Top Ultrabooks: Sleek, Powerful Laptops for All Needs

In today's tech-savvy world, the term "ultrabook" has evolved beyond its initial definition by Intel's marketing team to describe a broader range of high-end, premium laptops. An ultrabook is characterized by its exceptional productivity performance, slim profile, lightweight design, and high portability. These devices are designed to offer a seamless computing experience without the burden of excess weight or the constant need for a charger.

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 available today are remarkably capable, considering their size and weight. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while consuming minimal power and operating quietly. From budget-friendly options to powerful machines capable of 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 superior Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It is incredibly portable and a pleasure to use.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 all-day batteryBeautiful 3K OLED touchscreenImpressive gaming performanceCONSSome keyboard flexI tested and reviewed the Asus Zenbook S 16, and it's the best overall ultrabook available today. It's remarkably thin at just 13mm at its thickest point and weighs only 3.31lbs. It boasts fantastic battery life, a stunning OLED display, and the best gaming performance among integrated GPUs, even outperforming portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. The Zenbook S 16 exemplifies the essence of an ultrabook, being light enough to carry effortlessly and thin enough to fit easily into a crowded backpack or briefcase. Its cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU delivers top-tier performance with minimal power consumption and noise. It also offers superior connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port for use with a great portable monitor.

The display is exceptional, with a crisp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors. As an OLED screen, it provides deep blacks and a bright 500-nit display suitable for any environment. Additionally, it offers up to 15 hours of battery life, making the Asus Zenbook S 16 the ultimate definition of what an ultrabook should be.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13

Best Budget Ultrabook

### HP Pavilion Aero 13

0At under $800, this laptop offers exceptional 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 seeking an affordable ultrabook, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent choice. Priced at less than $800, it features a fast Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation for productivity tasks, even during multitasking. Its thin and light design makes it easy to carry all day without feeling weighed down.

Given its capabilities and price, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 is a surprising value. Its performance is robust for productivity, and the integrated graphics are suitable for light gaming if you adjust the settings. However, the 512GB storage might be limiting, and you may need to consider an external hard drive for additional space. Nonetheless, its compact size and lightweight construction make it an attractive option for those on a budget.

Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

### Razer Blade 14

0Featuring a stunning and fast QHD+ display and powerful internals in a sleek chassis, this 14-inch luxury laptop is perfect for gaming.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 keyboardThe Razer Blade 14 is an exceptional choice for gamers seeking portability without compromising performance. Weighing just over 4lbs and less than an inch thick, it houses impressive hardware. The 14-inch 240 Hz QHD+ display has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which may take some getting used to, but the internal components are truly remarkable.

Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, this laptop can handle any game with ease and is also excellent for video editing. It supports overclocking, and with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, it offers speedy performance. Wi-Fi 7 support ensures fast connectivity, and it can be connected to a gaming monitor via its full-size HDMI port.

Our 2024 review praised the Razer Blade 14 for its fast GPU and luxurious build quality, though it is on the expensive side.

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 features a Snapdragon processor, ample memory and storage, and 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 needing a reliable and portable laptop, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 is an ideal choice. Equipped with powerful Snapdragon Plus and Snapdragon Elite processors, it offers ample memory and storage, and battery life that can last multiple workdays. While we recommend the Surface Laptop for this list, the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is also an excellent option for those who prefer a convertible design (though it requires a separate keyboard case).

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 highly power-efficient, with Microsoft claiming up to 20 hours of video playback and up to 13 hours of web browsing and productivity. It also supports fast charging, reaching 80% in one hour.

The main drawback is that not all apps are compatible with Snapdragon processors. However, built-in emulation helps, and the list of compatible apps is growing. For most school-related apps, you're likely covered.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best for Business

### Asus Zenbook S 14

0This ultraportable laptop offers incredible 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 sibling to our top pick, offers an excellent balance of processing power and battery life. In my testing using Procyon's battery test, it lasted over 16 hours, ensuring you can go multiple workdays without recharging. It ran smoothly even in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, and in Microsoft Office or Google Drive applications, it performed as if it were a much more expensive laptop.

Its ultra-portability, at less than half an inch thick and just over 2.5lbs, makes it an effortless carry. It's also suitable for light gaming between meetings, thanks to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics. While it won't match dedicated gaming laptops, it can run games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1200p with 30-60fps, delivering 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 ever created.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 with the M3 Max chip remains the top choice. Its configurable options cater to various needs, from the 16-core or 18-core M3 Max processor to up to 128GB of memory and 8TB of storage. While the standard M3 Pro version is more affordable and suitable for most creators, the M3 Max offers unmatched performance for video editing, rendering art assets, and other demanding tasks.

The MacBook Pro 16 features the same stunning liquid retina screen across all models, renowned for its quality. Beyond its hardware, the MacBook Pro excels due to its extensive ecosystem of creative apps, including options to add licenses for Logic and Final Cut Pro at checkout.

While Windows machines can also serve creative needs, the MacBook Pro's integration with Apple's software and hardware ecosystem is a significant advantage, despite its higher cost and more limited peripheral options.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To identify the best ultrabooks, we first established the essential criteria that define an ultrabook: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. Gaming capability, though not a requirement, adds value.

Our selection process involved evaluating ultrabooks we've reviewed, consulting expert sources, and examining offerings from reputable brands. We considered critical impressions, benchmark scores, and real-world performance. Additionally, we analyzed user reviews, Reddit recommendations, and community feedback to ensure our picks enhance daily user experiences.

We then categorized our selections to help users find the best ultrabook for their specific needs, whether for work, gaming, education, or business.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Purchasing an ultrabook is a significant investment, so take your time to make an informed decision. Start by setting a budget to ensure you can afford the right configuration. If budget constraints apply, consider compromises like opting for 8GB of DDR5 or DDR4 RAM instead of 16GB to save costs.

If gaming isn't a priority, integrated graphics like Intel Iris XE or Intel Arc are sufficient, allowing you to allocate funds to other features. For those with a larger budget, future-proofing with the latest hardware, such as a 14th Gen Intel i5 or i7 CPU, AMD Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series, and RTX 4000-series or AMD Radeon 7000-series GPUs, is advisable.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

Intel introduced the term "ultrabook" in 2011 to describe laptops that are exceptionally thin, light, and equipped with powerful hardware. Today, the term is used more broadly to include laptops that are highly portable and powerful enough for daily productivity tasks, often featuring extended battery life.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While a MacBook isn't officially an ultrabook due to its Apple origin, it can be considered a type of ultrabook. MacBooks are powerful, lightweight laptops running macOS.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not designed for gaming like dedicated gaming laptops. However, with lower graphics settings or resolutions, newer ultrabooks can handle gaming. Intel and AMD have improved their integrated graphics, and cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now are viable options on ultrabooks.