Top Ultrabooks: Sleek, Powerful Laptops for All Needs

In today's tech landscape, any laptop that's slim, light, and packs a punch in terms of performance is often dubbed an ultrabook—excluding gaming laptops, of course. Although the term "ultrabook" was initially coined by Intel to describe high-end, premium laptops, it has evolved to include a broader range of devices, not just those powered by Intel. At its essence, an ultrabook is designed to deliver exceptional productivity performance while maintaining a sleek, lightweight build and high portability. It's the ideal companion for those who need a reliable device that won't weigh them down or constantly demand 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 AmazonThe best ultrabooks available today are remarkably capable, given their size and weight. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops in performance, yet it's incredibly energy-efficient and runs quietly. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or a powerful machine 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 is a stellar alternative to the MacBook Pro for Windows users. Its portability and ease of use make it a standout choice. 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've tested and reviewed the Asus Zenbook S 16, and it's the best overall ultrabook on the market today. At just 13mm at its thickest point and weighing only 3.31lbs, it's remarkably thin and light. It boasts fantastic battery life, a stunning OLED display, and the best gaming performance from an integrated GPU, even surpassing portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. It truly embodies the essence of an ultrabook—light enough to carry effortlessly and thin enough to slip into any bag. It delivers top-tier performance among ultrabooks while being energy-efficient and quiet, thanks to its advanced AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. Additionally, it offers robust connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port, perfect for pairing with a great portable monitor.

The display is exceptional, with a sharp 2880x1880 resolution and vivid colors. As an OLED panel, it delivers deep blacks and a bright 500-nit screen, ideal for any lighting condition.

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.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13

Best Budget Ultrabook

### HP Pavilion Aero 13

0At less than $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 to performanceFast processor and ample memoryUltraportable designAll-day battery lifeCONSLimited storageIf you're seeking an affordable ultrabook, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 is an excellent choice. Priced under $800, it features a swift Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth performance for productivity tasks, even when multitasking. Its slim and lightweight design makes it perfect for all-day carry without feeling weighed down.

Considering its features, the price is astonishingly reasonable. While it's not ideal for gaming, its integrated graphics can handle lighter games if you adjust the settings.

The main limitation is its 512GB storage, with Windows occupying a significant portion, leaving less for your files. An external hard drive might be necessary for local storage. However, its compact 13-inch size and portability should outweigh this minor drawback.

Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

### Razer Blade 14

0Featuring a stunning QHD+ display and powerful internals within 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 keyboardPC gaming and portability are often at odds, but the Razer Blade 14 strikes a perfect balance. It packs high-end hardware into a laptop that's just over 4lbs and less than an inch thick. The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display, with its 16:10 aspect ratio, may take some getting used to, but the internal components are truly impressive.

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

In our 2024 review, we found the Razer Blade 14 to be an outstanding laptop with a high-performing GPU. While it's pricey, its build quality and performance justify the cost.

See more of the best gaming laptops to buy right now.

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

Best for Students

### Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

0This vibrant laptop comes with 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 compatibleIf you need a reliable laptop for school without the burden of weight, the latest Surface Laptop or Surface Pro 2-in-1 is your answer. Equipped with powerful Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors, plenty of memory and storage, and battery life that can last multiple workdays, the Surface Laptop is our recommended choice. The Surface Pro is also excellent for those who prefer a convertible design (and don't mind purchasing a keyboard case).

Microsoft has significantly upgraded these new models, offering more memory and storage options. Even the base model, with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, delivers solid performance. The Snapdragon processors are highly efficient, with Microsoft claiming 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 downside is that not all apps are compatible with Snapdragon processors. Emulation helps mitigate this issue for many apps, but not all. As Qualcomm expands its processor business, we expect more apps to become compatible over time. You can find an ever-growing list of compatible apps, likely including those 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 stunning OLED touchscreen display. See it at AsusSee it at Best BuyProduct 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 version of our top pick, excels with its balance of processing power and battery life. In my testing using Procyon's battery test, it lasted over 16 hours, allowing for multiple workdays between charges. It ran smoothly, even in creative apps like Adobe Photoshop, and could easily be mistaken for a much pricier laptop when using Microsoft Office or Google Drive applications.

Its ultra-portability makes it ideal for daily carry, being less than half an inch thick and weighing just over 2.5lbs. It's perfect for slipping into a packed bag without hassle.

It's also suitable for light gaming between meetings, thanks to the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics. While it won't match a dedicated gaming laptop, it can handle games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1200p resolution, delivering 30-60fps on its 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. 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 remains the top choice, as demonstrated by our review of the M2 Pro. For the highest performance in video editing, art rendering, and other demanding tasks, the M3 Max version is unbeatable. It's more powerful than most laptops, which is why it's favored by professional creators.

The MacBook Pro 16 offers various configurations, with the M3 Max available in 16-core or 18-core versions, 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, though it comes with a 512GB SSD instead of a full terabyte. All versions feature the same stunning liquid retina display, widely regarded as one of the best on any laptop.

Beyond power, the MacBook Pro excels due to its ecosystem of creative tools and applications. Apple has long been a favorite for creative work, offering a wide range of apps for various creative pursuits, including licenses for Logic and Final Cut Pro available at checkout.

While Windows machines are also excellent for creative work, opting for a MacBook means embracing Apple's ecosystem, which can limit hardware and software choices. Despite this, many creative professionals find the trade-off worthwhile for the powerful tools it offers.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To select the best ultrabooks, we first defined the essential qualities an ultrabook must possess to be considered among the best: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. Gaming capabilities, while not essential, add value.

We evaluated ultrabooks we've reviewed and used, consulted other expert sources, and considered major offerings from reputable brands. We analyzed critical impressions, benchmark scores, and real-world performance, and sought user feedback from reviews and online communities to ensure our recommendations enhance daily user experiences.

We categorized our top picks to help you find the best ultrabook for your needs, whether you're a student, business professional, or someone who balances work and gaming.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Purchasing an ultrabook is a significant investment, so it's crucial to set a budget and consider your needs. If budget is a constraint, you might need to compromise on specs like RAM or opt for integrated graphics instead of a dedicated GPU. For futureproofing, consider the latest hardware generations, such as 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 coined by Intel in 2011 to describe laptops that are exceptionally thin, light, and equipped with powerful 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 extended battery life for a full workday.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not officially an ultrabook due to being made by Apple, MacBooks share many ultrabook characteristics, being powerful, lightweight laptops running macOS.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks aren't gaming laptops, but newer models with advanced integrated graphics from Intel and AMD can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions. Cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now also work well on ultrabooks, offering a viable gaming option.