Best Ultraportable Laptops

Selection of Various 11 to 13-inch Laptops Based on Usage

The HP Pavilion dv2 is really a bridge between an netbook and an ultraportable. With the 12.1-inch screen, it is larger than a netbook but the AMD Athlon Neo processor is only a tad bit faster than the Intel Atom. So, why does this win the value category? For around $600, this system provides a highly portable platform for those that want to do basic computing on the go, decent battery life and even watch HD video. It even comes with an external USB based DVD burner that one can carry if they want to watch a movie or load software. For those that don't need a DVD drive but want a bit more performance, the ASUS UL30A-X1 is a good alternative around $700.

For those needing a highly portable laptop that is also their primary system with a wide range of features, the Apple MacBook Pro 13 offers a very compelling package. At $1199, it is on the higher end price range for many PC buyers but it offers solid performance in a great aluminum chassis. Performance is clearly superior to many ultraportables but the battery life doesn't suffer much thanks to Apple's new Lithium polymer battery. The downsides are the glossy screen that can cause issues in certain light and the smaller than average hard drive size. Those wanting more storage and graphics performance in a larger package can opt for the Dell Studio XPS 13 or the Averatec N2751TH1E-1 for a smaller price tag and screen.

Intel's new CULV platform has allowed many companies to begin offering all-day computing ultraportables that have very long battery life. The current champ in terms of battery life goes to the ASUS UL30A-X1. ASUS claims it can run up to 12 hours but it is more likely to be in the 8 to 9 hour range in real world usage. It only uses a single core processor that limits its performance especially when multitasking but this is the price one pays for higher battery life. It does come with 4GB of memory and a 320GB hard drive though. At just 1-inch thick and 3.8 pounds weight, it is extremely portable. Prices range around $700. For those wanting a bit more performance, the Acer Timeline AS3810T-6415 is a solid alternative.

The Acer Timeline AS3810T-6145 is one of a number of new Intel CULV based laptops that offers long battery life, affordable pricing and extremely thin designs. It is thicker than the MacBook Air that all ultrathins are invariably compared to, but it is still just 1.1-inches thick at the hinge and only 3.5 pounds. Performance is decent with the Core 2 Duo SU9400 and it ships with an amazingly large 500GB hard drive. Battery life is superb with up to 8 hours of real world usage. And with a $900 price tag, it is a fair amount more affordable than a MacBook Air. For those wanting a more compact ultrathin, the MacBook Air is of course one of the best alternatives while the MSI X340-021US is more bit more affordable at $700.

If graphics are a primary purpose for your ultraportable, then the clear choice is the Sony VGN-SR420J/B laptop. The 13.3-inch screen is one of the best on the market with a surprisingly bright and colorful appearance. It also has one of the best overall viewing angles to be found in a laptop screen. It is powered by a hybrid graphics engine that includes a ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 graphics processor when performance is needed or the Intel GMA 4500MHD when battery life is key. Performance is hindered a bit by the heavy amount of unnecessary software loaded on the system. Prices range around $1250. For those that want a bit more general performance but with solid graphics, the Dell Studio XPS 13 is a good alternative.

Business ultraportables have to balance performance, battery life and portability much more than other systems, but cost isn't as much of an issue. While the Lenovo ThinkPad X301 has a nearly $2000 base price tag, it certainly is worth every penny for the business traveler. The system is extremely compact with a .9-inch profile and just over three pound weight. Even with these small dimensions, the system comes equipped with an internal DVD burner that can be removed to save weight or replaced by an optional 3-cell battery to improve running times. The sturdy design construction of the ThinkPad systems also makes it one of the most reliable. Business professionals will also be pleased that it comes with Windows XP instead of Vista.