Laptops Reviews

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 $1,000, 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 . Ultraportable laptops and tablet PCs are very light in weight (under 5 pounds) and have small screens (under 14 inches); they are covered in their own report as well.

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 just as good, lacking only a formal method of comparing laptops.

Mainstream computer magazines mainly lack the depth of these specialty websites. For example, they don't ordinarily address important considerations like heat and noise. PC World, Computer Shopper and PC Magazine have the most credible and up-to-date reviews among mainstream magazines. Both publications regularly update ranking charts in subcategories of laptop computers. TrustedReviews.com, Laptop magazine, Consumer Reports and CNet.com 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.

Unless you buy a preconfigured laptop in a store, most manufacturers are offering a choice of various versions of Windows Vista with a new notebook computer. Microsoft had originally announced that you couldn't buy a new computer with Windows XP after January 31. Due to consumer demand, that deadline has been extended through June (after June, only Vista will be available). Manufacturers will let you configure some computers (especially models marketed for gaming) with a version of the outgoing Windows XP, but experts say that despite issues with Vista, most people should choose Vista over XP. We cover operating system and Santa Rosa/Centrino Duo (one of Intel's technological advances last year) considerations in this report. Conventional displays are also disappearing in favor of widescreen displays. This isn't because they are more popular, more useful or better. The reason is that they are cheaper to produce. If you prefer a display with a traditional 4:3 aspect ratio, the Lenovo ThinkPad T61 is one highly rated model that can be configured with one.

While no particular HP Compaq laptop stands out as a poor choice in recent reviews, HP Compaq laptops receive a higher percentage of unfavorable reviews than other major brands. Compaq owners have reported higher than average instances of repair in the PC Magazine survey for years. Which? magazine subscribers also report lower satisfaction with HP Compaq computers.  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

Among high-end gaming and desktop replacement machines, the 17-inch Dell XPS M1730 is a clear favorite of reviewers. At around $4,000 when equipped with two video cards, it is as close to a true desktop computer replacement as you can get. The 17-inch Alienware Area-51 m9750 is very comparable. The Asus G1S, Dell XPS M1530, and Toshiba Satellite X205 are cheaper alternatives. Both are only available in a couple of preconfigured versions.

The HP Pavilion HDX Entertainment Notebook PC is the top multimedia computer. The 20.1-inch HP Pavilion HDX doubles as a television and high-definition DVD player. While all reviewers agree that it's a fine computer, some question whether it can be considered a laptop, because it's very expensive (typically reviewed at about $4,000) and weighs at least 15.5 pounds. Since this computer was widely reviewed, prices have dropped a thousand dollars, which makes it more competitive.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T61 is highly favored as a general business laptop, and it's a better value than an ultraportable laptop. The Dell Latitude D630 is another contender for business use, but a couple of reviewers specifically prefer the 14.1-inch ThinkPad T61. The Fujitsu LifeBook S6510 attempts to bridge the small gap between a mainstream business laptop and an ultraportable. Reviewers disagree about Fujitsu's success, however.

The Dell XPS M1730, HP Pavilion HDX, Dell XPS M1330 and Lenovo ThinkPad T61 have been recently upgraded with Intel's brand-new Penryn mobile processors. That makes them better computers than they were when reviewed. Future tests will undoubtedly show faster speed, better battery life and lower heat emissions.