Table of Contents
The choice
Choosing a new laptop is so hard these days. There are multiple, near-similar products out there, all kinds of brands with overlapping prices and similar features, each claiming to offer the best this and that. It doesn’t get easier when choosing the best Ultrabook.
Ultrabook
Ultrabooks are the crème de la crème of computers, the top breed of PCs. They combine the very best of technology in elegant small and light bodies.
The term Ultrabook was conceived and trademarked by Intel Corp in 2011. By then, very thin and very powerful laptops had become an important part home and business PC world.
Though the popularity and appetite for slim slate-style tablets and netbooks had increased in the consumer market, the two counterparts specifically lacked power and impressive processing speed, among other features found in higher-end computers. Intel Corp saw the opportunity.
What Qualifies an Ultrabook?
Intel drew a line of tough specifications to define what an Ultrabook is. As a result, many other manufacturers have come up with Ultrabook-like PC models as their top brands, meeting and sometimes exceeding these standards. But in truth, the definition of an Ultrabook is still fluid in many consumers’ minds. Requirements include size, Battery life, Resume time, even low-voltage Intel processors and certain Intel-branded system software.
Choosing an Ultrabook
So how do you choose the best Ultrabook? The best Ultrabook can’t be defined by anyone aspect. And to be fair, there are several contenders who deserve a shot at the title. So the question should be tailored to your individual needs and requirements. What do you need? We will outline a list of features, tips, and tricks for you to look at that will ensure you choose what’s best for you.
Specifications
Not everyone understands spec jargon. And if you’re one of them don’t feel bad. Just ensure you understand the following things;
- Ultrabook compares favorably with other gaming laptops when it comes to boot-up time and performance. If you require serious load crunching, look for models with the latest processors. For example, the Ivy Bridge processor.
- Arguably more important than the performance is the storage. Most Ultrabooks come with 128GB of flash storage, while others offer twice that. In this age, most people work with lots of data and that requires more space. A model with 500GB or 1TB is most desirable
- Unless you’re playing PC games, doing high-resolution video editing and 3D object creation, you’ll be fine with most integrated graphics chip. Otherwise, choose an Ultrabook with a distinct graphics processor from NVIDIA or AMD is essential.
Battery Life
If you’re working on the road or constantly traveling for long periods, low battery life is a deal-breaker. Ultrabook is ideal for creating content so if the model you’re considering has a long battery life (around 8 hours is great), it is well worth investing your hard-earned money into. Long battery life is possible if the model has a relatively larger battery or an efficient screen and/or processor.
Size
Consider just how portable you need your Ultrabook laptop to be. Laptop sizes are usually categorized by the display. Though it’s not always the case, the larger ones usually have more usability functions but are heavier. The trick is to find the right balance between size and function.
13 to 14-inch laptops provide the best balance between usability and portability, especially if the particular laptop is light (under 4 pounds). Smaller sizes are appropriate for traveling. Retina displays are also a desirable component to have, coupled with screen resolutions of up to 1800 * 2880.
Touchpad and Keyboard
The most powerful computer in the world would be useless if the ergonomics and control aspects were awful. Especially if you’re planning to cover lots of work on your computer, the keyboard should be solid, and tactile with enough keyspace and plenty of vertical travel.
A touchpad that doesn’t respond consistently and has a jumpy cursor to multi-touch gestures will be frustrating for you.
Pricing
Few Ultrabooks are really budget-friendly with a majority of them shooting past the $1000 mark. So first and foremost, when choosing an Ultrabook, expect a higher price tag than you would for an average laptop computer. But in exchange for the high price tag a consumer gets real value for their money.
Brand
Timely technical support is paramount to how good your user experience is. Evaluate your brand and choose one that has a good reputation when it comes to customer support. Consider how the brand stacks up to the competition with regards to design, value, and performance.
Is there’s anything you think should be added to the list? Please comment and engage us on what else to consider when choosing the best Ultrabook.
