(Nov 23, 2009)
Dan Ackerman
Senior Editor
Perfect for globe-trotting business types or campus-trotting students, thin-and-light laptops hit the sweet spot of portability, performance, and features. Be prepared to pay a bit of a premium for performance, but if you ask us, 13 inches is the new mainstream.
Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13-inch)
Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price.
Price: $1,149.95 - $1,199.00 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 10, 2009
Excellent
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Apple MacBook Fall 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M)
Apple's latest version of the popular $999 white MacBook gets an upscale makeover, while keeping the price the same. It's a strong alternative to the more expensive Pro line, if you can live without extras such as an SD card slot.
Price: $954.99 - $999.99 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 22, 2009
Excellent
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Toshiba Satellite T135-S1310 (red)
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: $692.00 - $749.99 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 22, 2009
Very good
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HP Envy 13
HP's upscale Envy 13 looks and feels like an expensive status symbol, with performance and features that impress us--but its high price makes it a tough sell over the similar-looking MacBook Pro.
Price: $1,699.99 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 29, 2009
Very good
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