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Ultrabook vs. Notebook — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 29, 2023
Ultrabooks are lightweight, thin laptops with Intel specs, while notebooks are general laptops without strict size or brand specifications.
Ultrabook vs. Notebook — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Ultrabook and Notebook

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Key Differences

Ultrabooks are designed to be slimmer and lighter than notebooks, often emphasizing portability and longer battery life. Notebooks, however, can range widely in size and weight, without specific standards for thickness or weight. Ultrabooks must meet Intel's specifications, which include not just dimensions but also hardware like Intel Core processors. Notebooks do not have such requirements and can use a variety of components from different manufacturers.
Ultrabooks typically boast SSD storage, which contributes to their fast performance and boot times. Notebooks, on the other hand, may come with either SSDs or traditional HDDs, and their performance can vary greatly depending on the configuration. Ultrabooks are expected to wake up from sleep quickly, a feature that Intel has emphasized. Notebooks may have varied wake-up times, and while some may match ultrabooks, it's not a standardized feature.
Display quality in Ultrabooks is usually high, with many models featuring Full HD or better screens as part of Intel's criteria. Notebooks encompass a broader range of display qualities, with screen resolutions that can be lower, catering to budget-friendly options. Ultrabooks are typically premium devices with a focus on aesthetics, often featuring metal casings and sleek designs. Notebooks cover a wide spectrum of designs, from plastic to metal builds, often depending on price points.
The price point is a significant difference: Ultrabooks tend to be more expensive due to their high-end specifications and build quality. Notebooks have a wider range of prices, with budget models being significantly cheaper than most ultrabooks. Ultrabooks are generally seen as a subset of notebooks, specifically tailored for users who prioritize mobility and performance. In contrast, notebooks are available for various uses and budgets, from basic tasks to gaming and professional applications.
Connectivity options in Ultrabooks may be limited due to their thinner profiles, often requiring adapters for additional ports. Notebooks typically offer a greater number and variety of ports, catering to users who need to connect multiple peripherals. Ultrabooks prioritize wireless connectivity and may feature the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. Notebooks vary widely in their wireless capabilities, with newer models often matching ultrabooks but older or budget models potentially offering lower performance.
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Comparison Chart

Thickness

Typically less than 0.8 inches
Varies, no specific limit

Weight

Usually under 3 pounds
Can range from light to heavy

Processor

Intel Core series
Various, including Intel, AMD

Battery Life

Long, often 8+ hours
Varies widely

Storage

Primarily SSDs
SSDs or HDDs

Compare with Definitions

Ultrabook

Ultrabooks are often more expensive than typical laptops.
Despite its higher cost, the Ultrabook offered the power he needed.

Notebook

Notebooks cater to a wide range of budgets and needs.
She found a notebook that was perfect for her schoolwork and fit her budget.

Ultrabook

Ultrabooks comply with specific Intel-defined specifications.
The new Ultrabook met all the latest Intel standards for speed and efficiency.

Notebook

A notebook is a portable computer designed for mobile use.
She took notes in the meeting on her trusty notebook.

Ultrabook

They prioritize portability and high performance.
The sleek design of her Ultrabook made it easy to travel with.

Notebook

Notebooks vary in size, performance, and features.
His notebook was equipped with the latest gaming software.

Ultrabook

An Ultrabook is a thin, lightweight laptop with Intel processors.
She appreciated her Ultrabook's quick boot-up at the airport.

Notebook

They can have diverse processors and storage options.
The notebook had an AMD processor and a 1TB hard drive.

Ultrabook

Ultrabooks boast long battery life and solid-state drives.
His Ultrabook lasted all day without needing a charge.

Notebook

They typically offer a variety of connectivity options.
His notebook had enough ports to connect all his devices.

Ultrabook

Ultrabook is a marketing term, originated and trademarked by Intel, for a category of high-end laptop computers. They were originally marketed as featuring ultra thin form factor and light weight design without compromising battery life or performance, and when the term was originated they generally were enough smaller than average laptop models to qualify as subnotebooks.

Notebook

A book of blank pages for notes.

Ultrabook

(computing) A very lightweight and thin portable computer the areal size of a notebook computer or subnotebook.

Notebook

A light, portable computer that is generally thinner than a laptop.

Notebook

A book in which notes or memoranda are written.

Notebook

A kind of user interface in literate programming, allowing calculations to be interspersed with human-readable comments, diagrams, etc.

Notebook

Ellipsis of notebook computer

Notebook

A book in which notes or memorandums are written.

Notebook

A book in which notes of hand are registered.

Notebook

A book with blank pages for recording notes or memoranda

Notebook

A small compact portable computer

Common Curiosities

Can Ultrabooks run all the same software as Notebooks?

Yes, Ultrabooks can run the same software as other notebooks as long as the specifications meet the software's requirements.

Are Ultrabooks and Notebooks the same thing?

No, Ultrabooks are a specialized subset of notebooks with specific criteria, while notebooks refer to a broader category of laptops.

Do Ultrabooks have better battery life than Notebooks?

Ultrabooks often have better battery life due to Intel's standards for energy efficiency, but some notebooks may offer comparable battery life.

What is an Ultrabook?

An Ultrabook is a slim, lightweight laptop that adheres to Intel's specific standards for size, battery life, and performance.

What defines a Notebook?

A notebook is a general term for a portable computer, varying widely in specifications, sizes, and capabilities.

Are Ultrabooks more expensive than Notebooks?

Generally, yes, Ultrabooks tend to be pricier due to their high-end specifications and design.

Can a notebook be classified as an Ultrabook?

Only if it meets Intel's specific criteria for an Ultrabook, otherwise, it remains a notebook.

Do all Ultrabooks use Intel processors?

Yes, using Intel processors is one of the requirements for a laptop to be branded as an Ultrabook.

Is SSD storage exclusive to Ultrabooks?

No, many notebooks also come with SSD storage options, but Ultrabooks typically standardize on SSDs for faster performance.

Are there gaming Ultrabooks?

There are some Ultrabooks designed for gaming, but they may not match the performance of specialized gaming notebooks.

Can Notebooks have screens larger than Ultrabooks?

Yes, notebooks can have larger screens, as they are not bound by the size limitations that define Ultrabooks.

Do Ultrabooks have fewer ports than Notebooks?

Often, yes, due to their thin design, Ultrabooks may have fewer or different ports compared to many notebooks.

Can you upgrade an Ultrabook like you can with some Notebooks?

Ultrabooks are often not as upgrade-friendly as notebooks due to their compact build.

Are Ultrabooks better for travel than Notebooks?

Typically, yes, due to their lighter weight and compact size, Ultrabooks are often more convenient for travel.

Is it worth buying an Ultrabook over a Notebook?

It depends on your needs; if you value portability and high-end specs, an Ultrabook is worth considering, but for versatility and cost, a notebook might be better.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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