Top 7 Ultrabook Laptops Worth Owning in 2023

Ultrabook laptops are increasingly popular due to their convenience, with their lightweight design making them easy to carry and allowing you to work from anywhere. If you're unsure which model to choose, take a look at the guide below.

Criteria for Choosing an Ultrabook Laptop Today

When deciding to purchase an Ultrabook laptop, the first criterion is its compactness, making it easy to fit into a backpack and take anywhere. Therefore, laptops with screen sizes between 12-14 inches are ideal, but you can also opt for larger Ultrabooks if needed.

In terms of performance, if you’re choosing an Ultrabook, your main requirement is likely basic office work, so the laptop doesn’t need to be overly powerful—just efficient enough to perform smoothly. However, if you have higher entertainment or graphic processing needs, opt for Ultrabooks equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor or higher and at least 8GB of RAM.

Price is also a crucial factor for many people. It’s important to consider your budget when choosing the right Ultrabook.

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The Surface Pro 9, a top product in Microsoft's Ultrabook lineup, is a perfect blend of mobility and outstanding performance. Pioneering the 2-in-1 laptop trend, the Surface Pro 9 offers significant improvements in performance and battery life compared to its predecessors.

In terms of configuration, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 offers a variety of chip options, including both Intel and ARM CPUs. Users can choose between Intel Core i5 or i7 12th generation chips or the Microsoft SQ3 chip powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon, depending on their needs. The device also offers up to 32GB of RAM, enabling quick processing and smooth multitasking.

The 13-inch touchscreen with 2K resolution provides a fantastic visual experience with sharpness and true-to-life colors. The impressive battery life, lasting up to 10 hours of continuous use, allows you to work, entertain, or play games all day without needing to recharge.

The Surface Pro 9 is equipped with standout features like vPro, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C ports. The SQ3 version of the Surface Pro 9 supports 5G, allowing you to take full advantage of fast and stable internet speeds.

With its stylish, modern design, high mobility, and a variety of configurations and strong performance, the Surface Pro 9 is undoubtedly the perfect choice for both work and entertainment.

Pros:

• Compact, stylish, and personalized 2-in-1 laptop
• Excellent work performance
• Long battery life
• High-resolution webcam

Cons:

• No headphone jack, limited connectivity ports
• Slim Pen 2 and Type Cover keyboard sold separately

2. Dell XPS 13 2023

Dell laptops consistently top Ultrabook choices due to their outstanding design, powerful configuration, and exceptional value. If you're looking for an Ultrabook from this brand, the Dell XPS 13 Plus is a great option. This premium version of the XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315) series is considered one of the most powerful 13-inch laptops in the XPS lineup.

The Dell XPS 13 2023 features a body made from CNC-machined aluminum and glass, with a carbon fiber palm rest to reduce weight. Weighing just 1.24 kg, this laptop is very light and easy to carry, making it convenient for working anywhere.

This laptop boasts an extremely high-quality OLED display with UHD+ 4K resolution, covering 100% sRGB, delivering a fantastic visual experience with sharpness and vibrant colors. The touchscreen allows users to interact directly with on-screen content.

The Dell XPS 13 2023 is powered by the latest Intel Raptor Lake 13th generation Core i7-1360P chip. This is a powerful CPU that efficiently handles professional tasks and energy saving while maintaining the standard slim design of an Ultrabook. Combined with the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD, this is an excellent configuration for a top-tier Ultrabook.

Notably, the keyboard and touchpad of the device are highlights. The Dell XPS 13 Plus keyboard is elegantly designed with touch function keys, large, easy-to-use keys, and evenly backlit. The CNC glass touchpad offers quick responsiveness.

In summary, the Dell XPS 13 2023 has many outstanding advantages from its configuration, battery life, and display. However, it also has some limitations, such as limited connectivity ports and a relatively high price. But if you have a generous budget, this is definitely a worthy investment for your work.

Pros:

• Sharp display
• High configuration, powerful performance
• Equipped with four speakers for quality sound
• The keyboard and touchpad are highlights

Cons:

• Limited connectivity ports
• High price
• May take time to get used to the keyboard and touchpad

3. Apple Macbook Air M2 13

When it comes to the "Top 7 Ultrabook Laptops Worth Buying in 2023" list, the Macbook Air M2, an iconic product from Apple, cannot be overlooked, offering users an exceptional experience.

In terms of design, the Macbook Air M2 13 has been enhanced by Apple with top-notch optimization and aesthetics. This laptop has a more refined and lightweight appearance, considered a sleeker version of the Macbook Pro, with outstanding craftsmanship in every detail.

The screen size of the Macbook Air M2 has increased to 13.6 inches from its predecessor, along with a notch design that optimizes display space. The Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels (226 ppi), 500 nits brightness, provides sharp images, wide color coverage, and supports True Tone technology that automatically adjusts brightness and color.

Additionally, this device uses a keyboard with a scissor mechanism design, preventing issues like key jamming and dust accumulation. The keyboard is more user-friendly, with deeper key travel, reasonable key spacing, and a suitable key size. Below the keyboard is a backlighting system, allowing you to use the device efficiently in low light conditions.

This Mac also stands out for its powerful performance thanks to the super-strong Apple M2 chip. This chip offers 18% better multitasking performance than the Apple M1. It’s perfect for tasks related to graphics, video, and programming, providing quick, smooth, and efficient processing.

If you value aesthetics and overall performance and quality, the Macbook Air M2 is definitely the ideal choice for you.

Pros:

• High aesthetic design
• Optimized weight compared to its predecessor
• Powerful Apple M2 chip
• Optimized user experience

Cons:

• No cooling fan
• The notch screen design can be uncomfortable
• No ProMotion
• Additional cost required for fast charging upgrade

4. Microsoft Surface Pro 8

The Surface Pro 8, an outstanding product from Microsoft, is a smart 2-in-1 Ultrabook with a detachable keyboard, offering lightness and convenience for users.

This product is equipped with an 11th-generation Intel processor, along with an Iris XE Graphic card, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. This configuration is powerful enough to handle office tasks smoothly, edit images, and perform light video editing.

The Surface Pro 8’s screen measures 13 inches, with a resolution of 2880 x 1920, and a pixel density of 266 ppi, providing extremely sharp images. High color accuracy with 100% sRGB, 82% Adobe RGB, and 83% DCI-P3, along with a maximum brightness of up to 450 nits. These are impressive numbers, ensuring optimal display quality. Notably, the Pro 8’s screen has a 120 Hz refresh rate, typically only seen on gaming laptops, a rarity for Ultrabook computers.

Microsoft has also thoughtfully equipped the Pro 8 with a 51Whr battery. This large battery means longer usage time. You can confidently travel anywhere, doing everything on the laptop without worrying about running out of power.

The front and rear cameras are both impressive, and the sound is decent with Dolby Atmos and Studio Mics. All these benefits make the Surface Pro 8 one of the best Ultrabooks to buy in 2023.

Pros:

• Good performance
• Large battery capacity, long usage time
• Smart, lightweight design
• Upgradable SSD

Cons:

• Slightly high price, with additional cost for accessories like Slim Pen 2, Signature keyboard
• Limited connectivity ports

5. Asus Zenbook 2023

The Asus Zenbook 2023, a standout product from Asus, has created a truly exceptional Ultrabook for office workers. With a host of impressive features, this product is definitely worth buying and experiencing.  

The Asus Zenbook 14 2023 is just 1.69 cm thick and weighs only 1.39 kg, making it easy to carry around and convenient for work outside the office or on business trips. Despite being ultra-thin and lightweight, the device is very durable, thanks to its solid metal body. Additionally, Asus has equipped the Zenbook 14 OLED with Gorilla Glass, which is highly durable and meets the US MIL-STD 810H military standard for durability.  

Notably, the unique ErgoLift design allows the device to be laid flat at 180°, making it easy to use or share information with someone sitting across from you, which is very suitable for group work or meetings.  

The Asus Zenbook 2023 features a 14-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels, a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 90 Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3, 100% RGB, VESA DisplayHDR 600 True Black standard, and PANTONE Validated certification. This screen is very suitable for basic graphic work thanks to its high color accuracy and sharpness.  

The device is powered by an Intel P-series chip, specifically the Core i7-1360P 2.2 GHz, along with an Intel Iris Xe Graphics card, 16 GB DDR5 RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, providing the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED 2023 with powerful performance and energy efficiency. The device can quickly handle office applications as well as efficiently manage tasks like image and video editing or light gaming.  

Moreover, the laptop is equipped with a full range of common connectivity ports, including USB-C Thunderbolt 4, USB-A, HDMI, and other I/O ports, allowing for easy connection and data transfer. Asus also prioritizes security features for this device, which comes with a 75 WHrs battery providing long usage time.  

With all these features, the Asus Zenbook 14 2023 is a stylish and powerful Ultrabook, perfect for today’s dynamic and multitasking young professionals.

Pros:

• High portability with impressive battery life
• Equipped with Intel's 13th generation chip meeting Intel Evo standards
• High color accuracy on the display
• Good battery life  

Cons:

• RAM is not upgradeable
• The case is prone to fingerprints
• The device can get hot during use

6. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2023

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2023, a premium laptop from Lenovo, is designed to meet the needs of business professionals and users who demand mobility and high performance. The standout feature of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 is the variety of screen options available, including IPS AntiGlare WUXGA FHD+, IPS AntiGlare 2.2K, and OLED 2.8K Dolby Vision, to suit diverse usage needs.

All screen variants offer sharp image quality and high brightness, ensuring a smooth user experience. With the top-tier OLED display, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon becomes an essential tool for content creators who require high color accuracy.  
Additionally, the laptop boasts impressive performance thanks to the latest 13th-generation Intel Core processor, delivering fast processing speeds for multitasking and quicker operations. The RAM, which can go up to 64 GB, provides strong processing power, catering to multitasking and handling large data sets. The SSD storage option can go up to 2 TB, making it exceptional for data storage.

The device offers excellent battery life, an outstanding keyboard, and touchpad, supports multiple connectivity ports, and integrates advanced security features. The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2023 is an efficient tool for artistic creation and offers a fantastic entertainment experience. Weighing just about 1.1 kg, it’s easy to carry around wherever you go without feeling burdened.

Pros:

• Multiple options to meet user needs
• Thin and light design, yet durable and sturdy
• High-quality display
• Good battery, speakers, keyboard, and touchpad  

Cons:

• Cooling system is not very efficient for long usage
• Expensive

7. Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360

The "Top 7 Best Ultrabooks of 2023" list would not be complete without the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360, a product from tech giant Samsung. The first impression of this laptop is its ultra-lightweight and attractive design. Compared to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 has been upgraded in both design and performance.

The laptop is available in two screen sizes, 13.3 inches and 15.6 inches. Both are Super AMOLED Full-HD+ touchscreens, offering 120% DCI-P3 color gamut and VESA HDR 500 certification, delivering vibrant and sharp image quality in every detail.  

The Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is powered by 12th-generation Intel Core i5/i7 CPUs and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, providing breakthrough performance, enabling fast processing of tasks from office work to graphic design and video rendering. The laptop offers up to 32GB of RAM and an SSD with up to 1TB of upgradeable storage.

Additionally, the laptop supports a microSD card slot, and the 15.6-inch version comes with an extra M.2 SSD slot, allowing users to expand storage space as needed.  

The Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 also features a Full HD webcam, Dolby Atmos-supported speakers, providing high-quality video calls. The laptop's battery life is around 12 hours.  

This laptop also connects seamlessly with other devices in Samsung's Galaxy ecosystem, such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. If you need an ultrabook that you can carry anywhere and handle multitasking well, this is the perfect choice.

Pros:

• Vibrant AMOLED display
• Strong performance across all tasks
• 360° rotating screen
• Multiple configuration options
• Comprehensive connectivity ports  

Cons:

• Neutral, somewhat plain design
• The hinge feels somewhat loose  

Here are the Top 7 Ultrabooks worth buying in 2023. Hopefully, you’ll find the ideal laptop that meets your needs.