Why Buy a New Laptop Computer

Laptops are portable, they’re stylish, and let’s face it: the opposite sex will think you more sophisticated when you’re suavely tapping out your latest blog entry at the coffee shop. Okay, that’s probably not true, but they are fun to have for both work and play.

For work, traveling professionals will find that a laptop’s wi-fi can offer them the same conveniences as being in the office via virtual private networks. You can take anything you need with you, having remote accesses to your files at the office so long as you have an Internet connection. It’s all there with you, even if it annoys your significant other when you bring work home.

For play, it’s great for tuning out the latest episode of Drake and Josh that your daughter CAN’T MISS: Just pop in your favorite DVD or play some tunes while you edit your sister-in-law out of your vacation photos.

Finding the right laptop can be a daunting task given the sheer variety of model types. There are miniatures that weigh in at just over a two pounds, super-slim ultra portables that weigh closer to three, on up to heavyweights at more than eight pounds. Generally, when weight goes up, power and screen size do the same.

In this site, you'll find articles on buying laptop computers, news stories and comprehensive reviews on economy PCs that will help you make an informed decision on which laptop is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS - We do the research so you don't have to™.

What to Look for in a Laptop Computer

For checking emails, surfing the web, or typing up that short story, you can get away with less power, weight, and screen size in your laptop. Beware however, as some of these are small because of the absence of a CD-RW, DVD±R or other hardware. Also, due to having less hardware to power, battery life is significantly increased in these lightweight portables.

This is what TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate laptop computers:

  • Size: The purpose of a laptop computer is to be portable without sacrificing power. If you need something with an optical drive (CD-RW, DVD±R, etc.), a little more power and screen size, but still need a light weight machine, consider an ultra portable laptop, but remember, the smaller the package the larger the price tag.
  • Battery Life: No one likes being tethered to a wall, that's the whole reason for getting the laptop. Look for a system that can hold a charge for several hours. There is nothing worse than looking for an outlet in the middle of a project.
  • Screen Size: Typically the larger the laptop's screen size the larger the whole system. Remember, if you need a screen that rivals your desktop at home prepare to build those biceps. However, there are ultra slim laptops with 19 inch screens, but they are mighty expensive and although your computer will be lighter, so will your wallet.

So whether you need a slim ultra portable, or a desktop replacement, we’ll help you find the right laptop for your needs.

 
TopTenREVIEWS
Become A Reviewer
laptops Main Image
 

Laptop Computer Review

Mobility Equals Productivity

Become more productive by taking your digital life with you. Whether for business or leisure, laptops allow you to carry your information with you, all in a lightweight and compact design.

Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Sony NW Series Gateway NV5807u Toshiba Satellite L500 Dell Inspiron 14 Lenovo IdeaPad U350 Lenovo IdeaPad U330 Toshiba Satellite A500 HP Compaq 6730b Toshiba Satellite L450 Sony Vaio SR Series
Sony NW Series Gateway NV5807u Toshiba Satellite L500 Dell Inspiron 14 Lenovo IdeaPad U350 Lenovo IdeaPad U330 Toshiba Satellite A500 HP Compaq 6730b Toshiba Satellite L450 Sony Vaio SR Series
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Sony NW Series NW
$799.00
Buy Gateway NV5807u NV5807u
$599.00
Buy Toshiba Satellite L500 L500
$504.99
Buy Dell Inspiron 14 14
$749.00
Buy Lenovo IdeaPad U350 U350
$599.00
Buy Lenovo IdeaPad U330 U330
$649.00
Buy Toshiba Satellite A500 A500
$729.99
Buy HP Compaq 6730b 6730b
$869.00
Buy Toshiba Satellite L450 EZ1542
$629.00
Buy Sony Vaio SR Series VGN-SR590
$869.00
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Ratings
Features Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Expert Reviews Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Excellent
User Reviews Very Good Very Good Very Good Excellent Good Poor Poor Poor Poor Excellent
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots           
Features
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 Intel Pentium T4300 Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Intel Core 2 Duo SU3500 Intel Pentium T4200 Intel Core 2 Duo Intel Core 2 Duo Intel Core 2 Duo T5870 Intel pentium T4300
Memory 4 GB 4 GB 3 GB 4 GB 4 GB 2 GB 4 GB 2 GB 3 GB 2 GB
Hard Drive 320 GB 320 GB 250 GB 320 GB 320 GB 250 GB 400 GB 320 GB 320 GB 250 GB
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1366 x 768 1280 x 800 1366 x 768 1280 x 800 1366 x 768 1280 x 800
Video Card ATI Radeon HD 4570 Intel GMA 4500MHD Intel GMA 4500M Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD Intel GMA 4500M ATI Radeon HD 3450 Intel GMA 4500MHD Intel GMA 4500MDH Intel GMA 4500MHD Intel GMA 4500MHD
Video Memory 512 MB 1759 MB 128 MB 3 GB 256 MB 256 MB 256 MB 3 GB 256 MB 512 MB
Battery Life 4.5 hour(s) 5 hour(s) 5 hour(s) 6.5 hour(s) 5 hour(s) 5.5 hour(s) 4.5 hour(s) 6 hour(s) 4.5 hour(s) 6.5 hour(s)
Optical Drive DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-R CD/DVD Burner DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-R DVD+/-RW DVD+/-R DVD+/-RW
Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year
Wi-fi Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Built-in Camera Integrated Integrated   Optional 1.3 MP 1.3 MP Integrated VGA Webcam Integrated Integrated
Memory Card Reader SD Memory Card 5-in-1 card reader SD Memory Card 7-in-1 card reader 4-in-1 card reader SD Memory Card SD Memory Card   SD Memory Card SD/CPRM
Audio Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated
Depth 9.8 in 9.8 in 10.1 in 9.7 in 9.0 in 9.3 in 10.2 in 10.5 in 10.5 in 10.3 in
Energy Star 5.0    5.0 2.5 2.5 5.0 5.0 5.7  
Height 1.2 in 1.5 in 1.5 in 1.2 in 1.0 in 1.1 in 1.6 in 1.3 in 1.5 in 1.5 in
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium   Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 7 Premium 64bit Windows Vista Home Windows Vista Home Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 7 Pro Windows 7 Pro Windows 7 Premium 64bit
Screen Size 15.5 in 15.6 in 15.6 in 14.0 in 13.3 in 13.3 in 16.0 in 15.4 in 15.6 in 13.3 in
Weight 6.0 lbs 6.0 lbs 6.0 lbs 5.1 lbs 3.5 lbs 4.4 lbs 6.5 lbs 5.9 lbs 6.0 lbs 4.4 lbs
Widescreen Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Width 14.6 in 14.6 in 15.1 in 10.1 in 12.9 in 12.5 in 15.1 in 14.0 in 15.1 in 15.1 in
 
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Sony NW Series NW
$799.00
Buy Gateway NV5807u NV5807u
$599.00
Buy Toshiba Satellite L500 L500
$504.99
Buy Dell Inspiron 14 14
$749.00
Buy Lenovo IdeaPad U350 U350
$599.00
Buy Lenovo IdeaPad U330 U330
$649.00
Buy Toshiba Satellite A500 A500
$729.99
Buy HP Compaq 6730b 6730b
$869.00
Buy Toshiba Satellite L450 EZ1542
$629.00
Buy Sony Vaio SR Series VGN-SR590
$869.00
Displaying  1 to 10 of 10119
<< Previous 10
  |  Next 10>>
Review of the Sony Vaio VGN NW150J
Review of the Sony Vaio VGN...

Ask & Answer

Type your question below and put your question in front of our entire community of users and experts.

Think You're a Guru?

Answer Questions
Visit our Ask & Answer Center to answer Questions.
Ads by Google
Sponsored Ad: