Cheap Laptops: Reviews

Among cheap laptops, preconfigured versions of the HP G60t, including the HP G60-440us, offer the best blend of performance, features and price. The Pentium dual-core processor is older technology and a step down from the… Core 2 Duo processors found in more costly machines, but it's also a step up from the weaker processors more typically found in low-priced laptops. The rest of the feature lineup is solid and includes 3 GB of RAM and a 320 GB hard drive. The big 16-inch display and DVD burner are notable pluses for this price range. Some worthwhile extras -- such as an ExpressCard slot -- are missing, and battery life could be better, but experts and users say you'd be hard-pressed to find a better laptop at the same price.

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Though it's chunkier and slightly heavier than those oh-so-sophisticated (and expensive) ultrathin, ultraportable laptops, the 13.3-inch Gateway UC7807u is still a small and lightweight traveling companion, and it won't… take nearly as big a bite out of your wallet. In keeping with its upscale competition, styling is attractive, with a putty-colored industrial-flavored exterior. There's also plenty of horsepower under the hood thanks to a Core 2 Duo CPU, 3 GB of RAM and a 250 GB hard drive. Extras include a webcam, 4-in-1 memory card reader, HDMI output and Wi-Fi.

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With its huge 17-inch screen, 7.4-pound weight and shorter-than-average battery life, the Toshiba Satellite P305D-S8900 isn't the best choice among cheap laptops for life on the road, but it is a good budget replacement… for a desktop computer. The AMD processor falls short compared to some others, but performance is enhanced by the inclusion of a dedicated (albeit low-end) graphics card. Demanding gamers will certainly want to look elsewhere, but the high-resolution display and superior speakers make the P305D-S8900 a good match for casual gaming and other entertainment uses, such as watching DVDs. This cheap Toshiba laptop is loaded with features -- including ExpressCard expansion and USB ports that can charge other devices even when the laptop is off. Experts also say its Wi-Fi range is impressive.

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