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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: 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: 4.5 stars out of 20 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Surface Pro's gutsy design successfully reinvents the Windows 8 laptop by cramming an ultrabook experience into the body of a 10-inch tablet. Those wanting to go all-in on the tablet experience won't regret buying the Surface Pro, but we're holding out for a future, more polished generation of the device. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i5, Intel i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 4 GB (max), 64 GB, Windows 8 Pro 64-bit Edition, 10.6 in TFT active matrix, 1920 x 1080 ( Full HD ), Intel HD Graphics 4000, None, 903 g, L3 cache, 3 MB, Dark titanium

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Apple keeps the latest MacBook Air updates on the inside, but greatly improved battery life and a lower starting price make up for a lack of flashy design changes. Read review

Specs: Intel, 128 GB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 21 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 is a convertible touch-screen laptop/tablet that most importantly doesn't compromise the traditional laptop experience. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5, i5-3317U / 1.7 GHz ( 2.6 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 8 GB / 8 GB (max), 128 GB - Serial ATA-300, Microsoft Windows 8, 13.3 in, IPS, 1600 x 900 ( HD+ ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 3.4 lbs, 3 MB, Silver gray

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.5 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Apple’s new 11-inch Air goes a conservative route in 2013, emphasizing longer battery life and more affordable pricing over any big design changes. The battery boost alone might be worth it. Read review

Specs: 128 GB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 18 reviews

The Bottom Line: This year's MacBook Air opts for gradual improvements rather than anything revolutionary, but lowered prices continue to make it the go-to mainstream recommendation for any MacBook owner-to-be. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5 1.8 GHz ( Dual-Core ), ( 2.8 GHz ), 4 GB, / 8 GB (max), 128 GB, Apple Mac OS X Mountain Lion, 13.3 in, 1440 x 900 ( WXGA+ ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0, 2.96 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: For those looking for something more than a feature-light ultrabook, the gamer-friendly Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 is close to brilliant, and several configurations are currently available at a deep discount -- but I can't believe it doesn't have a touch screen. Read review

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, 15.6 in, 1920 x 1080 ( Full HD ), NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, None, 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM, 6 lbs, 6 MB, Dusk black with hairline texture

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 44 reviews

The Bottom Line: The newly redesigned MacBook Pro with Retina Display combines an amazing screen with just enough of the MacBook Air design to feel like a new animal, and to take its place as the best of the current MacBook breed. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i7 2.3 GHz ( Quad-Core ), ( 3.4 GHz ), 8 GB / 16 GB (max), 256 GB, Apple OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, 15.6 in TFT active matrix, IPS, 2880 x 1800, None, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M / Intel HD Graphics 4000, 1 GB GDDR5 SDRAM, 4.46 lbs, L3 cache, 6 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 3230M, 6 GB, 500 GB - 7200 rpm, Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, 14.0, 1 GB GDDR5 nVidia GeForce GT 650M with Optimus, DVD+/-RW

• 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:
  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 shiny Samsung Series 7 Ultra has a long battery life and nice design, but its now-older processor gives us pause. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i5 i5-3337U / 1.8 GHz ( 2.7 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB / 16 GB (max), 128 GB, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 13.3 in, 1920 x 1080 ( Full HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology, 3.6 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB, Bare metal

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.9 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Acer deserves credit for trying new things in the ambitious Aspire R7. If you can get used to the odd touch pad, it's good for sharing your screen with a group, but it may be just too far outside the mainstream for wide appeal. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  0.0 stars

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

• 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!

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.0 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 15 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:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 7 reviews

The Bottom Line: While the Retina MacBook Pro is easily the most desirable 13-inch Mac laptop to date, the high price and lack of discrete graphics make it a tough call versus either the more powerful 15-inch Retina Pro or the more affordable 13-inch Air. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i5 2.5 GHz ( Dual-Core ), ( 3.1 GHz ), 8 GB, 128 GB, Apple Mac OS X Mountain Lion, 13.3 in, IPS, 2560 x 1600, Intel HD Graphics 4000 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0, 3.57 lbs, L3 cache, 3 MB

• 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:
  0.0 stars

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

Specs: 8 GB, 1000 GB - 5400 rpm, Windows 8, 64-bit, English, Intel HD Graphics, 8X CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Asus Zenbook UX51Vz-DH71 is a nice fit for anyone looking for premium looks and performance in a Windows 8 laptop who is willing to pay for it. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i7, Intel i7-3612QM / 2.1 GHz ( Quad-Core ), 8 GB / 8 GB (max), 128 GB, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 15.6 in, 1920 x 1080 ( Full HD ), None, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, 2 GB, 4 lbs, Silver aluminum

• 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 ), PowerVR SGX545, None, 20.8 oz, 1 MB, Black

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Asus adds a lot of what I've been looking for in a hybrid to the Transformer Book, but no one has yet really nailed the perfect laptop/tablet combo. Read review

Specs: 3rd Gen Core i7, Intel i7-3517U / 1.9 GHz ( 3 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB, 500 GB - Serial ATA-300 - 5400 rpm, Windows 8 64-bit Edition, 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: 8.2 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: One of the few standout products from the first wave of Windows 8 laptops, the Acer Aspire S7 proves that Apple does not have a monopoly on great design. Read review

Specs: Intel 3rd Gen Core i7 3517UB, 1.9 GHz ( 3 GHz ) ( Dual-Core ), 4 GB, / 4 GB (max), 256 GB, Microsoft Windows 8, 13.3 in, 1920 x 1080 ( Full HD ), None, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 2.9 lbs, L3 cache, 4 MB, 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 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 ), DVD-Writer, NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM, 5.5 lbs, 6 MB, Dusk black with hairline texture

• 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