Top Ultrabooks: Sleek, Powerful Laptops for All Needs

In today's market, the term "ultrabook" has evolved beyond its origins with Intel to encompass any thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptop, excluding gaming-specific models. At its core, an ultrabook is designed to offer exceptional productivity performance while maintaining a slim, lightweight profile that enhances portability. These devices are crafted to be reliable companions that won't burden you with 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, delivering high performance in a compact and lightweight form factor. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops with its efficiency and quiet operation. From budget-friendly options to powerful machines capable of 4K video editing, these are the best ultrabooks you can buy 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 premier Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. Its lightweight design and ease of use make it a joy to carry and operate.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 battery lifeBeautiful 3K OLED touchscreen Impressive gaming performanceCONSSome keyboard flex The Asus Zenbook S 16 has been thoroughly tested and reviewed, earning its spot as the best overall ultrabook. At just 13mm thick and weighing only 3.31lbs, it's incredibly portable. With fantastic battery life, a stunning OLED display, and top-notch gaming performance from its integrated GPU, it outperforms even some portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. This ultrabook truly embodies the ideal of what an ultrabook should be: lightweight, thin, and highly efficient with the latest AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. It also offers robust connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port, making it perfect for use with a high-quality portable monitor.

The display is a highlight, boasting a sharp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors typical of OLED technology, with deep blacks and a 500-nit brightness that ensures visibility in various lighting conditions. With up to 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

0Priced under $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 and performanceFast processor and ample memoryUltraportable designAll-day battery lifeCONSLimited storageFor those on a budget, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent choice. With a price tag of less than $800, it features a speedy Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation for productivity tasks and multitasking. Its slim and light design makes it easy to carry throughout the day.

The value it offers is truly impressive. While it's not suited for gaming, its integrated graphics can handle lighter gaming needs with adjusted settings. The main limitation is its 512GB storage, which may necessitate the use of an external hard drive for larger files. Nonetheless, its compact size and lightweight construction make it a compelling option.

Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

### Razer Blade 14

0With a stunning and fast QHD+ display and powerful internals housed in a sleek chassis, this 14-inch luxury laptop is ready for any game.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 breaks the mold by offering high-end gaming performance in a portable package. Weighing just over 4lbs and less than 1-inch thick, it packs an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card. This combination ensures it can handle any game and even video editing tasks with ease. Its 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD provide swift performance, and Wi-Fi 7 support ensures fast connectivity. The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display, with its 16:10 aspect ratio, delivers an immersive gaming experience.

Our 2024 review praised the Razer Blade 14 for its fast GPU and luxurious build quality, though it noted the high cost. For gamers looking for a portable yet powerful solution, this ultrabook is a top choice.

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 life CONSSome apps aren't compatibleStudents seeking a reliable, lightweight laptop will find the Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 ideal. Equipped with powerful Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors, it offers ample memory and storage, with battery life lasting multiple workdays. While the Surface Laptop is recommended here, the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is equally impressive for those who prefer a convertible design.

The latest generation boasts significant upgrades, with even the base model providing 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for solid performance. The Snapdragon processors are power-efficient, offering up to 20 hours of video playback and 13 hours of web browsing and productivity. Fast charging is a bonus, reaching 80% in just one hour.

The primary drawback is the limited compatibility with some apps, though Qualcomm's growing presence in the processor market promises improvements. A list of compatible apps is expanding, and chances are, the apps needed for school are already 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 Buy Product 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 is a compact version of our top pick, excelling in a balance of processing power and battery life. In testing, it lasted over 16 hours on a single charge, making it perfect for extended work sessions. It performs smoothly in creative applications like Adobe Photoshop and seamlessly in productivity suites like Microsoft Office and Google Drive.

Its ultra-portability, weighing just over 2.5lbs and less than a half-inch thick, makes it easy to carry all day. It's also suitable for light gaming between meetings, thanks to the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics. While not a gaming laptop, it can handle games like Cyberpunk 2077 at reduced resolutions, offering a visually pleasing experience 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, 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 life Thin and comparatively lightCONSCan easily get very expensiveCreative professionals will find the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M3 Max chip to be the ultimate tool. Its performance in tasks like video editing and rendering art assets is unmatched. Highly configurable, it offers various M3 Max processor options, up to 128GB of memory, and up to 8TB of storage. The base model with the M3 Pro is significantly cheaper and still powerful for most creatives, though it comes with a smaller 512GB SSD.

The MacBook Pro's liquid retina screen is one of the best available, and its deep integration with Apple's creative software ecosystem makes it a top choice. While the cost can escalate quickly, the benefits for professionals often outweigh the investment. Windows machines are also viable for creative work, but the MacBook Pro's ecosystem and performance are hard to beat.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To identify the best ultrabooks, we first establish what defines an ultrabook: thin, light, long battery life, and dedicated to high-performance productivity. We then evaluate ultrabooks we've reviewed, consult expert sources, and consider offerings from reputable brands. We also gather insights from user reviews and community feedback to ensure our recommendations meet real-world needs. Our list is then categorized to help users find the best ultrabook for their specific requirements, whether for work, gaming, education, or business.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Purchasing an ultrabook is a significant investment, so careful consideration is essential. Start by setting a budget to ensure you can afford the right configuration. If budget constraints are tight, consider sacrificing less critical features, such as opting for 8GB of DDR5 RAM instead of 16GB. For non-gamers, integrated graphics like Intel Iris XE or Intel Arc are often sufficient, allowing you to allocate funds to other areas.

If you have a higher budget, focus on future-proofing with the latest hardware, such as a 14th Gen Intel i5 or i7 CPU, AMD Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series, 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" refers to laptops that are thin, light, and equipped with powerful hardware. Today, it's used more broadly to describe laptops that are portable and capable of handling daily productivity tasks with ease, often with long battery life.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While a MacBook isn't officially an ultrabook due to its Apple origin, it embodies the ultrabook concept with its powerful, lightweight design and macOS operating system.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not designed for gaming like dedicated gaming laptops, but many newer models can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions thanks to advancements in integrated graphics from Intel and AMD. Cloud gaming services are also a viable option for ultrabook users.