For someone who travels and works at the same time or doesn’t like to work from the routine borefest of the place every day, ultraportable laptops are going to be the safest bet for them.

As the tech and internet evolve, we have seen a growth in the power of the devices while their size has shrunk down quite significantly. For the first time, Intel called these ultra-powerful but portable laptops, Ultrabooks. It was a response from the Windows-based laptop manufacturers to Apple’s MacBook Air, their first portable laptop. Since then, consumers have been loaded with options. While some of them sound great, I don’t consider all of them reliable.

Before you get off on the wrong foot, you should do a bit of homework on these machines (well, you are doing that already). With that said, I tested a bunch of laptops and included just the best ones in this review plus a guide to buying Ultrabooks. Now, without further ado, let’s go and talk about them.

What are Ultrabooks?

The laptops with great power but in smaller size and weight usually around 3 pounds and 14-inch of the screen are ultrabooks. They have great battery life that lasts for about 8 hours and it makes sense because their users will likely be using them unplugged while sippin’ coffee.

Key Considerations for Choosing the Perfect Ultraportable

Before we dive right into the machines, you should know what to look for in your perfect laptop. Consider these factors before swiping your credit card:

• Prioritizing Performance: Processors, RAM, and Storage

For the most part, your laptop’s RAM, processors, and storage type including the RAM type contribute to its performance. Not that the operating system doesn’t play any role in that regard, it’s not as significant as the actual hardware especially if you are going with a Windows laptop.

Here is a rule of thumb: if you need an ultrabook for editing videos or images, you should go with the AMD Ryzen otherwise just go with Intel Core i7 and above.

Let’s talk about these hardware components briefly. First up you have the processor: generally, Windows-based laptops are powered by either Intel or AMD. Intel likes to call its series of processors as Core while AMD calls it Ryzen.

Now, we have the RAM for your ultraportable laptop. There are two types of RAMs in the market for these lightweight laptops: LPDDR4 and LPDDR5. There is not a big difference between the two so you will be fine with any. Just make sure you get at least 16 gigs of RAM for seamless multitasking.

You should go with at least 256GB of SSD for storage. Make sure it’s not SATA as it has comparatively slower read and write speed than NVMe.

• Display Decoded: Type, Size, and Resolution

There are a few different display technologies used by the manufacturers: LED, LCD, and OLED. Which one should you go for depends on your usage. If you want to use your laptop to consume a lot of content or for intensive image editing, then go for an OLED screen.

For the rest of the use cases like using it for business stuff (running Microsoft Office 360 or video conferencing), you will be fine with an LED. For LCD, just skip it in the first place, I am telling you it’s not good.

The screen resolution is the next thing that you should consider when opting for a display on your laptop. You can follow another tip here: get a laptop with at least a Full HD display (1080p).

4K screens have a very specific market and that’s me. I stream a lot of 4K content while being connected to my Xfinity internet which, by the way, has bang for the buck Xfinity internet plans and supreme network coverage. My laptop has a 4K resolution. If you too do a lot of 4K streaming, get a laptop with a 4K screen.

• Connectivity Essentials: Ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth

There is a thing about these Ultrabooks – smaller size means less space for the ports. Some of them may  skip the ethernet port and include only one or two USB-A ports. If you use your laptop to connect multiple external hardware then you should be considerate about these ports.

Usually, these lightweight laptops come without an ethernet port (which most of their users don’t even use). Though they have USB Type-C for charging, some more Thunderbolt ports, USB-A ports, and, if you are lucky, an HDMI port. The bottom line is that you should not ignore about these ports.

The next thing we have in connectivity is Bluetooth and WiFi.

As for Bluetooth, do not buy a laptop with technology less than Bluetooth 5.0. The latest is Bluetooth 5.2 which is way more efficient than the older generations.

When it comes to WiFi technology, modern lightweight laptops use either WiFi 6 or 6E. 6E is the slightly upgraded version of the 6 but the issue that remains is compatibility because not every other device uses 6E. So, you should go for WiFi 6 as it is not a big downgrade compared to 6E and it is compatible with most of devices.

• Battery Life: The Lifeblood of Your Ultraportable

Last but not least, and certainly not the least important – the battery life.

I can safely say that if not the biggest, it is one of the biggest factors when choosing an Ultrabook for your work, school, or even entertainment.

The battery endurance of a laptop depends on multiple factors like display tech. OLED screens consume way less power than the LEDs and LCDs, processors, and the operating system.

Particularly, for Ultrabooks, you should be looking at laptops that have at least 8 hours of battery life because it’s all about mobility, and charging it again and again hinders that mobility.

Now, that you have a bit of an idea of what to look for when choosing laptops, let’s talk about them.

Highlighting Top Picks Across Different Categories

In this section, I have categorized Ultrabooks according to different use cases like productivity, and battery life. Also, you will find all the reasons for which you would want to avoid that machine.

The Productivity Powerhouse – Dell XPS 13 Plus

You might be a power user who needs the best of the best performance. Dell XPS 13 Plus can be a perfect fit because of its sleek design, incredible power, and durability.

Pros

1. High Performance: With the latest Intel processors and up to 32GB of RAM, the XPS 13 Plus handles demanding tasks with ease.
2. Stunning Display: The 4K UHD+ or OLED options provide vibrant colors and sharp details, ideal for creative work and media consumption.
3. Excellent Build Quality: Premium materials like aluminum and carbon fiber ensure durability and a high-end feel.
4. Portability: Lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around for on-the-go productivity.
5. Long Battery Life: Up to 14 hours of battery life ensures that you can work for extended periods without needing to recharge.
6. Advanced Security: Features like a fingerprint reader and Windows Hello facial recognition offer quick and secure access.

Cons

1. Limited Ports: Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports; may require adapters for additional connectivity.
2. No Headphone Jack: The lack of a headphone jack may be inconvenient for users who prefer wired audio devices.
3. Price: Premium features come at a high cost, making it less accessible for budget-conscious buyers.
4. Keyboard Layout: The edge-to-edge keyboard design might take some getting used to for users accustomed to traditional layouts.
5. Thermal Management: High performance in a slim form factor can lead to thermal throttling under heavy load.

The Ultraportable for Creatives – MacBook Pro 14-inch 2024

For creatives like graphic designs, or video edits, the creators need a powerful machine that can display accurate colors while keeping things light and portable. The latest MacBook Pro can be your best because of the mentioned reasons.

Pros

1. Exceptional Performance: The M3 Pro and M3 Max chips provide outstanding power for intensive creative tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and graphic design.
2. Brilliant Display: The Liquid Retina XDR display offers superb color accuracy, high brightness, and ProMotion technology for smooth visuals.
3. Long Battery Life: Up to 17 hours of battery life, ideal for extended creative sessions without needing to recharge.
4. Comprehensive Port Selection: Includes HDMI, SDXC card slot, and multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports, catering to various connectivity needs.
5. Superior Build Quality: High-quality materials and robust construction ensure durability and a premium feel.

Cons

1. High Cost: Premium features come with a significant price tag, which may be prohibitive for some users.
2. Weight: Slightly heavier than other ultrabooks, which might affect portability.
3. Limited Customization: Limited to Apple’s ecosystem and hardware configurations, which might not suit all users’ preferences.
4. No Touchscreen: Unlike some Windows-based competitors, the MacBook Pro does not offer a touchscreen option, which might be a drawback for certain creative workflows.

The Everyday Carry Champion – Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12

This Ultrabook from Lenovo is an incredibly lightweight machine that doesn’t compromise on performance and has super useful business features.

Pros

1. Ultra-Portable: Lightweight and thin design makes it easy to carry around daily.
2. Durable Build: MIL-STD 810H certified for durability, ensuring it can withstand everyday bumps and drops.
3. Excellent Keyboard: Renowned ThinkPad keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience.
4. Long Battery Life: Up to 15 hours of battery life, suitable for all-day use without needing frequent recharges.
5. Security Features: Includes a fingerprint reader, IR camera for facial recognition, and a physical webcam shutter for enhanced privacy and security.

Cons

1. Price: Premium pricing, especially for higher-end configurations.
2. Graphics Performance: Integrated graphics are adequate for everyday tasks but may not handle intensive graphics work or gaming.
3. Limited Speaker Quality: Speakers are decent but not as powerful or clear as some competitors.
4. No Touchscreen: Some models do not offer a touchscreen option, which may be a drawback for users who prefer touch input.

The Budget-Friendly Performer – Asus ZenBook 14 (2024)

If you are looking for a lightweight laptop that is stylish and has enough performance without burning a hole in your pocket then this ZenBook from Asus can be an ideal choice.

Pros

1. Affordability: Offers great value for the price, making it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
2. Decent Performance: Solid performance for everyday tasks with AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processors.
3. Portability: Lightweight and slim design, easy to carry around.
4. Good Battery Life: Up to 12 hours, suitable for a full day of use.
5. Variety of Ports: Includes a range of ports for connectivity, reducing the need for adapters.

Cons

1. Build Quality: While decent, it may not feel as premium or durable as higher-end ultrabooks.
2. Limited Graphics: Integrated graphics are sufficient for basic tasks but not suitable for gaming or heavy graphics work.
3. Display Quality: Full HD resolution is good, but it lacks the higher resolution or color accuracy of more expensive models.
4. Audio: Speakers are functional but not exceptional, lacking depth and volume compared to premium models.
5. Upgradability: Limited options for upgrading RAM or storage after purchase.

The Ultraportable with Unmatched Battery Life – LG Gram 17 (2024)

LG Gram 17 is the best machine that I have ever used when it comes to the battery. This laptop can last for freakin’ 19 hours on a single charge. Though it has a bigger body, it’s lightweight for a 17-inch laptop.

Pros

• Exceptional Battery Life: Up to 19.5 hours of battery life, perfect for all-day use without needing a recharge.
• Large, High-Resolution Display: The 17-inch WQXGA display offers ample screen space and excellent clarity for productivity and media consumption.
• Lightweight: Remarkably light for a 17-inch laptop, making it highly portable.
• Decent Performance: Solid performance with up to Intel Core i7 and ample RAM for everyday tasks and multitasking.
• Good Port Selection: Includes a variety of ports, reducing the need for additional adapters.

Cons

1. Build Quality: Lightweight design may feel less sturdy compared to more robust ultrabooks.
2. Graphics Performance: Integrated graphics are not suitable for heavy gaming or intensive graphics work.
3. Price: Higher price point for configurations with maximum specs, though it offers good value for the battery life and features.
4. Audio Quality: Speakers are adequate but may not deliver the best audio experience compared to other premium laptops.
5. Keyboard Layout: The keyboard might feel cramped due to the large screen size, which can affect typing comfort for some users.

Final Words

If you asked me, I would pick the Dell XPS 13 Plus (2024). It might be costly for some but it will suit well to my needs well. Evaluate your needs and then choose wisely to spend money on.

Last but not least, if you want amazing deals then I’d suggest checking Newegg as they offer discounts on electronics including the laptops you are looking for.