(Jun 10, 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:$1,159.00 - $1,199.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best 5 laptops, Best thin and light laptops
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HP Mini 2140
HP offers a premium version of its plastic Mini 1000 while keeping the price down, making the Mini 2140 the Netbook to beat.
Buy direct from HP Small Business
Filed in: Best 5 laptops, Best Netbooks
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Asus Eee PC 1008HA
Asus reinvents its iconic Netbook with the slim, attractive Eee PC 1008HA, a bold experiment that largely works.
Price:$415.00 - $429.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best 5 laptops, Best Netbooks
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MSI X340 (black)
MSI's superslim X340 offers the slick look of a MacBook Air or Dell Adamo, but cast in plastic for about half the price.
Price:$791.78 - $884.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best 5 laptops, Best thin and light laptops
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Asus W90Vp-X1
The massive Asus W90Vp-X1 won't win any design awards, but its mobile gaming performance is tough to beat.
Price: Sorry, pricing not available
Filed in: Best 5 laptops, Best desktop replacement laptops
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