Due to the same reasons, the Microsoft Surface Pro is often compared to a variety of products including tablets, ultrabooks and hybrids. For instance, the device from Microsoft is usually pitted against the Apple iPad and the MacBook Air simultaneously. At alaTest, we will do a comparative analysis of three gadgets – Microsoft Surface Pro, MacBook Air and Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13.

1. Microsoft Surface Pro – Once you examine the specs of Surface Pro, you will be more inclined to slot it among ultrabooks. It ships with a dual core, 1.7GHz Intel i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and 10.6-inch display. Additionally, it also has a few USB 3.0 ports along with a micro-SDXC slot. It weighs close to 2 pounds which is a tad bit heavy for a regular tablet. At the same time, it is lighter than any ultrabook on the market. All in all, the Microsoft Surface Pro makes for a powerful ultrabook(when used with a portable keypad) with a high quality processor. It is ideal for frequent flyers who want to get some business done while travelling. It could also double up as a tablet with a touch screen if you are comfortable with the weight and the size.

2. MacBook Air - The Microsoft Surface Pro is often compared to MacBook Air as both of them have very similar specifications. The Surface Pro can be easily used as an ultrabook by attaching a portable keyboard. Both the Surface Pro and MacBook Air have the same processor specs i.e. dual core Intel i5 1.7GHz and both of them come with 4GB RAM. MacBook has a bigger display and it is also slightly heavier than Surface Pro. The major difference boils down to the operating system – Windows 8 versus iOS. In terms of performance, there isn’t a lot separating the two and the choice comes down to personal preferences.

3. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 - The Lenovo IdeaPad is a hybrid which promises to give you the best of both the worlds i.e. a tablet and an ultrabook. The Lenovo hybrid boasts of a 360 degree hinge feature, using which, you can convert it from a laptop to a touch-friendly tablet. It ships with an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM and 128GB storage space. The hybrid promises to give you a high quality experience, both as a tablet as an ultrabook. Just like the Surface Pro, Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 runs on Windows 8 but the former has a stronger processor. However, Lenovo’s battery life is comparatively better than Surface Pro. Clearly then, the differences are minor and you will have to make a choice based on your priorities.

MacBook Air is undoubtedly the pioneer of this niche. In fact, one can even go to the extent of saying that ultrabooks are modeled on the prototype established by MacBook Air. Over time, all major gadget companies have come up with state of the art ultrabooks making way for intense competition in the market. Rumor has it that Intel has invested $300m million in developing this category. The way things are going, ultrabooks might just replace laptops entirely in the near future.

At alaTest, we have put together a list of the best ultrabooks launched in the year 2012.

1. Acer Aspire S5- As of now, this ultrabook from Acer is one of the slimmest ultrabooks in the market. It is only 15mm thick and it weighs a mere 1.2 kgs. Simultaneously, it comes with several “ultra abilities” as well; it is powered by 1.9 GHz Intel Core i7 and 500 GB RAM, USB 3.O and HDMI. The CPU performance is great, the keyboard is comfortable to use and it is a treat for the eyes. On the flip side, physical durability of the Magic Flip feature is somewhat suspect.

2. Sony Vaio T13- Sony took quite a while to enter the ultrabook niche. Having said that, the wait was quite worth it since Sony Vaio T13 successfully packs performance with portability. At 1.6 kgs and 17.8 mm thickness, Vaio T13 is definitely not the slimmest or prettiest ultrabooks around. However, it is very competitive for its price. It comes with a 1.4-1.7 GHz Intel i3 or i5 processor and 4 GB memory storage. Even as the ultrabook is strong and durable, there are a few problem areas in the form of battery life and performance.

3. Samsung Series 9- Samsung Series 9 ultrabooks were some of the earliest to hit the market and therefore, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to state that they became the face of ultrabooks in the initial stages. The latest Samsung Series 9 900X3B weighs 1.2 kgs and thickness is just about 13.3 inches. On the technical front, the ultrabooks of this series boast of 1.4-1.7 GHz Intel Core i5 or i7 processor. The performance is not compromised due to the light weight of the ultrabooks. At the same time, these ultrabooks are physically resilient and durable.

4. Lenovo Idea Pad U510- If one were to go strictly by first appearances, Lenovo Idea Pad U510 might not even qualify as an ultrabook. At 2.2 kgs, it is almost a kilogram heavier than other ultrabooks and its thickness is also on the higher side(21mm). Lenovo has taken a different approach altogether as it is focusing on offering the positive features of a laptop even if this means a little more weight. On the bright side, you get better performance and higher battery life and it is still lighter than an average laptop. Additionally, you can also play DVD and Blu Rays, a feature usually absent in lighter ultrabooks.

We are giving you a list of the best laptop alternatives for working on the go:

1. Samsung Galaxy Note- Commonly known as a phablet, the Samsung Galaxy Note remains a class apart in terms of features and performance. Now, if you are looking to do some serious typing, this might not be the ideal laptop alternative for you. However, if you simply want to read something or a watch a movie or browse the internet, the Galaxy Note can be a perfect little replacement for a heavy, bulky laptop. It comes with a 5.3 inch HD screen, a Stylus pen and is powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread. The large screen coupled with the pen feature ensures that you navigate things smoothly.

2. Apple iPad 3- We could have chosen any other tablet but we are going for the finesse offered by the iOS. Quite clearly, in terms of a laptop alternative, the iPad has more functional value as compared to a smartphone. It comes with a larger screen, a more powerful operating system and a wider range of features. Again, a lot depends on what you are looking to achieve with your laptop alternative. Having said that, the Apple iPad 3 will not disappoint you as long as your expectations are not extremely hard core.

3. Acer Aspire S5- The crucial difference between an ultrabook and a laptop is the weight. An ultrabook is significantly lighter than a laptop even as it offers similar performance. The Acer Aspire S5 is even lighter and thinner than the MacBook Air which is often considered the pioneer of this category. This promising ultrabook is power packed with Intel Core i7 1.9 GHz processor and 4GB memory. The only problem is the slightly high price.

4. Toshiba NB550D- Finally, if you are looking for something even smaller than an ultrabook, a netbook might be ideal for you. The reduced size comes at a price though as the configurations are not comparable to an ultrabook. The Toshiba NB550D comes with a 1 GHz processor and 250 GB hard drive. Normally, netbooks don’t boast of quality video or audio output even as they have a pretty impressive battery life. However, this Toshiba netbook has managed to go past these shortcomings. For a netbook, it delivers quite incredibly.

Asus Zenbook UX31

Of all of the laptops on alaTest, the Zenbook is ranked number one, and it’s an ultrabook. The UX31 is the 13.3” variant of the Zenbook and features a design that is just as thin as the MacBook Air and every bit as stylish. Its 128GB and 256GB Solid State Drive options are fairly common among ultrabooks, but USB 3.0, Micro HDMI, and Mini-VGA ports are a bit more rare. It also features a Core i5 or i7 CPU, depending on model and a 1600×900 resolution display. Even though it bests Apple’s offerings in performance, it actually costs a bit less. It’s an excellent balance of style, performance, and price.

Apple MacBook Air (2012)

One could argue that the MacBook Air was the first practical ultrabook to hit the market. At the start, it was a bit under powered to be of considerable use, but a lot has changed since then. Available in 11.6 and 13.3-inch configurations, the current MacBook Air features a Core i5 or i7 processor and 1366×768 or 1440×900 resolution display. Its only real deterrent is its price, starting at $999 and reaching $1599. Other similarly spec’d ultrabooks are considerably cheaper; however, if you prefer OSX, the MacBook Air is your only real option.

Samsung Series 9

The Series 9 is very similar to the Zenbook in that it features a 13.3-inch 1600×900 resolution display, Core i5 processor, USB 3.0, and Micro HDMI; however, it is a bit more expensive. In fact, apart from the higher resolution display and USB 3.0, the same specs in a MacBook Air would cost you less. Where the Series 9 impresses is with its display, illuminated keyboard, and surprisingly good sound system. Its battery life is also quite commendable, and out of these top 4 Ultrabooks, it’s also the thinnest (in case that sort of thing matters to you). It’s quite stylish as well.

Acer Aspire S3

Acer has been in the ultra-portable game for a while, and the Aspire S3 is probably one if its best ultrabooks to date. Like the others, you get a super thin, super portable laptop with Core i5 processor and 13.3-inch display. The Aspire S3’s display is a bit weaker than the competition with a resolution of just 1366×768, and you don’t get things like USB 3.0; however, it has a few benefits that really do turn the tables in its favor. For starters, it has a full-sized HDMI port, so no adapters necessary. It also has a 320GB hard drive, which is considerably more storage than the others. To keep things peppy, it has a 20GB SSD as well. Perhaps most impressive is its price. It’s actually one of the most affordable ultrabooks on the market, available for less than $900.

So why are these little guys so popular? Well up until now, ultrabooks had always been a bit short on the performance side, but today’s offerings, such as these four, can actually keep up with similarly priced full-sized notebooks. On the downside, you’re generally going to have to part with things like ample storage space and other luxuries (a DVD drive, for example), but if you want solid performance in a lightweight package, an ultrabook might be the perfect choice.

1: Asus Zenbook UX31

The Zenbook UX31E is considered an Ultrabook (aka an Ultra-Portable Notebook), and it is a direct competitor to the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air. Compared to the Air, the UX31E is just as thin, features the same Core i5 processor (or optional Core i7), same SSD storage, and same 4GB of RAM. Yet, the UX31E has a higher resolution screen, HDMI output, and USB 3.0, all while costing about $100 less than the MacBook Air. Oh, and did we mention it looks very chic with its aluminum chassis. We’re not surprised it took the Air’s #1 spot on our board.

2: Asus G74SX

Yup, another Asus, this time of the gaming variety. The G74SX weighs in at roughly $1650, depending on configuration. This usually includes the top-end Core i7 processor, 12GB of RAM, 1.5TB of storage, and the performance-packed Nvidia GTX 560m graphics chip. Even though the 560m isn’t the fastest video card on the market, the G74SX’s high-end components and 1080p display make for an excellent cost-to-performance ratio at its current price. It has a pretty bulky chassis, but that’s something most mobile gamers are used to.

3: Acer Aspire S3

The Aspire S3 is another MacBook Air competitor. Unlike the Zenbook which tries to surpass the Air in every way, the S3 looks to appeal to people’s wallets. At just $799, the S3 comes it at a third cheaper than Apple’s cheapest 13-inch MacBook Air; however, the Aspire S3 does this by using many of the same components found in Apple’s $999 11.6-inch model.  It sacrifices a bit in display resolution and build quality, and you don’t quite get that SSD storage performance. Still, other than that, it offers very nearly the same performance and form factor, and the price tag is hard to argue with.

4: Dell XPS 15

Until recently, the XPS 15 held the #1 (and occasionally #2) spot on our list for over a year. It’s actually quite surprising that it has dropped so far. Still, 4^th is quite respectable, and the XPS 15 still offers a heap of performance as well as customizability at relatively good prices. Starting at $999, you can get a very capable Core i5 based system; however, in the $1500 range, you can get features such as an industry leading 1080p display and Core i7 processor. Dell’s prices are slightly higher than similar offerings from Acer and Asus (likely why they have surpassed it), but the quality does speak for itself.

5: Asus N55SF

For those looking for a laptop that can do just about anything without breaking the bank, the N55SF-DH71 is by far one of the best choices, costing about $1200. It features a Core i7 processor along with 8GB of RAM, so you’ll never be lacking in terms of performance. Its 16-inch display is neither too small nor too big and sports an agreeable 1080p resolution (great for watching Blu-rays with its included Blu-ray drive). And for the PC gamers, its Nvidia GT 555m can handle most high-end games with the settings maxed. At 1.5-inches thick, it’s a tad on the bulky side, but not unreasonably so.