Top Ultrabooks: Slim, Powerful Laptops

Today, the term "ultrabook" is used rather loosely, encompassing any thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptop—excluding dedicated gaming machines. While initially an Intel marketing term for high-end laptops, the definition has broadened. At its heart, an ultrabook prioritizes exceptional productivity in a slim, lightweight, and highly portable package. It's a reliable workhorse that won't weigh you down or demand constant charging.

TL;DR – Top Ultrabook Picks:

Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16
See it at Best BuySee it at Asus

Razer Blade 14
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
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Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
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Modern ultrabooks surprisingly pack considerable power for their size and weight. Our top choice, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while remaining remarkably energy-efficient and quiet. From budget-friendly options to powerful machines capable of 4K video editing, this list showcases the best ultrabooks available.

Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos

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1. Asus Zenbook S 16 – Best Ultrabook in 2025

Asus Zenbook S 16
A superb Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, effortlessly portable and a pleasure to use.
See it at Best BuySee 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 surprisingly strong gaming performance, surpassing even portable gaming PCs. It's a complete package.

The Zenbook S 16 exemplifies the ultrabook ideal: light enough to be easily carried, slim enough for any bag, and powerful enough for demanding tasks. Its cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU ensures top-tier performance with low power consumption and noise. Connectivity is also excellent, with multiple USB ports, an SD card reader, and HDMI output.

The display boasts a crisp 2880x1880 resolution, vibrant colors, and deep blacks thanks to its OLED technology. The 500-nit brightness ensures readability in any environment. Finally, a remarkable 15 hours of battery life rounds out its impressive features.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13 – Best Budget Ultrabook

HP Pavilion Aero 13
A fantastic value at under $800.
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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 offers exceptional value, packing a fast Ryzen processor and 16GB of RAM for smooth multitasking at under $800. Its thin and light design makes it highly portable. While storage is limited to 512GB, its performance and price make it a compelling option. Consider an external hard drive for increased storage.

3. Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Best Ultrabook for Gaming

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Razer Blade 14
A sleek 14-inch powerhouse with a stunning QHD+ display and potent internals for gaming and more.
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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 masterfully blends high-end gaming performance with portability. Its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU handle demanding games with ease. The 240Hz QHD+ display delivers smooth visuals, while the compact design remains surprisingly lightweight. While expensive, its build quality and performance are top-notch.

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 – Best for Students

Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
A colorful, reliable laptop with a Snapdragon processor, ample memory and storage, and long battery life.
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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 offers powerful Snapdragon processors, ample memory and storage, and exceptional battery life lasting multiple days. While some apps may have compatibility issues, the growing list of supported software and emulation features make it a strong contender for daily use. The Surface Pro 2-in-1 is a comparable alternative.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14 – Best for Business

Asus Zenbook S 14
Ultra-portable with incredible battery life, snappy performance, and a beautiful OLED touchscreen.
See it at AsusSee 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, a smaller sibling to the S 16, excels with its balance of power and battery life. Its 16+ hour battery life and smooth performance in demanding applications make it perfect for business professionals. Its ultra-portability and surprisingly capable integrated graphics make it a versatile choice.

6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) – Best Ultrabook for Creatives

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
The most powerful Mac laptop ever.
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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 MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M3 Max chip remains a top choice. Its immense power handles demanding creative tasks with ease. Its highly configurable options cater to diverse needs, though the high cost is a significant factor. The extensive Apple ecosystem of creative apps further enhances its appeal.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

Our selection process involved defining key ultrabook qualities: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. Gaming capabilities were a bonus. We evaluated reviewed ultrabooks, consulted expert sources, and analyzed benchmark scores and user reviews to create a comprehensive and balanced list, categorized for different user needs.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Set a budget before shopping to guide your choices. Consider RAM (8GB might suffice for basic tasks, while 16GB is better for demanding applications), graphics (integrated graphics are fine for non-gaming, while dedicated GPUs are needed for gaming), and processor generation (newer generations offer better performance and longevity).

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

Originally coined by Intel, "ultrabook" describes thin, light, and powerful laptops. Now, it encompasses portable laptops prioritizing productivity and often extended battery life.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not technically an ultrabook due to its Apple branding, MacBooks share many ultrabook characteristics: powerful yet lightweight design and long battery life.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks aren't dedicated gaming laptops. However, many modern ultrabooks can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions thanks to improved integrated graphics. Cloud gaming is another viable option.