Laptops

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: The HP Pavilion dv7-3065dx is a low-cost, big-screen laptop that will win you over with its Blu-ray player and pleasing design. It may lose you, however, when you hear its speakers.

Specs: AMD Turion X2 Ultra (2.4 GHz), 4 GB, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 7.7 lbs, 17.3 in TFT active matrix

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

The Bottom Line: You can find a better-designed, longer-running, Blu-ray equipped 15.6-inch for less than the HP Pavilion dv6-1375dx.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.13 MHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 6.4 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix

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

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