


Keyboard and trackpad: It’s crucial that your laptop’s keyboard and trackpad are accurate and comfortable to use for long periods of time (even if you regularly use an external keyboard and mouse).A 256 GB SSD offers enough space for most people. SSDs also use less power than hard drives, put out less heat, and don’t vibrate they’re less prone to mechanical failure. Having an SSD speeds up any task that requires accessing data, such as booting up your laptop and saving and loading files.

Solid-state storage: A solid-state drive (SSD) can read and write data much faster than a traditional hard drive can.But since RAM is soldered into the motherboard of most ultrabooks-and therefore not upgradable-you should consider starting with 16 GB if you regularly open dozens of browser tabs at a time or edit large photo or video files. Memory: You need a minimum of 8 GB of RAM to keep everything running smoothly when you’re switching between programs, opening lots of files, and thumbing through browser tabs.These ULV processors aren’t as powerful as the more common Core processors with a U or G in the model number, but they are more battery efficient and don’t require cooling fans, and they’re quick enough for routine laptop work. You’ll also see some ultrabooks with Intel’s ultra-low-voltage (ULV) processors-look for the Y at the end of the number. Processor: A 10th- or 11th generation Intel Core i5 processor or better is powerful enough for most work Intel’s model numbers are complicated, but if you see the number 10 or 11 after the i5 or i7, that’s what you want.Battery life degrades over time, so the more a laptop starts out with, the better. We want to see at least 10 hours of battery life in our tests with that much battery life, you won’t have to worry about rushing to find an outlet at the end of the day. Battery life: A great ultrabook must survive through a day of work away from an outlet.Generally we look for ultrabooks under 3 pounds, too there’s a noticeable difference when you’re handling a laptop that weighs more. It needs a 12- to 14-inch screen, large enough for work but small enough that the laptop can slip into a backpack. Size: An ultrabook should be as thin and light as possible, but a well-built, slightly thicker laptop is better than a thin one that feels flimsy or has poor battery life.
