15 best ultrabooks
It's time to talk about ultrabooks, whose existence is very controversial, as well as the reasons for buying them. Basically, these are lightweight and thin laptops with a low weight compared to conventional laptops. The very name Ultrabook was formed with the filing of Intel, which sets all the necessary specifications to partners. The term was most widely used in 2011, after the successful presentation of the Intel MacBook Air, which was developed in collaboration with Apple.
The very concept of an ultrabook is to combine the features of tablets and laptops. Unlike netbooks, this class of devices is characterized by greater respectability and sharpened iron for maximum energy saving and autonomy. For this, special versions of processors and video cards are created, the main feature of which is power consumption and, as a consequence, a low heat package, which is often easy to dissipate with an aluminum radiator without a cooler. The hyper-threading technology that divides physical cores into logical ones, thus, a processor can have 2 cores and 4 threads, which will have a positive effect on performance, has been especially popular recently.
We've selected the top 15 best ultrabooks for you based on ratings, specifications, price, and more.
Best 12-inch Ultrabooks
The smallest representatives of our rating. They do not have prohibitive power, they are extremely light. Suitable for searching information on the Internet, viewing social networks and working with text documents and presentations. They are poorly suited for watching movies because of the small diagonal. Not suitable for games at all.
3 HP EliteBook Folio G1
EliteBook series laptops are premium class machines. These are compact devices that have not only the latest technical equipment, but also an attractive appearance. The Folio G1 model perfectly proves this thesis. We have before us both the lightest member of the rating category and the device using the latest processors of the Core M family.
Qualitative features:
- The ultrabook is built on the Core M5 / 7 chip. The clock speed is 1200 MHz, but it can be accelerated up to 3 GHz. The processor is built on the latest 14 nm process technology (previously, the processors were manufactured in accordance with the 28 nm process technology). The central processor consumes little energy, does not heat up, and provides high autonomy;
- LED Backlit Keys
- SSD hard disk
- The thinnest 12-inch laptop. Ultrabook thickness 12 mm
- Lightest Ultrabook. Weight 1 kg
2 Lenovo ThinkPad X280
Lenovo has created a whole line of ultrabooks, which are lightweight, thin (17.8 mm) and powerful stuffing. The ThinkPad X280 boasts 8GB of RAM, an Intel Core i5 processor, and a 256GB SSD. The manufacturer assures that this hardworking "beast" works up to 16 hours offline. Users in the reviews indicate 8 hours of work without recharging with Wi-Fi on, a browser, 70% screen brightness and running office programs.
The main disadvantages are the non-monolithic body, which feels like a budget, and the screen with insufficient brightness for this price category (Full HD resolution). But the model weighs only 1.13 kg. Optionally, you can purchase a model with a multi-touch touch screen. There is a slot for a Kensington lock and a fingerprint scanner to restrict third-party access to information stored on the device.
1 DELL LATITUDE 7275
Ultrabook with Tablet PC mode. The model runs on Windows 10 or Windows 8 PRO. The processor varies depending on the modification: it can be Core M3 – M7. RAM ranges from 4-8GB. The screen resolution is shocking: the manufacturer has placed 4K at 12.5 inches. There is a version with the usual Full HD. An SSD with a capacity of 128 to 512 GB is used as a hard disk.An unpleasant feature of the model is a short battery life (due to the touch screen, which “eats” the cherished percentage of the charge with great appetite). The body is metal. The whole assembly weighs 1.4 kg, the thickness of the gadget is 17.1 mm.
Another drawback of the model is the cost. The model is perfect for a variety of tasks thanks to the "two in one" system, but it will not be able to completely replace both a laptop and a tablet due to some of the nuances of Windows when switching from one mode to another. However, the corporation regularly releases updates and fixes lags.
The best 13-inch ultrabooks
These ultrabooks are slightly larger in size and performance. They can be equipped with good mobile video cards like NVidia GeForce 940M or Intel HD Graphics level 520/620.
4 ASUS ZenBook 13 UX333FN
One of the lightest ultrabooks in the world, with one of the best weights at just over 1kg, thanks to a shorter body with 14% less footprint than the previous generation. A new screen with NanoEdge technology, which occupies about 95% of the matrix area, also contributed to it. On sale you can find a silver or blue version, the classic white or black version is not provided. The body is completely metal. When you open the lid, you feel all the stiffness of the ErgoLift hinges used, which raise the base by 3 degrees.
Like all models in this line, the Ultrabook meets the military standard for durability and can withstand extreme cold and bad weather. Full sRGB color gamut ensures beautiful colors right out of the box. The display is characterized by a high contrast ratio of 1150: 1 and a brightness of 255 cd \. Thus, it will be convenient for them to use both day and night.
3 Acer ASPIRE S5-371-7270
The buyer is provided with a choice of ultrabooks with several types of supported memory, which includes:
- DDR3 (standard);
- DDR3L (operates in two voltage values - 1.35 W and 1.5 W);
- LPDDR3 (format for smartphones and tablets);
- DDR4 (standard).
The laptop case is made of metal with a textured upper surface on the screen lid. Does not get dirty and does not collect fingerprints. Despite the thinness and lightness, all the necessary ports, including the card reader, remained here. The SSD is 128 GB and you have to buy an external hard drive. The IPS panel has wide viewing angles that do not darken when viewed from any angle. The optimal spacing between the keys avoids false presses and rattles on them. The panels under the wrists stay cool, allowing you to play undemanding games at minimal settings.
2 Acer SWIFT 7
A handsome native from China under the Acer brand, who managed to fall in love with a large audience with the help of stylish design and compact size. The manufacturer has combined all this with a low weight of 1130 grams and an attractive "filling". There is not only a voluminous 256GB SSD, an i5 processor on two cores, but also 8GB of RAM and a battery that can withstand 9 hours of operation. The screen is glossy with Full HD resolution.
Users in the reviews sing odes to the chic metal body, which both looks amazing and ensures the solidity of the device. According to experts, this is the best option for those who need a productive laptop for working outside the home: it is light, thin and boasts a long battery life. The model is worthy to lead our top, but it falls short of the first place in one parameter: the price.
1 Acer SWIFT 3 (SF313-51-58DV)
The ideal tool for work and movies according to the experts in our top. The main constraints are a 256 GB SSD drive and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 620 graphics card with only 24 computing units. It can only handle undemanding network games at the minimum settings, but its thermal package is one of the lowest and is only 15 watts.
8 GB DDR4 RAM with an initial frequency of 2133 MHz, which can be raised one step up to 2400 MHz. We also note the screen, which despite the 13.3 inches has a high-quality IPS matrix and Full HD resolution. The screen itself is matte.The touchpad has gesture support. The light weight of 1.35 kg in an aluminum casing has a positive effect on transport comfort. Comes with Windows 10 Home preinstalled. Of the minuses, buyers in the reviews note creaking in the case and a flimsy tray under the SSD.
The best 14-inch ultrabooks
These ultrabooks can be used both at home, in the office and on the road. The large diagonal of the display makes it possible to use such laptops both for watching movies and for working with presentations and documents. In this category, we'll take a look at the best 14-inch ultrabooks on sale today.
3 Acer SWIFT 3 (SF314-52-37YG)
This is the best budget ultrabook with great value for money. The model is a little heavier than its dear colleagues - to carry the Swift 3 1.8 kg. Inside is an i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. The screen is widescreen with a TFT IPS matrix and a resolution of 1920 × 1080. In the reviews, the owners of the model point to excellent contrast with a margin of brightness. The battery with four cells lasts 8 hours without charging - decent. There is a fingerprint scanner.
The out of the box model is equipped with the Linux operating system. The thickness of the device is 18 mm, the bezels around the display are quite large. The metal case is not only beautiful, but also durable - nothing squeezes through, does not play or clatter inside. Acer SWIFT 3 is great for business trips - relatively light and compact, moderately productive, able to last a working day without a charger.
2 Lenovo THINKPAD X1 Carbon Ultrabook (6th Gen)
This laptop is often called the "sysadmin's dream" and we cannot but agree with that. This model will become desirable not only for programmers, but also for ordinary users who want to impress others. With a thickness of 16 mm, opening it with one hand will not work, the extremely tight hinges are to blame, but the lid itself can be folded up to 180 degrees. A characteristic feature is the presence of Thunderbolt 3 ports and an adapter port in the kit for connecting a Lan-cable or docking station. We were also pleased with the presence of USB Type-A.
Also interesting is the combined 3.5 mm jack for connecting headphones and a microphone at the same time. The buyer has access to variations in both Full HD and 2K resolution. The work surface is still close to the previous generation and has a comfortable coating. There is a white adjustable backlight in two modes. The touchpad is compact and very responsive. The fingerprint does not require permanent identification, since all information is stored in the chip.
1 Lenovo THINKPAD X1 Carbon Ultrabook (5th Gen)
This Synpad is an improved version of the previous generation. The changes affected not only the exterior - the laptop became sleeker and acquired thin frames, but also the interior decoration. Now the manufacturer from China offers processors Core i5 or i7, from 8 to 16 GB of RAM and a gorgeous matte (!) 14-inch display with a resolution of 2560x1440 in the older version or Full HD in the younger. An SSD with 256… 1024 GB is offered as a hard disk. The apogee of this model is the 57Wh battery, which laboriously lasts up to 15.5 hours without an outlet.
The fifth generation THINKPAD X1 Carbon Ultrabook weighs 1390 grams and is only 16 mm thick. In the reviews, users assure that the device has a harmonious price-quality ratio. According to experts, this "Lenovo" competes with the Macbook Pro and beats the "apple" colleague in many nuances. Of the pleasant bonuses: a fingerprint scanner, trackpoint (a small joystick to control the cursor).
The best 15-inch ultrabooks
The largest representatives. They are convenient for watching movies and have good video cards, for example, the MX150 from NVidia is almost a complete analogue of the GT 1030.
5 Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 15
This laptop-transformer, in addition to its attractive appearance, expressed in black and orange color, also has a wide variety of components, for example, you can choose a system of 4 processors or video cards.During work, complete silence is guaranteed, thanks to the presence of high-quality materials of execution and fitted parts.
The touch screen is quite responsive, which allows you to install mobile games, since the built-in MX130 video card allows you to do this. He will also pull online games for computers. The battery in the operating mode holds a charge up to 5 hours. Buyers in their reviews note the soiled screen and the excellent boot speed of the system. It is possible to modify the tablet on your own, an additional layer is hidden inside under m.2 drives.
4 Lenovo ThinkPad P52s
The S index in the name of this device indicates that we have a special ultrabook for work and installation. This is confirmed by one of the best video cards in its segment, NVIDIA Quadro P500. Somewhat frightening are the manufacturer's statements about long battery life up to 15 hours. In fact, it will work for 8-10 hours, but this is enough, since thanks to the 4200 mAh battery it slowly consumes its charge even under heavy loads.
The keyboard can be backlit or not. The clicks are pleasant - the very thing for programming. There is a face recognition function, which is read by a special infrared sensor. We do not recommend taking this model with a 4K screen, but rather pay attention to the Full HD version, since at 4K the load on the processor and video card is hellish. If you need an analogue for the game, then you can choose a gaming clone of this ultrabook, namely the T580 model.
3 HP ZBook 15u G3 (T7W15EA)
The model that comes with the operating system Windows 7 Professional 64. Distinctive features of the model: a capacious SSD for half a terabyte, a CORE i7 processor and 16 GB of "RAM". The RAM can be expanded up to 32 GB. There is a nice matte screen with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 and a diagonal of 15.6 inches.
The dimensions are pleasant: 20 mm thick, weight 1.9 kg. The display bezels cannot boast of grace, alas. Nice - metal body, pointstick (miniature joystick), fingerprint scanner. In the reviews, the owners of "Zedbooks" write about high performance, a decent screen and a comfortable keyboard in combination with a pointstick. American engineers have managed to cram top-level hardware into this thin ultrabook. The model is not budgetary, but it justifies its price with quality and capabilities. The option is objectively good and is suitable for resource-intensive purposes.
2 DELL XPS 15
A model with many modifications and equally excellent dimensions (due to the thin bezels, the ultrabook is comparable to 14-inch models), performance and a reliable metal casing. The battery lasts 5-7 hours in a fairly intensive mode of operation.
The glossy screen with a variety of resolutions from HD to 4K pleases with gorgeous color reproduction, contrast and brightness with a considerable margin. This ultrabook is the best compact option for photo editing. Processor: i5 or i7, RAM - from 4 to 16 GB. 1TB hard drive and SSD resources range from 32GB to 128GB. The weight here is decent: as much as 2700 grams. The XPS 15 got into the rating of the best ultrabooks thanks to a balanced filling and a high-quality screen. The latter, by the way, is protected by Gorilla Glass. The model successfully competes with the Macbook PRO not only due to the lower price, but also due to the characteristics and stability of work.
1 ASUS ZenBook Flip UX561UN
Ultrabook with full size, which can turn into a tablet PC. Here is a Full HD multi-touch screen that rotates 180 degrees. Inside the ultrabook, everything is just as beautiful: an i7 processor with 4 cores, 8 GB of RAM (the slot supports up to 16 GB slots), 1000 GB on a hard drive and 128 GB on an SSD. The battery is powerful - 52 Wh for three cells, but due to the gluttony of the touch screen, do not rely on the laptop to work for days without electricity. In the "40% brightness, browsing, music, office programs, video, programming" mode, the battery lasts for 7-8 hours of operation.
The model weighs 1.9 kg. The thickness does not exceed 2 cm. In the reviews, users indicate the main disadvantages of Zenbuka.This is a low-speed SSD (it can be replaced with a high-speed one with an NVMe interface) and a plastic back cover, although all stores in the specifications indicate that the case is made of metal.
How to choose a laptop?
So, you are about to buy a laptop. Let's say right away, if you want a gaming station, then focus on the amount of 45,000 rubles or more. In return, you will get performance and large dimensions, due to the design features of this class.
For people who do not have great financial capabilities, classic laptops are suitable. It is in them that the ideal ratio of price and quality is achieved.
For fans of compact mobile devices and computers, netbooks are suitable. Their performance leaves much to be desired, but compactness, lightness and other delights of this class will await you.
Finally, ultrabooks. Recommended for purchase for those who value image and do not care for games. The technology used in ultrabooks costs a lot of money, which directly affects the price. This class is good as a way of expressing yourself, but it is in no way suitable for comfortable gaming. However, by purchasing such a device, you get silence and stability for many years.
