What is the best lightweight laptop? So confused

[AbsentmindedWoman]

Not a true AIBU but tbh I do feel kind of unreasonable because I'm baffled by the sheer amount of choice out there when it comes to laptops.

Priorities are that it is as lightweight as possible, has an i5 processor and preferably 8GB RAM.

Can I get all that for £500 or no? If I'm going to have to chuck another couple hundred to the budget - then should I just bite the bullet and go for Apple? People rave on about how reliable Macbooks are.

This is where I get SO CONFUSED. I feel hesitant at the idea of spending £700+ for Acer or Lenovo, they were budget brands until a few years ago?

Just set up an HP 250 laptop weighing 2.6kg for a friend with just those specs which was £540 (usually about £580) on offer from Currys - offer has just finished but is repeated quite regularly. Dell offer a Vostro 3568 for about £550 probably a little heavier than the lightweight HP. Just be aware that many laptops nowadays come with relatively small (eg 250gb) SSD drives

What do you want to do with the laptop?
If you need Office software than that will be an extra cost on a Windows machine.
Macs are nice but in my experience are not really that much more reliable than a windows lappie and if they do malfunction can only be repaired at an authorised Mac Centre/dealer.

I have a Surface. It is super lightweight, maybe half the weight of dh's Apple Air and far less than dd's heavier Apple Pro. It was expensive when dh bought it for me three years ago but I was thinking of replacing it recently and found refurbished models were very cheap (probably sold on by a corporate office as leases are often three years).

It all depends what you need it for

A porsche 911 is better than a ford focus but its no good if you have a family of 5 to transport

My Chromebook is very light and quick but is a bit different to a Windows laptop. I really like it though. Iirc it's an Acer.

I like my ASUS, it's even survived falling in the floor multiple times. No idea what the current prices are like, but usually you can drop back a model or two for a cheaper laptop.

What do you need the laptop for, and what phone do you have? If you're used to Apple / Android then it's easier to stick with that.

Thanks, all. I don't think a Chromebook would work, not powerful enough for Adobe stuff.

2.5kg is too heavy. I have joint problems so it needs to be lightweight. I think I'll look at the Surface, it sounds really light. Really don't care if it's an older model, whatever I end up with.

I have an i3 8gb Acer that weighs about as much as an a4 notepad, however it is 14". I think you'd be hard pushed with your requirements sadly.