Multimedia and Business Laptops

Best laptops for movies and casual gaming

If you're not a hard-core action gamer, but you want a snazzy laptop for playing movies and casual gaming, you can spend less and still get an excellent multimedia laptop. Most either come with or can be optioned with a Blu-ray drive, and they typically have large displays, discrete graphics and high-quality speakers.

The HP Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition (*Est. $1,000 and up) earns several recommendations for media enthusiasts. "If you're serious about a big screen and jacked-up entertainment, but don't need screaming gaming performance, this machine is a very good bet," says Sean Ludwig at ComputerShopper.com, which gives the HP Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition an Editors' Choice award.

The laptop can be configured at HP.com, but the base model ships with a second-generation Intel Core i7-2670QM processor, Radeon HD 6490M graphics, 8 GB of RAM and a 750 GB hard drive. Other components include a Blu-ray drive, 6-cell battery and an HD webcam. The 17.3-inch display has a standard resolution of 1,600 by 900 pixels, but a 1,920-by-1,080-pixel, anti-glare display is available as an upgrade (*Est. $150). Most reviewers test upgraded units with this option and a solid-state drive in addition to the standard hard drive, which drives the price up to around $1,600.

Like most multimedia laptops, the 7-pound HP Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition is not designed for easy portability. Even so, the brushed-aluminum design is relatively stylish, and the keyboard is roomy and comfortable. The touchpad also responds well to multi-touch gestures. Even the standard display looks great when playing HD movies or videos, and the Beats Audio sound system allows users to tweak their audio settings. Performance is good across the board, although the HP Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition struggles on 3D gaming tests when pitted against dedicated gaming laptops like the Alienware M17x. That said, the HP laptop is more than capable of playing most 3D games and running multiple programs at once. However, Laptop Magazine reports slow wireless speeds -- especially as you move further away from the router -- and multiple reviewers say the webcam has poor video quality.

Many multimedia laptops are now available with 3D-capable displays, which offer a new level of viewing experience, although they do have some drawbacks. The Dell XPS 17 3D (*Est. $1,500 and up) is one 3D-capable laptop that impresses reviewers. It uses Nvidia's 3D Vision technology. The base model ships with a 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7-2670QM processor, 8 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SATA hard drive and Nvidia GeForce GT 550M graphics. Other standard features include a Blu-ray drive, 2-megapixel webcam, Nvidia 3D Vision glasses and a 17.3-inch, 1,920-by-1,080-pixel display.

Reviewers say the Dell XPS 17 3D outperforms most other desktop-replacement laptops, with fast performance that is capable of anything from outputting 3D content to a 3DTV or transcoding large files. For gaming, frame rates are higher if 3D isn't enabled -- Laptop Magazine gets 61 fps playing "World of Warcraft" at native resolution and ultra-high settings, compared to 49 fps using the 3D display. The overall design also gets high marks, even though it hasn't changed considerably from previous versions. "Its bright and crisp display and excellent audio makes it a powerful system for those who want to play and watch content in 3D," says Kenneth Butler at Laptop Magazine.

Reviewers say the display is most useful for watching 3D Blu-ray movies, even though titles are limited at this point. The Nvidia technology works well, experts add, and movies look great. "The new display looks very good, and stereoscopic Blu-ray movies are spectacular, if you're into them," says Loyd Case at PC World. However, critics say that the 3D display takes a toll on gaming. For demanding games, you'll likely need to lower the resolution considerably or suffer through slower frame rates. If you don't care about having a 3D display, the Dell XPS 17 (*Est. $900 and up) is available for less without this feature.

The 3D-enabled Toshiba Qosmio X775-3DV78 laptop (*Est. $1,800) also garners attention from critics. Like the Dell XPS 17 3D, it uses a 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7-2630QM and includes Nvidia's 3D Vision technology and a Blu-ray drive, but the rest of its internal components are even more powerful than the Dell notebook's, with 8 GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M graphics and a spacious 1.25 TB of storage space. A pair of Nvidia's active shutter glasses also comes with the notebook.

Critics say the laptop holds plenty of power for just about anything you decide to throw at it: the notebook posts a fast score in PC World's WorldBench 6 test, which gauges overall system performance, and delivers high gaming frame rates and 3DMark 06 numbers in PCMag.com's gaming-oriented benchmarks. The Qosmio X775-3DV78 even passed an unrealistic test from Engadget.com: "We ran simultaneous instances of 'Fallout 3,' 'Team Fortress 2,' and 'Crysis' -- all fully playable and cranked to high or very high -- while running two tab-overloaded web-browsers and watching a high-definition film on Blu-ray."

However, the publication reports that activating Nvidia's 3D conversion technology drops gaming frame rates in half. The Harman Kardon-powered speakers and subwoofer earn high marks across the board for their power, clarity and bass, and experts say the 17.3-inch display is vivid and colorful. "The X775's 17-inch 1,920-by-1,080-pixel, 3D-ready display is simply gorgeous," Daniel Howley writes at Laptop Magazine.

Despite the strong performance, most publications give the Qosmio X775-3DV78 an average score, mostly because of its design choices. "The X775's plastic construction does little to differentiate it from most budget notebooks; more upscale materials are required on a notebook this expensive," Charles P. Jeffries writes at NotebookReview.com. Experts also dislike the red, silver and black color scheme.

"We're going to just come right out and say it: Toshiba's Qosmio laptops have a long tradition of being hideously ugly," Engadget.com reviewer Sean Buckley says. Reviewers also say the battery life is very poor; the notebook's charge lasts just 49 minutes in PCMag.com's MobileMark 2007 battery test. Several reviewers also had troubles with the included Corel WinDVD software, finding that it introduced stutter when 3D Blu-ray discs were played. They say the issue is likely with the WinDVD program rather than the Qosmio X775-3DV78 itself, however.

Best business laptops

Business laptops typically have understated designs, but they have rugged construction and pack plenty of processing power for number crunching, graphics rendering and other demanding tasks.

Experts say the 3.6-pound HP EliteBook 2560p (*Est. $1,100 and up) is the cream of the crop for business users looking for a powerful laptop that has long battery life and lightweight portability. If your business brings you to hazardous environments, you can bring this notebook with you; its aluminum and titanium build meets the MIL-SPEC 810G specification for drops, dampness, heat, dust and extreme temperatures.

The base version includes an Intel Core i5-2410M processor, but most reviewers upgrade to an Intel Core i5-2520M CPU for $100 more. The notebook comes with integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, 4 GB of RAM and a 320 GB hard drive. Business-friendly features include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1, a 720p HD webcam, a fingerprint reader, face recognition security software, a spill-resistant keyboard and an optical drive, which is a rare find in ultraportable laptops. The entire bottom panel of the laptop can be removed for easy access to the components.

The HP EliteBook 2560p posts strong benchmark scores at several publications, including Laptop Magazine, PCMag.com, ComputerShopper.com and PC World. Whether testers were encoding media, converting files or gauging overall system performance, the EliteBook 2560p vastly outperformed the average results for ultraportable laptops. Light gaming is even a possibility, although the integrated Intel graphics won't be able to handle anything much more intensive than "World of Warcraft." In normal usage, the included 6-cell battery lasts anywhere from six to eight hours, while the optional 9-cell upgrade bumps that up to nine hours in PCMag.com's tests and 11.5 hours in Laptop Magazine's tests. The HP laptop's three-year warranty and 12.5-inch matte display also earn approval from critics.

Complaints are relatively minor. While most critics say that the keyboard and touchpad are responsive and easy to use, some lament the lack of backlit keys and feel that the touchpad itself is a bit small. Experts add that the pointing stick is also a bit stiff, slippery and prone to slight stuttering. The lack of a USB 3.0 port is a negative to many reviewers, although they note that the rest of the connectivity options are more than adequate.

Reviewers say the 3.7-pound Lenovo ThinkPad X1 (*Est. $1,300 and up) is another strong choice, especially for business users who value portability. The thin laptop can be customized at Lenovo.com, but the base model ships with a 2.3 GHz Intel Core i3-2350M processor, 4 GB of RAM, 320 GB hard drive and integrated Intel graphics. Other features include a backlit keyboard, integrated 3G mobile broadband and an HDMI output, but like most ultraportable laptops, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 lacks an optical drive. If you take advantage of the numerous upgrade options, which include a Core i5 or i7 CPU, 8 GB of RAM and an extended-life slice battery, the price inches closer to $2,000. Most reviewers test the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 with the Core i5 processor and slice battery.

Although ThinkPads are usually targeted to business users, reviewers say the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 has wide appeal. "We can see people snapping this up even if their lives aren't scheduled around meetings and business trips," says Dana Wollman at Engadget.com. The laptop maintains Lenovo's reputation for excellent keyboards, as the curved backlit keys are comfortable, with just the right amount of flex and tactile feedback.

"While all of Lenovo's ThinkPads have strong keyboards, the ThinkPad X1 features the best laptop keyboard we've ever tested," says Avram Piltch at Laptop Magazine. The speakers also get high marks for their loud, rich sound, and they offer a decent amount of bass for laptop speakers. Performance is good for most tasks, and although the integrated graphics lack the muscle required for serious 3D gaming, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 posts good scores that are largely on par with the HP EliteBook 2560p in video, photo and multitasking tests.

However, reviewers miss the matte screen coating found on most ThinkPads -- the 1,366-by-768-pixel glossy display kicks back too much glare, according to reviewers, and this may be a considerable downside for those who work in a fluorescent-lit office. Viewing angles are also a disappointment. Battery life is decent, lasting roughly five hours with the optional slice battery, but it adds additional weight and thickness, which may be a deal breaker for some. Without the extended-life battery, reviewers average around 3.5 hours between charges. "There's no two ways about it: If you're going to buy the ThinkPad X1, you will need to get its optional $150 battery slice," says Piltch.

While reviewers are largely impressed with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1, they continue to recommend the Lenovo ThinkPad X220 (*Est. $950 and up) for those who want the best possible battery life. The 12.5-inch laptop can be upgraded before purchasing at Lenovo's website, but the base configuration comes with a 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5-2520M CPU, 4 GB of RAM, a 320 GB hard drive and Intel HD Graphics 3000. The laptop weighs less than 3 pounds (before upgrades) and comes standard with a 6-cell battery, three USB 2.0 ports, a SDHC card reader and an ExpressCard slot. Most reviewers recommend upgrading to a speedier Core i7 processor, more RAM and an extended-life battery, which ups the price to around $1,300.

Like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1, the ThinkPad X220 gets rave reviews for its comfortable keyboard that has good tactile feedback, and reviewers appreciate having a TrackPoint device in addition to a larger touchpad. The 1,366-by-768-pixel matte display is another high point, as it reduces the glare problems found on the ThinkPad X1 laptop. Performance is very good for all mainstream business tasks, such as heavy number crunching, word processing or Photoshop work. Even video editing is a possibility.

Many experts are blown away by the ThinkPad X220's battery life. While the standard 6-cell battery gets nearly nine hours between charges, the optional extended-life batteries impress with run times that reach nearly 20 hours. "The fact that the X220 can keep running for more than 18 and a half hours with the optional battery slice is nothing short of astonishing," says Jerry Jackson at NotebookReview.com.

Reviewers have very few complaints about the Lenovo ThinkPad X220. Due to its integrated graphics, it is obviously not a good choice for 3D gaming. It also lacks an optical drive. The palm rest is on the short side, which irks some reviewers, and the touchpad can be overly sensitive in recognizing accidental movements. Some also wish for a more exciting design.

The HP EliteBook 8560p (*Est. $1,100 and up) is another top pick among business laptops. The 15.6-inch laptop is fully configurable, but things start out with a 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5-2410M CPU, 500 GB hard drive, 4 GB of RAM and AMD Radeon HD 6470M discrete graphics. The 1,366-by-768-pixel display has an anti-glare screen coating. Other features include a 6-cell battery, optical drive, built-in Bluetooth 2.1, two USB 3.0 ports and an ExpressCard/54 slot. Most reviewers test upgraded laptops with a Core i7 processor and a 1,600-by-900-pixel display.

Reviewers appreciate the EliteBook's aluminum design, which sets it apart from the typical black business laptop, and the matte display is a huge plus for office work. Experts also like the variety of ports and expansion options, including USB 3.0, USB 2.0, FireWire, DisplayPort, ExpressCard and more. Although the keyboard isn't backlit, it does have responsive keys and a pleasant amount of firmness.

The HP EliteBook 8560p weighs over 6 pounds, so it's not nearly as portable as the Lenovo ThinkPad X1. And although it has discrete graphics, experts caution that this is no gaming laptop. "Its 3DMark06 (5,477) and Crysis (34.4 fps) scores were mediocre, although it shows that it can perform ably on moderately intensive 3D tasks," says Cisco Cheng at PCMag.com. Battery life lasts around four to five hours, so some reviewers recommend upgrading to the optional 9-cell battery.