For years, the ASUS ExpertBook line was the equivalent of a well-tailored suit: dependable, professional, and slightly invisible. It was the B2B darling that lived in corporate IT closets alongside Lenovo ThinkPads and Dell Vostros. But in 2026, ASUS decided the suit needed to be made of carbon-fiber weave and lined with neon.
The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra (2026) is no longer just a “work laptop.” It is a high-performance statement piece. Its top model comes featuring the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H and a Tandem OLED, and after putting it through its paces, it’s clear that ASUS is no longer just competing with Dell; they’re even hunting MacBooks.
Table of Contents
A Business Suit That Hits the Gym Too
There’s a clear shift in how premium business laptops are evolving, and the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra is a perfect example of that change. Traditionally, the ExpertBook lineup has been all about function over form, but not the ExpertBook Ultra. This one is clearly designed for professionals who care about aesthetics just as much as performance.
It feels incredibly robust, almost over-engineered in the best possible way. It’s built using technical alloys and features a refined aluminum finish that manages to feel both premium and durable. At roughly 1.1 kilograms, it’s shockingly light for something that feels this sturdy. Picking it up almost creates a disconnect between expectation and reality, because the weight suggests ultrabook fragility, but the build screams tank-like reliability.
The surface treatment deserves a special mention because it quietly fixes one of the most annoying problems with premium laptops. Unlike many glossy ultrabooks that turn into fingerprint magnets within minutes, the Ceraluminum finish on this stays impressively clean. It’s easy to wipe down, resists smudges, and just looks professional all the time.
Add to that a generous selection of ports, including USB-A, dual USB-C, HDMI, and a headphone jack, and it becomes clear that ASUS is trying to blend practicality with luxury. Even the unboxing experience feels considered, with a bundled sleeve and USB-to-Ethernet dongle completing the package.
The Screen That Hates Reflections
The display on the ExpertBook Ultra might just be its biggest talking point, and for good reason. ASUS has equipped it with a flagship Tandem OLED panel and then done something unexpected by pairing it with Corning Gorilla Matte coating. On paper, that sounds like a compromise. In practice, it feels like a revelation.
Using this laptop in bright environments is a completely different experience compared to traditional OLED panels. Whether sitting near a window or working under harsh office lighting, reflections are almost nonexistent. This is where most premium laptops tend to struggle with their glossy finishes. The ExpertBook Ultra simply doesn’t play that game. It prioritizes usability over showroom shine, and it pays off beautifully in real-world usage.
Of course, there is a trade-off, and it’s one that becomes noticeable when watching darker content. Because of the matte layer, blacks don’t appear as inky as they would on a glossy OLED. Instead, they lean slightly toward very dark gray. It’s subtle, but if cinematic viewing is the top priority, it’s something to keep in mind. That said, for productivity, which is what this machine is built for, this display is easily among the best out there.
Color accuracy remains excellent, brightness levels are impressive, and the 120Hz refresh rate adds a smoothness that enhances everything from scrolling to multitasking. The addition of Gorilla Glass Victus also ensures durability, making this not just a great display but a practical one too.
Speakers That Mean Business
Audio is usually an afterthought on business laptops, but not here. The ExpertBook Ultra actually shows up with intent. The speakers are rich, clear, and surprisingly punchy for something this slim. Vocals sound crisp, instruments don’t get muddled, and there’s enough depth to enjoy music or videos without reaching for headphones. Even better, it holds its composure at higher volumes. No crackling, no chaos, just clean, confident sound.
That said, when compared directly to something like the Dell XPS 14, there is a slight difference. The XPS manages a wider soundstage and slightly louder output. But the gap isn’t massive, and in everyday usage, the ExpertBook Ultra still feels premium. For conference calls, media consumption, or even casual listening, it performs far better than what most users would expect from a business-first machine.
Typing, Clicking, and Everything in Between
The keyboard and touchpad experience here is where ASUS really flexes its understanding of what professionals need. The keyboard feels instantly comfortable, with just the right amount of key travel and feedback. It’s one of those setups where typing feels natural within minutes, and long sessions don’t lead to fatigue.
The layout is also thoughtfully designed. It comes with a 1.5mm travel with a 0.1mm “dish” for fingertip comfort. There’s also a physical function row and a dedicated fingerprint reader/power button. The white backlighting is evenly distributed and easy on the eyes, making it practical for low-light environments without being distracting, even on the “Morn Grey” finish that we have with us. That said, of course, the legibility would be better on the darker “Jet Fog” colorway.
Then there’s the touchpad, which is easily one of the best in its class. It’s large, made of glass, and features excellent haptic feedback that feels precise and consistent. Palm rejection works flawlessly, and gestures are smooth and responsive. In fact, it comes very close to, and in some cases even surpasses, the experience offered by the MacBook touchpad, which is high praise.
The only minor gripe is a slightly sharp edge at the bottom where the glass meets the chassis. It’s something that can be noticed initially, but it quickly fades into the background as muscle memory kicks in. Overall, this is a top-tier input experience that matches the premium positioning of the device.
Tiny Machine, Serious Muscle
Under the hood, the ExpertBook Ultra is powered by the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor, part of Intel’s newer Panther Lake lineup. Paired with 64GB of RAM and a blazing-fast 2TB Gen 5 SSD, this is not your typical ultrabook setup. It’s closer to what one would expect from a high-end workstation, just packed into a much smaller form factor.
Performance across benchmarks and real-world tasks is consistently impressive. Multitasking feels effortless, heavy applications run smoothly, and even demanding workloads don’t seem to slow it down.
To give you a sense of comparison, I compared it to the Dell XPS 14, which we reviewed recently, which also comes with the same CPU package. As you can see, the ExpertBook Ultra often pulls ahead, largely thanks to its higher memory capacity and faster storage.
| Model Number | Dell XPS 14 | ASUS ExpertBook Ultra |
| Cinebench 2026 MT | 3028 | 4246 |
| Cinebench 2026 ST | 482 | 506 |
| Cinebench R24 MT | 755 | 1052 |
| Cinebench R24 ST | 118 | 123 |
| Cinebench R23 MT | 12500 | 17199 |
| Cinebench R23 ST | 2008 | 2088 |
| PCMark 10 | 10365 | 10105 |
| PCMark 10 Extended | 10487 | 10916 |
| CrossMark - Overall | 2204 | 2175 |
| Geek Bench 6 ST | 2862 | 2838 |
| Geek Bench 6 MT | 16438 | 15904 |
| Geek Bench OpenCL | 55943 | 53835 |
| Geek Bench Vulcan | 61421 | 56701 |
| 3DMark Time Spy Extreme | 2362 | 3200 |
| 3DMark Time Spy | 5821 | 6838 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra | 3283 | 3356 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme | 5849 | 6150 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike | 11081 | 13227 |
| 3DMark Night Raid | 36031 | 47360 |
| Puget benchmark - DaVinci Resolve | 2946 | 3876 |
Thermals are equally impressive. Despite its slim profile, the laptop manages heat exceptionally well. The keyboard deck stays cool even under load, and the system remains quiet for the most part. Peak temperatures hover around the mid to high 80s, which is quite respectable for a machine this thin. Additionally, there's also a whisper mode available through the MyASUS app, which further reduces noise for quieter environments. It's a thoughtful addition for those who work in shared spaces or need minimal distractions.
Battery That Keeps Up With You
Battery life is another area where the ExpertBook Ultra holds its own quite well. With a 70Wh battery inside, it manages to deliver strong endurance for a high-performance ultrabook. In controlled tests like the PCMark 10 video loop, it lasts close to 14 hours, which is impressive given the hardware on offer.
In real-world usage, it comfortably gets through a full workday without needing a charge. That includes a mix of browsing, document editing, video calls, and occasional media consumption. It's not the absolute best in the segment, especially when compared to some ARM-based machines, but it strikes a very good balance between performance and efficiency.
Charging is fast and convenient thanks to the included 90W USB-C PD charger. Going from zero to 50 percent in around 30 minutes makes it easy to top up during short breaks. One thing I want to stress here is the fact that since you get USB-C ports on either side, you can easily charge it without having to juggle for ports.
Verdict: Premium Price, Premium Problems?
At a starting price of Rs. 2,39,990 and stretching up to Rs. 3,49,990 for this maxed-out variant, the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra is playing in serious luxury territory. This is a segment ruled by legacy heavyweights and strong brand pull, and ASUS is clearly aiming to earn its seat at that table. Yes, it looks expensive next to something like the Dell XPS 14, but the spec sheet tells a different story. You're getting double the RAM, double the storage, cutting-edge Gen 5 speeds, stronger thermals, and that genuinely game-changing matte OLED display. It's not just a business laptop anymore; it's a business laptop that decided to glow up.
That said, it's not trying to be perfect, and it shows in small ways. The display trades a bit of cinematic punch for real-world usability, and the price is undeniably steep. But the bigger hurdle isn't hardware, it's perception. Apple and Dell have spent years building aspirational value in this space, and ASUS is still knocking on that door. The ExpertBook Ultra has all the right ingredients, but it needs buyers willing to look beyond the logo.
In the end, this is a machine for someone who values substance over status. It's for the professional who wants serious power in a ridiculously portable form, without compromising on the experience. If the badge matters less than what's inside, this one absolutely delivers.
Editor's Rating: 9.3 / 10
Pros:
- Stunning matte OLED panel
- Premium lightweight yet durable build
- Excellent keyboard and haptic touchpad
- Exceptional performance for an ultralight laptop
Cons:
- Matte finish reduces OLED's cinematic feel
- Brand perception is still catching up
Asus ExpertBook B9406CAA-TH0934WS Laptop (Core Ultra X7/64 GB/2 TB SSD/Windows 11) Images
