Ultrabooks are highly popular due to the thin, lightweight design they feature, as well as the great functionality they support. While portability is one of the advantages of an ultrabook, many users still prefer 13-inch or 15-inch models. These options are good if you don’t need to carry the device with you on a regular basis. However, users that are constantly on the go may prefer the convenience of 11-inch ultrabooks. Their small size makes them as portable as netbooks or mini laptops, but they offer more powerful features and remarkable displays. It is possible to find ultrabooks that use full solid state drives, as well as some that use hybrid storage systems that use a small cache with traditional HDDs. If you are looking for a model under $500, $400 or $300 USD, you will probably get one that offers a traditional mechanical hard disk drive.
Choosing Best Ultrabook In USA
Selecting the Best Ultrabook
As mentioned before, there are three main displays sizes available: 11″, 13″ and 15″. While it may seem that 2 inches is not a big difference, the truth is that it can have a significant impact on your experience. The weight and the portability of the ultrabook will be affected by the size of the screen. Therefore, if you are always on the go and need a computer that is practical for traveling, your best option is the 11-inch model ultrabook. On the other hand, if you need to spend a lot of time in front of the computer and it mostly stays on your desk, a 15-inch ultrabook would suit you better. A 13-inch ultrabook is easy to carry and its screen is comfortable, making it a good option for those who need a balance.
In terms of storage, the majority of ultrabooks offer either SSD or hybrid storage to enhance performance. There are cheaper options that feature hard disk and some models come with hard disk, or with SSD so you can select the option that you prefer. You should look for an ultrabook that offers at least 8GB RAM. Models with less than that are not recommended, unless it is possible to upgrade them to 8GB or 16GB RAM.
Battery life is another important aspect, particularly if you travel a lot. Make sure that your ultrabook can offer 5 or more hour of battery life. This will save you the hassle of carrying the charger around and looking for wall socket. DVD drives are still used by many people and there are some ultrabook models that include this option. Now we will look at the best ultrabook options that are affordable, easy to use and that offer good performance.
Best 13″ and 14″ Ultrabooks Under $500
Asus VivoBook E403
While cheap ultrabooks don’t offer the powerful performance and features supported by high-end models, it is possible to find good options. Our first choice is the VivoBook E403 from Asus. It features full HD 14-inch display, fast 128GB SSD and 4GB RAM. The battery life can carry you throughout the day. You can buy this ultrabook for less than $420.
Dell I5368-0027GRY
Dell is known for creating durable, practical products that are ideal for everyday use. The I5368-0027GRY offers the latest Intel processor and it combines solid performance and fantastic battery life. It comes with full HD display with touchscreen panel, giving you more options to type or access content.
Best Ultrabooks Under $300
HP Stream 13
Although the HP Stream 13 has been discontinued, it is still possible to get it from Amazon. This laptop is ideal for light usage and it offers all the features that you need for everyday tasks. It included a free Office subscription for one year and you can get it for just $220.
Best Ultrabooks Under $200
Asus E402MA
For less than $199, you can get this 14″ laptop that works well for browsing, working on word documents, emails and other tasks. It features Intel Dual Core and it is a convenient option for anyone who has to stick to a budget.
Best 15-Inch Ultrabooks Under $500
Lenovo IdeaPad 500
The striking design and the powerful performance supported by its AMD A10 quad core processor, make the Lenovo IdeaPad 500 a fantastic choice. It is available for less than $480 and and it packs a great set of features such as AMD Radeon R7 GPU that allows you to watch and edit 4k videos. It is also great for gaming and for Photoshop.
Asus F556UA – AS54
While the price goes above $500 (it costs $519 at the moment), it is worth considering since it offers impressive features that you can only get from models that cost much more. The F556UA boasts a powerful i5 processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD.
Dell Inspiron 15 I5559 With Intel RealSense Technology
The performance of this ultrabook is remarkable, especially considering that it is available for just $480. The highlight of this model is the Intel RealSense Technology that allows you to control functions using gestures. Its powerful processor will handle tasks without issues. This touchscreen ultrabook boasts 1 TB hard disk and the DVD drive will suit those who need that feature.
HP 15-Ay013nr
For less just under $430, you can get this ultrabook from HP, which offers the latest i5 processor, 8 GB RAM and 128GB SSD. It is another great option for anyone looking for affordability and efficiency.
Under $300
Lenovo G50
The Lenovo G50 features the latest 802.11 ac WiFi support, Quad core AMD A8-6410 processor with Radeon R5 GPU and it is a great option for those who want good performance for internet related tasks. The price is only a few dollars over $300.
Asus VivoBook X540SA
Slim, simple and very practical, this is another VivoBook that will suit anyone who wants an affordable ultrabook for everyday tasks. It offers seamless performance thanks to its Intel Celeron N3050 Processor. It is available for around $270.
Asus X553SA
Here is another ultrabook that you can get for less than $300 and that offers a great selection of features. It comes with a dedicated numberpad and a DVD drive. The X553SA uses Intel Celeron N3050 processor and it is currently available for $265.
Lenovo Ideapad 100
It is possible to get a Lenovo Ideapad for just under $250 and its design and practical features will please many users. It comes with Intel N3540 2.1 GHz processor and 4GB RAM that can be expanded to 16GB.
Acer 14 Inch Cloudbook
One of the best things about this model is its impressive battery life, which promises up to 12 hours of power. With light use, you can even get 16 hours of battery life. WHile it is not a powerful machine, it is perfect for daily tasks and it has a USB 3.0 and a full SD card slot. You can find it for $250 and sometimes, even less.
Best 11-Inch Ultrabook under $500
Dell I3169-0010BLU
If you are looking for a reasonably priced 11″ ultrabook that offers top performance, consider this model from Dell. It has an eye-catching design and it can be used as a tablet when needed. Powered by mighty Intel Core M3 processor, this ultrabook combines power to handle a wide variety of tasks and affordability as you can get it for just $400.
Under $300
Dell Inspiron I3000-101SLV
This ultrabook features touchscreen display, Intel Pentium N3540 2.16 GHz Processor with Integrated Intel HD graphics and it offers Windows 10 Operating System.
ASUS Transformer Book
This practical solution doubles as a tablet and a 11″ ultrabook. The Transformer Book is easy to carry and offers great power. It comes with efficient SSD storage and costs just around than $270.
Under $200
HP Stream 11
If you want an ultrabook that offers affordability and beautiful design, the HP Stream is the right way to go. It is durable and very easy to carry when you travel. You get a free Office subscription for one year. It is available for $200.
Lenovo IdeaPad 100
The 11″ inch version of the IdeaPad 100 is another fantastic option for users who want a light, portable and conveniently priced ultrabook. It offers up to 7 hours of battery life and it only weighs 2 lbs. For less than $200, you can get a practical and efficient work tool powered by the latest quad core processor.
Acer Cloudbook 11″
The Cloudbook from Acer is again in the list, this time in its 11″ version. Apart from its appealing price (less than $170), this ultrabook brings one year of Microsoft Office for free and it is designed to last.
