Best Ultrabooks: Thin and Powerful Laptops for Every Purpose

Today, the term "ultrabook" is used rather loosely, encompassing any thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptop (excluding dedicated gaming machines). While initially a marketing term from Intel for high-end laptops, it now applies to a broader range of devices. At its core, an ultrabook prioritizes exceptional productivity in a slim, lightweight, and highly portable package. It's a dependable laptop that won't weigh you down or demand constant charging.

TL;DR – Top Ultrabook Picks:

--------------------------------------

Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16
See it at Best Buy See it at Asus

Razer Blade 14
See it at Razer

Microsoft Surface Laptop 11
See it at Amazon

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

Modern ultrabooks surprise with their capabilities, given their size and weight. Our top choice, the Asus Zenbook S 16, rivals high-end desktops while boasting 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

Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16

A superb 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 Asus

Product 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 confirms its status as the best overall ultrabook. Its incredibly thin profile (13mm at its thickest) and lightweight design (3.31 lbs) are complemented by fantastic battery life, a gorgeous OLED display, and the best integrated GPU performance yet, surpassing portable gaming PCs like the Asus ROG Ally X and Ayaneo Kun. It's truly a complete package.

The Zenbook S 16 embodies the essence of an ultrabook: lightweight and slim enough for effortless portability, yet powerful enough to handle demanding tasks. Its cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU ensures top-tier performance with minimal power consumption and noise. Superior connectivity is another highlight, featuring 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, boasting a crisp 2880x1880 resolution and vibrant colors. The OLED technology delivers deep blacks, and the 500-nit brightness ensures readability in any environment. With a remarkable 15 hours of battery life, the Asus Zenbook S 16 redefines what an ultrabook should be.

2. HP Pavilion Aero 13

Best Budget Ultrabook

HP Pavilion Aero 13

At under $800, this laptop offers incredible value. See it at HP

Product 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

For a budget-friendly ultrabook, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 shines. Its sub-$800 price point belies its impressive performance, thanks to a fast Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of DDR5 memory. Its thin and light design ensures comfortable portability. While not ideal for gaming, its integrated graphics are adequate for casual play.

Its main drawback is the limited 512GB of storage. An external hard drive is recommended for users needing more storage space. However, considering its size and portability, this is a minor trade-off.

3. Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Photos

8 Images

3. Razer Blade 14

Best Ultrabook for Gaming

Razer Blade 14

A stunning 14-inch luxury laptop with a fast QHD+ display and powerful internals, ready for any game. See it at Razer

Product 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 powerful gaming hardware with impressive portability. Its robust specifications, including an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, handle demanding games and video editing with ease. The 16GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD ensure smooth operation, while Wi-Fi 7 provides fast connectivity. It's a premium choice, excelling in build quality and performance.

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 Amazon

Product 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 is perfect for students needing a durable and portable laptop. Its powerful Snapdragon processors, ample memory and storage, and exceptional battery life (up to 20 hours) ensure all-day productivity. While some app compatibility issues exist, the growing list of compatible apps covers most student needs.

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 display. See it at Asus See it at Best Buy

Product 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 offers a compelling blend of power and portability. Its extended battery life (over 16 hours in testing), smooth performance, and vibrant OLED display make it ideal for business professionals. While not a gaming powerhouse, its Intel Arc graphics handle light gaming surprisingly well.

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 the most powerful Mac ever. See it at Amazon

Product 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 Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) remains a top choice. Its exceptional power, extensive configurability, and excellent battery life make it ideal for demanding creative workflows. While expensive, its performance and extensive software ecosystem justify the cost for many.

How We Chose the Best Ultrabooks

Our selection process involved defining essential ultrabook qualities: thinness, lightness, extended battery life, and high-performance productivity. Gaming capabilities were considered a bonus. We evaluated reviewed ultrabooks, consulted expert sources, and analyzed user reviews to identify the most impactful and reliable options.

Things to Consider When Shopping for an Ultrabook

Set a budget before shopping. Consider RAM and graphics card needs based on your usage. Investing in a future-proof ultrabook with latest-generation hardware extends its lifespan.

FAQs

What is an ultrabook laptop?

Initially coined by Intel, "ultrabook" describes thin, light, and powerful laptops. The term now broadly refers to portable laptops prioritizing productivity.

Is a MacBook considered an ultrabook?

While not technically an ultrabook due to its Apple branding, a MacBook fits the ultrabook description in terms of power and portability.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Ultrabooks aren't gaming laptops. However, many newer ultrabooks can handle casual gaming at lower settings. Cloud gaming is another viable option.