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Top Notebook PCs

No matter how or where you prefer to do your computing, there's a notebook designed to match your style. We've pulled together the best of three types: desktop replacements, ultraportables, and value notebooks.

Kalpana Ettenson

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Inspiron 5150 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

Dell Inspiron 5150

3.06-GHz Pentium 4 processor, 15-inch screen, 10.5 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $1799

Bottom Line: This bulky portable has a hard drive and memory slots that are easy to access, and it boasts great battery life.

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450XL PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

Gateway 450XL

1.7-GHz Pentium M processor, 15.1-inch screen, 8.1 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $2389

Bottom Line: An unremarkable exterior belies this notebook's built-in Wi-Fi, extensive set of connections, very good battery life, and upgradability.

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Compaq NX7000 Notebook Computer (HP (Hewlett-Packard)-DL855A) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 01, 2003

HP Compaq NX7000 Notebook Computer (HP (Hewlett-Packard)-DL855A)

1.6-GHz Pentium M processor, 15.4-inch screen, 7.6 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $2025

Bottom Line: This portable offers many attractive design touches, not the least of which is its wide screen, ideal for watching movies or displaying presentations.

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ThinkPad T40 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: April 30, 2003

IBM ThinkPad T40

1.6-GHz Pentium M processor, 14.1-inch screen, 6.2 pounds, 80GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $2799

Bottom Line: Lightweight laptop provides numerous wireless networking options, a big hard drive, and very long battery life.

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3150P Notebook Computer (Averatec-SL3150P01) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: July 28, 2003

Averatec 3150P Notebook Computer (Averatec-SL3150P01)

1.4-GHz Mobile Athlon XP-M 1600+ processor, 12.1-inch screen, 5.3 pounds, 30GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $1049

Bottom Line: This bargain wireless laptop is relatively slow but good for Web surfing and sending e-mail from the road.

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Latitude X300 Notebook Computer (Dell-X300SB) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

Dell Latitude X300 Notebook Computer (Dell-X300SB)

1.2-GHz Pentium M processor, 12.1-inch screen, 6 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $2316

Bottom Line: On its own, this portable is just 3 pounds; its 1.9-pound media slice adds a full set of connections and great sound.

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Actius PC-MV14 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

Sharp Actius PC-MV14

1.2-GHz Pentium III-M processor, 12.1-inch screen, 5 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $1999

Bottom Line: Ready for travel with the lightest weight here, this laptop lacks the bells and whistles of other ultraportables, but handles general computing tasks.

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Travelmate 290LMi PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 07, 2003

Acer Travelmate 290LMi

1.3-GHz Pentium III-M processor, 15-inch screen, 7.2 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-R/RW drive, Price when reviewed: $1499

Bottom Line: This fast, reasonably priced model has long battery life and includes a rewritable DVD drive.

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R40 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 01, 2003

IBM R40

1.3-GHz Pentium M processor, 15-inch screen, 7.3 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $1539

Bottom Line: Basic, midweight ThinkPad packs plenty of useful features into an easy-to-configure unit via its modular bay.

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Satellite A15-S127 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 07, 2003

Toshiba Satellite A15-S127

2-GHz Celeron processor, 15-inch screen, 7.1 pounds, 30GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when reviewed: $949

Bottom Line: Solid performance, a big screen, and high-quality sound make this an excellent choice for first-time notebook buyers.

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All systems are tested or retested under our PC WorldBench 4 test suite.

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