Today, the term "ultrabook" is used loosely to describe any thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptop (excluding gaming laptops). While initially an Intel marketing term for high-end machines, it now encompasses laptops from various manufacturers and processors. The core idea remains: exceptional productivity in a slim, lightweight, and highly portable package. A reliable laptop that won't weigh you down or demand constant charging.
TL;DR – Top Ultrabooks:
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Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16
See it at Best Buy See it at Asus
Razer Blade 14
See it at Razer
Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
See it at Amazon
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
See it at Amazon
Modern ultrabooks are surprisingly capable for their size and weight. Our top choice, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while maintaining exceptional power efficiency and quiet operation. From budget-friendly options to powerful machines handling 4K video editing, this list covers the best ultrabooks available.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos
19 Images
1. Asus Zenbook S 16
Best Ultrabook in 2025
Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16
A superb Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is effortlessly portable and a pleasure to use. 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 (3.31lbs), fantastic battery life, gorgeous OLED display, and best-in-class integrated GPU performance, surpassing portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. It's truly a complete package.
The Zenbook S 16 embodies the ultrabook ideal: lightweight portability and top-tier performance, all while being power-efficient and quiet. It boasts superior connectivity with two USB-C ports, a full-size USB-A port, an SD card reader, and an HDMI output.
The display is exceptional, offering a crisp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors. The OLED technology delivers rich blacks, and the 500-nit brightness ensures readability in any environment. And with 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 redefines what an ultrabook should be.
2. HP Pavilion Aero 13
Best Budget Ultrabook
HP Pavilion Aero 13
At under $800, this laptop offers incredible value. See it at HP
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 fantastic affordable ultrabook. Its Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 RAM ensure smooth multitasking, and its incredibly thin and light design makes it easy to carry all day. The price is surprisingly reasonable, making it a great value for everyday tasks. While storage is limited (512GB), its portability compensates.
Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos
8 Images
3. Razer Blade 14
Best Ultrabook for Gaming
Razer Blade 14
A stunning 14-inch luxury laptop with a fast QHD+ display and powerful internals, ready for any game. See it at Razer
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 expertly balances high-performance gaming with portability. Its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card handle demanding games and video editing with ease. The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display is impressive, and the 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD ensure smooth operation. While expensive, its build quality and performance are exceptional.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
Best for Students
Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
A colorful laptop with a Snapdragon processor, ample memory and storage, and excellent battery life. See it at Amazon
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.
Ideal for students, the Surface Laptop 11 (or the Surface Pro) offers powerful Snapdragon processors, ample memory and storage, and exceptional battery life lasting multiple days. While some apps may have compatibility issues due to the Snapdragon processor, most essential student applications work well. The improved memory and storage options compared to previous generations make it a solid choice.
5. Asus Zenbook S 14
Best for Business
Asus Zenbook S 14
An ultra-portable laptop with 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 balances power and battery life exceptionally well. Its long battery life (over 16 hours in testing) and smooth performance make it ideal for business professionals. Its ultra-portability and Intel Arc graphics, capable of light gaming, add further appeal.
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 the most powerful Mac laptop ever. See it at Amazon
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 top-of-the-line M3 Max MacBook Pro 16-inch offers unparalleled power for video editing, rendering, and other demanding tasks. Its configurability, excellent battery life, and stunning Liquid Retina XDR display make it a compelling choice, despite its high price. The extensive Apple ecosystem of creative applications is a significant advantage.
How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks
Our selection process involved evaluating reviewed ultrabooks, consulting expert sources, and analyzing user reviews. We prioritized thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. Gaming capabilities were considered a bonus. We categorized the best options to suit various user needs.
Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook
Set a budget, consider RAM and GPU needs (integrated graphics suffice for non-gamers), and prioritize future-proofing with the latest generation hardware if budget allows.
FAQs
What is an ultrabook laptop?
Ultrabooks are thin, light laptops with powerful hardware, initially defined by Intel. Now, the term describes highly portable laptops suitable for everyday productivity tasks and often boasting long battery life.
Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?
While not technically an ultrabook due to its Apple branding, MacBooks share many ultrabook characteristics: power and portability.
Are ultrabooks good for gaming?
Ultrabooks aren't gaming laptops, but newer models with integrated graphics can handle some games at lower settings. Cloud gaming is another viable option.
