All Laptops

The Bottom Line: 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

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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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