Today, the term "ultrabook" is used rather loosely, encompassing any thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptop—excluding gaming laptops, of course. While initially an Intel marketing term for high-end laptops, the definition has broadened. At its core, an ultrabook prioritizes exceptional productivity in a slim, lightweight, and highly portable package. It's a reliable workhorse that won't weigh you down or demand constant charging.
TL;DR – Top Ultrabook Picks:
Asus Zenbook S 16
See it at Best Buy See it at Asus
Razer Blade 14
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
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Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
See it at AmazonModern ultrabooks surprisingly pack impressive capabilities within their compact frames. 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 machines capable of 4K video editing, this list showcases the best ultrabooks available.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Photos
19 Images
1. Asus Zenbook S 16
Best Ultrabook in 2025
Asus Zenbook S 16
A compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is incredibly portable and a pleasure to use.
See it at Best Buy See it at AsusProduct Specifications
Display: 16" (2880 x 1800)
CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
GPU: AMD Radeon 890M
RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
Weight: 3.31 pounds
Size: 13.92" x 9.57" x 0.47" - 0.51"
Battery life: Around 15 hours
Pros: Dual OLED screens, exceptionally thin and light, outstanding performance with all-day battery, beautiful 3K OLED touchscreen, impressive gaming performance.
Cons: Some keyboard flex
My review of the Asus Zenbook S 16 highlights its exceptional thinness (13mm at its thickest point), impressive lightness (3.31 lbs), fantastic battery life, gorgeous OLED display, and surprisingly strong gaming performance, surpassing even portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. It truly delivers on the ultrabook promise.
The Zenbook S 16 embodies the ideal ultrabook: effortlessly portable and powerful. Its performance among top ultrabooks is remarkable, achieved with minimal power consumption and noise thanks to its advanced AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. It also boasts superior connectivity with two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A port, an SD card reader, and an HDMI-out port.
The display is exceptional, offering a crisp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors. The OLED technology ensures deep blacks, and the 500-nit brightness ensures readability in any environment. A remarkable 15 hours of battery life rounds out this impressive package.
2. HP Pavilion Aero 13
Best Budget Ultrabook
HP Pavilion Aero 13
At under $800, this laptop offers incredible value.
See it at HPProduct Specifications
Display: 13.3” 2K (1,920 x 1,200) IPS
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 8840U
RAM: 16GB DDR5 6,400MHz
Storage: 512MB NVMe SSD
Weight: 2.2 pounds
Size: 11.7" x 8.31" x 0.69"
Battery life: Around 12 hours
Pros: Great price-to-performance ratio, fast processor and ample memory, ultraportable design, all-day battery life.
Cons: Limited storage
The HP Pavilion Aero 13 is a standout budget ultrabook, offering a fast Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory for smooth multitasking at under $800. Its incredibly thin and light design ensures comfortable portability. While its 512GB storage might be limiting for some, its overall value proposition is hard to beat. It's a solid choice for most tasks, excluding demanding gaming.
Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos
8 Images
3. Razer Blade 14
Best Ultrabook for Gaming
Razer Blade 14
This 14-inch luxury laptop boasts a stunning QHD+ display and powerful internals in a sleek chassis, making it a top contender for gaming.
See it at RazerProduct Specifications
Display: 14” QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) IPS 240Hz
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070
RAM: 16GB DDR5 5,700MHz
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Weight: 4.05 pounds
Size: 12.73" x 8.97" x 0.70"
Battery life: Around 9-10 hours
Pros: Excellent gaming performance, 240Hz display.
Cons: Shallow keyboard
The Razer Blade 14 masterfully blends high-performance gaming with portability. Its powerful AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card deliver exceptional gaming performance, also handling video editing with ease. The 14-inch 240Hz QHD+ display provides a smooth, immersive experience. While expensive, its build quality and performance justify the cost.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
Best for Students
Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
A colorful laptop with a Snapdragon processor, ample memory and storage, and excellent battery life.
See it at AmazonProduct Specifications
Display: 13.8" (2304 x 1536)
CPU: Snapdragon X Plus to Snapdragon X Elite
GPU: Qualcomm Adreno
RAM: 16GB - 32GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 256GB - 1TB PCIe SSD
Weight: 2.96 pounds
Size: 11.85" x 8.67" x 0.69"
Battery life: Up to 20 hours
Pros: Great performance, fun color options, long battery life.
Cons: Some app incompatibility
The Surface Laptop 11 (and its Surface Pro counterpart) excels as a student laptop, offering powerful Snapdragon processors, generous memory and storage, and exceptional battery life lasting multiple days. While some app compatibility issues exist due to the Snapdragon processor, the growing list of compatible apps addresses this concern, especially for school-related applications.
5. Asus Zenbook S 14
Best for Business
Asus Zenbook S 14
This ultra-portable laptop boasts incredible battery life, snappy performance, and a beautiful OLED touchscreen.
See it at Asus See it at Best BuyProduct Specifications
Display: 14" (2880 x 1800)
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
GPU: Intel Arc
RAM: 32GB LPDDR5X
Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
Weight: 2.65 pounds
Size: 12.22" x 8.45" x 0.51"
Battery life: 15+ hours
Pros: Thinner, lighter, and more powerful, great battery life, improved gaming performance, gorgeous OLED touchscreen.
Cons: No microSD card reader
The Asus Zenbook S 14, a smaller sibling to the Zenbook S 16, stands out for its balanced processing power and battery life. Its exceptional battery life (over 16 hours in testing), smooth performance even in demanding applications, and ultra-portability make it ideal for business professionals. It also offers surprisingly capable light gaming performance thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc graphics.
6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
Best Ultrabook for Creatives
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip is Apple's most powerful Mac laptop yet.
See it at AmazonProduct Specifications
Display: 16.2" (3456 x 2234)
CPU: M3 Max
GPU: Integrated (40-core)
RAM: 48GB - 128GB
Storage: 1TB - 8TB SSD
Weight: 4.8 pounds
Size: 14.01" x 9.77" x 0.66"
Battery life: Up to 22 hours
Pros: Incredibly powerful, highly configurable, very good battery life, thin and comparatively light.
Cons: Can be very expensive
For creative professionals, the top-of-the-line Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M3 Max chip remains a top choice, offering unparalleled power for video editing, rendering, and other demanding tasks. Its high configurability allows for customization to meet specific needs. While expensive, its performance and extensive software ecosystem make it a worthwhile investment for many.
How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks
Our selection process involved defining key ultrabook qualities: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, high-performance productivity, and optional gaming capabilities. We evaluated reviewed ultrabooks, consulted expert sources, and analyzed benchmark scores and real-world user reviews to compile this list. The ultrabooks featured here represent the best options across various user needs and budgets.
Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook
Setting a budget is crucial. Consider whether you need high-end specs (e.g., 16GB DDR5 RAM, dedicated GPU) or if more affordable options with integrated graphics will suffice. Investing in newer generation hardware ensures longer-term usability.
FAQs
What is an ultrabook laptop?
An ultrabook is a thin, light, and relatively powerful laptop prioritizing portability and productivity. Extended battery life is also a common feature.
Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?
While not technically an ultrabook due to its Apple branding, a MacBook fits the general ultrabook description with its powerful yet lightweight design and macOS operating system.
Are ultrabooks good for gaming?
Ultrabooks aren't gaming laptops. However, many newer models with improved integrated graphics can handle less demanding games at lower settings. Cloud gaming is another viable option.
