Best ultrabooks 2023: Top rated ultra-portable laptops

The Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED is the closest laptop we’ve reviewed to being the perfect ultrabook. It weighs just under 1kg, is only 14.9mm thick and features an OLED display despite having a reasonable price. 

The OLED screen offers dazzling contrast and a high resolution of 2880 x 1800. This makes this Asus laptop an amazing choice for watching video. The screen is also accurate enough for content work if you want to do some casual Photoshop work. 

We were also impressed by the excellent productivity performance here, seeing an even better result than the MacBook Air M1. Newer portables powered by Apple and Intel have leapfrogged this Asus laptop in terms of CPU performance, but few have bettered its impressive battery life, which our tests show to be 13 hours.

Our only major concern with this laptop is its port offering since it lacks USB-A connections, but that’s a common theme with all of the ultrabooks laptops on this list. And while the Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED may be difficult to find right now, it’s certainly worth the wait given its all-around quality. 

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED Review

It should come as no surprise that the latest MacBook Air is the very best ultrabook that Apple has to offer. It measures in at just 11.3mm, making it the skinniest laptop on this list and ensuring it’s extremely easy to slide inside your bag. 

And with the power of the new M2 chip, our benchmark results show that it not only flaunts breakneck processing speeds but also has enough graphics power for entry-level video editing. If high-performance power is a requirement, the MacBook Air is one of the very best ultrabook options. 

Apple has also given its design a refresh, with a sleeker design than its predecessor, and the inclusion of MagSafe charging connectors so your laptop won’t go flying off your desk if someone trips on the power cable. The screen is excellent too, and while it lacks the vibrancy of an OLED panel, still boasts a high 2560 x 1664 resolution and 500-nit brightness.

The only major drawback of this laptop is its price, with a base cost of $1199/£1249. But you can of course opt for the MacBook Air M1 instead, which has most of the same features and yet is available at a more affordable price. 

Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022) Review

The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is 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 Jones
Full Review: Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Review

A few years ago, it was near impossible to find a Chromebook that was as skinny and lightweight as some of the very best ultrabooks, but that’s changing. The Acer Chromebook Spin 513 weighs just 1.2kg, making it one of the lightest laptops on this list. 

Such an ultra-portable design has been achieved thanks to the innovation of the Snapdragon 7c processor. Our performance benchmarks show it’s one of the weaker laptops here, yet still offers a smooth performance when carrying out simple tasks such as browsing the web and streaming video.

During testing, we were also impressed with the flexible hinge that allows you to fold the screen back so it takes the form of a makeshift tablet. We found it to be very useful to swap between the two forms, whether you need to write an essay or watch an episode of Stranger Things while tucked up in bed. 

We did admittedly find the ChromeOS software to be limited compared to Windows, especially when we wanted to download obscure software. But if you want a simple, streamlined experience, then we strongly recommend checking out the Acer Chromebook Spin 513. If you like the idea of ChromeOS, it’s also worth having a look at our Best Chromebook list.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full Review: Acer Chromebook Spin 513 review

It may seem odd to see a gaming laptop make an appearance on a ‘best ultrabook’ list, but Asus has managed to make the ROG Flow X13 so compact that it comfortably meets the criteria, weighing just 1.3kg and measuring 15.8mm tall.

Our benchmark tests show that this is not the most powerful gaming laptop around, which is no surprise given its dinky dimensions and the fact it’s powered by a low-end GTX 1650 GPU.

But Asus is also giving you the option of bundling it with a ROG XG Mobile external GPU, which provides the power of an Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU when plugged in. The benchmark results improved dramatically once plugging in the eGPU, seeing a gaming performance similar to some of the very best gaming laptops that we’ve reviewed. 

Pairing this ultrabook with an eGPU is admittedly very pricey, but it’s well worth the cost for those people who fancy a laptop for both on-the-go productivity and AAA gaming. Alternatively, you could opt for the Asus ROG Flow Z13 instead, which also features support for the eGPU, but takes the form of a tablet instead for even more portability prowess.

Reviewer: Mike Jennings
Full Review: Asus ROG Flow X13 review

If you’re looking for an ultrabook that packs a punch, while still remaining remarkably thin and light, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X (and its exceedingly long name) may make sense for you. The specs on offer are also surprisingly strong despite a more than reasonable price tag.

Coming in at under £1600, you’ll find a detailed 3K 120Hz resolution panel. It isn’t the boldest of displays but its high pixel count and refresh rate make it a strong all-rounder. It’ll sit comfortably in your bag too, with its diminutive size and slim bezels that enable it despite a well-sized 14.5-inch display. There won’t be too much back strain either, at 1.5kg.

The sleek frame and strong screen are backed up by performance that would suit casual gamers or entry-level content creators – with GTX 1650 and RTX 3050 graphics card options available. Like the display, the performance reflects a laptop that is a great all-rounder, made for those who dabble in productivity, creativity, and gaming.

Ports absolutely aren’t an issue here, with a plethora of I/O on offer. The keyboard and trackpad combination is solid, with decent-sized keys and plenty of space between them. You won’t find typing a cramped experience, despite the small laptop footprint. The trackpad is surprisingly and equally roomy as well as responsive.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full Review: Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Pro X (2022) review

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10

Best business laptop

Trusted Score

Pros

• Excellent keyboard
• Quality touchpad
• Super-vibrant OLED screen

Cons

• Very expensive
• Touchpad is small
• Has a last-gen CPU

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is one of the latest offerings in the company’s legendary business-focused range. The experience is that of a pretty standard ultrabook but has a ThinkPad stamp of quality. That means a bit of a high price but professionals who can eat the cost won’t be disappointed.

Above all, this laptop offers a stellar productivity experience. The keyboard and trackpad combination is one of the best in the game. This is a thin laptop so don’t expect bags of travel but the keys are hugely satisfying, nonetheless. The trackpad offers a substantial click too. The physical interface is matched by the power inside, with Intel’s 12th Gen chips and options for plenty of RAM backing it up.

Another ThinkPad staple is a quality build and this machine offers just that. Despite coming in at a light 1.17kg, it’s a sturdy laptop. The body is formed of a combination of magnesium allow and a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. This pint-sized device can take a licking and keep on ticking.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 is just about function though, with a luxurious OLED panel rounding out this machine’s impressive features. This high-contrast 14-inch QHD+ display offers luxurious colour and deep contrast, with a peak brightness of 420 nits.

Reviewer: Andrew Williams
Full Review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 review

Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED (2023)

Best convertible ultrabook

Trusted Score

Pros

• Beautiful OLED screen
• Fast 13th Gen Core i7 processor
• Versatile form factor
• Good audio

Cons

• Limited graphics performance
• Average battery life

The Asus Zenbook 14 Flip OLED is a glorious combination of modern features and strong performance capabilities. Your mileage may vary when it comes to a 360-hinge but it’s far from a bad addition to this already impressively built laptop. This Asus device comes in at a light 1.5kg and is just 16mm thick.

Like the Zenbook S 13 OLED, this model offers a great productivity keyboard, that’s boosted by Asus’ smart ergonomics – the bottom of the laptop is raised at an angle when open. Once open, you’re presented with a lush 14-inch QHD+ OLED display. The result is supreme colour accuracy for those dabbling in light creative work or who like to take in a movie on their convertible laptop. And, that isn’t the full story, there’s a 90Hz refresh rate, making scrolling a breeze.

Movies or music, the audio with this device is surprisingly great too – something long neglected by many laptop manufacturers. The speakers offer up detailed and broad sound at medium volume. It isn’t a booming speaker replacement though, so don’t expect too much when turned up high.

One of Intel’s latest 13-generation P-series chips is onboard and offers bags of productivity performance. You can expect this Asus device to comfortably tackle more than 20 browser tabs along with multi-tasking alongside image editing and office apps.