Top Ultrabooks: Slim, Powerful Laptops for All Needs

In today's tech landscape, the term "ultrabook" has evolved beyond Intel's original marketing concept to encompass any high-end, premium laptop that prioritizes slim design, lightweight construction, and impressive portability. An ultrabook is designed to offer top-notch productivity performance without the bulk, ensuring you can carry it effortlessly and work efficiently without constantly needing to recharge.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Ultrabooks:

Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16

0See it at Best BuySee it at Asus### Razer Blade 14

0See it at Razer### Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

0See it at Amazon### Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)

0See it at AmazonThe best ultrabooks of today are remarkably versatile, offering high performance in a compact form factor. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while maintaining exceptional efficiency and quiet operation. From budget-friendly models to powerful machines capable of handling 4K video editing, these are the top ultrabooks you can purchase right now.

Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos

19 Images1. Asus Zenbook S 16

Best Ultrabook in 2025

Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16

0The Asus Zenbook S 16 stands out as a stellar alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly portable and a pleasure to use, making it the best overall ultrabook currently available. See it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (2880 x 1880)CPUAMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370GPUAMD Radeon 890MRAM32GB LPDDR5XStorage1TB PCIe SSDWeight3.31 poundsSize13.92" x 9.57" x 0.47" - 0.51"Battery lifeAround 15 hoursPROSDual OLED screensExceptionally thin and lightOutstanding performance with all-day batteryBeautiful 3K OLED touchscreenImpressive gaming performanceCONSSome keyboard flexI tested and reviewed the Asus Zenbook S 16, and it truly embodies the essence of an ultrabook. At just 13mm thick and weighing only 3.31lbs, it's both ultra-portable and packed with features. It boasts excellent battery life, a stunning OLED display, and delivers top-tier gaming performance, surpassing even dedicated gaming devices like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. It's a comprehensive solution that sets new standards for ultrabooks.

The Zenbook S 16 excels in every aspect of being an ultrabook. Its lightweight design makes it almost unnoticeable in your bag, and its slim profile allows it to fit seamlessly into any space. Performance-wise, it stands among the best, thanks to its efficient AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, which also ensures quiet operation. Connectivity options are robust, including two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port, perfect for connecting to a great portable monitor.

The display offers a sharp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors, enhanced by OLED technology for deep blacks and a bright 500-nit screen suitable for any environment. With up to 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is the epitome of what an ultrabook should be.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13

Best Budget Ultrabook

### HP Pavilion Aero 13

0At less than $800, this laptop offers incredible value. See it at HPProduct SpecificationsDisplay13.3” 2K (1,920 x 1,200) IPSCPUAMD Ryzen 5 8840URAM16GB DDR5 6,400MHzStorage512MB NVMe SSDWeight2.2 poundsSize11.7" x 8.31" x 0.69"Battery lifeAround 12 hoursPROSGreat balance of price and performanceFast processor and ample memoryUltraportable designAll-day battery lifeCONSLimited storageFor those seeking an affordable ultrabook, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent choice. Priced under $800, it features a fast Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth performance across productivity tasks and multitasking. Its slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry all day.

Given its price point, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 offers surprising value. Its processor and memory configuration handle most tasks effectively, though it's not suited for gaming without adjusting settings. The main limitation is its 512GB storage, which might necessitate an external hard drive for additional space. However, its compact size and light weight make it an ideal companion for on-the-go productivity.

Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

### Razer Blade 14

0The Razer Blade 14 combines a stunning 240Hz QHD+ display with powerful internals, making it an ideal choice for gamers seeking portability without compromise. See it at RazerProduct SpecificationsDisplay14” QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) IPS 240HzCPUAMD Ryzen 9 8945HSGPUNvidia RTX 4070RAM16GB DDR5 5,700MHzStorage1TB NVMe SSDWeight4.05 poundsSize12.73" x 8.97" x 0.70"Battery lifeAround 9-10 hoursPROSExcellent gaming performance240Hz displayCONSShallow keyboardThe Razer Blade 14 is a rare gem that balances gaming prowess with portability. Weighing just over 4lbs and less than an inch thick, it houses impressive hardware, including an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card. This setup ensures it can handle demanding games and video editing tasks, with the added bonus of overclocking capabilities.

The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display features a 16:10 aspect ratio, offering a slightly taller screen that might take some getting used to. However, its performance is what truly stands out. With 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, it runs smoothly and supports Wi-Fi 7 for fast connectivity. Our 2024 review praised its luxurious build quality and exceptional GPU performance, though it comes at a premium price.

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

Best for Students

### Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

0This colorful laptop features a Snapdragon processor, ample memory and storage, and impressive battery life, making it perfect for students. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsDisplay13.8" (2304 x 1536)CPUSnapdragon X Plus to Snapdragon X EliteGPUQualcomm AdrenoRAM16GB - 32GB LPDDR5XStorage256GB - 1TB PCIe SSDWeight2.96 poundsSize11.85" x 8.67" x 0.69"Battery lifeUp to 20 hoursPROSGreat performanceFun color optionsLong battery lifeCONSSome apps not compatibleFor students needing a reliable and portable laptop, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 is an excellent choice. It features powerful Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors, sufficient memory and storage, and up to 20 hours of battery life. While the Surface Laptop is recommended here, the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is also highly regarded for its convertible design.

Microsoft has significantly upgraded this generation, offering more memory and storage options. Even the base model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage provides solid performance. The Snapdragon processors are power-efficient, with fast charging capabilities that can reach 80% in just one hour. The main drawback is the limited app compatibility, though Qualcomm's efforts are expanding the list of supported apps over time.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best for Business

### Asus Zenbook S 14

0This ultra-portable laptop boasts incredible battery life, snappy performance, and a stunning OLED touchscreen display, making it ideal for business professionals. See it at AsusSee it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsDisplay14" (2880 x 1800)CPUIntel Core Ultra 7 258VGPUIntel ArcRAM32GB LPDDR5XStorage1TB PCIe SSDWeight2.65 poundsSize12.22" x 8.45" x 0.51"Battery life15+ hoursPROSThinner, lighter, and more powerfulGreat battery lifeImproved gaming performanceGorgeous OLED touchscreenCONSNo microSD card readerThe Asus Zenbook S 14, a smaller version of our top pick, balances processing power and battery life exceptionally well. In testing, it ran for over 16 hours using Procyon's battery test, ensuring you can work multiple days without recharging. Its performance is smooth, even with creative applications like Adobe Photoshop, and it rivals laptops that cost significantly more.

Its ultra-portable design, at less than half an inch thick and just over 2.5lbs, makes it easy to carry throughout the day. The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics enhance its appeal for light gaming between meetings, offering a visual treat on its OLED screen.

6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)

Best Ultrabook for Creatives

### Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)

0The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip is the most powerful Mac available, making it the top choice for creative professionals. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsDisplay16.2" (3456 x 2234)CPUM3 MaxGPUIntegrated (40-core)RAM48GB - 128GBStorage1TB - 8TB SSDWeight4.8 poundsSize14.01" x 9.77" x 0.66"Battery lifeUp to 22 hoursPROSIncredibly powerful for a laptopHighly configurableExcellent battery lifeThin and relatively lightCONSCan be very expensiveFor creative professionals, the Apple MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip is unrivaled. It excels in tasks like video editing and rendering, thanks to its configurable options, including up to 128GB of memory and 8TB of storage. The M3 Max version offers unmatched performance, though it comes at a higher cost.

The MacBook Pro 16's liquid retina display is one of the best on the market, and its deep integration with creative software makes it a preferred choice for many. While it's a significant investment, the MacBook Pro's ecosystem and performance justify the cost for those committed to Apple's platform.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To select the best ultrabooks, we defined key criteria that distinguish ultrabooks from regular laptops: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and a focus on high-performance productivity. We evaluated ultrabooks we've reviewed, consulted expert sources, and considered user feedback from platforms like Reddit. This comprehensive approach helped us compile a list of the best ultrabooks tailored to various user needs.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

When purchasing an ultrabook, consider setting a budget to ensure you get the best value without overspending. Lower budgets might require compromises on specs, such as opting for less RAM or older generation processors. If gaming isn't a priority, integrated graphics can suffice, allowing you to allocate funds to other essential features. For those with a higher budget, choosing the latest hardware can future-proof your investment.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

Originally coined by Intel in 2011, "ultrabook" now refers to laptops that are exceptionally thin, light, and equipped with powerful hardware. They are designed for portability and productivity, often featuring extended battery life to support a full workday.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not officially an ultrabook due to its Apple branding, MacBooks embody the ultrabook concept with their powerful yet lightweight design and macOS operating system.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not primarily gaming laptops, but recent models with advanced integrated graphics from Intel and AMD can handle gaming at lower settings. Cloud gaming services also offer a viable option for ultrabook users.