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Compared to our top nine Ultrabooks, the Chillblast Helios 13.3-inch Ultrabook is the thickest available at 0.7-inches – only the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (0.73-inches) is thicker. It's two millimetres thicker than the 13-inch MacBook Air.
Spec sheet
Here is the Chillblast Helios spec sheet of the review model supplied to TechRadar:
- CPU: 2.2GHz (2.7 GHz Turbo) Intel Core i5 5200U
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5500
- RAM: 8GB DDR3
- Screen: 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS
- Storage: 250GB SSD
- Ports: 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI out, 2-in-1 card reader, Microphone jack, Headphone jack, Ethernet
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac
- Camera: 720p HD Webcam
- Battery life: 7.5 hours
- Weight: 3.1 pounds (1.4kg)
- Size: 12.7 x 8.6 x 0.7-inches (W x D x H; 325 x 219 x 18mm)
The Helios is also one of the heaviest Ultrabooks at a relatively hefty 3.1 pounds, when weighed alongside the 2.8 pound XPS 13 and the amazingly featherweight 1.87 pounds of the Lenovo LaVie Z. The Helios footprint of 12.7 x 8.6-inches, on the other hand, is about an average size for this class and will tuck very neatly into a rucksack or business case.
Display quality
The Helios and XPS 13 share several features including a 2.2GHz Intel Core i5 5200U CPU (which goes up to 2.7GHz with Turbo Boost), 8GB of RAM, 250GB SSD storage and 720p webcam.
Dell's laptop can be configured with a 3200 x 1800 UltraSharp QHD+ touch display, or a Full HD IPS display, which is matched by Helios's 1920 x 1080 16:9 IPS panel. That's still better than the display on the 13-inch MacBook Air, which suffers from a lowly 1,440 x 900 pixel-resolution and uses a cheap TN-style panel with inferior colours and viewing angles.
Bundled software
Chillblast is obviously keen to keep us all safe and healthy, with plenty of software to prepare Helios owners for journeys such as Maps and the Weather, plus tips on eating and mental exercise.
Specifically, said applications include:
- MSN Food & Drink – Recipes, shopping and meal planner
- Reading List – make a note of all those books you really should have read
- The Weather Channel – local and world weather reports
- MSN Health & Fitness – Diet and cardio tracking, workouts, foods and recipes
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