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 core, 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:
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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 Amazon
Modern ultrabooks surprisingly outperform 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 capable of 4K video editing, this list showcases the best ultrabooks available.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos
19 Images
1. Asus Zenbook S 16
--------------------Best Ultrabook of 2025
Our Top Pick### Asus Zenbook S 16
0The Asus Zenbook S 16 offers a compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly 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 confirms its status as the best overall ultrabook. Its incredibly thin (13mm) and lightweight (3.31 lbs) design, coupled with fantastic battery life, a gorgeous OLED display, and surprisingly strong gaming performance (surpassing even portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun), makes it a truly exceptional device. The Zenbook S 16 perfectly embodies the ultrabook ideal: lightweight portability combined with top-tier performance, all while consuming minimal power and generating minimal noise thanks to its advanced AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. It also boasts superior connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A port, an SD card reader, and an HDMI port for use with a great portable monitor.
The display is outstanding, boasting a sharp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors. The OLED technology delivers deep blacks, and the 500-nit brightness ensures readability in any environment. With approximately 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
0At under $800, this laptop delivers exceptional 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 compelling budget ultrabook. Priced under $800, it features a fast Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth multitasking. Its incredibly thin and light design promotes effortless portability. Considering its features, the price is remarkably competitive. While not ideal for demanding gaming, its integrated graphics are adequate for casual play. Its primary drawback is the limited 512GB storage; an external hard drive is recommended for users needing more space.
Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos
8 Images
3. Razer Blade 14
-----------------Best Ultrabook for Gaming
### Razer Blade 14
0A stunning, fast QHD+ display and powerful internals housed in a sleek chassis make this 14-inch luxury laptop a gaming powerhouse.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 PC gaming and portability. It packs impressive hardware into a sub-4lb, under 1-inch thick chassis. The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display (16:10 aspect ratio) is complemented by an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, capable of handling demanding games and video editing. 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage ensure smooth performance, while Wi-Fi 7 provides fast connectivity. It can also be connected to a gaming monitor via its full-size HDMI port.
Our 2024 review praised its exceptionally fast GPU. While expensive, its luxurious build and performance are undeniable. See more of the best gaming laptops to buy now.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
------------------------------Best for Students
### Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
0A colorful laptop with a Snapdragon processor, ample memory and storage, and robust 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.
The Surface Laptop 11 (and the Surface Pro 2-in-1) is ideal for students, offering powerful Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors, ample memory and storage, and impressive battery life (multiple workdays). The latest generation boasts significant upgrades in memory and storage options. While not all apps are compatible with Snapdragon processors, built-in emulation mitigates this issue for many applications. The list of compatible apps is constantly growing.
5. Asus Zenbook S 14
--------------------Best for Business
### Asus Zenbook S 14
0This ultra-portable laptop boasts 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 than its predecessor, great battery life, improved gaming performance, gorgeous OLED touchscreen. Cons: No microSD card reader.
The Asus Zenbook S 14, a smaller sibling to the Zenbook S 16, excels in balancing processing power and battery life. Testing shows over 16 hours of battery life under mixed productivity use, easily lasting two workdays. Performance is consistently smooth, even with demanding creative applications. Its ultra-portability (less than half an inch thick, just over 2.5 lbs) makes it ideal for all-day carry. It’s also surprisingly capable for light gaming, thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics, offering playable frame rates even in games like Cyberpunk 2077 at lower settings.
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.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 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) remains a top choice. The high-end M3 Max version delivers unparalleled performance for video editing, rendering, and other demanding tasks. Its configurability allows for customization to meet specific needs (though it can get expensive). While the standard M3 Pro version is a more affordable option, the M3 Max offers superior power. The beautiful Liquid Retina display is widely considered one of the best on the market. The extensive ecosystem of creative applications and tools further enhances its appeal for creative professionals. However, the walled-garden approach of the Apple ecosystem might be a drawback for some.
How We Selected the Best Ultrabooks
Our selection process involved defining key ultrabook qualities: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, high-performance productivity, and optional gaming capabilities. We evaluated reviewed ultrabooks, consulted expert sources and benchmark data, and analyzed user reviews to identify the most highly-regarded and user-friendly options. The final list is categorized to assist users in finding the perfect ultrabook for their individual needs and preferences.
Things to Consider When Buying an Ultrabook
Ultrabook purchases require careful consideration. Setting a budget is crucial to avoid overspending. Budget constraints might necessitate compromises on specifications (e.g., RAM, storage). If gaming isn't a priority, integrated graphics are sufficient. For future-proofing, consider the latest generation CPUs (14th Gen Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 7000/9000 series) and GPUs (RTX 4000 series or AMD Radeon 7000 series).
FAQs
What is an ultrabook laptop?
Initially, "ultrabook" described exceptionally thin, light, and powerful laptops (Intel's coinage). Now, it broadly encompasses portable laptops prioritizing productivity with extended battery life.
Is a MacBook an ultrabook?
While not technically an ultrabook (due to Apple's manufacturing), MacBooks share many ultrabook characteristics: powerful yet lightweight laptops with macOS.
Are ultrabooks good for gaming?
Ultrabooks aren't gaming laptops; dedicated gaming laptops are better suited for intense gaming. However, many newer ultrabooks can handle less demanding games at lower settings or resolutions. Cloud gaming is also a viable option.
