With all the new technological advancements,thin and light laptopshave caught up to their heavyweight counterparts in terms of performance. In fact, these days, ultrabooks not only offer a lightweight design coupled with excellent battery life, but they also offer powerful performance. This makes them the perfect choice for those who need a reliable andportable computing solution.
HP Spectre x360 (2024)
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
Of course, having the right ultrabook can make all the difference for users, whether they are working, playing, or creating. When choosing the best ultrabook, users often look for a combination of factors, including performance, design, battery life, and unique features.
However, with so many options to choose from, finding the best ultrabook for one’s needs can be a tedious task. In this guide, we’ve listed out some of the best contenders in the 2024 ultrabook scene. With it, users will be able to identify the right ultrabook that can enhance their productivity, provide an immersive entertainment experience, and offer the flexibility to handle demanding tasks on the go.
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (2024)
Looking for a do-it-all champion? The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED might be your perfect match. This sleek machine boasts a stunning OLED display with incredibly vivid colors. It’s also a powerhouse under the hood, with the latest Intel processors and graphics that can handle demanding tasks like video editing or running multiple programs at once.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is the perfect all-around ultrabook for users who demand top-notch performance, stunning visuals, and sleek design. This ultrabook is equipped with a gorgeous 14-inch 3K (2880 x 1800 resolution) OLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, making everything from work tasks to streaming videos a visual treat. The panel covers 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and supports up to 500-nit HDR peak brightness. As such, one can use it outdoors under direct sunlight as well, without compromising on the visual aspect.
As for performance, the Zenbook 14 OLED is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor coupled with 32GB of LPDDR5x memory. That’s enough performance for heavy workloads too, and then some. There’s also 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 SSD to ensure everything launches in the blink of an eye. ASUS also offers a 75Wh battery, which should easily last an entire workday for most users. All of this, at a price that doesn’t break the bank, makes the Zenbook 14 OLED the go-to ultrabook for most users out there.
Acer Swift Go 14 (Intel Core Ultra 5 125H)
On a tight budget but still want a great laptop? Look no further than the Acer Swift Go 14. It’s surprisingly lightweight and thin, making it easy to take anywhere. The bright display is great for everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking emails, or working on documents. Plus, it has enough power to handle lighter workloads like video calls or basic photo editing.
The Acer Swift Go 14 is a fantastic budget-friendly ultrabook that doesn’t compromise on essential features. This ultrabook is designed for users who need reliable performance at an affordable price. It comes with a 14-inch OLED panel with a 2880 x 1800 resolution that provides clear and sharp visuals, making it perfect for daily tasks, streaming, and web browsing. Add to that, the 90Hz refresh rate ensures that everything looks smoother too.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 125H coupled with the Intel ARC Graphics aren’t really meant for gaming on the 90Hz panel, but one can enjoy a couple of casual games on the side. What’s good is that the performance is pretty good for mainstream users. The 65Wh battery should suffice a full day with ease and, at 2.91 lbs, the ultrabook is light enough for students to carry daily in their backpacks too.
Dell XPS 14 (9440) (RTX 4050)
Want the ultimate in luxury and performance? The Dell XPS 14 boasts a gorgeous InfinityEdge display with almost invisible bezels, making it a feast for the eyes. It packs a serious punch too, with the latest Intel processors and powerful Nvidia graphics that can handle even the most demanding tasks. The premium price is also well justified by the excellent customer service that Dell is known for.
The XPS lineup from Dell has long been considered as the best Windows ultrabooks out there, and for good reason too. The XPS 14 is the epitome of premium ultrabooks, offering a luxurious design, top-tier performance, and an exceptional display. This ultrabook features a stunning 14.5-inch 3.2K touch display with narrow bezels, providing an immersive viewing experience. The screen is bright, vibrant, and perfect for both work and creative needs.
The premium build quality is evident in every aspect of the design, from the durable aluminum chassis to the precision-engineered hinge. The XPS 14 also excels in the audio department, with high-quality speakers that deliver clear and rich sound. Coupled with the excellent display, the XPS 14 is a great ultrabook for entertainment needs, on the go.
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics, the XPS 14 handles demanding tasks and creative applications with ease. It comes with 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD, though, it can be upgraded to a whopping 64GB of RAM and 4TB of storage. While there isn’t a diversity of ports on offer, a total of three Thunderbolt 4 ports will ensure there’s enough room to connect to anyUSB hubsorlaptop docking stationsof choice.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 (4070)
Gamers looking for an ultrabook to take their gaming wherever they go? The latest ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 packs a serious punch with the latest AMD Ryzen processors and powerful Nvidia RTX graphics, allowing users to play the hottest games with smooth performance and stunning visuals. Plus, the superfast refresh rate display ensures silky-smooth gameplay.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is a gaming powerhouse packed into a sleek and portable design. This ultrabook is designed for gamers who want top-tier performance without sacrificing portability. It features a 14-inch 3K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring vibrant colors and smooth gameplay. In addition, with support for NVIDIA G-SYNC, the panel works well at eliminating visual tearing, minimizing stuttering, and reducing input lag.
Of course, for a gaming laptop, the hardware is the focus. The G14 is powered by the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics. This combination delivers outstanding gaming performance, capable of handling the latest AAA titles with ease. In fact, not just eSports titles, but AAA titles can be enjoyed at over 120 fps, making full use of the higher refresh rate display. Plus, with 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB SSD, users can enjoy fast load times and seamless multitasking.
The design of the Zephyrus G14 is both stylish and functional. It has a premium build with a sleek platinum-white finish, making it stand out from the crowd. The cooling system is highly efficient, ensuring the ultrabook stays cool even during intense gaming sessions. As one would expect, the battery life is not as great as other competing ultrabooks, nor is the G14 as light as them. However, it’s still one of the most portable gaming laptops on the market and the best bet for gamers who are constantly on the move.
Apple MacBook Air (2024) (M3)
For those loyal to the Apple ecosystem, the 2024 MacBook Air might be the ideal ultrabook companion. This sleek and stylish Mac boasts a beautiful Retina display and the latest Apple M3 chip, delivering exceptional performance for everyday tasks and even some creative work. The seamless integration with other Apple devices makes it a dream for those who love the Apple ecosystem.
The Apple 2024 MacBook Air is a top choice for Apple enthusiasts looking for a powerful and sleek ultrabook. This MacBook Air features a stunning Retina display that delivers sharp and vibrant visuals, making it perfect for everything from work tasks to media consumption. The display also supports True Tone technology, which adjusts the color temperature based on the ambient light for a more natural viewing experience.
The ultrabook’s lightweight and slim design makes it highly portable, and the build quality is top-notch, as expected from Apple. Powered by the latest Apple M3 chip, the 2024 MacBook Air offers impressive performance and efficiency. Users can expect smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and long battery life. In fact, one can even enjoy a wide collection of Apple Arcade games on it, or use it for creative needs, like Final Cut Pro.
While the processor remains the same, for creative professionals, we’d recommend upgrading to theApple MacBook Pro. It offers a slightly bigger and better XDR display, with improved brightness and an adaptive 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. It also offers longer battery life and better cooling, but it does cost $600 more than the MacBook Air.
ASUS Vivobook S 15 (2024)
Need a laptop that can last all day on a single charge? The ASUS Vivobook S 15 boasts an impressive battery life thanks to its efficient Snapdragon X Elite processor and long-lasting battery. Whether it’s used by a student cramming for exams or a busy professional on the go, the Vivobook S 15 will keep them powering through their day. Plus, the large 15.6-inch display is great for multitasking or enjoying movies.
The ASUS Vivobook S 15 is the go-to ultrabook for users who prioritize battery life. This ultrabook features a 15.6-inch OLED display that delivers vibrant and crisp visuals, making it perfect for both work and entertainment. The display also offers a wide color gamut, ensuring accurate and rich colors.
The highlight here is the all-new Snapdragon X Elite processor, which is similar to Apple’s M-series processors, but for the Windows world. It works well in providing efficient performance and long battery life. Unlike previous versions of ARM-based software not working smoothly on Windows, users will not face the same issues on this machine. And with a whopping 70Wh battery, users can expect an all-day battery life, making it ideal for those who need a reliable ultrabook for long work or travel days.
The Vivobook S 15 also comes with 16GB of memory and a 1TB SSD, offering ample storage and smooth multitasking. Additionally, while the silver frame might not showcase it well in images, the laptop also comes with single-zone RGB lighting under the comfortable full-sized keyboard.
The HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) might be the perfect laptop for users who crave the ultimate flexibility. This innovative 2-in-1 ultrabook seamlessly transforms from a traditional laptop to a tablet with its 360-degree hinge. From taking notes in class to sketching ideas, or just watching a movie in tablet mode, the Spectre x360 adapts to everyone’s needs. Plus, it boasts a stunning OLED display and top-tier performance for a truly premium experience.
The HP Spectre x360 is a versatile ultrabook that combines the functionality of a laptop and a tablet. Thanks to its 360-degree hinge, users can choose to use the laptop the way they want - like a laptop, a tablet, or in tent mode. The 2.8K OLED Touch-Screen panel is great for productivity, as well as for entertainment needs.
Unlike other Windows tablets, the Spectre x360 doesn’t compromise in terms of performance either. The convertible is powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 155H alongside 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Both the components combined deliver powerful performance and smooth multitasking. Add to that, at 3.19 lbs, the laptop is quite portable too.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 is a productivity powerhouse built for the demands of the business professional world. This ultrabook boasts a durable yet lightweight design, a spill-resistant keyboard, and top-notch security features to keep your data safe. Plus, the long battery life ensures you can stay productive throughout your workday. And no, all of this doesn’t come at the cost of excellent performance either.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 is the ultimate ultrabook for professionals who need a reliable and powerful device for work. This ultrabook features a 14-inch display that delivers clear and sharp visuals, making it perfect for productivity tasks and presentations. The exceptionally great build quality is complemented by the MIL-STD 810H rating. This is to ensure that users can rest assured that their data is safe, even if their laptop is dropped, or exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Synonymous with the ThinkPad series, the ultrabook also comes with arguably the best keyboard on any laptop, one that’s preferred by writers and professionals alike. The red TrackPoint can be used to easily navigate, while a double-tap on it also opens up the ThinkPad TrackPoint Quick Menu for quick control.
Under the hood, the X1 is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, coupled with 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD, providing ample storage and fast data access. That said, one can easily upgrade the laptop to the configuration of their choosing. The 2024 version is a bit more expensive compared to its previous generations, but it remains the go-to choice for professionals looking for a new ultrabook.
How to Choose The Right Ultrabook
Choosing the right ultrabook can feel overwhelming. Especially when there are so many options available. It’s important to focus on a few key factors which can make the decision easier.
Use Case Scenario
First and foremost, it’s crucial to identify the purpose for which one needs a new laptop. Is it for a student juggling papers and presentations? A creative pro editing photos or videos? Or just a gamer on the quest for peak performance while on the move? Highlighting the main tasks will help one pick an ultrabook with the right features, like a powerful processor for editing or a dazzling display for creative work.
Screen size and Portability
Depending on the work, a higher screen size might be ideal, since the increased real estate of a 14 or 15-inch laptop is great for multitasking. However, a bigger display also means that the laptop will be bigger, which translates to an increase in the overall weight. For users who crave the ultimate portability, a 13-inch display would be better, since it offers enough room for managing multiple windows, while still keeping the chassis compact and lightweight.
Battery Life
Since ultrabooks are designed to be used on the go, they are designed to offer great battery life by default. However, it’s always better to aim for an ultrabook with a battery life that can last through one’s typical usage, whether that’s a full school day or a long commute.
Performance
This depends on what one plans to do with their ultrabook. For basic tasks like browsing the web or checking emails, a mid-range processor will do just fine. This includes the likes of the Intel Core i5, Ultra 5, AMD Ryzen 5, or the newer Snapdragon X Elite chipsets. However, those who plan on editing videos, gaming, or running demanding programs, would want a more powerful processor, like the Intel Core Ultra 7 or the AMD Ryzen 7.
Price
At the end of the day, there’s a limit to what one can spend. As such, it’s important to set a budget and look for an ultrabook that offers the best value within one’s price range. One must balance between features and affordability to find the best deal on an ultrabook for their needs.
FAQ
Q: Are ultrabooks good for programming?
Absolutely! Thanks to their lightweight design and plenty of power, ultrabooks are ideal for programmers. The long battery life of these laptops comes in quite handy for developers who are mostly on the go.
Q: Are Windows Ultrabooks better than MacBooks?
Choosing between Windows Ultrabooks and MacBooks depends on one’s priorities and preferences. MacBooks offer exceptional build quality and sleek designs, while Windows Ultrabooks provide more variety in terms of models and configurations. In addition to that, different software and apps are supported by certain operating systems only, which may dictate the laptop one should opt for.
