Top 3 Ultrabook Laptops for Travelers

By Mike Richard Published December 19, 2019

Modern Nomad is a weekly column dedicated to mobile gear, must-see world destinations, tips for life on the road, and traveling better through technology.

Apple’s MacBook Air has long been the gold standard for sleek, fast, ultraportable travel laptops. But a new crop of PC laptops from Dell, Asus, and Lenovo is providing some fierce competition. Here are three of the best ultrabooks currently on the market:

Recommended Videos

Dell XPS 13

Dell has been quietly stepping up their game for the last decade and their latest XPS 13 ultrabook is a stunner. Entry level models start at just $799, but the upgraded variations are true, full-fledged laptops capable of photo and video editing. The midrange model is configured with Intel’s Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid state hard drive. A top-of-the-line version takes the hardware a step further with an i7 processor and a 256GB solid state drive. As the world’s smallest 13” laptop, it packs a near-borderless, infinity display into an 11” chassis. The Quad HD+ touchscreen is arguably the most crisp, beautiful laptop monitor on the market.

Related: Tote Your Technology in Style

Asus ZenBook UX305

While they may not always be breaking new or innovative ground with their products, Asus has become synonymous with affordability and reliability. Their ZenBook UX305 is no exception. With a 100% metal chassis, 256GB SSD hard drive, and excellent battery life, it’s plenty durable for life on the road. At 1.2cm thin and a hair over 2.5 pounds, it’s the thinnest and lightest laptop with a 13” QHD+ display on the market. The kicker is that it’s available starting at just $699 USD, which also makes it one of the most affordable, full-power ultrabooks available.

Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro

For travelers who value portability, style, and sleek looks over sheer computing power, Lenovo’s Yoga 3 Pro is the company’s flagship ultrabook. Its convertible “yoga” form factor with a new, all-metal watchband hinge is its best selling point, ensuring 100% adaptability to your workflow. Set it up as a traditional laptop or fold the screen back 180 degrees to use as a full-featured, touchscreen tablet. At just under $1,200 USD, it’s one of the priciest entries in the ultrabook category. But it’s also among the lightest, thinnest Windows laptops with one of the best displays on the market today.

Contributor

Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…

Travel

8 airplane tips that make air travel suck a lot less

Your long-haul flight will be way easier with these (probably) lesser-known airplane hacks

Inside of a plane with screens on

When I moved out from the East Coast to the Seattle area, nothing could have prepared me for the horrible long-haul domestic air travel. I fly back home twice per year: once for our annual family reunions and another time for Christmas, but this year, I also spent Thanksgiving there, too (yay, another 5-hour flight there and back). It was wonderful spending time with my family, but it's also shocking how terrible domestic air travel is these days. Here are my best airplane hacks to make air travel suck a lot less.
My top airplane hacks for the frustrated flier

How to clear security quickly
Enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry is an easy way to get through security quickly. If you're already in line at the checkpoint, prepare as much as possible as you get close to the front of the line. Take your shoes off, get your electronics out of your bag, and move everything along so that all you have to do is place things in buckets and walk through the detector.
How to score an airplane row all to yourself
Scoring an entire airplane row to yourself is like a blessing from above, particularly on a long-haul flight. But it’s always a game of chance, even on half-empty flights. Your best bet is to start by flying off-season and off-peak routes. If you’re working with a travel agent, they can direct you toward less-crowded alternative flights.

Travel

TSA Precheck is a must-have, but there’s another travel program you should join if traveling abroad

The STEP program may actually save your life

People walking through an airport with large windows in the background

Traveling should be an adventure, but if something happens that could threaten your safety, such as extreme weather or security issues when traveling abroad, I know that I would want to have as much reliable information as possible so I can make the best choices to stay safe while trying to get home if that's necessary.

While most international travelers are familiar with programs like TSA Precheck and TSA Global Entry, there's a third U.S. government program that helps Americans traveling out of the country called the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you're abroad and the unthinkable happens — injury, illness, a lost passport, or even a global emergency, signing up for the free STEP program could literally save your life. I've signed up for the program, so keep reading to find out why you should take advantage of it, too.
What is STEP?

Travel

This U.S. state breaks into the top 10 luxury travel destinations of 2024

Maui is the only U.S. destination that made the list

Maui

A new survey by Kinglike has revealed that Maui, Hawaii, has secured a spot among the top 10 most visited luxury travel destinations in 2024, making it the only U.S. destination to earn this distinction. The survey included responses from 158,000 high-net-worth individuals worldwide, highlighting Maui’s global appeal.

Known for its stunning resorts, private villa rentals, and exclusive experiences like private helicopter tours and secluded beach retreats, Maui offers plenty of opportunities for high-end indulgence.