All Laptops

The Bottom Line: The Samsung NC10 is a completely average Netbook in every way, but we like its keyboard and love its long-running battery.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1.6 GHz, 1 GB, 2.8 lbs, 10.2 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

The Bottom Line: The Samsung NC10 is a completely average Netbook in every way, but we like its keyboard and love its long-running battery.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1.6 GHz, 1 GB, 2.8 lbs, 10.2 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

The Bottom Line: If you want a thin-and-light 14-inch laptop or just love the distinctive look, the Samsung X460 is an impressive piece of hardware, but you'll find better value elsewhere.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2.26 GHz, 3 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 4 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Business

The Bottom Line: The ZT Affinity N4004i offers decent performance and great battery life, but it can't compete with the superior build quality found on competing mainstream laptops from big names such as Dell, Gateway, HP, and Toshiba.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 5.5 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

The Bottom Line: Though its subdued design may strike some as square, but the midsize Lenovo IdeaPad Y530 delivers a decent media experience for less than $1,000.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 2 GHz, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 6.6 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

The Bottom Line: It may look like your standard Netbook, but the Asus N10J is unique because underneath it features discrete, switchable graphics. You'll pay a bit more for the privilege, but the end result works for gaming on the go, as long as you don't mind dialing down your game settings.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1.6 GHz, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 3.5 lbs, 10.2 in TFT active matrix, EPEAT Gold, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium

The Bottom Line: With an HD-friendly 16-inch screen, beautiful design, and dedicated graphics, the affordably priced Gateway MC7803u makes an excellent portable entertainment center, provided your HD content is not on a Blu-ray Disc.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 2 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 7.7 lbs, 16 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

The Bottom Line: The reasonably priced, attractively designed Gateway M-7818u is a solid all-around 15.4-inch laptop for students and home users.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 2 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 6.4 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

The Bottom Line: Two hours of battery life is simply not enough for the otherwise unobjectionable and basic Averatec Buddy Netbook.

Specs: Intel Atom (1.6 GHz), 1.6 GHz, 1024 MB DDR II SDRAM, 2.65 lbs, 10.2 in TFT active matrix, Windows XP Home Edition

The Bottom Line: The 14.1-inch Toshiba Satellite E105 is a solid all-around laptop that delivers on Best Buy's Blue Label promises: longer battery life, lightweight design, and lengthy warranty.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2.26 GHz, 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 5.1 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver, RoHS, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition