HP Pavilion dv7-3163cl-b

The HP Pavilion series of laptops are known for cool design and big beautiful screens. Now, with one of its latest iterations, the HP Pavilion dv7-3163cl-b ($799.99 list), they might be known for something else: a good bargain. If you are looking to replace your desktop with a widescreen laptop, this could be the right choice for you, that is if you don't plan on doing any 3D gaming. As an added incentive, it bundles in an all-in-one (AIO) printer.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $799.99 List
• Type: Media, Tablet
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile M520
• Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 7.12 lb
• Screen Size: 17.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4200
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus)

HP G60-630us

When we reviewed the HP G60-533cl we said that it wasn't a bad deal but there were competing systems that offered more bang for the buck. This time around, we're mostly disappointed. At a time when many affordably priced 15-inch notebooks are equipped with Core 2 Duo, and in some cases, Core i5 processors, the HP G60-630us ($649.98 list, available at Staples) offers up an older Pentium CPU, which predictably puts it squarely behind the performance 8-ball, and its feature set is underwhelming. On the plus side, the 15.6-screen is a delight and the roomy keyboard is firm and comfortable.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $649.98 List
• Type: General Purpose, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Pentium Dual Core T4400
• Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
• RAM: 3 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
• Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW DL with HD-DVD-RW

HP Pavilion dv6-2150us

Available at Staples for $779.98, the HP Pavilion dv6-2150us is a good choice for budget-savvy users who want the power of Intel's latest Core i3 CPU to process their multimedia and productivity workload. However, it's not the best choice, as there are other similarly priced 15-inch notebooks that give you more bang for your buck.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $779.98 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: 5.9 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

Acer Aspire AS7740-5691

Available from Staples, the Acer Aspire AS7740-5691 ($649.98 list) offers a spacious 17.3-inch HD display, a dual-core CPU, and a few nice entertainment features. However, as is the case with most budget notebooks, there are trade-offs. While the integrated graphics helps keep the price down, the laptop has limited 3D capabilities. Additionally, the screen is only capable of displaying high-definition content at 720p rather than the full 1080p resolution. And of course, you have to put up with the inevitable barrage of bloatware that seems to accompany every affordable multimedia notebook these days. That said, the Aspire AS7740-5691 is still a good choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a big-screen desktop replacement system.

Acer Inc.

http://www.acer.com

• Price as Tested: $649.98 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: 6.7 lb
• Screen Size: 17.3 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

HP Pavilion dm3-1130us

Don't let the HP Pavilion dm3-1130us ($649.98 list) fool you; despite its sleek brushed aluminum case, discrete graphics, and bright 13.3 inch display, it is still a budget notebook. Available at Staples, this slick looking ultraportable is solidly built and comes with a comfortable keyboard and all the features you'd expect in a 13-inch notebook. Its productivity performance is right up there with the competition too. Too bad its battery life comes up short.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $649.99 List
• Type: Media, Ultraportable, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: AMD Athlon Neo X2 L335
• Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 4.2 lb
• Screen Size: 13.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 3200
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

Dell Inspiron 1764-5955IBU

There's life in colossal media centers after all, as consumers aren't ready to give up precious screen real estate, even as they are ready to toss away their clunky desktops. The Dell Inspiron 1764-5595IBU has all the components that'll ease your transition from a desktop to a laptop, except if you're a gamer. At $799.98, Staples is only willing to give you integrated graphics in this particular configuration.

Dell, Inc.

http://www.dell.com

• Price as Tested: $799.99 List
• Type: 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: 6.2 lb
• Screen Size: 17.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel GMA HD
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

HP Pavilion dv6-2173cl

For users who require desktop power in a manageable 6-pound chassis, there's the HP Pavilion dv6-2173cl ($799.99 list). This reasonably priced 15-inch multimedia notebook, available at Costco, is chock-full of features and makes use of Intel's latest mobile dual core processor, the Core i3. And, while its discrete Nvidia GeForce graphics engine is a relatively low-end solution, it can handle light gaming duties, as long as you dial back the special effects. A high resolution display would be nice, but at just under $800, the dv6-2173cl is a very good deal.

Hewlett-Packard Company

http://www.hp.com

• Price as Tested: $799.99 List
• Type: Media, Value, Netbook
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i3 M350
• Processor Speed: 2.27 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 6.1 lb
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce G105M
• Storage Capacity: 500 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW