Buying Guide: 10 best Ultrabooks 2016: top thin and light laptops reviewed

Best Ultrabooks
Updated: The Skylake-powered Asus ZenBook UX303 comes with a beefy configuration at an affordable price.
Ultrabooks have come a long way since they were first introduced to compete with the MacBook Air world. They're thin and light while featuring powerful Intel Core processors, fast SSD storage and superb battery life. But more than anything else they represent the bleeding edge of laptops; case in point the size shrinking Dell XPS 13, the unbelievably light Lenovo LaVie Z and Microsoft's own addition with the Surface Book.
Of course, this all means Ultrabook also come at a premium. Don't be surprised with prices that start at $999 (around £584, AU$1,064) just for the low-end and nearly $2,000 (around £1,169, AU$2,131) at the very high end.
It's an arms race in the Ultrabook world and there's no room for losers in this space, as such it's hard not to find a great machine. But if you're looking for the very best cream of the crop, you've come to the right place.

1. Dell XPS 13
The best laptop on the planet, Dell's latest Ultrabook is a masterpiece
CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-6200U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ (3,200 x 1,800) | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: DW1820A 2×2 802.11ac 2.4/5GHz; Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 720p HD webcam | Weight: 2.93 pounds | Dimensions: 11.97 x 7.87 x 0.35 – 0.59 inches
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Gorgeous bezel-less display Lightweight, compact frame Off-center webcam Small frame limits battery life
The new Dell XPS 13 is a revolution in laptop design. It comes sporting a 13.3-inch screen, but it has the footprint of an small 11-inch notebook making it incredibly compact and lightweight. The stunning bezel-less screen offers plenty to gawk especially if you go with the high-res QHD+ display. This machine Also features enough horsepower to make work and play enjoyable, and more than enough battery life to leave you in a lurch. All in all it's a great, compact computing device that will delight you for years to come.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 13

2. Asus ZenBook UX305
A truly excellent ultrabook at a very agreeable price point
CPU: 900MHz Intel Core M3-6Y30 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 IPS display | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: Integrated 802.11ac with Bluetooth | Camera: 2MP HD webcam | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Dimensions: 12.8 x 8.9 x 0.48 inches (W x D x H)
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Incredibly thin and light Vibrant, glare-free screen Weak sauce graphics Tinny speakers
The ZenBook UX305 is an exquisitely-built, fully metal machine that's thin, light and very attractive. This lightweight system can easily take on any task whether it's browsing the web, watching video or editing images. What's more, its seven hour battery life is exceptional. Most strikingly, the well equipped UX305 comes at a very affordable price. While it isn't exactly a shining symbol of innovation in the Ultrabook space, it's one of the most affordable Windows 10 laptops available today and it won't disappoint you.
Read the full review: Asus ZenBook UX305

3. Surface Book
The heavy duty performance Ultrabook
CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-6300U | Graphics: Intel HD graphics 520; Nvidia GeForce graphics | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense Display | Storage: 256GB PCIe3.0 SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 LE | Camera: Windows 8MP rear-facing autofocus camera (1080p HD), 5MP front-facing Hello face-authentication camera (1080p HD) | Weight: 3.48 pounds | Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.51-0.90 (W x D x H)
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Futuristic design Seamless tablet separation Battery life falls well below promises A bit heavy set
The Surface Book is both the world's most powerful and thinnest Windows 10 PC as well as an excellent laptop. This is all thanks to its ability to swap between being a really terrific notebook and tablet. Plus with all the power of an Intel Skylake processor and a discrete Nvidia GPU, this machine outpaces almost every other Ultrabook. The only thing users might find annoying is how it's heavier and bigger than most 13-inch laptops thanks to its 3:2 aspect ratio and 13.5-inch screen.
Read the full review: Surface Book

4. Lenovo Yoga 900
Performance meets design, Lenovo's latest flagship is a jewel
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ 3,200 x 1,800 IPS display | Storage: 512GB SSD | Connectivity: Intel Wireless-AC 8260; Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p webcam | Weight: 2.84 pounds | Dimensions: 12.75 x 8.86 x 0.59 inches
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Gorgeous display Slim design Shallow keyboard Display drivers issues
If you're all about style and want power to back it up, things don't get much better than Lenovo's latest flagship hybrid Ultrabook. It's much more punch than its Intel Core M-toting predecessor thanks to trading in Core i5 and i7 CPUs, and it has bigger batteries to boot. Though it's no longer one of the lightest Windows laptops to date, the Yoga 900 still retains an incredibly sharp and thin design. Although it comes at a steep price, such panache will be worth it for style nuts.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 900

5. Asus ZenBook UX303
An attractive and fully-loaded MacBook Pro alternative
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 12GB | Screen: 13.3-inch IPS FHD (1,920 x 1,080) | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HD webcam | Weight: 3.2 pounds | Dimensions: 12.70 x 8.80 x 0.75 inches
See more Asus ZenBook UX303 deals
Solid aluminium build Rich, vivid display Unambitious design Relatively thick chassis
Getting a fully loaded Ultrabook usually comes with the downside of breaking the bank, but the Asus ZenBook UX303 comes a solid and affordable contender. This 13.3-inch Ultrabook is like the UX305's roided-out older brother equipped with a vibrant 4K display and a beefier processor. What's more, you get more storage and memory for a little less than you would pay to get an Dell XPS 13 or Lenovo Yoga 900. While this Ultrabook does not feature the most revolutionary design, if what you seek is meaty innards at an affordable price, the UX303 is perfect for you.
Read the full review: Asus ZenBook UX303

6. Lenovo LaVie Z
The lightest Ultrabook in the world
CPU: 2.40GHz Intel Core i7-5500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphic 5500 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch WQHD (2560 x 1440) LED anti-glare | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 ac and Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: 720p HD | Weight: 1.87 pounds | Dimensions: 12.56 x 0.67 x 8.35 inches
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Core i7 processor Excellent WQHD screen Mediocre battery life Astronomical price tag
By creating the 1.87-pound LaVie Z, Lenovo has created the lightest laptop in the world. Aside from its lightweight chassis, the Lavie Z offers performance and display are among the best available today. However, the laptop's somewhat questionable build quality, inferior battery life, and inflated price tag are qualities that could turn many off from what is an otherwise splendid device.
Read the full review: Lenovo LaVie Z

7. HP EliteBook Folio 1020 G1
A thin, attractive business laptop posing as an Ultrabook
CPU: 1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core M-5Y71 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5300 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: value | Storage: 256GB M.2 SSD | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0; dual-band 802.11ac (B/G/N), dual-band Wi-Fi | Camera: 720p webcam | Weight: 2.68-pound | Dimensions: 12.2 x 8.27 x 0.62-inch
See the best HP EliteBook Folio 1020 G1 deals
Sleek design and tough construction Fingerprint scanner, enterprise security Underpowered Intel Core M performance No full-sized SD card reader
Although it has the look and body of an Ultrabook, the HP EliteBook Folio 1020 G1 is very much a business laptop in disguise. Underneath its MacBook Air like exterior, this machine packs plenty of enterprise perks including fingerprint scanner, enterprise security and the durable build quality to meet a Military Specifications certification. At the same time though, the HP Folio 1020 G1 has a gorgeous aluminum and fanless design that's atypical of business-class notebooks. Add in a gorgeous QHD screen, comfortably ergonomic keyboard, and this premium business machine is well worth its slightly upscale price tag.
Read the full review: HP EliteBook Folio 1020 G1

8. Acer Aspire S7
Acer's luxurious laptop is an ultraportable star
CPU: 2.4 GHz Intel Core i7-550U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 touchscreen | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: value | Camera: value | Weight: value | 12.72 x 8.78 x 0.51 | Dimensions: 12.72 x 8.78 x 0.51 inches
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Attractive glass design
Full-day battery life
Screen limited to 1080p Too much bloatware
If you have a passion for white electronics, the Aspire S7's looks alone may seal the deal, but the laptop is more than just a pretty face. Acer packs in Intel's Broadwell Core i7 processor, a battery that lasts close to a full work day, plenty of storage and RAM all into a sleek body. The Aspire S7 is an attractive and powerful laptop, but not one without compromises. If you're willing to invest a little time to removing bloatware and can live with a keyboard with the shallow key travel, then the Aspire S7 rewards you with a very capable computing experience that also looks stunning on your desk.
Read the full review: Acer Aspire S7

9. Toshiba Kirabook
A high-res Ultrabook that's easy on the eyes
CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i7-5500U | Graphics: Intel® HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3 inch 2560 x 1440 WQHD touchscreen | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 + Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HD webcam | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Dimensions: 12.4 x 8 x 0.37 inches
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Stylish design Good battery life Expensive Dim, bendy screen
The Toshiba Kirabook (otherwise known as the Kira in the UK) sits at the higher end of the Ultrabook spectrum. It offers a high-res screen and a fully metal body that feels so premium, it even gives the MacBook a run for its money. While there were a few missteps with the annoying keyboard and dim screen, you'll be pleased with this long lasting machine that's easy on the eyes.
Read the full review: Toshiba Kirabook

10. Toshiba Satellite Radius 12
The best 4K screen available on an Ultrabook today
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) TruBrite LED backlit touchscreen | Storage: 256GB SSD | Connectivity: Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 7265; Bluetooth 4.0 | Camera: HD webcam | Weight: 2.9 pounds | Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.2 x 0.61 inches
See more Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 deals
Smart design and ergonomics Incredibly colorful screen Strange keyboard layout Dismal battery life
High resolution screens have become synonymous with Ultrabooks but few have a true 4K screen and that's where the Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 comes into impress. Packing a vibrant and very color accurate screen, this 12.5-inch hybrid notebook is one of the new Technicolor-certified devices on the market making it an excellent choice for photographers and those in media production. That said, it has a few flaws including a shrunken keyboard and competitively shorter battery life.
Read the full review: Toshiba Satellite Radius 12
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Original source: Buying Guide: 10 best Ultrabooks 2016: top thin and light laptops reviewed.