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• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: A high-end laptop at a mainstream price, the HP Envy Spectre XT gets much of the look and feel right, with only a few missteps. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i3, 4 GB, 128 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 13.3 in, 3.07 lbs

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 39 reviews

The Bottom Line: The entry-level Toshiba Satellite C665-S5049 won't turn any heads with its plain looks and modest features, but it avoids any serious misstep, a statement not every ultra-affordable laptop can make. Read review

Specs: Intel Celeron 900 / 2.2 GHz, 2 GB / 4 GB (max), 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel GMA 4500M Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0, DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, 128 MB, 5.5 lbs, L2 cache, 1 MB, Trax texture in black

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: The new 11-inch MacBook Air is every bit as fast as the 13-inch Air, despite its smaller size, but you'll give up 2 hours of battery life in the bargain. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5 1.7 GHz ( Dual-Core ), ( 2.6 GHz ), 4 GB, / 8 GB (max), 64 GB, Apple OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, TFT active matrix, 11.6 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0, 2.4 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.0 stars Mediocre

  Overall score: 4.5 (2.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 14 reviews

The Bottom Line: Despite solid hardware and a slightly improved Chrome OS, the Samsung Chromebook Series 5 550 comes with far too many caveats and compromises compared with similarly priced but more-capable tablets and laptops. Read review

Specs: Intel Celeron 867, 1.3 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB, / 4 GB (max), 16 GB, Google Chrome OS, 12.1 in TFT active matrix, 1280 x 800 ( WXGA ), Intel HD Graphics, 3.1 lbs, L3 cache, 2 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: GB, Windows RT

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The mechanical elements of the Toshiba Satellite U925t convertible laptop are complex, but well-made. It won't be your main machine, but it's one of the more usable Windows 8 launch experiments. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5, i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 8 GB (max), 128 GB, - Serial ATA-300, Microsoft Windows 8, 12.5 in, IPS, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 3.2 lbs, 3 MB, Midnight brown

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The HP Envy x2's biggest selling points are its high-quality build and included full keyboard accessory. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom 1.8 GHz, Z2760 ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB, 64 GB, Microsoft Windows 8, 11.6 in, IPS, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, 3.1 lbs, L2 cache, 1 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: With only a handful of 11-inch laptops still available, serious travelers are flocking to ultrathin 13-inch models instead. But the low price and good battery life of the Sony Vaio E keep it from being counted out. Read review

Specs: AMD E2-1800 1.7 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 8 GB (max), 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 11.6 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, AMD Radeon HD 7340, 3.3 lbs, 1 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Sony's first ultrabook, the Vaio T, doesn't fall far from the tree of other thin Sony laptops like the Vaio Z, but it's far more affordable: this is ultrabook-as-budget-laptop, not ultrabook as high-end computer. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i5, Intel i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 8 GB (max), 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, TFT active matrix, 13.3 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology, None, 3.5 lbs, 3 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you ignore the ultrabook branding and instead think of this as a somewhat slim midsize, mainstream laptop, the 14-inch Samsung Series 5 is a fine example of the form. Read review

Specs: 2nd Gen Core i5, Intel i5-2467M / 1.6 GHz ( 2.3 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB, 500 GB - Serial ATA-300, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 14 in TFT active matrix, DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, Intel HD Graphics 3000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology, 4 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: A high-end big-screen multimedia laptop that's pretty portable (for a desktop replacement), the Samsung Series 7 Chronos is what we imagine a 17-inch ultrabook would look like. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i7, Intel i7-3615QM / 2.3 GHz ( 3.3 GHz ) ( Quad-Core ), 8 GB, 1 TB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 17.3 in, 1920 x 1080 ( Full HD ), NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M / Intel HD Graphics 4000, DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM, 6.3 lbs, 6 MB, Silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: No one puts together custom high-end gaming laptops, including this desktop-busting 17-inch EON17-SLX, better than Origin, but you'll pay for that expertise. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i7 3940XM / 4.4 GHz ( Quad-Core ), 16 GB, 120 GB, Microsoft Windows 8, 17.3 in, 1920 x 1080, Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680M, 4 GB, 8 GB

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i5, Intel i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 6 GB / 8 GB (max), 750 GB - Serial ATA-300, Windows 8, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, NVIDIA GeForce 610M / Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1 GB, 4.1 lbs, 3 MB, Sapphire blue

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Yes, it's heavier than the average ultrabook, but if you're looking for an excellent value in a full-featured thin laptop, the Acer Timeline U M5 is hard to beat. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5 3317U, 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 6 GB (max), 500 GB - 5400 rpm, Green Instant On, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, Nvidia GeForce GT 640M LE, 1 GB, 4.3 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The HP Elitebook Folio 9470m does a serviceable job at being a good thin all-around Windows 8 business laptop, but it doesn’t rise from the pack, and it doesn’t take any chances. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i5, Intel i5-3427U / 1.8 GHz ( 2.8 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 16 GB (max), 180 GB - Serial ATA-600, Windows 8 Pro / 7 Professional 64-bit Edition downgrade, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, 3.6 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Another ambitious Windows 8 laptop from Asus, the Transformer Book can transform into a Core i7 slate. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i7, Intel i7-3517U / 1.9 GHz ( 3 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB, 500 GB - Serial ATA-300, Windows 8, 13.3 in IPS, 1920 x 1080 ( Full HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 4.2 lbs, Silver aluminum

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: Another year of incremental improvements for the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro help it maintain its lead as a useful, powerful, attractive midsize laptop, but the competition is closer than ever to catching up. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i7 2.3 GHz ( Quad-Core ), ( 3.3 GHz ), 4 GB, / 8 GB (max), 500 GB - 5400 rpm, - Serial ATA-300, Apple Mac OS X Mountain Lion, 15.6 in, 1440 x 900 ( WXGA+ ), DVD±RW (±R DL), NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M / Intel HD Graphics 4000, 512 MB GDDR5 SDRAM, 5.6 lbs, L3 cache, 6 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 24 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Compaq Presario CQ60-615DX covers the basics, and that's really all you can ask for from a $349 laptop. Read review

Specs: Intel Celeron 900 / 2.2 GHz, 2 GB, / 4 GB (max), 250 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 7200 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 15.6 in, TFT active matrix, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel GMA 4500M, DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, 6.6 lbs, 1 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: Asus brought Netbooks into the world, and with the last-gasp Eee PC 1025C Flare, it looks like it's going to take them out as well. Read review

Specs: Intel N2600, 1 GB, 320 GB - Serial ATA-300, Microsoft Windows 7 Starter, 10.1 in TFT active matrix, 1024 x 600, Intel GMA 3600, None, 2.8 lbs, 1 MB, Matte white

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel, 4.0 GB, 500 GB - 7200 rpm, Windows 7 Professional,w XP Mode, Media, 64-bit, English, 8X DVD+/-RW

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Toshiba Satellite U845 is a serviceable but generic-feeling 14-inch ultrabook that, in a quest to become more affordable, has fallen into a grey zone: not all that compact, not all that rich in features. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i5 3317U / 2.6 GHz, Intel ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 6 GB, / 8 GB (max), 500 GB - 5400 rpm, - Serial ATA-300, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 14 in TFT active matrix, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 4.1 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Sky silver brushed aluminum

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Taking a bold step into the PC market, the Vizio Thin+Light CT14 is a fresh take on the 14-inch ultrabook, held back by some first-gen jitters. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i3 3217U / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB, 128 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 14 in TFT active matrix, 1600 x 900 ( HD+ ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, 3.3 lbs, Silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

  Overall score: 0.0 (0.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: More RAM and a focus on Chrome's offline capabilities, for a new sub-$300 Chromebook. Read review

Specs: Intel Celeron, 4 GB, 320 GB, Google Chrome OS, 11 in, 1366 x 768

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 42 reviews

The Bottom Line: Slickly designed and amply featured, the Samsung QX410 looks and plays the part of a more expensive high-end laptop at a price that's a solid value. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i5 i5-460M / 2.53 GHz ( 2.8 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 8 GB (max), 640 GB - Serial ATA-150 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 14 in TFT active matrix, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), NVIDIA GeForce 310M / Intel HD Graphics, DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, 512 MB, 5.1 lbs, 3 MB, Silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: Unlike a lot of other unique proof-of-concept laptops, the Acer Iconia is fun to use and largely works as advertised. But it has a hard time answering the most frequent question we hear about it: why would anyone need a dual-touch-screen laptop? Read review

Specs: Intel Core i5 i5-480M / 2.66 GHz ( 2.93 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 8 GB (max), 640 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 14 in TFT active matrix, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0, None, 6.2 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB