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Best Ultrabooks 2024: 8 thin-and-light laptops
In This Article
If you’re frequently taking your laptop to and from the office, then you’ll want something as light and slender as possible. This is where our best ultrabook roundup comes in.
While the term ‘ultrabook’ was initially coined by Intel, it has since been adopted by the wider market to refer to any laptop that is noticeably light and thin. As a result, we’ve made sure to include laptops, even if they’re using an AMD or Apple chip.
For our best ultrabooks list, we’ve included high-scoring laptops with a maximum screen size of 14 inches, while ruling out any portable that’s either thicker than 20mm or weighs more than 1.5kg.
Our team of experts have reviewed countless laptops that meet these criteria, but we’ve picked out the very best options here to help narrow down your search. Every laptop we’ve reviewed has been tested for at least a week. We’ve not only taken into consideration the design but also tested the performance via benchmark software and measured the screen quality with professional equipment.
Can’t find an ultrabook you like enough to buy? No need to worry, as we’ll be updating this list on a regular basis as more and more laptop reviews are published on our website.
And if you’re happy to buy a laptop that doesn’t meet the ultrabook criteria, then check out ourBest Laptop,Best Student Laptop,Best MacBookandBest Gaming Laptoppages too.
Best ultrabooks at a glance
How we test
Every laptop we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality, performance, screen quality and battery life.These include formal synthetic benchmarks and scripted tests, plus a series of real world checks, such as how well it runs the most frequently used apps.We also make sure to use every laptop we review as our primary device for at least a week to ensure our review is as accurate as possible.
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED
Pros
Cons
Intel Core Ultra is here and it’s apt that the pioneer of the “Ultrabook” term has produced an excellent one that dons its new chip with a similarly “Ultra”-flavoured moniker. TheAsus Zenbook 14 OLEDis our pick for the best overall ultrabook.
The Zenbook range has been on a tear over the last couple of years, with the 13-inch “S” model gaining plenty of praise. But, over the last year, the 14-incher has come to the fore. This model sports the new Core Ultra range, it’s Intel’s attempt at adding some graphical grunt to its premium thin-and-light options, taking on the MacBook Air. The Zenbook 14 OLED is a stunning showcase for it, absolutely ripping through productivity tasking and letting you dabble in both gaming and creative work.
Of course, this is an ultrabook so being thin and light is a key factor. Despite its solid power, the Asus weighs just 1.29kg and comes in at 15mm thin. It is stunningly sleek and portable. In the thin lid, another gem of a feature is hiding, a 14-inch 2.8K 120Hz OLED. The combination of specifications means you get lush visuals across games, movies and your day-to-day tasking. While the OLED technology means its tremedously colour accurate for creatives too.
Ultrabook stands for strong battery life too, and the new Core Ultra chips have boosted the offerings from Intel’s flagship Window laptop devices. The Zenbook 14 OLED comes in at around 13 hours, which is up there with the best of them on Windows, and comes within a few hours of touching distance with the wondrous MacBook Air’s battery life.
Reviewer:Stuart AndrewsFull Review:Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Review
Apple MacBook Air (M3)
Pros
Cons
Ultrabook may be an Intel invention, and Team Blue is now no longer part of the Apple family, but not many devices ooze the ultrabook sentiment quite like the13-inch MacBook Air M3.
The previous M2 Air model was already one of the very best thin-and-light laptops you can buy but the iterative boost offered by the M3 takes it to an even higher level, even if it isn’t a huge one. It’s portable chops come in the form of a sleek 11.3mm and 1.24kg weight, that’s enhanced by just how premium this all-metal machine feels.
The new model of the MacBook Air continues to be awe-inspiring in terms of the power it can offer without a fan, achieving something Windows machines still struggle to compete with, especially when the Air can run extremely well off power, unlike significantly reduced Windows picks. Our 16GB unified memory model is able to absolutely dominate productivity tasks without blinking while its stunningly capable for creative tasks, topping many key rivals comfortably in our benchmark testing.
No devices meet the ultrabook sentiment of top-tier battery life in a thin and light form factor quite like the MacBook Air. The M3 manages to offer around 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of video streaming.
Reviewer:Max ParkerFull Review:Apple MacBook Air (M3) Review
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Pros
Cons
TheMicrosoft Surface Laptop Go 2is a tiny laptop, with a screen size of just 12 inches. This arguably makes it the most portable laptop on this best ultrabook list, even if it isn’t quite the lightest or thinnest.
But the most appealing factor of the Surface Laptop Go 2 is its price, making it the most affordable laptop on this list by a considerable margin. With a similar price to a Chromebook, this is an excellent choice for both students and those on a budget.
Why is this laptop so cheap? Well, our benchmark results show it’s the slowest laptop on this list (but still fine enough for productivity tasks) while the low screen resolution makes it a poor choice for those who like to watch the likes of Netflix and Disney Plus on their laptop.
But considering the low price and its superb portability prowess, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is still a fantastic option for those looking for one of the best ultrabooks laptops available.
Reviewer:Ryan JonesFull Review:Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Review
Acer Swift Edge 16
Pros
Cons
The term “16-inch ultrabook” feels like an odd one but we think theAcer Swift Edge 16falls firmly into that bracket. It’s a device that comfortably fills the thin and light brief despite its huge display.
Like the LG Gram range, the Acer Swift Edge 16 aims to offer something breathtakingly light. This 16-inch laptop comes in at just 1.23kg and a 12.95mm thickness. Yup, those numbers are absolutely correct. Holding this device and carrying it around in a bag is truly something else. It’s hard to believe but this is an impressively thin and light machine for its size.
The large size enables a glorious 3.2K 120Hz OLED display. The OLED tech means you get popping colours and the high resolution brings bags of detail. It’s also impressively colour accurate for those who like to dabble in creative work.
We’re defying Intel’s ultrabook heritage once again by including this AMD offering on this list. The Ryzen 7 7840U inside enables comfortable productivity tasking while it provides surprisingly strong performance in multi-core testing. So, you can use this for light creative work and a smidgen of gaming too. Battery life is a bit short of traditional ultrabook standards, coming in at an average eight hours.
Reviewer:Adam SpeightFull Review:Acer Swift Edge 16 Review
Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360
Pros
Cons
TheSamsung Galaxy Book 3 360unfortunately lives in the shadow of the flagship Galaxy Book 3 Pro and Galaxy 3 Book 3 Ultra models, and it really shouldn’t. Its supremely thin, metal design is very high-quality, with the larger 15-inch model coming in at a reasonable 1.46kg and 13.7mm thin, while the smaller 13.3-inch offers a 1.16kg weight with a thickness of just 12.9mm.
Being a 360 model, this laptop can be flipped around and used as a makeshift tablet. Pop it up in the tent position and watch media content, or flip it around completely and use the bundled S Pen to doodle or browse the web. We found that the S Pen offered accurate writing and drawing, with a nigh-flawless absence of lag, making it a great option for those who want to switch between productivity work to creative tasks.
If you are creative then you will be very pleased to know that the Galaxy Book 3 360 managed to score 100%, 96% and 100% in oursRGB,Adobe RGBandDCI-P3tests, respectively, making it more than serviceable for colour-sensitive workloads. Samsung opted for aFull HD(1920×1080) resolution, but that is massively enhanced by the underlyingAMOLEDtechnology, which made media content look sharp and vibrant.
That being said, the internals of the Galaxy Book 3 360 do limit it slightly, but you should still be able to delve into some light creative tasks. The inclusion of theRaptor LakeIntel Core i5 processor makes it a fantastic productivity pick, though, with our reviewer noting that it ate up these tasks with ease. It had no trouble getting up to 20 browser tabs alongside multitasking without any hiccups, meaning that you will have no trouble taking it into your school or workplace.
If you’re after a lightweight, hybrid laptop that won’t break the bank then the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360 is one of the best recommendations you can find. It offers almost everything you could ask for when it comes to productivity and can handle smaller creative tasks thanks to its colour-accurate screen, with all the benefits of a two-in-one design.
Reviewer:Adam SpeightFull Review:Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook (2023)
Pros
Cons
While Windows may be the default operating system that we all turn to, theHP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook (2023)is still a fantastic ultrabook that should not be passed over. It runs onChromeOSand comes with theIntel Evocertification, meaning that it has passed a number of tests set by Intel and is deemed to be the cream of the crop of lightweight laptops.
In our tests, we found that the12th-genIntel Core i5 processor was more than powerful enough for a Chromebook. Unless you’re planning to do some serious multitasking and take onAAA gamesat a high frame rate, the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has you covered, putting it quite far beyond the Chromebook’s traditional remit.
The 14-inch touchscreen housed on the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is seriously bright, at 1200nits. It also packs aQuad HD+ resolution (2560×1600) that makes for a crisp and vibrant media experience. The multi-touch capabilities of the display worked very well for zooming in on photos, scrolling through web content and even playing touchscreen games from the Google Play Store, giving it a lot of versatility.
Another interesting feature of the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is the inclusion of RGB backlighting. Even though it’s not inherently geared towards gamers, it’s the first “non-gaming” Chromebook to have anRGBkeyboard, adding an extra layer of customisation. The keyboard is lined with a pair ofBang & Olufsenspeakers on either side of the keys, which we found had a great level of separation. The sound was very detailed and nuanced with plenty of discernable bass, meaning that you shouldn’t have to splurge on any external audio devices.
As far as high-end Chromebooks go, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook ticks almost every box. The reliable performance, great display and excellent audio quality make it a solid choice for productivity workers and one of the best Chromebooks on the market.
Reviewer:Chris SmithFull Review:HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook (2023)
HP Chromebook x2 11
Pros
Cons
Not everyone can afford to splash out on the most expensive productivity laptop, which is why we’ve made sure to include one of the best budget ultrabooks on the market right now; theHP Chromebook x2 11.
At just £499, it comes with a two-in-one design, allowing it to be used as both a tablet and a laptop. The tablet portion of the Chromebook x2 11 felt very solid to use and the detachable keyboard and rear cover attach via magnets, allowing for a secure connection during use.
The keyboard itself offered solid travel and a decent level of tactility, unlike some more affordable Chromebooks that we have tried. The downside is that it has been squished down to fit into an eleven-inch tablet chassis, so it might be an adjustment for those currently using a larger laptop. Thankfully, the touchpad offered excellent real estate for your fingers and provided some tactile feedback, even if it did feel a little hollow on occasion.
The 11-inch display comes with an impressiveQuad HD(1440p) resolution and a quoted 400nitsof brightness. It managed to produce some excellent detail with generally vibrant images and solid colours while streaming video content.
Inside of the Chromebook x2 11 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor. This chip is a couple of years old but it provides enough power for day-to-day tasks that Chromebooks are designed for; the laptop didn’t falter with multiple tabs open or during our industry-standard benchmark tests.
Overall, if you’re looking for something that can handle intensive graphical workloads then theApple MacBook Air 15-inchmay be the better option, but for simple productivity workers, this laptop will work a treat. The solid keyboard, vibrant display and reliable performance combine to make a very capable laptop that has an easy-to-digest price to boot.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:HP Chromebook x2 11
Huawei Matebook 14 (2024)
Pros
Cons
TheHuawei Matebook 14 (2024)isn’t the cheapest ultrabook on this list (that honour goes to theHP Chromebook x2 11), however, it is the best value one we’ve tested, making it an excellent choice if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck overall.
The MateBook 14 is lightweight but still sturdy. The trackpad is smooth and responsive and the port selection is decent, but feedback from the keyboard could be more precise. That said, the keys do offer a good amount of travel.
The ultrabook has a vibrant 14.2-inch OLED display with outstanding contrast and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This makes the laptop ideal for streaming content, though you’ll want to pair it with some headphones as the built-in speakers aren’t quite up to par with other laptops we’ve tested.
The Matebook 14 is powered by Intel’s 14th-generation processors, with configurations including the Intel Core Ultra 7 and the Core Ultra 5. We found the performance to be speedy and appreciated the generous 1TB SSD. That said, the lack of a discrete GPU means we wouldn’t recommend choosing this laptop for more graphically intensive tasks, such as gaming or video editing.
The Huawei Matebook 14 includes a 70Wh battery which we found offered just over 10 hours of use when looping productivity workloads via PCMark 10. The ultrabook also comes paired with a 65W charger capable of fully charging the device in 90 minutes.
Reviewer:Ryan Jones
Full Review:Huawei Matebook 14 (2024)
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FAQs
Intel originally coined the word to represent lightweight Windows laptops with a speedy performance provided by Intel Core chips. But the term has since been adopted by the wider market to represent any productivity laptop that is light and slender. For this list, we’ve set our own criteria: every laptop needs to have a screen size 14 inches or smaller, weigh no more than 1.5kg and be thinner than 20mm when closed. Both MacBooks and Chromebooks can be included as long as they meet those criteria.
Ultrabooks are great for on-the-go work since they’re light and small enough to carry around in a compact bag. If you frequently take your laptop to work or university, you’ll want an ultrabook that doesn’t add unnecessary weight.
Ultrabooks are usually not built for gaming, as dedicated GPUs generally weigh a lot. There are of course exceptions, such as the Asus ROG Flox X13, but you still not going to get a high-end gaming performance by opting for an ultrabook. You can still use cloud-streaming services such as GeForce Now, Google Stadia and Game Pass Ultimate though.
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Specs compared
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Hannah joined Trusted Reviews as a staff writer in 2019 after graduating with a degree in English from Royal Holloway, University of London. She’s also worked and studied in the US, holding positions …
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
