Top Ultrabooks: Sleek, Powerful Laptops for All Needs

In today's tech-savvy world, the term "ultrabook" has evolved beyond its initial roots in Intel's marketing to encompass a broader category of laptops. An ultrabook is no longer confined to Intel-powered devices but is defined by its sleek, lightweight design and high productivity performance. These laptops are crafted to be the ultimate companions for on-the-go professionals, delivering exceptional power in a compact, portable package that won't weigh you down or demand constant recharging.

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 today are a testament to how much performance can be packed into a slim and lightweight form factor. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while consuming minimal power and operating quietly. From budget-friendly options to robust machines capable of handling 4K video editing, these are the leading 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 as a formidable Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly easy to carry and a pleasure to use, making it a top choice for those seeking a high-performing ultrabook.

See it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (2880 x 1800)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 an all-day batteryBeautiful 3K OLED touchscreenImpressive gaming performanceCONSSome keyboard flexMy thorough testing and review of the Asus Zenbook S 16 confirm it as the best ultrabook currently available. With a slim profile of just 13mm at its thickest point and a lightweight design of only 3.31lbs, it's the epitome of portability. It boasts exceptional battery life, a stunning OLED display, and the best gaming performance seen in an integrated GPU, surpassing even dedicated gaming devices like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. This ultrabook truly encapsulates the essence of what an ultrabook should be.

The Zenbook S 16 perfectly embodies the ultrabook ideal: it's light enough to carry effortlessly and thin enough to fit into any bag. When it's time to work, it delivers top-tier performance among ultrabooks, all while being energy-efficient and whisper-quiet, thanks to its cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. Additionally, it offers robust connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port, ideal for pairing with a great portable monitor.

The display is a standout feature, with a crisp 2880x1880 resolution and vivid colors. As an OLED screen, it provides deep, rich blacks and a brightness of 500 nits, making it suitable for use in any lighting condition.

With up to 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 redefines what an ultrabook can be, setting a new standard in the category.

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) IPS CPUAMD Ryzen 5 8840URAM16GB DDR5 6,400MHzStorage512MB NVMe SSDWeight2.2 poundsSize 11.7" x 8.31" x 0.69"Battery lifeAround 12 hoursPROSGreat balance of price to performanceFast processor and ample memoryUltraportable designAll-day battery lifeCONSLimited storageFor those on a budget, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent choice. Priced under $800, it features a swift Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation even when multitasking. Its slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry around all day without feeling weighed down.

Considering its features, the price is remarkably affordable. While not designed for gaming, its integrated graphics can handle lighter games with adjusted settings.

The primary limitation is the 512GB storage, with less available for personal files due to the space occupied by Windows. An external hard drive might be necessary for those needing more storage. However, given its compact size and portability, this should not deter potential buyers.

Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

### Razer Blade 14

0The Razer Blade 14 combines stunning visuals with powerful internals in a sleek design, making it the perfect ultrabook for gaming enthusiasts.

See it at RazerProduct SpecificationsDisplay14” QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) IPS 240HzCPUAMD Ryzen 9 8945HSGPUNvidia RTX 4070RAM16GB DDR5 5,700MHzStorage1TB NVMe SSDWeight4.05 poundsSize 12.73" x 8.97" x 0.70"Battery lifeAround 9-10 hoursPROSExcellent gaming performance240Hz displayCONSShallow keyboardBalancing gaming performance with portability is a challenge, but the Razer Blade 14 manages it brilliantly. Weighing just over 4lbs and less than an inch thick, it packs powerful hardware into a compact form. The 14-inch 240 Hz QHD+ display with a 16:10 aspect ratio offers a unique viewing experience that might require some adjustment.

Under the hood, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card deliver exceptional gaming and video editing capabilities. With 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, it ensures swift performance, and Wi-Fi 7 support enhances connectivity for your portable gaming setup. You can also connect it to a gaming monitor via its full-size HDMI port.

Our 2024 review praised the Razer Blade 14 for its outstanding performance and luxurious build quality, though its high price is a notable consideration.

See more of the best gaming laptops to buy right now.

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

Best for Students

### Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

0This colorful laptop, powered by a Snapdragon processor, offers ample memory and storage with impressive battery life.

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 performanceLots of fun color optionsLong battery lifeCONSSome apps aren't compatibleFor students seeking a reliable and portable laptop, the latest Microsoft Surface Laptop is an ideal choice. Equipped with powerful Snapdragon processors and offering various memory and storage options, it boasts battery life that can last through multiple workdays. While the Surface Laptop is our recommended model, the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is also highly praised for those who prefer a more versatile form factor.

Compared to its predecessor, this generation features significant upgrades, including increased memory and storage. Even the base model, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, delivers robust performance. The Snapdragon processors are incredibly efficient, with Microsoft claiming up to 20 hours of video playback and 13 hours of web browsing and productivity, plus fast charging capabilities.

The main drawback is the limited compatibility with certain apps, though built-in emulation helps mitigate this issue. As Qualcomm expands its processor offerings, app compatibility is expected to improve. Check out the growing list of compatible apps to ensure your essential school applications are supported.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best for Business

### Asus Zenbook S 14

0This ultra-portable laptop offers exceptional battery life, snappy performance, and a stunning OLED touchscreen display.

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 counterpart to our top pick, stands out with its balance of processing power and battery life. In my testing using Procyon's battery test, it ran for over 16 hours, ensuring it can last through multiple workdays. Its performance was consistently smooth, even when running demanding creative applications like Adobe Photoshop. In Microsoft Office or Google Drive applications, it feels like a laptop costing twice as much.

Its ultra-portable design, weighing just over 2.5lbs and less than a half-inch thick, makes it easy to carry throughout the day. It's also suitable for light gaming between meetings, thanks to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics. While it can't match dedicated gaming laptops, it offers surprising performance, especially at 1200p resolution, where games like Cyberpunk 2077 run smoothly on its vibrant 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 ever, perfect 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 configurableVery good battery lifeThin and comparatively lightCONSCan easily get very expensiveFor creative professionals, the Apple MacBook Pro remains the top choice. Our review of the M2 Pro highlighted its strengths, but the M3 Max version offers unparalleled performance for tasks like video editing and art rendering. It's a powerhouse, which is why many professional creators swear by it.

The MacBook Pro 16 is highly configurable, available with different M3 Max processor tiers, up to 128GB of memory, and up to 8TB of storage. The standard M3 Pro version, starting $1,500 cheaper, is still more than sufficient for most creatives, though its default SSD is smaller at 512GB. All versions feature the same stunning liquid retina screen, renowned as one of the best laptop displays available.

Beyond power, the MacBook Pro excels in its ecosystem of creative software. Apple's long-standing commitment to creative applications ensures a wide range of tools, and you can add licenses for Logic and Final Cut Pro at checkout.

While Windows machines are also suitable for creative work, opting for a MacBook Pro means embracing Apple's ecosystem, which may limit your choices for peripherals. However, many creatives find this trade-off worthwhile for the powerful tools it provides.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To identify the best ultrabooks, we first defined the essential characteristics that distinguish an ultrabook from a regular laptop: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. If an ultrabook can handle gaming, that's a bonus.

Our selection process began with evaluating ultrabooks we've reviewed and used. We then consulted other expert sources and considered major offerings from reputable brands. We analyzed critical impressions, benchmark scores, and real-world performance. Additionally, we delved into user reviews, Reddit recommendations, and community feedback to ensure our choices enhance the lives of real users daily.

We categorized our final list to cater to different user needs, whether for work, gaming, student life, or business, ensuring that our recommendations meet the specific demands of each user type.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Choosing an ultrabook is a significant investment, so take your time to make an informed decision. Start by setting a budget to ensure you don't overspend. If budget constraints apply, consider sacrificing some specs, like opting for 8GB of DDR5 RAM instead of 16GB or choosing integrated graphics over a dedicated GPU.

If you have a larger budget, aim for future-proofing with the latest hardware, such as a 14th Gen i5 or i7 CPU, AMD Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series processor, and an RTX 4000-series or AMD Radeon 7000-series GPU.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

Originally coined by Intel in 2011, the term "ultrabook" describes laptops that are exceptionally thin, light, and powered by robust hardware. Today, the term encompasses laptops that are highly portable and capable of handling daily productivity tasks with ease, often featuring extended battery life for a full workday.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While technically not an ultrabook due to its Apple origin, a MacBook can be considered a type of ultrabook. It combines power with a lightweight design, running on macOS.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not designed as gaming laptops, but newer models with advanced integrated graphics from Intel and AMD can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions. Cloud gaming is also a viable option, requiring a subscription to services like Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now.