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The selection of portable computers has expanded from generous in the 1990s to almost ridiculously eclectic today. Now we see truly ultralight notebooks, desktop replacement notebooks equipped with enormous screens, convertible tablet notebooks, rugged notebooks for a range of rigorous conditions, and gaming notebooks fast enough to challenge desktop PCs. Pick a form of extreme computing, and you can probably find a notebook to fill the bill.
That's where we can help. If you're looking for a notebook that falls into the usual categories, check out our regular Top 15 Notebook PCs chart. On the other hand, if you're looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, consider our sampling of six specialized portables--diverse choices that begin with the same core features and then vary dramatically in shape, size, function, and durability.
We looked at mobile specialists from Acer, HP, JVC, Sharp, and Toshiba that range in price from $1598 to more than $4000. Because our Top 15 Notebook PCs chart emphasizes mainstream portables, and because some models in this review are anything but mainstream, we've summarized their features and performance in a separate chart. We also had games enthusiast Andrew Brandt, one of PC World's senior associate editors, play around with a gaming-optimized notebook from VoodooPC.
Of course, sometimes a specialist can be too limited. Whether too big or too small or too expensive, a niche notebook may not always be the superior choice. Should you lay down your money for a specialist? Find out what you'll have to give up--in price, in weight, and in built-in features such as optical drives--when you choose one of these out-of-the-ordinary systems.
