Top Ultrabooks: Slim, Powerful Laptops for All Needs

These days, any laptop that's thin, light, and reasonably powerful can be considered an ultrabook, except for gaming laptops. The term "ultrabook" originated from Intel's marketing efforts to describe high-end, premium laptops, but it has since expanded beyond just Intel-powered devices. At its core, an ultrabook should offer exceptional productivity performance while maintaining a slim, lightweight, and highly portable design. It's the ideal laptop for those who need reliability without the burden of extra weight or the constant need for a charger.

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 AmazonToday's top ultrabooks are surprisingly capable, given their compact size and weight. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops in performance while consuming minimal power and operating quietly. 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 an excellent Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's 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 batteryBeautiful 3K OLED touchscreenImpressive gaming performanceCONSSome keyboard flexI tested and reviewed the Asus Zenbook S 16, and it's the best overall ultrabook available today. It's incredibly thin at only 13mm at its thickest point and remarkably lightweight at just 3.31lbs. With fantastic battery life, a stunning OLED display, and the best gaming performance from an integrated GPU, it outshines portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. It's the complete package.

The Zenbook S 16 perfectly embodies the essence of an ultrabook. It's light enough to be almost unnoticeable in your bag and thin enough to slip into crowded spaces. When it's time to work, it performs at the top level among ultrabooks, all while using less power and generating minimal noise, thanks to its cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. It also offers superior connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port, making it compatible with a great portable monitor.

The display is exceptional, boasting a crisp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors. As an OLED, it delivers deep, rich blacks, and its 500-nit brightness ensures it's usable and looks great in any environment.

Topping it all off is its impressive 15-hour battery life. The Asus Zenbook S 16 is the epitome of what an ultrabook should be and more.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13

Best Budget Ultrabook

### HP Pavilion Aero 13

0At 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 a standout choice. Priced below $800, it features a fast Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation even during multitasking. Its thin and light design makes it easy to carry throughout the day without feeling weighed down.

The price point is impressively reasonable, given its capabilities. While it may not be ideal for gaming, its integrated graphics are commendable for casual play with adjusted settings.

Its main limitation is the 512GB storage, with less available for personal files due to the operating system's space requirements. Consider investing in a good external hard drive if you need more local storage. However, given its compact 13-inch size and lightweight build, this shouldn't be a deal-breaker.

Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

### Razer Blade 14

0With a stunning and fast QHD+ display and powerful internals housed in a sleek chassis, this 14-inch luxury laptop is ready for any game.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 keyboardTypically, PC gaming and portability don't mix well, but the Razer Blade 14 manages to bridge this gap with minimal compromises. Weighing just over 4lbs and less than an inch thick, it packs impressive hardware. The 14-inch 240 Hz QHD+ display features a 16:10 aspect ratio, which might take some getting used to, but the internal components are truly remarkable.

Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, this laptop is ready for any game and excels at video editing. Its 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD ensure swift performance, and Wi-Fi 7 support offers fast connectivity. You can also connect it to a gaming monitor using its full-size HDMI port.

In our 2024 review, we praised the Razer Blade 14 for its fast GPU and luxurious build quality. While it's pricey, its performance is unparalleled.

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 solid 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 performanceFun color optionsLong battery lifeCONSSome apps aren't compatibleIf you're a student looking for a reliable laptop, the latest generation Microsoft Surface Laptop, equipped with powerful Snapdragon processors, plenty of memory and storage, and long-lasting battery life, is an excellent choice. Our recommendation focuses on the Surface Laptop, but we also endorse the Surface Pro for those who prefer a convertible design and are willing to purchase a keyboard case.

Microsoft has significantly upgraded the new Surfaces, offering more memory and storage options. Even the base model, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, provides robust performance. The Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors are highly efficient, with battery life rated up to 20 hours for video playback and up to 13 hours for web browsing and productivity, supporting fast charging that reaches 80% in one hour.

The downside is that some apps are not compatible with Snapdragon processors. However, built-in emulation helps with many apps, and the list of compatible apps is expected to grow as Qualcomm expands its processor business. Here's an ever-expanding list of compatible apps, likely including the ones you need for school.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best for Business

### Asus Zenbook S 14

0This ultra-portable laptop offers incredible battery life, snappy performance, and a beautiful 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, the smaller sibling to our top pick, earns its place with an excellent balance of processing power and battery life. In testing with Procyon's battery test, it lasted over 16 hours, ensuring you can work for two or more days between charges. It performed smoothly, even in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, and in Microsoft Office or Google Drive applications, it feels like a much more expensive laptop.

Its ultra-portability makes it ideal for daily carry, weighing just over 2.5lbs and less than a half-inch thick. It's easy to fit into a packed bag and effortless to carry.

It's also suitable for light gaming between meetings, thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics. While it won't compete with dedicated gaming laptops, it can run games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1200p resolution, delivering 30 to 60fps on its stunning 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 produced.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 comparatively lightCONSCan easily get very expensiveFor creative professionals, the Apple MacBook Pro, especially the M3 Max version, remains the top choice. It's more powerful than any laptop should be, which is why it's favored by professional creators.

The MacBook Pro 16's configurability is a major asset, available with different tiers of the M3 Max processor (16-core or 18-core), up to 128GB of memory, and up to 8TB of storage. The standard M3 Pro version, starting $1,500 cheaper, is sufficient for most creators but comes with a 512GB SSD, which may necessitate external storage. All versions feature the same beautiful liquid retina screen, widely regarded as one of the best laptop displays available.

Beyond its power, the MacBook Pro excels with its extensive software ecosystem, offering deep support for creative applications. You can add licenses for Logic and Final Cut Pro at checkout through Apple.

While Windows machines can also be excellent for creative work and offer more flexibility in hardware and software, many creatives find the MacBook Pro's powerful tools and ecosystem worth the investment.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To identify the best ultrabooks, we first defined the essential qualities: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. Gaming capabilities are a bonus.

We began with ultrabooks we've reviewed and used, then consulted other expert sources and major offerings from reputable brands. Critical impressions, benchmark scores, and real-world performance were considered, along with user reviews and community feedback from platforms like Reddit.

We then categorized our list to help recommend the best ultrabook for different users, whether for work, gaming, students, or business professionals needing a reliable, lightweight notebook.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Purchasing an ultrabook is a significant investment, so take your time to decide. Start by setting a budget to ensure you don't overspend. If you're on a tighter budget, you might need to compromise on specs, such as opting for 8GB of DDR5 or DDR4 RAM instead of 16GB.

If gaming isn't a priority, integrated graphics like Intel Iris XE or Intel Arc will suffice, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere.

For those with a larger budget, choosing an ultrabook with the latest hardware can future-proof your purchase. Consider a 14th Gen 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.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

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

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not technically an ultrabook due to being produced by Apple, a MacBook can be considered a type of ultrabook. MacBooks are powerful, lightweight laptops running macOS.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not designed as gaming laptops, but newer models can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions thanks to improved integrated graphics from Intel and AMD. Cloud gaming is also a viable option, requiring a subscription to services like Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now.