Which is the best Windows thin and light laptop right now? I tried to decide by a serious comparison

From business-like to handy 2 in 1.

Recommended for home life These days, the amount of time you spend on your home computer has increased rapidly, and many of you may have thought about buying a more powerful one. However, I don't buy new PCs as frequently these days, and especially when it comes to Windows machines, there are many different manufacturers, and it's easy to get confused about which one is the best.

Therefore, the US media "Wirecutter" (from The New York Times), which thoroughly compares various gadgets and says the best, is a thin, light and high-performance category Ultrabook guide among Windows machines. made me Even the recommended configuration is properly specified. But is it expensive? As you might think, there are also options in the affordable price range, and on the contrary, if you don't care about the price, you can also recommend it.

There are a lot of great Ultrabooks out there. By definition, an Ultrabook is a laptop that's powerful, thin, light, and has a long battery life. Wirecutter tested 12 models in early 2020, and after testing hundreds of models over the past six years, we think the Dell XPS 13 (9300) is the best Windows Ultrabook for most people. . Multiple versions of the XPS 13 have been our go-to since 2015, and this upgrade is the best of them all.

Favorite Ultrabooks

Recommended: Dell XPS 13 (9300)

Best Ultrabooks

The Dell XPS 13 is thin and light, has great battery life, a comfortable keyboard, a reliable trackpad, and a roomy screen. The model introduced in the article is a model with a 256GB SSD, but it is not handled in Japan, and a model with a 512GB SSD is on sale. The price is 172,845 yen at the time of article editing.

The Dell XPS 13 (9300) (XPS 13 9300 below) is particularly light and compact among Ultrabooks. It has great battery life, a comfortable keyboard and trackpad, and is fast. The screen aspect ratio is 16:10, which makes it feel spacious and suitable for web browsing and document creation.

However, the XPS 13 9300 has only two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, so you'll need to use them for data transfer, external display connection, power connection, etc. It's a shame it doesn't have a USB-A port, but a USB-C to USB-A adapter is included so you can plug in a hub or dock if needed.

Recommended 2 in 1: HP Specter x360 13

Best Convertible Ultrabooks

The HP Specter x360 13 (henceforth Specter x360 13) comes with a stylus and can be used in tablet mode by flipping the touchscreen screen. However, it is heavier than the XPS 13 9300. At the time of editing, it is available at the Japanese HP official store, and the specs introduced in the article are sold for 135,000 yen. Rakuten handles new and unopened items.

If you want a 360-degree screen rotation, tablet mode or intermediate tent mode, and you want a stylus and don't mind being a little heavier than the best, then the Specter x360 13 is for you. is. It's about the same size as the XPS 13 9300, has solid battery life, similar performance, a solid keyboard and trackpad, and a brilliant touchscreen. There are also two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports and a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port for connecting older devices. It also has a fingerprint reader for login.

[New and unopened] HP Specter x360

134,200 yen

Note: This is a brand new unopened item.

Recommended budget version: Lenovo Yoga C740 (14-inch)

The best cost performance

The Lenovo Yoga C740 (below Yoga C740) is the best value for money. Performance is on par with the best, but it's a little bigger and heavier and has a shorter battery life. In Japan, it is sold at the official store, and the price is 79,171 yen at the time of editing. Rakuten sells it for the same price.

If you want a good Ultrabook but want to keep it under $1,000, we recommend the Yoga C740 (14-inch). It's bigger and heavier than the XPS 13 9300, has shorter battery life, and the keyboard doesn't feel all that great. But it performs well and is portable enough to work or study all day long. Unlike your typical cheap Ultrabook, the Yoga C740 is rugged, has a fingerprint reader, and comes with a USB-C charger.

Lenovo YOGA C740

79,171 yen

If you want to upgrade ・Part 1: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7

Business-like Ultrabook

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (ThinkPad X1 Carbon) is extremely light, has a keyboard we love, and has more ports than you'd want. However, I feel that the price does not have to be that high. See also the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8 below. The price in Japan starts at 148,346 yen at Lenovo's online store.

Upgrade 2: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8

Next Generation Ultrabook

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8 is basically the same as the Gen 7 above, so you can choose whichever is cheaper. The only difference is that Gen 8 is next-generation Wi-Fi compatible, the functions of the F9/F10/F11 keys, and the position of the logo. The price in Japan starts at 164,736 yen at the Lenovo official store.

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is the best laptop we've tried in years. However, for us, the setting is several tens of thousands of yen higher than the amount that can be put out for Ultrabook. But if you don't mind the money, it's lighter, has a great keyboard, a 14-inch screen, and more ports than the highly recommended XPS 13 9300 (2 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C, 2 USB 3.0 Type-A, and HDMI ) you will get a notebook PC. It also has a fingerprint reader and a webcam cover. The battery doesn't last as long as the XPS 13, but it's long enough for a full day at work or school. Gen 7 and Gen 8 are basically the same, so it is recommended to choose the cheaper one when you want to buy.

There were some other good Ultrabooks, but they all fell short in some ways compared to the best. I will introduce it in summary later.

Why You Can Trust Wirecutter

At Wirecutter, we've been researching and testing Ultrabooks since 2013. Our PC team has reviewed all types of laptops and has a total review history of 37 years. Kimber Streams reporters have tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops since 2014 and have written and edited all Wirecutter laptop guides.

Who should read this article?

An Ultrabook is the laptop most people should buy. A $1,000 Ultrabook is more than enough for basic tasks like checking email, light photo editing, audio editing, and collaborating on Google Docs. However, it is not suitable for games or full-scale photo / video editing. Most Ultrabooks don't have RAM upgradable, so if you value upgrade flexibility and port abundance, check out our guide to business laptops. For those who want a Mac, we also have a MacBook guide.

If you're on a budget of $500 or less, check out our guide to cheap Windows laptops. However, if possible, I think that it is better to save as much money as possible and make it an Ultrabook. An Ultrabook consistently outperforms the best budget laptops and has a battery that lasts all day.

Ultrabook evaluation points

The points when choosing an Ultrabook are roughly in order of importance.

Size: Ultrabooks should be as thin and light as possible, but something slightly thicker but still solid is better than something flimsy or with a poor battery. The screen size should be 12-14 inches, large enough to work comfortably, but small enough to fit in a backpack. The weight should be 3 pounds (approximately 1.4 kg) or less.

Battery Life: A good Ultrabook should be able to work all day without being plugged in. I want you to have at least 10 hours on the test. With that, you don't have to worry about rushing to find a power source in the evening. Battery life gets shorter as you use it, so the longer the better when you buy it.

Processor: An 8th or 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor is sufficient for most tasks. Intel model numbers are confusing and confusing, so look for an i5 or i7 followed by an 8 or 10. There are also ultrabooks with Intel's Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) processors, which have a Y at the end of the model name, such as "Intel Core i5-8200Y." ULV processors aren't as powerful as regular Core processors with a U or G in their model name, but they're battery efficient, don't need cooling fans, and are fast enough for normal PC work.

Memory: You need at least 8GB of RAM to smoothly switch software, work with many files at the same time, and switch between browser tabs. But most Ultrabooks have the RAM soldered to the motherboard, so you can't replace it later, so if you open a lot of tabs or edit large photos and videos, you should consider a 16GB one from the start. .

SSD: SSDs read and write faster than traditional hard drives. A laptop with an SSD speeds up various tasks that require access to data, such as booting up and loading files. SSDs consume less power than hard drives, generate less heat, do not vibrate, and are less prone to failure. A 256GB SSD is usually enough.

Keyboards and Trackpads: It is very important that your keyboard and trackpad are accurate and comfortable to use for long periods of time. Even if you use an external keyboard and mouse a lot, it's best to have a solid body.

Display: For Ultrabooks, the recommended resolution is 1920 x 1080, not something like 3840 x 2160 (4K). 4K options have become common recently, but with a 13-inch or 14-inch display, it's hard to realize the benefits of high resolution, but it consumes a lot of battery. Similarly, touch screens are becoming more and more common on modern Windows machines, but glossy glass tends to reflect light and make the screen difficult to see.

Strong build: Ultrabook lids and hinges should feel solid and stable when opened and closed. No part should creak or feel like it might break. Since it's a gadget that costs more than 100,000 yen, no matter how thin and light it is, choose something that feels sturdy enough for the price.

Ports: Which ports are important varies from person to person and situation to situation, so ideally you should have a mix of old and new primary ports. Having a Thunderbolt 3 port (same as a USB-C port and an accessory that looks and works, but has more functions) means that the number of USB-C compatible docks, displays, and peripherals will increase in the future. It is important for the longevity of your PC. Most recent Ultrabooks are USB-C for charging. USB-C chargers are cheaper and easier to buy than the dedicated chargers that were once common, so we recommend USB-C charging Ultrabooks.

Other: If you have a Windows Hello enabled laptop, you can log in with your fingerprint or face. It's easier and more secure than a half-baked password. But while it's safe, the judiciary is divided on whether police can force you to unlock your device with your face or fingerprints (although such situations are rare).

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6, aka IEEE 802.11ax laptops are starting to hit the market. But to benefit from this new standard, you'll need a Wi-Fi 6 router that hasn't dropped in price yet, so that's likely to be a while away.

Method of Testing

We used each laptop for at least one full day in our normal work routine. I had two browsers open at the same time with at least 20 tabs each (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Slack, Basecamp, Gmail, and various research pages open), with music streaming in the background. . Now I know how each laptop performs and how it feels to use the keyboard, trackpad, and screen. After that, I used the models that were recommended this time for a few days, and gained a deeper understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and peculiarities.

To measure battery life, we set the backlight on each model to 150 nits (or candelas per square meter, cd/m2) to run the web browsing battery test. This test sequentially displays web pages, emails, Google Docs, and videos over a period of time. All models are run at the same brightness, so each can be directly compared on the same basis.

Tip: Dell XPS 13 (9300)

Recommended configuration

・Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G1

Screen: 13.4 inch 1920 x 1200 non-touch type

・Memory: 8GB

・Storage: 256GB SSD

・Weight: 2.65 pounds (approximately 1.2 kg)

・Battery life test result: 10.6 hours

Thin, light and fast, all the benefits of an Ultrabook

The XPS 13 series has been our favourite, many times since 2015, but this new redesign is the best. The XPS 13 9300 brings together the best of Ultrabooks in the best possible balance. It's light and compact (compared to other Ultrabooks), has long battery life, and a good keyboard and trackpad. It's fast and the screen is spacious. The only flaw is that there are only two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports.

The XPS 13 9300 is extremely compact. At 11.6 x 7.8 x 0.58 inches (296 x 199 x 14.8mm), it's even smaller than its predecessor, but with a slightly taller screen. It's more compact than the 2020 MacBook Air model (304 x 212 x 16.1mm). In terms of weight, the MacBook Air weighs 2.8 pounds (about 1.29 kg), the Specter x360 13, which was selected as a 2in1 recommendation this time, weighs 2.88 pounds (about 1.3 kg), while the XPS 13 weighs about 1.2 kg, lighter than most other Ultrabooks. It is

For such a compact XPS 13 9300, battery life was pretty good at 10 hours and 36 minutes in our web browsing test. It's shorter than last year's XPS 13 (7390), but it was the longest among the models we recommend this time. With this much, it seems to last for one day of work and study.

The keyboard on the XPS 13 9300 is responsive and light, and the backlight intensity can be set in three levels using the function keys. The keys aren't that shallow, and they're not as hard to type as the MacBook that was previously unpopular, but they aren't as deep as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

The XPS 13 9300's touchpad is precise and reliable, with accurate clicks on tap and a relatively quiet but satisfying physical click. The trackpad never missed a swipe and recognized two-finger and three-finger gestures.

Slightly elongated screen for easy work

The non-touch XPS 13 9300 has a 13.4-inch screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10, which is slightly larger than the 16:9 typical of Windows laptops. only grows vertically. 16:10 is the same as the current MacBook. This gives you more vertical space, so it's a little easier to see when you're browsing the web. However, Microsoft's Surface Laptop 3 has a 3:2 aspect ratio, so it's lower than that.

Despite its compact body, the XPS 13 9300's 1920 x 1200 display is bright and immersive. This is also thanks to the ultra-slim bezel. You can also opt for a 4K display on the XPS 13, but that's at least $300 more plus, and you'll also need extra battery power to run the 3840 x 2400 display. The webcam (one of the disappointing points on the earlier XPS 13 was located below the screen) is neatly located in the center of the bezel above the screen.

Compact yet stable

A cheap notebook PC is flimsy. There are some things that are misleading. But the XPS 13 9300's aluminum enclosure isn't just sleek, it's also sturdy, with minimal lid flex. As with previous XPS 13s, the carbon-fiber composite palm rest is coated in soft-touch black paint to keep you comfortable and sweat-free. It flexes a little when you press hard in the middle of the keyboard, but overall it feels decently premium.

The XPS 13 9300 has a solid fingerprint reader on the power button, and every time I logged in, it worked quickly. It would have been nice to have a physical switch or cover for the webcam, like the one found on the ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Specter x360 13. The XPS 13 9300 comes with the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 support, and like our other picks comes with a one-year warranty.

Disappointing but not enough to stop me from buying

The XPS 13 9300 only has two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, which can be used to charge the main unit and mobile devices, transfer data, Handles connection to an external display (either DisplayPort or HDMI with an adapter). There is also a microSD slot and a headphone jack. However, it comes with a USB-C to USB-A adapter, which is useful for connecting USB-A peripherals. The lack of ports is a bit inconvenient, but you can always use a USB-C hub or dock.

Occasionally, I hear complaints about Dell's customer support, such as being unresponsive, slow to respond, unable to solve problems, and in some cases even worsening the problem. In our own experience, most laptop makers (other than Apple) have poor customer service. I asked Dell for comment and received the following response: "Call 800-624-9896 under warranty, 800-288-4410 otherwise. You can also access chat support here. If not handled appropriately, please request a transfer to the Escalation Team or contact @DellCares on Twitter.”

2 in 1 recommendation: HP Specter x360 13

Recommended configuration

・Processor: Intel Core i5-1035G4

Screen: 13.3 inch 1920 x 1080 touch type

・Memory: 8GB

・Storage: 256GB SSD

・Weight: 2.88 pounds (1.3 kg)

・Battery life test result: 10.3 hours

*If you can't buy this configuration, we recommend the Core i7-1065G7 model or the Lenovo Yoga C940 (14-inch).

[New and unopened] HP Specter x360

134,200 yen

Note: This is a brand new unopened item.

This is for 2 in 1

If you want a laptop that can be flipped 360 degrees and used as a tablet (or tent mode in between), and if you want a stylus, then this is the one for you. For those who don't mind being a little heavier than a push, the Specter x360 13 is the way to go. It's on par with the XPS 13 in size, has solid battery life, a reliable keyboard and trackpad, and a brilliant touchscreen. It looks and feels premium, and comes with a large stylus. The x360 13 also features two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports and a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port for connecting older devices. It also has a fingerprint reader.

The Specter x360 13 is roughly the same size as the XPS 13 9300 at 12.1 x 7.7 x 0.67 inches (306 x 196 x 16.9mm). It's 1cm longer and a little thicker than the XPS 13 9300, but it's shorter vertically. It's just 0.23 pounds (about 100g) heavier. But compared to our previous favorite convertible laptop, the Lenovo Yoga C940, the Specter x360 13 is more compact and lighter (partly because of its smaller screen). As a notebook PC that can be flipped over and used in various modes, size and weight are important.

Of the Ultrabooks we tested in late 2019 and early 2020, the Specter x360 13 had one of the best battery life. In our tests, the battery lasted 10 hours and 19 minutes, slightly less than the XPS 13 9300's 10 hours and 36 minutes, both of which are sufficient for a full day's use.

Keyboard is a bit disappointing

The keyboard on the Specter x360 13 is responsive, but has a few issues. First of all, there is a row of navigation keys on the right side of the keyboard, so the whole key is slightly shifted to the left. It took me a few days to get used to this layout and I made a lot of typos, but in the end I adapted. Also, the keyboard is silver with a white backlight, making it nearly impossible to read the letters on the keys in a bright room. It is recommended to turn off the backlight.

The Specter x360 13's touchpad was smooth and easy to use. All two-finger and three-finger gestures worked fine, and I never accidentally moved the cursor while typing.

Web cam switch, stylus, and extra hardware

The Specter x360 13's 13.3-inch 1080p (1920 x 1080) IPS screen is bright and easy to see, and the XPS 13 9300's colors are slightly warmer. Whereas it was greenish, it felt more neutral. Like Dell, HP has 4K display options, but we prefer 1080p for Ultrabooks in favor of battery life. The touch display is more reflective than the screen on the XPS 13 9300, making it unsuitable for sunny rooms. The bezels are thin (though not as thin as the XPS 13 9300), and the webcam is centered above the display, and can be turned off when not in use with a physical switch on the right side (see image below).

The Specter x360 13 also comes with an active stylus, which you can use to take notes, draw and sketch, and it worked fine during my testing. It's about the size of a regular pen, so it's easier to use than the tiny stylus on the Lenovo Yoga C940. The C940 had a "digital pen garage" to store the stylus, but the Specter x360 13 doesn't. (In fact, there are no photos of the stylus in this post because I forgot to send it to the photography team.)

The Specter x360 13's housing is stylish aluminum and feels solidly built. The lid feels sturdy and the base has minimal flex. The hinges are stiff and hold the screen firmly in place, but even with the lid closed there is a tiny gap between the screen and the keyboard. This is the kind of stuff that comes in when you put it in your bag. That said, I had a lot of tea leaves in the bottom of my rucksack, but it didn't really matter during testing.

Corner ports/buttons, rare but good

The Specter x360 13 has two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, a headphone jack, a microSD slot, and for older peripherals There is also a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port. I don't like the fact that the power button and one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports are in the corners of the device, but I had no trouble using it. However, having both Thunderbolt 3 ports on the right side can be inconvenient if you can only connect to power on the right side. In that sense, the Lenovo Yoga C940 and ThinkPad X1 Carbon can only be connected to power on the left, while the XPS 13 has ports on both sides.

The Specter x360 13 doesn't have a dedicated video output port such as Mini DisplayPort or HDMI, but the Thunderbolt 3 port can handle the video signal via an appropriate cable, adapter or dock. The Specter x360 13 also comes with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 support and a one-year warranty.

[New and unopened] HP Specter x360

134,200 yen

Note: This is a brand new unopened item.

Budget version recommended: Lenovo Yoga C740 (14 inch)

Recommended configuration

・Processor: Intel Core i5-10210U

Screen: 14 inch 1920 x 1080 touch type

・Memory: 8GB

・Storage: 256GB

・Weight: 3.09 pounds (1.4 kg)

・Battery life test result: 9.6 hours

Lenovo YOGA C740

79,171 yen

Affordable but Good Performance

If you want a decent Ultrabook but want to keep it under $1,000, we recommend the Yoga C740 (14-inch). It's bigger and heavier than the XPS 13 9300, has shorter battery life, and the keyboard doesn't feel all that great. But it performs well and is portable enough to work or study all day long. Unlike your typical cheap Ultrabook, the Yoga C740 is rugged and comes with a fingerprint reader and USB-C charger.

Yoga C740 (14 inches) is larger than our other recommendations, measuring 12.67 x 8.45 x 0.67 inches (about 321.8 x 214.6 x 17mm). Compared to the XPS 13 9300, it is 25mm wider, 15mm deeper and more than 2mm thick. It weighs 3.09 pounds (about 1.4 kg), and the difference between the 2.65 pound (about 1.2 kg) XPS 13 9300 and the 2.88 pound (1.3 kg) Specter x360 13 can be felt in the bag.

Battery life is 9 hours and 36 minutes, about an hour shorter than the XPS 13 9300, and it doesn't last as long as other recommendations. Still, it seems that I have a day at work and school.

The keyboard on the Yoga C740 isn't quite as thrilling as the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and we prefer the XPS 13 9300's crackling feel. But the Yoga C740's keyboard is also reliable and responsive.

However, on our review machine the spacebar felt wobbly (and it creaked when pressed too many times), but in my experience it doesn't feel like Yoga, and there are other things like this. I didn't find any reports of problems. But in the unlikely event that you buy a Yoga C740 and experience the same problem, Lenovo's warranty should cover it. The touchpad was fine, and swipes, gestures, and taps all worked.

In our tests, the colors on the Yoga C740's 14-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS touchscreen are slightly warmer, and neutral colors like whites and grays look a little yellowish. But there is no particular problem with how to use it for work or watching Netflix. The Yoga C740's hinge can rotate 360 ​​degrees into tablet mode like the Specter x360 13 and Yoga C940, but it's bulky and unwieldy, and it doesn't come with an active stylus for note-taking or drawing.

Stands apart from other cheap Ultrabooks

The Yoga C740 feels sturdier than other cheap Ultrabooks like the Asus ZenBook UX333FA or the Dell Inspiron, and it's still fluent. I don't. But it doesn't feel as polished as the all-metal XPS 13 or the more expensive Yoga C940 (14-inch). However, in terms of design, it is made in the same way as the Yoga C940. However, the lid of the Yoga C740 is difficult to open with one hand.

The Yoga C740 has two USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 ports, which can be used for power and display. There's also a single USB-A port for older peripherals and an audio jack. What I really like is that the Yoga C740 charges via USB-C and comes with a USB-C charger. Cheap Ultrabooks often don't charge via USB-C, or they do but don't come with a charger. With the shift to USB-C for smartphones, tablets, and laptops, you can charge various devices with the same cable.

The fingerprint reader on the right side of the palm rest worked fine. Other cheap Ultrabooks either don't have a fingerprint reader, or when they do, it's slow or inaccurate. Wi-Fi is 802.11ac compatible, Bluetooth is 5.0 compatible, and it comes with a one-year warranty.

Lenovo YOGA C740

79,171 yen

If you want to upgrade: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Recommended configuration

・Processor: Intel Core i5-10210U

・Screen: 14 inch 1920 x 1080 non-touch type

・Memory: 8GB

・Storage: 256GB

・Weight: 2.4 pounds (approximately 1.1 kg)

・Battery life test result: 10 hours

*We tested the X1 Carbon Gen 7 with Intel Core i5-8265U, not the Core i5-10210U recommended here. Battery life may be slightly different, but I think it's about the same.

If you don't mind the money

If you can afford a lighter, more comfortable keyboard, a 14-inch screen and more ports, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7 Or Gen 8 is recommended. Both models are roughly the same, and the only differences are that Gen 8 supports Wi-Fi with 802.11ax, the functions of the F9/F10/F11 keys, and the position of the logo on the lid, so it's better to buy whichever is cheaper.

Both the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7 and Gen 8 have two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports and two Thunderbolt 3 ports, so you can use old and new accessories. Battery life is slightly shorter than the XPS 13 9300, and it lacks a microSD card slot, but its biggest downside is the price, so if you don't mind spending money, this PC is nearly perfect.

Larger but lighter

Both the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7 and Gen 8 are 12.7 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches (approximately 323 x 216 x 15.2mm), and are taller and wider than the XPS 13 9300. is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger. However, both Gen 7 and Gen 8 weigh 2.4 pounds (about 1.1 kg), which is lighter than the XPS 13 9300, which weighs 2.65 pounds (about 1.2 kg).

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon's battery life is slightly less than the XPS 13 9300, but it's enough for a full day's work. The Intel Core i5-8265U model we tested lasted 9 hours and 59 minutes. Both Gen 7 and Gen 8 with Core i5-10210U have 51wH batteries, so I think the battery life is about the same.

Best Keyboard

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon's keyboard is the best we've used. In my testing, it was very springy and responsive, and I could feel the depth with each key press. There is a joy to hit the keys.

As for the touchpad, it doesn't have the tactile click of the XPS 13 9300, but it's quiet, pleasant, and precise. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon has a red trackpoint in the middle of the keyboard that can be used as an alternative to a trackpad.

Enriched port for web cam cover

ThinkPad X1 Carbon's 14-inch IPS screen is beautiful, and being larger than 13-inch makes it easy to edit spreadsheets and work with apps side by side. is. In my testing, the colors were crisp, glare-free, and the bezel wasn't terribly thick. The webcam has a cover that the other recommended machines don't have, which is nice for privacy-conscious people.

The lid has a smooth feel and the body is made from carbon fiber and magnesium. When you're not typing, the palm rest feels good in your hand. I didn't feel any flex on the keyboard or the lid. Just like the XPS 13 9300, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is sturdy and well-built.

X1 Carbon Gen 7 and Gen 8 have more ports than other Ultrabooks. There are two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports for charging, an HDMI port, and a Kensington lock slot. You can also log in quickly with the fingerprint reader. Gen 7 supports 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Gen 8 supports 802.11ax Wi-Fi, both of which support Bluetooth 5.0 and come with a one-year warranty.

Other Good Ultrabooks

There are other Ultrabooks that are reasonably good, but they have some drawbacks that prevent me from recommending them. I'll summarize it below, and it might be a good choice if it fits your needs.

Dell XPS 13 (7390): Last recommendation, still excellent

Dell XPS 13 (7390) was recommended in the previous version of this article, but the successor XPS Replaced by 13 9300. But the XPS 13 7390 is still a great laptop, with longer battery life than newer models and an extra USB-C port. However, the screen is small, the fan is noisy at normal load, and the XPS 13 9300's keyboard and trackpad are better. Still, if the XPS 13 7390 is on sale and has the recommended specs (1080p non-touchscreen, Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage), I'd go for it.

Lenovo Yoga C940 (14-inch): Large screen convertible

The Lenovo Yoga C940 (14-inch) was the recommended convertible in the previous version of this article, this time with this and the HP Specter x360 13. I was worried. The Yoga C940 has longer battery life, a more stable keyboard and trackpad, a larger 14-inch screen, and a slot for a stylus. But the Specter x360 13 is more compact and lighter, and it's easy to rotate the screen into a tablet.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: Bulky but Still Great

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is a great Ultrabook with a great keyboard and trackpad, great battery life, and excellent build quality. In particular, I'm very happy that the metal-only version was made in addition to the cloth-like finish that I was wondering about last time. But the bezels surrounding the Surface Laptop 3's taller 13.5-inch screen are noticeably thicker and noticeably larger than the XPS 13 9300. The Surface Laptop 3 also has less battery life than the XPS 13, just under 10 hours in our tests. Still enough for a day's work. If Surface Laptop 3 is on sale and you can't buy the recommended model this time, it's worth considering purchasing it.

125,532 yen

Acer Swift 3: Cheap and Cheap

The Acer Swift 3 SF313-52-52VA is a cheap Ultrabook that usually costs around $800. It has great battery life (11.5 hours in our test), is light and compact, and has a decent keyboard and trackpad. It just doesn't come with a USB-C charger and comes with a lot of unnecessary software. If you buy it, it is recommended to clean up this area with Refresh Windows. The Swift 3's build isn't as solid as the Yoga C740's solid metal chassis, which we've recommended as a budget option, but it's not as flimsy or crunchy as the Dell Inspiron 14 7000 (7490). The Acer Swift 3 is a great alternative when the Yoga is out of stock and you don't have the budget to buy the best.

Another Acer Swift 3: Amazing Cospa

Acer Swift 3 SF314-42-R0HP and the same SF314-42-R7LH are $580-630 (approximately 62,000-68,000 yen) It's a rare high-quality notebook PC that you can buy at about the same price. This model of the Swift 3 is compact and weighs the same as the XPS 13, and the battery lasted about 10.5 hours in our tests. It doesn't come with a USB-C charger, the keyboard is a little cramped, there's a lot of extra software that you have to remove, and it feels cheap compared to the Yoga C740's sturdiness. But unlike most laptops in this price range, it's amazing that it meets our performance, battery, and weight requirements, and doesn't have the downsides that ruin it.

Things to look forward to

In September, Intel announced their 11th generation processors, so now I'm ready for Dell's XPS 13, Asus' ZenBook, Acer's Swift 5 and Swift 3, Lenovo's new It will be installed in Yoga etc. At least some will be available this fall.

Competing terminals that were not selected

This time, in addition to the terminals listed above, we also compared the following terminals, so here is a list.

13-inch HP Envy x360

Dell Inspiron 13 5000 (5391)

Dell Inspiron 14 7000 (7490)

Asus ZenBook 14 UX431FA-EH55

Asus ZenBook 13 UX331FA

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (7390)

Razer Blade Stealth 13

Lenovo Yoga C640

Acer Swift 5

Asus ZenBook 13 UX334FLC-AH79

Acer Swift 7

HP Specter Folio 13