Welcome to yet another informative post on our site. This post is about Ultrabooks vs traditional laptops. I will try to explain the differences between Ultrabooks and traditional laptops in the easiest way possible.
You must have heard terms such as “Ultrabook” or “traditional laptop” when buying one. No wonder, these terms are confusing and you would like to know them in detail. At first sight, both these options might appear the same. However, there are notable differences between ultrabooks and traditional laptops.
Are you still, finding these terms confusing? Well, you don’t have to worry. I will highlight the important differences between an Ultrabook and a normal laptop. When you understand the differences between these devices, you can decide which one to buy.
So, let’s get started. But remember that if you have any information to add to this post or questions in your mind, I will address those at the end in the comments.
Ultrabooks Vs Traditional Laptops: Understanding the Definitions
What is an Ultrabook?
An Ultrabook is a high-end portable laptop known for its stylish, sleek design. While they look and feel more like a normal laptop, Ultrabooks are considered special. A laptop should have specific criteria set by Intel Corporation to be considered an Ultrabook.
An Ultrabook is a highly portable device that offers the right balance between mobility and performance. The minimalist design and sleek construction make Ultrabooks a favorite choice for many people. Ultrabooks produce impressive computing performance alongside a long battery life.
Additionally, these laptops use Intel CPUs with integrated graphics that run on low power. The chassis is designed to hold a large battery in a small case. The screen size could be anywhere between 12 and 14 inches. Some models may feature a 15-inch screen as well. The weight should be around 1.3 Kg or 3 pounds.
Because of ultra-fast storage capabilities, an Ultrabook takes a few seconds to boot. It improves the overall response of the laptop as well. Ultrabooks are best suited for people on the go. If you prefer portability and performance more than anything, an Ultrabook is the right option for you.
Image courtesy – LG
What is a Traditional Laptop?
A traditional laptop is a portable device designed to provide the functionalities of desktop computers. They are referred to as notebook computers, too. Traditional laptops come in different shapes, sizes, and configurations catering to the needs of people. Laptops have a keyboard, trackpad, display, and other accessories built into one structure.
Traditional laptops typically have screen sizes ranging between 13 and 17 inches. When comparing ultrabooks vs traditional laptops, the latter is a bit heavier. This is because of the expansion slots, additional ports, vents, and optical disk drives. Laptops are less convenient when it comes to carrying them around.
Traditional laptops offer a variety of configurations to fulfill user requirements. They are equipped with the latest CPUs and other components. Some of them even have dedicated graphics cards for an immersive gaming experience. A dedicated graphics card improves the responsiveness of graphics-intensive software. So, they are preferred by graphic designers.
However, it is not that only gamers can harness the power of a dedicated graphics card. We have a separate post that discusses the importance of having a dedicated laptop graphics card even for non-gamers.
Ultrabooks Vs Traditional Laptops: Are There Any Similarities?
Ultrabooks are a special type of laptop. So, there are many similarities between ultrabooks and traditional laptops. Other than a few exceptions, ultrabooks and normal laptops share similar characteristics. Both these devices almost look the same in terms of shape and size.
They have standard body components such as display, ports, keyboard, trackpad, etc. You can install Windows on Ultrabooks like regular laptops. It runs software that is compatible with Windows. Whether you are thinking about installing Office programs, complex software, or even games, Ultrabooks delivers its best.
You can carry around Ultrabooks and normal laptops with ease. Both devices run on battery power. You can use them when plugged in as well. The connectivity options are almost the same on both devices.
In short, Ultrabooks are not competitors of laptops. Rather, they are more powerful and thinner than traditional laptops. Still, you can use them for doing similar things. So, those were the similarities between these devices. Let’s discuss the differences between Ultrabooks and traditional laptops.
Ultrabooks vs Traditional Laptops: Understanding the Differences
As I said earlier, Ultrabooks are not competitors of traditional laptops but they are the refined versions. So, the Ultrabooks vs traditional laptops comparison doesn’t mean that one is superior to another.
Although there are similarities between these devices, there are differences that set them apart. I will tell you more about the differences between Ultrabooks and traditional laptops in the following section.
Build Quality and Design
Ultrabooks
Ultrabooks are thinner than traditional laptops. They have premium build quality alongside minimalist design. An Ultrabook features a slim profile along with precision-cut edges. The chassis of an Ultrabook is built with premium materials such as magnesium alloy or aluminum.
As a result, Ultrabooks weigh less than normal laptops. Also, they have a durable construction. Because of the premium materials used to build Ultrabooks, it gives you a premium feel. An Ultrabook offers a sleek, stylish design that improves overall user experience.
Traditional Laptops
A traditional laptop will have a standard design. Most of the time, you will find them a bit heavy and bulky. This makes them less portable compared to Ultrabooks. Traditional laptops are made from plastic. Sometimes, you may find models built with aluminium.
Traditional laptops are less appealing than an Ultrabook. But they offer solid build quality. Regular laptops prioritize functionality rather than looks. While they are not slim, regular laptops offer a variety of functions that meet user requirements.
Size and Weight
Ultrabooks
One of the advantages of buying an Ultrabook is its compact size and lightweight construction. Because of the slim profile of Ultrabooks, people who travel frequently prefer those most. They have screen sizes not more than 15 inches and weigh under 3 pounds. It fits easily into a backpack.
Moreover, the components in Ultrabooks are of the latest technology, making them weigh less. Even the battery comes with a sleek design. Everything fits in the laptop case easily and lowers the overall weight and size of Ultrabooks.
Traditional Laptops
In general, traditional laptops are heavy and large. They have screen sizes of up to 17 inches. Most regular laptops can weigh up to 7 pounds or even more. Because of larger screen size and other functionalities like a dedicated graphics card, traditional laptops tend to be bulky.
To provide enough power to the device, the battery pack is bigger. All these things contribute to the overall weight and size. Regular laptops are less convenient to carry around. But it benefits users who want powerful hardware and a prominent display.
Portability
Ultrabooks
In terms of portability, Ultrabooks are winners. The lightweight design makes an Ultrabook easy for you to carry around. You can work on your projects or presentations wherever you go. If you are a frequent traveler, carrying an Ultrabook will ensure you do not miss out on entertainment.
An Ultrabook is the perfect device for professionals, students, and travelers who want a productive laptop while on the go. The compact size of Ultrabooks makes them convenient for you to carry in small, tight workplaces.
Traditional Laptops
A traditional laptop is heavy and bulky. Still, it offers some sort of portability. Regular laptops are not a good option for people who travel continuously. But they offer more powerful computing and a big screen.
The inclusion of additional connectivity ports makes traditional laptops suitable for people who need to connect multiple peripherals. You can find traditional laptops almost everywhere. Most people use them for home use and office work. If portability is not a big problem for you, a traditional laptop is a good choice.
Display
Ultrabooks
An Ultrabook comes with a high-quality display. It means that you will get sharp resolutions and vibrant colors. Most Ultrabooks come with a resolution of 1920x1080 or even higher. You will get detailed, crisp visuals when using an Ultrabook.
Touchscreen displays are becoming popular in Ultrabooks these days. It provides a versatile and interactive experience to the users. Ultrabooks are designed to provide higher pixel density. This results in excellent picture quality and an immersive viewing experience.
Traditional Laptops
A traditional laptop offers multiple display options. It will vary depending on the quality, resolution, and size of the display. The most common one is the Full HD resolution (1920x1080). It gives you detailed, precise visuals.
Traditional laptops are preferred by users who want large screens with better resolution. As such, the laptops are available with screen sizes of up to 17 inches. Some models even feature a 19-inch display. Although most traditional laptops do not come with a touchscreen feature, you can enjoy this option on certain models.
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Traditional laptops come in different screen sizes
Storage
Ultrabooks
Ultrabooks come with SSDs or Solid State Drives as primary storage. Some Ultrabooks come equipped with NVMe. Don’t get confused because both these are modern-day storage devices. NVMe is way faster than an SSD in terms of read-write speed. SSDs offer faster data transfer and boot times.
The storage capacity of SSDs depends on the model and manufacturer. From 128GB to 2TB and even more. Ultrabooks prioritize small storage capacities due to their portability and lightweight design.
Traditional Laptops
In traditional laptops, you will have diverse storage options. In general, they come with larger storage capacities in the form of HHDs or hard disk drives. These drives offer enough space for software, media files, and documents.
In addition, regular laptops provide you with the flexibility to add another hard drive. These might include adding an extra HDD or SSD. Dual storage options allow you to take advantage of the fast response of SDDs and access to larger files via the HDD.
Battery Life
Ultrabooks
Another advantage of having an Ultrabook is its incredible battery life. They are energy-efficient devices that allow you to work on your projects or enjoy entertainment to the fullest. You do not always have to connect the Ultrabook to a power source.
In general, an Ultrabook can perform well for up to 10 hours on a single charge. However, the battery life will depend on specific models and how you use the device. The longer battery life appeals to users who want their device to perform all day without charging it frequently.
Traditional Laptops
Most regular laptops have larger sizes because of the components. The bigger screen and powerful hardware will consume more energy compared to Ultrabooks. It results in shorter battery life than Ultrabooks.
The battery life depends on the model and how you want to use it. You can expect 4 to 7 hours of battery life on traditional laptops. Hence, you have to carry chargers wherever you go. Even if you are working on the go, you have to pay attention where the nearest power outlet is. You may likely need it to charge your laptop.
Performance
Ultrabooks
Ultrabooks are built with ULV processors to achieve the right balance between energy efficiency and performance. These processors can handle everyday tasks with ease. Therefore, playing media files, editing documents, and browsing the internet will be a smooth experience.
The ULV (Ultra Low Voltage) processors are underclocked so that they consume less power while retaining stable performance. This is why an Ultrabook has a good battery life. Some Ultrabooks have CPUs like Intel Core i5 along with integrated GPUs.
Still, they might not be as powerful as regular laptops in terms of handling video editing or gaming. If you love playing games on a laptop, look out for specs to improve your gaming experience.
Traditional Laptops
Traditional laptops are more powerful than Ultrabooks. This is because of their ability to house potent hardware components. Regular laptops come equipped with high-performing CPUs such as Intel or AMD. For example, consider processors such as Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5.
They can handle intense video editing and gaming effectively in a short time. Traditional laptops give you the option to choose a dedicated graphics card, unlike an Ultrabook. When you have increased processing power, handling intensive tasks becomes easy.
Ultrabooks vs Traditional Laptops Comparison Chart
Ultrabooks Vs Traditional Laptops: What Will You Choose?
When it is about Ultrabooks vs traditional laptops, there are several factors to consider before buying one.
Ultrabooks have a lightweight construction and a sleek design. So, they are perfect for people who prioritize portability. An Ultrabook gives you optimal performance and a longer battery life. They come at a higher price range due to their premium build quality and innovative features.
Traditional laptops provide a variety of options to users depending on their preferences. They come in a variety of screen sizes, connectivity ports, storage capacities, hardware components, etc. These are great options for people who want versatility in the form of performance. Traditional laptops come in both budget-friendly and premium options.
Ultrabooks are becoming popular these days and you can find them in a variety of options. Whereas, traditional laptops have plenty of options to choose from depending on features and configurations.
But you cannot use an Ultrabook as a workstation. With laptop hardware getting more efficient and faster, manufacturers will produce more lightweight, sleek laptops in the future. These devices will be affordable for most people.
By now you must have understood the differences between Ultrabooks and traditional laptops. It depends on your preferences and budget whether to buy an Ultrabook or a regular laptop.
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