TOP 13 best ultrabooks

User requirements for modern technology are increasing every year. Buyers want more power in a smaller package and at a reasonable cost. And if everything is not perfect with the price yet, then modern ultrabooks are already ready to offer good performance with sufficient compactness. These laptops are primarily suitable for business people who often need to travel to meetings and various events. If you like to work outside the home (for example, in a cafe or park), then it is also worth choosing the best Ultrabook. For students who are attracted by the small size, but intimidated by the high price, we have selected two compromises.

The best budget ultrabooks

Not every user is ready to spend a lot of money if he only needs lightness and compactness without unnecessary bells and whistles or performance. The problem is that almost all brands do not strive to make compact and inexpensive ultrabooks so as not to compete with top devices within their own range. However, we still managed to find a couple of interesting solutions, and they are perfect for our readers, whose budget is limited to 490 $.

1. DELL INSPIRON 5391 (Intel Core i3 10110U 2100 MHz / 13.3 ″ / 1920 × 1080 / 4GB / 128GB SSD / DVD no / Intel UHD Graphics 620 / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Linux)

One of the best Ultrabooks of 2020, the DELL INSPIRON 5391 is available in two color options. The manufacturer himself calls them ice lilac and silver platinum. At the same time, the lid and palm rest in the reviewed model are made of aluminum, which is not only more reliable than plastic, but also more pleasant to use. The Ultrabook's hinges are designed so that when the lid is opened 135 degrees, the device rises, thereby providing more efficient cooling.

The island-style keyboard is very comfortable to type. The only thing that can upset buyers is the built-in power button. But the latter has a built-in fingerprint scanner that allows you to protect personal data and instantly log in to the system. As for the interfaces, in addition to wireless Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, there is one USB Type-A port, HDMI video output, USB-C, combined audio and card reader. For some reason, the last manufacturer decided to do it for microSD cards.

Advantages:

• cool design;
• good sound;
• fingerprint scanner;
• key illumination;
• fast processor;
• excellent display.

Disadvantages:

• little RAM;
• operating time on a single charge.

2. Lenovo IdeaPad S340-15API (AMD Ryzen 5 3500U 2100 MHz / 15.6 ″ / 1920 × 1080 / 8GB / 256GB SSD / DVD no / AMD Radeon Vega 8 / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / DOS)

The next step in the TOP 3 inexpensive ultrabooks is a good model from Lenovo. The body of the device is made of plastic, but its cover has a metal coating. It is pleasant to the touch and does not collect too much fingerprints. The IdeaPad S340 has no complaints about the variety of connectors: a pair of USB-A 3.0 ports, one USB-C connector, a card reader, combined audio, as well as an HDMI video output and, of course, a charging connector.

Lenovo Ultrabook received a Ryzen 5 3500U processor with Radeon Vega 8 graphics. This is enough not only for work, but also for games. True, in modern projects, you will have to reduce the settings to a minimum, and sometimes set HD-resolution.

The laptop has a decent 15.6-inch display with FHD resolution. If necessary, the screen can be tilted 180 degrees. The keyboard of the most powerful ultrabook in the ranking of inexpensive models is standard, and as a bonus for its price - backlighting. When it is turned on, both the Latin and Cyrillic characters are clearly visible. We were also pleased with the simplicity of the upgrade: removing the bottom reveals slots for RAM, M.2, 2.5-inch storage and a battery.

Advantages:

• excellent performance;
• easy to replace RAM, ROM, battery;
• uniform keyboard backlighting;
• the presence of a shutter on the camera;
• reasonable price tag;
• lovely 14-inch screen;
• curtain for closing the webcam;
• good battery life.

Disadvantages:

• the case is quite easily soiled;
• not the best quality materials.

3. Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 12.5 ″ 2019 (Intel Core m3 8100Y 1100 MHz / 12.5 ″ / 1920 × 1080 / 4GB / 128GB SSD / DVD no / Intel UHD Graphics 615 / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Windows 10 Home)

Of course, one of the best inexpensive ultrabooks, the Mi Notebook Air, cannot be ignored. This is an excellent model for lovers of compactness, because the screen diagonal in this model is only 12.5 inches, and the thickness and weight are 12.9 mm and 1.07 kg, respectively. On the Russian market, this Chinese ultrabook can be bought for 462–490 $... And for a model with not the most powerful processor and only 4 GB of RAM, the price is high.

Despite all the convenience of the keyboard, equipped with a good backlight, it has one significant drawback - the location of the power button. It is located in place of Delete. The latter, respectively, is shifted slightly to the left. And it's not entirely clear why it was impossible to take the power button outside the keyboard. However, considering the cost and advantages of this ultrabook, many buyers will forgive such a defect.

Advantages:

• metal case;
• fast work of the system;
• passive cooling;
• maximum lightness;
• backlit keyboard.

Disadvantages:

• the cost is slightly overpriced;
• inconvenient location of the power button.

The best ultrabooks combined price - quality

Most users will rightly note that for the price of the devices described above, you can buy several classic laptops, and even a little money will remain for an inexpensive smartphone. However, it should be understood that such solutions are not for everyone. If you want to enjoy the same small size and weight, then you should look at more affordable solutions. For the second category, we have selected three Ultrabooks with the best value for money on the market.

1. ASUS ZenBook 14 UX433FA-A5046 (Intel Core i5 8265U 1600MHz / 14 ″ / 1920 × 1080 / 8GB / 256GB SSD / DVD no / Intel UHD Graphics 620 / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Endless OS)

One of the most interesting ultrabooks of the TOP is undoubtedly ZenBook 14. No, not the same one that we reviewed in the segment of business solutions, but a modification of the UX433FA. However, it can also be recommended to business people. A compact ultrabook model with an attractive design and excellent package bundle is definitely something that will delight businessmen, and office workers will also not leave indifferent.

As practice shows, not all buyers need an additional screen. But the digital block is a very useful thing. True, in a compact case there is simply no place for such a keyboard. And ASUS solved this problem elegantly - adding an additional mode to the touchpad that allows you to use the numpad.

We can also praise ASUS for the package bundle. Surprisingly, it is richer here than in the older version: in addition to the power supply and documentation, the buyer will find in the box a cloth napkin for the screen, an envelope case for an ultrabook, as well as an adapter from USB to RJ-45. RAM in this model is 8 GB. It is represented by two strips from Samsung, which can be replaced, resulting in 16 GB of RAM.

Advantages:

• premium design;
• functional touchpad;
• bright IPS display;
• light weight and thickness;
• the convenience of use;
• expandable RAM;
• good selection of connectors.

Disadvantages:

• the body collects prints.

2. Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2017 (Intel Core i5 1800 MHz / 13.3 ″ / 1440 × 900 / 8Gb / 128Gb SSD / DVD no / Intel HD Graphics 6000 / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / MacOS X)

If for some reason you are not satisfied with the new MacBook models, then Ultrabooks from previous generations are an excellent choice. For example, Air 13, released in 2017. The screen resolution here is 1400 × 900 pixels, which can hardly be called an excellent indicator. But with the color rendition, everything is fine here. Yes, and the variety of ports, the ultrabook pleases a little more - full-fledged USB-A 3.0, Thunderbolt and a card reader.

In terms of design and usability, the ultra-thin multimedia notebook remains one of the best on the market, despite an impressive range of more recent competitors. The cool keyboard, metal body, and 1.7 cm and 1.35 kg thick and weight provide a pleasant experience for every interaction with your Ultrabook. And the autonomy of the MacBook Air 13 Mid 2017 is extremely decent.

Advantages:

• high performance;
• convenience of the Mac OS system;
• gorgeous screen calibration;
• good speaker sound;
• reliability and practicality;
• small size and weight.

Disadvantages:

• low display resolution;
• price against the background of new models.

3. Acer SWIFT 3 (SF314-58G-78N0) (Intel Core i7 10510U 1800 MHz / 14 ″ / 1920 × 1080 / 8GB / 256GB SSD / DVD no / NVIDIA GeForce MX250 2GB / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Endless OS)

Unlike the high-quality business-class ultrabook of the same Acer brand discussed above, the SWIFT 3 model cannot boast of a record-low thickness. However, this does not make it any less interesting. Firstly, it uses a brilliant IPS display with a matte finish, allowing you to work comfortably outdoors. The Ultrabook also has a good range of ports, including a pair of USB-A (2.0 and 3.1 standards), USB-C and HDMI.

The case of the ultrabook is also metal, which guarantees reliability. Both the fingerprint scanner and the keyboard backlight remained in place. The camera of a good laptop SWIFT 3 has a similar resolution of 1.3 MP, but it is located above the screen. The device can be equipped with several variants of Intel 10th generation processors. We tested the version with the older i7-10510U, and it works really smart.

Advantages:

• solid screen;
• excellent combination of price and opportunity;
• long battery life;
• fast solid state drive;
• the possibility of an upgrade is supported;
• no need to overpay for OS.

4. Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3 ″ 2025

One of the most interesting ultrabooks in the ranking is the Mi Notebook Air from Xiaomi. This is the perfect device for its price starting at the 812 $... For this amount, the user gets excellent characteristics:

1. 8th generation 4-core i5 processor;
2. discrete graphics MX150 from NVIDIA;
3. stunning 13.3-inch display with Full HD resolution;
4. audio subsystem based on the Realtek ALC255 audio codec;
5. high-quality body made of high-strength alloy;
6. 256 GB solid state drive.

The design of the notebook is also fascinating, and it significantly exceeds its value. Analogues with the same great style and equally impressive build usually cost at least one and a half times more. At the same time, the laptop weighs only 1.3 kg, and its thickness is 14.8 mm. Other advantages of the Xiaomi Ultrabook include a very fast fingerprint scanner.

Advantages:

• excellent performance;
• excellent build quality;
• premium appearance;
• decent battery life;
• dimensions and weight of the laptop;
• excellent display;
• extremely comfortable keyboard;

Disadvantages:

• no card reader;
• poor set of interfaces.

5. Huawei MateBook X Pro

The next line is occupied by a Chinese ultrabook with an impressive price tag in 1400 $... The MateBook X Pro is not just a great laptop, but a true piece of art created by Huawei engineers. The device is equipped with a stunning display with a diagonal of 13.9 inches and a high resolution of 3000x2000 pixels. The screen of the MateBook X Pro is touch-sensitive and stands out with a good margin of brightness.

But the main thing is very small frames (the display occupies 91% of the area). This solution looks fantastically cool. The keyboard leaves an equally positive impression.Working with programs, typing and just chatting on the net is very pleasant.

In terms of performance, one of the best ultrabooks in the rating will not disappoint its customers, because it is equipped with:

1. Intel Core i5-8250U processor;
2. integrated graphics HD 620;
3. discrete graphics card GeForce MX150;
4. 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM;
5. a 256 GB solid state drive.

The built-in laptop battery has a capacity of 57.5 Wh. This device from Huawei is enough for 12 hours of battery life under moderate load.

Advantages:

• perfect screen for its value;
• the quality of materials and workmanship is impeccable;
• very high quality sound;
• fingerprint scanner in the power button;
• hardware platform performance;
• there is a Thunderbolt 3 port and fast charging;
• efficiency of the cooling system.

Disadvantages:

• the set does not include an adapter for video connectors;
• inconveniently located camera.

The best business ultrabooks

Business products have always been at the forefront of capabilities. Business people know exactly what they need and are ready to give the appropriate money for it. If you can highlight about 2100 $ on the purchase of an ultrabook and are not going to compare it with a gaming solution that will be noticeably more productive for the same price, then the laptops described in the first category of our review will suit you perfectly. Thin, light, quiet and autonomous - a real ideal for business people on the move.

1. Apple MacBook Pro 13 with Retina display and Touch Bar Mid 2019 (Intel Core i5 1400MHz / 13.3 ″ / 2560 × 1600 / 8GB / 256GB SSD / DVD no / Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / macOS)

Hardly anyone will dispute the fact that the best Ultrabooks for business and work are offered by Apple. The manufacturer's lineup includes various models in terms of configurations and costs, so anyone can choose the right device for their individual needs. We decided to consider the MacBook Pro 13, released last summer and equipped with the Touch Bar.

The touch panel, which replaces the row of function keys, allows you to display both standard buttons and controls for various applications.

The thin and light Apple Ultrabook is powered by an Intel Core i5-8257U processor. The base frequency of this "gem" is 1.4 GHz, and in Turbo Boost mode - up to 3.9 GHz. Low power consumption of the processor ensures minimal heating and long battery life (more than a day in reading mode at a brightness of 100 cd / m2). The MacBook Pro 13's screen can rightfully be called a reference, so it's suitable for photographers and designers.

Advantages:

• display resolution;
• perfect color rendering;
• excellent autonomy;
• Convenience of the Touch Bar;
• excellent backlit keyboard;
• excellent build quality;
• one of the best keyboards.

Disadvantages:

• very few connectors.

2. Acer SWIFT 7 (SF714-51T-M3AH) (Intel Core i7 7Y75 1300 MHz / 14 ″ / 1920 × 1080 / 8GB / 256GB SSD / DVD no / Intel HD Graphics 615 / Wi-Fi / 3G / LTE / Windows 10 Pro)

Would you like to get a laptop with the thickness of a smartphone? Yes, it sounds fantastic, but Acer proves that nothing is impossible. Its 14-inch SWIFT 7 Ultrabook is only 9mm thick. Of course, you won't be able to fit the gluttonous hardware here, so the device is content with the i7 7Y75 processor. Cooling is passive, and the graphics in the Acer Ultrabook are built-in - HD 615.

The design of SWIFT 7 turned out to be really cool: a metal base with a pleasant to the touch matte paint, neat bevels around the touchpad and fingerprint scanner, thin frames around the display. However, the last plus is not so unambiguous, because the bottom frame of a good ultrabook is not just large, but huge. This decision is explained by the fact that it was necessary to place a camera and a pair of microphones here.

Advantages:

• minimal framework;
• long-term autonomy - up to 8 hours on a single charge;
• very small thickness;
• silent work;
• fingerprint scanner;
• system performance.

Disadvantages:

• only two USB-C ports.

3.ASUS ZenBook 14 UX434FL-DB77 (Intel Core i7 8565U 1800 MHz / 14 ″ / 1920 × 1080 / 16GB / 512GB SSD / DVD no / NVIDIA GeForce MX250 / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Windows 10 Pro)

The first thing that makes the ASUS ZenBook 14 stand out from the competition is the additional ScreenPad that replaces the standard touchpad. In the reviewed model, it is version 2.0, its diagonal is 5.65 inches, and the resolution is 2160 × 1080 pixels. To save battery power, you can select 1000 x 500 dots mode at 50 Hz.

As for the main screen, it can have Full HD resolution, being matte or glossy, but with touch input, as well as UHD, but in this case only touch. The processor in our modification is i7-8565U. Also ASUS Ultrabook is available with 10th generation "stone". But it differs only in the increased Turbo Boost frequency.

The user can decide for himself which ultrabook is better to choose for his needs, because in addition to the discrete graphics MX250, the manufacturer also offers a modification with Intel UHD 620. Moreover, each of the solutions comes with Windows 10 Pro on board, with 16 gigabytes of RAM and a 512 GB solid-state drive ...

Advantages:

• additional display;
• frameless design;
• great battery life;
• nice looking screen;
• metal case;
• compact dimensions;
• productive "filling".

Disadvantages:

• the case is quite easily soiled;
• modest equipment.

4. MSI Prestige 15 A10SC (Intel Core i5 10210U 1600 MHz / 15.6 ″ / 1920 × 1080 / 8GB / 512GB SSD / DVD no / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Windows 10 Home)

Many people, regardless of their profession, love computer games. And gaming laptops are a great choice for them. True, a business person with such a device will not look very solid. But MSI Prestige 15 can provide both a good headroom and a strict design, with which you are not ashamed to appear at a business meeting.

The modification of the powerful Ultrabook we reviewed comes with 8 GB of RAM. However, the memory, if desired, can be easily expanded up to 64 gigabytes, which is enough for both work and games. The ultrabook screen has a Full HD resolution and a classic 60 Hz frequency. The battery life is also pleasing, which in office mode exceeds 10 hours.

Advantages:

• good color rendering;
• comfortable keyboard;
• ease of maintenance;
• excellent Full HD display;
• responsive and large touchpad;
• low noise level at medium load;
• cool appearance;
• light weight;
• maximum amount of RAM;
• battery life.

Disadvantages:

• flat sounding speakers;
• heats up with a serious load.

5. Apple MacBook Pro 13 with Retina display and Touch Bar Mid 2025

If you do not just want to buy a good ultrabook, but want to get a real ideal suitable for a wide range of tasks, then choose among products from Apple. One of the best solutions in the assortment of the American brand is the 2017 MacBook Pro 13. This laptop model is available in modifications with the classic functional row of keys and Touch Bar. For the review, we chose the second option, because I don't want to return to the usual solution for a couple of days of using such a product.

As for universality, this is not an unfounded statement, but a fact. The device is very well thought out, so representatives of different professions use it. Designers, programmers, writers and other people who type large amounts of text, firstly, will appreciate the convenience of a high-quality ultrabook keyboard for work: keys with a small stroke significantly increase typing speed. The second important plus is the screen. Perfect calibration allows you to work with graphics, photos and layout.

Advantages:

• Quad HD display with better color reproduction;
• thoughtful and extremely comfortable keyboard;
• volume and quality of built-in speakers;
• large touchpad and Touch Bar;
• impressive battery life;
• very balanced iron.

Disadvantages:

• sometimes individual keys can "stick".

Which ultrabook is better to buy

The choice of a lightweight and compact device must be approached with all seriousness.An insufficient cooling system in a compact body will lead to overheating. Cutting down on "hardware" for the sake of small dimensions is also not the best solution, since the device will work slowly. Other victims will also cause various problems, and it is better not to settle for them. We have included three top models in the rating of the best ultrabooks, which are suitable for business people, graphic designers and ordinary users who value comfort and speed. For a more modest budget, choose among the three solutions with the best price-performance ratio. For budget users, a couple of ultrabooks with low-power hardware were added to the TOP.