The best cheap ultrabooks in the UK 2023

The ultrabook is a high performance laptop with an ultra-thin, light and compact design with a long battery life. Becoming more and more trendy by its practicality and elegance, this ultra-portable computer appears on the market with a multiplicity of ranges and models. So find through this buying guide the best ultrabook of the moment.

Huawei Matebook D 14 2021 Core i5 1
9/10

Best value for money

Huawei Matebook D 14 2021 Core i5

The best ultrabook

Huawei Matebook D 14 2021 is undoubtedly the best, with an ultra-thin, light and compact design. This ultrabook is powered by Intel Core i5 10210 with 4 cores supported by 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.

599 £ on Boulanger
HP Envy x360 13-ay0000sf 2
8/10

Best value for money

HP Envy x360 13-ay0000sf

The best cheap ultrabook

Enjoy high performance with the HP Envy x360 13-ay0000sf ultrabook featuring an AMD Ryzen 54 500 U processor. It's a 2-in-1 PC on the go with a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen with a 360° hinge and anti-glare micro bezel.

719 £ on Amazon

The HP Envy x360 13-ays0000sf is a 13-inch ultraportable, thin and light convertible tablet. Easy to carry thanks to its compactness, thinness and lightness, this hybrid ultrabook can last about 11 hours on battery in light use. The machine relies on 8GB of RAM as well as an AMD Ryzen 5 4500 U HexaCore processor and a 512GB SSD storage drive for great responsiveness and fluidity. The 2-in-1 laptop provides 1920 x 1080 display thanks to an AMD Radeon graphics card.

At its structure, it has a sober, elegant and original design with a black chassis Nightfall black anodized and sandblasted finishes open to 360 °. The screen embeds a multi-touch technology and is perfectly suited to HD display on the 16:9 format. Above the screen is a webcam equipped with a shutter to better protect privacy. The keyboard adapts a practical backlighting system to facilitate its use in reduced lighting. To the connectivity, the device includes a USB-C port, Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless modules. Like any laptop, it consists of an audio port as well as two USB 3.0 ports compatible with USB 2.0.

MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 3- i5 1035G7 3
9/10

Best value for money

MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 3- i5 1035G7

The best high-end ultrabook

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a professional ultrabook with improved performance thanks to its latest Intel processor. With a weight of only 1.2 kg, this ultraportable computer offers up to 11 hours of autonomy.

2 201 £ on Amazon

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is the best alternative for those who want to combine style and performance in a slim and ultra-light design. It is a professional ultrabook with enhanced speed and performance thanks to an Intel Core i5-1035G7 processor and 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. Equipped with a 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen with a length of 30 cm, a width of 22 cm and a thickness of 1.4 cm, the laptop weighs only 1.2 kg under an aluminum case.

For your use, it offers an autonomy of up to 11.5 hours. On the display, the screen offers a resolution of 2256 x 1504 in 3:2 format supported by an Intel Iris Graphics 950. The ultrabook embraces Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology and a Wi-Fi 6 module compatible with the 802.11 ax standard. Regarding the connectivity, it consists of a USB-C port, a USB-A port, a headphone/microphone jack and a Surface Connect port. The plus of this machine is the availability of a Windows Hello facial recognition camera, a f2.0 HD 720 camera with two far-field studio microphones and an ambient light sensor.

Asus TM420IA-EC069T Numpad + stylus 4
9/10

Alternative

Asus TM420IA-EC069T Numpad + stylus

A great cheap ultrabook

The Asus TM420IA-ECO069T is an ultra-laptop computer with a 14-inch FHD touchscreen that opens to 360° and comes with a stylus for versatile use. With a breathtaking performance, this one is equipped with an 8-core Ryzen 7 AMD Renoir processor.

799 £ on Boulanger

Compact and convertible into a tablet, the Asus TM420IA-EC069T embeds an 8GB RAM with AMD Octo Core Ryzen 7 4700U processor. It integrates a 512 GB SSD storage in PCie which clearly reinforces its fluidity and reactivity compared to a simple hard disk. The display is supported by an integrated AMD Radeon Vega 7 graphics card for perfect quality in Full HD in 16:9 format with a brightness rate of 250 cd/m2. As for the processor, it takes a frequency of 2 GHz with a turbo of 4.1 GHz for 8 MB of cache. For its autonomy of use, it is equipped with a Li-ion battery with 3 cells of 42 Wh for a duration up to 10 hours.

This ultrabook is characterized by a black Bespoke chassis with an aluminum shell that can be opened to 360 °, evoking a discreet, elegant and original look. Its screen is equipped with multi-touch and IPS technology with large vertical and horizontal viewing angles. The ultrabook also has an HD webcam with an integrated microphone. The integrated connectivity consists of HDMI video output, USB-C 3.2 port, USB 3.2 Gen 2, headphone/mic audio port. And regarding the connection, it is equipped with Wi-Fi 6 ax modules much more efficient than the ac model and a Bluetooth 5.0.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best cheap ultrabook

Any specific needs?

The best ultrabook

The best cheap ultrabook

The best high-end ultrabook

A great cheap ultrabook

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Comparison table of the best cheap ultrabooks

TOP OF THE TOP NOT EXPENSIVE TOP OF THE RANGE Excellent
Huawei Matebook D 14 2021 Core i5 5
9/10
HP Envy x360 13-ay0000sf 6
8/10
MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 3- i5 1035G7 7
9/10
Asus TM420IA-EC069T Numpad + stylus 8
9/10
OUR SELECTION
Huawei Matebook D 14 2021 Core i5
HP Envy x360 13-ay0000sf
MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 3- i5 1035G7
Asus TM420IA-EC069T Numpad + stylus
Huawei Matebook D 14 2021 is undoubtedly the best, with an ultra-thin, light and compact design. This ultrabook is powered by Intel Core i5 10210 with 4 cores supported by 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.
Enjoy high performance with the HP Envy x360 13-ay0000sf ultrabook featuring an AMD Ryzen 54 500 U processor. It's a 2-in-1 PC on the go with a 13.3-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen with a 360° hinge and anti-glare micro bezel.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a professional ultrabook with improved performance thanks to its latest Intel processor. With a weight of only 1.2 kg, this ultraportable computer offers up to 11 hours of autonomy.
The Asus TM420IA-ECO069T is an ultra-laptop computer with a 14-inch FHD touchscreen that opens to 360° and comes with a stylus for versatile use. With a breathtaking performance, this one is equipped with an 8-core Ryzen 7 AMD Renoir processor.
Screen size
14 inches
13.3 inch
13.5 inch
14 inches
Processor
Intel core i5 10210U
AMD Ryzen 5 4500U
Intel Core i5-1035G7
AMD Octo Core Ryzen 7-4700U
RAM
16 GB
8 GB
8 GB
8 GB
Dimension (L x W x D) & Weight
32.25 x 21.48 x 1.59 cm & 1.4 kg
30.6 x 19.5 x 1.6 cm & 1.32 kg
30.8 x 22.3 x 1.45 cm & 1.26 kg
32.4 x 22 x 1.82 cm & 1.5 kg
Autonomy
10 hours
11 hours
11.5 hours
10 hours

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Buying guide - cheap ultrabook

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How to choose your cheap ultrabook

First of all, a cheap ultrabook should not cost more than 1000 euros for the top of the range version. There are several criteria to take into account when choosing. But don't worry, you are on the right site! In fact, you will have to focus on the following technical features.

#1 - Processor and memory

To get smooth performance and a good user experience, you need to look carefully at the processor. You should opt for a processor that is equal to or better than the Intel Core i5. This type of processor is mainly found in mid-range and high-end models.

Most ultrabook processors on the market today use the 8th generation of Intel processors, usually paired with 8GB of memory, although some premium systems offer 16GB. Ultrabook processors are generally classified as U-series processors, designed for low-power laptops.

#2 - Graphic card

Ultrabook configurations rely almost exclusively on integrated graphics processors or iGPUs, such as Intel's HD Graphics 620. This level of power is usually sufficient for multimedia streaming and perhaps photo editing, but not for the latest games. If you want to do more with multimedia and maybe a little more gaming, you'll need a discrete external graphics chip, such as the mobile version of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070.

#3 - Storage

It's nice to have a fast, powerful ultrabook. But you also need enough storage space. Almost every recent ultrabook comes with an SSD. These compact flash storage devices are lighter and less prone to data loss due to their lack of moving parts, which is ideal for ultrabooks that travel a lot.

A 256GB SSD storage capacity is widely available on mid/high-end ultrabooks. While it would be nice to have a little more space than that, increasing the SSD capacity still tends to be quite expensive, so the cost can increase quickly if you go to a larger option: 512GB or 1TB if the manufacturer offers it.

#4 - Display

Ultrabooks are available with a wide range of display options. These include an increasingly diverse range of resolutions, from standard high definition (1366 x 768) on budget models to Full HD (1920 x 1080) and even Ultra HD or 4K (3840 x 2160). Full HD is becoming fairly standard, so even some entry-level models offer it.

Ultra HD is the resolution of choice for high-end ultraportables. Since 4K displays have four times the resolution of a Full HD display, you can put a lot on it. However, the more pixels, the more power the computer consumes. Models with QHD or QHD+ displays are the best compromise.

#5 - Autonomy

The battery is the component that allows you to use the device on the go, when there's no power outlet nearby. Ultrabook manufacturers list the specifications of the built-in battery with different units of measurement, and among the most used we have milliamp-hours (mAh).

Sometimes you can find the number of cells in the battery or units of measurement like Wh (watt-hour) or V (volt). In any case, the higher the number, the longer the life, but it's not that simple! The actual battery life, in fact, is also determined by the power consumption of each individual component present in the ultrabook.

How does an Ultrabook work?

With its elegant, portable and powerful design, the Ultrabook is a competitor to touch tablets and the MacBook Air. Created by Intel, it is, in fact, a high-end laptop that impresses consumers with its design, but especially its portability, which is a very important point for them. Even today, it continues to dominate the laptop market and all computing devices.

Despite the fact that it has a light frame, the ultrabook ensures high performance operation. It offers users a reasonable compromise between practicality and power. Indeed, this computer equipment has the same capabilities as desktop computers or large laptops.

Moreover, it is more powerful and more muscular compared to netbooks which are supposed to be fast and extremely portable. The latter use a technology combined with SSDs. Ultrabook monitor sizes range from 13 to 15 inches to cover all usage needs. There are even some high-end models that have 17-inch sizes.

Apart from that, today the ultrabook exploits the Chief River platform which has the great advantage of having more powerful processors. At first, this platform was named the Huron River platform, which consisted of a RAM of 2 to 4 GB, a battery life of five hours and a processor of 1.5 to 1.7 GHz. But later improvements were made to get this Chief River platform.

Cheap laptop or cheap ultrabook?

Cheap Laptop

The laptop is the portable computer that everyone knows and uses for decades. As you know, these devices have a built-in screen, keyboard, trackpad and other accessories combined in a single structure. When the lid is closed, the device takes a rectangular shape and it can be easily carried. The size of a laptop depends on the size of the screen. In most cases, laptops have a screen size of 13 to 20 inches. Again, this depends on the type of configuration. Typical laptops have a screen size of 15.6 inches. Laptops can weigh anywhere from 1 kg to 8 kg.

Traditional laptops come with a variety of choices for screen size and weight. There are no specific standards for weight or thickness. Standard laptops can weigh from 2 to 3 kg, while gamer laptops can weigh up to 6 or 8 kg. Traditional laptops place equal importance on performance and resource availability. For this reason, you can't expect the huge battery life of a typical laptop. Some manufacturers offer better battery life, but the average is around 4 to 5 hours, at most.

Ultrabook

Ultrabook is not a brand or even a system category. Technically, it's simply a word trademarked by Intel that the company uses to define a specific feature set for a particular type of laptop. So there are a few features that a laptop should use to become an Ultrabook. The first is that it should be thin. Of course, the definition of "thin" is quite lenient, as it simply means that it should be less than 1 inch thick. By this definition, even MacBook Pros meet the criteria, even though they are full-featured laptops.

According to the standard set by Intel, a 13.3-inch ultrabook must be less than 20mm thick. And most ultrabooks weigh less than 1.5 kg. You can even find ultrabooks that weigh less than 1 kg. But the main advantage of ultrabooks is that they offer much better battery life. Intel Corp. has also set regulations in this regard. An ultrabook with an Intel Haswell chipset should have a Windows idle time of 9 hours and an HD video playback time of 6 hours.

Verdict

Ultimately, ultrabooks are much more comfortable and user-friendly than laptops. Of course, there is a difference in performance and usage goals. For example, you can't use an ultrabook as a portable workstation. Plus, in comparison, the best ultrabooks will cost a lot more. Despite all this, if you can stand the price and need portability features, ultrabooks are better than traditional laptops.

Tips

Clean your keyboard properly.

To remove dust from your ultrabook, it is recommended to use a vacuum cleaner. However, be very careful. The rule of thumb is to use a microfiber cloth. Use a cloth soaked in 90%+ isopropyl alcohol to clean the chassis and a cotton swab soaked in alcohol to remove dirt from small corners. For the screen, there are dedicated cleaning foams.

Don't unplug the power cord anytime.

It is recommended to charge it up to at least 40% your ultrabook before using it. If you make this habit, you will improve the life of your battery. Also remember to work with brightness set to "medium" if possible. Finally, this should be a no-brainer, but disconnecting your Wi-Fi when you're not using the Internet can optimize your battery life.

Use a protective cover.

To protect your ultrabook in the best way possible, it's highly recommended that you use a special cover. Today, you can find different types of covers on the market. There are waterproof models, protective backpacks, shockproof covers, etc.

Beware of overheating risks!

First of all, consider doing a thorough cleaning of your device. Then, promote air circulation underneath your ultrabook by raising the chassis at least 1.5 cm above the work surface. You can also invest in a cooling tray made up of several fans, which are placed under the computer to bring in fresh air.

Optimize your ultrabook's performance.

To

improve your notebook's performance, consider cleaning your hard drive from time to time by deleting unnecessary files and temporary files. Also uninstall unnecessary programs and stop programs that start automatically when your device starts. Scheduled defragmentation is also a great idea.

FAQ

What is the best cheap ultrabook?

The best cheap ultrabook depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide for the best products out there right now.

Where does the term ultrabook come from?

The

term ultrabook was coined (and trademarked) in 2011 by Intel Corp. With slate-style tablet PCs and low-powered netbooks becoming popular, the company saw a growing consumer appetite for laptops that would be almost as thin as tablets but offer better performance.

Is it possible to check the health of an ultrabook's battery?

Yes

. Typically, on the vast majority of ultrabooks, battery health can be checked both outside and inside the operating system environment. The battery health status shows the current state of battery performance and allows you to decide if the battery needs to be replaced. Battery health can be checked using BIOS, hardware diagnostics, and various manufacturer utilities.

What can cause an ultrabook to overheat?

The

main causes of ultrabook overheating are lack of airflow, failure of the main fan, and dust clogging the air outlet channels.

What are the most popular and reliable ultrabook brands?

In

the ranking of the best ultrabook brands, it's impossible not to mention the top three in the ranking which are Apple, Razor and Dell. These are the most popular brands and the ones with the most sales in this category.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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  5. Buying guide: ultra-portables and ultra-books know everything!, Smartelectro.fr
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  7. How to make the right choice when buying an Ultrabook., Freetechreviews.com
  8. Best Ultrabook in 2019: Complete Buying Guide & Reviews, Paradacreativa.es
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  10. Ultrabook buying guide: Does it make sense to buy one right now?, Techlila.com
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  13. The best price on the market for this Ultrabook Laptop ..., jeuxvideo.com
  14. Ultrabook / Notebook - Buy Laptop at the best price ..., materiel.net
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  21. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 17ITL6 (82H9009DFR) Ultrabook 17″ silver ..., laptopspirit.fr
  22. Achat Ultrabook Pas Cher - Vente PC Ultrabook à Prix Discount, ubaldi.com
  23. Top 3 best ultrabooks : comparatif 2021 - Le ..., lejustechoix.fr
  24. L'ultrabook Dell XPS 13" is at the best price right now ..., clubic.com
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  26. Best Ultrabooks 2021: Which Model to Choose, phonandroid.com
  27. Ultrabook / Notebook - Laptop Purchase - LDLC, ldlc.com
  28. PC Ultrabook Gamer - Infomax, infomaxparis.com
  29. Ultrabook Ultra Powerful - Buy / Sell Ultrabook Ultra ...., cdiscount.com
  30. Netbook and Ultrabook reconditioned cheap - Trade ..., tradediscount.com
  31. UltraBook cheap Tunisia UltraBook Laptop Sale, mytek.tn
  32. This powerful HP office laptop is equipped with a Ryzen 7 and ..., frandroid.com
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  35. Refurbished and used laptop - Pc ..., fnac.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Huawei Matebook D 14 2021 Core i5 9
Huawei Matebook D 14 2021 Core i5
HP Envy x360 13-ay0000sf 10
HP Envy x360 13-ay0000sf
MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 3- i5 1035G7 11
MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 3- i5 1035G7
Asus TM420IA-EC069T Numpad + stylus 12
Asus TM420IA-EC069T Numpad + stylus

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