Notebook Reviews

This sharp-looking version of the popular Eee PC Netbook has more RAM and a bigger hard drive than entry-level models, but it features the same CPU and low-res display.

Samsung's solid N150 Netbook feels very roadworthy, but other Netbooks have a longer battery life.

An impressively designed surprise, the Samsung Q430-11 is a feature-packed, fast laptop that looks more expensive than it is.

The entry-level Toshiba Satellite C665-S5049 won't turn any heads with its plain looks and modest features, but it avoids any serious misstep, a statement not every ultra-affordable laptop can make.

The Toshiba Satellite A665-S6050 is a smart choice for home use thanks to its outstanding audio output, Intel Wireless Display, and roomy 16-inch display.

The Apple iPad is the first affordable tablet computer worth owning, but it won't (yet) replace your laptop.

The basic-as-it-gets MSI Wind U160-007US is a leader in battery life, but shouldn't cost $80 more than comparable systems.

The HP Pavilion dv5-2045dx is a respectable mainstream laptop, but it's only a good deal if you need Microsoft Office and antivirus software.

Anyone looking for the power of a midsize laptop in a compact 12-inch body has only a few choices, and none to date tops Lenovo's excellent ThinkPad X201.

Toshiba's Portege R series has always impressed, and the new 13-inch Portege R705 is close to a perfect balance of design, price, and performance.

With Windows 7 Professional and built-in WiMax, the Dell i14R-2265MRB is a retail laptop angling for the professional market, and as such might be a good option for a budget small-business machine.

By adding a DVD burner to its Netbook-like form factor and dual-core processor, the Gateway EC14D07u fills a need for those who can't say goodbye to physical discs, although it comes at a price that befits a full-size laptop.

Touting the Asus Eee PC 1201PN as the first next-gen Nvidia Ion Netbook is a bit misleading, since it offers single-core Atom performance, with no automatic graphics switching in an expensive package that underperforms its predecessor.

The Archos 7 Home Tablet isn't going to amaze you with its specs or features, but its low price and core Android features--Web, e-mail, media playback--make it a workable iPad alternative.

HP's latest multimedia system, the Pavilion dm4, is a powerful, slick-looking package--but some competitors in the same price range offer more features for less.

For an extreme visit into ultracustomizable large-scale gaming laptops, the Origin EON18 offers just about everything, provided you can live with an extremely large and unwieldy box.

We'd like the attractive and affordable Dell Inspiron iM501R-1212PBL more if it wasn't so slow and squeaky.

This entry-level version of the popular Eee PC Netbook, the 1001P, is just as good as slightly more expensive versions, making it a solid default choice.

The ThinkPad x100e is essentially the ThinkPad Netbook users have been dreaming of, with one of the best keyboards we've ever tested. Unfortunately, its performance, though better than that of Atom Netbooks, comes at the cost of longer battery life.

The small-business-targeted Dell Vostro 3300 is a compact, stylish-looking laptop selling at a price that's reasonable. If it had a more robust battery, this would be an excellent travel companion.

The Dell Studio s1558-5691MSL offers a little more for your money than competing laptops, though it's a bit bulky and short on battery life for a day in a backpack.

Other than some niggling design complaints, the Asus G73JH-RBBX05 is an excellent, well-priced, high-performance desktop replacement for gaming or other demanding tasks.

Toshiba's 16-inch Satellite A665-S6070 desktop replacement offers plenty of performance for just under $1,000, unfortunately wrapped in a dull plastic case.

Asus has built a solid workhorse in the 13-inch U30Jc-1A that sacrifices some portability for gaming prowess, but still has great battery life.

The Asus K501J-BBZ5 is a well-built, good-looking budget laptop with enough power for most home users; however, many would-be buyers will bemoan its lack of an HDMI port.