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.

 
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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
Dell Inspiron 14 HP Compaq 6730b Sony VAIO SR Series Dell Inspiron 15 Apple Macbook Gateway NV7802u HP ProBook 5310m HP Compaq 6535b Sony VAIO BZ Series Dell Inspiron 17
Dell Inspiron 14 HP Compaq 6730b Sony VAIO SR Series Dell Inspiron 15 Apple Macbook Gateway NV7802u HP ProBook 5310m HP Compaq 6535b Sony VAIO BZ Series Dell Inspiron 17
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Lowest Price Buy Dell Inspiron 14 14
$603.85
Buy HP Compaq 6730b 6730b
$911.87
Buy Sony VAIO SR Series VGN-SR590
$949.99
Buy Dell Inspiron 15 15
$649.99
Buy Apple Macbook
$999.99
Buy Gateway NV7802u NV7802u
$649.96
Buy HP ProBook 5310m 5310m
$699.00
Buy HP Compaq 6535b 6535b
$699.00
Buy Sony VAIO BZ Series BZ
$969.00
Buy Dell Inspiron 17 17
$449.00
 
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 Good Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
User Reviews Excellent Poor Excellent Very Good Very Good Excellent Poor Very Good Poor Poor
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
Features
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Intel Core 2 Duo T4300 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Intel Core 2 Duo AMD Turion X2 Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 Intel Core 2 Duo T6600
Memory 4 GB 2 GB 4 GB 4 GB 3 GB 4 GB 2 GB 2 GB 4 GB 4 GB
Hard Drive 320 GB 320 GB 250 GB 320 GB 250 GB 500 GB 320 GB 250 GB 320 GB 500 GB
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 1280 x 800 1280 x 800 1366 x 768 1280 x 800 1600 x 900 1366 x 768 1280 x 800 1280 x 800 1920 x 1200
Video Card Intel GMA 4500MHD Intel GMA 4500MDH Intel GMA 4500MHD Intel GMA X4500HD GeForce 9400M Intel GMA 4500MHD Intel GMA 4500MHD ATI Radeon HD 3200 Intel 4500MHD Intel GMA X4500HD
Video Memory 3 GB 3 GB 512 MB 256 MB 256 MB 1759 MB 256 MB 256 MB 1759 MB 256 MB
Battery Life 6.5 hour(s) 6 hour(s) 6.5 hour(s) 3 hour(s) 7 hour(s) 5 hour(s) 5 hour(s) 4.5 hour(s) 5 hour(s) 4.5 hour(s)
Optical Drive CD/DVD Burner DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW 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 WebCam 1.3 MP VGA Integrated 1.3 MP iSight Integrated 2.0 MP Optional Integrated 1.3 MP
Memory Card Reader 7-in-1 card reader   SD/CPRM 7-in-1 card reader   Multi-in-1 card reader SD Memory Card SD Memory Card SD Memory Card 7-in-1 card reader
Audio Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated Integrated 24 bit DAC Integrated Integrated
Depth 9.7 in 10.5 in 10.3 in 10.1 in 9.1 in 11.0 in 8.7 in 9.6 in 10.5 in 11.3 in
Energy Star 5.0 5.0   5.0 4.9 3.0 4.5   5.0  
Height 1.2 in 1.3 in 1.5 in 1.5 in 1.1 in 1.4 in 0.9 in 1.3 in 1.2 in 1.6 in
Operating System Windows 7 Premium 64bit Windows 7 Pro Windows 7 Premium 64bit Windows 7 Premium 64bit Mac OS Tiger Windows 7 Premium Windows 7 Pro Windows Vista Buisness Windows Vista Windows 7 Premium 64bit
Screen Size 14.0 in 15.4 in 13.3 in 15.6 in 13.3 in 17.3 in 13.3 in 15.4 in 15.4 in 17.3 in
Weight 5.1 lbs 5.9 lbs 4.4 lbs 5.8 lbs 4.7 lbs 7.4 lbs 3.7 lbs 5.3 lbs 5.8 lbs 8.7 lbs
Widescreen Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Width 10.1 in 14.0 in 15.1 in 14.1 in 13.0 in 18.9 in 12.9 in 13.2 in 14.3 in 15.5 in
 
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Lowest Price Buy Dell Inspiron 14 14
$603.85
Buy HP Compaq 6730b 6730b
$911.87
Buy Sony VAIO SR Series VGN-SR590
$949.99
Buy Dell Inspiron 15 15
$649.99
Buy Apple Macbook
$999.99
Buy Gateway NV7802u NV7802u
$649.96
Buy HP ProBook 5310m 5310m
$699.00
Buy HP Compaq 6535b 6535b
$699.00
Buy Sony VAIO BZ Series BZ
$969.00
Buy Dell Inspiron 17 17
$449.00
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