Laptops: Ratings of Sources
Total of 26 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
Notebook Reviews
by Editors of NotebookReview.com
Our Assessment
NotebookReview.com's reviews are comprehensive, well organized and detailed. User reviews are in the same consistent format and well illustrated. They also show the results of testing, as compared with comparable laptop computers. Reviews include subjective comparisons as well. However, while Editors' Choices are selected, laptops are not rated.
Laptop Reviews, News
by J. Simon Leitner and Ronald Tiefenthäler
Our Assessment
This German website offers some of the most comprehensive laptop reviews we have seen. Each illustrated review includes complete specifications, detailed test results with comparisons to similar laptop… computers, a lengthy list of similar notebooks and a consistent format. Laptops get a dozen subcategory ratings, which are weighted to create an overall rating. Some laptops are not available in the U.S., though similar versions often are. Readability is also an issue.
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Laptops & Notebooks
by Cisco Cheng
Our Assessment
PC Magazine regularly reviews new laptops, and laptops are often compared to the competition. The magazine publishes benchmark test results that reveal how each computer performs in popular applications. The best laptops in their category are identified as an Editors' Choice. Most reviews are well balanced, and ratings vary enough to see differences between laptops.
Top 10 All-Purpose Laptops
by Darren Gladstone
Our Assessment
This chart ranks ten previously reviewed non-specialty laptops. The Micro Express JFL9226 is selected as a Best Buy. The chart links to individual reviews and test reports. The short reviews don't include much substantive comparison, but the testing process is admirable and provides much basis for comparison.
Reviews
by Editors of MaximumPC
Our Assessment
MaximumPC typically reviews one or two laptops in each issue. Reviews are short and not always comparative, except for single ratings and benchmark test results. The coverage is balanced, and the ratings… show enough range so that it's easy to see which rank higher. Not every possible question is answered, but the write-ups provide good summaries of the strengths and issues with each reviewed laptop.
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Laptops Reviews
by Editors of Computer Shopper
Our Assessment
Computer Shopper reviews lots of laptops in balanced and testing-backed reports. Each laptop is rated, and while the ratings tend to be high, they vary enough so that users can see distinctions. Laptops are divided into eight somewhat arbitrary categories, and the top models in each category are listed in charts that are updated regularly.
Notebooks: Latest Reviews
by Andy Vandervell and Riyad Emeran
Our Assessment
Britain's TrustedReviews.com regularly reviews new laptops, though many models aren't available in the U.S. Reviews are well illustrated with photos, and benchmark results are published. Reviews are… balanced and comparative. All notebook computers have high ratings, but TrustedReviews is selective in awarding its "Recommended" tags and no recently reviewed U.S.-available models make the grade as an Editor's Choice.
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Laptop Reviews
by Editors of Laptop magazine
Our Assessment
Laptop magazine is the most prolific reviewer of notebooks. Even though the magazine uses many different reviewers, most have experience reviewing lots of models. Reviews are sometimes comparative, and all… products receive a rating. Testing is frequently mentioned and reported in the specs section. The reviews aren't especially detailed, but seem balanced and the ratings are more varied than those from other mainstream computer magazines. A reasonable percentage of models are selected as Editor's Choice products.
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Top 5 Power Laptops
by Darren Gladstone and Carla Thornton
Our Assessment
This chart of the top desktop-replacement laptops previously reviewed by Darren Gladstone or Carla Thornton is briefly introduced. All models cost at least $1,900 and have 17-inch widescreen displays. As… only five models are reviewed, and three of the reviews date to mid-2007, this chart doesn't really offer much basis for comparison. The WorldBench 6 tests cover common computer uses and are well suited to desktop-replacement computer notebooks. Battery life and graphics performance are also tested.
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Mobile Section
by Jarred Walton
Our Assessment
AnandTech occasionally reviews laptops. Jarred Walton's review process is incredibly extensive. The reviews are well balanced, and all considerations are weighed. The shortcoming is the limited number of reviews and the lack of ratings. However, the site does include relatively recent roundups of gaming and mid-range laptops.
Mobile
by Editors of HotHardware.com
Our Assessment
HotHardware's reviews are outstanding. Real-world and lab testing covers nearly every pertinent aspect. Some products earn Editor's Choice awards or recommendations, but others are unrated. Comparisons are mostly limited to benchmark test results. However, the site reviews fewer laptops than those we rate higher.
Latest Laptop Reviews
by Editors of LaptopLogic.com
Our Assessment
LaptopLogic.com is steadily improving the quantity and quality of its reviews. Reviews are detailed, balanced and supported by formal testing. The website has improved its credibility with some unfavorable reviews and variation in ratings. The biggest remaining weaknesses are the limited number of reviews and the high number of reviewers.
13. ConsumerReports.org
Sept. 2008
Laptop Computers
by Editors of Consumer Reports
Our Assessment
Consumer Reports tests and ranks 36 Windows laptops. By the time the report was published, half of the top-rated or Best Buy selections were already discontinued. Beyond a moderately detailed comparison chart, the magazine has little to say about most individual models. Except for battery life, Consumer Reports doesn't reveal specific test results.
Laptops
by Michelle Thatcher and Dan Ackerman
Our Assessment
CNet is a prolific laptop reviewer. Some reviews are comparative, and testing is marginally relevant, but it's neither as comprehensive nor as relevant as testing by sites we rate higher. Reviews focus on appearance and features, but CNet does adequately cover some of the more important buying considerations. Balance is very good. A new design and rating system improves the CNet website.
CNet is a prolific laptop reviewer. Some reviews are comparative, and testing is marginally relevant, but it's neither as compre
by Editors of PC Magazine
Our Assessment
PC Magazine has conducted an annual subscriber survey of tech support and reliability for the past 21 years. Thousands of readers respond, providing statistical validity, with patterns and trends emerging… over years of surveys. Lenovo continues to earn the best ratings in every category, but its ratings are down a bit this year. Laptop owners give the lowest tech support and reliability ratings to Gateway.
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16. ConsumerReports.org
June 2008
Brand Repair History
by Subscribers of Consumer Reports
Our Assessment
Thousands of subscribers provide information for Consumer Reports' survey on PC reliability. That information is distilled into a one-category chart that shows brand repair history. Editors note that… reliability is generally disappointing, though the difference between the best and the worst isn't very large. Consumer Reports also produces a chart showing tech support ratings, and clearer differences between vendors can be seen there.
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Laptops
by Contributors to Newegg.com
Our Assessment
Newegg.com is a popular online technology retailer. The company's typical customers have more computer and technical knowledge than average, which makes Newegg.com a better-than-average destination for consumer reviews of technology products such as laptop computers. Ratings, as well as pros, cons and general comments are provided, but there's no overall ranking.
Laptops
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Our Assessment
BestBuy.com hosts lots of user reviews of laptops. Navigation is easy, since the number of reviews is posted right on the main pages. Each review is information-packed. In addition to a comment, sub-ratings… for value, display quality, performance and convenience are provided, as are lists of pros and cons. Most useful is a bottom-line opinion of whether or not the reviewer would recommend the laptop to a friend.
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Notebooks
by Editors of PC World (Australia)
Our Assessment
The Australian version of PC World is an extremely prolific reviewer of laptops, but not all models are sold to the U.S. market. Some reviews are thorough, and complete performance test results are published, but much of that information isn't made available on the magazine's website. Products aren't directly compared, and the range of ratings is narrow.
Laptops
by Editors of DigitGeek.com
Our Assessment
This new Indian website offers short, comparative reviews of many laptops. The reviews are knowledgeable but shallow. Most key considerations are covered, but documentation is skimpy. All laptops receive a single rating, and the range of ratings is credible. The recent roundup review, "Top 7 Gaming Laptops," is helpful for choosing the best among high-rated products.
Mobile reviews
by Alexander Britvin
Our Assessment
Enthusiast website XbitLabs.com has sporadically reviewed new laptops in recent months. The lengthy reviews cover all a reader would want to know -- except which product to buy. Without ratings or rankings, or enough reviews to compare conclusions, X-bit Labs is only useful as secondary review site for exhaustive information about models you are already considering.
Notebook Reviews
by Editors of HardwareZone.com
Our Assessment
Asian and Australian website HardwareZone.com reviews laptops occasionally. The reviews are balanced and comparative, but Hardware Zone doesn't review enough models to form a strong frame of reference. Ratings are higher than reviewer conclusions indicate they should be. Gaming and multimedia laptops get the most attention here.
Notebook and laptop reviews
by Anonymous
Our Assessment
This anonymous blog-style site is a very mixed bag. The authors and editors are not identified. Recent reviews are short and accompanied by overall and value ratings. Some older reviews are comprehensive, but without ratings. Some reviews are actually better than those at sites we rank higher, but without knowing more about the site and its process, it's hard to give them as much credibility.
Notebooks
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Our Assessment
Amazon.com is usually a good source for user reviews, but not laptops. At the time of our visit, Amazon's top 30 bestsellers all had four- or 4.5-star average ratings. Amazon.com distributes a modest selection of brands, and we found the same compliments and complaints for each.
Laptops Reviews and Prices
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Our Assessment
Consumer Guide reviews an average of one laptop computer per month. Reviews are brief and show little if any hands-on testing. Although performance is rated, no information is given on how that's tested. Battery life is only mentioned in one review. The lack of testing and comparisons gives us little confidence in ConsumerGuide's picks.
Laptop Reviews
by Stephen Patrick, Stuart Miles
Our Assessment
Pocket-lint.co.uk, a British gadget news and reviews site, regularly reviews laptop computers. Many laptops are not available in the U.S. The short reviews are balanced, but laptops get similar high ratings, and performance testing appears to be informal and is non-comparative. The ratings are disturbingly inconsistent with the review copy. Reviews lack substance.
