the contenders

Apple MacBook Pro

The latest Pros bring serious power in a really thin and light case that’s perfect for travel. The Touch Bar adds something totally new – way beyond similar tech from other PC makers – but you can go for a more traditional key layout. Plus you get get the stunning Retina display, and battery life is most generous.

Microsoft Surface Laptop

The latest in Microsoft’s Surface range is the Surface Laptop, an ultraportable so good-looking that it hurts the eyes. No matter whether you opt for the entry level or eyewateringly expensive top-of-theline model, you’ll be rewarded with a potent machine that’s also slim, lightweight and well built.

Huawei Matebook X

Huawei is better known for its flagship smartphones, but its first laptop to hit the market is an impressive effort, offering a genuine alternative to the usual suspects. Neat highlights such as the fingerprint sensor and Dolby Atmos sound system lure you in, but you’ll stay for the gorgeous 2K display and sweet looks.

Dell XPS 13 2 in 1

The market for convertibles is thriving, and Dell’s own take is the XPS 13 2 in 1. What you get is the same, much-loved XPS with a bezel-free InfinityEdge 4K display, but with added rotating goodness, making this one of the lightest, thinnest and most attractive convertible laptops on the market at the moment.

Asus ZenBook UX305

The Zenbook UX305 is still one of the best 13-inch ultrabooks around. You get more screen real estate than a MacBook, and its full metal aluminium construction ensures that the UX305 manages an even more svelte cut. And with the latest Intel Core M processor and a nippy 128GB SSD, there’s lots of grunt available on the move.

Acer Aspire S 13

The Aspire S 13 proves you can get into the ultraportable game without being minted. Though not the most bag-friendly option compared to its rivals, consider this: inside the flagship model you get a Core i7, 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD, as well as a bunch of connectivity and – party-piece alert – a touchscreen.

Lenovo Yoga 910

The latest in Lenovo’s lineage of 2-in-1 laptops is the Yoga 910, and the most impressive of its ilk to date. At the heart of this impressively sleek all-metal machine is a unique watchband hinge offering buttery-smooth rotation of its stunning 14-inch 4K touch display through 360 degrees. Lovely stuff.