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)

Getac 9213

A pioneer in military- and government-oriented computing products, Getac has deep roots in the ruggedized space. In the case of its latest laptop, the 9213 ($1,800 Street), dabbling outside of that market means good things for business travelers. The Getac 9213 purges the notion that a ruggedized ultraportable should have a rough-and-tumble appearance, as its stylish metallic frame looks more like a mainstream product while retaining its business-rugged features. With the help of Intel's low-powered parts, this featherweight delivered more than five hours of battery life, but the 9213's toughness and energy efficiency may not be enough to warrant its bloated price tag.

GETAC Inc

http://www.getac.com

• Price as Tested: $1,800.00 List
• Type: Media, Ultraportable, Business, Small Business
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400
• Processor Speed: 1.4 GHz
• RAM: 3 GB
• Weight: 3.6 lb
• Screen Size: 13.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

ASUS UL30A-A1

The consumer ultra-low voltage (CULV) processor revolution is about to quiet all the buzz netbooks have created in the laptop category. CULV processors favor battery life and don't necessarily come with optical drives—just like netbooks. I've seen a bunch of CULV-based laptops already, starting with the MSI X340 (021US) and Acer Timeline AS3810T. But so far, the ASUS UL30A-A1 is my favorite. It's cheap, super-thin, and amassed over 10 hours of battery life. As a result, it receives our first Editors' Choice in the CULV category.

AsusTek Computer Inc.

http://www.asus.com

• Price as Tested: $775.00 Street
• Type: General Purpose, Media, Ultraportable, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
• Processor Speed: 3.9 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 3.9 lb
• Screen Size: 13.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

HP Envy 13

After more than three years of perfecting its imprinting design—made up of patterns beneath a glossy plastic layer—HP decided that its premium brand deserved something more in line with today's trends. The Envy line, as you may recall, was a synonymous with Voodoo PC—a custom PC builder that HP acquired several years ago. The Envy moniker reemerges under new direction, starting with the HP Envy 13 ($1,899 direct, as tested)—a sleek 13-inch ultraportable with switchable graphics, excellent battery options, and a fantastic resolution. HP is also firm about leaving the past behind, recasting the internal optical drive, an Ethernet port, and VGA-Out as external attachments. Only an unenviable price and couple of minor feature miscues, stand in the way of true greatness.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $1,899.00 Direct
• Type: Gaming, Media, Ultraportable
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo L9600
• Processor Speed: 2.13 GHz
• RAM: 3 GB
• Weight: 3.7 lb
• Screen Size: 13.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, ATI Mobility Radeon 4330
• Storage Capacity: 250 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet (Multitouch)

Windows XP Tablet Edition put tablet PCs on the map. Vista improved its handwriting recognition. Now, Windows 7 adds multi-touch. Is 2010 the year tablets earn their mainstream credentials? Well, that's up to tablet makers like Lenovo. The tablet pioneer has forged its reputation with its X200 Tablet series, which has few equals. The ThinkPad X200 Tablet (Multitouch) ($2,000 direct), if you haven't already guessed, adds multitouch capabilities. Paying $125 extra for touch panel may be tough for a business manager to approve, but nothing is taken away from what's already a triumphant digital pen experience; thus, it retains its Editors' Choice in the tablet category.

Lenovo

http://www.lenovo.com

• Price as Tested: $2,000.00 Direct
• Type: Media, Ultraportable, Tablet, Business, Small Business
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
• Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo L9600
• Processor Speed: 2.13 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 4.2 lb
• Screen Size: 12.1 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Storage Capacity: 160 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q850

Toshiba couldn't reap the performance benefits of an Intel Core i7 processor right away, which launched initially as a desktop processor (the company didn't have a desktop division). It didn't have to wait long, though. The Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q850 became one of the first laptops out of the game with the long-awaited Core i7-820QM processor, one of three mobile Core i7s introduced at the Intel Developer's Forum this week. It's a beast of a gaming laptop, complete with an 18.4-inch widescreen, a Blu-Ray drive (Yes, Toshiba is finally on-board), and the top of the line Nvidia graphics card. We couldn't give it an overall rating since of most of its parts—the processor, memory capacity, and storage drives—will not be available until it ships. But we did run benchmark tests on this pre-production unit to see how the mobile core i7 stacked up against laptops with previous generation CPUs.

Toshiba America Inc

http://www.toshiba.com

• Price as Tested: $1,899.00 Direct
• Type: Gaming, Media
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i7-820QM
• Processor Speed: 1.73 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 10.6 lb
• Screen Size: 18.4 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce GTS 250M
• Storage Capacity: 800 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray