Lenovo IdeaPad S12 (Ion)

When Nvidia decided to launch its own chipset (called Ion) that worked in tandem with the Intel Atom processor and brought more graphics horsepower to the netbook category, Lenovo wasted little time announcing a netbook that ran it. The problem was, though, it didn't ship with Nvidia's Ion chipset until now. The Lenovo IdeaPad S12 was made entirely of Intel or VIA parts, and after the launch of Windows 7 and watching competitors like the HP Mini 311 and Asus EeePC 1201HA make their moves, Lenovo is finally shipping the IdeaPad S12 (Ion) ($650 direct). Although 3GB of RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit), and the ability to play back 1080p HD video (at low and high bit rates) make the S12 a very compelling netbook, its price isn't that far off from standard laptops with similar features. So why settle for an Atom processor?

Lenovo

http://www.lenovo.com

• Price as Tested: $650.00 Direct
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 3 GB
• Weight: 3.4 lb
• Screen Size: 12 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia ION
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11a/g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

M&A Companion PC 10

You would be hard-pressed to identify many features—or any software—of the M&A Companion PC 10 ($449 list) that specifically targets students under the age of 12. In fact, with the exception of the rubberized handle, M&A has done very little to reveal this netbook's ambition to go to school. The Companion PC 10, like most netbooks that are designed for bulk sale to school districts, faithfully follows Intel's Classmate PC reference design. Unlike consumer models like the Disney Netpal by ASUS (which comes in "Princess Pink" or "Magic Blue") or Dell Mini Nickelodeon Edition (which promises kids "the slime of your life" with the Nickelodeon network's trademark motif), the M&A Companion PC 10 has a clean, generic look that makes it appropriate for children of any age or either gender.

M&A Technology Inc

http://www.macomp.com

• Price as Tested: $449.00 List
• Type: Tablet, Small Business, Netbook
• Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.8 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 945GSE
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

Fujitsu LifeBook P3010

As of this moment, I don't have enough fingers to count the amount of oversized netbooks that are being sold in retail. Oversized netbooks typically have 11 to 12-inch widescreens and have parts with names like Nvidia's ION, AMD's Neo, VIA's Nano, and the most popular of which, Intel's Atom. Fairly late to the game is Fujitsu's LifeBook P3010, an 11-inch, oversized netbook that runs on AMD parts, which have an edge in speed over the Intel Atom but trails it in battery life. Even if Fujitsu were to knock down the price from $549, it would still be just an okay netbook.

Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation

http://www.computers.us.fujitsu.com

• Price as Tested: $549.00 Direct
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: AMD Athlon Neo MV-40
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Weight: 3.5 lb
• Screen Size: 11.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 3200
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11a/g
• Primary Optical Drive: External

Acer Aspire AS5732Z-4234

The Acer Aspire AS5732Z-4234 ($529 list) is a like a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers. A solid, yet inexpensive pair that are just fine to get your from here to there, but are obviously not the first choice of your NBA player. The 5732Z is a basic laptop that will let you get online and do your everyday computing tasks at an affordable price point, if you're looking for something more than that try something else on.

Acer Inc.

http://www.acer.com

• Price as Tested: $529.00 List
• Type: General Purpose
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300
• Processor Speed: 2.1 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 5.7 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n

ASUS G51J-1B 3D

Stereoscopic 3D technology, which typically involves putting on a pair of 3D glasses and watching images leap out at you, is already a big hit in movies. Now, laptops are hoping to cash in on the 3D gaming market. Although the Acer Aspire 5738DG-6165 earned the distinction of being the first 3D laptop to hit the market, its visual effects ended up being more gimmick than substance. Now ASUS is throwing its hat into the ring with its own 3D laptop. If this were strictly a review about the 3D experience, the ASUS G51J-1B 3D ($1,700 street), powered by Nvidia's 3D Vision, would be the victor, hands-down. The 120Hz 3D panel and Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision kit (3D glasses and IR transmitter) delivered excellent depth and impressive clarity. Integrating speedy parts, like the Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics, made the gaming experience that much more worthwhile. But just like the Acer 5738DG, the 3D technology benefits gamers only. In other words, your desire for "3D" game play should be on the cusp of "extremist" in order to justify dropping $1,700 for this laptop.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $1,700.00 Street
• Type: Gaming, Media
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i7-720QM
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 7.5 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 260M
• Storage Capacity: 640 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Alienware M15x (Core i7)

Alienware is at the top of its game, as its otherworldly creations have few equals when it comes to gaming laptops. The Alienware M15x (Core i7) is essentially the smaller version of the M17x, which, covered in heavy metals, dominated opponents in both looks and performance. Though smaller, the M15x is actually the more powerful of the two, thanks to the fastest mobile processor on earth. The Intel Core i7 920XM, along with a midrange Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M graphics card, continues Alienware's tradition of dominating opponents. For its price and a great deal of heft, however, I would much rather wait for the M17x to get the same Core i7 treatment.

Dell, Inc.

http://www.dell.com

• Price as Tested: $3,244.00 Direct
• Type: Gaming, Media
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
• Processor Name: Intel Core i7-920XM
• Processor Speed: 2 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 9.2 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 260M
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray