HP G62-143cl

By Cisco Cheng

The HP G62-143cl ($699 list) is geared toward multipurpose users. Available at Costco, it's large enough to be a desktop replacement laptop and manageable enough to take on long commutes and vacations. And for one low price, it bundles the latest Intel Core i3 processor and a speedy 7,200rpm hard drive. If you're willing to spend a little more, however, the powerful Samsung R580 ($830 list, ) includes a Blu-ray drive and may be a better bang for your buck.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $700.00 List
• Type: General Purpose, Media, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i3 330M
• Processor Speed: 2.13 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 5.4 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel GMA HD
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

MSI Wind U160-007US

By Cisco Cheng

Netbook manufacturers are finding it hard to offer netbooks with the kind of top-of-the-line components and features you see in its laptop brethren, especially when they're constrained by price. The MSI Wind U160-007US ($380 street) distinguishes itself with a big battery that delivered almost 9 hours of battery life. But other than that, this netbook doesn't stand out from the rest.

Micro-Star International Co Ltd (MSI)

http://www.msicomputer.com

• Price as Tested: $380.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N450
• Processor Speed: 1.66 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.7 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel GMA 3150
• Storage Capacity: 250 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

Apple iPad (Wi-Fi + 3G) review DATE:05.06.10 Apple iPad (Wi-Fi + 3G) Apple iPad (Wi-Fi + 3G) : Back Apple iPad (Wi-Fi + 3G) : Side Apple iPad (Wi-Fi

By Sascha Segan

The Apple iPad is a revolutionary, addictive Tablet PC with Wi-Fi. Add in 3G, and it becomes even more useful, just perhaps not $130 more useful, which is the premium you'll pay for always-on connectivity. And with 3G you have to tack on another $15 to $30 a month for service. The 3G model ($829, 64GB) costs enough more than the Apple iPad (Wi-Fi-only version) that you have to seriously consider where you'll use the 3G. Remember, this isn't likely a device you'll whip out on the street. Considering that even adding a paid Wi-Fi subscription will save you money over the 3G model, you may find that there are enough Wi-Fi hotspots and other ways to get online to make up for the lack of built-in cellular connectivity.

Apple Computer Inc.

http://www.apple.com

• Price as Tested: $829.00 Direct
• Email Access: Dedicated email app
• Storage Capacity: 64 GB
• Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Networking Options: 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 3G
• Screen Size: 9.7 inches
• Weight: 1.6 lb
• Notes: Pricing: Wi-Fi + 3G: $629 (16GB), $729 (32GB), $829 (64GB).

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz)

By Cisco Cheng

Updated components are all you'll get with the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz) ($1,199 direct), but they can be compelling for many. If you bought the MacBook Pro 13-inch ($1,199 direct, ) last year, it isn't worth the upgrade. But if you're new to the MacBook Pro family, this is the ticket to portable computing bliss.

Apple Computer Inc.

http://www.apple.com

• Price as Tested: $1,199.00 Direct
• Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
• Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600
• Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 4.5 lb
• Screen Size: 13.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 320M
• Storage Capacity: 250 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 15

If you're not an overly demanding business user, simplicity definitely has its advantages. For instance, a moderately equipped laptop, like the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 15, runs for as little as $650 (direct). Its boxy black frame may not strike a chord with anyone who puts a premium on aesthetics, but productivity makes up for this shortcoming. The Edge 15 has an excellent business user experience despite parts that aren't the top of the line.

Lenovo

http://www.lenovo.com

• Price as Tested: $650.00
• Type: General Purpose, Media, Value, Business, Small Business
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
• Processor Name: Intel Core i3 330M
• Processor Speed: 2.13 GHz
• RAM: 2 GB
• Weight: 5.5 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel GMA HD
• Storage Capacity: 250 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Samsung R580

Watching high definition content is a popular pastime that's keeping desktop replacements in demand. Whether it's streaming content from Hulu or renting a Blu-ray title through Netflix, a laptop with a big screen is usually high on the priority list. The Samsung R580 ($850 list, at Best Buy) is the least expensive laptop I've seen that comes with an Intel Core i5 processor and a Blu-ray drive. Factor in a 500GB hard drive and a nice midrange graphics card, handing it an Editors' Choice in the desktop replacement category is the only logical step.

Samsung Electronics

http://www.samsung.com

• Price as Tested: $830.00 List
• Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i5 M430
• Processor Speed: 2.27 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 5.5 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 310M
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray

Toshiba Satellite P505-S8010

The Toshiba Satellite P505-S8010 ($950 street) joins an exclusive group of laptops that have colossal 18.4-inch widescreens—the largest ones on the market. It's also referred to as a media center, which is basically a gigantic laptop that caters to home theater enthusiasts and videophiles. While the processor and graphics duo put on a good performance show, this Satellite configuration failed to deliver a full HD and user experience worthy of the "media center" name.

Toshiba America Inc

http://www.toshiba.com

• Price as Tested: $950.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Media
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i3 330M
• Processor Speed: 2.13 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 9.2 lb
• Screen Size: 18.4 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 310M
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Fusion Garage JooJoo

Skeptics balked when Apple announced that pricing for the iPad—a touch-screen tablet with a built-in browser and scores of apps for everything from productivity to e-book reading to gaming—would start at $499 (for 16GB). That's a lot of coin for a not-quite-computer. Now Fusion Garage's JooJoo, née Crunchpad, is finally here, and it, too, starts at $499 (direct). But it only offers only 4GB of storage (well, sort of—more on that later), has no apps, and is little more than a touch-screen-based Web browser with bookmarked icons. The inclusion of Flash support in the browser is one clear advantage over Apple's iPad ($699, ), but it is nevertheless a one-dimensional device. No one wants to pick on the little guy, but the JooJoo is overpriced, doesn't do very much, and doesn't do anything particularly well.\

Fusion Garage

http://www.thejoojoo.com

• Price as Tested: $499.00 Direct
• Screen Size: 12.1 inches
• Storage Capacity: 4 GB
• Dimensions: 7.8 x 12.8 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 2.4 lb
• Networking Options: 802.11b, 802.11g
• Email Access: In browser only

Asus U30Jc-1A

Three months after Intel launched its Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 processors, we still haven't seen modestly-priced lightweight and ultraportable laptops that don't sacrifice power for battery life. While the somewhat expensive Editors' Choice Sony VAIO VPC-Z116GXS ($1,800 direct, ) and Lenovo ThinkPad X201 ($1,625 direct, ) both come equipped with an Intel Core i5 CPU, affordable alternatives that run on these processors are woefully scarce. That's why the metal-clad Asus U30Jc-1A is a welcome addition to the market: It's 13 inches of pure muscle, running on a Core i3 processor and two GPUs—an Intel integrated chipset and an Nvidia GeForce 310M graphics card. And because it scored 8 hours of battery life and does all of this for a delectable price ($899 list), handing it the Editors' Choice in the mainstream laptop category is a no-brainer.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $899.00 Street
• Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i3 M350
• Processor Speed: 2.27 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 4.7 lb
• Screen Size: 13.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 310M
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW