Technology is a vital aspect of modern society. We rely on technology for everything from basic living amenities to entertainment. Through this growing dependence, technology manufacturers have gradually improved upon popular products to make them more efficient and thus, desirable. In no other industry is this concept more prevalent than in the computer industry.

Computers have gone from the clunky, slow designs from decades past to the sleek, high-performance machines that we know today. The ultrabook is among the most popular modern laptop computers that exhibits a thickness of less than 1 inch and hardware specifications that rival many expensive desktop models. However, many consumers are unable to identify which specifications are best for the specific functions that they need the computer for – in particular gaming.

Image courtesy of Dell's Official Flickr Page on Flickr
Below are a few guidelines to follow in determining which ultrabook is the best choice for gaming.
Processor (CPU)

The processor, or central processing unit, of the ultrabook is in essence the heart of the computer. This is a single chip that handles most of the processing that takes place as you use your machine. The processor fetches information from the programs or games that you run, decodes them to a language that the processor understands, then executes the program so that you can use it.

Clearly, a high-performance processor is going to ensure that programs run more smoothly, as the process of fetching, decoding and executing will be faster. Fortunately, most new ultrabooks come equipped with a lightning fast processor. However, as a rule of thumb, going for a machine with a faster processor will make for a better gaming experience overall.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

An efficient graphics processing unit is essential to modern gaming. The GPU is responsible for manipulating memory in a way that helps increase the speed in which images and graphics are built and displayed. In some designs of ultrabooks, the GPU is embedded in the motherboard whereas on other models, it is embedded in the video card. It is the consensus of hardware savvy gamers that the GPU is better utilized on a high-end video card than embedded in the motherboard.

Memory (RAM)

RAM, or random access memory, is a vital aspect to ensuring your ultrabook is efficient while gaming. The RAM allows information to be stored for quick and easy access by the CPU, ensuring that it does not have to go back to the hard disk to re-access it. This is important for gaming as it further increases the efficiency of the processor.

With all the above considered, the Dell XPS 13 is among one of the best performing gaming ultrabooks to date. Scoring high with benchmarks in both CPU performance and frames per second rendering, the XPS 13 is a proven performer for high-end gaming