There may be many discussions around gaming nowadays, and laptops that have the power to run them. But there are still many people who want a good laptop without playing video games. For these people, we recommend buying the best Ultrabooks – laptops that focus more on finesse and portability than on pure graphics power.
Ultrabooks generally do not carry dedicated graphics power, but instead opt for Intel HD Graphics low-power graphics cards, focusing as much on finesse as on raw power. You can even flip the screen of some of them upside down and use them as a tablet. Most of the time, this feature is more like a gadget than a design philosophy. Instead, the best Ultrabooks aim to embrace elegant, beautiful, ultraportable unibody designs. There are also SSDs inside for extremely fast storage and startup times that will save you time and energy.
Today, all the best Ultrabooks around us are running almost all under Windows 10 – after all, they are destined to be a fierce competitor of the MacBook Air. These laptops are ideal if you have to work on the go – if that’s what you’re looking for, you’re lucky, because we’ve collected 10 of the best Ultrabooks you can buy today. Each of these stylish and powerful laptops has been extensively tested, so you know they are truly the best of the best.
- Dell XPS 13
- Razer Blade Stealth
- HP Specter x360
- Asus ZenBook UX310
- Asus ZenBook 3
- Microsoft Surface Laptop
- Acer Swift 7
- Lenovo Yoga 910
- Huawei MateBook X
- HP Spectrum
The best Ultrabooks in 2019
1. Dell XPS 13
The best laptop on the planet, the latest Dell Ultrabook is a masterpiece
Processor: Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 4 GB – 16 GB
Screen: 13.3 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) – QHD + (3200 x 1800)
Storage: 128 GB – 512 GB SSD
For
– Same long battery
– Great price range
Against
– Always a bad position of the webcam
– No Windows Hello
In terms of look, specification and price, the Dell XPS 13 is nothing short of a miracle. Once again, Dell has served the universe by inserting a 13.3-inch InfinityEdge display into an 11-inch body and weighing just 1.29 kg (2.9 pounds): the XPS 13 features extravagance. The Dell XPS 13 is not only endowed with long battery life, but it is also sold in different possible versions, up to an i7-7700U model.
2. Razer Blade Stealth
More than just an Ultrabook for gaming.
Processor: Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 8 GB – 16 GB
Screen: 12.5 inches QHD (2,560 x 1,440) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160)
Storage: 128 GB – 1 To PCIe SSD
For
– Captivating screen and full of colours
– Improved battery life
Against
– Bulky loader
– Too small amplitude of keyboard keys
Aside from potential and temporary problems, the Razer Blade Stealth is an Ultrabook which – according to the brand – has a penchant for gaming. However, Razer preferred to leave a dedicated graphics card, so that this small 12-inch laptop put all on long battery life and on the 8th generation of Intel CPUs. Of course, you can still play games, but you will not get far without a dedicated GPU (which he is, fortunately, ready for that).
3. HP Specter x360
Ultrabook now ultra-lightweight with Kaby Lake performance
Processor: Intel Core i5-i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 4 GB – 16 GB
Screen: 13.3 inches, FHD (1920 x 1080) – UHD (3840 x 2160)
Storage: 256 GB – 1 To SSD
For
– Ultra-thin and light style
– Long battery life and fast charging
Against
– Miss an SD card reader
– Bar between the screen and the keyboard particularly thick
Among the first to be equipped with 7th generation Kaby Lake processors, the HP Specter x360 is more than just a CPU upgrade. Of course, the 2-in-1 feature is faster than last year, but it’s also thinner and lighter than before, not to mention its sleek design. From the redesigned HP logo on the outer shell to the superior keyboard, the Specter x360 is a safe bet, even if the port configuration is limited.
4. Asus ZenBook 3
A more powerful MacBook
Processor: Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 16 GB
Screen: 12.5 inches FHD (1920 x 1080)
Storage: 512 GB SSD
For
– A clear display like rock water
– Lightweight and very portable
Against
– Weird location of the fingerprint sensor
– One USB-C port
Anyone familiar with the thinnest and lightest laptop from Apple should compare the Asus ZenBook 3 to the 12-inch MacBook. The similarities are obvious, but it is still possible to see the specificities and differences. Featuring an Intel Core i5 or i7 U Series processor, the ZenBook 3 is terribly powerful considering its less than half-inch thick and two-pound weight. The configuration of the ports of entry is meagre, but in the end, the sacrifice is worth it.
5. Asus ZenBook UX310
A truly excellent Ultrabook at a very nice price
Processor: Intel Core i3 – Core i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 4 GB – 16 GB
Screen: 13.3 inches, FHD (1920 x 1080) – QHD + (3200 x 1800)
Storage: 500 GB – 1 TB HDD; 500 GB- 1 TB SSD
For
– Incredibly thin and light
– Bright anti-glare screen
Against
– Rather weak graphics
– Small speakers
The fact that Apple has neglected the MacBook Air lately is no secret, but in some cases, a Windows Ultrabook can be just as good, if not better. Take the Asus ZenBook UX310, for example, the long-awaited sequel to the award-winning ZenBook UX305. Featuring the 7th generation Intel Kaby Lake processor, a 178-degree QHD + display, a USB-C port and a full aluminium shell, this new toy is a real candidate to dethrone the MacBook Air.
6. Microsoft Surface Laptop
The prodigy of the Surface Book
Processor: Intel Core i5-i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620-Iris Plus Graphics 640
RAM: 4 GB – 16 GB
Screen: 13.5 inches, 2 256 x 1,504 PixelSense
Storage: 128 GB – 512 GB SSD
For
– Superb design
– Well built
Against
– Windows 10 S is limited
– No USB-C
No, this is not another Surface Book – it is a traditional laptop (although with a touch screen) designed by Microsoft. From the imported Italian Alcantara fabric on the keyboard to the stunning 13.5-inch, 3: 2 PixelSense screen, there’s no doubt about the appeal of the Laptop Surface in terms of value. But digging even deeper, you’ll find a laptop that’s probably more competent than the Apple 12-inch MacBook (yet more expensive).
7. Acer Swift 7
Fine, light and beautiful, although ephemeral
Processor: Intel Core i5-7Y54
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615
RAM: 8 GB
Screen: 13.3 inches FHD 1,920 x 1,080
Storage: 256 GB SSD SATA
For
– Beautiful design
– Excellent feeling
Against
– Average battery life
– No keyboard backlight
It is not surprising that the world’s thinnest notebook does not arrive without its port shortage problems. However, it is also unfair to judge the Acer Swift 7 by its only pair of USB-Cs. With a Core i5 processor of the Intel series 7th generation of the Y series (formerly Core M), the Swift 7 is by no means a racehorse. But it does not have to be when we see its beautiful design. Despite its short battery life, the Acer Swift 7 is thriving.
8. Lenovo Yoga 910
Elegance meets power with this rugged 2 in 1
Processor: Intel Core i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 8 GB – 16 GB
Screen: 13.9 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) – UHD (3840 x 2160)
Storage: 256 GB – 1 TB SSD
For
– Significantly larger screen
– Speakers that send heavy
Against :
– Heats up quickly (and becomes noisy)
– Disappointing battery life
As a successor to the Yoga 900, we could not have asked for more than the Yoga 910. Completely renewing the style of its predecessor in favour of an all-aluminium monocoque, it’s a 2-in-1 notebook as trendy as it is useful. Although heavier and cooler to the touch, the fact that Lenovo decided to keep the same frame size as the Yoga 900 and install a larger 14-inch screen inside makes it a marvel of design.
9. Huawei MateBook X
One of the biggest rivals of the MacBook Pro
Processor: Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620
RAM: 4GB – 8 GB
Screen: 13 inches, 2,160 x 1,440
Storage: 256GB – 512 GB
For
– Fantastic design
– Great audio capabilities
Against
– High price
– Limited connectivity options
Embellished by the look and price of a 12-inch MacBook, you’ll be surprised when you discover that the MateBook X is more than a Pro in performance. Featuring an Intel Core i processor of the “U” series, this Ultrabook is much more than the Chinese replica that you could have supposed it is. It is manufactured by Huawei after all, the third largest smartphone manufacturer in the world, and with the MateBook X, this giant hopes to replicate the success of its existing mobile phones.
10. HP Spectrum
Fine, powerful and pleasantly chic.
Processor: Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520
RAM: 8 GB
Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS UWVA WLED
Storage: 256 GB – 512 GB SSD
For
– Glamorous, tasteful
– Touch keyboard
Against
– Less than average battery life
– Spongy trackpad
A single glance at this HP Specter, and you’d think it belongs to a mansion. As if the appearance was not enough, this golden machine is more powerful than the last MacBook and for a lower price. You will not find a thinner notebook than this with an optional Intel Core i7 configuration with a trio of USB-C ports. He is extremely efficient and future proof. We only hope you do not mind a laptop making the temperature go up a notch, as the battery evaporates!
