The term "ultrabook," initially an Intel marketing creation for high-end laptops, now broadly encompasses thin, light, and powerful laptops (excluding gaming laptops). The defining characteristics remain exceptional productivity performance, slim profile, lightweight design, and high portability. A reliable ultrabook shouldn't burden you with excessive weight or constant charging.
TL;DR – Top Ultrabook Picks:
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
Today's best ultrabooks surprisingly deliver impressive capabilities considering their size and weight. Our top choice, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while maintaining exceptional power efficiency and quiet operation. This list covers options from budget-friendly to high-performance models capable of 4K video editing and more.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Image Gallery:
19 Images
1. Asus Zenbook S 16 – Best Ultrabook of 2025
Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16
A compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is remarkably portable and user-friendly.
-
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: ~15 hours
-
Pros: Dual OLED screens; exceptionally thin and light; outstanding performance; all-day battery; beautiful 3K OLED touchscreen; impressive gaming performance.
-
Cons: Minor keyboard flex.
This ultrabook exemplifies the ideal: incredibly thin and light, boasting fantastic battery life, a gorgeous OLED display, and superior integrated GPU performance, surpassing portable gaming PCs.
The Zenbook S 16 excels in portability and performance, offering superior connectivity with dual USB-C ports, a full-size USB-A, SD card reader, and HDMI output. Its crisp 2880x1880 OLED display delivers rich blacks and high brightness. The 15-hour battery life solidifies its position as a cutting-edge ultrabook.
2. HP Pavilion Aero 13 – Best Budget Ultrabook
HP Pavilion Aero 13
A remarkable value at under $800.
-
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: ~12 hours
-
Pros: Excellent price-to-performance; fast processor; ample memory; ultraportable design; all-day battery life.
-
Cons: Limited storage.
This ultrabook provides a compelling balance of performance and affordability. Its Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB DDR5 memory ensure smooth multitasking, while its lightweight design promotes portability. The limited 512GB storage is its main drawback, necessitating an external hard drive for extensive storage needs.
Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Image Gallery:
8 Images
3. Razer Blade 14 – Best Ultrabook for Gaming
Razer Blade 14
Powerful internals and a stunning QHD+ display in a sleek chassis.
-
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: ~9-10 hours
-
Pros: Excellent gaming performance; 240Hz display.
-
Cons: Shallow keyboard.
The Razer Blade 14 skillfully balances high-performance gaming hardware with portability. Its AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU handle demanding games and video editing with ease. The 240Hz QHD+ display enhances the gaming experience.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 – Best for Students
Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
A colorful laptop with a Snapdragon processor, ample memory and storage, and long battery life.
-
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; various color options; long battery life.
-
Cons: App compatibility limitations.
Ideal for students, the Surface Laptop 11 offers powerful Snapdragon processors, substantial memory and storage, and exceptional battery life. Limited app compatibility with Snapdragon processors is a consideration.
5. Asus Zenbook S 14 – Best for Business
Asus Zenbook S 14
Exceptional battery life, snappy performance, and a beautiful OLED touchscreen in an ultra-portable package.
-
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: Thin, light, and powerful; great battery life; improved gaming performance; gorgeous OLED touchscreen.
-
Cons: No microSD card reader.
The Asus Zenbook S 14 balances processing power and battery life, offering over 16 hours of battery life in testing. Its ultra-portability and smooth performance make it suitable for business professionals.
6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) – Best Ultrabook for Creatives
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
The most powerful Mac laptop.
-
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 MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M3 Max chip offers unmatched power and configurability. Its high-performance capabilities and extensive software ecosystem make it a top choice, although its cost is a significant factor.
Ultrabook Selection Process & Considerations:
Our ultrabook selection process involves reviewing tested models, consulting expert opinions, and analyzing user feedback. Key criteria include thinness, weight, battery life, and productivity performance. Budget, desired processing power (CPU/GPU), and storage needs should all be considered when purchasing.
FAQs:
-
What is an ultrabook? An ultrabook is a thin, light, and powerful laptop prioritizing portability and productivity.
-
Are MacBooks ultrabooks? While not technically ultrabooks due to their manufacturer, MacBooks share many ultrabook characteristics.
-
Are ultrabooks good for gaming? While not dedicated gaming laptops, newer ultrabooks can handle some games at lower settings, or via cloud gaming services.
