TOP 5 modern ultrabooks

Apple MacBook Air 13 (2014) (MD761LL/B)

If you've ever been looking for a laptop, you've undoubtedly come across a device like the MacBook Air. The world famous company Apple releases new generations almost every year. It is noteworthy that every time we have the same MacBook Air 13, but at the same time, the new generation has a number of innovations, like a faster processor, more RAM, etc.

The 2014 model doesn't have a lot of changes compared to previous. Externally, the device has not changed much. You can recognize the same case made of anodized aluminium, thanks to which the laptop will definitely not get dirty and collect scratches, at least at first. Rounded edges, smooth elements, as in last year's models - Apple has long and successfully used this form factor.

In short, we can say the following about the design: expensive, spectacular and thought out to the smallest detail. It's hard not to be delighted when you see such a useful little thing as a magnetic power port. You can also find a classic set of interfaces on the case: a headphone jack, a memory card slot, a pair of USB 3.0, a high-speed Thunderbolt port and two microphones. All the details of the MacBook Air fit perfectly, so even the thought of squeaks or crackles can not be. The weight of the laptop is some 1.3 kg. It's hard to resist the temptation and not mention the presence of a luminous apple on the top cover, because this, without exaggeration, is already a legendary sign of quality and status.

The battery provides almost 12 hours of work without recharging - the device can be taken with you in your bag without worrying about charging. It is possible to carry to pleasant trifles also adjustable illumination of keys. The glass touchpad makes you forget about the mouse at all.

The display diagonal is 13.3", and its resolution is at the level of 1440x900. Of course, this is not Retina, as is the case with the ruler MacBook Pro, but this clarity is enough even for those who work with graphic applications. Although professionals can argue: after all, the colour reproduction is not standard, and the viewing angles are not the largest, which is typical of the entire Air line.

If we talk about this particular modification, then inside we have a dual-core Core i5 processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz, capable of rising up to 2.7 GHz. In conjunction with an integrated graphics card, 4 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD, the user gets an ultrabook that can work without problems even with demanding programs. This, of course, is far from the strongest hardware on the market, but with such dimensions, everything looks more than worthy. Note that the device is presented in various modifications.

Asus ZenBook UX301LA (UX301LA-DE056H)

Is this model revolutionary in any way within the Zenbook. Designers for the first time, since the start of the line, decided to change the appearance of the ultrabook. When open, the top cover makes a kind of emphasis on the surface, allowing you to raise the level of the working part of the ultrabook, thereby making the structure less stable. And the aluminium case "changed clothes" into plastic, which, due to its glossy surface, will quickly get dirty. But at the same time, the entire top cover on both sides is protected by Gorilla Glass, which makes it look stylish and spectacular.

Let's smoothly move from the top cover of the ultrabook to its screen - an excellent 13.3' of the best screens in this review. Brightness and colours are definitely commendable, but the same cannot be said about viewing angles: they have the same problem as the main competitor - MacBook Air.

On the right side of the case are USB 3.0 ports, a compartment for memory cards, a connector for connecting an external display, on the left - a headphone jack, micro HDMI, another USB and a hole for a charger. With a thickness of just 15.5mm and a weight of 1.4kg, the Zenbook is perfect for portability.

The keyboard is more ergonomic, and the touchpad has been redesigned to be less crisp and loud. Let's pay attention to the branded sound from Bang & Olufsen - according to the manufacturers, it is now louder and even richer.

In the configuration we have chosen, the Zenbook UX301 boasts a powerful Intel Core i7 4558U 2.8-3.3 GHz processor. The memory is also in order - 8 GB of RAM and a 2x256 GB SSD, and the graphics are traditionally integrated, as for devices of this type. Such characteristics allow you to easily display an image in resolution up to 4K on an external screen, and the ultrabook comes out of sleep mode almost instantly. Given the serious energy consumption, without charging the device will last about 6 hours. The full set of ultrabook modifications is here.

Dell XPS 13 L322x Ultrabook (X378S2NIW-15)

Another after Dell XPS 11 and Dell XPS 12, the latest addition to the ultraboot family from the giant. It is noteworthy that the manufacturer managed to fit the same 13.3-display, which we already saw in the previous Dell XPS 12 model, into a smaller case. The dimensions of the latter are only 316x205 mm with a thickness of 1.8 cm, and the total weight is at the level of 1.36 kg. Features like these make XPS 13 one of the most portable solutions on the market.

charger connector, 3.5mm headphone jack, two USB 3.0 and a battery charge sensor. The manufacturer did not forget about the output for connecting an external display. The keys are set deep, easy to press and spring well. They are separated from each other, which avoids collecting dust, and also increases the comfort of typing.

Returning to the screen, it is worth noting the resolution - full FullHD, which provides the ability to reproduce a clear, highly detailed image. But there is nothing to praise the viewing angles with all the desire. Let's also pay attention to the protective coating made of Gorilla Glass, the need for which raises some doubts, but which significantly increases the amount of glare and, with a sufficiently dark image, can completely turn the screen into a good mirror.

The already familiar us Intel HD Graphics 4400. Dell did not spare RAM, equipping the device with 8GB. Processes are controlled by Intel Core i5 model 4510U with a clock frequency in the range from 2 to 3.1 GHz. In turn, the 440 mAh battery is capable of providing as much as 8 hours of active use.

In total, the device is primarily distinguished by its compact size and light weight. Can be a great solution for traveling, doing office work or checking email.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (X1 Carbon 20A7004CRT)

The only 14-display model on our list. But at the same time, the display of the device is by no means ordinary: it can be opened in a bookish manner, creating an angle of 180 degrees, which can be useful in some situations. For example, when the viewing angles with a standard arrangement, as often happens, fail.

The main "trick" of the device can be seen by reading the name of the model - carbon fibre. The body is made of carbon fibre, which is stronger and lighter than the boring aluminium. In addition, Lenovo decided to completely hit on practicality and promised excellent protection against dust, moisture and all sorts of other external influences. The working elements are shrouded in soft touch.

The screen is based on an IPS matrix, the maximum resolution is excellent 2560x1440 - together with the Asus Zenbook UX301, this is the highest indicator among the models in this review. The matte finish avoids glare from external light sources, which greatly improves the comfort of using the device.

With a weight of 1.36 kg and a thickness of less than 19 mm, the ultrabook has a really great filling. The configuration we have chosen is based on the Core i7 4550U processor with a frequency of 1.5 to 3 GHz. RAM is represented by 8 GB. A nice, but already familiar moment for many is a 256 GB solid-state drive. The integrated graphics card Intel HD Graphics HD 5000, taking into account the above characteristics, will allow you to aim at a good result in terms of performance. Battery life, according to the promises of the creators, can reach 8 hours.

Impression U141 (U141-i54200) {!! ! block='price' type="big" idgood='461166' !!!}

Affordable price, minimalism and the nickname of the "people's ultrabook" - these moments definitely give rise to take a closer look at the product with the catchy name "Impression". The developers do not hide the fact that they had to make some compromises in order to reduce the final price, but they justify such a move by the desire to combine the components as efficiently as possible without losing performance. But first things first.Lenovo's bright colour scheme for an ultrabook is one of the first, but far from the most important advantage of the device, although it certainly sets the IdeaPad U330P apart from its competitors.

The ultrabook has a metal case. The screen, whose resolution is 1600x900 pixels, is covered with a special protective glass. The key layout is well-chosen and convenient, but the touchpad coverage, according to reviews of specialized publications, leaves much to be desired.

As for the hardware configuration, it is worth noting 4 GB of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive and, of course, an Intel Core i5 processor with a frequency of 1.6-2.6 GHz (depending on whether Turbo Boost is used) . The graphics card in Impression is built-in - Intel HD Graphics 4400, which will quite allow you to perform the recommended range of tasks of the ultrabook, namely: Internet surfing, work with office programs and entertainment, such as watching movies. Specifically, this modification is assembled on the basis of the Core i5 processor, which, at maximum performance (with Turbo Boost enabled), supports an operating frequency of 2.6 GHz. Against the background of a mediocre graphics card, the situation is significantly enlivened by 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD drive. The model is also presented on the market in modifications with a different hardware hardware, which allows different users to choose the model for themselves.

With Wi-Fi turned on, the run time will be approximately 6 hours, but without it you will get only one extra hour, which is not especially impressive. Impression runs natively on Ubuntu (based on Linux), which supports a ton of quality software available for free. Externally, the system resembles MacOS and is also not susceptible to virus attacks, which is a pole. its battery life: the ultrabook can work for about 10 hours on a single charge. It is noteworthy that a sufficiently performant equipment had practically no effect on its dimensions: the thickness of the case is 17.8 mm, and the total weight is 1.5 kg. Because Lenovo can rightly be considered more than a worthy player in the modern ultrabook market.

Summing In conclusion, it is worth saying that this ultrabook is a good solution for those who value compactness and do not plan to use "heavy" programs in their daily work. In this case, the price will be a nice addition to a good selection of components.