Just because the once-hot netbook category is getting pushed aside by tablets, that doesn't mean consumers don't want a low-cost ultraportable that performs. And that's what HP has delivered with the new Pavilion dm1z, an 11-inch notebook featuring AMD's new Fusion processor. Starting at $449 ($479 as configured), this 3.4-pound machine blows past Atom-based netbooks while providing enough endurance to see you through the day. Add to that a stylish design, excellent audio, and a comfy keyboard, and you've got a superior take-anywhere laptop. Price: $479.00
Best All-Purpose Notebook
Samsung SF510
Ivory and brown? Yes, and it works. The $629 Samsung SF510--a Best Buy exclusive--is a budget-friendly laptop with plenty of flair. Armed with an Intel Core i3 CPU, this 15-inch notebook is an excellent choice for consumers looking for something powerful enough for everyday computing in a curvy design that is anything but ho-hum. Price: $629.00
Best Thin-and-Light Notebook
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch
The outside looks the same, but the guts of the 2010 version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro have been revamped. This thin-and-light laptop now features a faster processor and double the graphics performance. Better yet, it lasts nearly 8 hours on a charge, about an hour and a half longer than its predecessor. While $1,199 is on the pricey side these days for a notebook, the MacBook Pro delivers great performance and endurance in a attractive and comfortable design that's easy to take with you. Lowest Price: $1,199.00
Best Netbook
Samsung NF310
If you're going to shell out $399 for a netbook, it has to be special. The Samsung NF310 makes the case for its premium price with a futuristic-chic design, a dual-core Atom processor, and a high-resolution display (1366 x 768) for a 10-inch screen. While this mini laptop doesn't offer the longest battery life, it's an excellent choice. Price: $399.00
Best Ultraportable Notebook
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (2010)
It's as if the 13-inch MacBook Pro won The Biggest Loser. Meet the new 13-inch MacBook Air, which weighs 1.5 pounds lighter than its beefier brother and packs in enough horsepower to be your primary computer. Starting at $1,299, this ultraportable isn't cheap, but it costs $200 less than the last 13-inch Air, lasts more than three times longer on a charge, and features a higher resolution display than both its predecessor and the 13-inch Pro. Plus, like the 11-inch Air, this laptop's all flash storage enables a lightning-fast boot time and allows it to wake instantly from sleep. Yes, you can snag a Windows ultraportable with a faster processor for hundreds less, but if you want a mobile Mac this machine is almost perfect. Lowest Price: $1,248.89
Best Gaming Notebook
ASUS G73Jw-A1
Last Spring, ASUS wowed us with its G73Jh gaming notebook, and now the company is back with a refreshed version that pairs the same great design with a faster processor, a more powerful Nvidia GTX 460 graphics chip, and a USB 3.0 port for good measure. But are the improved specs enough to give this system a leg up on the competition. Lowest Price: $1,711.98
Best Small Business Notebook
Dell Vostro V3300
As much as we liked the looks and ultrathin profile of the Vostro V13, Dell's fashion statement in a small business notebook didn't last very long a charge and didn't have a lot of speed. The Dell Vostro V3300 ($822 as configured) is the machine for those who want strong performance and good looks in one package. We really liked this laptop's brushed aluminum lid and Core i5 power, as well as its keyboard. You'll need the extended battery to make it through marathon meetings, but overall the V3300 delivers plenty of value. Lowest Price: $670.00
Best Business Notebook
Lenovo ThinkPad T410s (Nvidia Optimus)
It's so fast, it's almost obscene. And it's not just a top-of-the-line Core i5 processor that makes this sub 4-pound ultraportable such a beast. The latest version of the ThinkPad T410s (starting at $1,699, $1,779 as tested) is the first business notebook to feature Nvidia Optimus technology, which switches automatically between integrated graphics and a dedicated GPU and allows the T410s to power up to three external displays at once. And don't forget the blazing solid state drive, which opens applications before you can say "click." Plus, you get all the features that make a ThinkPad a ThinkPad, including a best-in-class keyboard. We just have one issue with this speedster, which can be addressed with an upgrade. Lowest Price: $1,526.00
Best Multimedia Notebook
HP Envy 14
About a year has passed since HP released its Envy 13 and 15, high-style notebooks aimed directly at Apple's MacBook Pros. We generally liked the designs of these metal-bodied machines, but their high prices and mediocre ergonomics dampened our enthusiasm. Now here comes the Envy 14, which starts at $999 ($1,289 as configured). HP has tweaked the design by adding an optical drive and a backlit keyboard, but the most intriguing change is the new display size of 14.5 inches. This screen puts the Envy 14 smack dab in between the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook, and its Core i5 processor and ATI switchable graphics offer comparable performance to Apple's premium portables. More imporantly, HP has updated its touchpad so that it's much easier to use. The brilliant Radiance display is ideal for movies and games, and the notebook's Beats Audio is a pleasure for the ears. So is the Envy 14 the complete package we want it to be? Price: $1,289.00
Best Tablet
Apple iPad (I suggest Samsung Galaxy Tab)
When was the last time you called a computer fun? That's exactly what the iPad is, which is a testament to Apple's uncanny ability to integrate content with hardware so well you nearly forget there's a device in your hands. Whether you're surfing the Web, tearing around the track in a racing game, or reading one of thousands of eBooks on the multitouch display, this beautifully-designed tablet raises the bar. Lowest Price: $479.00
Extra
The Five Best Netbooks
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