Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

By Hardik Singh | Updated Nov 25 2016
Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Most high-end ultrabooks have similar hardware, and similar price tags. Most of these laptops feature 13-inch displays, varying in terms of quality. This, combined with the performance aspects, make ultrabooks very different. So, to find out how different these laptop displays can be, we compared four of the top ultrabooks available today. We have with us the Acer Swift 7, Asus Zenbook 3, HP Spectre 13, and Dell XPS 13.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Acer Swift S7
Prices start at Rs. 99,999

The slimmest ultrabook available today

Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p
Processor: upto Intel Core i5-7Y75
RAM: 8GB LPDDR3
Storage: 256GB
I/O: 2 x USB Type-C, 1 x mic/headphone jack combo

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Acer Swift 7
Brightness

Here is a look at the brightness readings of the Acer Swift 7. The device has max brightness at the centre of its display, at 401 lux.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Acer Swift 7
Contrast and white point scores were taken via a Datacolor Spyder Elite. The Acer Swift 7 offers a good display, as per readings.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Asus Zenbook 3
Prices start at Rs. 113,990

It weights just 910 grams.

Display: 12.5-inch, 1080p
Processor: upto Intel Core i7-7500U
RAM: 16GB LPDDR3
Storage: 512GB
I/O: 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x mic/headphone jack combo

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Asus Zenbook 3
The Asus Zenbook 3 has better brightness scores than the Acer Swift 7, with the highest brightness point in the middle of the display.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Asus Zenbook 3
The Asus Zenbook 3 shows better scores on the Spyder Elite test, with 97% sRGB rating and better contrast ratios.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

HP Spectre 13
Prices start at Rs. 1,05,090

Thin and powerful

Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p
Processor: upto Intel Core i7-7500U
RAM: 8GB LPDDR3
Storage: 512GB
I/O: 3 x USB Type-C, 1 x mic/headphone jack combo

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

HP Spectre 13
The HP Spectre is not as bright as the Asus Zenbook 3, and only manages to score 412 lux at the centre of the display.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

HP Spectre 13
The sRGB rating on the HP Spectre comes out to be slightly better than the other two at around 98% sRGB. Also, black levels are quite good here.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Dell XPS 13
Prices start at Rs. 95.900

One of the most preferred ultrabooks

Display: 13.3-inch, upto 3200 x 1800p
Processor: upto Intel Core i7-6560U
RAM: upto 8GB LPDDR3
Storage: upto 256GB
I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x Thunderbolt 3, 1 x Display Port, 1 x mic/headphone jack combo

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 has the dimmest display among these four. At highest luminance of 385 lux, it lags somewhat behind the competition.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 boasts of 99% sRGB colour gamut, and also has good blacks and decent contrast ratio scores.

Ultrabook Comparison: Which high-end ultrabook has the best display?

Out of the four laptops we tested, the HP Spectre offers the best balance of colour gamut and contrast ratio. The blacks are also a bit better on the Spectre, than competition. The Asus Zenbook 3 comes a close second.