Back 2016: the top 10 PC ultraportables
In recent weeks, we have had test some ultraportables and hybrids that will be on the shelves of school. Besides those who are still current that emerged earlier in the year. Here's our Top 10!
For over three years, ultraportables and ultrabooks bloom in the ranges of the major PC manufacturers. Their prices have dropped well and it is possible to obtain one without getting angry with his banker. Since the release of Windows 8, the convertible, hybrid and other convertible bud and scramble formats and standards of "ultranomadisme" of our computers. A metamorphosis accentuated by deploying Windows 10. Of course, here we speak of machines with screens no more than 13.3 inches diagonally, weighing less than 2 kg and finesse lets slip into a bag or a backpack.
Between HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and Asus, all shots are allowed! Some are inspired by others, trying to innovate with more or less success, while offering solutions halfway between the PC and the tablet. But manufacturers do not forget to bet on as many notebooks "classic" with or without touch screen to leave the choice to the end user.
Moreover, no question of reserving the precious screen 13.3-inch high-end machines. During the past two years, many brands have tried to offer affordable references, the template is contained and endurance over 4 hours 30 minutes.
But make no mistake, between an ultraportable sold 700 euros and another sold more than double the range of possible uses is not exponential. On the contrary ! Also keep an eye on the data sheets of the devices. It includes, for example, many Intel processors (AMD brilliant by its absence), all is not worth. Furthermore, the finishes, the presence of SSD or the quality of the screen are all elements that sometimes make the difference.
Beautiful machines for mobile workers
Question uses, in general, should not be too many demands. All the machines we tested since the beginning of the year are primarily made for office use, web browsing and watching videos. For more advanced uses such as photo editing on Photoshop and the creation in After Effects, it will at least include machines with Core i5 or Core i7 with more than 4 GB of memory.
Excluded from our Top 10 Finally, PC gaming as the Alienware 13 R2 for example. These are super-strong, mainly dedicated to the players, but not as durable and lighter than ultraportables discussed here. Note also noticed the entries Surface Microsoft Book, the Samsung Galaxy S TabPro and Apple MacBook 12 inch version 2016 are positioned in the middle or the top rankings.
Apple: Air still waiting for Retina
Admittedly, Apple retains a prominent place on the ultra mobility. Worse, for over four years is the brand "to shoot" for PC manufacturers who would like to achieve as offering both finished machines, so the system optimized and the endurance record. Yet Apple brand, so innovative ordinarily difficult to renew.
For instead of equipping its precious MacBook Air (MBA) Retina screens and to further improve the autonomy, the Cupertino company has chosen to release a new MacBook in March 2015. This is the MacBook 12-inch Retina which, incidentally, was revived this spring day, while retaining an ultra compact size, finesse and ... minimalist capabilities. He now opts for the technical platform Intel Core m3 low energy (Skylake) which is known to really not make miracles in terms of performance. But where Apple might sink the nail too, is the price! 1450 euros for a typewriter luxury, it's indecent! And MBA? They always have Intel Core processors Broadwell-U, pending the update on Skylake that has yet to come ... just like their new screens. Because the image of these definitions begin to furiously date. Finally, comparing the last two generations of MBA, the conclusion is bitter: stamina is down ... but still, it is true, among the highest in the market.
For ranking below, everything is scrutinized: the equipment, the performance but, above all, ease of use and the nomadic nature of the craft. This concept encompasses both the autonomy of video playback, the size of the device and its weight. Moreover, this autumn 2016 marks a turning point in the 01net.com rating system since we have overhauled our analysis models and our rating systems.
In addition, for 8 months, we have included a second test of autonomy in our procedures. We regularly evoke in test items. This is a known measure "versatile" that simulates all the above mentioned activities: office, video, surfing, etc. It is now recorded in the notes of the devices.
10. Apple MacBook 12-inch (Core m3 256GB)
The latest in the family of Apple computers, the MacBook with Retina display 12-inch spring 2016 tumbles to the last place of this top. He may be a lightweight (910 grams) whose housing is among the finest on the market (1.36 cm) and be tough with over 8 hours of video playback (7:00 MacOS X El Capitan), c is the power that it lacks. As we suspected, the Intel Core m3 platform, although the latest generation (Skylake) and supposed to be more powerful than its previous generation counterpart (Broadwell) still no miracle! And the price is not lowered by its creator.
Overall rating: 6.89 / 10 | manufacturer price: € 1,450 approx. (Find a better price) | Read the full review of the Apple MacBook 12-inch Version 2016
9. Lenovo Yoga 900
Yoga 900 Lenovo dropped to ninth place in our Top 10. The replacement of the Yoga 3 Pro is no longer able to remain in the forefront. The version we had in the test date of the beginning of the year and she was pleasantly surprised as more powerful than the old version and above all, much more enduring. The qHD screen (3200 by 1800 pixels) touch was, however, the weak point of the machine because really not up to the standard of the device.
The tested configuration remains on sale a few weeks but will be brought up to date before the end of the year. It will carry an Intel Core i7-6560 processor, less memory (8 GB instead of 16) and still the same capacity SSD (512GB). His code name will 900-13ISK2 and its advertised price: 1700 euros. To note, a more upscale version, with a 1TB SSD and 16GB of memory will be available ... to 2000 euros.
Overall rating: 7.18 / 10 | manufacturer price: from 1350 € approx. (Find a better price) | Read the full review of the Lenovo Yoga 900 (900-113ISK)
8. Asus Transformer Book T100HA (T100HA-FU006T)
With its 10-inch screen, it's a bit the intruder in our Top 10, but the Transformer Book T100HA ranks, anyway, still eighth in this top. This small hybrid Windows 10 is not a monster of power: it is even less swift than the MacBook 12 Apple. It is thanks to the excellent battery life (almost 10 hours), its compact size related to its 10.1-inch or even to the very good screen quality it needs its place among the "big ". The version we tested is still available now and is even extended in some stores in the fall. Other versions with 4GB of memory and / or 128 GB of eMMC storage are also on approach at the advertised prices in the range of 350 and 400 euros.
Overall rating: 7.21 / 10 | Price manufacturer: from 299 euros | Read the full review of the Asus Transformer Book T100HA
New ultraportable star from Acer, the Aspire S13 is ranked seventh in our top 10. That's a 13.3-inch screen device, matt on our test version, rather sober and equipped with Intel's low-power platforms, by Core i5 or Core i7. Very pleasant to browse the fingertips, the backlit keyboard is very responsive, unlike the touchpad, too soft and precise pointing fans quickly forsake the benefit of a mouse. Finally, endurance side, it reaches 7 hours of video playback, just over six hours versatile. Very correct.
General Rating: 7.3 / 10 | manufacturer price: 1200 euros approx. | Read the full review of the Acer Aspire S13 (S5-371-77XY)
6. Apple MacBook Air 11-inch (Core i5, 128GB)
The Macbook Air Small takes a few places with our new calculation methods, going from tenth to sixth. However, the introduction of new PC models and hardening of our rating criteria does not allow it back on the podium.
The 11-inch Air tested here is the cheapest declination sold by Apple. Its small aluminum housing is still recipe, like its excellent keyboard. However, this small air feels, pass us the expression, stale. This is neither the most enduring (7 hours of video playback and 6 hours 20 versatile), nor the most technically advanced (Core i5, 4GB of memory, 128GB SSD) of these competitors. Not to mention the slab whose image definition is now obsolete (1366 by 768 pixels) on a machine at 1000 euros!
Overall rating: 7.46 / 10 | manufacturer Price: 1000 € approx. (Find a better price) | See details and test results of the Apple MacBook Air 11-inch
5. HP Spectre 13 (13-v001nf)
HP presents it as the thinnest PC in the world in its class. The Spectre 13 has not actually anything superfluous overweight: 1.2 cm high and 1.1 kg on the scale. The finish is also remarkable and neat ... what a little "bling". The black chocolate mixture and bronze pink is not necessarily to everyone's taste.
Contrary to the 13.3-inch screen (Full HD) gloss may suggest, this spectrum does not offer the tactile in its arsenal, only a good keyboard and a large touchpad. Under these, the high-end configuration (for an ultraportable) is perfectly run applications and customary software and some greedy. Still, we expected better side autonomy. The latter is not bad, but not skyrocketed: 7:00 to top form.
Overall rating: 7.48 / 10 | manufacturer Price: 1800 € approx. | Read the full review of the HP Spectre 13 (13-v001f)
4. Microsoft Surface Book (Core i7 16 Go 512 Go GeForce)
Arrived in our hands at the end of winter, the Book is the first Microsoft Surface design hybrid laptop. And to make sure to provide the best experience possible use, the Redmond giant has sent the most high-end version of its creation. Result, to obtain it, it costs almost 3000 euros. For that price, however we have a very good processor, memory galore, a large SSD and finally a graphics card housed in the keyboard part.
The pen is still in the game and makes handwriting input on the screen of ease. Screen which, incidentally, is really an exceptional quality, that we would like to find more often on laptops. And further mechanics and screen, it must be recognized that the Surface Book it enjoys excellent finish and give it a good honors for autonomy between 7 and 8 h 45 according to our tests. However, difficult to crack: the price is really too high!
Overall Rating: 7.8 / 10 | manufacturer price: € 2,920 approx. | Read the full review of Microsoft Surface Book
3. HP Spectre x360 13 (13-4240nf)
Another ultraportable (hybrid this time) to HP's ranking for September, the Spectre 13 x360 new generation. The shape barely moves, with a 13.3-inch touch screen mounted on hinges allowing it to rotate 360 ° and stick to the back of the machine. The model we tested is the first to be equipped with an OLED panel! The contrast ratio is abysmal but the brightness, it remains timid. Too bad for a machine of this price. Among the good points, we must also stress the right cocktail of components and the autonomy really conclusive: almost 9 hours of video playback, screen thoroughly.
Overall rating: 8.04 / 10 | manufacturer price: 1800 euros approx. | Read the full review of the HP Spectre x360 13 (13-4240nf)
2. Samsung Galaxy TabPro S
Samsung announced that it would produce more PCs and other hybrid Windows. Yet the Korean sprained decision and announces 2016 year beginning TabPro the Galaxy S. This is a large format tablet, a hybrid Windows 10, comes with a keyboard to transform it into PC. One is almost pleased that Samsung has launched such a device! This is certainly not the configuration that attracted us because of the same ilk as the MacBook 12.
No, what attracted us is the first 12-inch display (2160 by 1440 pixels) Super AMOLED of the beast, a first on a PC. Brightness and contrast ratio are falling backwards, as the color intensity reflected by the pixels of the slab. Then the TabPro S displays a whopping almost 10 hours of video playback! Samsung has confirmed to continue to sell this product in this fall 2016 and no replacement is -for the moment- to the agenda.
Overall rating: 8.21 / 10 | manufacturer Price: 1000 € approx. (Find a better price) | Read the full review of the Samsung Galaxy S TabPro (12 '', Wi-Fi)
1. Dell XPS 13
Dell is back! The Texan manufacturer benefits from the release of Intel processors Skylake to update its beautiful ultraportable XPS 13 and comes in eight or nine versions on its website. One that comes first in our ranking is the machine equipped with a 13.3-inch matte slab Full HD. It features a Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory and 256GB of SSD to run Windows 10 and all apps daily without the slightest concern.
Another argument to convince: the price of 1300 euros. Or 50 euros less than the MacBook Air 13-inch for better equipment, and an endurance record of 10 hours 20. It's two hours more than the Apple, and without forcing. The only flaw of this Dell, is to have a screen that lacks brightness. But for the rest it deserves its top spot on the podium.
Overall rating: 7.97 / 10 | Manufacturer Price 1250 € approx. | Read the full review of the Dell XPS 13
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