Sony VAIO VGN-NW270F/S

Sony has always placed an emphasis on design, so it's no surprise that the Sony VAIO VGN-NW270F/S ($799 from Staples) stands out from the mainstream laptop crowd with its unique, textured plastic chassis. The VAIO NW270F/S features an extra-wide 15.5-inch widescreen display that's a beauty for both movie watching and Excel spreadsheeting. Also helping separate the VAIO NW270F/S from the sub-$1,000 laptop pack is its ability to play Blu-ray discs. Aside from its funky design and BD-ROM drive, however, the Windows 7-equipped VAIO NW270 is a fairly typical mainstream laptop, delivering a configuration and performance that are in line with the competition.

Sony Corporation

http://www.sonystyle.com

• Price as Tested: $799.98 List
• Type: General Purpose
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T6600
• Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 5.6 lb
• Screen Size: 15.5 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus), Blu-Ray Disc

Acer Aspire AS8940-6865

Big screen media center laptops are a dying a breed. Mobile users would rather take on the lightest laptop than have something that's confined to their desks, permanently. But for a select group of 3D gamers, video editors, photographers, and home theater enthusiasts, these desktop replacements are still heavily prized. Ones such as the Acer Aspire AS8940-6865 ($1,399 street) will always have a place on my bench: It ships with the latest Intel Core i7 processor, includes a Blu-ray drive and 1080p resolution, and average users can get their game on like LAN professionals. Best of all, its price will make it seem as if you just got away with a major pricing error. The 8940-6865 is easily our Editors' Choice for the media center category.

Acer Inc.

http://www.acer.com

• Price as Tested: $1,399.00 Street
• Type: Gaming, General Purpose, Media
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i7-720QM
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 9.1 lb
• Screen Size: 18.4 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce GTS 250M
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray

HP G60-533cl

We're the first to admit we've been spoiled. Not all that long ago, any well-equipped laptop for $649.99 was sure to earn a thumbs-up. Back in July, we said that Costco's HP G60-443CL gave you a lot for your money. The equivalent of that system today is the G60-533cl, featuring Windows 7 and Costco's two-year warranty at the same price. But that price point sure doesn't make our hearts beat like it used to.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $650.00 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: 6.2 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

HP Mini 110-1134CL

HP doesn't have a shortage of netbooks in its arsenal. Its Mini 311 is one of the most powerful netbooks around with Nvidia's Ion graphics and the Mini 5101 notched four stars for its sleek design, semi-rugged features and fast hard drive. The HP Mini 110-1134CL ($349 from Costco) may be considered the plain Jane of the bunch now in terms of its internal organs with a standard set of netbook features, but sometimes that is all you need when it comes to on-the-go computing. The system delivers the same netbook performance you would expect, but its included six-cell battery now buys it over seven hours of battery life. Its biggest hindrance, however, continues to be its awkward touchpad.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $349.00 List
• Type: Netbook
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Starter Edition
• Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.78 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: standard
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11a/g

Acer Aspire 7736Z-4809

When you first see the Acer Aspire 7736Z-4809's large chassis and attractive 17-inch screen you expect it to be a multimedia and gaming monster. That is until you catch its $550 price tag. Unlike ultra-powerful media and gaming laptops equipped with blazing fast SLI graphics, Intel Extreme dual core processors, and price tags well into the thousands, the Acer Aspire 7736Z-4809 uses a more conservative Intel processor and integrated graphics. That's not a bad thing. The Aspire is still more than capable of running your everyday applications quickly, and at only $150 more than the average netbook, it is one of the most affordable laptops around for those looking for a big screen.

Acer Inc.

http://www.acer.com

• Price as Tested: $550.00 Direct
• Type: General Purpose, Media
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300
• Processor Speed: 2.1 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 7.05 lb
• Screen Size: 17.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11b, 802.11g, Draft N
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Nokia Booklet 3G

Nokia is one of the most unlikely companies to launch a netbook, given that cell phones are its claim to fame. Most manufacturers can attest that the key to a successful netbook is to find the right combination of differentiators while minimizing its flaws. The Booklet 3G is arguably the most luxurious netbook—looks and price-wise—swaddled in fine aluminum metals and costing a whopping $600, without subsidies. While the design, battery life, and user experience are exceptional for a first-time netbook maker, Nokia did have some missteps. Pricing is the first. The second is the combination of the slow hard drive (4,200rpm), 1GB of memory, and Windows 7 Home Premium, which essentially crippled performance.

Nokia

http://www.nokia.com

• Price as Tested: $600.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Atom Z530
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 1 GB
• Weight: 2.7 lb
• Screen Size: 10.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 500
• Storage Capacity: 120 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

Dell Studio 1555 (S1555-4285MBU)

Quite frankly, we were surprised to find a Dell Studio laptop on the shelves at Staples. We would have guessed that as Dell's upscale, entertainment-focused laptop line, the Studio would have ceded shelf space to Dell's mainstream Inspiron line. Both laptop lines are present at the office-supply store, however, and representing the Studio line is the Studio 1555 (4285MBU) ($749.98), a 15.6-inch desktop replacement. Its size and specs make it a good fit for the office or the home. The dual-core Intel processor and 4GB of memory make for a smooth Windows 7 experience, the 9-cell battery delivers more than 6.5 hours of running time, and at just shy of 6 pounds, it's still light enough for daily travel. This Studio 1555 is nearly identical to the Editors' Choice award-winning Dell Studio 1555 (USE006CS) reviewed earlier this year; it bumps up the processor a notch while knocking $50 off the price. Given that this model follows the same recipe and does so for less, we think the Studio 1555 (S1555-4285MBU) deserves to keep the Editors' Choice that the preceding Studio 1555 earned.

Dell, Inc.

http://www.dell.com

• Price as Tested: $749.98 List
• Type: General Purpose
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T6600
• Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 5.9 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus)