In today's tech landscape, the term "ultrabook" has evolved beyond its original Intel-centric definition to describe any thin, light, and powerful laptop, excluding gaming-specific models. An ultrabook is designed to provide exceptional productivity while maintaining a slim profile and high portability, ensuring you can work efficiently without the burden of a heavy device 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 AmazonThe best ultrabooks today are surprisingly capable, offering high performance in a compact form. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while consuming minimal power and operating quietly. From budget-friendly options to powerful machines capable of editing 4K video and more, these are the top ultrabooks you can purchase 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 a stellar Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. It's incredibly 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 flexThe Asus Zenbook S 16 is the epitome of what an ultrabook should be. At just 13mm thick and weighing only 3.31lbs, it's incredibly portable yet doesn't compromise on performance. It boasts fantastic battery life, a stunning OLED display, and delivers the best gaming performance from any integrated GPU, outperforming portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun.

This ultrabook excels in productivity, thanks to the cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, and offers robust connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port. The display's 2880x1880 resolution ensures crisp visuals with vivid colors, and its OLED technology provides rich, deep blacks with a brightness of 500 nits, making it versatile for any environment. With up to 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 truly redefines the ultrabook standard.

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 storageFor those seeking an affordable ultrabook, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 is a top choice. Priced under $800, it features a speedy AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation for productivity tasks, even when multitasking. Its slim and lightweight design makes it perfect for all-day carry without feeling cumbersome.

While the price is a steal, the HP Pavilion Aero 13's only notable drawback is its 512GB storage, which leaves less room for personal files after installing Windows. Consider pairing it with a reliable external hard drive for additional storage. Nonetheless, its compact size and impressive performance make it an excellent budget-friendly ultrabook.

Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

### Razer Blade 14

0With a stunning 240Hz 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 keyboardThe Razer Blade 14 defies the usual trade-offs between gaming performance and portability. Weighing just over 4lbs and less than an inch thick, it packs an AMD Ryzen 9 processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, making it capable of handling any game and even video editing tasks. The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display with a 16:10 aspect ratio enhances your gaming experience.

Our 2024 review praised the Razer Blade 14 for its fast GPU and luxurious build quality. Though it's pricey, its performance and design justify the cost, making it a top choice for gamers seeking an ultrabook.

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 compatibleThe Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 is ideal for students needing a reliable and portable device. Equipped with powerful Snapdragon processors and generous memory and storage options, it offers up to 20 hours of battery life, perfect for long study sessions. While the base model with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage is sufficient, the Surface Pro 2-in-1 is also recommended for those who prefer a convertible design.

Microsoft's latest generation of Surfaces brings significant upgrades, including more efficient processors that support fast charging. However, not all apps are compatible with Snapdragon processors, though built-in emulation helps bridge the gap. The list of compatible apps continues to grow, ensuring most essential student applications are supported.

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 is a perfect business companion, offering a balance of power and battery life. In testing, it achieved over 16 hours of battery life, ensuring you can work through multiple days without recharging. It performs smoothly in creative and productivity apps, delivering performance that feels twice its price.

Despite its smaller screen size compared to the Zenbook S 16, the S 14's ultra-portability makes it ideal for daily carry. Its thin profile and light weight of just over 2.5lbs make it easy to transport. The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics also provide decent gaming performance, making it versatile for business professionals who need a laptop that can handle light gaming between meetings.

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 unmatched. Its top-tier performance is ideal for video editing, rendering, and other intensive tasks. The MacBook Pro 16 is highly configurable, with options for up to 128GB of memory and 8TB of storage. While the base model's 512GB SSD may require external storage, the liquid retina display is renowned for its quality.

Apple's ecosystem is rich with creative tools, making it a preferred choice for professionals. However, the MacBook Pro's integration into Apple's ecosystem might limit hardware and software options. Despite this, many creatives find the trade-off worthwhile for the powerful performance and extensive software support.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To identify the best ultrabooks, we first established the essential qualities: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high productivity performance. Gaming capabilities are a bonus but not a necessity.

Our selection process involved evaluating ultrabooks we've reviewed, consulting expert sources, and considering offerings from reputable brands. We looked at critical impressions, benchmark scores, and real-world user feedback from platforms like Reddit to ensure our recommendations meet the needs of various users. We categorized our choices to help you find the perfect ultrabook, whether you're a professional, student, or gamer.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Purchasing an ultrabook is a significant investment, so it's crucial to set a budget and prioritize features. If budget is a concern, consider sacrificing some power for affordability, such as opting for 8GB of DDR5 RAM instead of 16GB. If gaming isn't a priority, integrated graphics like Intel Iris XE or Intel Arc can suffice, allowing you to allocate funds to other features.

For those with a higher budget, choosing ultrabooks with the latest hardware ensures longevity and future-proofing. 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, is a solid foundation.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

Intel introduced the term "ultrabook" in 2011 to describe laptops that are thin, light, and powered by robust hardware. Today, the term is more broadly used for laptops that are highly portable and capable of handling everyday productivity tasks with ease, typically offering long battery life.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not technically an ultrabook due to its Apple branding, MacBooks share many ultrabook characteristics, such as being powerful, lightweight, and running on macOS.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not designed for gaming like dedicated gaming laptops. However, many newer models can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions, thanks to advancements in integrated graphics. Cloud gaming is another viable option for ultrabook users, requiring a subscription to services like Xbox Game Pass or Nvidia GeForce Now.