The 10 best Ultrabooks of 2017: top thin and light laptops reviewed - JPKee.com

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As opposed to one of the best cheap laptops, the best Ultrabook laptop is a premium and often powerful notebook for users with the budget for a MacBook, but the sensibilities of a Windows 10 user. Inspired by the MacBook Air, every Ultrabook is signified by its use of an Intel CPU.

• Ultrabook not for you? These are the across every category

While the best Ultrabook laptops aren’t quite as powerful as gaming laptops, they aren’t supposed to be. Because they’re intended for extensive productivity tasks rather than graphically intensive ones, Ultrabooks are more concerned with battery life than power.

That explains their sole use of SSDs as well, as flash storage uses fewer resources than a spinning hard drive, not to mention they’re thinner, lighter and more reliable. Knowing what makes the best Ultrabook, well, the best Ultrabook, here are 10 worthy candidates.

1. Dell XPS 13

The best laptop on the planet, Dell's latest Ultrabook is a masterpiece

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) | Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSD

Same long-lasting battery

Great range of prices

Still poor webcam position

No Windows Hello

In terms of looks, specs and pricing, the Dell XPS 13 is nothing short of a miracle. Once again, Dell has done the universe a favor by squeezing a 13.3-inch InfinityEdge display into a measly 11-inch figure, and weighing in at only 2.9 pounds (1.29kg), the XPS 13 is blessed with extravagance. The Dell XPS 13 not only bears a lengthy battery life, but it’s even sold in a variety of different flavors, all the way up to an i7-7700U model. 

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

2. Razer Blade Stealth

More than just an Ultrabook for gaming

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 12.5-inch QHD (2,560 x 1,440) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 128GB – 1TB PCIe SSD

Captivatingly colorful display

Greatly improved battery life

Cumbersome charger

Keyboard needs more travel

When we think of Razer, instantly our heads turn to gaming. But while a case can be made for the Razer Blade Stealth as a gaming notebook, the lack of a discrete GPU suggests otherwise. Instead, it’s a bonafide Ultrabook, here in the flesh. Little over a half-inch thin and less than 3 pounds light, the Razer Blade Stealth is made better by its unique potential for upgradeability via the optional Razer Core external graphics card enclosure. 

Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth

3. HP Spectre x360

An ultra-light Ultrabook now with Kaby Lake performance

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

Ultra thin and light styling

Long-lasting and quick charging battery

Lacks SD card reader

Especially thick bottom bezel

Among the first to sport 7th generation Kaby Lake processors, the HP Spectre x360 is more than a CPU upgrade. Sure, the 2-in-1 zips by faster than it did last year, but it’s also thinner and lighter than it was before – not to mention more stylish. From the revamped HP logo on the outer shell to the higher quality keyboard, the Spectre x360 is a force to be reckoned with, even if the port selection is limited.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 

4. Asus ZenBook UX310

A truly excellent ultrabook at a very agreeable price point

CPU: Intel Core i3 – Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) | Storage: 500GB – 1TB HDD; 500GB – 1TB SSD

Incredibly thin and light

Vibrant, glare-free screen

Weak sauce graphics

Tinny speakers

It’s no secret that Apple has all but neglected the MacBook Air recently, but in some cases a Windows Ultrabook can be just as good, if not better. Take the Asus ZenBook UX310, for example, the long awaited follow-up to the award-winning ZenBook UX305. Donning a 7th generation Intel Kaby Lake processor, a 178-degree rotating QHD+ screen, a USB-C port an and an all-aluminum shell, this truly a candidate for the MacBook Air’s throne. 

 Read the full review: Asus ZenBook UX310

5. Acer Aspire S 13

One of the most affordable ways to get into Ultrabooks

CPU: 6th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 4 – 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) touchscreen | Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD

High performance for a low price

Non-reflective touchscreen

Exterior feels a little cheap

Disappointing battery life

The Acer Aspire S 13 may not win prizes for being the thinnest nor the lightest Ultrabook around, but it's an impressive machine none the less with speedy and reliable performance. Although the battery life fails to exceed 10 hours, it’s nearly as affordable as the Asus ZenBook UX305 and the touchscreen comes standard, an anomaly when it comes to laptops in this price range. Add in the fact that the display is non-reflective and we have ourselves a winner.

Read the full review: Acer Aspire S 13

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the . 

6. Microsoft Surface Laptop

The Surface Book's best prodigy

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Iris Plus Graphics 640 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 2,256 x 1,504 PixelSense display | Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSD

Gorgeous design

Well built

Windows 10 S is limited

No USB-C

No, it’s not another Surface Book – this is a full-on traditional laptop (albeit with a touchscreen) designed by Microsoft. From the Italian imported Alcantara fabric material decorating the keyboard to its gorgeous 13.5-inch, 3:2 PixelSense display, there’s no questioning the Surface Laptop’s appeal at face value, but dig even deeper and you’ll find a notebook that’s arguably more competent than Apple’s more expensive 12-inch MacBook. 

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Laptop

7. Acer Swift 7

Thin, light and handsome, if not short-lived

CPU: Intel Core i5-7Y54 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD 1,920 x 1,080 | Storage: 256GB SATA SSD

Beautiful design

Excellent feel

Middling battery life

No keyboard backlight

It’s no surprise that the world’s thinnest laptop doesn’t come without its own share of port shortages; however, it’s also unfair to judge the Acer Swift 7 by its pair of USB-C twins alone. Sporting an Core i5 processor from Intel’s 7th gen Y series lineup (previously Core M), the Swift 7 is by no means a powerhouse, but it doesn’t have to be, either, when it looks this damn good. Despite being short-lived in the battery life department, the Acer Swift 7 thrives.

Read the full review: Acer Swift 7

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the .

8. Lenovo Yoga 910

Elegance meets horsepower with this hardy 2-in-1

CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.9-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

Substantially larger screen

Rocking speakers

Heats up (and gets loud) fast

Disappointing battery life

As a follow-up to the Yoga 900, we couldn’t have asked for better than the Yoga 910. Shaking up the style of its predecessor completely in favor of an all-aluminum unibody shell, this is a 2-in-1 laptop that’s as fashionable as it is utilitarian. Though it’s heavier and colder to the touch, the fact that Lenovo decided to keep the Yoga 900’s same frame size and fit a larger 14-inch screen inside it is a design marvel. 

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 910

9. Huawei MateBook X

One of the MacBook Pro’s greatest rivals

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 4GB – 8GB | Screen: 13-inch, 2,160 x 1,440 | Storage: 256GB – 512GB

Fantastic design

Great audio capabilities

High price

Limited connectivity options

Embellished with the looks and price of a 12-inch MacBook, you’ll be surprised when you find out the MateBook X is more of a Pro when it comes to performance. Donning full-fledged “U” series Intel Core i processors, this Ultrabook is more than the Chinese knock-off you might have assumed it to be. It’s made by Huawei after all, the third biggest smartphone maker in the world, and with the MateBook X, it’s hoping to replicate that success with its laptops as well.

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook X

• This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the .

10. HP Spectre

Thin, powerful and delightfully chic

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS UWVA WLED | Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD

Tasteful glitz and glam

Tactile keyboard

Below average battery life

Spongy trackpad

One glance at the HP Spectre, and you'd think it belongs in a mansion. As if looks weren't enough, this gilded machine is more powerful than the latest MacBook and for a lower price at that. You won't find laptops thinner than this and with an optional Intel Core i7 configuration to the trio of USB-C ports, it's supremely capable and not to mention future-proof. We only hope you don’t mind a laptop that cranks up the heat a notch as it’s battery life hastily boils away.

Read the full review: HP Spectre

• Watch the price go down on your favorite Ultrabook this Black Friday

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

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Author - Vikash Kumar