Everyone seems to be in a race to buy the most powerful laptops with the best GPU. Here’s the deal though, not everyone will benefit from a dedicated graphics card! Especially if you’re not a heavy gamer or if you’re only looking for a laptop for casual use, getting a laptop with integrated graphics is more than enough. Laptops with integrated graphics save more power, produce less heat, and are drastically cheaper than laptops with a graphics card. We’ll also introduce you to some of the best laptops without graphics cards in 2021. The top-performing laptop without a graphics card is the Dell XPS 13. With integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics coupled with an Intel Core i7 processor, the Lenovo X1 guarantees competitive performance for your everyday work tasks and more. Despite its sleek and lightweight design, running on Windows 10 Pro OS, its powerful performance makes it an innovative laptop without a graphics card.
4 Best Laptops Without Graphics Card
Best Laptop Without Graphics Card: Dell XPS 13
With its unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative features, Dell XPS 13 is everything you’ll want in a Windows laptop and more.
1 4 Best Laptops Without Graphics Card1.1 Best Laptop Without Graphics Card: Dell XPS 131.2 Best Work and Play Laptop Without Graphics Card: Microsoft Surface Pro 71.3 Best Ultra-Portable Laptop Without Graphics Card: Lenovo X1 Nano1.4 Best Budget-Friendly Laptop Without Graphics Card: Asus Vivobook 152 What does a Graphic Card do in a Laptop?2.1 GPU vs. Graphics Card3 Can a laptop without a graphics card work?3.1 Dedicated Graphics Processing Unit4 Why should I get a laptop without a graphics card?4.1 Lower cost4.2 Less Heat Generated and Saves Power4.3 More Portable4.4 Best for casual, commercial, and office use
The Dell XPS 13 weighs 2.8 pounds with dimensions of 17.82″ x 11.64″ x 0.58″. While it’s one of the lightest and thinnest laptops today, Dell guarantees that no features or functions were sacrificed. Amazingly, even though the laptop’s 6% thinner than previous Dell models, the touchpad is 17% larger and the keycaps 9% larger. You can rest assured that the Dell XPS 13 is designed with advanced thermal engineering, complete with dual fans and heat pipes to prevent overheating. It’s hard to comprehend how such a small device can pack a punch with a 3GHz 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with a storage capacity of up to 512GB SSD and 16 GB RAM. With top-of-the-line processors and generous storage space, you can rest assured that the Dell XPS 13 can keep up with your most intensive multitasking duties. Take productivity to a whole new level with the XPS 13 ––it’s integrated with Alexa so that you can set all your reminders, appointments, and to-do lists with a simple voice command. The Dell Mobile Connect innovative feature seamlessly integrates productivity and connectivity. Achieve wireless integration between your laptop and your smartphone, as it allows users to send texts, make calls, and get notifications on their laptops. You’ll also be happy to hear that the XPS 13 comes with the powerful Iris Xe graphics card, so you won’t have trouble playing games and streaming on this laptop! Enjoy gaming, streaming, browsing, and watching your favorite shows on the stunning 13.3-inch FHD+ display. Tiny bezels surround the edges, imitating the innovative all-screen smartphones. The Dell XPS 13 features a 4K display, something that’s difficult to come by in integrated GPU laptops, let alone one that’s lightweight and has a touchscreen display. The stunning display also boasts 100% sRGB and a contrast ratio of 1500:1. With those specs, you’ll never miss even the slightest detail on your screen. Make collaborations and your viewing experience even better. The XPS 13 extends the viewing angle with an IPS panel. It doesn’t end there. The XPS 13 incorporates an anti-reflective 500-nit display to make the viewing angles even better, which is excellent for most lighting conditions. You can also flip the screen on Dell laptops, which is great for any presentations which need portrait mode. The Dell XPS doesn’t skimp on security features, either. The model comes with a fingerprint scanner and the iconic Windows Hello face recognition service, innovative ways to protect your data. The Dell XPS 13 was recognized as a CES 2018 Best of Innovation Awards honoree because of its 100% recycled casing, made from collected ocean plastics and other recycled plastics. In fact, 90% of the laptop’s parts are recyclable, a fantastic feat in the world of innovation, if you ask us!
Best Work and Play Laptop Without Graphics Card: Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a top-of-the-line laptop that offers unparalleled performance, even without a GPU. Powered with Intel Core i7 processors, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 was designed to find the perfect balance between entertainment, connectivity, and performance. The 10th Gen Intel Core processor coupled with 16 GB RAM works perfectly with the Integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics, allowing faster multitasking and stunning graphics. It also has 128GB SSD and up to 1TB cloud storage, ensuring optimal performance and fast speeds. Whether you’re working or craving some entertainment, the Microsoft Pro 7 is the perfect companion. When it’s time for business, get more done thanks to the powerful performance of the 10th Gen processors coupled with the ever-reliable productive apps: Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Teams. Reach new levels of productivity and entertainment with the many versatile ways to use the Surface Pro 7. Its innovative touchscreen capabilities allow the innovative modes: laptop, tablet, and studio. Good news for gamers: the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 guarantees immersive entertainment with detailed 1080p graphics for gaming. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 allows vivid 4K streaming, vivid 4K on select platforms, a feature most people would never imagine on a laptop without a graphics card. Thankfully, the laptop’s 12.4-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels does justice to the powerful integrated GPU. One thing’s for sure. You’ll find it hard to peel your eyes off of the Microsoft Pro 7! Without a dedicated graphics card, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is incredibly lightweight and ultra-slim! The Surface Pro series is also well-received for its quiet fan cooling system. It’s also got an average battery life of 10.5 hours, more than enough for a full day working on spreadsheets, documents, and browsing the web.
Best Ultra-Portable Laptop Without Graphics Card: Lenovo X1 Nano
Looking for the ultimate portable laptop? You don’t have to look further than the ultra-light Lenovo X1 Nano! Arguably one of the most alluring perks of getting a laptop without a graphics card is the sleek and lightweight design. The Lenovo X1 Nano doesn’t disappoint in that area –– it’s only 900 grams! Another reason why the Lenovo X1 Nano is the ultimate portable laptop is because of its long battery life. We bet you won’t find a 900-gram laptop that’ll last after 8.5 hours of multitasking! Don’t let its small size fool you, though. This small but powerful laptop runs on an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor (2.1GHZ). Another thing that might surprise you about this lightweight laptop is that it’s equipped with one of the best iGPU technologies available, Intel XE. The powerful i7 processor coupled with the Intel XE graphics is enough to quench your need for casual gaming and vivid streaming. What’s more, the Lenovo X1 Nano comes with a 2K display, a great compromise between 4K and Full HD display in such a small laptop. The 13-inch display with a resolution of 2160 x 1350 pixels might be smaller than what you’re used to, so Lenovo makes up for the difference by offering a larger vertical view with an aspect ratio of 16:10. The Lenovo X1 Nano is also equipped with a generous 16GB RAM that’s more than enough to run all your applications without any lags and system crashes. It also comes with a generous SSD storage of 512GB, a lot more than what most ultraportable laptops offer. Another thing you’ll love about the Lenovo X1 Nano is the intuitive security features. The model includes a fingerprint sensor for biometric login, which we found super responsive and accurate. Another security measure they added is the physical webcam shutter. With online meetings the norm nowadays, it’s a feature most people will find themselves reaching for. The X1 Nano also includes the ThinkPad series’ signature face-recognition feature. Surely many professionals who value protecting sensitive files will appreciate these thoughtful additions.
Best Budget-Friendly Laptop Without Graphics Card: Asus Vivobook 15
Who knew it would be possible to play games and multitask on a budget iGPU laptop? The Asus Vivobook 15 may be an unassuming laptop, but it’s a powerful laptop that gets the job done. If you’re looking for a reliable laptop for work, school, or everyday use, the Asus Vivobook ensures seamless operations for your essential work tasks thanks to its 10th Gen core i3 processor. Along with the 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD, the Asus Vivobook 15’s Intel UHD graphics card is more than enough to ensure smooth and seamless performance, especially for your basic applications, such as writing documents, editing spreadsheets, browsing, and watching videos. While Intel Core i3 and 8GB RAM might not sound impressive, rest assured that it’s more than enough for some light to medium multitasking. What’s more, you can even play games on the Asus Vivobook, including Minecraft, Fortnite, and CounterStrike. The Asus Vivobook 15 display doesn’t disappoint either. The laptop features an innovative frameless design, keeping the NanoEdge Display dimensions to a minimum. Though the laptop is compact, you get a large 15.6-inch ultra-slim bezel screen with an 88% screen-to-body ratio. Another thing worth noting with the Asus Vivobook 15 is the ErgoLift Hinge that makes it easy to angle the keyboard for a comfortable typing experience. While the touchpad isn’t the best, it’s still very responsive. Battery life lasts only 5 hours after continuous surfing and watching videos. While not the most powerful laptop without a graphics card, the Asus Vivobook is one of the best budget-friendly laptops for everyday use.
What does a Graphic Card do in a Laptop?
GPU vs. Graphics Card
While the terms “GPU” and graphics card” are often used interchangeably, the two are distinct. A graphics processing unit (GPU) uses computing technology to help your laptop quickly create and render graphics onto your screen. More powerful GPUs are primarily used for 3D applications, such as gaming, engineering, or content creation. The graphics card is an add-in board that contains the GPU, connecting the GPU to the other components of the laptop.
Can a laptop without a graphics card work?
Contrary to what most people think, not all laptops need a graphics card to function! Not many people need one, and it’s 100% possible to get work done and enjoy your favorite applications on a laptop without a graphics card. However, remember that all laptops need a graphics processing unit to render the images you see on screen. In short, you’ll need a laptop with an Integrated Graphics Processing Unit or iGPU. Integrated Graphics Processing Unit Not all laptops will incorporate the GPU in a card; instead, they’re embedded into the motherboard itself. Basically, laptops without graphics cards are called “integrated graphics processing units.” Laptops with a fully integrated GPU are thinner, lighter, consume less power, and are more affordable. The leading integrated graphics technology today are:
Intel Iris Plus Intel Iris Xe Radeon RX Vega 11
Dedicated Graphics Processing Unit
If you’re into gaming or other graphics-heavy applications like video editing or game development, you will need the power of a dedicated or discrete graphics card. Graphics cards are primarily used for heavy gaming, graphics production, ray tracing, and mining cryptocurrency. Laptops with graphics cards produce more heat and consume more energy, requiring additional cooling systems for optimal performance. This makes laptops with dedicated GPU bulkier and heavier. Graphics cards also have their own video memory or VRAM, which means that they don’t rely on your laptop’s RAM to work. This reduces laggy and choppy performance, and even frustrating system crashes.
Why should I get a laptop without a graphics card?
Admittedly, a laptop with iGPU won’t ever provide performance as powerful as a laptop with a dedicated graphics card. However, getting a laptop with a graphics card is impractical for many people, especially if gaming and 3D rendering aren’t part of your to-do list. Here are the benefits of getting a laptop without a graphics card:
Lower cost
One of the main advantages of getting a laptop without graphics card is that it’s much more affordable than a laptop with a dedicated GPU. This is mainly because your iGPU will be sharing resources with the other components in your laptop.
Less Heat Generated and Saves Power
Graphics cards are resource-hungry components that produce a lot of heat. In turn, this significantly helps save energy, a big plus if you’re looking for a travel-friendly laptop with longer battery life.
More Portable
Since laptops without graphics cards produce less heat, they don’t need comprehensive cooling systems and fans. This gives way to ultra-portable and lightweight laptops that are great for students and businesspeople.
Best for casual, commercial, and office use
The answer to whether or not a laptop without a graphics card is worth it will ultimately depend on one thing: how you’re planning to use the laptop. If you’ll only be using it for work, like editing documents and spreadsheets, your best choice is an integrated GPU. It’s also your best bet if you’ll only be browsing the web or if you want to do occasional edits on Adobe programs. If you’re just a casual gamer, good news: most integrated GPUs can now handle most 4K videos and entry-level games.
