Find The Right Laptops

Acer Aspire 5735-4624

A mainstream laptop at a Netbook price, the Acer Aspire 5735 provides the basics plus a movie-friendly 16:9 aspect display.

Toshiba Qosmio G55-Q802

Toshiba's Qosmio G55-Q802 adds some dubiously useful gesture control gimmicks, but the real promise is in speedy video transcoding--as long as you use the right software.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 10.8 lbs, 18.4 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32/64 bits)

HP Compaq CQ50-215NR

Despite its upscale looks, the 15.4-inch Compaq Presario CQ50-215nr is marred by pokey performance and abbreviated battery life.

Lenovo ThinkPad SL400

Lenovo didn't shed too many features in rolling out its cheapest ThinkPad to date, the 14-inch SL400. Don't let the glossy lid fool you, there are a lot of familiar ThinkPad touches that make it a good bet for business users.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 5.5 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows Vista Business

Dell Inspiron 1525-139B

The Dell Inspiron 1525-139B is a classic midsize, mainstream laptop, but this specific retail-only configuration has a wimpier battery than its predecessor.

Toshiba Satellite Pro U400-S1001V

Double down on the memory and the 13-inch Toshiba Satellite U400-S1001X becomes a well-rounded laptop that will withstand the rigors of business travel.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.1 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 4.4 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, Microsoft Windows Vista Business / XP Professional downgrade

Toshiba Satellite Pro U400-S1001X

Double down on the memory and the 13-inch Toshiba Satellite U400-S1001X becomes a well-rounded laptop that will withstand the rigors of business travel.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.1 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 4.4 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 - 42312DU (Red)

Lenovo's "me, too!" entry in the Netbook sweepstakes, the IdeaPad S10, gets the price and features right, but falls behind on battery life.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 2.6 lbs, 10.2 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 - 42312BU (Black)

Lenovo's "me, too!" entry in the Netbook sweepstakes, the IdeaPad S10, gets the price and features right, but falls behind on battery life.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 2.6 lbs, 10.2 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Lenovo IdeaPad S10 - 42312CU (White)

Lenovo's "me, too!" entry in the Netbook sweepstakes, the IdeaPad S10, gets the price and features right, but falls behind on battery life.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 2.6 lbs, 10.2 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Asus G50V-A2

The affordable, gaming-oriented Asus G50V delivers playable frame rates in a portable, 15.4-inch case. If not for a 17-inch gamer from Gateway, we'd say this Asus laptop is an unbeatable value.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 6.2 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

Asus G50V-A1

The affordable, gaming-oriented Asus G50V delivers playable frame rates in a portable, 15.4-inch case. If not for a 17-inch gamer from Gateway, we'd say this Asus laptop is an unbeatable value.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 6.2 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

Lenovo ThinkPad X301

The 13.3-inch ThinkPad X301 offers all the benefits of its predecessor, plus better performance. It's pricey, but worth the expense for highly mobile users seeking a thorough feature set in a sleek, lightweight case.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (1.4 GHz), 2.0 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 3.2 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, Vista Business

HP HDX18

HP already makes some of the best multimedia laptops, and trading up to a true 16:9 18-inch display makes for an impressive semiportable home theater in the form of the HP HDX18.

Alienware Area-51 m17x

If you're looking to drop some major change on a show-off gaming laptop, it's hard to do better than the Alienware Area-51 m17x, a mean-looking, high-performance black slab.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.1 GHz), 1 GB DDR II SDRAM, 10.5 lbs, 17 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP 1

Asus Eee PC 1000 (black)

The Asus Eee PC 1000's 10-inch screen walks a fine line between Netbook and regular laptop, but the higher price may drive away value-seeking consumers.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 2.9 lbs, 10 in TFT active matrix, Linux

Dell Inspiron Mini 9

Dell's entry into the Netbook market means it's time to take these low-cost, low-power PCs seriously. The Inspiron Mini 9 is an excellent example of the form, if not radically different from the competition.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 8.9, Ubuntu Linux version 8.0.4

Fujitsu LifeBook T1010

With the LifeBook T1010, Fujitsu adds tablet functionality to an otherwise typical 13.3-inch laptop. It's a good choice for students and executives who prefer to take handwritten notes on the run.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, Mobile Intel GM45 Express

Fujitsu LifeBook A6210 (2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8400)

Though it's slightly bulky for a midsize laptop, the feature-packed Fujitsu LifeBook A6210 does double duty as both a computer and a portable Blu-ray player.

Specs: Intel (2.26 GHz), 3 GB DDR II SDRAM

Dell XPS M1330-126B

Dell offers a suitable competitor to the 13-inch Apple MacBook in its XPS 1330, but we wish this retail version had some more recent components.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 4.4 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, Vista Home Premium