Top Ultrabooks: Slim, Powerful Laptos for All Needs

In today's market, any laptop that is thin, light, and reasonably powerful is often classified as an ultrabook, except for gaming laptops. Originally, the term "ultrabook" was coined by Intel's marketing team to denote high-end, premium laptops, but it has since expanded beyond just Intel-powered devices. At its essence, an ultrabook should offer exceptional productivity performance while being slim, lightweight, and highly portable. It's designed to be a reliable companion that won't burden you with weight or the need to carry a charger everywhere.

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 surprisingly capable given their size and weight. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops in performance while maintaining exceptional power 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 as a compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. 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 flexThe Asus Zenbook S 16 is the standout ultrabook of today. At just 13mm at its thickest point and weighing only 3.31lbs, it's incredibly thin and light. It boasts remarkable battery life, a stunning OLED display, and delivers the best gaming performance from an integrated GPU, surpassing even portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. It truly embodies the ultrabook ideal, being light enough to carry effortlessly and thin enough to fit into any bag. With its cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, it offers top-tier performance while consuming less power and producing minimal noise. Additionally, it provides robust connectivity options, including 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 a highlight, featuring a crisp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors. As an OLED panel, it delivers rich, deep blacks, and with a brightness of 500 nits, it performs admirably in any setting. With up to 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 exemplifies the pinnacle of ultrabook design and performance.

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 seeking an affordable ultrabook, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent choice. Priced below $800, it features a fast Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation for productivity tasks and multitasking. Its slim and lightweight design makes it easy to carry all day without feeling weighed down.

Given its specifications and price, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 offers remarkable value. While its integrated graphics aren't suited for gaming, they perform well for casual use. The main limitation is its 512GB storage, which, after accounting for Windows, leaves less space for personal files. An external hard drive might be necessary for additional storage, but its compact size and weight should not deter you from considering this ultrabook.

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 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 breaks the mold by combining high-performance hardware with portability. Weighing just over 4lbs and less than an inch thick, it packs an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, making it ready for any game and capable of handling video editing tasks. Its 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD ensure smooth operation, while Wi-Fi 7 support offers fast connectivity. The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display with a 16:10 aspect ratio provides a unique visual experience.

Our 2024 review praised the Razer Blade 14 for its exceptional performance and luxurious build quality, though its high cost is notable. For gamers looking for a premium ultrabook, it's an excellent 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 lifeCONSSome apps aren't compatibleFor students needing a reliable laptop that's easy to carry, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 is an ideal choice. Powered by Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors, it offers excellent performance, ample memory and storage options, and battery life that can last through multiple workdays. While the Surface Laptop is our technical recommendation, the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is also highly praised for its versatility, though it requires a separate keyboard case.

Compared to its predecessor, the latest Surface Laptop boasts significant upgrades. Even the base model with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage delivers solid performance. The power-efficient Snapdragon processors provide up to 20 hours of battery life for video playback and up to 13 hours for web browsing and productivity, with fast charging capabilities.

The main caveat is that not all apps are compatible with Snapdragon processors, though built-in emulation helps with many. As Qualcomm continues to develop its processors, the list of compatible apps is expected to grow. For most school-related applications, compatibility is already well-covered.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best for Business

### Asus Zenbook S 14

0This ultra-portable laptop offers incredible 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, a smaller sibling to our top pick, strikes an excellent balance between processing power and battery life. In testing using Procyon's battery test, it lasted over 16 hours, ensuring you can work for two or more days without recharging. Its performance remains smooth, even with creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, and it feels like a much more expensive laptop when using Microsoft Office or Google Drive applications.

Its ultra-portability is a key advantage, being less than a half-inch thick and weighing just over 2.5lbs. It's easy to carry and fits seamlessly into crowded bags. The Zenbook S 14 also offers decent gaming performance with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics. At 1200p resolution, you can enjoy games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 30-60fps on its vibrant 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 made.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 relatively lightCONSCan easily become very expensiveFor creative professionals, the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M3 Max chip is the top choice. It offers unparalleled performance for video editing, rendering art assets, and other demanding tasks. The MacBook Pro 16 is highly configurable, with options for 16-core or 18-core M3 Max processors, up to 128GB of memory, and up to 8TB of storage. While the base model starts at a lower price, the top-tier M3 Max version is the ultimate choice for those needing maximum power.

The MacBook Pro's liquid retina display is renowned for its quality, and the extensive ecosystem of creative applications on macOS makes it a go-to for professionals. You can even add licenses for Logic and Final Cut Pro at checkout. While Windows machines are also suitable for creative work, opting for a MacBook Pro means entering Apple's ecosystem, which may limit hardware and software choices but offers powerful tools that many find indispensable.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To identify the best ultrabooks, we first outlined the essential characteristics: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. Gaming capability is a bonus. We reviewed ultrabooks we've tested, consulted expert sources, and considered major offerings from reputable brands. We also analyzed user reviews, Reddit feedback, and real-world experiences to ensure our recommendations meet the needs of actual users. Our list is tailored to different user profiles, from gamers to students and business professionals, ensuring there's an ultrabook for everyone.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Purchasing an ultrabook is a significant investment, so take time to decide. Start by setting a budget to ensure you don't overspend and can customize the ultrabook to your needs. If budget constraints apply, consider sacrificing some specs, such as opting for 8GB instead of 16GB of RAM or choosing integrated graphics over a dedicated GPU like Nvidia RTX.

For those with a larger budget, select an ultrabook with the latest hardware to ensure future-proofing. A 14th Gen Intel i5 or i7 CPU, or an AMD Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series processor, paired with an RTX 4000-series or AMD Radeon 7000-series GPU, is a solid starting point.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

The term "ultrabook" was introduced by Intel in 2011 to describe laptops that are thin, light, and powered by robust hardware. Today, it's used more broadly to include laptops that are highly portable and capable of handling daily productivity tasks with ease, often featuring long battery life to last a full workday.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not technically an ultrabook due to being made by Apple, a MacBook can be considered a type of ultrabook. It's a powerful, lightweight laptop running macOS.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not designed as gaming laptops. For serious gaming, a dedicated gaming laptop is preferable. However, many modern ultrabooks can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions, thanks to advancements in Intel and AMD's integrated graphics. Cloud gaming is also an option, requiring a subscription to services like Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now.