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• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: While it's not going to dazzle anyone, the Toshiba Satellite U845T is a great example of exactly how much laptop $799 should buy in 2013. Read review

Specs: i5-3337U / 1.8 GHz ( 2.7 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), Intel 3rd Gen Core i5, / 8 GB (max), 6 GB, - Serial ATA-300, 128 GB, Microsoft Windows 8, 14 in, ( HD ), 1366 x 768, Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 3.8 lbs, 3 MB, Sky silver brushed aluminum, silver keyboard

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 8 reviews

The Bottom Line: Considering the total package of features and price, the Acer Aspire M5 feels like a safe bet if you want an all-encompassing Windows 8 laptop with touch that won't cost a fortune. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5 3317UB, 6 GB, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 8, 14 in, 4.63 lbs

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Intel Core i7 i7-3520M / 2.9 GHz ( 3.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 8 GB / 16 GB (max), 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition, 14 in, 1600 x 900 ( HD+ ), DVD-Writer, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 3.9 lbs, 4 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: You get a decent 14-inch laptop package in the Asus VivoBook, especially given that it has a touch screen, but it doesn't add up to anything particularly impressive that you can't get elsewhere either with better design or for a lower price. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i5, Intel i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 8 GB (max), 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 4.4 lbs, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.9 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The HP Pavilion Chromebook 14 advances the argument for Chrome as a low-cost mainstream computing environment, but the laptop's most noteworthy feature is a slightly bigger screen. Read review

Specs: Intel Celeron 847 / 1.1 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB / 4 GB (max), 16 GB, Google Chrome OS, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics, 4 lbs, L3 cache, 2 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The budget-friendly Lenovo IdeaPad Z400 Touch is a bulky, heavy commodity touch-screen laptop that doesn’t stand out from the pack. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i5 i5-3230M / 2.6 GHz ( 3.2 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 6 GB / 16 GB (max), 1 TB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), DVD-Writer, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 5.3 lbs, 3 MB, Dark chocolate

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The HP Envy TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 is a good gateway to the Windows 8 experience with a responsive touch screen in a traditional laptop body. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5, 4 GB, 500 GB, Microsoft Windows 8, 14 in, 1366 X 768

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The business-oriented Lenovo ThinkPad X1 adds must-have features for 2013, and remains a very impressive business-oriented ultrabook with strong crossover appeal. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i5, 4 GB, 128 GB, Microsoft Windows 8, 14 in, 1600 x 900, Intel HD 4000, 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:
  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 ), NVIDIA GeForce 610M / Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 1 GB, 4.1 lbs, 3 MB, Sapphire blue

• 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:
  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: 7.4 (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 ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4.1 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Sky silver brushed aluminum

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Intel Core i5 i5-3230M / 2.6 GHz ( 3.2 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 6 GB / 16 GB (max), 750 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 14 in, 1600 x 900 ( HD+ ), DVD-Writer, Intel HD Graphics 4000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology, 5.3 lbs, 3 MB

• 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:
  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:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.9 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Toshiba's experimental extra-wide-screen ultrabook gets a Windows 8 software upgrade, but it turns the Toshiba Satellite U845W into a computer imperfectly matched for what Windows 8 has to offer. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5 3317U, 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 6 GB, / 10 GB (max), 500 GB - 5400 rpm, - Serial ATA-300, Microsoft Windows 8, 14.4 in, 1792 x 768 ( HD+ ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 4 lbs, 3 MB, Midnight silver aluminum with soft touch trim

• 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 ), None, Intel HD Graphics Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0, 6.2 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: With the looks of a Portege and a touch screen, this Windows 8 laptop is part of a big wave of touch-enabled PCs. Read review

Specs: Intel i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 3rd Gen Core i5, 6 GB / 16 GB (max), 750 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4.3 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Champagne silver etched aluminum

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The media-geared Toshiba Satellite U845W has an extra-wide 21:9 screen and Harman Kardon speakers, but no DVD or Blu-ray player. The screen is a novelty act that offers some benefits, but it's really no better than your standard laptop for most uses. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5, i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 8 GB, / 10 GB (max), 500 GB, - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 14.4 in, 1792 x 768 ( HD+ ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 4 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Midnight silver aluminum with soft touch trim

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Intel Core i7 i7-3630QM / 2.4 GHz ( 3.4 GHz ) ( Quad-Core ), 8 GB / 16 GB (max), 1 TB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, DVD-Writer, 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM, 5.5 lbs, 6 MB, Dusk black with hairline texture

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Intel Core i5 i5-3210M / 2.5 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB / 8 GB (max), 320 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, DVD±RW, 4.5 lbs, 3 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: Intel Core i5 i5-3210M / 2.5 GHz ( 3.1 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 8 GB (max), 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, 4.9 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Brushed aluminum

• 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: Trimming down and shedding metal for plastic, the U945's a modest redesign of the existing Satellite U845; but if it makes for a more affordable laptop, then it's a good move. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i5, Intel i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 6 GB / 16 GB (max), 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4.1 lbs, 3 MB, Ice blue with fusion lattice, silver keyboard

• 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 ), 4 GB, 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8, 14 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 3.9 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Brushed aluminum in midnight black with a red soft-touch base