How to choose an ultrabook: a complete guide. What is it - an ultrabook, a review of the best and modern Strict canons of style

Many years of successful experience in using desktop PCs gave impetus to the development and promotion on the world market of extremely thin and light devices, inside of which we managed to invest the most powerful processor and video card. Corporate innovative style, minimal thickness and low weight have become the main distinguishing features of ultrabooks.

MacBook Air - the concept of a modern ultrabook

What is an ultrabook

The first laptop, which was conceptually similar to what would later be called an ultrabook, was introduced by Apple in 2008. The announcement of the MacBook Air created a real sensation. The idea was liked by the main players of the global IT pool. Engineers and designers of the American corporation Intel were the first to bring the concept to life and deduce the basic principles of building an ultrabook:

• The thickness of the hardware (bottom) panel is a little more than 10 millimeters, the screen (top) panel is even smaller.
• Weight – no more than 3 kg.
• The capacity of the non-removable battery is at least 40 Wh.

The creators set themselves the task of making the design of the ultrabook stylish and memorable. The authors of the idea abandoned the use of hard drives. Instead, they began installing solid-state or hybrid drives on ultra-thin laptops. This made it possible to speed up the process of switching on and exiting hibernation mode by an order of magnitude.

Intel Corporation has patented the name “ultrabook”. Naturally, other laptop manufacturers do not have the right to use such a name.

Using the trackpad you can draw on the ultrabook screen

The creators endowed the ultrabook with a number of distinctive features:

• Avoid using an optical drive.
• Fixed capacity random access memory(at least 4 GB). Due to the wiring with the processor on the board, it is not possible to replace it.
• Air accumulation for ventilation is through the keyboard, and its output is through the side openings.
• Using gesture technology (trackpad) instead of a classic optical mouse.

The future of ultrabooks

Ultrabooks as a class can be considered one of the most underrated lines of modern gadgets. Thanks to their joint expansion with tablets ten years ago, netbooks have almost completely disappeared from the IT market. One of the main tasks of developers is to radically reduce prices for thin, productive devices.

The closer the ultrabook is to the tablet, the more uncomfortable the developers feel

There is virtually no competition among vendors in the ultrabook market. Most new hardware developments come out under the Intel brand. Similar progressive technologies are also available from other manufacturers of laptops with a minimalist design. But Southeast Asian corporations prefer not to rush. They are treading carefully, leaving Intel free to pay the price for introducing failed technologies.

However, everyone knows the immutable truth: if developers manage to adapt tablets for long office work, ultrabooks will very quickly cease to exist as a class. Between high performance and absolute mobility, most users will, of course, choose the latter. Breaking this trend, bringing the ultrabook closer to a desktop PC in terms of performance and other basic parameters is the main task of the developers.

Intel ultrabook concept in real life

Eight years ago, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, the boss of the ultrabook line at Intel, Greg Welch, expressed the idea that this particular brainchild of his is ideal for those users who are not eager to start working with OS X. But there is much more commercialism in such an idea more than anything else. After all, Windows can be installed on a MacBook much easier than on any other device. The argument that it is necessary to reduce the size and weight of ultrabooks is perhaps accepted by all players in the IT market.

The first to agree to develop ultra-thin portable gadgets with Intel hardware were six corporations:

• Lenovo.
• Toshiba.
• Samsung Electronics.
• Acer.
• ASUSTec Computer.
• Hewlett-Packard.

Some of the above-mentioned companies, for example, Samsung, are so far only limiting themselves to unconditional support of the concept. And they promote their own developments. It took the American electronics giant Dell several years to release a truly top-end ultrabook. The electronics geniuses from MSI are also in no hurry to plunge into unsafe “swimming”.

Fundamentals of the future ultrabook concept

It must be said that even within the line, the battle for the buyer is in full swing. Manufacturers quite sharply expressed their claims to different categories of buyers. For example, Acer and ASUS are trying to reduce the price tag for their models as much as possible. On the contrary, DELL and Samsung devices are not far behind the MacBook. Thus, the main players in the market have not yet found a reasonable compromise between the price and performance of ultrabooks. Mainly because the boundaries of this very market have not yet been fully delineated. For example, there are very big doubts that Russian residents will rush to sweep sophisticated analogues of conventional high-performance laptops from store shelves at twice or even three times the price.

Review of the best ultrabooks

The top ten best ultrabooks of 2018 include noteworthy models from different manufacturers. They all have a common drawback - high price tags. The rest is a complete set modern technologies. In any case, the decision about whether to spend quite a significant amount of money is “ headache» both buyers and producers, whose main goal is to realize personal ambitions.

10th place – Dell XPS 13

The frameless 13.3-inch ultrabook has one nuance that is not entirely familiar to regulars of social networks. Due to almost no space at the edges of the screen, engineers placed a webcam underneath it. The touch screen has excellent resolution characteristics (QHD, 3200x1800 pixels, graphics chip – Intel UHD Graphics 620). Light intensity measurements on a colorimeter showed good tuning. The gamma indicator is slightly lower than normal, so colors that are nearby in the spectrum can merge.

An excellent device for respectable men

The ultrabook is filled with impressive “internals”:

• processor – Intel Core i7-6500U;
• RAM capacity – 8 GB;
• battery capacity – 57 Wh.

Useful additions include a USB 3.1 connector, a battery charging indicator, and a keyboard backlight. The main disadvantage of this super-light (1.2 kg) device is the noticeable overheating of the processor during prolonged use. Price – 101 thousand rubles.

9th place – Asus Zenbook UX310

Having received a lot of rave reviews for the Zenbook UX305FA, the developers brought to the market a new, 310th model on Windows OS. The flagship ultrabook in the line has a 13.3-inch QHD screen with a viewing angle of 178 o. It does not glare at all and gives a bright and juicy picture. The body of the gadget is entirely made of polished aluminum.

ASUS Zenbook 310 – thinner than ever

Under the hood of the ultrabook there is an Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, hybrid local storage (1 TB HDD + 1 TB SSD) and a very successful Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics chip. This magnificent gadget costs 76 thousand rubles.

8th place – Razer Blade Stealth

An avid gamer who has an “extra” 86 thousand rubles in his pocket will not regret purchasing this unique gadget. The gaming ultrabook is equipped with the rarest equipment for this type of device. USB port Type-C with Thunderbolt 3. With its help, gamers can connect an external video card. Thanks to the LED backlighting system, the user can give the trackpad keyboard a completely unimaginable color, highlighting each key with a separate part of the spectrum.

Great "toy" for gamers

The basic version of the laptop is equipped with a 12.5-inch screen with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels. The Intel Core i7-6500U (2.5 GHz) processor, standard for most ultrabooks, allows you to run “heavy” games only in medium modes. At half the brightness setting, the battery lasts 4 hours in game mode, 7 hours when watching videos. The device is very spacious: 256 GB HHD + 1 TB SSD, RAM – 16 GB.

7th place – Acer Swift 3

Engineers from Acer with their new development answered in the affirmative the question of whether an ultrabook can cost less than a thousand dollars. Naturally, the buyer of the top version is placed in strict marketing frameworks:

• processor – Intel Core i3;
• RAM – 8 GB;
• storage – 256 GB;

Installing a discrete graphics card MX 150 is good news for video game lovers.

Acer Swift 3 – cheap and convenient

The Full HD IPS matrix on the 14-inch screen has one serious drawback. Before. How to work with graphic editors, it should definitely be calibrated due to its rather average color rendering. In addition, the developers installed a budget cooling system on the ultrabook. So, when working with discrete video cards, the gadget behaves excessively noisy. The standard capacity (48 Wh) battery lasts for 6 hours of continuous viewing of video files. This “budget” pleasure costs 40 thousand rubles.

6th place – ASUS Chromebook Flip

Chrome OS apologists have long been haunted by the idea of ​​​​creating something similar to an ultrabook. One of the first such gadgets was the Flip from ASUS. It works great in tablet mode. At the same time, the user can quickly switch to Android. The standard parameters of the device are at an average level:

• processor – Rockchip RK3288;
• graphics adapter – Mali T764MP8;
• screen resolution – 1280x800 pixels.
• RAM – 16 GB, local storage – 100 GB.

A successful ten-inch transformer from ASUS

The rather average characteristics for an ultrabook are hidden by a rich set of additional accessories. The gadget received two USB ports, Bluetooth 4.1 mode and a webcam with HD resolution. Living up to its reputation as the best convertible ultrabook, the Flip comes with a dedicated stand for watching movies. The price of the device is 60 thousand rubles.

5th place – HP Specter x360

Another transformer, describing which, experts unanimously point out that it perfectly matches the characteristics of the tablet. Except for one thing - it is too bulky. Otherwise, the HP Specter x360 is an ideal business-class ultrabook. Judge for yourself:

• screen – IPS matrix (size – 13.3 inches, resolution – Full HD);
• processor – Intel Core i7 7500U (frequency – 3.5 GHz);
• graphics chip – Intel HD 620;
• Battery capacity – 56 Wh.

This “baby” weighs only 1.2 kg. Users noted the almost absolute silence of the gadget and the presence of a stylus for working on the touch screen. But they didn’t forget to mention the shortcomings. They mainly concern optics. The keyboard backlight is very weak compared to the Razer. Very simple brightness adjustment mode. With its help, in good lighting it is impossible to get rid of glare. For such a large number of questions, the price of the device is simply astronomical - 106 thousand rubles.

4th place – Samsung Notebook 9

The Korean electronics giant would not be itself if it had not presented its vision of the ultrabook concept to the judgment of strict users. It’s hard to believe that this “work of art” costs only 60 thousand rubles:

• processor – Intel Core i5 7200U (frequency 2.3 GHz);
• graphics chip – Intel HD Graphics 620;
• RAM – 8 GB;
• local storage – 256 GB SSD;
• screen – 13.3 inches, IPS Full HD.
• Battery capacity – 55 Wh.

Samsung Notebook 9

Also included is a stylus, fingerprint scanner, fast battery charging, three USB-C, HDMI ports. Like all products from the Korean electronics giant, the 9 Series Ultrabook has a great screen. But this gadget is clearly not for gamers. Stylish design and excellent equipment are more suitable for those for whom owning a successful business means a lot.

3rd place – Apple MacBook 13

Solid weight for an ultrabook (1.58 kg) - completely excellent hardware:

• screen – glossy, 13.3 inches, resolution 2560x1600 pixels;
• processor – Intel Core i5 5257U (2.7 GHz);
• graphics chip – Intel Iris Graphics;
• RAM – 8 GB;
• solid state drive – 128 GB.

MacBook 13 is not the thinnest, but one of the best

The ultrabook keyboard is perfectly protected from sticking and dust and dirt. The battery capacity allows continuous operation for 7-8 hours, at half brightness - over 10 hours. The main feature of the new MacBook is the unique Thunderbolt 2 port, throughput which is 20 Gb/s. This is four times more than USB 3.0. The price of an ultrabook is 77 thousand rubles.

2nd place – HuaweiMateBook XPro

The newest gadget has quickly burst into the line of top ultrabooks Chinese manufacturer electronics, Huawei concern. Core i7 6600U processor in the premium version, 8 GB of RAM and a hybrid drive of 256 + 512 GB - the usual Intel set. But its 3K display (13.3 inches) simply kills with a riot of colors. It runs on an Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics chip and is equipped with a discrete NVidia GeForce MX150 graphics card. The ultrabook can easily be used to work in an open space on a bright sunny day.

The first result of Huawei's expansion in the ultrabook market

The body of the gadget is so elegant and comfortable that it looks better than the MacBook Pro. The battery capacity (58 Wh) is more than enough for 8 hours of continuous operation in video viewing mode. Anyone who wants to “dig” into the shortcomings will, of course, find them for themselves, albeit quite a bit:

• one USB port;
• weak webcam, suitable only for communicating via Skype.

The price of an ultrabook is quite high - 110 thousand rubles. However, these expenses are clearly not for one year in advance.

1st place – Microsoft

It is quite strange that the absolute leader among premium laptop manufacturers in 2018 was not a specialized concern, but a software company. This indicates an extremely competent marketing strategy by Microsoft. After all, the Surface Ultrabook turned out to be simply excellent. Firstly, it very quickly transforms from a laptop to a tablet by separating the keyboard. The 15-inch IPS display has an outstanding resolution of 3000x2000 pixels.

Separating the display from the keyboard is very simple

In terms of hardware content, everything corresponds to the “spirit of the times” - Intel Core i7-6600U processor, Intel HD 620 graphics, 16 GB of RAM and a 1-terabyte solid-state drive. It's in the tablet part. The docking station is a discrete GTX 1060 graphics card and an additional battery (23 Wh). For communication with the “outside world” - two USB ports (types A and C) and a card reader. The capacity of the main battery of this “work of art” is simply phenomenal - 86 Wh, or for 16-17 hours of continuous video viewing. The price of an ultrabook is 115 thousand rubles.

Video: the most unusual ultrabook

ASUS engineers put an end to the debate about which ultrabook looks the most unusual six years ago. In 2012, the company introduced a line of Taichi gadgets equipped with a second touch screen on the outside of the lid. The ultrabook can operate in a tablet form factor; both screens are independent of each other. The buyers themselves expressed their opinion about how applicable and convenient this configuration is during normal work with the gadget. In any case, ASUS has few followers today.

To see what this looks like in practice, see here:

• 10 - DELL XPS 13 Ultrabook
• 9 - Acer SWIFT 7
• 8 - HP Envy 13
• 7 - Microsoft Surface Laptop
• 6 - Razer Blade Stealth 13.3
• 5 - Asus ZenBook Flip S
• 4 - Lenovo Yoga 920
• 3 - Apple MacBook Pro 13 Mid 2018
• 2 - Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3" 2018
• 1 - Huawei MateBook X Pro

Just a few years ago, when heavy models with large screens ruled the laptop market, no one could have imagined that thin, light, compact laptops would soon be in trend. At the same time, owners of such babies do not have to sacrifice power and performance. This rating contains just such devices that, in terms of performance, will leave even the most famous flagships behind. Find the best ultrabook of 2019 for yourself!

8.2 Evaluation

• Slim body
• Full set of connectors and slots
• Ultra high resolution
• Possibility of upgrading and replacing some parts

• Long charging time
• Lack of discrete graphics card
• Small stock of ROM

The top ten is opened by a model from the most famous manufacturer of equipment for offices and small businesses. True, this gadget is not at all a faceless laptop for work! It is based on a whole galaxy of processors, ranging from the modest Intel Core i5-2467M to the Core i7-3667U. Everyone can choose the power according to their needs!

The keyboard seems to be created for intensive use: there is a quiet scissor mechanism that does not irritate with extraneous clicking, several levels of backlighting with easy settings. And the touchpad responds instantly - everything you need for creating reports or corporate correspondence.

The maximum configuration successfully copes not only with work tasks: here you can watch movies, edit photos, and play games. And the reason for this is the built-in Intel Graphics 620 video card and IPS screen with high resolution and high-quality color rendition. True, the amount of memory for multimedia is not the largest, only 256 GB. But with the current expansion capabilities, this will not be a problem.

What about autonomy? Although such an office-home device is not designed for use outside the home, the battery is still sufficient for this. 42 Wh provides up to 6 hours of web browsing when away from a power outlet.

8.1 Evaluation

• Stylish appearance
• Screen with touch
• Possibility of replacing the SSD drive
• Long operating time without recharging
• Large touchpad

• Only two USB connectors
• Lack of memory expansion slot
• No keyboard backlight

When an ultrabook is only expected to perform work and simple everyday tasks, you should pay attention to the Acer SWIFT 7. It has everything you need for comfortable use. The screen with FullHD resolution allows you to comfortably surf the Internet or watch videos on YouTube. The speakers provide surround, almost three-dimensional sound according to the Dolby standard.

Do you want to take a break from your favorite TV series and start a game? Although the built-in Intel HD Graphics 615 video card and Intel Core i5 processor with a frequency of 1.2 GHz will not allow you to run the most modern games on ultra-high settings, but in the most popular toys you can go through a couple of levels.

Despite such modest capabilities, the gadget has 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.

This volume is quite enough to store photos and favorite music tracks. Well, if not, you can always remove the bottom cover and replace the hard drive with a more capacious one.

SWIFT 7 can be an ideal way to surprise friends and acquaintances, because the appearance of the device makes the gadget stand out among its faceless analogues. The black-gold or black-silver case is striking not only in color, but also in thickness: this model rightly receives the title of the thinnest, because the height of the ultrabook is less than 1 cm.

8.4 Evaluation

• Housing made of reliable materials
• Availability of a fingerprint scanner
• Modern processor
• Speaker placement
• High screen resolution
• Long autonomy

• Excessive body heating
• Sparing selection of interfaces and connectors

A gadget from HP couldn’t help but be included in the ranking of the best ultrabooks of 2019. The Envy 13 model, which combines high performance and reasonable cost, was in the TOP. The most minimal configuration costs just over 50 thousand rubles and this is the most low price among the heroes of this comparison.

However, is it worth choosing the modest version? At maximum, the device will delight you with two video cards that can handle medium and even high game settings. In addition, there is an eighth generation Intel Core i7 on board. Two Kaby Lake cores allow you to optimize power consumption, because in a quiet state they operate at a frequency of no more than 2.7 GHz.

This power will last for several years.

In an ultrabook with similar capabilities, autonomy may be a concern. But here all worries are in vain - lithium ion battery 42 Wh will allow you to work away from the mains for at least 7 hours. And this is at high screen brightness!

The new HP has been improved not only inside, but also outside. The case boasts a somewhat futuristic design, and an updated logo is found on the metal lid. With such a device you can demonstrate to the whole world that you follow trends.

8.3 Evaluation

• Use of quality materials in the case
• Suede cover work surface
• Four body colors to choose from
• Rich color rendering
• Auto face recognition function
• Solid State Drive SSD
• Excellent battery life

• Few interfaces on the side ends
• High price of some configurations

Every laptop manufacturer strives to stand out from the crowd. Some introduce the latest sound technologies, others use a premium processor. Well, Microsoft decided to combine all the developments to the maximum and create an almost perfect ultrabook.

It all started with the design, when engineers used a combination of durable metal and soft suede - Alcantara. There are no complaints about build quality or durability, and the coating of the working surface ensures the comfort of your hands when typing and always a comfortable temperature (even if the laptop heats up under load).

The thoughtfulness is also noticeable in multimedia - the resolution of the IPS screen is high, the color rendering quality is at 95% sRGB, and the two speakers sound extremely balanced.

A large number of configurations allows you to choose the power you like. With the maximum version, you can even think about installing the heaviest software. Moreover, the amount of RAM allows this - almost 16 GB are allocated for programs.

8.4 Evaluation

• Compact dimensions
• High screen resolution
• Large brightness reserve
• High-quality color rendition
• Good placement of speakers
• Modern processor
• 75% increased productivity

• Weak video card
• Little autonomy

When compiling a rating of ultrabooks 2019 with prices, you cannot ignore the gaming device - Razer Blade Stealth 13.3. However, it cannot be called a gaming device in the traditional sense: there is neither an aggressive design nor a special keyboard with multi-backlighting and several key zones. But in games and performance it is in no way inferior.

The latest Intel is designed for economical power consumption, so it supports gradual core acceleration technology.

The four existing cores can only be overclocked to 4.0 GHz when necessary to prevent excessive heating of the case.

The built-in Intel HD Graphics 620 card is responsible for graphics processing, but if desired, it can be easily replaced with a more powerful one. A game or just an image is displayed on a high-quality IGZO screen with QHD+ resolution and 100% sRGB color reproduction.

The sound did not disappoint either - the built-in speakers on the sides of the keyboard provide volume and clarity of sound. and balanced frequencies do not even require adjustment through an equalizer.

8.0 Rating

• Stylish metal body
• Excellent performance
• Instant transformation into a tablet
• Clear, spacious sound
• Rich set with case
• Affordable price

• Low PPI value
• Built-in stock video camera
• Poor autonomy under load

The top five is opened by a device from Asus. The fact that this is not an ordinary device, but powerful laptop, a real assistant in work and creativity, is felt already at the moment of unpacking.

There is also a nice envelope case - apparently, Asus is designed for travel and use not only at home.

And again the manufacturer amazes with the number and configuration options! The ultrabook is based on Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 with two or four cores. Minimum performance is only enough for office applications, web surfing or online communication. in social networks, but the cost of such a modification will be relatively low. But with the maximum version, the possibilities open up almost limitless.

The nominal clock speed can be increased up to 3.1 GHz, allowing the cores to process data from four threads at once. There is a built-in video card with a frequency of 300 to 1000 MHz, which is capable of running games at medium settings. And especially for storing all photos, videos, games, there is a modern solid-state drive of 256, 512 or 1024 GB.

8.4 Evaluation

• Stylish metal body
• Comfortable large keyboard
• Powerful battery for the whole day
• Fast SSD storage
• Wide range of models
• Fingerprint scanner

• Low screen brightness outdoors
• Inflated processor TT indicators
• Unfinished sound
• Fixed RAM cards

An ideal laptop, a true work assistant and travel and entertainment companion, should be multifunctional. Lenovo developers managed to put all the top technologies into the flexible body of the Yoga 920 model, so that you don’t want to part with this top-end ultrabook even for a minute.

The new product has a touch screen: owners of minimal configurations will have to buy a stylus separately or work without it, and those who choose a more expensive version will receive the accessory included.

The display does not show the best color reproduction (only 72% sRGB) and not the best pixel density (about 158 ​​ppi), so this device only gets fourth place in the ranking.

But the performance is not satisfactory - the quad-core Core i7-8550U processor only has a clock speed of 1.8 GHz, and in Turbo Boost mode it reaches 4.0 GHz. It is the Yoga 920 that holds the record for the highest scores in the Benchmark Geekbench 4 testing.

True, the manufacturer skimped on a powerful video card and equipped this gadget with an Intel UHD 620, which will only run old games at medium settings. But even in game mode it will last for four hours.

9.3 Evaluation

• Possibility to order a more powerful processor or memory capacity
• Long autonomy
• Adjusting the white balance on the screen
• Improved touchbar

• Wide frames around the screen
• Lack of ROM expansion slot

Not a single rating of top devices is complete without Apple products. This TOP includes an ultrabook from the Pro line, which is equipped, among other things, modern display Retina and improved touchbar. Now every user will be able to access emoticons, saved numbers or other information at any time using the touch panel above the keyboard.

The most successful engineering solutions have not undergone significant changes.

The quality of the picture on the screen is still beyond praise: a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels and color rendering at 119% sRGB allows you to use the device as a photo editor or simply for watching videos in high quality. And True Tone technology will adjust the brightness to a specific environment and lighting.

Two speakers are located well - on the sides of the keyboard. The three-dimensional sound effect combined with sufficient volume reserve turns the new Apple into an indispensable gaming console. The power of the video card also contributes to gaming use: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 can easily cope with high settings.

Why did this model only take third place in the ranking? The user will have to put up with a meager supply of connectors and the lack of options for expanding the ROM.

8.4 Evaluation

• Laconic body design
• Availability of HDMI connector
• Keyboard backlight available
• High color quality

• Lack of memory card slot

The updated line of Xiaomi ultrabooks is regularly called a direct competitor to Apple, because the Chinese brand offers everything the same, but cheaper. And on the familiar Windows instead of the capricious and closed iOS.

This device is capable of working without recharging for as long as 8 hours, and the user will not have to put up with low screen brightness to save battery power. In general, the gadget has:

• Great screen, perfect for work and play;
• Good sound according to the Dolby standard;
• Comfortable keyboard.

And hidden inside is an eighth-generation processor and two video cards - a built-in Intel UHD Graphics 620 and a discrete NVIDIA GeForce MX150. So you don’t have to refuse to install games.

Mi Notebook Air 13.3 becomes the record holder in this ranking for the speed of writing data to a solid-state SSD: with the update, it was increased from the standard 2133 MHz to a quite decent 2400 MHz, although the disk capacity was only 256 GB. But this is the only drawback that prevented the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3 from becoming the best ultrabook.

In today's world of universal computer literacy, almost every user computer equipment tries to purchase a device that is as mobile as possible in order to be able to use it anywhere. This could be a cafe, a train carriage, a car interior or a hotel room. If you travel often or work a lot not in the office, but in various public places, then which gadget is best suited for such situations? Many users have come to the conclusion that such a device could be an ultrabook.

What is an ultrabook?

Now let's figure out what an ultrabook is. Despite such an interesting name, it is still a gadget that has certain technical characteristics. What parameters distinguish an ultrabook from an ordinary laptop? The prefix “ultra” at the beginning of the word means that this gadget is the thinnest and lightest in the entire collection modern computers. If you pay attention to the history of the appearance of this type of device, it will be interesting to note that the first ultrabook was created by Apple in 2008. Other manufacturers liked this concept of laptops, and over the next few years, computers of this class began to appear from other companies. Speaking about pricing policy, the expression “inexpensive ultrabook” is not entirely appropriate, since the cost of such models is quite high. Another feature of this class of computers is the use of only Intel processors. Since it was this brand that patented this name. What does an ultrabook look like? You can get a first idea about it from the photo below.

What types of ultrabooks are there?

Ultrabooks, like all computers, can be divided into several categories. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Let's look at each of these categories as they appear on the computer market.

• The first ultrabooks, except for their weight and size, were practically no different from laptops.
• Touch ultrabooks appeared a little later and were a logical continuation of the development of computer technology.
• Transformable ultrabooks are the latest modernization of this class of computers.

Each of these categories has its own subcategories, especially for transformable ultrabooks. However, lately, buyers on the market have been trying to find a high-quality, inexpensive ultrabook. Therefore, gadget manufacturers are trying to pay attention to these types of computers.

The simplest ultrabook models

If we talk about such a category of gadgets as an inexpensive ultrabook, then it is worth noting that it usually includes computers whose technical characteristics are reminiscent of the first Apple gadgets. Of course, some of their parameters have changed in almost ten years, but functionally they are a copy of their ancestor. An example of such a gadget is the Asus S46CM ultrabook.

If we consider the technical characteristics of this computer, it is worth noting the following:

• Matrix with a diagonal of 14 inches.
• 3517U.
• Winchester 750 GB + 24 GB SSD.
• RAM 4 GB.
• GeForce® GT 635M discrete graphics card.

Of course, judging by consumer reviews, this fairly powerful gaming ultrabook can be used for both work and entertainment.

Touch ultrabooks

The next stage in the development of gadgets of this class was the touchscreen ultrabook. What is the main difference between these computers? The main feature, as the name suggests, is the touch screen, which allows the user to control this device using the monitor screen. A striking representative of this class of gadgets is the ASUS VivoBook S550CA ultrabook. Let's compare it with the previous model from the same manufacturer and see if there are any differences in technical specifications.

• Matrix with a diagonal of 15.6 inches.
• Intel Core i7 3517U processor.
• Operating system Windows 8 (64 bit).
• Winchester 750 GB + 24 GB SSD.
• RAM 4 GB.
• Intel HD Graphics 4000.

Below is a photo of this ultrabook.

Judging by its technical characteristics, we can determine that this is an inexpensive ultrabook for work. Consumers note that it is very suitable for both the office and business trips. But such a computer is unlikely to be suitable for fans of modern games, since it has a built-in video card, which will clearly not be enough power for heavy gaming applications. But for browsing the Internet its speed will be quite enough.

Of course, as users note, the main advantage of this gadget is the presence of a touch screen, since modern times Most users are used to this kind of screen on their smartphones and tablets, so using the same method on a computer will give them more confidence and comfort.

Transformable ultrabook

Now let's pay attention to the last category for today's evolutionary development of gadgets of this type - an ultrabook-transformer, inexpensive for its price, but nevertheless corresponding to the technical characteristics of this class of computers. The main feature of this gadget is the ability to rotate the screen in almost all directions. And some models even have the ability to detach it from the ultrabook case. And thus the computer can easily turn into a tablet. Let's choose one of the representatives of this category of ultrabooks, for example. The appearance of this gadget is presented to your attention in the photo below.

Let's look at the parameters of this ultrabook and see in what areas it can then be used.

• Matrix with a diagonal of 13.3 inches.
• Operating system Windows 8 (64 bit).
• Winchester 128 (SSD).
• RAM 4 GB.
• Integrated graphics card 4000.

What conclusion can be drawn by considering the parameters of this computer? Users note that, on the one hand, this is an inexpensive ultrabook with fairly high technical characteristics, but on the other hand, the lack of a discrete video card makes it unsuitable for modern powerful computers. game programs. But most often this is not expected from this class of computer. For the most part, it should be a reliable workhorse that will allow its owner to work on an ultrabook anywhere, especially without being constrained by its weight and size.

Where to start choosing an ultrabook?

So, having looked at the various types of ultrabooks, we begin to choose the gadget that we need. Where should you start choosing? Every buyer faces two questions to which he needs to give an honest answer.

• The purpose for which an ultrabook is purchased.
• Maximum budget for this purchase.

By answering these questions, the buyer can significantly narrow the range of computers from which he will have to choose. Let's look at several possible answers.

So, you decide that you need an ultrabook for business trips and office work. You will need to spend quite a lot of time on the Internet, but playing computer games you don't plan. At the same time, you allocate a fairly modest budget for this purchase. Now let's look at an ultrabook whose characteristics will suit you. To perform such functions, a computer with a fairly modest processor such as an Intel Core i5 or even an Intel Core i3 is suitable; we will make do with an on-board video card and a small RAM of about 4 GB. An ultrabook with such parameters will easily cope with the assigned tasks and will not cost the buyer very much.

But if you plan to work with heavy computer programs or play modern games on this computer, then you will have to use a more powerful processor such as Intel Core i7 and definitely a discrete video card, while it would be advisable to increase the RAM to 8 or even 16 GB .

And of course, when choosing between models, it is advisable to choose an inexpensive ultrabook (2016) so that it meets the latest software requirements.

Inexpensive ultrabook

Having decided on technical characteristics computer, let's figure out what will help the buyer minimize the budget for the purchase of this device. First of all, you should pay attention to the brand that produces ultrabooks. A review of the models presented on the modern market will help you make the right choice. The most expensive gadgets are Apple computers. Therefore, if you need an inexpensive ultrabook (2016), then you should choose another brand. Among cheaper gadgets, you should pay attention to computers from Lenovo or Acer.

In addition, the presence and quality of the touch screen significantly affects the price. Computers with a regular, non-touch matrix are much cheaper than touch gadgets. Next, you should pay attention to the screen resolution and its viewing angles. The better the matrix, the more expensive the ultrabook will be.

The next factor that can affect the cost of a computer is the material from which it is made. Ultrabooks with an aluminum body will cost more than gadgets whose body is made of high-quality plastic.

Where is the best place to buy an ultrabook in Moscow?

Of course, most often they try to make such a purchase in the city of residence. But some buyers have noticed that it is best to buy inexpensive ultrabooks in Moscow. On what basis do they make such conclusions? On the one hand, product manufacturers are trying to send better quality goods to the capital’s retail chain. And besides this, it is easier for metropolitan stores to negotiate the supply of goods with quality wholesalers. Also outlets Moscow usually have a fairly large turnover, which makes them profitable customers, and therefore they can receive more significant discounts. This means that you can buy an inexpensive but good ultrabook in Moscow in such stores.

Therefore, if you do not live in the capital, but sometimes you still come here to visit friends or go on a business trip for work, then believe me, purchasing a gadget here will be much easier and more profitable.

When choosing a store where you are going to make a purchase, pay attention to its profile. Try to buy similar equipment in places that specialize in selling computer equipment and try to take care of their reputation and maintain it.

Reading reviews about ultrabooks

How is this information useful? By reading such revelations, you can usually find out a lot of more detailed information about a particular model. Often, users provide such reviews, drawing attention to the positive or negative aspects of the model you have chosen, which manufacturers do not advertise for one reason or another. In addition, such revelations are usually located on forums, so each visitor can ask a question that interests him and receive an answer from several users at once, which will ensure the veracity of the information.

Thus, reading such reviews can influence the decision to purchase a particular ultrabook.

Let's go buy an ultrabook

So, having weighed all the pros and cons, evaluating the reviews of the owners of the computer equipment you liked, you have decided to purchase one or another model. And the most pleasant moment comes - it’s time to buy. A little earlier we already talked about choosing a retail outlet where you should buy a gadget. But in the modern world, it has become quite fashionable to make purchases in online stores without leaving home.

But such purchases have their advantages and disadvantages. When purchasing a product in a real store, the buyer, before transferring money to the seller, can check his ultrabook for performance and compliance with the stated parameters. And in an online store, consumers are often required to pay 100% in advance. And the client may receive something completely different from what he ordered. Therefore, many buyers agree to purchase only from those online stores that provide the opportunity to pay for the product after receiving it.

It is also worth considering that many retail outlets provide various discounts and promotions, which allows the buyer to save money when purchasing goods. You can also reduce the cost of the gadget on delivery, if it is free, or if the online store is located in close proximity, you can use pickup.

Now that laptops have firmly taken the place of home and personal computers, their purchase no longer looks like a special event. On the contrary, the choice of a laptop has become commonplace and prosaic: we need a laptop for the office - we buy a working laptop model, for the home - a desktop, for walking - a netbook, for business trips - a subnote, for games, editing, serious computing - a specialized workstation. And only when buying an ultrabook, the mind suddenly gives way to feelings - and we buy them, intuitively feeling the beauty and potential.

What is an “ultrabook” and why is it needed?

To turn the purchase and use of an ultrabook into a conscious step, you must first decide: what is an “ultrabook” and what can you get from it? It sounds unexpected, but there are three answers to this question.

The first of them was provided by Apple in 2008, releasing a laptop in a thin-profile case.

UltrabookTM

The second response was received from Intel in late spring 2011, when it put forward an initiative to create a special type of laptop, officially registering the “Ultrabook” trademark and forming a list of mandatory and desirable requirements for third-party manufacturers wishing to use this brand.

Finally, the third answer was received after the summer of 2011 from the laptop market itself, where the name “ultrabooks” unofficially began to be used to refer to thin-profile subnotebooks with designer appearance, similar in characteristics to “certified” representatives.

Thus, an "ultrabook" is that laptop with a thin profile that is considered an ultrabook by Intel or laptop market players, but not made by Apple (which has a traditional position of exclusivity).

Strict canons of style

By putting forward the initiative to create a special type of laptop under the Ultrabook brand, Intel has formed several mandatory and several desirable principles for their design and appearance. Case thickness and weight were mandatory, while “stylish design” and a Unibody chassis were desirable. Intel did not discuss the dimensions of the ultrabooks, but initially it was about laptops with a screen diagonal of 13.3 inches.

With such a thick body, any design will be elegant

Currently, ultrabooks and laptops classified by the market as this type generally adhere to Intel's regulations. This means that ultrabooks with displays whose diagonal is equal to or less than 13.3 inches have a thickness of no more than 18 millimeters, ultrabooks with screens from 13.3 inches (14 and 15 inches) have a thickness of no more than 21 millimeters. The weight of ultrabooks in the 2012 generation has been discussed at the following level: for models with a display diagonal of 13.3 inches and smaller – no more than 1.5 kilograms; for 14-inch models - no more than 1.8 kilograms, for models whose screen diagonal exceeds 14 inches - no more than 2 kilograms.

By introducing specific criteria, Intel showed that ultrabooks are solutions for everyday, constant use. They do not limit a person’s movement with their weight, combining in their design minimal dimensions (due to reduced thickness) with a maximum display area.

To make the structure strong and reliable, they use best materials

Intel did not want to formalize the concept of “stylish design” (or was unable), however, third-party manufacturers, understanding what we are talking about and the design of which model to focus on, already in the first generation created many ultrabooks that, with their own appearance aroused the desire to purchase them for personal use. And although most modern ultrabooks can be characterized by the word “stylish,” there are undoubted design masterpieces on the market - with unique types of body coating, unusual profile shape, bright colors, unusual fastening mechanisms for the lower and upper parts (this is especially true for transformable ultrabooks).

The thin profile of the ultrabook case, combined with the other dimensions that are quite significant relative to it, forced manufacturers of this type of laptop to be attentive to the rigidity of the structure. Intel showed in its specifications Possible Solution in the form of a Unibody chassis. But even in case of deviation from this unwritten standard, materials such as aluminum, magnesium alloy, and various high-quality composites with a cellular reinforcement structure are used in ultrabook cases.

Most ultrabooks prefer a sleek design

In general, all this together: a thin profile, high-quality case materials, an attractive stylish design - and create the appearance of an ultrabook as a device that you want to buy without even knowing about its capabilities. Moreover, manufacturers are doing everything to ensure that the visual image of the ultrabook simply does not allow one to doubt either its capabilities or its technical characteristics.

Work with complete pleasure

Creating an aesthetically pleasing laptop is not too burdensome for the vast majority of manufacturers. This has been demonstrated repeatedly, without requiring either the registration of a new trademark or the separation of such laptops into a separate type.

However, Intel, proposing a list of requirements for ultrabooks, not only discussed standards for external form, but also presented very strict requirements for “content”. It was the combination of an attractive, elegant design with high computing power that was proposed to be labeled with the name “Ultrabook”.

Processor - any, as long as it is Intel Core, based on Ivy Bridge architecture and with a thermal package of no more than 17 watts

For the ultrabook computing platform, Intel proposed using the latest processors from the Intel Core i5 and i7 lines. It is also not prohibited to install Core i3 in ultrabooks, but this step is not encouraged, since the power of this processor is not always enough to operate the system in instant response mode.

The processors used always belong to the energy-efficient line with a reduced thermal package. This is due not only to the design of the case, where it is difficult to place a full-fledged cooling system, but also to two more factors.

The first of them is structural. Due to the fact that ultrabook specifications indicate a maximum case thickness, Intel suggested that manufacturers mount the maximum number of system components using direct wiring on the motherboard.

The second factor relates to Intel's requirement to provide the ultrabook with the longest possible battery life. Currently, this period should be at least 5 hours, and in the next generation it should increase to 9.

Due to the design features and requirements for battery life, ultrabooks are equipped with non-removable built-in batteries

Currently, the basis of a modern certified ultrabook should be an Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor with third-generation Ivy Bridge architecture. The thermal package of this processor should not go beyond 17 watts - that is, it should definitely belong to the energy-efficient line. Such strict requirements make ultrabooks devices with a fairly unified platform - almost all modern models are built on the basis of three processors: Intel Core i3-3217U, Intel Core i5-3317U and Intel Core i7-3517U.

Fast, a lot and good

Since the configuration of the video subsystem was never discussed in the specifications of ultrabooks as a trademark of Intel, we will not dwell on this issue in too much detail. Let's just say that modern ultrabooks provide a full range of solutions: from the use of integrated cores (Intel HD4000) to full-fledged discrete video accelerators from Nvidia and AMD.

Ultrabook motherboard is a real work of art

But Intel paid quite close attention to the memory system, inviting manufacturers to participate in the creation of ultrabooks. So, the RAM capacity of an ultrabook must be at least 4 gigabytes. And almost all models of modern ultrabooks either meet or exceed this parameter. Some exceptions are difficult to recognize as such, since manufacturers of models with 2 gigabytes of RAM always reserve the buyer the right to increase the volume (to order or independently).

Initially, only a solid-state SSD array appeared in Intel's requirements for ultrabook manufacturers as a long-term storage device. This was required by positioning ultrabooks as devices with instant response (quick start-up, quick wake-up from sleep mode, fast loading of programs, high speed of file operations...). Subsequently, the requirements were relaxed both due to economic reasons and under pressure from users who wanted to see devices with a sufficiently large capacity for storing information in ultrabooks. Currently, modern ultrabooks are equipped with both solid-state arrays and hybrid systems, including a small SSD and a thin-profile (7 or 9 millimeters thick) hard drive.

The island keyboard has long been recognized as the most convenient and compact. Just for ultrabooks

As for optical disk drives, due to the special design of ultrabooks, its installation was not provided. However, with the appearance on the market of models with a diagonal of 14 and 15 inches (and, accordingly, with a more spacious body), this issue has completely become the responsibility of manufacturers.

At the peak of technology

Having listed Intel's requirements for ultrabook manufacturers in terms of design, dimensions and basic platform characteristics, we must not forget about the “desired” functionality of this type of laptop, without which market participants cannot see them.

Without a doubt, the stylish appearance and performance of ultrabooks shape their opinion as a modern device. Manufacturers are trying not to spoil this opinion by including the latest technologies in the functionality of laptops. Among them are the use of USB 3.0, Thunderbolt and DisplayPort ports, support for wireless connection to external displays (Intel WiDi), built-in 3G/4G modems...

The communication capabilities of ultrabooks are getting richer with each generation.

Modern ultrabooks and ultrabooks of the future generation are beginning to widely use touch screens and acquire GPS and NFC modules.

Finally, significant attention from ultrabook manufacturers is paid to the issue of the security of stored information and the issue of countering the theft of laptops from their owners. To help them, Intel is developing Antitheft and Identity protection technologies to solve these problems at the infrastructure and platform levels.

Price for the masses

Having covered the structural, technical and functional characteristics of ultrabooks, noting the role of Intel in the formation of this type of laptop, we deliberately avoided the issue of cost.

But it was the price that was the main factor that forced Intel and laptop manufacturers to work in the same direction. The price of ultrabooks is constantly striving for an economically comfortable level, allowing them to become a mass product. And the main goal of ultrabooks entering the market is to force other types of laptops into narrow niches.

Ultrabooks, as a mass product, will allow one to quickly reduce the cost of all modern technologies used in them: the production of fast, efficient processors, solid-state arrays, wireless communication modules, super-strong alloys and composite materials...

Ultrabooks - laptops of the near future

An ultrabook is like the evolution of a laptop.

A modern ultrabook is a laptop that combines the best design practices, an efficient computing platform, the highest degree of mobility (both due to its size and thanks to a long battery life), broad functionality and ease of use.

At the same time, its price turns out to be lower than what would be expected based on the totality of its properties.

Ultrabooks continue the market trend that has turned laptops into everyday devices for work and play - replacing desktop computers. Ultrabooks are even more mobile than laptops. They are more comfortable to work with, thanks to thoughtful ergonomics and optimization for instant response to user actions. Ultrabooks use the entire spectrum latest technologies: from solid-state arrays to wireless connection to monitors. The thin frame of Ultrabooks forces engineers to carefully design their chassis structure, using the best materials - as a result, the Ultrabook body is much stronger and more durable than the body of a regular laptop. Finally, the appearance of the ultrabook is much more aesthetically pleasing from the point of view of the mass market; it fits perfectly into the environment of a modern person and the interior of his home.

As for cost, the new generation of ultrabooks shows that manufacturers are serious about solving this problem further. And although classic mass-produced laptops, simply by virtue of their design, will always be cheaper than ultrabooks, gradually the psychological difference between their prices will be more and more leveled out.

Laptops are replacing desktop computers due to their mobility. Therefore, battery capacity is one of the main criteria when choosing a laptop computer.

Users themselves try to improve this indicator, often reducing their own level of comfort. There are three main ways to increase the battery life of any laptop:

• Reduce screen brightness;
• Reduced performance of background programs;
• Use of standard programs that do not require high power.

MacBooks or Chromebooks?

The most productive models, capable of working for more than 8 hours, are Chromebooks and MacBooks. The former are characterized by high performance, but are severely limited in memory capacity. The second ones are leaders in terms of battery life. For example, the MacBook Air can last up to 17 hours.

Each model has its own characteristics, and you should choose a laptop to suit your specific needs. The Eldorado catalog presents wide choose laptops with good battery, high quality screen and modern functionality.