Ultrabook PCs are popular with users looking for a thin, light computer with comfortable power. Whether you’re a macOS or Windows user, this buying guide is all about the best ultrabooks on the market.
Our selection of the best ultrabooks
These prices were updated on 09/02/2022 by All4affiliates. They are listed in ascending order and excluding delivery costs. Only the prices displayed at the merchants are authentic.
In a few years, the ultrabooks have gained popularity. This rise in power is based on several assets: finesse, an attractive design, great portability and above all a fluid system for performing the most common tasks. There are even models designed for gaming, like the Razer Blade Stealth 13. Whether you’re attracted to convertibles or ultra-portable PCs, here are the best models available in 2022.
Huawei Matebook D 15
The Huawei Matebook D15 2020 embeds a processor Intel Core i3-10110U coupled with 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD (in PCi-Express). It is equipped with a 15.6-inch Full HD definition panel with extremely thin borders, and offers an exceptional screen occupancy rate of 83%. It displays a weight of 1.5 kg on the scale and also has a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button.
The connection part includes a USB 3.0 port (type C), an HDMI output, two USB 2.0 ports, a USB 3.0 port and a headphone output. Finally, the Matebook D 15 2020 integrates an Intel Graphics card and comes with a Huawei USB Type-CTM 65W charger, a USB Type-CTM charging cable, and a quick start guide. It is offered at €499.99.
- Screen : 15.6″, 1920 x 1080px
- CPU: Intel Core i3-10110U
- GPUs: Intel Graphics
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage : 256 GB SSD
- Weight : 1.5kg
Surface Laptop 3
Surface Laptop 3 hosts the 10th generation of Intel Core CPUs with an Intel HD Graphics GPU. You can also opt for a configuration with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, GeForce GTX 1660 Ti or Quadro RTX 3000 graphics card. The PC has 8 GB RAM memory and 256 GB basic storage.
Connectivity level, there is a USB-A port, a USB type-C port, a Surface Connect port, a combined headphone / microphone jack. The Surface Laptop 3 also has WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. Its price: from 1039 €.
- Screen : 13.5″, 2736 x 1824px
- CPU: Intel Core i5 Gen 10
- GPU: IIntel Graphics
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage : 256 GB SSD
- Weight : 1.26kg
HP Envy 13
The HP Envy 13 is a powerful ultra-portable PC. It combines decent performance with a minimalist and attractive design. This ultrabook has a 13.3-inch screen in Full HD definition, an 11th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor (Core-U) with 4 cores clocked at 2.8 GHz (up to 4.7 GHz).
Its GPU is an NVIDIA GeForce MX450 (2 GB VRAM). The computer also has a 512 GB NVMe PCIe SSD with 16 GB of RAM. The HP Envy 13 has a weight of 1.3 kg. Its price: 1246 €.
- Screen : 13.3″, Full HD
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPUs: GeForce MX450
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage : 512 GB SSD
- Weight : 1.3kg
Apple MacBook Air 13″ with M1 chip
The new MacBook Air 13″ has identical dimensions to its predecessor. It measures 12 inches wide and 8.5 inches deep. There is a main storage with a capacity of 256 GB (SSD welded) with the graphics processor: Apple M1 7-core.
Its battery gives it an operating autonomy of up to 15 hours. It offers enough power for gaming, editing movies and editing photos. For more information, we invite you to read our full review of the MacBook Air 13″ M1.
- Screen : 13.3″, 2560 x 1600 pixels
- CPU: Apple M1 8-core
- GPUs: Apple GPU 7 or 8 cores
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage : 512 GB SSD
- Weight : 1.29kg
Huawei MateBook X Pro
A laptop PC that is also worth a look, the Huawei Matebook X Pro 2021. This laptop offers meticulous finishes, a bit like that of the Apple Macbook Pro from which it is strongly inspired. The latter offers a very good autonomy of up to 12 hours of video playback, thanks to its 56 Wh battery.
Under the hood, there is an 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 16 GB RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and an integrated graphics card (Intel Iris X). Everything runs under the Windows 10 operating system (possible update to Windows 11). Finally, its 13.9-inch screen is of 3K definition, with an occupancy rate of 91%.
- Screen : 13.9″, 3000 x 2000 pixels
- CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- GPUs: Intel Iris X
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage : 512 GB SSD
- Weight : 1.3kg
Dell XPS 13 9310
We start our selection of the best ultrabooks with the Dell XPS 13, a benchmark in the ultrabook market. Dell’s 2021 model, the XPS 13 9310, released at the end of 2020, is a high-end laptop PC. On the component side, the American manufacturer relies on an 11th generation Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor (12 MB of cache memory, up to 4.8 GHz), 8 GB RAM memory and a 512 GB SSD.
Its screen, InfinityEdge, anti-glare can now rotate 360 degrees. For the rest, the evolution compared to the previous generation remains anecdotal. We will note all the same the new positioning of the webcam, at the top of the screen, a real improvement compared to previous generations, such as the 9570, which integrated it at the bottom of the latter.
- Screen : 13.4″, FHD+ (1920 x 1200px)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1185G7
- GPUs: Intel Iris Xe
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage : 512 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
- Weight : 1.2kg
HP Specter x360
HP’s top-of-the-range ultrabook has a less elegant design than the competition’s models. The latest version, which was launched in 2020, nevertheless has a good technical sheet with the 11th generation of Intel Core processors.
The model of our selection incorporates a Core i7-1165G7 with a frequency of up to 4.7 GHz in boost. The latter is supported by 16 GB of RAM and a graphics card Intel Iris X for an optimized and fluid display on the screen. There is also a 512 GB NVMe PCIe SSD, two USB 4 Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 4, a DisplayPort 1.4, a USB Type A 10 gbps port. The HP Specter x360 is available at a price of 1630 €.
- Screen : 13.5″, 1920 x 1280px
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPUs: Intel Iris X
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage : 512 GB PCIe SSD
- Weight : 1.36kg
Dell XPS 15
This ultra-portable PC incorporates an 11th generation Intel Core i5 CPU (i5-11400H) with a clock rate of up to 4.5 GHz. Its graphics card is an integrated Intel UHD Graphics. The processor is supported by a 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD. Connectivity level, you benefit from two USB Type C Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB Type C 3.2 Gen 2 port and a combo jack 3.5mm headphone/microphone. Its price: 2368 €.
- Screen : 15.6″, 1920 x 1200px
- CPU: Intel Core i5-11400H
- GPU: IIntel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage : 512 GB PCIe SSD
- Weight : 2.04kg
💻 What is an ultrabook?
The term ultrabook appeared in 2011 and was first used by Intel to refer to a category of modern, thin laptops with an attractive design. To be an ultrabook, a laptop must be incredibly thin: less than 25 mm or 2.5 cm thick.
As for the power, it is not the main characteristic targeted, but the system must be reactive thanks to the integration of an SSD or by relying on other acceleration techniques for the HDDs. An ultrabook must also have an extended autonomy thanks in particular to the use of a low-power processor.
While traditional laptops generally have a battery life of less than 4 hours, ultrabooks often exceed 5 hours of autonomy. Many 2-in-1 type devices meet these criteria, hence their consideration in our buying guide.
🤔 What use for an ultrabook?
An ultrabook is a good option if you don’t need a powerful laptop and design, compactness and portability are important to you. An ultra-portable PC is amply suitable for office automation, surfing, multimedia entertainment and for performing the most common tasks. It is made for people who want a lightweight laptop that can discreetly accompany them everywhere and in all circumstances.
❔ Can I play with an ultrabook?
Ultrabooks are not designed to run resource-intensive games. Their processor has a frequency generally lower than 2 GHz and the graphics card very often remains limited to an onboard Intel HD Graphics chip, even if it is possible that certain models carry a dedicated GPU, in this case an Nvidia mid-range range.
In 2019, Razer launched a laptop that it presents as the first true ultrabook for gaming. However, these characteristics do not come close to the best gaming laptops. The Razer Blade Stealth 13 is indeed equipped with a 10th Intel Core processor with a frequency ranging from 1.3 GHz that can go up to 3.9 GHz in Turbo Boost mode, an Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card or even a 13-inch Full HD or 4K screen.
💲 What price for the best ultrabook?
Intel’s target price for ultrabooks is $1,000, or around €1,000. Most models cross this limit with prices generally between 1200 and 1500 euros. The MacBook Air 2020, for example, was launched at a price of 1200 €.
Depending on the characteristics, ultrabooks can go up to 2000 €, or even more for the most advanced models, like the Dell XPS 13 and its Intel IRIS Plus graphics card which ensures optimal performance, even for certain games. It is offered at a price of 1999 €, but the 15-inch version is sold for more than 2500 €.
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