The “ultrabook” moniker was originally coined by Intel in 2012 and used to refer to a set of premium, super-thin laptops that met the chipmaker’s predefined standards. Much of this occurred as the PC world was first catching up to the original MacBook Air. However, just as many people refer to tissues as Kleenexes or web searching as Googling, the term ultrabook commonly refers to any premium ultraportable laptop, whether it carries Intel’s seal of approval or not.
The best Ultrabooks might be among the most expensive options out there but that’s for good reason. They’re some of the most stylish and well designed notebooks on the market. But, they offer more than just a nice exterior. These portables are worth their asking price, being made of quality materials and offering the kind of performance and battery life that you would expect out of such a premium computer. And, their svelte design means they’re incredibly portable, too.
Dell XPS 13 OLED
The Dell XPS 13 OLED is what happens when the best laptop meets the latest display technology. Combining the two creates something close to magic- an ultra-portable device capable of running most tasks while providing a cinema-like viewing experience. Everything we love about the other XPS configurations remains, including the fast performance, striking design, and top-rate touchpad.
The latest XPS 13 model debuts a gorgeous OLED panel that provides rich picture quality for when you're streaming movies at home or editing videos for work. Is it worth the tradeoff to battery life? If you need a high-res display, then yes. The 3.5K OLED display outlasted the 4K IPS config in our battery test and is capable of producing a wider range of colors. Equipped with an Intel Core i7-1185G7 CPU with 16GB of RAM, the XPS 13 is small but mighty.
Overall, the XPS 13 OLED brings an excellent display upgrade to what was already our favorite laptop, and it does so without too many sacrifices. you may find savings by checking out our lists of the latest laptop coupons.
MacBook Pro (16-inch, M1 Max)
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is a powerhouse. We reviewed it with an Apple M1 Max, including a 32-core GPU that's incredibly efficient when it comes to graphics tasks. Video editors rejoice-the MacBook Pro is for you.
Apple added additional ports, including HDMI and an SD card slot alongside three Thunderbolt ports, a headphone jack and a MagSafe charging port that we were thrilled to see return.
Yeah, there's a notch in the display. But we loved the Mini-LED screen. In our testing, it reached 501 nits and surpassed 100% of the sRGB color gamut, and it simply looked better than a regular LED panel.
The 16-inch model is expensive, starting at $2,499 and running for $4,299 as we tested it. Those who want a similar screen, premium build and port selection may also consider the 14-inch model, which starts at $1,999 with a cut-down M1 Pro, which runs many tasks similarly fast, though it doesn't have as powerful a GPU.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
Not only is the Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 9 among the best Lenovo laptops but it’s one of the best ultrabooks out there as well. Keeping with what made its predecessors so good, the X1 Carbon packs in a lot of power and features in a thin, light, and stylish package. Its battery life can’t be beat so professionals needing a portable to take on the road will appreciate all that extra juice. And, while it isn’t ideal for creative projects, it handles productivity tasks like a pro, thanks to that 11th gen Intel Core CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics, not to mention at least 8GB of RAM (upgradable to 32GB). On top of that, it’s Evo-certified so you know it’s a quality machine, not to mention brimming with security features. You can get a wide selection and Lenovo coupons.
Asus ZenBook 13 UX325EA
Good luck finding a better laptop than Asus' ZenBook 13 UX325EA for under $1,000. Want a gorgeous chassis? You got it! Want long battery life? Of course, you do! And the ZenBook 13 delivers here, too. And if you want quick performance and a great keyboard, well, I think you can guess where I'm going with this. But wait, don't the other laptops in this list deliver in those areas as well? Yes, but not for only $999.
Asus' ZenBook line has historically delivered on value and now it returns with the ZenBook 13 UX325EA after a brief hiatus. For $999, you can the latest Intel 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 CPU with Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD. It's a specs-to-price ratio you just won't find in premium laptops from other brands. The icing on the cake is the 13 hours and 47 minutes of battery life, which makes this one of the longest-lasting laptops we've ever tested. So yes, the ZenBook 13 UX352EA is a fantastic choice.
HP Spectre x360
The HP Spectre x360 has been one of the best laptops for years now, and the 2021 model is no different. Now coming with 11th-generation Intel Core processors, which offer a decent performance boost, and feature better integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, the HP Spectre x360 (2021) is better than ever. It still features the impeccable 2-in-1 design and pristine gem-cut chassis that these laptops are known for, meaning that the HP Spectre x360 (2021) is one of the best looking Ultrabooks ever made, and when it comes to build quality. While it's certainly pricey, you're getting some excellent extras, such as formidable security features and Bang & Olufsen speakers. If you care about aesthetics as much as you do performance and overall quality, this is the best Ultrabook for you. You can save on computer purchases on HP coupons.
Surface Laptop 4
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is the pinnacle of everything Microsoft is trying to do. This beautiful machine looks great and is a pleasure to use, from its incredibly comfortable keyboard to its bright, beautiful PixelSense Display. Like many of the best Ultrabooks, it comes up a bit short in the port department. And, the inclusion of the microfiber material known as Alcantara may add a bit of comfort and style to the proceedings, but it also attracts dirt and debris. However, it is an incredible machine to use for remote work, especially with its solid battery life (which is a bit less than advertised but still a robust 13 hours on a full charge).
