Digital Advisor is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Ultrabooks are ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy the high performance of a desktop and the portability and long battery life of a laptop.
However, we can consider them less powerful due to the sacrifices made to minimize their size and weight. Don’t worry; you get some nifty perks like 4K resolution and biometric authentication.
If you’re looking for the best ultrabooks, check out the list of our top 7 picks!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Ultrabooks
- OUR TOP PICK: MSI Stealth 15M
- RUNNER-UP: Dell XPS 13
- HP Envy 14
Comparison of the Best Ultrabooks
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
|
Our Top Pick
|
|
View Latest Price → |
|
Runner-Up
|
|
View Latest Price → |
|
|
View Latest Price → |
Review of the Best Ultrabooks
Best Overall:
MSI Stealth 15M
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say that there aren’t any limits to what this computer will be capable of, from editing pictures to 3D modeling. Armed with a high-performance i7 CPU and up to 32GB of RAM, the MSI Stealth 15M takes their everyday computing experience to the next level. However, it only has up to 6 hours of battery life.
Why It Stands Out to Us
This sleek device is more than strong enough to hold up to MIL-STD 810G testing (military standards), making it durable. At less than 4 lbs and measuring 0.6 by 14.1 by 9.7 inches, it fits nicely in your backpack!
The 15.6-inch IPS display can take just about anything in stride and still give brilliant colors and good viewing angles! This laptop features sleek lines and a solid brushed aluminum finish; This amazing design breaks away from your typical clunky laptop shape.
Starting with the 32 GB of RAM, this computer is ready to keep up whatever you throw at it. With an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11375H processor and a 1 TB NVMe SSD hard drive, getting work done will be as easy as typing your name.
Who Will use This Most
Featuring a GeForce RTX 3060 GPU that can handle AAA games at 1080p on high-refresh rates, 32 GB of RAM to boot up all your programs, and a 1 TB SSD to help keep everything running smoothly - this laptop is perfect for gamers who want it all.
Bottom Line
Armed with an Intel Core i7 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU that’s made for 4K video rendering as well as high-refresh 1080p gaming, this laptop is bangin’ when it comes to CPU & GPU performance.
Runner-Up:
Dell XPS 13
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Equipped with a powerful Intel Core i7 quad-core processor and 16 GB of RAM, the Dell XPS 13 can handle intense software operations like video editing and graphic rendering without stuttering. Plus, it can operate up to 16 hours of power. However, you’d need a dongle since it lacks USB Type-A ports.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The Dell XPS 13 is thin and particularly lightweight, measuring only 0.58 by 11.6 by 7.8 inches and 2.8 pounds. What’s more, this laptop uses the latest Tiger Lake CPUs instead of the 10th Generation “Ice Lake” processors, so you get all perks of performance and responsiveness of a lightweight device!
Further, the 4K Ultra HD+ touchscreen display gives you more visibility on your screen for better photo editing or design work. It has a 16:10 ratio display equaling 178 degrees viewing angle, resulting in rich colors accented by the brightness level.
The 802.11ax Killer Wi-Fi 6 also delivers stronger network reliability, so you can go wherever your business takes you without missing a beat. Plus, the battery life can last up to 15 hours on one charge, which makes it perfect for working away from home or school!
Who Will Use This Most
Packed with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSDs, the Dell XPS 13 is perfect for students or professionals who need a powerful machine for their computing needs. It can keep up with your workload, no matter how demanding it may be.
Bottom Line
The Dell XPS 13 is a powerhouse, freeing you from worries about lag and crashes so you can focus on the task at hand. With 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB NVMe SSDs, it can handle anything you throw at it.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to customers, the HP Envy 14 is a small-screen powerhouse that gives them everything for editing high-quality images and videos. An 11th Gen Intel Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU provides the best render speeds, so everything their creative mind throws at it flies smoothly. But it comes with limited USB-C ports!
Why It Stands Out to Us
Weighing only 3.3 lbs and 0.71 by 12.3 by 8.8 inches, HP is one of the smallest laptops that still packs all of those special features we love about HP, such as the 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card.
With an IR thermal sensor and thin-blade fans, it can seamlessly run through demanding tasks. The wide color gamut display with Delta E2 color accuracy is so realistic you may forget it’s not your 16:9 or 21:9 compatible TV screen. Built for ultimate productivity and creation, the 14-inch display of this laptop is built with a 16:10 aspect ratio that makes editing large images fast.
The battery life lasts up to 20 hours to keep you powered through the day on just one charge.
Who Will use this Most
Designed for creatives on the go, the HP Envy 14 is one of the best options to go for. The 11th Gen Intel Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU quickly speeds up creative tasks. You won’t even have to sacrifice power or performance for portability.
Bottom Line
Designed to help creative professionals, the HP Envy 14 has an 11th Gen Intel Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card. Combined with the sRGB, wide-color gamut display, IR thermal sensor, and thin blade fans, you are sure that your device won’t compromise on performance.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say at just $750 (or even under $700 if you opt for the 256GB model), it’s surprisingly packed with capable hardware in a thin-and-light chassis that looks like it should cost more. With a powerful processor, graphics card, memory, storage, and 8-hour battery life - this laptop means serious business.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The Asus ZenBook 14 is a surprisingly lightweight laptop, measuring 12.6 by 7.8 inches. It packs the power of a 6-core Ryzen processor, an Nvidia GeForce MX350, and 8 GB RAM directly into its compact, narrow bezel design. With 512 GB PCIe SSD storage backing it up, you have enough room to save all your precious files.
It has a 1080p display with an anti-glare finish sharp enough to handle any viewing condition. Loudspeakers at the bottom provide excellent bass response while playing music through headphones or a USB-C port.
The array of ports on top of that makes it easy to keep your peripherals plugged in so you can always access them when needed. The only cons are the soldered 8 GB RAM limiting performance and lack of fingerprint scanner to give instant access to the laptop.
Who Will Use This Most
This is for designers or anyone who juggles through different tasks at once. Featuring a compact chassis, narrow bezel, AMD Ryzen 5 CPU, 512 GB SSD, backlit keyboard with sufficient travel (1.4mm), the ZenBook 14 has everything you need in a compact package.
Bottom Line
The ZenBook 14 is an affordable laptop that punches above its weight. An AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor and Nvidia GeForce MX350 graphics give it sufficient power. The anti-glare display will help you work more productively in bright conditions and still get a respectable 8 hours of battery life!
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Displaying stunning high-definition content without compromise, customers say that MacBook Pro 13 is the perfect laptop for all your graphic design needs. With 8 GB of RAM, it can take on even more intensive workloads like rendering 3D animation. Its 20-hour battery life makes it an unstoppable productivity powerhouse. But just like the other ultrabooks, it only has 2 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The MacBook Pro 13-inch is one of the slimmest ultrabooks, with a premium design that’s just 1.4cm thick. It comes with a 13.3-inch Retina display that provides an unparalleled visual experience with its wide color P3 gamut and 500 nits brightness (perfect for outdoor use).
With new updates from the M1 chip, this MacBook Pro 13 offers faster performance and longer battery life. The backlit keyboard has textured keys and a smaller clicker with improved haptic feedback for an entirely new writing experience. It also offers a FaceTime-enabled camera with 720p resolution video recording at 30 fps.
The USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port supports super-fast data transfer speeds of up to 40 gigabytes per second (40 Gbps), allowing you to charge compatible devices such as the iPhone XS Max at full speed! With an all-day battery life of up to 20 hours, you can do more than ever before!
Who Will Use This Most
For tech lovers who want a laptop for school or work, this machine’s performance should make up for its outdated design and lack of ports! And with 20 hours battery, it can keep going all day!
Bottom Line
MacBook Air 13 is the perfect balance between creativity and productivity. This laptop will ensure that your photos and videos are vibrant and true to life with its fast processors and high-quality screen.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say that the Lenovo Yoga 9i is the perfect mix of function and form. With long battery life, vibrant 1080p display, strong audio capabilities, and speedy performance, you’ll be up to anything in no time. But the limited ports prevent you from using other computer accessories, and the lack of an IR webcam means no facial recognition log-in.
Why It Stands Out to Us
In a world of premium-priced, feature-rich 2-in-1 devices, Lenovo’s Yoga 9i goes the extra mile to bring you unparalleled versatility and budget-friendly features without sacrificing battery life or portability.
It has a vibrant 1080p HD display, high-quality audio with Dolby Atmos support, Intel Core i7 CPU, and the Intel Iris Xe GPU for fast performance, so it flies through your chores.
Moreover, it has a 360-degree rotation hinge to transform from laptop to tablet and back in seconds. With a battery life lasting over 11 hours on a single charge, you can go all day without needing to find someplace else to charge.
Who Will Use This Most
The Lenovo Yoga 9i is the solution for those who want all of the benefits of a 2-in-1 laptop. That includes portability, fast processing power, and long battery life - it has all the features that suit your needs!
Bottom Line
The Lenovo Yoga 9i is a more exciting 2-in-1 design that packs lots of features into its thin, lightweight chassis. It has a remarkable audio system, gorgeous display, and fast performance. But it is lacking in ports and doesn’t have an IR webcam.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Customers say that the Surface Laptop 4 has a fast AMD Ryzen 7 processor and a sleek, sturdy chassis. The 13.5-inch PixelSense touch screen offers a 3:2 aspect ratio that adds more vertical space for tall documents. The only disadvantage is it has a single USB-C port that’s not Thunderbolt supported.
Why It Stands Out to Us
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is small enough to pack in your bag but powerful enough to fuel productivity, creativity, and entertainment. It’s got Windows 11 operating system, AMD Ryzen 7 4980U processor, and AMD Radeon graphics.
With 16GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD storage capacities available on this new model, you can be sure to have more than enough space for writing content or doing research side-by-side.
You’ll also love the 3:2 aspect ratio that lets you see more at a glance than other laptops. The sleek design has an aluminum body with magnesium palm rest for durability without weight. Plus, the battery life is up to 14 hours!
Who Will Use This Most
Surface Laptop 4 is suitable for those who juggle tasks at once. With Ryzen 7 processor upgrades, you can multitask with up to 3X more processing power than before!
Bottom Line
Boasting a powerful Ryzen 7 processor, this device can solve any task with ease. It doesn’t matter if it’s for work, school, travel, or play. The Surface Laptop 4 can handle everything without sacrificing portability.
What You Should Know When Buying Ultrabooks
Trade-offs
There are many trade-offs to consider when optimizing an Ultrabook’s performance. This device is specifically designed to be lightweight, thin, and with excellent battery life. Trade-offs in the design include using less than powerful processors, adding less RAM, and omitting DVD drives.
The bottom line is ultrabooks trade power and performance for weight and increased battery life.
Keyboard and touchpad
While most ultrabooks provide both a backlit keyboard and a responsive touchpad, those seeking portability will often be willing to sacrifice the quality in favor of lighter weight and smaller size.
Remember that swapping out key components can be expensive, so getting quality built ones is essential.
Heat and noise management
Heat and noise are important because they can have a significant impact on the laptop’s components. When your laptop gets too hot, it may shut off or get damaged. Too much heat puts an unnecessary load on the machine, potentially making parts fail. So don’t overlook the cooling and noise system when buying an ultrabook.
Build quality
It’s necessary to have quality construction on a laptop because it extends the product’s overall lifespan. It decreases the chance of any electric shock and damage from falls. Additionally, good materials will usually reduce heat produced by laptops. Dust-proofing is also an important factor in laptop construction because more dust means less cooling ability.
Best Ultrabooks FAQs
What’s the difference between a laptop and an ultrabook?
Laptops are oriented towards power users - they may not be as light or slim, but they’re usually cheaper and offer better performance. Ultrabooks are primarily designed for individuals who want a lightweight device with longer battery life.
The latter is also more expensive than an average laptop because it will last longer and offers a balance of price, weight, and performance that most consumers prefer.
Can you game on an ultrabook?
Yes, but there are some limitations. Running games, even high-end ultrabooks, might not be as enjoyable as expected because they lack dedicated graphics cards to power immersive visuals.
Also, it’s going to take some clever configurations with the settings for your CPU to run graphics-intensive video games without dipping in frame rate.
Everything can often go smoothly if the user sets a lower resolution and lowers certain aspects of graphical quality, such as shadows and textures.
Why are some laptops heavier than others?
The weight of a laptop will depend on the type of material used in the construction. We can say that laptops made from aluminum and magnesium materials tend to be lighter because they’re much thinner.
Laptops with heavier metals such as copper or steel are often built to withstand harsher conditions such as extreme temperatures. They are more sturdy but also heavier.
Why are ultrabooks so expensive?
Ultrabooks are expensive because they use cutting-edge hardware to offer packs of processing power in incredibly thin, light packages. While companies used to focus on portability above all else, now they consider functionality as well.
This means since more materials and work go into making each ultrabook, the prices of these devices also shoot higher for consumers. But in return, you get high-quality products that last longer.
What is the use of a notebook?
Notebooks are small, inexpensive computers specifically designed for people who don’t need complicated or high-performance computers. If you plan to use your device primarily for internet browsing and typing papers, a notebook might be the right choice.
Conclusion
An ultrabook is a significant investment, and you want to be sure that it can handle all your important tasks.
If you’re looking for a laptop that is powerful enough to handle 3D games or other graphics-intensive applications, the MSI Stealth 15M gaming ultrabook might be just what you need.
But if you want a laptop that can keep up with your hectic lifestyle, then look no further than Dell XPS 13. The 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB NVMe SSDs will help it stay ahead of any task.
For creatives who are always in tune with their work, HP Envy 14 features 11th Gen Intel Core processors and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti card, so you can be more productive than ever before.
Please follow our page to get updates on our new post.
