ASUS G1 (Core 2 Duo 2GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD)

Pros: one of the best over all preformance laptops available @ 15.4' screen as of this moment.

Cons: obviously will not compete with 17" models.

Summary: This is not a criticism on the Asus G1 more so than it is a criticism of cnet reviews. I don't understand how they keep grading laptops based on superficial evidence instead of price/performance/capabilities in comparison to the products respected market. The G1 should only be compared to other laptops of similar builds as others have stated. Compare it to one of cnet's top mainstream laptops at 15.4", the velocity micro, and there's almost no mystery why many would prefer the G1. Since the g1 preforms better in 3d intensive tasks and is nearly 900$ cheaper.
But cnet negates this fact -- and this is not the only example. almost all their laptop reviews compare machines of different genres. Not all laptops should be compared to a dell XPS; and just because a system that costs 1700$ does not preform as well as another that costs nearly 3000$ does not mean it's scored as such.

That being said, if anyone wants to get real, uninhibited information regarding notebooks, just go to a site that gets down to the "nitty gritty" like www.notebookreview.com, or notebookforums.com -- Because c-net just seems like a tech-pop buzz-inducing site that lacks any kind of real depth.