All Laptops

The Bottom Line: Equipped with a big screen and a fast Core i7 processor, the HP Pavilion dv7-3085dx is a speedy all-around Windows 7 laptop, but in this price range we expect either Blu-ray or faster gaming graphics.

Specs: Intel Core i7 (1.6 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 7.7 lbs, 17.3 in TFT active matrix

The Bottom Line: The Dell Studio 1745-3691MBU is an excellent desktop replacement, but others include a Blu-ray drive for around the same price.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 7.7 lbs, 17.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

The Bottom Line: The Toshiba Satellite P505-S8980 boasts a huge display and a good feature set for the price, including a Blu-ray player, but we wish the build quality was a bit better.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 6 GB DDR II SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 18.4 in TFT active matrix

The Bottom Line: Packed with a great graphics card and good audio, but lacking Intel's latest Core i7 chip, the Asus G60VX-RBBX05 is a very solid all-around gaming solution for less than $1,000.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.13 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 7.3 lbs, 16 in TFT active matrix

The Bottom Line: Toshiba's basic Netbook doesn't break any new ground, but offers better battery life and a faster CPU than many in the same price range.

Specs: Atom, 1 GB, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Starter, 10.1 in TFT active matrix

The Bottom Line: HP's excellent workhorse, the Mini 110, gets a cool graphical makeover, but you can get similar components for less.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Starter, 2.6 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

The Bottom Line: The Asus 1005HA remains one of the best overall Netbooks available, but this model, even with a 3G antenna, is starting to feel a bit long in the tooth.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3, 2.4 lbs, 10.1 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

The Bottom Line: With Blu-ray playback, a large screen and decent discrete graphics, the Sony Vaio FW560F/T is a very compelling sub-$1,000 multimedia notebook.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.13 GHz), 6 GB DDR II SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 6.9 lbs, 16.4 in TFT active matrix

The Bottom Line: As long as you're not looking for extremely long battery life, the HP Pavilion dv4-2045dx is a well-rounded mainstream budget laptop with above average looks and performance.

Specs: Intel Turion II mobile processor (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 5.3 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix

The Bottom Line: The Sony Vaio VGN-NW270F/S is a low-cost, Blu-ray-equipped laptop that makes a great choice for home use and, should you be willing to tote around a 15-inch machine, a decent choice as your everyday, take-it-with-you laptop.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 6.0 lbs, 15.5 in TFT active matrix