The evolution of laptops has always been driven by the push for thinner, lighter, and more power-efficient designs, but in recent years these demands have coalesced into what may be the perfect expression of laptop design: the ultraportable. What exactly defines this category? In general, ultraportables weigh less than 4 pounds (and often less than 3), have screens 14 inches or smaller, use processors more powerful than the Intel Atom, and offer enough battery life to survive most of a workday off-plug. 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. You may have seen laptops of this breed referred to as Ultrabooks or Streambooks, but those are primarily attempts to attach some branding to the same basic template of ultraportables. The design always comes back to the same foundational elements: thin, light, and long lasting.
Pricing
Although all ultraportable laptops may look sleek, there are a few key differentiators between models. The first to consider is price. There's a huge difference between a $300 system and a $1,300 model, even if they boast the same brand name, and similar looks and features.
At the low end are entry-level systems, which generally run $500 or less (sometimes less than $200). For many casual users, this is the only price range worth looking at, but there are some caveats to keep in mind. The construction materials, processing power, display resolution, and storage capacities are usually lower on inexpensive ultraportables, as they're built for basic Web browsing, word processing, and media viewing purposes. Entry-level ultraportables make solid systems for younger family members to use for homework or watching movies around the house, since they are both highly portable and relatively inexpensive. Value is a big factor in this category, as plenty of budget ultraportables can entice you with a low price. If you're not careful, you may find yourself let down by a system that's only a bargain because its manufacturer cut too many corners. That said, the spec floor has risen in this category. As faster base parts become less expensive and more common, cheaper systems with decent build quality are more capable of completing day-to-day tasks. Another family of system worth noting in this category is the chromebook, a bare-bones laptop that runs Google's Chrome OS; computers of this type are extraordinarily affordable (most cost less than $300), but because they don't run Windows, you're limited to using Web apps for everything.
Midrange systems are better, but also cost more—between $500 and $1,250. Materials and specs that were once exclusive to high-end ultraportables are now the norm in midrange systems, including features such as full HD (1,920 by 1,080) or QHD (2,560 by 1,440) resolutions, touch displays, metal chassis, and more. Battery life and storage have improved as well, making it easier to get better bang for your buck in this price range. You'll still have to compromise in one or two areas such as storage capacity, port options, and resolution compared with the high-end systems, but for most shoppers, this price range represents the best mix of price and performance.
At the top of the price ladder are premium systems, which we categorize as anything costing $1,250 or more. 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. 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. 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, and when you're spending this much money, do you really want second best?
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