Asus ExpertBook Ultra

If you thought business laptops were boring, allow the ExpertBook Ultra to change your mind

- TIM DANTON

For an instant understanding of how effective Intel's latest Core Ultra chips (see p50) can be, take a look at the Asus ExpertBook Ultra. Here, it features the Core Ultra X7 358H, which despite its 16 cores is an excellent choice even for an ultraportable such as this.

That's because it offers a winning combination of uncompromising performance when plugged in and excellent battery life when on the move. The Ultra X7 358H also packs a brilliant integrated GPU, the Arc B390, which is often a match for discrete graphics chips such as the mobile RTX 4050.

The ExpertBook Ultra weighs 1kg and will take up a tiny amount of space in your bag. My only criticism from a portability point of view is that Asus hasn't switched to the latest generation of compact gallium nitride (GaN) power supplies, so you get a traditional “rat and tail” supply that weighs 400g and consumes more space than it should. Still, you can always buy a 90W GaN supply yourself for around £50.

Sleek form

Asus describes the ExpertBook Ultra as 10.9mm thin, but that isn't the whole story: it rises to 16.4mm at the rear to make space for cooling. Nevertheless, this is a skinny laptop with a compact footprint that's almost an exact match for this magazine (it's around 1cm wider, but the depth is spot on).

I don't normally talk about how a laptop feels, but I'll make an exception here as Asus has pioneered a “nano ceramic” process that adds texture to the magnesium-aluminium chassis. It's a subtle, roughened feel that reminds me of watercolour paper. It makes this laptop look and feel different from the norm, whether you buy it in white or black finishes. Asus says the process meets 9H durability standards, so it should resist scratches even after years of use. It also uses Gorilla Glass Victus to protect the screen.