All Laptops

The Bottom Line: Dell's entry into the Netbook market means its 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, Mini OS powered by Ubuntu 8.04

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: 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

The Bottom Line: A total revamp of Dell's ubiquitous business laptop line, the Latitude E6400 offers Intel's latest Centrino 2 mobile platform and introduces a brushed-metal design that works at home or office, but the real highlight here is the long battery life.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2.0 GB DDR2 SDRAM, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition

The Bottom Line: We appreciate the 17-inch Qosmio X305-Q701's cool looks, low price, and great stereo sound, but just a little bit more cash can buy a laptop that's better for watching movies or gaming.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 9 lbs, 17 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

The Bottom Line: A Blu-ray drive highlights the feature-packed HP Pavilion dv5-1015nr, while subpar battery life prevents a higher rating for this 15-inch mainstream laptop.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 5.7 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

The Bottom Line: At its current discounted price, we'd be willing to overlook the HP Pavilion dv5-1004nr's below-average performance if the battery life wasn't so bad.

Specs: AMD Turion X2 Ultra mobile technology (2.1 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 5.7 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

The Bottom Line: We don't know how Gateway makes money selling these things, but the combination of high-end components and low price makes the 17-inch Gateway P-7811FX the best mobile gaming deal going right now.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 9.3 lbs, 17 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

The Bottom Line: We recommend the eye-catching, media-friendly HP Pavilion dv7-1025nr desktop replacement for students who want a laptop that doubles as an entertainment center. Gateway, however, has a slightly cheaper 17-inch model that's better suited to gamers.