Author: Michael Crider / Source: reviewgeek.com
Windows still rules the roost in terms of PC users and utility. If you’re looking for a new thin-and-light laptop (and macOS and Chrome just won’t cut it), these are the best available today.
“Ultrabook” is something of a nebulous term, first introduced by Intel to describe premium laptops with high-end materials and thin frames.
For the purposes of this list, we’re defining it as any Windows-powered laptop that features the follow traits:- Under three quarters of an inch thick
- High-end processor (as opposed to cheaper CPUs like Intel’s M series)
- Fast SSD (instead of a mechanical hard drive)
- At least 8GB of memory.
Also note that although we’re not including them on this Windows-focused list, all Mac laptops can run Windows via Boot Camp, but require an additional OS purchase.
Best Overall Ultrabook: Dell XPS 13 ($1099)
Dell shocked the PC world with its super-svelte XPS 13 redesign back in 2015, and the model has been at the top of the Windows-powered market ever since. The design combines an aluminum outer shell with a carbon fiber keyboard deck, and the screen’s razor-thin bezels keep the total footprint tiny for a 13-inch laptop. The latest revision adds a few modernized touches, like Intel 8th-generation Core processors, a combined power-in/video-out USB-C port, and more color options.
The power indicator button is an especially thoughtful feature: it lets you see remaining battery levels without turning the machine on. The design’s only weakness is the awkward placement of the webcam beneath the screen, but that’s a foible that’s easy to forgive considering the rest of the machine’s qualities and how rarely you’ll use the webcam at all.
A slightly older version can be had for as little as $800, but we recommend stepping up to the $1099 2018 revision with the Core i5-8250U processor and 8GB of RAM. (It’s listed as model number “9370” on Dell’s website and other retailers.) More robust models stretch past the $2500 mark with a 4K touchscreen plus processor and RAM upgrades. Dell also offers the XPS design in convertible and 15-inch varieties.Best Convertible Ultrabook: Lenovo Yoga 920 ($1199)
Lenovo was a big part of the initial wave of modern convertible notebooks, which flip back on themselves for tablet-style use or handy “tent” display in tight spaces. While others have copied their initial dual-hinge Yoga design, Lenovo has iterated and improved it with the more flexible “watch band” hinge. With the improved convertible mechanism and an all-aluminum body, the 920 model lays claim to the best…
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