In today's tech landscape, the term "ultrabook" has evolved beyond its initial definition by Intel's marketing team. Originally coined to describe high-end, premium laptops, ultrabooks are now recognized for their slim, lightweight design and impressive performance, regardless of the processor brand. These devices are the epitome of portability and productivity, ensuring you can work efficiently without the burden of a heavy device or 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 AmazonThe best ultrabooks today impress with their remarkable capabilities, considering their compact size and light weight. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while maintaining exceptional power efficiency and quiet operation. From budget-friendly options to powerful workstations capable of editing 4K video and more, these are the top ultrabooks available 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 out as an excellent Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry, and it's a pleasure to use. See it at Best BuySee it at AsusProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (2880 x 1880)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 flexAfter thorough testing and review, the Asus Zenbook S 16 emerges as the best overall ultrabook available today. Its slim profile, measuring just 13mm at its thickest, and lightweight build of only 3.31 pounds, make it a perfect companion for on-the-go professionals. It boasts exceptional battery life, a stunning OLED display, and the best gaming performance seen from an integrated GPU, surpassing portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun.

The Zenbook S 16 embodies the essence of an ultrabook with its lightweight design that's easy to forget you're carrying and thin enough to fit into a crowded bag. It delivers top-tier performance among ultrabooks, all while being energy-efficient and quiet, thanks to its advanced 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, ideal for connecting to a great portable monitor.

Its display, with a sharp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors, is an OLED panel that delivers deep blacks and a brightness of 500 nits, suitable for any environment. With a battery life of up to 15 hours, the Asus Zenbook S 16 sets a new standard for 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 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 speedy Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation across productivity tasks and multitasking. Its slim and lightweight design allows for easy mobility throughout the day.

Given its specifications, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 offers outstanding value. While not designed for gaming, its integrated graphics are capable enough for casual use with adjusted settings. The main limitation is its 512GB storage, which may necessitate the use of an external hard drive for additional space. However, its compact size and portability make it a compelling option despite this drawback.

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 breaks the mold. It packs formidable hardware into a laptop weighing just over 4 pounds and less than an inch thick. The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display, with a 16:10 aspect ratio, may require some adjustment, but the internals are what truly impress.

The Razer Blade 14 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, making it ready for any game and adept at video editing. Its 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD ensure smooth operation, while Wi-Fi 7 support offers fast connectivity. You can connect it to a gaming monitor using its full-size HDMI port for an enhanced gaming experience.

Our 2024 review praised the Razer Blade 14 for its fast GPU and luxurious build quality, though it comes with a premium price tag. It excels in performance, making it a top choice for gamers seeking a portable solution.

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 and portable laptop, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 is an ideal choice. Equipped with powerful Snapdragon processors and ample memory and storage, it offers battery life that can last through multiple workdays. While we recommend the Surface Laptop, the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is also highly praised for its versatility, though it requires an additional keyboard case.

The latest generation of Surface devices boasts significant upgrades, including increased memory and storage options. Even the base model with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage delivers solid performance. The Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors are notably power-efficient, providing up to 20 hours of battery life for video playback and up to 13 hours for web browsing and productivity, with fast charging capabilities.

However, some apps may not be compatible with Snapdragon processors. While emulation helps, it's not a complete solution. Fortunately, the list of compatible apps is growing, and chances are, the apps needed for school are already supported.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best for Business

### Asus Zenbook S 14

0This ultraportable laptop offers incredible battery life, snappy performance, and a beautiful 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, the smaller sibling to our top pick, stands out for its balance of processing power and battery life. In testing with Procyon's battery test, it lasted over 16 hours, ensuring it can handle multiple workdays without recharging. Its performance in creative applications like Adobe Photoshop and productivity suites like Microsoft Office and Google Drive is smooth and efficient, making it feel like a much more expensive laptop.

The ultraportability of the S 14 is a major advantage, being less than half an inch thick and weighing just over 2.5 pounds. It's easy to carry and fits effortlessly into a packed bag. Additionally, it offers improved gaming performance with the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics, capable of running games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1200p resolution between 30 and 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. 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 with the M3 Max chip is the ultimate choice. Our review of the M2 Pro model highlighted its excellence, and the M3 Max version offers even greater performance for video editing, art rendering, and other demanding tasks. It's a powerhouse that many professional creators rely on.

The MacBook Pro 16 is highly configurable, available with different M3 Max processor tiers, up to 128GB of memory, and up to 8TB of storage. While the base model with the M3 Pro chip is significantly cheaper and sufficient for most creators, the M3 Max versions offer a full terabyte of SSD storage by default. All models feature the renowned liquid retina display, one of the best on any laptop today.

Beyond its hardware, the MacBook Pro excels in software and creative tools, with a rich ecosystem of apps tailored for creative work. You can even add licenses for Logic and Final Cut Pro during checkout. While Windows machines are also suitable for creative work and offer more flexibility in hardware and software choices, the MacBook Pro's powerful tools and seamless integration make it a worthwhile investment for many creatives.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To identify the best ultrabooks, we first defined what makes an ultrabook stand out: thin and light design, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. Gaming capabilities are a bonus. We evaluated ultrabooks we've reviewed, consulted expert sources, and considered offerings from reputable brands. We also analyzed user reviews, Reddit recommendations, and real-world impressions to ensure our list reflects the experiences of actual users.

Our final selection was categorized to help you find the perfect ultrabook based on your needs, whether you're a multitasking professional, a student, or a business user seeking a reliable device for daily use.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Purchasing an ultrabook is a significant investment, so take your time to make an informed decision. Start by setting a budget to ensure you stay within your financial limits while choosing the right configuration. If you're on a tight budget, consider compromises like opting for 8GB of DDR5 RAM instead of 16GB, or choosing integrated graphics over a dedicated GPU if gaming isn't a priority.

For those with a larger budget, consider futureproofing your purchase with the latest hardware, such as 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.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

The term "ultrabook" was introduced by Intel in 2011 to describe laptops that are exceptionally thin, light, and equipped with powerful hardware. Today, the term is used more broadly to include laptops that prioritize portability and sufficient performance for everyday productivity tasks, often with extended battery life to last a full workday.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While a MacBook isn't officially an ultrabook due to its Apple origin, it embodies the characteristics of an ultrabook with its powerful yet lightweight design and macOS operating system.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not designed as gaming laptops, but many newer models can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions. Intel and AMD have improved the gaming capabilities of their integrated processors, and cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now offer viable options for ultrabook users.