Image via Complex Original
Since the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, we've been anticipating and monitoring the release of several new ultrabooks. Super slim, featherweight, powerful, and boasting a number of high-tech features, these next-gen laptops have become the new wave of portable computing. Everyone from college undergrads to Fortune 500 CEOs are carrying ultrabooks specifically for their portability and dynamic performance. As the market continues to expand, we decided to assemble a collection of laptops worth the greenbacks. And if you're due for a new one, now is the perfect time to upgrade and grab one of these beauties. From retro-inspired machines to ultramodern powerhouses, take a look at our picks for the 10 Best Ultrabooks Available Now.
HP Folio 13
Price: $975
HP’s business-centric laptop isn’t the thinnest of the bunch, but it’s definitely one of the more powerful. Donning a brushed aluminum finish, the Folio 13 tackles a notable spec sheet consisting of a 1.6GHz dual-core Core i5-2467M chip, Intel's HD 3000 graphics CPU, and an 128GB SSD. Users will fall for the back-lit keyboard as it provides better tactile feedback than a majority of the ultrabooks out. Worrying about battery life? No sweat. The Folio clocks in an est. 8 hours on moderate use.
Toshiba Portege Z835-P370
Price: $1,000
It’s surprising to see an ultrabook house an assortment of ports and connectors. In the Portege's case, we're talking about two USB 2.0 ports, an USB 3.0 port, VGA, HDMI, gigabit Ethernet, and a Kensington lock slot. The 1.4GHz Core i3-2367M CPU might seem obsolete in comparison to today’s Core i7 chips, but performance is still adequate for non-intensive tasks. The super-slim form factor and light G-factor of 2.4 pounds also make it comfortable carry.
Acer Aspire S5
Price: $1,300
Innovative features, an awesome port selection, and great performance give the Aspire A5 the necessary swagger to compete on the ultrabook front. The Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor, combined with its fast SSDs, allow users to indulge in multimedia and productivity tasks without any stutter. Acer also introduces a few niche elements including a Thunderbolt port and its all-new MagicFlip button, which pops up the motorized port cover on the backside of the laptop. The latter actually serves great as a kickstand.
Sony VAIO T Series
Price: $787
Sony’s ultrabook debut makes a strong impression with adequate performance, strong audio quality, and an attractive design. With a third-gen Intel Core i5 CPU and Intel’s Smart Response Technology at the helm, users will experience a number of fancies including faster boot-ups and longer battery life. However, it’s the smaller features that make the Vaio T series a joy to play with: Dedicated keys for diagnostic settings, web browsing, and media playback are great additions, alongside the multi-gesture touchpad.
HP Envy 14 Spectre
Price: $1,400
Dubbed the “premium ultrabook,” the Spectre bears all the features one seeks in a portable PC: a gorgeous 14-inch display, NFC support, an awesome trackpad, and a beautiful lid covered in Gorilla glass. The improved multitouch gestures make for swifter command execution, plus the assortment of ports (SD card reader, HDMI, etc.) expand the laptop’s multimedia capabilities. Beats Audio is still intact, only this time all volume is controlled by the volume dial on the bottom right side. You’re also given a mute button and a dedicated control panel button to toy with Beats settings.
Asus Zenbook Prime UX32VD
Price: $1,300
The latest entry in the Zenbook series is an all-around beauty that brandishes powerful specs under a sexy aluminum unibody design. On the performance end, expect stunning visual output via the 13.3-inch, 1080p HD display, along with loud audio from the Bang & Olufsen bottom-mounted speakers. Gamers can also breath easy knowing Diablo III will run smooth on NVIDIA’s GeForce GT 620M GPU. And if immediate response if your M.O., the new Prime carries a 500GB HDD/24GB SSD combo drive that awakens the ultrabook from sleep mode in a matter of 1 to 2 seconds.
Dell XPS 13
Price: $1,000
Anyone favoring performance over aesthetics should invest in Dell’s portable powerhouse. Spearheaded by a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-2467M processor with 4GB of RAM, computing tasks like music playback and Windows 7 navigation execute without a hitch. Sound quality is just as impressive delivering audio that’s loud enough to fill a room. The aluminum chassis is also capable of taking a few bumps.
Samsung Series 9 (2012)
Price: $1,250
Measuring just 15 millimeters thick and weighing 2.88 pounds, the updated Series 9 is the lightest ultrabook available today. Samsung manages to pack its second-gen laptop with a variety of powerful features including a dynamic 1.6 dual-core Core i7 processor, 128GB SSD, 8GB of RAM, SD card reader, and two USB 3.0 ports. The 13.3-inch display generates stunning visuals and the new Silent Mode option kills fan noise so you can stream Netflix videos (or porn) in peace.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
Price: $1,250 - $1,600
Lenovo celebrates its 20th anniversary with the release of the X1 Carbon ultrabook. Carrying the rugged build of the ThinkPad series, this portable beast sports the durability of previous models with a lighter weight, while delivering powerful benchmarks that’ll have users crunching through spreadsheets. The keyboard’s been upgraded to provide an even more comfortable typing experience, and the 1.8-GHz Intel Core i5-3427U processor ensures a boost in productivity. A 14-inch hi-res display with great viewing angles, improved webcam, and longer battery life round out the X1’s standout attributes.
Macbook Air (2012)
Price: $1,200 - $1,500
The laptop that started the ultrabook craze is still the best of the bunch. Carrying the latest Ivy Bridge processor, a refined design, and the best keyboard/trackpad combo of any laptop on the market, the MacBook Air still stands as the cream of the ultrabook crop. The 2012 model enhances overall performance, primarily in the gaming department, while distributing faster benchmarks and increasing battery life. Apple's also offering a free upgrade for Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8) to those who pick up the latest Air model.
