This is still the case with Tiger Lake, though the "U" suffix is not present in the names of these chips to denote it. The processors in ultraportables will usually be classified as U-series CPUs, which are designed for lean laptop builds. The CPU is typically paired with 8GB of memory, though some premium systems boast 16GB of RAM. Tiger Lake is now the norm some 10th Generation ultraportables are still out there, but almost all have shifted to 11th Generation or later chips by now. Most ultraportables from early 2020 use Intel's 10th Generation Core CPUs, divided into "Ice Lake" and "Comet Lake" varieties, while the releases in late 2020 moved to Intel's new "Tiger Lake" 11th Generation Core processors. At the top of the heap are Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 processors, which can be found in midrange and premium models. Even in a less-expensive system, the average processor is more capable than ever of handling routine tasks, but if you need speed, select carefully. Which Processor Should I Get in an Ultraportable?įor smooth performance and a good user experience, you'll want to be choosy about your processor. And when you're spending this much money, do you really want second best? If you have the budget, and will be spending a lot of time on your laptop, it may very well pay to invest in quality. This pricing tier yields the best overall user experience, the most features and port options, and the fastest internal hardware, but not every premium system is created equal. Many premium business laptops also fall into this class, due to specialized remote-management and corporate features. Here, you'll also see 3K- or 4K-resolution displays, quality sound hardware (often from familiar brands like Bang & Olufsen), spacious and speedy storage, and other exciting features, all while the system's form factor remains slim and compact. With these high-end systems come choice materials, cutting-edge components and features, and top performance that will speed up photo editing and other productivity tasks. You may have seen laptops of this breed referred to over the years as "ultrabooks" or "streambooks," but those were primarily attempts to attach some branding to the same basic template of "ultralight laptop." The design always comes back to the same foundational elements: thin, light, and long-running.Īt the top of the price ladder are premium ultraportables, which we categorize as anything costing $1,250 or more. These systems are now faster than ever, are well suited to travel, and come with a variety of features and display resolutions wide enough to fit anyone's needs. What exactly defines this category? In general, ultraportables weigh 3 pounds or less, have screens 14 inches or smaller, and offer enough battery life to survive most of a workday off-plug. The evolution of laptops has always been driven by the push for thinner, lighter, and more power-efficient designs, and whatever the year, these demands coalesce into the perfect expressions of leading-edge laptop design: ultraportables. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. ( See how we test everything we review (Opens in a new window).)
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