Here’s a review‑style roundup of portable computers (mostly ultrabooks / thin‑and‑lights / lightweight laptops) as of mid‑2025: what’s good, what to watch out for, and picks depending on needs. If you tell me your priorities (budget / gaming / battery life / weight etc.), I can give more tailored recs.
🔍 Trends in 2025 Portable Computers
- More Performance, Less Bulk
Ultrabooks are steadily getting more powerful without adding much weight. New CPUs (Intel Ultra series, AMD Ryzen AI, ARM‑based chips) are more efficient. (RTINGS.com) - Battery Life Is Key
Users expect 12‑18+ hours for light use; some models push 20+. High pixel density OLEDs or high refresh rates still drain more battery, so there are trade‑offs. (Laptop Mag) - Displays and Build Quality
OLEDs, high refresh rates, lighter materials (magnesium, ceraluminum, etc.) are more common. Some “big‑screen ultrabooks” (16‑17″) are surprisingly lightweight. (RTINGS.com) - Windows on ARM / Efficiency Chips
ARM‑based Windows machines (Snapdragon/X‑series, etc.) are improving: quieter, cooler, better battery life; still some software compatibility issues. (Tom’s Hardware) - Versatility & Multi‑Mode Designs
Convertibles / 2‑in‑1s, dual screen, etc., are niche but attractive for creative or flexible usage. (TechRadar)
✅ What’s Good & What’s Less Good
Strengths | Weaknesses / Trade‑offs |
---|---|
Very lightweight larger screens (17″ ultrabooks under ~1.5‑2 kg) make “big screen” portable. (RTINGS.com) | Cheaper or lighter builds often use less premium materials; may flex, feel plasticky; smaller cooling capacity. (Tom’s Guide) |
Great battery life in many models for daily/light work: browsing, writing, media. (Laptop Mag) | Heavy tasks (gaming, 3D rendering, video editing) still require bulkier laptops; heavier battery, more heat, more fan noise. OLED + high refresh + GPU = battery penalty. |
Very good displays: OLEDs, good color, high resolution. | Ports are often sacrificed — fewer USB‑A, sometimes only USB‑C / Thunderbolt, weaker webcam in some cheaper/light models. (Trusted Reviews) |
Better thermal designs vs older models; more efficient chips allow for sustained performance in thin form factors. | Price: premium for all this (lightweight + display + efficiency). Also, “lightweight” models may compromise on durability or repairability. |
🏆 Some Top Picks & Examples
Here are a few models that are getting especially good reviews, in different categories:
Category / Use Case | Model | Why It Stands Out / Trade-offs |
---|---|---|
Best Overall Ultrabook | Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M) | Strong battery (~16h in light use), good price vs performance, solid build. Slight detraction: display brightness in very bright environments could be better. (Laptop Mag) |
Premium Mac Option | MacBook Air (M4) | Excellent battery, smooth performance, very good speakers, webcam etc. Small drawbacks: fewer ports, still premium price. (Tom’s Hardware) |
Large‑Screen Lightweight | LG Gram 17 (2025) | Huge screen (17″) but very light (~3.2 lbs), great for someone wanting more real estate without a bulky machine. Some compromises in rigidity and “premium feel”. (Tom’s Guide) |
For Power + Portability | ThinkPad T14s (Gen 6, Snapdragon) | Outstanding battery life, very practical for business users, strong screen, keyboard etc. Drawbacks: price, not all software is optimized for ARM yet. (Tom’s Hardware) |
⚠ Things to Watch Out For
- Overhyping battery specs: real‑world usage often less than “claimed” in marketing, especially if you use the machine for productivity + display brightness + multitasking.
- Thermals & noise: the thinner/light models may throttle under full load, or get hot + loud.
- Upgradeability & repairability: Many ultrabooks have soldered RAM or storage; some parts are hard to replace. If you plan to keep it for many years, this matters.
- Port selection & connectivity: If you rely on HDMI, USB‑A, etc., check ports. Also WiFi versions, Bluetooth etc.
- Software compatibility (for ARM / alternate architectures): Some apps may not run as well or may need emulation. Consider if all your critical software works.
If you like, I can pull up reviews / comparisons just for models available in Latvia (so I know the pricing / support) and show best options for your budget. Do you want me to do that?