Top Ultrabooks: Slim, Powerful Laptops for All Needs

In today's market, the term "ultrabook" has evolved beyond its original definition by Intel to describe high-end, premium laptops. Now, it encompasses any thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptop that prioritizes portability without sacrificing performance. An ultrabook is designed to offer exceptional productivity on the go, ensuring you don't need to carry a charger constantly, making it ideal for professionals and students alike.

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 AmazonToday's ultrabooks are impressively capable, balancing size, weight, and performance. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while maintaining exceptional battery life and quiet operation. From budget-friendly options to powerful machines suited for 4K video editing, these are the best ultrabooks available today.

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 remarkable Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, combining portability with high performance. It's incredibly easy to carry 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 battery lifeBeautiful 3K OLED touchscreenImpressive gaming performanceCONSSome keyboard flexAfter thorough testing, the Asus Zenbook S 16 emerges as the premier ultrabook of today. With a slim profile of just 13mm at its thickest point and a lightweight design at only 3.31lbs, it's the epitome of portability. Its fantastic battery life, stunning OLED display, and top-tier gaming performance outshine even portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun.

The Zenbook S 16 perfectly embodies the essence of an ultrabook. Its lightweight nature makes it easy to carry, while its slim design effortlessly fits into crowded backpacks or briefcases. When it's time to work, it performs exceptionally well, thanks to its cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, all while consuming less power and operating quietly. Moreover, it boasts excellent connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port, making it compatible with great portable monitors.

The display is a highlight, boasting a sharp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors. As an OLED panel, it delivers deep, rich blacks and a bright 500-nit screen, ensuring visibility in any environment.

With up to 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 sets a new standard for what an ultrabook should be.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13

Best Budget Ultrabook

### HP Pavilion Aero 13

0Priced under $800, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 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. With a price tag under $800, it features a speedy Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation of productivity apps, even during multitasking. Its thin and light design makes it ideal for all-day carry.

Given its specifications, the price is remarkably competitive. The combination of its processor and memory makes it a versatile companion for most tasks, though it's less suited for gaming due to its integrated graphics.

The primary limitation is its 512GB storage, with less available after installing Windows. For those needing more space, an external hard drive is recommended. However, its compact size and lightweight nature are significant advantages.

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 in a sleek chassis, making it an ideal choice for gamers on the go.
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 strikes a balance between gaming prowess and portability, weighing just over 4lbs and less than 1-inch thick. Its 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display with a 16:10 aspect ratio offers a unique visual experience. The real power lies in its AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, capable of running the latest games and handling video editing with ease.

Our 2024 review praised its fast GPU and luxurious build quality, though it comes at a premium price. It's a top choice for gamers seeking a portable yet powerful machine.

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

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

Best for Students

### Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

0The Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 offers a vibrant display, powerful Snapdragon processors, and long 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 performanceLots of fun color optionsLong battery lifeCONSSome apps aren't compatibleThe Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 is an ideal choice for students needing a reliable and portable laptop. Equipped with Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors, it offers robust performance and up to 20 hours of battery life. While the Surface Laptop is our top recommendation, the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is also a great option for those who prefer a convertible form factor.

Compared to its predecessor, the latest Surface Laptop boasts increased memory and storage options, with the base model featuring 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Snapdragon processors are highly efficient, and the laptop supports fast charging, reaching 80% in just one hour.

One potential downside is that not all apps are compatible with Snapdragon processors, though emulation helps with many apps. As Qualcomm continues to expand its processor offerings, the list of compatible apps is expected to grow.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best for Business

### Asus Zenbook S 14

0The Asus Zenbook S 14 offers ultra-portability with exceptional battery life and performance, making it a top choice 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, the smaller sibling to our top pick, excels in balancing processing power with battery life. Testing with Procyon's battery test showed it running for over 16 hours, ensuring it lasts through multiple workdays. It performs smoothly, even in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, and is a great value compared to higher-priced laptops.

Its ultra-portability, at less than half an inch thick and just over 2.5lbs, makes it easy to carry and fit into any bag. It's also suitable for light gaming between meetings, thanks to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics. On its OLED screen, games like Cyberpunk 2077 can run smoothly at reduced resolutions.

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 with the M3 Max chip stands out as the top choice. Its high configurability, from processor cores to up to 128GB of RAM and 8TB of storage, makes it ideal for video editing, rendering, and other demanding tasks. The base model, while less powerful, is still more than sufficient for most creators and significantly more affordable.

The MacBook Pro's liquid retina screen is renowned for its quality, and its deep ecosystem of creative apps is a significant advantage. While it integrates well with Apple's software and hardware, opting for a Windows machine can offer more flexibility in peripherals and software choices.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To select the best ultrabooks, we first defined the essential qualities: thin, light, long battery life, and dedicated to high-performance productivity. We evaluated ultrabooks we've reviewed and consulted expert sources and major brands across the web. User reviews, community feedback, and real-world performance were also critical in our selection process. We then categorized the top choices to suit different user needs, ensuring our recommendations cover a wide range of use cases.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

When buying an ultrabook, it's crucial to set a budget to find the right balance between cost and performance. Lower budgets may require compromises on specs, such as opting for less RAM or integrated graphics if gaming isn't a priority. For those with more to spend, choosing ultrabooks with the latest hardware can ensure longevity and future-proofing, such as the 14th Gen Intel CPUs or AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors paired with high-end GPUs.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

Originally coined by Intel in 2011, the term "ultrabook" now broadly refers to laptops that are thin, light, and powerful enough for everyday productivity tasks, with extended battery life to last through a full workday.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not technically an ultrabook due to being an Apple product, MacBooks share many characteristics with ultrabooks, such as being powerful, lightweight, and running on macOS.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

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