All Laptops

The Bottom Line: Sony's bold experiment--a high-end luxury system with essentially Netbook components--makes an enviable coffee shop conversation piece, but one that includes some serious sticker shock.

Specs: Intel Atom (2 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 128 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 1.6 lbs, 11.1 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS

The Bottom Line: While it's hard to argue with a $330 laptop, the old-fashioned-looking L455-S5975 cuts some serious corners to get you a package that will suit only basic users.

Specs: Intel Celeron (2.2 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 6 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS

The Bottom Line: 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 MacOS X 10.6, 4.6 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

The Bottom Line: Toshiba revives its Qosmio gaming line with the high-end X505. It has everything from Blu-ray to an Intel Core i7 CPU, but it also carries a premium price.

Specs: Intel Core i7 (1.60 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 64 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 10.1 lbs, 18.4 in TFT active matrix, RoHS

The Bottom Line: Lenovo's Windows 7 upgrade to the ThinkPad SL500 keeps the price affordable, and features a consumer-friendly 16:9 display.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 1 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 5.7 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS

The Bottom Line: HP's Mini 311 adds a larger, high-definition display and advanced graphics to a basic Netbook, while keeping the price very appealing. Once it starts shipping with Windows 7, this could become our favorite Netbook.

Specs: DDR3 SDRAM, 160 GB

The Bottom Line: If you're ready to give up your gaming desktop once and for all, consider replacing it with the Malibal Veda series laptop.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 12.6 lbs, 18.4 in TFT active matrix

The Bottom Line: 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, 3.3 lbs, 13.3 in TFT, EPA Energy Star

The Bottom Line: HP's upscale Envy 13 looks and feels like an expensive status symbol, with performance and features that impress us--but its high price makes it a tough sell over the similar-looking MacBook Pro.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.13 GHz), 3072 MB DDR II SDRAM, 250 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 3.8 lbs, 15.4 in TFT

The Bottom Line: The Viliv S7's small size and Netbook-tablet hybrid design are appealing, but its high price is illogical in a world of inexpensive portables.

Specs: Intel ATOM (1200 MHz), 1 GB DDR II SDRAM, 16 GB, 1.76 lbs