Asus ExpertBook Ultra review: An impressively sleek device that amazed me with its sheer power.

      **Asus ExpertBook Ultra**

      **MSRP:** $3,599.99

      **"One of the best business laptops available."**

      **Pros:**

      - Excellent build in a sleek design

      - OLED display with anti-glare technology

      - Large and dependable trackpad

      - Strong Panther Lake performance

      - Sufficient battery life

      - Solid audio output

      **Cons:**

      - Matte coating is a downside of OLED

      - Quite pricey

      - Needs more GPU power

      **Quick Review**

      For much of the past ten years, I have found business laptops to be unexciting. Essentially, they are the beige minivans of technology—functional, dependable, yet as thrilling as a routine compliance meeting. When ASUS sent the ExpertBook Ultra (2026) my way, claiming it was an enterprise laptop, I prepared for yet another uninspired grey slab from a team unfamiliar with innovative design.

      What I received instead was a 2.4-pound magnesium-aluminum silver machine that easily passes military-grade drop tests, features a stunning 3K Tandem OLED display that effectively combats office glare, and includes Intel’s latest Panther Lake silicon, capable of running games at 1080p with minimal noise. This is a corporate laptop that unexpectedly defies the norms of dullness, and I thoroughly enjoy using it. In fact, I prefer this device over the sleek ZenBook A14 any day.

      Of course, there are sacrifices with this lightweight design. The RAM is soldered (meaning no upgrades), the trackpad can be overly responsive at times, and it’s best to keep it plugged in under heavy use. For executives, creators, or hybrid workers seeking performance and portability without the eye-catching features of gaming machines, this laptop is arguably the most appealing Windows device on the market currently. Priced around $3,600, it’s not cheap, but given the current state of the PC market, it’s frustratingly justifiable.

      **Asus ExpertBook Ultra Design and Build: An Advancement in Laptop Engineering**

      Historically, business laptops have exemplified intentional blandness. The unwritten rule was that if a device was meant for a boardroom, it had to resemble something you’d find in a filing cabinet. ASUS clearly missed that memo, as the ExpertBook Ultra is a rare enterprise laptop that I genuinely enjoy carrying.

      I carry it around like a diary, appreciating its compact feel.

      The chassis is made from an aerospace-grade magnesium-aluminum alloy, weighing between an astonishing 0.99kg and 1.11kg depending on the configuration. To put it simply, this is a laptop you can easily toss into a tote bag and forget about until you need it. At its thinnest point, it measures just 10.9mm—dimensions that previously entailed sacrificing ports you care about. Thankfully, that’s not the case here, but more on that later.

      What surprises me is that this lightweight construction doesn’t compromise durability. The ExpertBook Ultra boasts MIL-STD-810H certification, meaning it has undergone rigorous testing involving drops, shocks, freezing, and baking, which many high-end consumer ultrabooks would fail. The essence of the ExpertBook P1 has been successfully incorporated into this model.

      While I didn’t drop it down a flight of stairs, its design inspires confidence, allowing you to stop treating it delicately and start using it as the tool it was made to be. I placed it in a crowded backpack alongside a water bottle and keys without the typical anxiety that often accompanies an expensive laptop, and that sense of security is more valuable than any specifications listed.

      It’s genuinely that light and thin.

      This combination is quite rare. Many laptops are light or rugged, but very few achieve both without becoming thicker or turning into creaky, hollow shells that flex under pressure. ASUS has accomplished this balance here, and the longer I used the device, the more I admired the restraint it took to achieve.

      One design decision I wish other manufacturers would adopt immediately is the coating. ASUS has named it "nano-ceramic" or Ceraluminum, and it's the best solution I’ve seen to a longstanding problem with laptops—grimy fingerprints and unsightly smudges. Regular brushed metal becomes a fingerprint mess within minutes of use. This matte, subtly textured surface refuses to hold on to oils, smudges, or minor scratches that would age a new laptop prematurely.

      Whether you choose the stealthy Jet Fog black or the understated Morn Grey, this machine maintains a clean, professional appearance, regardless of how many airport lounges it visits. I tested the Morn Grey variant, and it is simply breathtaking. The durability is noteworthy.

      The keyboard deck shows virtually no flex, even when typing vigorously. However, it's only fair to mention some minor issues. There’s slight flex in the ultra-slim display lid when twisted at the corners. Luckily, the hinge is robust, although I wish it provided a touch more