(Oct 30, 2009)
Dan Ackerman
Senior Editor
The most common question we get around here is simple: "What laptop should I buy?" Being a generally difficult person by nature, I usually respond with my own series of questions: "What size screen do you want? How much do you want to spend?" and so on. But sometimes people just want a simple suggestion, based on what I actually like. So, here is a jargon-free list of the current crop of laptops that I'm digging, either because they give you good bang for your buck, they excel in their specific category, or because they just plain rock.
Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13-inch)
Previously known as the MacBook, the basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series. In addition to all-metal construction and GeForce 9400M graphics, the 13-inch Pro regains a FireWire port, and adds an SD slot.
Price:$1,149.00 - $1,199.00 (check prices)
Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best thin and light laptops
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HP Mini 311
HP's Mini 311 adds a larger, high-definition display and advanced graphics to a basic Netbook, while keeping the price very appealing. Once it starts shipping with Windows 7, this could become our favorite Netbook.
Price:$399.99 - $399.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best Netbooks
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HP Mini 5101
HP's biz-minded Mini 5101 is a successor to the Mini 2140 (one of our all-time favorite Netbooks). It looks and feels great, but for a premium-price Netbook, we expect to get more features, not fewer.
Price:$416.25 - $449.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best Netbooks
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Asus UL30A-A1
If you're in the market for an affordable thin-and-light, the Asus UL30A-A1 provides great value and a solid Core 2 Duo CULV processor in an attractive package.
Price:$809.99 - $809.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best thin and light laptops
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Toshiba Satellite T135-S1310
Toshiba's slick entry into the thin-and-light laptop world is timed for Windows 7, but if you're going to get one, make sure it's the dual-core T135-S1310, and not its single-core cousin.
Price:$681.00 - $749.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best 5 laptops , Best thin and light laptops
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