Laptop Review

This report covers full-featured and specialty laptops suitable as a replacement for a desktop computer. If you want a very lightweight notebook or a laptop that's powerful enough for gaming, those notebook computers are covered here. If you're looking for a student or budget laptop under $800, see our companion report on cheap laptops. If you are interested in a Macintosh laptop, or debating between a Macintosh or Windows laptop, see our report on Macintosh computers.

We found great laptop reviews at NotebookCheck.net and NotebookReview.com. The reviews at NotebookCheck.net are awkwardly translated from German, but incredibly comprehensive. The notebook computer reviews are augmented by multiple photographs and charts showing detailed benchmark results with comparisons to similar models, a lengthy list of similar notebook computers and ratings in a dozen subcategories, as well as lists of pros and cons. NotebookReview.com is nearly as good, lacking only a formal method of comparing laptops.

Among mainstream computer magazines, PC Magazine, PC World, Computer Shopper and MaximumPC have the most credible and up-to-date reviews. PC World and Computer Shopper regularly update ranking charts in subcategories of laptop computers. TrustedReviews.com, Laptop magazine, Consumer Reports and CNet are also up to date, but their evaluations reflect a less thorough process than other sites. Their reviews are helpful but short and often focused on buying considerations, such as aesthetics, that consumers can evaluate themselves.

For most people, a laptop's projected reliability is an important buying consideration. Notebook computers can get very hot, and they are easy to drop. Good brand reliability doesn't guarantee you'll never have a problem, but the support and reliability surveys conducted by PC Magazine, Consumer Reports and others can be a helpful indicator. Lenovo laptops have one of the lowest instances of repair according to all surveys. Lenovo support has the highest level of satisfaction, too. However, in the past year, Lenovo's ratings have dipped a bit. Sony is consistently one of the most reliable brands.

Compaq owners have reported higher than average instances of repair in the PC Magazine survey for years. The HP Compaq 6720s business laptop (*Est. $815 and up) west rating in its class from NotebookCheck.net. Reviewer Kristian Kubeck tested a higher-end configuration (*est. $1,280) and found it to be adequate in most areas. Downsides relate to build quality, including "case bends under pressure," and the one-year limited warranty. However, a review at NotebookReview.com of the base model concludes that it is a good value for a no-frills laptop and doesn't list build quality among the downsides.