For many people, having a lightweight and ultra-portable laptop is a top priority. If you’re frequently on the go and need a computer that won’t weigh you down, an ultrabook is likely the best option. Ultrabooks are a category of ultra-thin and lightweight laptops designed for supreme portability. With slim, compact builds and long battery life, ultrabooks make it easy to stay productive anywhere – whether you’re commuting, traveling, or working from coffee shops.

When choosing the right lightweight ultrabook for your needs, there are a few key factors to consider – weight, battery life, performance, display, keyboard, ports, and price. You’ll want to find the best balance of portability and power. If you’re looking for the lightest ultrabooks on the market today, we’ve got you covered.

Here are the top 5 lightest ultrabook laptops that offer excellent portability without sacrificing performance:

1. Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 has long been a popular ultrabook choice, and for good reason. The latest 2020 model steps things up a notch with an incredibly lightweight 2.64 lb chassis and tiny bezels.

Despite its light weight, the XPS 13 definitely doesn’t skimp on power. It packs 10th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors and up to 16GB RAM. This gives it exceptional performance for office tasks, web browsing, and even some creative work. The integrated Intel UHD graphics allow for light gaming and video editing as well.

The nearly bezel-less “infinity edge” display looks stunning and comes in 13.3” FHD+ or 4K UHD+ resolutions. The touchscreen options make the XPS 13 feel modern and responsive. Dell has also improved the keyboard, with more key travel and a comfortable typing experience. The glass trackpad is perfectly accurate and smooth.

With super fast SSD storage options up to 2TB, excellent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, Thunderbolt 3 ports, a 720p webcam, and up to 19 hours of battery life, the XPS 13 nails the ultrabook experience. It provides incredible portability in a premium, versatile package.

The Dell XPS starts at $999 but can exceed $2,000 for higher specs. Overall, it hits the sweet spot of being lightweight but also powerful.

2. Acer Swift 5

The Acer Swift 5 is an ultralight ace, tipping the scales at a mere 2.18 lbs. It earns its name by being one of the lightest 14 inch laptops out there. If you want a bigger screen without sacrificing portability, the Swift 5 delivers.

Acer packs some great features into the featherweight Swift 5. You get a 10th gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor up to 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD, deliveringgreat multitasking and productivity performance. The 14” IPS touch display has a 1080P resolution and super slim bezels.

Despite its light weight, the Swift 5 doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap. The magnesium-aluminum alloy body feels sturdy and premium. The backlit keyboard offers a surprisingly good typing experience, while the large trackpad is accurate.

With Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and USB-A ports onboard, plus a fingerprint reader for easy logins, the Swift 5 checks all the boxes. It promises up to 11.5 hours of battery life for all-day work.

Starting at $849, the Acer Swift 5 provides an impressively lightweight chassis while still offering speed, portability, and solid performance.

3. HP Envy x360 13

The HP Envy x360 13 earns a well-deserved spot among the top lightweight ultrabooks thanks to its slim 2.92 lb chassis. As a flexible 2-in-1, the Envy x360 also gives you both laptop and tablet functionality.

Some of the Envy’s winning features include an 11th gen Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB memory, and 512GB SSD. Performance is snappy and smooth for productivity, streaming, and even light creative work and gaming. The 13.3” IPS touch display provides a vibrant 1080P picture with great viewing angles. As a 2-in-1, the adaptive hing allows you to rotate the screen a full 360 degrees into tablet or stand mode.

The Envy really shines when it comes to design. The CNC aluminum body looks sleek in a pale gold color yet remains durable. It feels very solid and premium. Despite having touch and tablet capabilities, it maintains a comfortable and responsive backlit keyboard and precision touchpad.

HP also equips the Envy x360 with top-notch features including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, a 720p webcam, fingerprint reader, and USB Type-A and Type-C ports. Battery life is rated for an excellent 19.5 hours.

For those seeking an ultralight 2-in-1 with powerhouse performance, the HP Envy x360 13 is a leading choice costing around $1,000.

4. LG Gram 14

LG strives to create lightweight laptops without sacrificing resilience, and the LG Gram 14 delivers. Tippping the scales at an airy 2.2 lbs, the Gram 14 is a remarkably portable 14” ultrabook.

Runnign on 10th gen Intel Core i7 processors with 16GB RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD storage, performance is snappy and responsive. The LG Gram 14 is an able multi-tasker, breezing through office work, browsing, streaming, and more. The 14” 1080P IPS display provides beautiful, accurate colors and great viewing angles.

The MIL-STD 810G military-grade durability rating means this ultra-light laptop can withstand bumps, drops, and extreme temps. The battery promises an incredible 20 hours of uptime. With Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt 3 support, the Gram 14 makes mobile productivity a breeze.

While not the most affordable, LG Gram 14’s starting price of $1,500 ensures a remarkably sturdy yet feather-light laptop with excellent battery life. The fast performance in a sub-2.5 lb chassis makes this a top contender for portability.

5. Razer Blade Stealth 13

For those seeking both lightweight portability and gaming-level performance, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 shines. Weighing 2.9 lbs, this is one of the lightest gaming ultrabooks out there.

Some of the Blade Stealth 13’s stand-out specs include an 11th gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, 512GB SSD, and GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics with Max-Q design. This hardware combo provides powerhouse speed and performance for all your gaming needs. Visuals are stunning on the 120Hz 13.3” 1080P display with slim bezels.

Despite its slim size, the CNC aluminum unibody chassis feels rigid and sturdy. The keyboard is perfectly tuned for gaming with RGB backlighting. The extra-large glass trackpad ensures precision control. Advanced cooling keeps the Razer Blade Stealth 13 running smoothly during intense gaming sessions.

Connectivity is also top-notch with Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt 3, USB-A and USB-C ports, and HDMI. The 61Wh battery provides up to 12 hours of mixed use.

With a starting price of $1,800, the Razer Blade Stealth 13 commands a premium but delivers an unmatched combination of featherweight portability and gaming-grade performance.

How to Choose the Right Ultrabook for Your Needs

When selecting an lightweight ultrabook, it’s important to consider your must-have features and your budget.

The first priority is usually weight. Look for laptops under 3 lbs for unmatched portability. Consider the screen size as well – 13-14 inches are ideal for mobility.

Battery life matters too – aim for 10+ hours of real-world use on a charge. Look for modern CPUs that deliver performance and efficiency.

Assess your performance requirements – everyday tasks vs more intensive work like editing media files, programming, or gaming. Seek out ultrabooks with SSD storage, fast RAM, and strong integrated or discrete GPUs.

Look for a high quality display that provides an immersive viewing experience, with slim bezels. 720P or 1080P resolution works for many, but photographers and creative pros may want higher 4K.

Check that the keyboard, trackpad, and speakers allow for a comfortable user experience, since you’ll be interacting a lot. Backlit keyboards assist with productivity in dim environments.

Make sure the ultrabook has all the physical connectivity you require, such as USB-A, USB-C, Thunderbolt 3 or 4, HDMI, SD card slots, and headphone jacks.

Finally, consider premium brand names like Dell, HP, and Lenovo for solid construction, performance, and support. Set a realistic budget for your needs. In most cases, you can find excellent portable ultrabooks in the $800-$1500 range.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrabook Laptops

What is an ultrabook laptop?

An ultrabook is a high-end, lightweight laptop designed for maximum portability. Ultrabooks feature thin, compact chassis typically under 18mm thick and weighing less than 3.5lb. They have lower power processors with excellent efficiency and batteries that provide all-day endurance. Premium build quality and materials provide durability despite their slim size.

What are the benefits of lightweight ultrabooks for mobility?

With their slim designs and long battery life, ultrabooks make it easy to stay productive and connected anywhere. Their light weight makes them easy to take anywhere without a hassle. Large screens and full keyboards allow you to comfortably work on-the-go. High-speed storage and memory ensures fast performance.

What processors are best suited for ultrabooks?

Most ultrabooks today utilize power-efficient mobile processors from Intel, such as Core i5 and Core i7 models ending in Y, U or H. AMD also offers excellent mobile chips like the Ryzen 5 and 7. These processors deliver blazing fast speed while conserving battery life.

How much RAM and storage do you need on an ultrabook?

8GB of RAM is sufficient for most users, while 16GB provides headroom for advanced multitasking. For storage, 256-512GB of fast PCIe SSD storage enables quick boot times and app launches. Some ultrabooks support configurable RAM and storage to customize these to your workflow needs.

What kind of battery life can you expect from an ultrabook?

Premium ultrabooks today deliver anywhere from 10-19 hours of battery life from a single charge. Look for models with efficient processors and large 60+ Wh batteries for all-day endurance without having to plug in. Features like fast charging help top up smaller batteries quickly.

Are ultrabooks good for gaming?

Most ultrabooks have integrated graphics sufficient for light gaming, movies, and photo editing. But some premium ultrabooks like the Razer Blade Stealth include dedicated NVIDIA GeForce mobile GPUs capable of running modern games at high frame rates and settings. These ultrabook “gaming laptops” provide lightweight portability for on-the-go gaming.

How portable are ultrabooks compared to regular laptops?

Ultrabooks weigh up to 50% less than traditional 14 and 15” laptops. Where regular laptops average 4-6lb, ultrabooks are under 3.5lb and as light as 2lb. The slimmer, more compact chassis also makes ultrabooks easier to slide into a backpack or briefcase. Easy portability is an ultrabook’s biggest advantage.

What kind of screen resolutions do ultrabooks have?

You’ll find ultrabook displays ranging from 1366×768 for affordable models up to 4K UHD 3840×2160 for premium options. But most common are 1920×1080 and QHD 2560×1440 resolutions, which offer a great blend of image quality and battery efficiency. Some ultrabooks have touchscreens or even OLED panels for vivid colors and contrast.

Are ultrabooks more expensive than regular laptops?

Yes, ultrabooks sit at the premium end of the laptop market with starting prices around $800 up to over $2,000. But not all ultrabooks are expensive – you can find good mid-range options from Dell, Acer, Asus and others. Where ultrabooks excel is delivering premium lightweight builds, mobility, and performance not found on cheaper traditional laptops.

What are some good brands for quality ultrabook laptops?

Top ultrabook brands include Dell (XPS line), HP (Spectre line), Asus (Zenbook line), Lenovo (Thinkpad X1 Carbon), Razer (Blade Stealth), LG (Gram), Acer (Swift 5), and the Microsoft Surface Laptop. Apple’s Macbooks also pioneered and still dominate the ultrabook space.

Conclusion

For today’s mobile workforce and students, having an ultrabook that provides premium portability without sacrificing performance is invaluable. The lightest options weigh under 2.5 lb to effortlessly slip into backpacks or bags. Excellent battery life keeps you powered up anywhere for a full day of productivity.

Key names to look for when shopping for the best lightweight ultrabooks are Dell, HP, Lenovo, LG, Acer, Razer, and Asus. Models like the Dell XPS 13, HP Envy x360, and LG Gram 14 ace the combination of featherweight design, speed, and features. Finding the right blend of mobility, battery life, display, connectivity, and performance will enable your on-the-go lifestyle.

Whichever compact yet capable ultrabook you choose, getting work done easily from anywhere will let you stay productive and keep pace with our fast-moving mobile world. Lightweight yet mighty ultrabooks are here to enable success through superior mobility.