All Laptops

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: 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

The Bottom Line: Reasonably priced, the Lenovo IdeaPad Y450 is a style-savvy, media-friendly laptop that unfortunately lacks gaming graphics.

Specs: Intel Pentium (2 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 4.6 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPEAT Gold, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

The Bottom Line: Reasonably priced, the Lenovo IdeaPad Y450 is a style-savvy, media-friendly laptop that unfortunately lacks gaming graphics.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 4.6 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPEAT Gold, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

The Bottom Line: Reasonably priced, the Lenovo IdeaPad Y450 is a style-savvy, media-friendly laptop that unfortunately lacks gaming graphics.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 4.6 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPEAT Gold, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition