15
As Bob Dylan sang: ‘the times, they are a-changin’.
When it comes to laptops, it means they’re getting lighter, thinner and more importantly, faster than ever before.
Nothing signifies this fact more than the best Ultrabooks.
Under an inch thick and featuring the best processors and SSDs, these new-age notebooks are as much about portability as raw performance.
With the best Ultrabooks, you don’t need to worry about your computer freezing in the middle of an important project, or running out of juice while traveling.The best Ultrabooks were essentially created by Intel to give the MacBook Air some much-needed competition when it was on top of the world in 2011.
Fast-forward to 2018, and the MacBook Air is all but irrelevant in a world ruled by the best Ultrabooks.
All running Windows 10, and coming from a wide range of manufacturers, the best Ultrabooks bear distinct innovation that we haven’t seen from Apple in a minute.And, now that the Windows 10 April Update is live, and Intel has even released a graphics driver update to coincide with its release, the best Ultrabooks are about to become even more powerful and energy efficient.With this list, we looked for the best Ultrabooks you can buy in 2018, and narrowed it down to just ten.
From brands that have dominated the PC market for years, like HP and Dell, to those that have recently entered the market, like Huawei, we’ve reviewed all of these laptops below for their designs, performance, value and battery life, so that you can decide for yourself what makes the best Ultrabook for you.Ultrabook not for you These are the best laptops across every category1.
Dell XPS 13The best laptop on the planet, Dell's latest Ultrabook is a masterpiece CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080; non-touch) – QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800; touchscreen) | Storage: 128GB – 1TB SSDCentered IR webcamGorgeous new designSteeper starting priceWhite option is pricierWeighing only 1.21kg and measuring a mere 0.3 inches thick at its thinnest point, the Dell XPS 13 is an Ultrabook at its most essential.
You won’t find that it’s the cheapest option by any means, especially as the more affordable Intel Core i3 configuration no longer exists.
However, the Dell XPS 13 is a gorgeous testament to what a thin-and-light notebook can do.
It wields the latest 8th-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, of course, but it also packs a trio of USB Type-C ports and the option of an Alpine White finish that we can’t get enough of.Read the full review:Dell XPS 132.
Lenovo Yoga 920Perfecting the craft of hybrid laptopsCPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | Screen: 13.9-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSDLovely designDecent powerKeyboard still annoys in tablet formFans can be loud when they kick inFew Ultrabooks are as brilliantly designed as the Lenovo Yoga 920, a 2-in-1 laptop that’s as illustrious to look at as it is to use.
In contrast to its nearest competitors, such as Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, it’s also a far less expensive endeavor.
For the modest price you pay, you’re getting a gorgeous, all-metal finish that can be flipped inside out for extended functionality.
It also houses the latest 8th-generation Intel processors, just in case speed was a concern.Read the full review:Lenovo Yoga 9203.
Microsoft Surface LaptopThe Surface Book's best prodigyCPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Iris Plus Graphics 640 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 2,256 x 1,504 PixelSense display | Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSDGorgeous designWell builtWindows 10 S is limitedNo USB-CNo, it’s not another Surface Book – this is a full-on traditional laptop (albeit with a touchscreen) designed by Microsoft.
From the Italian imported Alcantara fabric material decorating the keyboard to its gorgeous 13.5-inch, 3:2 PixelSense display, there’s no questioning the Surface Laptop’s appeal at face value, but dig even deeper and you’ll find a notebook that’s arguably more competent than Apple’s more expensive 12-inch MacBook. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Laptop4.
Razer Blade StealthDon’t be fooled: this is more than a gamer’s laptopCPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 12.5-inch UHD (3,840 x 2,160) – 13.3-inch QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB PCIe SSDLarger, brighter displaySubtler aesthetics on gunmetal versionShorter and shorter battery lifeNo 4K display option in sightThere’s a common misconception that Razer only makes gaming laptops.
Although the company attempted to subvert this impression when it first introduced the Blade Stealth in 2016, those unconvinced may finally have their minds changed this year.
The latest rendition of the Razer Blade Stealth turns a 12.5-inch display into a 13.3-inch, QHD+ beauty.
There’s no longer the option for 4K, but the performance this Ultrabook delivers is well worth the compromise.Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth5.
Asus ZenBook UX310A truly excellent ultrabook at a very agreeable price point CPU: Intel Core i3 – Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) | Storage: 500GB – 1TB HDD; 500GB – 1TB SSDIncredibly thin and lightVibrant, glare-free screenWeak sauce graphicsTinny speakersIt’s no secret that Apple has all but neglected the MacBook Air recently, 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 follow-up to the award-winning ZenBook UX305.
Donning a 7th generation Intel Kaby Lake processor, a 178-degree rotating QHD+ screen, a USB-C port an and an all-aluminum shell, this truly a candidate for the MacBook Air’s throne. Read the full review:Asus ZenBook UX310a84a3c0babd54f895403c337b74c5b91.jpg#
