Ultrabooks are thin, light laptops for people who carry their computer every day, such as students, office staff and frequent travellers. Our range has over 170 models, mainly from Microsoft and Apple, with laptops from HP, Samsung, LG and ASUS as well.
How to choose an ultrabook
Screen size and weight. Most 13 and 14 inch models are easy to carry all day and fit on a lecture desk or an aeroplane tray table. A 15 inch screen gives more room for spreadsheets and side-by-side windows, but the laptop is heavier and the charger is usually bulkier.
Operating system. Apple laptops run macOS, while most other ultrabooks in our range run Windows. Choose based on the software you rely on: some business and engineering programs run only on Windows, while many creative users prefer macOS.
Processor and memory. For browsing, video calls and Microsoft 365, 8 GB of RAM is workable. 16 GB is more comfortable if you keep many tabs and apps open or edit photos. In most ultrabooks the memory is soldered to the board, so it cannot be upgraded later and you should buy the amount you will need in a few years.
Battery and charging. Look for realistic battery life claims for video playback or office use, not just the maximum figure. Charging over USB-C is a real advantage, because one charger can then power your laptop, tablet and phone.
Ports and finish. Thin bodies mean fewer ports, often just USB-C or Thunderbolt and a headphone socket. If you use HDMI displays, SD cards or older USB drives, plan to buy an adapter. Finishes in our range include grey, silver, white, blue, black and titanium, so you can match the laptop to a work or study setting.
Ultrabook brands we carry
- Microsoft: known for its Surface laptops, which combine touchscreens with Windows and a 3:2 screen shape that suits documents.
- Apple: makes MacBook laptops with Apple's own chips, which are known for long battery life and quiet running.
- HP: offers a mix of consumer and business laptops, including slim models aimed at office use and fleet deployment.
- Samsung: its Galaxy Book laptops have bright AMOLED screens and work well with Galaxy phones and tablets.
- LG: best known for the gram series, which focuses on very low weight with large screens.
- ASUS: known for the Zenbook line, which often adds OLED displays to slim Windows laptops.
- Dell Technologies: a long-standing business laptop supplier, with models that stress build quality and manageability.
Also in our range: Acer and MSI.
Ultrabook FAQ
What is an ultrabook?
An ultrabook is a thin, lightweight laptop that combines a fast processor, solid-state storage and good battery life. The term was originally introduced by Intel, but it is now used for most slim, premium-built laptops. They are designed for portability rather than for heavy gaming or workstation tasks.
How is an ultrabook different from a normal laptop?
An ultrabook is usually thinner, lighter and quicker to wake up than a standard laptop. To achieve this, it often has fewer ports and little or no upgradeability. Standard laptops are generally thicker, with more ports and sometimes upgradeable memory or storage.
How much RAM and storage do I need in an ultrabook?
For everyday work and study, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage is a workable minimum. If you multitask heavily, edit photos or keep large files locally, 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage give more headroom. Because memory and storage are often fixed at purchase, it is safer to choose slightly more than you think you need.
Are ultrabooks good for students and office work?
Yes, ultrabooks suit students and office staff well because they are light, start quickly and last through a working day on a charge. They handle documents, video calls, web apps and light photo editing without difficulty. They are less suited to demanding 3D games or heavy video rendering, where a dedicated graphics card matters.
