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Laptops

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A thin-and-light laptop computer offers the optimal combination of portability, performance, features, and cost. Power-tuned mobile processors deliver enough power to keep you working smoothl... Read more [+]

A thin-and-light laptop computer offers the optimal combination of portability, performance, features, and cost. Power-tuned mobile processors deliver enough power to keep you working smoothly, and unlike ultraportables, most thin-and-light laptops have a more reasonably sized keyboard and display, a larger hard drive, and a built-in optical drive. Yes, they're more expensive than slightly larger, heavier mid-size laptops, but if you need maximum productivity in a portable package, this is the best choice.

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HP Pavilion dv4-2045dx
  • Editors' rating: 3h stars
      Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
  • User rating: 2h stars out of 3 reviews
HP Pavilion dv4-2045dx Reviewed on 11/24/2009

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

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Sony VAIO VGN-NW270F/S
  • Editors' rating: 4 stars
      Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
  • User rating: 5 stars out of 3 reviews
Sony VAIO VGN-NW270F/S Reviewed on 11/24/2009

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

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Dell Inspiron i1470-3282CRD
  • Editors' rating: 3h stars
      Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
  • User rating: 5 stars out of 1 review
Dell Inspiron i1470-3282CRD Reviewed on 11/20/2009

The Bottom Line: With an ultra-low-voltage CPU, the Dell Inspiron 1470-3282 runs longer but slower than competing laptops. We're not thrilled with the performance hit, but we still found lots to like about this well-designed, 14-inch laptop.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (1.3 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 4.6 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

Asus K60IJ-RBLX05
  • Editors' rating: 3 stars
      Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
Asus K60IJ-RBLX05 Reviewed on 11/19/2009

The Bottom Line: Although the Asus K60IJ-RBLX05 is an affordable 16-inch budget laptop, it's missing the processing punch and features that can be had for just a little more money.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core (2.1 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 5.7 lbs, 16 in TFT active matrix

HP Envy 15-1050nr
  • Editors' rating: 3h stars
      Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
  • User rating: 3h stars out of 3 reviews
HP Envy 15-1050nr Reviewed on 11/19/2009

The Bottom Line: HP's new Envy 15 packs high-powered components into a svelte 15-inch body. The result is an upscale status symbol that still shows a few first-generation rough edges.

Specs: Intel Core i7 (1.6 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 5.1 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

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Asus UL50AG-RBBBK05
  • Editors' rating: 3h stars
      Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
  • User rating: 3h stars out of 1 review
Asus UL50AG-RBBBK05 Reviewed on 11/11/2009

The Bottom Line: The design and portability of the Asus UL50AG make it one of the slickest 15.6-inch DVD-drive-equipped laptops we've seen, but an ultralow-voltage processor compromises its computing power.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (1.3 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 5.1 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

Dell Inspiron i1545-4374PBU
  • Editors' rating: 3h stars
      Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
  • User rating: 4 stars out of 2 reviews
Dell Inspiron i1545-4374PBU Reviewed on 11/06/2009

The Bottom Line: The Dell Inspiron i1545-4374PBU is a good, if basic, laptop with a strong price-to-performance ratio.

Specs: Intel Pentium (2.16 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 5.7 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

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Apple MacBook Fall 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M)
  • Editors' rating: 4 stars
      Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
  • User rating: 3h stars out of 11 reviews
Apple MacBook Fall 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M) Reviewed on 10/22/2009

The Bottom Line: 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.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2048 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 250 GB, Apple Mac OS X Snow Leopard, 4.7 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix

Lenovo ThinkPad SL510
  • Editors' rating: 3h stars
      Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
  • User rating: 1h stars out of 3 reviews
Lenovo ThinkPad SL510 Reviewed on 10/16/2009

The Bottom Line: Lenovo's Windows 7 upgrade to the ThinkPad SL500 keeps the price affordable, and features a consumer-friendly 16:9 display.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 5.3 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS

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Toshiba Satellite U505-S2930 (Core 2 Duo T6500 2.1GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Vista Home Premium 64-Bit)
  • Editors' rating: 3h stars
      Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)
  • User rating: 2 stars out of 2 reviews
Toshiba Satellite U505-S2930 (Core 2 Duo T6500 2.1GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Vista Home Premium 64-Bit) Reviewed on 08/21/2009

The Bottom Line: The stylish design and high-end feel of the Toshiba U505-S2940 don't make up for mediocre ergonomics and performance that can be had for less in other laptops.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.1 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 4.9 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, RoHS

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