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• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 92 reviews

The Bottom Line: Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 160 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 4.4 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Sony Vaio VGN-NW270F/S is a low-cost, Blu-ray-equipped laptop that makes a great choice for home use and, should you be willing to tote around a 15-inch machine, a decent choice as your everyday, take-it-with-you laptop. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 6.0 lbs, 15.5 in TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 49 reviews

The Bottom Line: Dell's first release from its new Studio line, the Studio 15, sits between the Inspiron and XPS lines and offers a good mix of features for the price, but we'd be tempted to save up a few extra dollars for a thinner, lighter XPS. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core (2.1 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English, 6 lbs, 15.6 TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: As long as you're not looking for extremely long battery life, the HP Pavilion dv4-2045dx is a well-rounded mainstream budget laptop with above average looks and performance. Read review

Specs: Intel Turion II mobile processor (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 5.3 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix

• 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: As long as you won't need more than what it already has, the budget-friendly Asus K50IJ-RX05 is money well spent. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium (2 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 5.7 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 11 reviews

The Bottom Line: Apple's latest version of the popular $999 white MacBook gets an upscale makeover, while keeping the price the same. It's a strong alternative to the more expensive Pro line, if you can live without extras such as an SD card slot. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26 GHz), 2048 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 250 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 4.6 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: HP's new Envy 15 packs high-powered components into a svelte 15-inch body. The result is an upscale status symbol that still shows a few first-generation rough edges. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i7 (1.6 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 5.1 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Dell Inspiron i1545-4374PBU is a good, if basic, laptop with a strong price-to-performance ratio. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium (2.16 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 5.7 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Bronze

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: Lenovo's Windows 7 upgrade to the ThinkPad SL500 keeps the price affordable, and features a consumer-friendly 16:9 display. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 5.3 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The design and portability of the Asus UL50AG make it one of the slickest 15.6-inch DVD-drive-equipped laptops we've seen, but an ultralow-voltage processor compromises its computing power. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (1.3 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 5.1 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Although the Asus K60IJ-RBLX05 is an affordable 16-inch budget laptop, it's missing the processing punch and features that can be had for just a little more money. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core (2.1 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 5.7 lbs, 16 in TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: For a price just north of Netbook territory, Toshiba's chunky 15.6-inch Satellite L505D-S5965 has a solid, but uninspiring, selection of specs that at least won't hinder your basic computing needs. Read review

Specs: AMD Athlon X2 (2.1 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 6 lbs, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Sony Vaio VGN-NW240F is a well designed mainstream notebook with respectable performance and features for the money. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 6.0 lbs, 15.5 in TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 212 reviews

The Bottom Line: With the MacBook, Apple has corrected a handful of the iBook's shortcomings, hit a reasonable price point, and delivered a laptop that makes a great compromise between size and portability. Read review

Specs: Intel Core Duo (2 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 60 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.4, 5.3 lbs, 13.3 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 3 reviews

Manufacturer description: A perfect mix of power and style, the VAIO CW notebook is a slim, lightweight PC. Tackle virtually any graphics requirement with a NVIDIA GeForce graphics card and dedicated video ... Read more

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 5.3 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, RoHS

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: With an ultra-low-voltage CPU, the Dell Inspiron 1470-3282 runs longer but slower than competing laptops. We're not thrilled with the performance hit, but we still found lots to like about this well-designed, 14-inch laptop. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (1.3 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 4.6 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 20 reviews

The Bottom Line: Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro makes only minor tweaks to the previous version, but cutting prices and swapping the ExpressCard slot for an SD card slot are enough to make it a solid improvement over its predecessor. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2800 MHz), 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 5.5 lbs, 15.0 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 30 reviews

The Bottom Line: A total revamp of Dell's ubiquitous business laptop line, the Latitude E6400 offers Intel's latest Centrino 2 mobile platform and introduces a brushed-metal design that works at home or office, but the real highlight here is the long battery life. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 2.0 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1, With media, 4.4 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 10 reviews

The Bottom Line: Previously known as the MacBook, Apple's basic 13-inch aluminum unibody laptop has been promoted to the "Pro" series, all while adding features and cutting the base price. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 250 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 4.4 lbs, 13 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 9 reviews

The Bottom Line: Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro makes only minor tweaks to the previous version, but cutting prices and swapping the ExpressCard slot for an SD card slot are enough to make it a solid improvement over its predecessor. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.53 GHz), 4096 MB DDR3 SDRAM, 250 GB, Apple MacOS X 10.6, 5.5 lbs, 15.4 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: As a midsize entertainment laptop, the 14-inch HP Pavilion dv4-1555dx hits some right notes, but its poor battery life sours the deal. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 5.1 lbs, 14.1 in TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: A fair price, an attractive design, and multitouch support may allow tablet shoppers to overlook the HP TouchSmart tx2-1275dx's middling performance and poor battery life. Read review

Specs: AMD Turion X2 mobile processor (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition, 4.6 lbs, 12.1 in TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.8 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Positioned as an affordable design-conscious Core 2 Duo laptop for less than $700, Toshiba's Satellite M505-S4945 is better for media than it is for all-day office work. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.1 GHz), 3 GB DDR SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 5.1 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, RoHS

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 6 reviews

Manufacturer description: Part of the Acer timeline series, the 14" Aspire 4810T series meets ultra-modern notebook needs and conserves energy for future generations. With an efficient 9-hour battery you can do more ... Read more

Specs: Intel Pentium (1.3 GHz), 3 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, 4.2 lbs, 14 in TFT active matrix, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Sony Vaio VGN-NW240F is a well designed mainstream notebook with respectable performance and features for the money. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2.2 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 6.0 lbs, 15.5 in TFT active matrix