The modern ultrabook: a deep dive into the best options for 2025. Beyond gaming laptops, virtually any thin, light, and reasonably powerful laptop falls under the ultrabook umbrella. While initially an Intel marketing term for premium laptops, the definition now encompasses a wider range of processors. The core essence remains: exceptional productivity in a slim, lightweight, and highly portable package. A reliable machine 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
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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 while maintaining exceptional power efficiency and quiet operation. From budget-friendly options to powerful machines capable of 4K video editing, this list covers the best ultrabooks available.
Asus Zenbook S 16 – Image Gallery:
(19 images total)
1. Asus Zenbook S 16 – The Best Ultrabook of 2025
A compelling Windows alternative to the MacBook Pro, the Asus Zenbook S 16 is incredibly portable and user-friendly.
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: ~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 slipped into any bag, and top-tier performance with low power consumption and noise. It boasts superior connectivity with multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, an SD card reader, and HDMI output. The vibrant OLED display with its high resolution and brightness is a standout feature. Its 15-hour battery life seals the deal.
2. HP Pavilion Aero 13 – Best Budget Ultrabook
At under $800, the HP Pavilion Aero 13 offers exceptional value.
Specifications:
- Display: 13.3” 2K (1920 x 1200) IPS
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 8840U
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 6400MHz
- Storage: 512MB NVMe SSD
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Size: 11.7" x 8.31" x 0.69"
- Battery life: ~12 hours
Pros: Great price-to-performance ratio, fast processor, ample memory, ultraportable, all-day battery life.
Cons: Limited storage.
This laptop delivers impressive performance for its price, handling productivity tasks efficiently. Its portability is a major plus, though its limited storage might necessitate an external hard drive.
3. Razer Blade 14 (2024) – Image Gallery:
(8 images total)
3. Razer Blade 14 – Best Ultrabook for Gaming
Powerful internals and a stunning QHD+ display in a sleek chassis make this 14-inch laptop a gaming powerhouse.
Specifications:
- Display: 14” QHD+ (2560 x 1600) IPS 240Hz
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
- GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 5700MHz
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Weight: 4.05 pounds
- Size: 12.73" x 8.97" x 0.70"
- Battery life: ~9-10 hours
Pros: Excellent gaming performance, 240Hz display.
Cons: Shallow keyboard.
The Razer Blade 14 impressively balances high-end gaming hardware with portability. Its powerful processor and graphics card handle demanding games and video editing with ease.
4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 – Best for Students
A colorful and durable laptop with a Snapdragon processor, ample memory and storage, and excellent battery life.
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.
Ideal for students, this laptop offers long battery life and solid performance. Note that some apps may have compatibility issues.
5. Asus Zenbook S 14 – Best for Business
This ultra-portable laptop combines impressive battery life, snappy performance, and a beautiful OLED display.
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.
The Zenbook S 14's excellent balance of power and battery life makes it a strong contender for business professionals. Its ultra-portability is a key advantage.
6. Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) – Best Ultrabook for Creatives
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip is Apple's most powerful laptop yet.
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 MacBook Pro 16-inch (M3 Max) offers unparalleled power and a robust ecosystem of creative applications. Its high configurability allows for customization to meet specific needs.
(The remainder of the original text, concerning selection criteria and FAQs, has been omitted for brevity, as it does not contain images and is largely descriptive rather than instructional.)
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