All Computer Systems

The Bottom Line: Acer's 11.6-inch Aspire One AO751h might usher in a new standard for Netbook sizes, but the slower-than-usual processor can lead to frustration.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.33 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 2.9 lbs, 11.6 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

The Bottom Line: As long as you won't need more than what it already has, the budget-friendly Asus K50IJ-RX05 is money well spent.

Specs: Intel Pentium (2 GHz), 3 GB DDR II SDRAM, 5.7 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

The Bottom Line: For a price just north of Netbook territory, Toshiba's chunky 15.6-inch Satellite L505D-S5965 has a solid, but uninspiring, selection of specs that at least won't hinder your basic computing needs.

Specs: AMD Athlon X2 (2.1 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 6 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

The Bottom Line: While it's hard to argue with a $350 laptop, the underpowered L305-S5955 is, basically, a Netbook in a larger case, with slightly better video playback.

Specs: Intel Celeron (2.2 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 5.5 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic

The Bottom Line: The Asus G71GX-RX05 is a solid gaming-oriented desktop replacement, but with a few shortcomings that could make or break a purchasing decision.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile (2.53 GHz), 6 GB DDR II SDRAM, 8.8 lbs, 17.1 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

The Bottom Line: You might find a better deal from Dell if you configure an Inspiron 537s online, but this retail only model has little to recommend it. From slow performance to a weak feature-set, this budget slimtower is outclassed by too many other retail desktops.

Specs: Intel Pentium E5200 (2.5 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

The Bottom Line: The Asus Essentio CM5570-AP002 isn't an overly remarkable desktop, but it has a few extra features that help it stand out. Its Wi-Fi and HDMI video out port give it some unique capabilities, and the best part is that Asus still manages to keep the price down. It's hard not to like this system, even though we wish Asus had more comprehensive support.

Specs: Intel Pentium E5300 (2.6 GHz), 6 GB DDR II SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500X, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

The Bottom Line: Digital Storm's 950Si has all the makings of a quality performance gaming system, but its value proposition comes up just a bit short. The stable-yet-aggressively overclocked CPU tells us that Digital Storm knows what it's doing, and with a more competitive price it would earn a more enthusiastic recommendation.

The Bottom Line: HP makes excellent, slick multimedia machines, such as the Pavilion dv7-2185DX, but we'd still trade its quad-core CPU for a full HD 1080p display and Blu-ray.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad (2 GHz), 6 GB, 7.7 lbs, 17.3 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

The Bottom Line: As an above-average Blu-ray-playing laptop with impressive looks and good under-the-hood power, Sony's Vaio FW480J/T is a solid portable multimedia machine.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 6 GB DDR II SDRAM, 6.9 lbs, 16.4 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Permium