Best Ultrabooks: Thin and Powerful Laptops for Every Purpose

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 wide range of slim, lightweight, and highly portable devices offering excellent productivity. They're designed for reliable performance without the bulk or constant charging demands of less portable machines.

TL;DR – Top Ultrabook Picks:

Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16

See it at Best Buy See it at AsusRazer Blade 14

See it at Razer Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

See it at AmazonApple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)

See it at Amazon

Today's top ultrabooks offer surprising power for their size and weight. Our top choice, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops in performance while maintaining exceptional energy efficiency and quiet operation. This guide covers options ranging from budget-friendly models to powerful machines capable of handling 4K video editing and more.

Asus Zenbook S 16 – Image Gallery:

19 Images

1. Asus Zenbook S 16 – The Best Ultrabook of 2025

Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16

A compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, offering exceptional portability and user experience.

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, all-day battery, beautiful 3K OLED touchscreen, impressive gaming performance.

Cons: Some keyboard flex.

The Zenbook S 16 exemplifies the ultrabook ideal: lightweight, easily portable, and a top performer, all while consuming minimal power and generating low noise. Its comprehensive connectivity includes two USB-C ports, a full-size USB-A port, an SD card reader, and an HDMI port. The vibrant OLED display boasts a crisp resolution and excellent color reproduction. Fifteen hours of battery life completes this impressive package.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13 – Best Budget Ultrabook

HP Pavilion Aero 13

Exceptional value at under $800.

Specifications: (Specifications may vary slightly)

• 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, ample memory, ultraportable design, all-day battery life.

Cons: Limited storage.

The HP Pavilion Aero 13 delivers impressive performance for its price point, making it an excellent budget-friendly option. Its fast processor and ample memory ensure smooth multitasking. While storage is limited, its ultra-portability makes it a compelling choice.

3. Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Image Gallery:

8 Images

3. Razer Blade 14 – Best Ultrabook for Gaming

Razer Blade 14

Powerful gaming performance in a sleek and portable package.

Specifications: (Specifications may vary slightly)

• 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 successfully blends high-end gaming hardware with portability. Its powerful components handle demanding games and video editing with ease. The high-refresh-rate display enhances the gaming experience.

4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 – Best for Students

Microsoft Surface Laptop 11

A colorful and durable laptop ideal for students.

Specifications: (Specifications may vary slightly)

• 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 offers excellent performance, long battery life, and a variety of colors. While some app compatibility issues exist due to the Snapdragon processor, it remains a strong choice for students.

5. Asus Zenbook S 14 – Best for Business

Asus Zenbook S 14

Exceptional battery life, snappy performance, and a beautiful OLED display in a highly portable package.

Specifications: (Specifications may vary slightly)

• 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: Thin, light, and powerful, great battery life, improved gaming performance, gorgeous OLED touchscreen.

Cons: No microSD card reader.

The Asus Zenbook S 14 balances processing power and battery life exceptionally well, offering over 16 hours of battery life in testing. Its ultra-portability and smooth performance make it ideal for business professionals.

6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) – Best Ultrabook for Creatives

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max)

The most powerful Mac laptop to date.

Specifications: (Specifications may vary slightly)

• 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.

The MacBook Pro 16-inch with the M3 Max chip offers unparalleled power for creative professionals. Its high configurability allows users to tailor the system to their specific needs. The excellent display and extensive software ecosystem further enhance its appeal.

Choosing the Right Ultrabook:

Consider your budget, required processing power (for gaming or creative work), and desired features when selecting an ultrabook. Prioritize features that are essential to your workflow and choose accordingly.