The modern ultrabook: a guide to the best thin, light, and powerful laptops. While initially a marketing term from Intel for high-end laptops, "ultrabook" now encompasses a broader range of slim, lightweight, and highly portable machines designed for exceptional productivity. Forget lugging around heavy chargers – these laptops are designed for all-day use.
TL;DR – Top Ultrabook Picks:
Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16
See it at Best Buy See it at Asus
Razer Blade 14
Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
Today's top ultrabooks offer surprising capabilities for their size and weight. Our top choice, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops in performance while remaining remarkably energy-efficient and quiet. This guide covers options ranging from budget-friendly models to powerful machines capable of 4K video editing and more.
1. Asus Zenbook S 16 – Image Gallery
19 Images
1. Asus Zenbook S 16 – Best Overall Ultrabook of 2025
Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16
See it at Best Buy See it at Asus
- Key Features: 16" (2880 x 1800) Dual OLED display, AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, AMD Radeon 890M GPU, 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, ~15-hour battery life. Exceptionally thin and light, outstanding performance, beautiful display, impressive gaming capabilities.
The Zenbook S 16 exemplifies the ultrabook ideal: incredibly portable and a high-performing powerhouse. Its cutting-edge AMD processor ensures efficient operation and low noise. Excellent connectivity is another plus. The OLED display is vibrant and bright.
2. HP Pavilion Aero 13 – Best Budget Ultrabook
HP Pavilion Aero 13
- Key Features: 13.3” 2K display, AMD Ryzen 5 8840U CPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD, ~12-hour battery life. Excellent price-to-performance ratio, fast processor, ultraportable design.
A great value option, offering a fast processor and ample RAM for smooth multitasking. Its portability is a major advantage, though storage is limited.
3. Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Image Gallery & Best Ultrabook for Gaming
8 Images
Razer Blade 14
- Key Features: 14” QHD+ (2560 x 1600) 240Hz display, AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU, Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, ~9-10 hour battery life. Excellent gaming performance, high-refresh-rate display.
The Razer Blade 14 balances powerful gaming hardware with a surprisingly portable form factor. Its high-refresh-rate display enhances the gaming experience.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 – Best for Students
Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
- Key Features: 13.8" (2304 x 1536) display, Snapdragon X Plus/Elite CPU, Qualcomm Adreno GPU, 16GB-32GB LPDDR5X RAM, 256GB-1TB PCIe SSD, up to 20-hour battery life. Great performance, long battery life, various color options. Note: App compatibility may be limited.
Ideal for students due to its long battery life and portability. The various color options add a fun touch.
5. Asus Zenbook S 14 – Best for Business
Asus Zenbook S 14
See it at Asus See it at Best Buy
- Key Features: 14" (2880 x 1800) display, Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU, Intel Arc GPU, 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, 15+ hour battery life. Thin, light, powerful, excellent battery life.
The Zenbook S 14 prioritizes portability and long battery life, making it a strong contender for business professionals.
6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) – Best Ultrabook for Creatives
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)
- Key Features: 16.2" (3456 x 2234) display, M3 Max CPU, Integrated (40-core) GPU, 48GB-128GB RAM, 1TB-8TB SSD, up to 22-hour battery life. Incredibly powerful, highly configurable, excellent battery life.
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) remains a top choice for creative professionals, offering exceptional power and configurability.
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