Best Ultrabooks: Thin and Powerful Laptops for Every Purpose
Today, the term "ultrabook" is used rather loosely, encompassing any thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptop (excluding gaming laptops). While initially an Intel marketing term for high-end machines, the definition has broadened. At its core, an ultrabook prioritizes excellent productivity performance in a slim, lightweight, and highly portable package. It's a reliable laptop designed for effortless portability, minimizing the need for frequent charging.
TL;DR – Top Ultrabook Picks:
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Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16
See it at Best Buy See it at Asus
Razer Blade 14
Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
Modern ultrabooks surprisingly pack powerful capabilities into their compact frames. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while maintaining exceptional power efficiency and quiet operation. This list covers a range of options, from budget-friendly choices to high-performance machines capable of 4K video editing and more.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos
19 Images
1. Asus Zenbook S 16
Best Ultrabook in 2025
Asus Zenbook S 16
The Asus Zenbook S 16 offers a compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. Its portability and ease of use are remarkable.
See it at Best Buy See it at Asus
Product Specifications:
Display: 16" (2880 x 1800)
CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
GPU: AMD Radeon 890M
RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
Weight: 3.31 pounds
Size: 13.92" x 9.57" x 0.47" - 0.51"
Battery life: Around 15 hours
Pros: Dual OLED screens, exceptionally thin and light, outstanding performance with all-day battery, beautiful 3K OLED touchscreen, impressive gaming performance.
Cons: Some keyboard flex.
My review of the Asus Zenbook S 16 highlights its exceptional thinness (13mm), lightweight design (3.31 lbs), fantastic battery life, gorgeous OLED display, and impressive gaming performance for an integrated GPU, surpassing portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. It's a truly comprehensive package.
The Zenbook S 16 embodies the essence of an ultrabook: lightweight and easily fits into any bag. Its performance is top-tier, while its power efficiency and quiet operation are noteworthy. Connectivity is also excellent, with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port. The crisp 2880x1880 OLED display boasts rich blacks and a bright 500-nit screen. And with approximately 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 sets a new standard for ultrabooks.
2. HP Pavilion Aero 13
Best Budget Ultrabook
HP Pavilion Aero 13
At under $800, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 offers exceptional value.
Product Specifications:
Display: 13.3” 2K (1,920 x 1,200) IPS
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 8840U
RAM: 16GB DDR5 6,400MHz
Storage: 512MB NVMe SSD
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Size: 11.7" x 8.31" x 0.69"
Battery life: Around 12 hours
Pros: Great price-to-performance ratio, fast processor and ample memory, ultraportable design, all-day battery life.
Cons: Limited storage.
The HP Pavilion Aero 13 is a compelling budget ultrabook, offering a fast Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory for smooth multitasking at under $800. Its thin and light design ensures effortless portability. While its 512GB storage might be limiting for some, its affordability and performance make it a strong contender.
Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos
8 Images
3. Razer Blade 14
Best Ultrabook for Gaming
Razer Blade 14
The Razer Blade 14, with its stunning QHD+ display and powerful internals, excels in gaming performance within a sleek chassis.
Product Specifications:
Display: 14” QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) IPS 240Hz
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070
RAM: 16GB DDR5 5,700MHz
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Weight: 4.05 pounds
Size: 12.73" x 8.97" x 0.70"
Battery life: Around 9-10 hours
Pros: Excellent gaming performance, 240Hz display.
Cons: Shallow keyboard.
The Razer Blade 14 impressively balances high-end gaming hardware with portability. Its 240Hz QHD+ display, AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card deliver exceptional gaming and video editing capabilities. Its 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD ensure smooth performance, while Wi-Fi 7 support provides fast connectivity. While expensive, its build quality and performance are top-notch.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
Best for Students
Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
A colorful and reliable laptop featuring Snapdragon processors, ample memory and storage, and long battery life.
Product Specifications:
Display: 13.8" (2304 x 1536)
CPU: Snapdragon X Plus to Snapdragon X Elite
GPU: Qualcomm Adreno
RAM: 16GB - 32GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 256GB - 1TB PCIe SSD
Weight: 2.96 pounds
Size: 11.85" x 8.67" x 0.69"
Battery life: Up to 20 hours
Pros: Great performance, fun color options, long battery life.
Cons: Some app incompatibility.
The Surface Laptop 11, with its powerful Snapdragon processors, ample memory and storage, and exceptional battery life, is ideal for students. While some app compatibility limitations exist, the growing list of supported applications and the device's overall performance make it a strong choice.
5. Asus Zenbook S 14
Best for Business
Asus Zenbook S 14
This ultraportable laptop boasts incredible battery life, snappy performance, and a beautiful OLED touchscreen.
See it at Asus See it at Best Buy
Product Specifications:
Display: 14" (2880 x 1800)
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
GPU: Intel Arc
RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
Weight: 2.65 pounds
Size: 12.22" x 8.45" x 0.51"
Battery life: 15+ hours
Pros: Thinner, lighter, and more powerful, great battery life, improved gaming performance, gorgeous OLED touchscreen.
Cons: No microSD card reader.
The Asus Zenbook S 14, a smaller sibling to the Zenbook S 16, excels with its balance of processing power and battery life. Its over 16-hour battery life, smooth performance even in demanding applications, and ultra-portable design make it perfect for business professionals. It even handles light gaming surprisingly well.
6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
Best Ultrabook for Creatives
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip is Apple's most powerful Mac laptop yet.
Product Specifications:
Display: 16.2" (3456 x 2234)
CPU: M3 Max
GPU: Integrated (40-core)
RAM: 48GB - 128GB
Storage: 1TB - 8TB SSD
Weight: 4.8 pounds
Size: 14.01" x 9.77" x 0.66"
Battery life: Up to 22 hours
Pros: Incredibly powerful, highly configurable, very good battery life, thin and comparatively light.
Cons: Can be very expensive.
For creative professionals, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) reigns supreme, offering unparalleled power for video editing, rendering, and other demanding tasks. Its configurability, excellent battery life, and stunning display, combined with Apple's robust creative software ecosystem, make it a top choice, despite its high price point. The trade-off is the walled garden approach to software and hardware.
How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks
Our selection process involved evaluating reviewed ultrabooks, consulting expert sources, and analyzing user reviews and community feedback. We prioritized thinness, weight, battery life, productivity performance, and gaming capabilities (where applicable). The list is categorized to assist users in finding the best ultrabook for their specific needs.
Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook
Set a budget, consider RAM and GPU needs based on your usage (gaming vs. productivity), and prioritize future-proofing with the latest generation hardware if budget allows.
FAQs
What is an ultrabook laptop?
Initially a term for thin, light, and powerful laptops, "ultrabook" now broadly describes portable laptops prioritizing productivity and extended battery life.
Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?
While not technically an "ultrabook" due to its Apple branding, a MacBook fits the general characteristics of an ultrabook.
Are ultrabooks good for gaming?
Ultrabooks are not gaming laptops, but newer models with improved integrated graphics can handle some games at lower settings. Cloud gaming is another viable option.
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