In today's tech-driven world, the term "ultrabook" has evolved beyond its origins in Intel's marketing strategy to encapsulate a broader range of sleek, powerful, and highly portable laptops. While traditionally associated with Intel, ultrabooks now include models powered by various processors, all designed to deliver exceptional productivity without the bulk. An ideal ultrabook is thin, lightweight, and boasts a long battery life, ensuring you can work on the go without 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 AmazonToday's ultrabooks are remarkable for their performance, given their compact and lightweight design. Our top pick, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops in power while maintaining efficiency and quiet operation. From budget-friendly options to robust machines capable of handling 4K video editing, these are the best ultrabooks you can buy right 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 premier Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. Its lightweight design and user-friendly features make it a joy to carry and use daily. 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 an all-day batteryBeautiful 3K OLED touchscreenImpressive gaming performanceCONSSome keyboard flexThe Asus Zenbook S 16 epitomizes the essence of an ultrabook. With a thickness of just 13mm and a weight of only 3.31 pounds, it's easy to forget you're carrying it. It offers top-tier performance thanks to its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, which ensures efficiency and minimal noise. Connectivity options are robust, including two USB Type-C ports, a full-size USB Type-A, an SD card reader, and an HDMI port for use with portable monitors.

The display is a standout feature, with a resolution of 2880x1880 and vibrant OLED technology that delivers deep blacks and a brightness of 500 nits, making it suitable for any lighting condition. With up to 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 redefines what an ultrabook can be.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13

Best Budget Ultrabook

### HP Pavilion Aero 13

0At less than $800, this laptop offers exceptional value. See it at HPProduct SpecificationsDisplay13.3” 2K (1,920 x 1,200) IPSCPUAMD Ryzen 5 8840URAM16GB DDR5 6,400MHzStorage512MB NVMe SSDWeight2.2 poundsSize11.7" 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 an excellent choice. Priced below $800, it features a speedy Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory, ensuring smooth operation for productivity tasks. Its lightweight and slim design makes it ideal for daily carry.

While it offers impressive value, the 512GB storage may be limiting, suggesting the use of an external hard drive for additional space. Nonetheless, its compact size and performance make it a compelling option.

Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

### Razer Blade 14

0The Razer Blade 14 combines a stunning 240Hz QHD+ display with powerful internals in a sleek chassis, making it an ideal choice for gamers. See it at RazerProduct SpecificationsDisplay14” QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) IPS 240HzCPUAMD Ryzen 9 8945HSGPUNvidia RTX 4070RAM16GB DDR5 5,700MHzStorage1TB NVMe SSDWeight4.05 poundsSize12.73" x 8.97" x 0.70"Battery lifeAround 9-10 hoursPROSExcellent gaming performance240Hz displayCONSShallow keyboardThe Razer Blade 14 offers a rare blend of gaming prowess and portability. Weighing just over 4 pounds and less than an inch thick, it houses an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, making it suitable for both gaming and video editing. Its 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD ensure swift performance, while Wi-Fi 7 support provides fast connectivity.

Despite its high cost, the Razer Blade 14's luxurious build and performance are unmatched, as noted in our 2024 review.

See more of the best gaming laptops to buy right now.

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

Best for Students

### Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

0The Surface Laptop 11 offers vibrant color options, a Snapdragon processor, and robust battery life, making it perfect for students. 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 an excellent choice for students, offering powerful Snapdragon processors, ample memory and storage, and up to 20 hours of battery life. While the base model with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage provides solid performance, the Surface Pro variant is also recommended for those who prefer a convertible design.

Although some apps may not be compatible with the Snapdragon processors, the built-in emulation supports many applications, and the list of compatible apps is expected to grow. This laptop's power efficiency and fast charging capabilities make it a reliable companion for academic pursuits.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14

Best for Business

### Asus Zenbook S 14

0The Asus Zenbook S 14 is an ultra-portable laptop with impressive battery life, swift 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, a smaller counterpart to the Zenbook S 16, offers a perfect balance of power and portability. In testing, it achieved over 16 hours of battery life, making it ideal for extended work sessions. Its performance in creative applications like Adobe Photoshop is smooth, and its OLED screen enhances the visual experience.

At less than a half-inch thick and weighing just over 2.5 pounds, the Zenbook S 14 is easy to carry and fits seamlessly into a packed bag. It's also suitable for light gaming, thanks to the 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)

0The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip is the most powerful Mac ever, ideal for creative professionals. 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 creatives, the Apple MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip is unparalleled. Its configurable options, including up to 128GB of memory and 8TB of storage, cater to the most demanding tasks like video editing and art rendering. The M3 Max version offers unmatched power, while the standard M3 Pro provides a more affordable option with sufficient performance for most creatives.

The MacBook Pro's liquid retina display is renowned for its quality, and Apple's ecosystem offers a wide array of creative tools. While the cost can escalate quickly, the MacBook Pro remains a top choice for those willing to invest in a comprehensive creative solution.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

To identify the best ultrabooks, we first established the essential qualities that define an ultrabook: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. We reviewed ultrabooks we've tested, consulted expert opinions from across the web, and considered offerings from leading brands. User reviews and community feedback were also crucial in determining which ultrabooks enhance daily life.

We then categorized our findings to provide recommendations tailored to different user needs, from gamers and students to business professionals.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

When purchasing an ultrabook, it's important to set a budget to ensure you can afford the desired specifications. Budget-conscious buyers might opt for less powerful components, such as 8GB of DDR5 RAM or DDR4 RAM, while those with more to spend should consider futureproofing with the latest hardware like 14th Gen Intel CPUs or AMD Ryzen processors with RTX 4000-series or AMD Radeon 7000-series GPUs.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

Originally coined by Intel in 2011, the term "ultrabook" now refers to laptops that are thin, light, and equipped with powerful hardware capable of handling daily productivity tasks with ease. Most ultrabooks feature long battery life, ensuring they can last through an entire workday.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not technically an ultrabook due to its Apple origin, a MacBook shares many characteristics with ultrabooks, such as being powerful yet lightweight and running on macOS.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks are not primarily designed for gaming, but newer models with improved integrated graphics from Intel and AMD can handle gaming at lower settings or resolutions. Cloud gaming services also provide a viable option for ultrabook users looking to play games.