The ultrabook is a category of portable computer created by Intel, which developed the model following several parameters to make the device even more portable than a conventional notebook.

The main specifications for a portable computer to be considered an ultrabook are:

• • Have an Intel processor
  • Run Windows system
  • Minimum battery life of five hours
  • Transfer rate of 80 MB / s on the hard drive
  • SSD memory, internal HD or both
  • At least one USB port with 3.0 technology
  • Return from hibernation in up to seven seconds
  • Processor must have two or four cores and a processing rate of at least 3.4 GHz.

 

In addition to the conventional ultrabook, you can find the convertible model, also called the 2-in-1 ultrabook. This electronics will make your everyday life even more practical, since the same device can be used as a tablet or conventional computer.

This model has the basic features like keyboard and touchpad, but can be used without these accessories, just rotate the screen, so that it is against the device’s keyboard and use in the tablet function, since the screen has touchscreen technology.

Purchasing criteria: Factors for comparing ultrabook models

As you can see throughout the article, the ultrabook is not only different in design, this device has a number of peculiar technical specifications, which make it different from any other model of portable computer.

When you are doing research to change machines or buy your first ultrabook, be aware of the following characteristics:

• Processor
• RAM memory
• Storage
• Video card
• Thickness and weight
• Drums

We will explain item by item, to solve your doubts and help you choose a model with excellent performance.

Processor

The processor has the function of analyzing the information that the computer receives and emits. It consists of cores, cache memory and frequency measured in gigahertz.

In ultrabooks, processors are often quite powerful. There are two options, the Core i5 and the i7, the i5 being recommended for the average or intermediate user and the i7 for those using heavier software, such as editing programs and games.

Both models are in the eighth generation of Intel Core processors, which show a great evolution in processing capacity, operating speed and reduced energy consumption.

An ultrabook works with two or four cores, they are the ones that run the software preventing the machine from crashing during use. A computer with two cores already meets the expectations of those using simpler programs and applications.

The frequency refers to the speed with which the computer performs the functions, from the simplest to the most sophisticated and is measured in gigahertz. The standard ranges from 2 to 4 GHz.

The cache memory, in turn, records which software and websites you access frequently to trigger them quickly. Ultrabooks can have 4 or 8 MB of cache memory, the bigger, the less battery drain.

RAM memory

RAM is used when you are accessing computer applications or browsing the internet. It is responsible for the speed (or slowness) of the activities performed by the device.

Most ultrabooks have only 4 GB of RAM. Because it is the minimum power that exists, the computer can be slow if you browse multiple windows and / or applications.

You can also find (with some ease) models with 8 GB RAM. But models with 16 GB of RAM are rarer (and also more expensive).

Storage

The storage of the ultrabook is different from ordinary notebooks, most use the SSD (Solid State Driver) flash memory device, which is the same used in tablets.

The SSD card has the capacity to store up to 1TB, but most models used in ultrabooks have 128 to 550 GB of memory, making the ultrabook’s storage capacity smaller.

On the other hand, because of SSD storage, Ultrabook is even faster than conventional notebooks, because SSD helps with the machine’s processing speed (it is 10 times faster than a hard drive).

But, as most people prefer to have a device with a lot of memory, a solution was developed for this problem: some models have hybrid storage, that is, they have the SSD card and the traditional HD.

Choosing one model over the other will depend on your use of the computer. If you usually store little data on the device, an ultrabook with SSD memory is enough.

If you need to store more files it is better to bet on the hybrid solution. You can also save files in expansive memory programs like Google Drive, One Drive or Dropbox. If you can invest, buy an external hard drive.

Video card

Most models of Ultrabooks come with the video card integrated into the motherboard (onboard). This feature makes the device’s performance a little weaker in games and video applications.

If you usually use programs or heavy games, it is worth looking for a model with independent video card and dedicated memory, these devices are more rare, but you can find them.

If you prefer, you can invest in an external video card (offboard), as it has an independent processor and dedicated memory, which will result in excellent performance for your computer.

Thickness and weight

Ultrabooks up to 13.3 inches must be a maximum of 1.8 cm thick. Models with 14 inches must be up to 2.1 cm and convertible devices (which become a tablet) can be up to 2.3 cm thick.

The weight also varies according to the size of the computer, but it should not exceed 1.4 kg. The idea is that the model is ultra-thin and very light so that it fulfills the objective of being ultra portable.

Drums

An ultrabook must necessarily have a battery with at least five hours of capacity. Some models promise a battery life of up to 19 hours.

The consumption of the resource will depend on a number of factors such as its work and pace of use, but, in general, the battery consumption of an ultrabook is much lower, this is because this device operates on six levels.

• The S0 level is when the computer is on and in use;
• The S1 level has the hardware and processor running, but consumes less energy than the S0;
• The S2 level causes a loss of power by the processor and cache memory
• The S3 level loses everything except memory (stored data);
• The S4 level is when the computer goes into hibernation and is almost completely turned off (data is kept on the hard drive);
• The S5 level is when the computer is completely turned off.

Connectivity

It is essential that the computer you choose has connectivity, such as USB outputs, to external devices such as smartphones, printer, pen drive, external hard drive, mouse, a second keyboard, among others.

As a requirement of Intel, the ultrabook must necessarily have a USB output with 3.0 technology, it is 10 times more powerful than the USB 2.0 ports and is fast in transferring files between the device and the computer.