This guide explores the best ultrabooks available in 2025, catering to various needs and budgets. The definition of an ultrabook has evolved, encompassing thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptops (excluding gaming-focused models). While initially a marketing term by Intel, it now represents a class of highly portable, productive machines.
TL;DR – Top Ultrabook Picks:
Our Top Pick: Asus Zenbook S 16 (See it at Best Buy, 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)
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 maintaining exceptional power efficiency and quiet operation. This guide covers options ranging from budget-friendly to high-performance machines capable of 4K video editing.
1. Asus Zenbook S 16 – Best Overall Ultrabook
The Asus Zenbook S 16 provides a compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro. Its exceptional portability and user-friendly design are highlights.
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, all-day battery, beautiful 3K OLED touchscreen, impressive gaming performance.
Cons: Some keyboard flex.
The Zenbook S 16 exemplifies the ultrabook ideal: lightweight, slim, and powerful. Its cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU delivers top-tier performance with low power consumption and noise. Connectivity is excellent, featuring multiple USB ports, an SD card reader, and HDMI output. The vibrant OLED display boasts a crisp resolution and exceptional color accuracy. A remarkable 15-hour battery life completes the package.
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2. HP Pavilion Aero 13 – Best Budget Ultrabook
The HP Pavilion Aero 13 offers exceptional value at under $800.
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, ample memory, ultraportable design, all-day battery life.
Cons: Limited storage.
This ultrabook balances performance and affordability. Its Ryzen 5 processor and 16GB of RAM ensure smooth multitasking. Its lightweight design promotes portability, and its battery life lasts all day. The main drawback is the limited 512GB storage; an external hard drive is recommended.
3. Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Best Ultrabook for Gaming
The Razer Blade 14 expertly blends gaming performance and portability.
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.
This 14-inch powerhouse packs high-end components into a surprisingly portable chassis. The 240Hz QHD+ display and powerful AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card deliver exceptional gaming performance. It also excels at video editing.
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4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 – Best for Students
The Surface Laptop 11 is a durable and colorful option ideal for students.
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.
This laptop offers powerful Snapdragon processors, ample memory and storage, and exceptional battery life, making it perfect for students. Note that not all apps are compatible with Snapdragon processors.
5. Asus Zenbook S 14 – Best for Business
The Asus Zenbook S 14 balances power and portability for business users.
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: Thin, light, and powerful, great battery life, improved gaming performance, gorgeous OLED touchscreen.
Cons: No microSD card reader.
This ultrabook offers extended battery life (over 16 hours in testing), smooth performance, and a beautiful OLED display. Its ultra-portability makes it ideal for business professionals. It even offers surprisingly capable light gaming performance.
6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) – Best Ultrabook for Creatives
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) remains a top choice for creative professionals.
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.
The M3 Max version offers unparalleled power for video editing, rendering, and other demanding creative 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 creative professionals.
Choosing the Right Ultrabook:
Consider your budget and needs (gaming, creative work, general productivity) when selecting an ultrabook. Features like RAM, storage, and GPU should align with your usage. Investing in a future-proof model with the latest generation hardware will extend its lifespan.
FAQs:
- What is an ultrabook? A thin, light, and powerful laptop suitable for everyday productivity tasks, often with extended battery life.
- Are MacBooks ultrabooks? While not technically ultrabooks (due to Apple's branding), they share many ultrabook characteristics.
- Are ultrabooks good for gaming? Not as good as dedicated gaming laptops, but newer models with integrated graphics can handle some games at lower settings. Cloud gaming is also a viable option.
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