Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
May 8, 2025: We replaced the 2024 Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch with the M4-based 2025 Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch as our current Best Ultraportable MacBook for Most Buyers. We also added the 2025 Framework Laptop 13 as our new Best Ultraportable for Future Upgrades. Since our last update, we reviewed and evaluated 20 new laptops for inclusion in this roundup.
- Peppy performance
- High value
- Long battery life
- Lots of ports for its size
- Just a 1200p display
- No WWAN option or SD card slot
- Face login only—no fingerprint reader
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) combines portability and style to become our favorite consumer ultraportable for most people. The slim laptop adopts one of AMD’s AI-ready processors to ensure fast performance for general productivity tasks, and the vibrant OLED touch screen provides an immersive display experience. Its lengthy battery life and port selection only enhance the already premium design, but what sold us on the system was the price. For under $1,000, it’s the best ultraportable for the money.
If you want a hassle-free ultraportable that looks stylish and premium but without the premium price, consider the Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406). From the speedy performance to the beautiful OLED display, this laptop wowed us with premium features at an affordable price.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon 780M Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.59 by 12.3 by 8.7 inches
Weight
2.82 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:56
Learn More
Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Touch (UM3406) Review
- Striking OLED touch screen
- Snappy performance
- Lengthy battery life
- Svelte design with remarkable soundbar hinge
- USB-A and USB-C ports
- Slightly pricey
- No HDMI port or SD/microSD card slot
- No mobile broadband option
- Can’t cap the stylus pen
The 14-inch Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 is our favorite 2-in-1 ultraportable, thanks to fresh Intel Core Ultra processing and a sophisticated all-metal design. The design is superb and light, at just 2.98 pounds. The 120Hz OLED display is impressive, and the overall performance is perky, making it far and away the top 2-in-1 ultraportable to recommend right now.
For those with the cash for a high-end ultraportable 2-in-1, the Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 9 scores points with premium design, top-end features, and 17-hour battery life. Throw in the OLED display and included pen for note taking and drawing, and it’s one of the best productivity machines you can get.
Class
Convertible 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 155H
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.64 by 12.4 by 8.6 inches
Weight
2.98 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:52
Learn More
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 9 (2024) Review
- Lower starting price than the previous-generation 13-inch Air
- Faster M4 processing
- RAM gets a boost, even in the base model
- Improved Center Stage camera
- Quiet, fanless design
- Some ultraportable Windows laptops outpace it
- Battery life falls off a little versus 2024 model
- Display tech remains solid, but is starting to appear dated alongside OLED
The M4-powered MacBook Air 13-inch amps up the thinnest and lightest Mac laptop with faster processing, more memory to start, and an improved Center Stage camera. Of course, the Air was already a compact powerhouse with one of the most portable designs you can buy. This year’s model carries through Apple’s penchant for snappy performance, optimized connectivity, and impressive battery life. When all that comes in a quiet, fanless, and full-metal chassis, it’s an easy pick for the best ultraportable MacBook.
Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Air with M4 is the company’s most affordable Mac laptop, and the most potent version of the iconic ultraportable yet. You can’t beat the Apple MacBook Air if you want a speedy, portable machine that lets you work all day or easily carry it around. (The 15-inch MacBook Air is also a fine choice if you want a larger screen.)
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
Apple M4
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
13.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1664
Panel Technology
LED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Apple M4 (10-core)
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.44 by 11.97 by 8.46 inches
Weight
2.7 lbs
Operating System
Apple macOS Sequoia
Learn More
Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2025, M4) Review
- Bright, easily legible matte display
- Potent performance for the price
- Ample ports, including USB4
- Sturdy, lightweight design
- A bit of bloatware
- Keyboard takes some familiarization
- Unsatisfying speakers
Ultraportables are the ideal laptops for campus, and the top option for students right now is the Acer Swift Go 14 (2024, AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS). The slim, 2.76-pound design is easy to fit in a backpack or under an arm, and with nearly 16 hours of battery life, the laptop will still have juice after hours of class. This Swift Go’s connections are comprehensive for its size, design is sturdy, and low price makes it a serious value.
This is more than just an approachable and reliable laptop for students. The Acer Swift Go 14 is an AMD-powered peak performer designed to move around. We recommend this budget-friendly college ultraportable if you need portability without compromising performance.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon 780M Graphics
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.59 by 12.3 by 8.6 inches
Weight
2.76 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
15:40
Learn More
Acer Swift Go 14 (2024, AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS) Review
- A nearly perfect portable PC
- Remarkably light
- Gorgeous 2.8K OLED display
- Fine keyboard
- Generous array of ports for its size and profile
- No SD or microSD card slot
- WWAN option not available yet
Lenovo’s latest top-tier ultralight business laptop steps things up with a highly portable design. The 2.17-pound work machine might be the best AI PC we’ve seen yet, with a blend of killer features and leading performance, updated with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, AI features, and innovative operating modes that keep the laptop at its best, no matter what you need to do. It’s an ultraportable dream, from the carbon fiber, magnesium, and aluminum construction to the 2.8K OLED display, generous port selection, and nearly 20 hours of battery life. We gave five stars, and if you’re lucky enough to get one, we think you will, too.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition is built for demanding pros and executive budgets, presenting a pricey ultraportable for those who want one of the lightest designs without sacrificing power. IT departments will love it for its reliability and business-ready features, travelers will cherish the lightweight, robust design, and Lenovo fans will be relieved to see that it still has a red TrackPoint in the middle of the keyboard.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2880 by 1800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.56 by 12.3 by 8.5 inches
Weight
2.17 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
19:49
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 Aura Edition Review
- Incredible battery life
- World-class keyboard
- Decent array of ports
- Trim, light design
- Screen not the sharpest
- OLED and WWAN options not yet available
- Windows Camera glitches
Lenovo’s ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 (Snapdragon) claims new territory as the first Arm-based Windows machine we recommend for business users. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X CPU gives this thin, light business laptop a modern alternative to traditional x86 processors and even adds Copilot+ AI PC features. The new features are fun, but the natural highlights are incredible all-day battery life, a world-class keyboard, excellent connectivity, and a trim, portable design ready to work in the office or on the road.
Professionals who prize battery life and typing comfort will love the new ThinkPad T14s Gen 6. Of course, this model is an extra-special treat for anyone who wants to explore Arm-based computing and modern AI features in a work context.
Class
Business, Ultraportable
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (X1E-78-100)
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1200
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Qualcomm Adreno GPU
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.67 by 12.4 by 8.6 inches
Weight
2.72 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro (64-bit ARM)
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
33:33
Learn More
Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 (Snapdragon) Review
- Remarkably light for a 17-inch laptop
- Big, beautiful 16:10 display with variable refresh
- Long battery life
- GeForce GPU suitable for light gaming
- Flexible bordering on flimsy
- Awkward top-row keys
- Poor audio
The best big-screen ultraportable we’ve reviewed, the LG Gram Pro 17 boasts an expansive 17-inch display (with a 16:10 aspect ratio), speedy performance, and lengthy battery life. Despite being slightly heavier than its predecessor due to the addition of a discrete Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics chip, it remains an amazingly portable (3.2-pound) desktop replacement that can handle light gaming and content creation. Though its flimsy feel and steep price keep it from top honors, it remains a pleasant surprise in the having-it-all department for its combination of light weight and a large display.
If you want ultraportable weight but the display size of a desktop-replacement laptop, nothing beats the LG Gram Pro 17. It gives you more screen without (much) more weight, and adds a gaming-class GPU to the mix for added power, all in an easy-to-carry design.
Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core i7-1360P
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
17 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
Manual
Screen Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
Graphics Memory
4 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.7 by 14.9 by 10.2 inches
Weight
3.2 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
17:55
Learn More
LG Gram Pro 17 (2023) Review
- Impressive CPU performance
- Pleasant keyboard and touchpad
- Lots of connectivity
- Attractive, friendly design
- A bit of flex to the chassis
- Basic 1080p display easily outclassed for not much more
- Enough battery for a workday—no more
Asus’ second-gen version of the Chromebook Plus CX34 delivers incredible value, with speedy performance and excellent features all for under $500. Prices like that have traditionally been limited to the least-capable Chrome laptops, but Google’s Chromebook Plus initiative has pushed the envelope on value, ramping up the processing power and boosting the feature set with plenty of ports—all without bringing up the price. Equipped with a 1080p display, an i5-class CPU, and a comfy keyboard, the CX34 is our favorite Chromebook ultraportable of the moment, and an easy recommendation for pretty much everyone interested in Chrome laptops.
If you want an affordable Chromebook without any compromises, then consider the Chromebook Plus CX34 as your first stop in your search. The pricing belies its capable performance and excellent feature set, making it a smart choice for anyone who wants a reliable and powerful ChromeOS laptop.
Class
Chromebook
Processor
Intel Core i5-1335U
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
UFS (Universal Flash Storage)
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
128 GB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Wireless Networking
Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E
Dimensions (HWD)
0.74 by 12.9 by 8.4 inches
Weight
3.17 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
10:51
Learn More
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 (2025) Review
- Light, compact build
- Customizable before and after ordering
- Repairable, upgradable, sustainable design
- Aggressively priced DIY Edition
- Support for AMD Ryzen AI 300 processors
- 14-hour battery life
- Price premium for prebuilt Windows system
- Some fine print for setup and compatibility
- Display is workable, but not a standout for the price
The Framework Laptop 13 (2025) is a unique option among ultraportables, giving shoppers a modular laptop design that lets you swap out parts, ports, and even the mainboard with relative ease and for much less than a complete system replacement. The most recent model is on par with the best premium ultraportables, but upgrading an old unit to the latest processor calls for less cash than most complete midrange laptops. The latest model gets a powerful AMD Ryzen AI 300 processor but stays under 3 pounds. A Framework laptop costs a premium up front, but you’ll start saving after the first upgrade, not to mention the second or third.
The Framework Laptop 13 is an excellent ultraportable all on its own, satisfying frequent travelers and commuters. Of course, the Framework broadens its appeal to anyone sick of dropping a thousand dollars or more on a new laptop every three to five years, which should be a pretty broad audience.
Class
Ultraportable
Processor
AMD Ryzen AI 7 350
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
13.5 inches
Native Display Resolution
2,880 by 1,920
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
AMD Radeon 860M Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.62 by 11.7 by 9 inches
Weight
2.86 lbs
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
14:02
Learn More
Framework Laptop 13 (2025) Review
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The Best Ultraportable Laptops for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Ultraportable Laptops for 2025
Though ultraportable laptops as a class may look sleek, quite a few key differentiators distinguish models from one another. The first to consider is price. You’ll see a vast difference between a system that costs $400 and one that costs $1,300, even if they boast the same brand name and similar looks and features.
At the low end are entry-level systems that generally run $500 or less. For many casual users, this is the only price range worth looking at, but keep certain caveats in mind. The processing power, display resolution, and storage capacities are usually lower on inexpensive ultraportables, and the construction can be flimsy. The weight for these models also ranges up to four pounds, while we consider a true ultraportable to be under or at least close to three.
Entry-level ultraportables make solid systems for younger family members to use for homework or watching movies around the house, since they are both highly portable and relatively inexpensive. Value is a significant factor in this category, as plenty of budget ultraportables can entice you with a low price. If you’re not careful, you may be let down by a system that’s a bargain only because its manufacturer cut too many corners.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
That said, the spec floor has risen in this category. As faster base parts become less expensive and more common, cheaper systems with decent build quality have become more capable. Your average $500 laptop has become adequate for simple web browsing, word processing, and media viewing tasks.
Midrange systems are better, but by definition, they also cost more, ranging from about $500 to $1,250. Materials and specs that were once exclusive to high-end ultraportables are now the norm in midrange systems, including features such as full HD (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) or even QHD (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) screen resolutions, touch displays, and metal instead of plastic chassis. Battery life and storage have also improved, making it easier to get a better bang for your buck in this price range. You’ll still have to compromise in one or two areas (such as storage capacity, port options, and resolution) compared with the high-end systems, but for most shoppers, this price range represents the best mix of price and performance.
At the top of the price ladder are premium ultraportables, which we categorize as anything costing $1,250 or more. With these high-end systems come choice materials, cutting-edge components and features, and top performance that will speed up photo editing and other productivity tasks. Here, you’ll also see 3K- or- 4K-resolution displays, quality sound hardware (often from familiar brands like Bang & Olufsen), spacious and speedy storage, and other exciting features, all while the system’s form factor remains slim and compact.
Due to specialized remote management and corporate features, many premium business laptops also fall into this class. This pricing tier yields the best overall user experience, the most features and port options, and the fastest internal hardware, but not every premium system is created equal. And when you’re spending this much money, do you want second best? If you have the budget and spend a lot of time on your laptop, it may very well pay to invest in quality.
Which Processor Should I Get in an Ultraportable?
For smooth performance and a good user experience, you’ll want to be choosy about your processor. Even in a less-expensive system, today’s average Intel or AMD processor is more capable than ever of handling routine tasks, but if you need speed, select carefully. For the latest CPU offerings on the Intel side of the coin, you’ll want its Core Ultra processors, also known as “Meteor Lake” and “Lunar Lake” (Lunar Lake being the codename for Core Ultra Series 2), with Core Ultra 7 and 9 models serving up the top performance.
Meteor Lake and Lunar Lake use a tiled system-on-chip (SoC) design that combines modular chip components like the CPU, graphics, and I/O to handle things like PCI Express connections. The most significant new addition to Meteor and Lunar Lake is a neural processing unit (NPU), a core cluster that’s tailor-made for AI processing tasks. However, if you need one of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs, you’ll want the beefier NPU found on Lunar Lake.
Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC program is essentially a set of minimum specifications for laptops that will leverage the full suite of Copilot AI features in Windows 11. A certain level of AI performance, measured in total operations per second (TOPS), is required, which is 40 TOPS. A minimum memory capacity of 16GB and at least a 256GB solid-state drive are also required.
The Copilot-compliant Lunar Lake chips are officially known as the Intel Core Ultra 200V series, introducing some of the market’s best power and thermal efficiency. The “V” designates chips optimized for no-compromise performance while still delivering long battery life.
Core Ultra series processors are made for thin-and-light laptops that require power but aim to keep the wattage low enough for long battery life. Made for systems with limited thermal headroom, these processors are ideal for ultraportables that need performance without the weight of bulky cooling systems. Also worth looking for: Intel Evo. A subset of Intel Core-based ultraportables, laptops with the Intel Evo badge signify that they are ultraportable machines that meet strict criteria set by Intel for performance, fast charging, and connectivity. They also have longer battery life and excellent connectivity options.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
AMD has also made inroads with ultraportable laptops, with its AMD Ryzen U-series filling the same role. Now in the 8000 generation, these Ryzen chips are also optimized for low power consumption and lower thermal design power (TDP) for longer-lasting batteries in thinner, lighter laptop designs. (Like Intel’s Core Ultra line, AMD’s Ryzen chips also come in H-series options for thicker, more powerful laptops.)
However, AMD’s latest mobile chips are the “Strix Point” Ryzen AI 300 processors, which are high-power ultraportable laptop chips with upgraded integrated graphics and even more raw AI performance improvements. While intended as the flagship top-tier power chips, the first Ryzen AI 300 models still run on just 28W of power, the same as the 8000-series Ryzen U CPUs. This makes it likely we’ll see them in ultraportable laptops soon enough.
A newer third option for Windows laptops, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X, finally provides a viable alternative to the x86 architecture. Using an alternative architecture called Arm, these new Qualcomm chips are found in thin-and-light systems from several major retailers and offer competitive performance and graphics capability. These Arm processors support emulation in Windows 11 and also run native versions of many key Windows apps, making them compatible with most of the expected software. (Snapdragon X Elite laptops were the first entrants in Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PC initiative.) Just know that Windows on Arm does have some differences from how Windows runs on x86-based Intel and AMD processors, so read up on those if you’re considering one.
Finally, at the low end, are Intel’s now-phasing-out Celeron, Pentium, N-series, and Core i3 processors, slowly being replaced with a new line of entry-level “Intel Core” processors (no “Ultra”). Ranging from Core 3 to Core 7, these budget processors are an inexpensive and energy-efficient adaptation of Raptor Lake chip designs. Some power users, a key ultraportable audience, may be frustrated by slower performance, so don’t expect to see many of these in the category.
None of this applies to Apple laptops. A few years back, Apple shifted away from Intel silicon, moving in stages to its own processor designs for the entire MacBook line. The latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models use M4 chips, the fourth generation of Apple’s homegrown CPUs. Given recent MacBook’s tested performance, we’ve been impressed with every processor in the Apple Silicon lineup, making these MacBooks a safe bet for shoppers who can afford them and are cool with macOS.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Note that Apple uses its own design processors in all of its current-model laptops. That makes for less complexity when choosing among Apple models. Still, if you’re a Windows user, you must decide whether Apple Silicon’s impressive speed (especially with specially written native software) is worth switching to macOS.
Which Graphics Processor (GPU) Should I Get in an Ultraportable?
The graphics processor, aka the GPU, is also essential. Most ultraportable systems rely on integrated graphics, whose graphics processing hardware is silicon-on-die alongside the CPU cores. (On the other hand, gaming laptops use a dedicated GPU, a separate chip devoted to rendering graphics with higher frame rates and more detailed textures.) The integrated graphics capability fits productivity and casual media work but does not run demanding PC games or power-intensive photo and video editing.
Since 2022, Intel has equipped most of its CPUs with Intel Iris Xe graphics, first introduced in 2020 on its higher-end chips. While initially reserved only for Intel’s top-end Core i7 and Core i9 CPUs, Intel has recently made Iris the standard integrated GPU for all Core chips.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
However, Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors upgraded their integrated graphics to Intel Arc Graphics, a scaled-down version of Intel’s dedicated Arc GPUs. The performance edges closer to what you’d get from a low-end dedicated GPU a few years back.
Additionally, Apple has pushed integrated graphics to new performance heights on the latest M3 and M4 processors. Top-end Mac laptops no longer use discrete third-party GPUs; all have multi-core GPU hardware on the same chip die as the CPU, sharing the main system memory. These combined CPU/GPU hybrids blur the line between integrated and discrete graphics, but the difference is still easy to see in the price tag, especially in high-end current MacBooks. At the entry-level, though, the performance of the base M4 chip is quite similar to Intel’s current Iris Arc integrated graphics.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
If you want to do more with media and play games at higher settings and frame rates, you’ll need a discrete graphics chip, like the mobile versions of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX graphics cards. These GPUs require more power and cooling and, as such, are generally only seen in gaming laptops or bulkier desktop-replacement notebooks. By and large, you’ll spot them in relatively few ultraportables. The most travel-friendly systems are not suited to gaming, so don’t expect the integrated graphics to suffice for playing much more than a few less-demanding games on lower-detail settings.
How Much Storage Should I Get in an Ultraportable?
Speedy hardware is all well and good, but you also need somewhere to keep all your digital stuff. This means a solid-state drive (SSD) for almost all ultraportables now. These compact, flash-based storage devices are weight savers and immune to data loss from shock or bumps because they don’t have any moving parts, which is ideal for systems doing a lot of traveling.
Nowadays, almost all SSDs in laptops (when they’re not soldered down) use a stick-of-gum form factor called M.2, which is much smaller than your traditional 2.5-inch SATA SSD. Smaller connectors allow smaller designs, which makes them a perfect fit for an ultraportable. Now, most such M.2-connected drives use a PCI Express (PCIe) bus connection for faster data transfer and, thus, faster overall performance. Very thin ultraportable designs, though, may just solder the storage directly to the motherboard for even greater space efficiencies. (You can’t upgrade those SSDs. What you buy is what you’re stuck with.)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
A 256GB or 512GB capacity for SSD storage is standard on midrange and high-end ultraportables. It’s nice to have a bit more than 256GB, but boosting SSD capacity still tends to be pricey, and the cost can jump if you opt for a larger 1TB option if the manufacturer offers it. A 512GB drive is a fine happy medium for most, while a 256GB drive will suffice for many users, especially if you won’t store large media projects on this type of computer.
While SSDs are the most common storage format for ultraportables, two other storage options are used on less-expensive systems. Some low-cost ultralight laptops use an embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC), a form of solid-state storage sometimes (mis)identified as an SSD in product specs but with flash memory like the kind used on memory cards. As such, it’s slower and much smaller in capacity (32GB to 128GB) than a standard SSD. You’ll generally find this type of storage only on the cheapest Windows laptops and many Chromebooks.
Finally, a (very) few budget-minded systems still use old-school spinning hard drives, though the presence of one as the boot drive signals an older or remaindered model at this point. These drives are less expensive than SSDs and provide substantially more room for your files for the money—you will often see hard drives with capacities of 500GB or more. You won’t get nearly the same speedy performance as with an SSD, but lots of storage space is a plus. Given ever-thinner designs, however, makers of ultraportables have almost entirely phased out bulky hard drives at this point.
What Is the Best Kind of Display in an Ultraportable?
Let’s go from what’s inside a typical ultraportable to the most visible aspect of the exterior: the screen.
Ultraportables’ displays come in an increasingly varied array of resolutions, from now-humdrum 720p (1,366 by 768 pixels) in the very cheapest budget models, to full HD (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) as the mainstream norm, to Ultra HD or 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels), with a few nonstandard resolutions peppered between full HD and UHD.
Lower-resolution screens are most frequently found in entry-level systems simply because they’re the least expensive option. They work well enough for reading and typing text, and YouTube often defaults to something lower than full HD, anyway, so less discerning users can get by just fine. But a 1,366-by-768-pixel screen is best avoided in a new laptop with a screen 13 inches or larger.
Full HD (often called 1080p or 1200p) screens are what you should expect on many budget systems, all midrange models, and some premium ultraportables. The 1080p display is standard enough that even most cheaper options now offer them, a far cry from the situation just a few years ago when a much grainier 1,366 by 768 was the norm. These displays are better equipped for multitasking since you can fit more readable text and two side-by-side windows onto a 13- or 14-inch 1080p screen. This sharp, true full-HD resolution is ideal for most daily use and video playback.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Ultra HD is currently the resolution of choice for the highest-end ultraportables and models for content-creation pros. As 4K screens have four times the resolution of a full HD display, you can fit a lot onto them. However, the sheer number of pixels requires more power, and 4K systems usually see a significant drop in battery life compared with similar full HD systems. You also have the question of content. Although 4K TVs and displays are becoming increasingly common, 4K content streaming is far from universal (this is slowly improving on some streaming services), and gaming at 4K is way more than any ultraportable can support. At present, these displays are best suited to uses like photo and video editing, but they do look stunning.
Many premium laptops now use QHD or QHD+ screens, which are resolutions that fall between 1080p and 4K. They represent a nice middle ground between expensive, power-draining 4K resolutions and sharp, better-than-HD picture quality, so you should be happy to see QHD or QHD+ on a laptop you’re considering buying. In addition, an increasing number of light-laptop makers have moved their ultraportable models to screens with squarer aspect ratios, such as 16:10 or 3:2, away from the much more common 16:9. That’s a trend we saw ramping up a couple of years ago, and it’s continuing. Additionally, brilliant OLED display technology is entering some of our favorite laptop lines.
The other feature to watch for is support for touch input. While touch-capable displays were uncommon just a few years ago, they’re now much more of a thing in ultraportables, even in the entry-level and business-laptop categories. Touch technology is useful on a bus or train where you may not have elbow room to use a mouse or touchpad, making it a good match for ultraportables. Even if you don’t regularly use touch in your day-to-day computing and don’t plan to incorporate it, it may be worth having just so you don’t regret the decision not to get it down the road.
Should Your Next Ultraportable Be a 2-in-1?
More and more ultraportables are being released as convertible hybrids or 2-in-1s. Some 2-in-1s rotate around the hinge, while others have a separate keyboard base that detaches from the screen. In the former case, these mash-up machines let you enjoy both laptop and tablet functionality, thanks to hinges and swiveling joints that let you bend the display back around to use without a keyboard. More and more manufacturers are adopting the rotating non-detachable design.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Rotating-hinge convertible devices are laptops first, but they aren’t limited to traditional clamshell designs. Because they feature specialized hinges and touch screens, you can also prop them up like a tent or turn the keyboard facedown so the screen is better positioned for watching a movie or giving a presentation. While convertibles are a category in their own right, the ability to shape-shift naturally lends itself to making a good travel laptop. You’ll see that some of our highest-rated ultraportable laptops are convertibles, too. (See our guide to the best 2-in-1 convertible laptops and detachables.)
Should You Consider a Lightweight Chromebook?
Depending on what you do with your computer, you might find a Chromebook to be one of the best values in ultraportables. A Chromebook is a bare-bones laptop that runs Google’s ChromeOS. It limits you to using web apps and Android apps.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Running ChromeOS means that you won’t have access to traditional Windows software, so if that’s central to how you work and play, a Chromebook isn’t for you. But if you use a web-based email client such as Gmail or Outlook for communications, rely on Google Drive for doing your work, and spend most of your time watching videos on YouTube or playing web games, and you don’t expect your needs to change—chances are—you’ll get along just fine with a Chromebook. Considering that computers of this type can be extraordinarily affordable (most cost $500 or less), you could outfit your family with several Chromebooks for the cost of one high-end Windows ultraportable.
Ready to Buy the Right Ultraportable for You?
With ultraportables that are now thinner, lighter, and more powerful than ever, you’ll find something in this vibrant class of laptops to suit your usage habits and travel needs. Check out our component-by-component spec breakout of the top ultraportables we’ve tested for more details. We refresh the list constantly to include the newest products, but because of the many laptops we review yearly, not every top-rated product makes the cut. Rest assured, though: These are all winners in their own ways.
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