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• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 2 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: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5, i5-3337U / 1.8 GHz ( 2.7 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 6 GB, / 8 GB (max), 128 GB, - Serial ATA-300, Microsoft Windows 8, 14 in, 1366 x 768, ( HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 3.8 lbs, 3 MB, Sky silver brushed aluminum, silver keyboard

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: This Windows 8 tablet from Lenovo scores with great industrial design and battery life, but adding practically required accessories makes the ThinkPad Tablet 2 very expensive for what you get. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom Z2760 / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB / 2 GB (max), Windows 8 32-bit Edition, 10.1 in, IPS, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, PowerVR SGX545, 20.8 oz, 1 MB, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: It's great to see more touch-screen Windows 8 laptops under $600, but note that the Asus X202E requires some compromises in performance and battery life. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i3, Intel i3-3217U / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB, 500 GB - 5400 rpm, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 11.6 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 2.9 lbs, Aluminum gray

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 7 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:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 14 reviews

The Bottom Line: The $249 Samsung Chromebook is a good extra computer for cloud-loving Google-centric Web users. Read review

Specs: 5 / 1.7 GHz ( Dual-Core ), Samsung Exynos 5, 2 GB, 16 GB, Google Chrome OS, 11.6 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Shared video memory (UMA), None, 2.4 lbs, 1 MB, Silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Samsung's midprice Series 5 UltraTouch looks and feels like a more expensive machine, but keeps it simple by skipping the complex hybrid mechanics of so many new Windows 8 systems. 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, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 13.3 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology, 3.7 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Titan silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: For under $700, the Acer Aspire V5 proves that a touch screen can work in a budget-priced Windows 8 laptop without cutting too many corners. 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, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 15.6 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000 Shared video memory (UMA), 5.3 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Silky silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: 4 GB, 500 GB - 5400 rpm, Windows 8, 64-bit, English, Intel HD Graphics, 8X CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)

• 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: The VivoBook S500CA offers a big-screened touch-screen Windows 8 laptop for a bargain price -- and without many extras. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i5, Intel i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 6 GB / 6 GB (max), 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 15.6 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 4.6 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, 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: 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 ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 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:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The HP Envy x2’s capacity to be a full Windows 8 tablet or dock with a keyboard works as well as advertised, provided you’re willing to live with slower performance at a high price. You’re paying for style. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom Z2760 / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB, 64 GB - Serial ATA-300, Windows 8, 11.6 in IPS, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics, 3.1 lbs, L2 cache, 1 MB, Brushed aluminum

• 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: With a great design for the price and some better-than-expected graphics power, the HP Pavilion TouchSmart 15z-b000 Sleekbook may be worth overlooking its shortcomings if you're on a tight budget. Read review

Specs: 6 GB, Windows 8 64

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.8 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 16 reviews

The Bottom Line: At $199, the Acer C7 is an attractive proposition for anyone looking for a supercheap portable laptop, but the Chrome OS and short battery life mean you'll have to accept a lot of compromises. Read review

Specs: Intel, Celeron ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB, 320 GB, Google Chrome OS, 11.6 in, 1366 x 768, ( HD ), None, 3 lbs

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The ultrabook-like HP Envy Sleekbook 6 is the sharpest-looking $599 laptop you're likely to find, although you'll pay a performance premium. Read review

Specs: AMD A series A6-4455M / 2.1 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 16 GB (max), 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 15.6 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), AMD Radeon HD 7500G Shared video memory (UMA), 4.6 lbs, L2 cache, 1 MB, Brushed aluminum in midnight black with a red soft-touch base

• 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 ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, DVD-Writer, 5.3 lbs, 3 MB, Dark chocolate

• 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 GB, 500 GB - 7200 rpm, Windows 7 Professional SP1, 64-bit with XP Mode Installed, English, CD/DVD Burner

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: This near-ultrabook packs in processing and graphics power, along with an optical drive, at a reasonable price. The only real knock against the Pavilion m6 is that some of HP's higher-end systems hardly cost more. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5 2.5 GHz, 8 GB, 750 GB - 5400 rpm, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 15.6 in, AMD Radeon HD 7670M, 1 GB, 5.3 lbs

• 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: In a sea of hard-to-distinguish Atom-powered Windows 8 tablets, the Asus VivoTab Smart ME400 stands out a bit thanks to clever accessories. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom Z2760 / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB, Windows 8, 10.1 in IPS, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, PowerVR SGX545, 24 oz, Black

• 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:
  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: Asus makes some of the most full-featured ultrabooks available, but this stripped-down Zenbook UX32A version is missing those extras and faces tough competition in its price range. Read review

Specs: 2nd Gen Core i3, Intel i3-2367M / 1.4 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 4 GB (max), 320 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, 13.3 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), Intel HD Graphics 3000, None, 3.2 lbs, Silver

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Offering low-powered Intel Atom tablet/laptop hybrids for $750 or more is a dodgy proposition for budget-looking systems such as the Iconia W510, but all-day battery life is a great selling point. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom, Z2760 / 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ), 2 GB, 64 GB, Microsoft Windows 8, 10.1 in, 1366 x 768 ( HD ), None, Intel GMA 3650, 1.32 lbs, L2 cache, 1 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: Intel, 2 GB, 320 GB - 5400 rpm, UBUNTU Linux, 8X CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive), 3000. Audio: . Network Card: Integrated 10/100/1000

• 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 ), DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM, Intel GMA 4500M Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0, 128 MB, 5.5 lbs, L2 cache, 1 MB, Trax texture in black