Warentest checks notebooks: good models are available from 650 euros

Ultrabooks and Convertibles
Warentest checks notebooks: Good models are available from 650 euros – but they all share one weakness

Slim, nimble and with a long runtime: Today’s notebooks no longer have much in common with the heavy, dark boxes of the past. And deliver a surprisingly balanced performance, as the current test by Stiftung Warentest shows. But there are still differences in the details. Especially in terms of display, battery and price.

This time 18 current mobile computers were tested. Twelve of them are ultrabooks that have been specially optimized for mobility and battery performance, six more can be folded into a tablet mode as convertibles and then operated with a finger or pen. It’s a shame: The recently revised MacBook Pro from Apple did not make it into the test, they should be submitted as soon as possible, promises product test. All in all, all notebooks in the test turned out “good” – even though they all share the same drawback: none of the tested devices covered themselves with fame when it came to the webcam. However, it is sufficient for the occasional video call.

Four test winners

The first place shows how good the test field is: Not one or two, but four devices land on it. The three ultrabooks Asus Zenbook 13 (UX325EA-KG221T), LG Gram (14Z90P-G.AP55G), Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 13.3 (NP935XDB-KC1DE) and the convertible Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 (NP930QDB-KF2DE) all share the test throne with an overall grade of “good” (1.7).

The main differences are in the details. Although all four models offer a lot of performance for office work, video and the like, the LG Gram, for example, does slightly worse in video games. On the other hand, it is particularly convincing in office use. And not just because, at almost 21 hours, it offers by far the longest runtime on a single charge. The Asus notebook and the classic ultrabook from Samsung, on the other hand, score with particularly good displays, but the camera is a bit weaker. The convertible, on the other hand, can play a leading role in terms of battery, camera and display, but offers the fewest connection options. When choosing, you simply have to weigh up: None of the models has any real quirks. Only the convertible sets itself apart in terms of price: While the three ultrabooks all range between 1200 and 1300 euros, the Galaxy Pro 360 is available for less than 1000 euros.

Savings tip Honor

Another device in the test is a real bargain: The Honor Magic Book 14 (53011TDG-001) is partially available from 650 euros. The placement may put you off for a moment – it is one of the worst models in the test. However, this is due to the high overall level: Despite the penultimate place, it does hardly worse than the test winners with the grade “good” (2.0). For that you have to make a few compromises. The performance is not top-notch for both video and games, but it is still good. The display also doesn’t quite come close to the front runners, and the battery performance is noticeably lower at just under ten hours. If you consider that the device costs just under half of the other models, this is manageable.

You can find the full test for a fee at test.de.

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