Now that Intel’s sixth-generation Skylake processors are out in the wild, manufacturers have begun to roll out their updated convertibles and ultrabooks packed with the latest hardware. This means faster machines that last for even longer, all wrapped up in slimmer and more attractive packages than before. Interested? Read on to find out the best of the lot.
Now that Intel’s sixth-generation Skylake processors are out in the wild, manufacturers have begun to roll out their updated convertibles and ultrabooks packed with the latest hardware. This means faster machines that last for even longer, all wrapped up in slimmer and more attractive packages than before. Interested? Read on to find out the best of the lot.
ACER ASPIRE R13
The Acer Aspire R13 is quite a nondescript convertible notebook. It is a fairly thick dark gray slab, with its display and back lid covered by sheets of Corning Gorilla Glass 3, more commonly found on smaller devices like mobile phones and tablets.
This is actually the thickest and largest ultrabook of the lot – while it isn’t huge per se, it isn’t going to disappear into your tote bag as easily as some of the others.
In practical use, the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display should mean that you have to worry less about scratches, but we think Acer could have dispensed with the glass covering on the lid. We found that this was prone to fingerprints and smudges, and unless you’re going to dedicate a lot of time to wiping them off, the face of your notebook is going to be quite grimy.
Furthermore, the display was a modest 1,920 x 1080 pixel IPS panel – quite a letdown considering that all the other ultrabooks reviewed here have ultra-high resolutions of 3,200 x 1,800 pixels. Of course, the Acer’s full HD screen was by no means fuzzy, but it was noticeably less crisp in a side-by-side comparison.
That aside, the Aspire R13 is equipped with performance-oriented features like two 256GB M.2 SSDs confi gured in RAID 0 for faster read and write speeds, and support for MU-MIMO wireless connections via a Qualcomm Vive 2x2 adapter. In addition, a USB Type-C port offers Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, which means it also supports DisplayPort 1.2.
Another standout feature is the sheer versatility of the hinged display. The screen itself can rotate around the U-shaped stand and be used in six different modes, including as a tablet, easel, or stand. Although not as simple as the 360° hinge on the Lenovo Yoga 900, the hinge was fairly easy to work and felt quite well-built.
The Aspire R13 also comes bundled with an Aspire Active Stylus that felt more like a freebie than anything. It didn’t have the heft of the Microsoft Surface Pen, and the palm detection feature did not function as well. We also found that with just 256 levels of pressure sensitivity, the strokes were not as smooth as those on the latest Surface Pen. Ultimately, the pen is useful for quick note-taking, but you’re not going to derive any real joy from using it.
Versatile display can be used in many different modes.
Larger and heavier than competitors.
AT A GLANCE
Display 13.3-inch 1,920 x 1,080 pixel IPS touchscreen panel,Processor Intel Core i7-6500U (2.5GHz, 4MB cache), Storage Dual 256GB SSDs in RAID 0, Weight 1.6kg, Price $1,998.
ASUS ZENBOOK UX305
The ASUS ZenBook UX305 is the only ultrabook in our shootout to feature a fifth-generation Broadwell processor instead of the newer Skylake ones. While it is a matter of time when an upgrade comes along, at time of writing, ASUS did not have a Core i Skylake variant of the UX305, which was why we had to stick to a Broadwell-equipped unit for our testing.
Unfortunately for the UX305, this means that it is already handicapped from the outset. Skylake offers both better performance and power efficiency, so the UX305 lagged behind the others in terms of performance and battery life. More tellingly, its heftier 56Wh battery didn't last as long as the HP Envy 13’s smaller 45Wh pack.
Nevertheless, the ZenBook’s slim profile – it is just 14.9mm thick – and light weight make it quite portable. Its entire body is also constructed out of aluminum, and the lid features a circular brushed metal pattern. The overall impression is of quite an appealing, minimalistic device that is very solidly-constructed.
The display itself is a 3,200 x 1,800 IPS panel, in the same ballpark as the majority of its rivals. However, there’s no touchscreen support here, but most users of ultrabooks probably aren’t going to miss it. We also like the fact that the screen features a matte coating instead of a glossy one, as this should help reduce problems with reflections and using the screen directly under overhead lighting.
The keyboard is also a standard chiclet design that is quite easy to get used to. The row of function keys at the top works with the Function button to provide quick access to features like brightness and volume controls.
When it comes to display outputs, the UX305 relies on a single micro-HDMI port, so be sure that you have the right display cables if you’re intending to hook this up to an external monitor. Of the two USB 3.0 ports, one of these supports what ASUS calls Charger+, which allows you to charge your peripherals more quickly and also while the notebook is sleeping or powered off. If you have multiple devices, this could effectively give you an extra charging point without having to leave your laptop on overnight.
Good build quality and lightweight design.
Previous generation processor.
AT A GLANCE
Display 13.3-inch 3,200 x 1,800 pixel IPS panel, Processor Intel Core i7-5500U (2.4GHz, 4MB cache), Storage 256GB SSD, Weight 1.3kg, Price $1,698.
DELL XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is arguably the most impressive ultrabook to look at. For starters, its CNC-machined aluminum body gives off a lovely silver-gray sheen that exudes an undeniably premium feel. Upon opening the lid, you’re greeted by a gorgeous edge-to-edge IPS display that boasts a screen resolution of 3,200 x 1,800 pixels.
The thin bezel is more than just an aesthetic decision though, and it has actually enabled Dell to cram the XPS 13’s 13.3-inch display into the body of an 11-inch laptop. This means that the XPS 13 is essentially the smallest notebook in this review, which is saying quite a lot in a category of compact ultrabooks and convertibles. At 1.29kg and measuring just 304 x 200 x 15mm, it is exceedingly portable and makes for a great traveling laptop.
But because of the thin bezel, the usual HD webcam has been relocated to the bottom left corner. It’s a little unconventional and may possibly give whoever you’re chatting with a slightly unflattering view of yourself, but it’s nothing we can’t live with.
The ultra-high resolution display is also touch-capable, which gives you the convenience of being able to navigate via touch. But considering that the XPS 13 is not a convertible, this feature is more of a luxury than a necessity, and is no doubt part of the reason why the notebook costs as much as it does.
In addition, it has a decent-sized 56Wh battery, which helps it score points for mobility because its battery life was only second to the Lenovo Yoga 900, which has a larger 66Wh battery.
One other thing to note is that the XPS 13 doesn’t have any dedicated display outputs. Instead, it relies on the USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 port to output over DisplayPort and HDMI. So yes, you’ll still be able to hook up to an external display, but you’ll need the right adapter. The Thunderbolt 3 port provides up to 40Gb/s of bandwidth, so you get USB 3.1 speeds using it too.
Another nice feature is the presence of five battery level LED indicators on the right edge of the XPS 13. Pressing the adjacent button will cause the LEDs to light up and show the current battery level in steps of 20%. It will even work when the notebook is powered off, so you can quickly check if you need to juice it up before taking it out.
Stunning design and compact size.
Expensive.
AT A GLANCE
Display 13.3-inch 3,200 x 1,800 pixel IPS touchscreen panel, Processor Intel Core i7-6500U (2.5GHz, 4MB cache), Storage 256GB SSD, Weight 1.29kg, Price $2,299.
HP ENVY 13
Right off the bat, the HP Envy 13 stands out because of the great value it offers. For $1,699, you get most of the essential features offered by the other ultrabooks, like the same Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The display itself also boasts the same 3,200 x 1,800 pixel resolution as the others, so you’re really getting a very similar experience overall, at least in terms of performance.
However, when set beside the likes of the Dell XPS 13, the Envy 13 clearly packs a lot less oomph visually. The minimalistic aluminum and magnesium body could almost be called plain, especially when compared to the XPS 13’s stunning edge-to-edge display.
Still, it does have a few things going for it in terms of design. For instance, it is the thinnest notebook of the lot at just 12.9mm thick. While it is not the lightest, its slim profile does mean that you’ll be able to slip it more easily amongst your files and papers. In addition, its build quality also feels quite solid, and a closer examination revealed a very well-constructed machine that should serve you quite faithfully.
It also features a unique lift hinge design that effectively elevates the keyboard when the lid is open. This provides a more comfortable angle for typing, and may even improve cooling slightly as it creates more breathing room for the exhaust vents.
The chiclet, backlit keyboard is flanked on both sides by Bang & Olufsen speakers, which are actually quite decent, as far as notebook speakers go. They were quite loud and sounded reasonably clear, so you should get a passable experience when watching movies. A fingerprint reader occupies the right side of the palm rest. Don’t expect any fancy Touch ID-esque mechanisms on it though – this is still of the swipe-to-register variety. In all fairness, it does its job well and we were able to set up our fingerprints in Windows Hello in good time.
But you’re probably wondering what else it’s lacking compared to its more pricey counterparts. Honestly, nothing too consequential. It is missing a USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 port that can support both HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, but it does have a full-sized HDMI port to make up for that. It also lacks a touchscreen display, but that isn’t a feature that you really need in a non-convertible ultrabook.
Offers a great feature set for its price.
Plain design and thick bezel.
AT A GLANCE
Display 13.3-inch 3,200 x 1,800 pixel IPS panel, Processor Intel Core i7-6500U (2.5GHz, 4MB cache), Storage 256GB SSD, Weight 1.27kg, Price $1,699.
LENOVO YOGA 900
As the successor to the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro, the Yoga 900 retains many elements of its predecessor while improving its flaws. For starters, the signature watchband hinge has been upgraded to fix the display flexing issues on the Yoga 3 Pro in tablet mode, which also caused some screen discoloration. While there is still some flexing on the Yoga 900, we no longer noticed any discoloration.
The chiclet keyboard has also been updated to feature an additional row of function keys, adding some much-needed quick access keys like brightness and volume controls.
We also like the new smooth faux leather palm rest covering. This looks far better than the dotted grid pattern on the Yoga 3 Pro and compares favorably against its competition. Still, we have some grouses about the keyboard design. For one, the Enter key was tall but not long enough, making it difficult to reach over and hit it while typing. Similarly, the Backspace key was barely wider than a regular letter key, which also took some getting used to. Honestly, we felt that these two frequently-used keys could have been better shaped and positioned.
The 3,200 x 1,800 pixel IPS display is on par with the other ultrabooks, and pictures appeared crisp and vibrant. And as expected of a convertible, the display is also touch-capable, which has the added bonus of allowing you to more easily scroll through web pages even when in laptop mode.
But like the majority of the other tested ultrabooks, the display was of the glossy sort as well, which means that it suffers from annoying overhead reflections. However, given that this is a convertible, we can hardly wish for a matte display here. A quick solution is to increase the screen’s brightness, which should help reduce reflections somewhat.
In addition, the Yoga 900 does not have any dedicated display outputs, much like the Dell XPS 13. However, the XPS 13 supports DisplayPort and HDMI outputs via its Thunderbolt 3 port; the Yoga 900’s USB Type-C port does not support Thunderbolt 3. As a result, you can only output over HDMI via its Type-C port, and you’ll need a separate adapter as well. This probably isn’t going to be a big deal for most users, but if you frequently connect your notebook to external displays, do take note of this.
Watchband hinge is simple and convenient.
Display still flexes slightly in tablet mode.
AT A GLANCE
Display 13.3-inch 3,200 x 1,800 pixel IPS touchscreen panel, Processor Intel Core i7-6500U (2.5GHz, 4MB cache), Storage 256GB SSD, Weight 1.29kg, Price $2,299.
PC Mark 8
(higher is better)
With the exception of the ASUS ZenBook UX305, all the other ultrabooks feature nearly identical specifications, which was why there was little to differentiate their performance in PCMark 8. Nevertheless, it looks like the Aspire R13’s RAID 0 storage array may have helped it take the overall lead here. However, this lead in synthetic benchmarks isn’t likely to translate into any tangible difference in daily use, which was why the Acer didn’t really earn bonus points for its performance.
Portability Index
(higher is better)
Our portability index attempts to provide a measure of how portable the different ultrabooks are relative to each other. The Dell XPS 13 came ahead here, thanks to its comparatively large 56Wh battery, compact size, and light weight. Unsurprisingly, the Acer Aspire R13 didn’t fare as well because of its smaller battery pack and the fact that it is the largest and heaviest of them all.
Battery Life
(minutes, higher is better)
Battery life is one of the most important factors when it comes to portable ultrabooks. All the Skylake machines benefited from the improved power efficiency, which caused the ASUS ZenBook UX305 – the sole Broadwell notebook – to fall behind. As expected, the Lenovo Yoga 900’s larger 66Wh battery helped it take the lead, while the Dell XPS 13 was a close second.
AND THE BEST 13.3-INCH ULTRABOOK IS
DELL XPS 13
As it turns out, a good design trumps all else at the end of the day. And because these ultrabooks are so similarly specced, you’d be hard-pressed to notice real world performance differences. As a result, considerations like design, overall feature set and mobility rise to the forefront. Even though the XPS 13 is among the more expensive at $2,299, its excellent mobility and stunning edge-to-edge display put it ahead of its cheaper rivals. It features the same 13.3-inch 3,200 x 1,800 pixel display as the other ultrabooks, but in the body of an 11-inch notebook, effectively making it the smallest of the lot. When combined with its light weight, slim tapered profile and good battery life, it gains huge points in the design and mobility departments. The fact that it is also equipped with premium features like a touchscreen display and USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3 port is just icing on the cake.
ISHP ENVY 13
At $1,699, the new HP Envy 13 offers the best bang for the buck with specifications which rival competitors that cost over $2,000. It features an Intel Core i7-6500U processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 256GB SSD, offering performance that goes neck-and-neck with similarly equipped, but pricier, competitors. Furthermore, its design, while plain, is exceedingly well-constructed. It may lack certain luxury features like a touchscreen display and Thunderbolt 3 port, but HP has checked all the right boxes when it comes to including key features that users will get the most utility from.
