- 1 x microSD
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
For a 17-inch laptop weighing less than 3 pounds, that’s phenomenal. The LG Gram 17 ticks in everything from portability to power. The Ice Lake processor performs excellently in daily productivity tasks and even gaming. Content creators will appreciate the ample screen space and TB3 port, allowing them to hook an eGPU for extra graphical power. It’s an outstanding ultraportable with most of the specs you can expect in 2020.
- Incredibly lightweight for a 17-inch laptop
- Large, sharp display
- Excellent performance for daily tasks
- Thunderbolt 3 port
- Outstanding battery life
- Not the best touchpad
5. Apple MacBook Pro 16-Inch
The MacBook Pro 16-inch is the best 16:10 aspect ratio laptop for photo editing and video editing because of many reasons. It supports a wide P3 color gamut and comes with a dedicated Radeon graphics card.
For a long time, Apple has been using the 16 by 10 aspect ratio on their MacBook line. The MacBook Pro 16-inch is a winning choice for content creation and multimedia.
Design
The MacBook Pro 16-inch sports the same design as all Mac notebooks. The aluminum chassis makes it feel premium while providing maximum strength to withstand hurdles of everyday life. It is available in two finishes; silver and space gray.
It measures 0.64 x 14.09 x 9.38 inches (HWD) and 4.3 pounds heavy. However, the weight makes it the heaviest in this roundup. That’s not surprising since it ships with a dedicated GPU.
The keyboard is backlit and sees Apple revert to the scissor-switch type. But despite its large size, there is still no number pad. Onboard you get a large tracking pad that supports multitouch gestures and pressure-sensitive drawing.
Processor
MacBook Pro 16 features a 9th generation Intel Core i9 processor with UHD Graphics 630. It’s a powerful 8-core processor running at 2.3GHz and up to 4.8GHz with Turbo Boost. If you don’t want more power, Apple offers a base model with the Core i7 processor.
The dedicated GPU alone makes this the best MacBook you can buy if you want more power for photo editing and video editing. There is 16GB RAM onboard and 1TB SSD storage.
Display
The display is a 16-inch Retina with IPS panel and 3072 x 1920 resolution. That is 226 PPI, which displays detailed images and text. It’s the most immersive display you can get with vibrant colors and a large workspace for productivity.
MacBook Pro 16-inch supports P3 wide color gamut that delivers vivid and realistic images. With 500 nit brightness, you can see your drawings and content in their true colors, even outdoors.
Connectivity
Like all MacBooks, you only get Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack. It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity.
- 4 x Thunderbolt 3 ports
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
Apple MacBook Pro 16 is a winning choice for professionals. It comes with powerful hardware that can handle everything you throw at it, whether 3D modeling, 4K video rendering, or compiling code. It is plenty of power on a portable computer. The image quality is impressive, and you get a large screen for work and entertainment.
- Superior performance with dedicated GPU
- Immersive Retina display
- Four Thunderbolt ports
- Improved keyboard
- Wide color gamut
- RAM and SSD soldered
6. ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 – Mobile Workstation with 16:10 Aspect Ratio
ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 is another powerful, yet portable 16:10 laptop for creative professionals. It comes with a dedicated NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 that provides all the power you need for content creation.
Made for design professionals, StudioBook Pro 17 has an ISV (Independent Software Vendor) certification, which ensures it works seamlessly with leading software for graphics design such as Adobe suite and AutodeskDesign
This mobile workstation comes with a thin and lightweight design. It has narrow bezels that allow Asus to fit the 17-inch screen in a chassis the size of 15 inches laptops. It has a 180 degrees hinge, which is handy when collaborating or sharing designs with clients.
It is not the lightest laptop at 5.27 pounds, but not heavy either to carry around. You can create and stay productive just about anywhere.
The ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 features a full-size keyboard with 1.4mm key travel and multiple privacy hotkeys. ASUS includes an innovative LED-illuminated numeric keypad on the tracking pad for quick data entry.
Processor
An Intel Xeon E-2276M six-core processor powers the StudioBook Pro 17 with dedicated Quadro RTX 3000 graphics. Its powerful hardware optimized for performance and stability. You won’t experience any lag, even when rendering 3D models or high-definition videos.
Onboard there is 32GB memory and 2TB PCIe NVMe solid-state drive, providing speeds and fast loading times. The RAM and SSD are both upgradeable should you need more memory and storage space.
Display
ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 comes with a 17-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) display with a tall 16:10 aspect ratio. It has wide viewing angles and an anti-glare coating to reduce reflections and eye fatigue.
The color reproduction is perfect for creative professionals. The display covers 97 percent DCI-P3 color gamut with an 8-bit color depth. It’s a color-accurate panel that lets you create and print images in their true colors.
Connectivity
Onboard you get the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity. The laptop comes with a Thunderbolt 3 port that supports DisplayPort and 40Gbps transfer speeds. You also get an SD card reader, which is handy for creators and photographers.
- 1 x Thunderbolt 3
- 3 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A
- 1 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x SD 4.0 / UHS-II Card reader (312MB/s)
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 is an outstanding mobile workstation for creative pros. The Xeon processor and Quadro RTX graphics can handle all of your creative needs, including 3D rendering. It has a large Pantone-validated display with excellent color accuracy out of the box. StudioBook Pro 17 can handle everything in the creative world.
- Excellent color accuracy
- Solid video editing performance
- More screen real estate with 16:10
- The innovative touch number pad
- The keyboard could be better.
7. Huawei MateBook 13 Signature Edn. Laptop – Value 3:2 Aspect Ratio Laptop
The Huawei MateBook line has the best value-packed notebooks in the market. Huawei MateBook 13 comes with a very portable design, more processing power, and a taller 3:2 display.
Few laptops can match Apple-esque design and premium look, but Huawei’s MateBook is getting better and better. The MateBook 13 is an excellent alternative to the Apple MacBook Air and comes with even better specs, especially the display and keyboard.
Design
Huawei MateBook 13 is a winning choice in terms of portability. It’s a lightweight notebook with a 14.9 mm slim chassis and weighing only 2.86 lbs. This ultrabook feels and looks premium thanks to its carefully crafted corners. It is available in mystic silver or space gray, like most Mac notebooks.
Opening the lid reveals the narrow 4.4 mm bezels, providing an 88% screen-to-body ratio, and the backlit keyboard with chiclet keys. Huawei integrated a fingerprint scanner on the power button that directly logs you into Windows when powering your system.
Processor
Huawei MateBook 13 has an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB solid-state drive. The U-series Whiskey Lake CPU has integrated Intel UHD Graphics and speeds up to 3.90 GHz with Turbo Boost.
MateBook 13 uses a low-power processor in favor of battery life. Huawei promises up to 10 hours up time for 1080p video playback. While the actual life depends on different factors, the specs on paper make it an excellent choice for use on-the-go.
Display
Onboard is a 13-inch IPS display running 2160 x 1440 resolution. It’s a very sharp and crisp display with 200 PPI and wide viewing angles.
Color reproduction is excellent with 100 percent sRGB, perfect for editing images for the web. It has a standard 300-nit brightness, which isn’t the best compared to 400 nits on the MacBook Air.
The display supports multi-touch with impressive high-precision and responsivity. Huawei includes an anti-fingerprint coating to prevent smudges and smears. Whether taking notes or editing images, just a slight touch is enough.
Connectivity
Huawei MateBook 13 supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5 or wireless connectivity. It has two USB-C ports with one supporting fast charging and data, and the other support DisplayPort Alt-Mode for external displays.
However, the USB Type-C ports have a 5Gbps bandwidth, instead of 10Gbps, and do not support Thunderbolt 3.- 2 x USB-C
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
Huawei MateBook 13 is a classy and premium laptop with a lot of power for daily productivity tasks. It has an impressive all-around performance perfect for productivity and portability. The MateBook is the only laptop lineup that comes close to the MacBook design. Huawei needs to improve the battery performance, and this will be the daily driver for many users.
- Great value
- Sharp, vibrant display
- Lightweight and elegant design
- Impressive performance for everyday tasks
- Does not support Thunderbolt 3
- A full 10Gbps bandwidth would’ve been better
8. Google Pixel Slate – Chrome OS Tablet with 3:2 Aspect Ratio
Google Pixel Slate is an excellent tablet running Chrome OS that can easily transition to a laptop. It sports a lightweight design and a 3:2 aspect ratio perfect for working on the go. It is not the most powerful tablet you can buy, but it provides excellent value for its price.
The onboard 48Wh battery provides up to 10 hours of life with support for fast charging. A 15 minutes charge can give you up to 2 hours of battery life.
Add the Google Pixel Slate Keyboard, and you have a standard laptop to complete your productivity tasks. You can also connect USB-C monitors, keyboard, and mouse for a full desktop setup.
Design
The tablet comes with a sturdy aluminum chassis and a reinforced display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It has a midnight blue finish that fits in most environments. Pixel Slate includes two front-firing speakers for multimedia and video conferencing with friends and colleagues.
The Pixel Slate weighs 1.6 pounds and measures 11.45 x 7.95 x 0.27 inches (LWH). It’s very portable and lightweight, perfect for traveling and use on-the-go.
Processor
The Pixel Slate comes with an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB solid-state drive. It has superior performance for a table, allowing seamless multitasking without a dip in performance.
Google offers options with Core i5 or Core M3 if you’re on a budget. Both models come with a 3:2 aspect ratio, so you’re not missing out on the best display.
Display
Pixel Slate features a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with a 3000 x 2000 resolution. It has 293 PPI providing sharp pictures and crisp text. Books and documents look real on the 3:2 aspect ratio, while split-screen lets you multitask with ease.
The Pixel Slate covers 72 percent NTSC for accurate and vivid colors. It delivers impressive color reproduction like most full range laptops in the market.
Connectivity
Onboard there is Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless connectivity. Sad that the Pixel uses last generation standards in 2020, considering other tablets like the iPad Pro got Wi-Fi 6 upgrade.
In terms of ports, there are two USB-C that support power delivery, 4K video passthrough, and data transfer.
- 2 x USB-C
Google Pixel Slate is an impressive tablet with an excellent 3:2 display for portability. It’s very lightweight and portable, perfect for traveling. It ships with a powerful processor for its class, but Google needs to include updated specs. Overall it performs great, and you can turn it into a laptop with the Pixel Slate Keyboard, sold separately.
- Lightweight for portability
- Great hardware
- Best value
- Does not come with a keyboard
9. ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga – 2-in-1 Laptop with 3:2 Aspect Ratio
ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is a new flagship laptop from Lenovo with all the muscles to rival the best 2-in-1 laptops in the market. With an Intel EVO badge, the X1 Titanium Yoga delivers outstanding performance, vibrant display, near-instant responsiveness, and longer battery life in a thin and light chassis.
ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is the first Lenovo laptop with a 3:2 aspect ratio. With its convertible design and taller touchscreen display, the X1 Titanium Yoga is fully optimized for tablet use.
Design
One of the features that make the X1 Titanium Yoga standout from the other convertible laptops in the market is its rare titanium build. Unlike other laptops made with aluminum, magnesium, or plastic, Lenovo’s new 2-in-1 laptop is built with titanium, allowing Lenovo to fit it in an incredibly 11.5mm thin chassis, making it the thinnest ThinkPad yet.
Don’t let its thin design fool you. This laptop is tougher and ultra-durable, meeting the MIL-STD 810G standards.The X1 Titanium Yoga is also lighter at 2.54 lbs, making it easy to hold it with one hand in tablet mode. With up to 11.7 hours of battery life, you’re getting a true tablet experience with the option of using it in a standard laptop mode.
However, the keyboard deck and bottom of the laptop are made with a combination of carbon and magnesium. The keyboard has white LED backlighting and 1.35 mm of travel. You get the trademark ThinkPad TrackPoint and hepatic feedback TrackPad with mouse buttons.
Elsewhere, there are two upward-firing speakers with Dolby Atmos, four 360 degrees mics, and a 720p camera with support for Windows Hello. You can also easily log in to your system with the integrated fingerprint reader.
Processor
ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is available in different models, with the entry-level model featuring an i5-1130G7 Tiger Lake processor, 8GB memory, and 256GB PCIe storage. That is great for everyday use and light productivity tasks. If you need more power, you can upgrade to the Core i7 model with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage.
All models are powered by Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which ensures excellent picture quality while providing enough graphical power for content creation and 1080p gaming.
Display
ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga has a pixel-perfect 13.5-inch touchscreen display with a 2K (2256 x 1504) resolution and Dolby Vision. It’s a very bright display at 450 nits, making colors pop when watching videos and movies. With 100% sRGB coverage, you’re getting accurate and vibrant colors.
The screen has an anti-reflective layer, which reduces reflections when using the laptop outdoors. Its bright display also ensures excellent performance in bright rooms. That means you use the ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga just about anywhere. You can retouch photos at the coffee shop, take notes in class, or binge-watch your favorite Netflix show at night.
Connectivity
ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga supports the latest connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1. Wi-Fi 6 gives impressive wireless speeds in crowded places such as airports and hotels. For ports, there are two Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 and an audio jack. No USB Type-A ports.
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo
With its thin and light design combined with the taller 3:2 touch display, ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga delivers a true tablet experience that will make you forget you’re holding a fully-loaded PC. It ticks all the boxes of a flagship laptop with powerful hardware, vibrant display, and latest-gen connectivity that deserves its premium price.
- Thin and lightweight
- Sharp and colorful display with Dolby Vision
- Powerful hardware
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6
- Excellent tablet experience
- No USB Type-A ports
10. ASUS ZenBook S (11th Gen) – 3:2 Aspect Ratio Laptop for Editing
The refreshed ASUS ZenBook S (11th Gen) is one of the best all-around laptops available in the market. Its PANTONE Validated 3.3K display with a 3:2 aspect ratio produces super accurate colors for high-end color-critical work while giving you more vertical screen real estate to show more text and lines at once.
If you want to replace your MacBook Pro or Dell XPS, there is no better option than the new ZenBook S. It has better I/O and the best display available in the market right now.
Design
The ZenBook S flaunts some good looks with its black finish and gold accents, which Asus calls “red copper.” The top surface sports the eye-catching ZenBook design with concentric circles around the golden Asus logo. It’s an attractive and subtle design that won’t look out of place in a business setting.
Beneath the impressive finish is a robust metal chassis made from magnesium and aluminum alloy. It’s well built and stronger. While the ZenBook S ticks all the boxes of a portable laptop, it is not the lightest at 1.35 kg (2.98 lbs).
Another excellent feature with the design is Ergolift, which lifts the laptop base when you open the lid, raising the keyboard slightly to offer a more comfortable typing experience.
The keyboard is great for the most part and offers decent key travel. With LED backlighting, you can easily use the laptop in dark environments. The TrackPad, on the other hand, features the integrated NumberPad functionality like most ZenBooks, which makes it easy to input numbers when typing.
Processor
The ZenBook S is built on the Evo platform delivering an outstanding performance powered by the latest Tiger Lake processor. This model (UX393EA-XB77T) comes with a Core i7-1165G7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. It’s an ideal hardware combination for pro users who demand more power with no compromises.
The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics gives you the power you need for photo and video editing. With Thunderbolt 4 ports, you can accelerate the graphical power with a desktop-class GPU to handle more demanding tasks using an eGPU enclosure. With all this power, the ZenBook S still manages a decent battery life of 12 hours.
Display
The display on the ZenBook S is ideal for content creation and high-end graphical design work. The 3.3K (3300 x 2200) resolution at 13.9 inches produces a sharp 285 PPI display that allows you to see even the subtle details and highlights when editing.
The increased vertical screen space with the 3:2 aspect ratio allows you to fit more timelines and content when editing to reduce scrolling.
Another feature that makes the ZenBook S ideal for editing is color accuracy. The panel outmatches the competition in the market with 100% DCI-P3, 133% sRGB, and 500 nits display. It is an overall better display than the MacBook Pro. With Pantone validation, you can use the ZenBook S for professional, color-critical work.
Connectivity
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4
- 1 x HDMI 1.4
- 1 x Micro SD card reader
It’s good to see HDMI and USB Type-A ports alongside the Thunderbolt 4 ports. It’s a combination we don’t see very often in the latest ultrabooks.
Our TakeIf you’re looking for an excellent laptop for editing and graphics work and don’t want to spend more money on the 16-inch MacBook, the ZenBook S is what you need. This refreshed model packs more power and comes with one of the best displays in the market, ideal for color-critical tasks. Its attractive looks and lightweight design make editing on-the-go more fun.
- Outstanding color accuracy
- Great power for multitasking, editing, and gaming
- Attractive, subtle design
- Great selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4
- Decent battery life
- Lacking fingerprint reader
- No audio jack
11. Lenovo IdeaPad S540 – Versatile 16:10 Aspect Ratio Laptop
Lenovo IdeaPad S540 is an excellent laptop with a 16:10 aspect ratio perfect for work and play. Lenovo IdeaPad isn’t the most popular laptop brand from Lenovo compared to ThinkPads and Legion gaming laptops. However, it’s among the best consumer brands where you will find entry-level notebooks, gaming, and 2-in-1 laptops.
Lenovo updated the IdeaPad S540 with a taller 16:10 aspect ratio some time back, and now it’s getting the latest AMD Ryzen 4000 Series processors. It has a lot of power for daily use and lightweight gaming.
Design
From the outside, the S540 looks premium with excellent aesthetics. It has an all-aluminum build quality and light-grey finish. Lenovo managed to keep the weight around 2.9 lbs, perfect for portability. The laptop measures 12.1 x 8.3 x 0.63 inches fitting perfectly in most backpacks and laptop bags.
Opening the lid reveals the white backlit keyboard with two brightness levels. IdeaPad S540 has shallow keys with short stroke and a slightly rounded bottom shape. The touchpad is of average size and performs well in everyday use.
Processor
The IdeaPad S540-13ARE is available with AMD Ryzen 5 4600U and AMD Ryzen 7 4800U processors. The latter provides base speeds of 1.8GHz and up to 4.2GHz with Turbo Boost. Onboard there is up to 16GB of memory, soldered, and 512GB PCIe solid-state drive.
IdeaPad S540-13IML, on the other hand, has a 10th generation Intel Core i7-10510U processor with 1.8GHz base speeds and up to 4.9GHz with Turbo Boost. This model features soldered 8GB RAM and 256GB PCIe SSD for storage. Both models have integrated graphics.
Display
Lenovo IdeaPad S540 comes with a 13.3-inch IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1600 resolution. It’s a sharp display with 227PPI pixel density and 300 nits brightness. Whether reading documents, browsing the web, or coding, IdeaPad S540’s crisper display is soft for your eyes.
The laptop covers 100 percent of sRGB color gamut, so you get decent color reproduction for vibrant images. It is an excellent panel for image and video editing, with plenty of vertical space for your editing apps.
Connectivity
Lenovo IdeaPad S540 supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. It has two USB-C ports that support power and video, a USB legacy port, and a headphone combo jack.
- 2 x USB-C
- 1 x USB-A 3.1 (Gen 1)
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
Lenovo IdeaPad S540 is an excellent laptop featuring the taller 16:10 displays. It features the latest CPUs from AMD and Intel. Although the AMD version isn’t available in the US, the Intel alternative provides a lot of power for everyday use. With a sharp and vibrant display, the IdeaPad S540 is an excellent laptop for productivity and even light gaming.
- Powerful for everyday use
- Sharp, taller display
- Accurate colors
- Durable and lightweight design
- Backlit keyboard
- Soldered RAM not upgradeable
12. Razer Book 13 – 16:10 Productivity Laptop with Thunderbolt 4
We all know Razer by their portable yet powerful gaming laptops, but it looks like they have dropped a worthy opponent to the MacBook and Dell XPS. Razer debuted a productivity laptop with a 16:10 aspect ratio and Thunderbolt 4, based on Intel’s Evo Platform, to take on the best ultraportable and work-focused laptops in the market. Intel Evo Platform promises fast overall performance with better power efficiency, next-gen connectivity, and responsiveness.
Book 13 brings speed and high-performance, allowing you to multitask like a pro for improved productivity. Thanks to Evo, you can wake up your Book 13 in less than a second to resume work, maintain connectivity when in sleep mode, or take it with you wherever you go. The battery can last up to 14 hours or provide 4 hours of use with just a 30mins charge.
Design
The new Razer Book 13 brings the same design profile and aesthetics as the Razer Blade and Blade Stealth series. It’s very thin and lightweight. At only 2.9 lbs, the Book 13 makes a perfect productivity laptop for portability. It’s made from CNC anodized aluminum, which ensures maximum strength to withstand the daily rigor without compromising on weight or portability. With its impressively thin bezels, Razer managed to put a 720p webcam for video conferencing and quick login using Windows Hello.
If you open the lid, you get the beautiful per-key RGB keyboard powered by Razer Chroma. With individually lit keys, you’re only limited by your imagination.
Processor
Book 13 is based on the Intel Evo Platform, meaning it comes with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processors. There are three models of the Razer Book 13. Two with Intel Core i7-1165G7 and an affordable option with Intel Core i5-1135G7. The i5 model has 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, while the i7s provide 16GB RAM and up to 512GB SSD storage. All models come with integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics.
Only the Core i7s support the Evo Platform. With Intel 11th gen processors, you get native support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6 for next-gen connectivity.Display
Razer Book 13 joins the list of best-in-class productivity laptops with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It is available in 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) non-touch, 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200) touch, and 13.4-inch 4K UHD+ (3840 x 2400) touchscreen display. All models are reinforced with corning Gorilla Glass 6 and provides up to 178° wide viewing angles. Book 13 targets professionals and multitaskers with more vertical screen space and a 60Hz refresh rate. Definitely not a gaming laptop.
Connectivity
Razer’s new productivity laptop brings next-gen connectivity with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and Thunderbolt 4. It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports that support fast charging, 40Gbps data transfers, and dual 4K60 external displays. Other ports include a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, HDMI 2.0, MicroSD slot, and a 3.5mm combo jack.
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4
- 1 x HDMI 2.0
- 1 x USB 3.1 Gen1
- 1 x MicroSD
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
The new Razer Book 13 is a powerful business laptop that you can take with you wherever you go. It’s one of the few EVO laptops with a 16:10 aspect ratio. With the EVO Platform’s performance and efficiency combined with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, Razer Book 13 makes the perfect productivity laptop to buy.
- Intel Evo Platform
- Compact and lightweight
- Solid build quality
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
- Per-key RGB keyboard
- Excellent battery life and quick charge
- No dedicated GPU
13. Dell Precision 5550 Workstation 15-inch – Budget Workstation with 16:10 Aspect Ratio
The new Dell Precision 5550 Workstation is another mobile workstation with a 16:10 aspect ratio. According to Dell, it’s the world’s thinnest and smallest 15-inch mobile workstation. Let’s see how the Precision 5550 fares against the powerful and more expensive ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 and if it is a worthy budget alternative to consider.
One of the best features advertised about this mobile workstation is the “Dell Optimizer.” It’s a built-in AI software that optimizes the system performance and applications by learning about the way you work. It won’t produce astounding performance uplift, but it’s a great way to boost application performance, battery run time, and audio experience.
Design
The Precision 5550 Workstation is incredibly thin and light for a laptop of its class. The 4.06 lbs base weight is great for portability, though it could be more if you choose a bigger battery. Aesthetically, the Precision 5550 Workstation is a win. It comes with narrow bezels and a sleek carbon fiber finish on the palm rest. The machine aluminum chassis makes the Precision 5550 Workstation feel very premium.
While the touchpad here lacks the innovative LED-illuminated NumberPad like on the StudioBook Pro 17, it’s very large and responsive. Think of the MacBooks. Onboard you get a simple backlit keyboard with 1.3mm travel distance and Windows Hello fingerprint scanner and webcam. The Precision 5550 has great aesthetics and sound quality, but the StudioBook Pro 17 is better in functionality.
Processor
The new Precision 5550 15-inch offers two 10th generation Intel Core CPU options. The affordable has a Core i5-10400H processor, while the high-end options offer a Core i7-10750H. However, you get weaker GPU options compared to the StudioBook Pro 17. The powerful model has an NVIDIA Quadro T2000, which lacks RT Cores (ray tracing) and Tensor Cores. You can upgrade to the 17-inch model with Quadro RTX 3000 if you want those advanced features.
Display
The display is a 15.6-inch FHD+, 1920×1200, non-touch with 100% sRGB coverage and 16 by 10 aspect ratio. It has superb color accuracy, perfect for designers and creative pros. With PremiereColor, you can adjust many display settings to match your preference and set different color spaces to different applications. Alternatively, you can select the 4K UHD+ (3840×2400) touch model with HDR400 and 100% AdobeRGB for even better colors and clarity.
Connectivity
The only downside with the new Precision 5550 is the lack of Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. But you get two Thunderbolt 3 ports, USB-C, SD card slot, and 3.5mm audio jack. There is a USB-A and HDMI dongle included. The Precision 5550 also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3
- 1 x USB-C
- 1 x MicroSD
- 1 x 3.5mm Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
The new Dell Precision 5550 Workstation (15-inch) is a great affordable mobile workstation with a 16:10 aspect ratio. It’s a perfect alternative to the ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 if you want portability and great value for the money. The hardware included is great for most users, but for high-end modeling and simulation work, the StudioBook Pro 17 is still a better option.
- Great build quality and aesthetics
- Robust security features
- A bright and color-accurate 4K option
- Excellent battery life
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Wi-Fi 6
- Weaker GPUs
14. HP Spectre x360 14 (EVO) – 3:2 Laptop with OLED Display
HP updated the go-to 2-in-1 convertible laptop, HP Spectre x360, with a 3:2 aspect ratio making it an excellent option for productivity on the go. This new model features the Intel EVO Platform, delivering amazing performance for multitasking, work, and gaming powered by the latest 11th gen Intel processor and Intel Xe graphics.
With EVO, you get exceptional responsiveness, instant wake, real-world long battery life, vibrant display (this model has an OLED panel, the best you can get), and lightning-fast connectivity with Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6.
Design
The model featured in this roundup is the HP Spectre x360 14-ea0023dx, which has an OLED panel. It is available only in a nightfall black with rose gold accents around the edges and the HP logo. It’s made from aluminum and has the usual cutout design at the hinges, allowing it to stand out from other ultraportable notebooks. The hinge rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to use the laptop in four positions.
In terms of weight, the Spectre x360 14-ea0023dx is not the lightest at 3 pounds, but still decent for portability. HP added some great features on the keyboard, including a fingerprint scanner, camera shutter key, and a dedicated key to open the HP command center. Talking of the keyboard, you get a full-size backlit keyboard that comfortable to type on in most environments. It has a large and responsive glass trackpad, so there is nothing to complain about with the design.
The package includes a protective sleeve, a rechargeable HP pen, and a 65W USB-C adapter with a braided cable. The pen attaches magnetically on the sides, and you can also slot it on the sleeve, so there are minimal chances of losing it. Other features to note include the Bang & Olufsen quad speakers.
Processor
The Spectre x360 14-ea0023dx is fully spec’d out with an Intel Core i7-1165G7 quad-core processor, Intel Xe graphics, 16GB memory, 1TB NVMe SD storage for fast read/write speeds, and extra 32GB Intel Optane memory. That’s a lot of power for just about anything, from multitasking to video editing and gaming.
You can now play AAA games at 1080p with low settings in a thin and light laptop, thanks to the impressive integrated Xe graphics.HP claims the 14-ea0023dx provides up to 10 hours of battery life with mixed usage and 12 hours of video playback. Of course, you can get more battery life if you choose a less powerful processor or non-OLED display.
Display
The laptop features a 13.5-inch OLED display with a 3K2K (3000 x 2000) resolution, a 3:2 aspect ratio, and up to 400nits. It’s very sharp and bright with vibrant colors. The laptop covers 100% DCI-P3, producing really accurate colors for media consumption and content creation. The OLED panel is lovely to look at, delivering deeper blacks, saturated colors, and high contrast ratio for a more immersive viewing experience.
Connectivity
This laptop has the latest connectivity standards, including Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5. It’s fully future proof. The Thunderbolt 4 ports support charging, 40Gbps transfer speeds, and can drive dual 4k or a single 8k display.
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4
- 1 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A (10Gbps)
- 1 x Headphone/microphone combo
The Spectre x360 14-ea0023dx is an outstanding 2-in-1 laptop for productivity. Its exquisite design, vibrant OLED panel, taller 3:2 screen, and powerful hardware makes it one of the best laptops you can buy for work and play. It’s based on the EVO platform, so you can have peace of mind knowing you’re getting a laptop with powerful hardware, ultra-fast connectivity, stunning visuals, and longer battery life.
- Vibrant OLED display
- Outstanding performance (including gaming)
- Ultra-fast connectivity with Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6
- Exquisite, versatile design
- Included rechargeable pen and protective sleeve
- Powerful audio by
- Not easily upgradeable
- No HDMI port
Choosing the Best 16:10 and 3:2 Aspect Ratio Laptop – 11 Factors to Consider
These are the things to consider when choosing the best laptop with a 16:10 or 3:2 aspect ratio.
Aspect Ratio
There are two types of taller aspect ratios. 16:10 and 3:2. The 3:2 aspect ratio is the tallest out of the two and has more vertical screen real estate than 16:10. On the other hand, laptops with a 16:10 aspect ratio have more vertical screen space than the standard 16:9 aspect ratio.
Which one is best depends on your needs.
If you’re regularly working with word documents, spreadsheets, browsing, or coding, you’ll benefit more from a 3:2 aspect ratio laptop.
Putting the two aspect ratios into the test, Andrew E. Freedman of Tom’s Hardware confirms a 3:2 display showed seven more rows of code than a 16:9 screen compared to only four more on the 16:10 display.
The 16:10 aspect ratio is excellent if you’re looking for a taller display that’s also good for watching high-resolution videos and movies.
For instance, the Dell XPS and ASUS ZenBook S (11th Gen) are available in a 4K+(3840×2400) resolution, meaning they can display a true 4K video, albeit letterboxed.
The highest resolution available on a 3:2 aspect ratio laptop (*at the time of publishing) is 3.3K (3300×2200), which cannot display a true 4K video.
Therefore, both 3:2 and 16:10 aspect ratios have more vertical space than the mainstream 16:9 laptops, but each has its advantages over the other.
Type: Clamshell or 2-in-1
If you intend to use the laptop as a tablet, a 2-in-1 convertible is the best way for you. 2-in-1s are versatile and flexible. You can use them in a traditional clamshell mode or a tablet mode, great for taking notes, drawing, sketching, and everything you can do on a tablet.
HP Spectre x360 14 (EVO), with a 3:2 aspect ratio, is the best 2-in-1 laptop you can get in the market.
But if you don’t have any plans of using your laptop as a tablet, you’ll be better off with a traditional clamshell laptop. You can get a clamshell laptop with a touch screen and enjoy some of the benefits that tablets offer.
Dell XPS 13 9300 (Amazon Link) is a great all-around clamshell with a taller 16:10 aspect ratio. Perfect for those who want touchscreen capabilities. If you’re on a budget, the Acer Swift 3 (Amazon Link) with a 3:2 screen is a good choice.
Size
Laptops with 16:10 and 3:2 aspect ratios are available in different sizes.
13-inch laptops offer the perfect mix of portability and usability. CES 2021 revealed newer 14-inch laptops with taller aspect ratios that fit perfectly in the portability realm. These smaller laptops are great if you’re always on the go or commuting to work daily.
LG recently updated their Gram laptops with a 16:10 aspect ratio, making the LG Gram 14-inch (Amazon Link) the best 16:10 laptop for portability option at 2.2lbs.
If you need more space to work on and don’t move very often, a 15.6-inch or 16-inch laptop can be the best for you. Laptops in this category offer more space for multitasking and have tolerable weight. Not the lightest, but they won’t break your back either.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro (Amazon Link) is the gold standard if you want a bigger 16:10 laptop. If you’re keen on portability, the new LG Gram 16-inch (Amazon Link) offers a large, taller 16:10 display while weighing only 2.62lbs. Incredible.
And there are the massive 17-inch laptops. These laptops are better suited for workstation-level work and high-end gaming. And yes, there are big 17-inch laptops with taller aspect ratios.
The ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro 17 is the best 17-inch laptop with a 16:10 aspect ratio for workstation and demanding work. If for some reason, you need a portable 17-inch laptop with a taller aspect ratio, the LG Gram 17-inch (Amazon Link) is the only option available.
Processor
The best laptops of 2021 feature the latest 11th Intel processors, specifically the Intel EVO Platform. These laptops provide more power with 11th gen processors, which include native support for Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6.
If you’ve to go low, 10th gen processors still offer impressive performance and are worth considering. But don’t any lower than that. We are in 2021, remember.
The right type of processor depends on how much you’re willing to spend and your needs. You don’t need a Core i7 processor for browsing, working with spreadsheets, or watching movies. You can spend that money somewhere else.
We recommend minimum specs of Core i5 or Ryzen 5 CPU processor when buying a laptop in 2021. If you want a laptop for demanding tasks such as video editing and high-end gaming, a Core i7 is the best for you.
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (Amazon Link) remains the go-to laptop for high-end professional work such as video editing with a Core i9-9880H processor. If you’re on a budget, the Acer Swift 3 (Amazon Link) with a Core i5-1035G4 CPU is a great alternative.
Graphics
If you don’t do graphics demanding tasks such as video editing, AAA gaming, or 3D modeling, the integrated graphics on the CPU work just fine. Surprising enough, the Iris Xe Graphics available in the 11th gen processors can support FHD AAA gaming, albeit on medium or lower settings.
16:10 and 3:2 aspect ratio laptops with 11th gen Intel processors, such as the ASUS ZenBook S (11th Gen) [Amazon Link], offer excellent graphics performance with the integrated graphics chip.
Of course, if you need more graphics power for high-end editing work and demanding games, you’ll want a laptop with dedicated graphics, such as the MacBook.
You have the option of external GPUs on laptops with Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 port. Don’t despair if you buy a laptop with no discrete graphics.
Storage/RAM
8GB of memory is the minimum you should look out for on any laptop. If you’re looking for a 16:10 or 3:2 laptop for demanding work and multitasking, 16GB is the sweet spot.
For storage, SSD is a must if you want those fast boot times and faster transfer speeds. Some laptops combine a 256GB SSD for the operating system and a 512GB or 1TB HDD to store other files.
Note that some laptops come with non-upgradeable storage, so make sure you get the right storage for your future needs. A 512GB SSD is the sweet spot to store the OS and personal files and media.
Display
A higher resolution is better as it results in sharper, detailed picture quality. With higher resolution, you also get more screen real estate to display more apps and windows, great for multitasking.
FHD+ (1920×1200) is the common resolution available in entry-level 16:10 aspect ratio laptops. It’s the minimum resolution we recommend if buying a new, taller laptop in 2021.
You can get even sharper visuals with higher resolutions, such as 3300×2200 for 3:2 and UHD+ (3840×400) in 16:10 displays. However, hi-res displays consume more battery power.
Other factors that make a good display include color reproduction and brightness. The best 16:10 and 3:2 aspect ratio laptops have at least 99 percent sRGB coverage and 300nits brightness or more.
If your budget allows it, a combination of P3 color gamut and OLED panel makes the best display you can get on a laptop. OLED laptops such as the HP Spectre x360 14 (EVO) offer outstanding picture quality with true blacks and vibrant colors.
Keyboard
Tactile feedback, plenty of key travel, and LED backlighting make the perfect keyboard. Backlighting allows you to use the laptop even in a dimly lit environment, while tactile feedback and good key travel allow for a comfortable typing experience.
You also want to look for enough space between the keys to avoid hitting the wrong key when typing.
ThinkPads have always had the best keyboards. They include a TrackPoint, a good alternative for the TrackPad when in the field. You don’t want to use the TrackPad while wearing hard gloves.
The ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga is the only 3:2 ThinkPad in the market. A new refresh of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon will also be available later this year.
Connectivity
Thunderbolt 3 has become mainstream, and newer laptops with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity have started to appear in the market.
Thunderbolt ports provide a universal experience allowing you to use a single port for charging, data transfer, and connecting external displays. If you’re buying a new monitor in 2021, we highly suggest getting one with Thunderbolt ports or USB-C if you’re on a budget.
Fortunately, most of the 16:10 and 3:2 aspect ratio laptops come with Type-C ports. If you want peace of mind when buying a laptop, look for an Intel EVO badge. EVO laptops natively support Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6.
Besides Type-C ports, having extra USB-A ports, video ports such as HDMI, SD Card, and headphone jacks can breathe life to your old USB devices and monitors. We know Thunderbolt 3/4 is the future, but come on, how many Type-C devices do you actually have?
While most 14-inch and smaller laptops don’t come with legacy ports anymore, some like the ASUS ZenBook S (11th Gen) [Amazon Link] still do. This laptop is incredibly thin and includes Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and USB-A ports, bridging the gap between the past and the future.
Another feature to look out for in terms of connectivity is 4G LTE or 5G support. This is especially true if you’re always on the go as you can get connected from just anywhere.
Battery Life
Longer battery life is excellent whether you’re looking for a portable 16:10 or 3:2 aspect ratio laptop for traveling or just using in the office. We recommend 8+ hours of battery life, but rest assured to get more than 9 hours of battery life if you get an EVO laptop.
The new M1 MacBook Pro (Amazon Link) has an impressive battery life of 20hours. If you’re looking for a 3:2 aspect ratio laptop instead, the ASUS ZenBook S (11th Gen) [Amazon Link] is a good choice with 12hours.
Note that the real-world battery performance may differ depending on how you use the laptop. Cranking the brightness to 100 percent, running more apps in the background, playing games, and remaining connected to the internet all day can be detrimental to battery health.
Security
Security is an essential factor to look out for in a laptop, especially if buying it for business and office use. Most laptops come with a fingerprint scanner which is recommended for robust security. You cannot fake a fingerprint.
But also look out for a webcam kill switch or camera shutter to protect yourself from the prying eyes on the internet. A webcam kill switch cuts-off power to the webcam so no one can use it to spy on you remotely.
The new HP Spectre x360 14 (EVO) implements robust security measures, including a webcam shutter, a mute mic button, and a privacy mode to dim the screen.
If you continually use your laptop at the coffee house, open office, or public places, a Kensington lock can come in handy when you’ve got to excuse yourself for some minutes. You don’t want to spend a grand only to use your laptop the next day.
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