Asus Zenbook UX31

The Asus Zenbook UX31’s brushed-aluminum body packs a solid-state drive (SSD), second-generation Intel Core i5 processor and the ability to quickly resume active mode.

As with the UX31, the Asus Zenbook UX21 boasts an SSD and an ultra-thin body. ??í

Due at the end of January, this ultrabook offers second-generation Intel Core i5 processors and six to seven hours of battery life.

This ultrabook from HP offers integrated glass components, second-generation Intel Core processors and HP wireless audio.

Toshiba’s 13-inch Portege Z830 typifies ultrabooks: it weighs less than 2.5 pounds, with a thickness of 0.63 inches, and under-the-hood features such as an SSD.

Lenovo’s ultrabook entrant is 0.6 inches thick, boots in as little as 10.5 seconds (according to the manufacturer), and offers 30 days of standby time. Like many other ultrabooks, it also includes a USB 3.0 drive.

Laptops in Acer’s Aspire S Series measure a mere 0.51 inches thick, weigh less than three pounds and will reportedly leap back from sleep in less than two seconds.

This ultrabook boasts nine-hour battery life. In addition to more powerful specs, long battery life is another ultrabook selling point.

Intel is pushing ultrabooks hard this year at CES, but it also has designs on the tablet industry, particularly in conjunction with Windows 8.

Despite the emphasis this year on all things ultrabook, netbooks—which, not too long ago, were the darlings of the PC industry—are still something of a presence on the show floor.??í