Find The Right Laptops

HP Pavilion dv6-1375dx

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

Toshiba Satellite A505-S6980

Good design and some really nice-sounding speakers round out the Toshiba Satellite A505-S6980, a very affordable mainstream laptop with excellent battery life for its size.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 7.2 lbs, 16 in TFT active matrix

Apple MacBook Fall 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M)

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

Asus UL30A-A1 (Core 2 Duo Su7300 1.3GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Vista Home Premium)

If you're in the market for an affordable thin-and-light, the Asus UL30A-A1 provides great value and a solid Core 2 Duo CULV processor in an attractive package.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (1300 MHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 3.7 lbs, 13.3 in TFT

Toshiba Satellite U505-S2930 (Core 2 Duo T6500 2.1GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, Vista Home Premium 64-Bit)

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

Lenovo IdeaPad U350 (4GB RAM, 320GB HDD)

If you're searching for a great-looking thin-and-light laptop at a good price, the Lenovo IdeaPad U350 bridges the gap between personal and professional and is worth checking out. But its design is more successful than its horsepower.

Specs: Intel Pentium (1.3 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 3.5 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, RoHS

Sony Vaio FW480J/T

As an above-average Blu-ray-playing laptop with impressive looks and good under-the-hood power, Sony's Vaio FW480J/T is a solid portable multimedia machine.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 6 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 400 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 6.8 lbs, 16.4 in TFT active matrix, EPEAT Silver, RoHS, EPA Energy Star

Apple MacBook Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M)

For $999, it's hard to beat this MacBook's nearly MacBook-Pro-level specs if you're in the market for a budget Apple laptop.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.13 GHz), 2048 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.5, 5.1 lbs, 13 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

HP 2133 Mini-Note PC (Via C7-M 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, 120GB HDD, Vista Home Basic)

Despite an underpowered CPU, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC offers the best balance of small size, comfort, and functionality we've seen in a mininotebook, making it fast a favorite for on-the-go use.

Specs: VIA C7-M (1.2 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, 2.6 lbs, 8.9 in TFT active matrix, EPEAT silver, EPEAT Silver

Toshiba Satellite A215-S7437

The Toshiba Satellite A215-S7437 is a well-balanced budget laptop, but we wish its battery life were longer.

Specs: AMD Turion 64 X2 mobile technology (1.9 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 200 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 5.7 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

HP Pavilion dv6205us (Core Duo 1.6GHz, 512MB RAM, 80GB HDD, Vista Home Basic)

With a bevy of entertainment features and configuration options at budget-friendly prices, the HP Pavilion dv6000 series is destined for broad appeal.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core (1.6 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 80 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, 6.2 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix

Lenovo ThinkPad R61

The IBM blueprint is still evident in the Lenovo ThinkPad R61, but the addition of a wide-screen display and all the latest Centrino Duo tricks make this a ThinkPad that could woo home users along with its legion of fans among business travelers.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 120 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Business, 5.5 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix, RoHS, EPEAT Silver, EPA Energy Star

Toshiba Satellite R15-S829 (Pentium M 735 1.7GHz, 512MB RAM, 80GB HDD, XP Tablet 2005)

This convertible laptop offers a 14.1-inch screen and a comfortable keyboard, but its supersized weight means you won't stray too far from a desk or a conference room table.

Specs: Intel Pentium M (1.7 GHz), 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB, 6.2 lbs

Sony VAIO VGN-C210E/P - Core 2 Duo T5500 1.66 GHz - 13.3" TFT

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (1.66 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 120 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 5.1 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix

Dell Vostro 1320 Laptop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 320GB/4GB)

Specs: Intel, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, with Media, 32-bit, English

SAMSUNG R620-64G Intel Core 2 Duo 16" ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 Notebook

Acer TravelMate 6493-6899 - Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4 GHz - 14.1" TFT

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 250 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Business / XP Professional downgrade, 5.5 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix

Sony VAIO VGN-AR830E - Core 2 Duo T8300 2.4 GHz - 17" TFT

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.4 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 200 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 8.4 lbs, 17 in TFT active matrix, RoHS

Lenovo IdeaPad Y450 4189 - Core 2 Duo P8700 2.53 GHz - 14" TFT

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 4.6 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS

Dell Vostro 1520 Laptop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo T6670 320GB/4GB)

Specs: Intel, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition