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Top 15 Notebook PCs

This month's newcomer is IBM's ThinkPad T42, which features an integrated fingerprint reader and a fine manual.

Kalpana Ettenson

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Pavilion Entertainment Notebook PC dv1000 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 01, 2004

1. Hewlett-Packard Pavilion Entertainment Notebook PC dv1000

1.5-GHz Pentium M 715 processor, 14-inch wide-screen, 6.4 pounds, 80GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $1933

Bottom Line: A docking station and great speakers make this well-designed notebook good for playing multimedia.

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Inspiron 8600 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 04, 2004

2. Dell Inspiron 8600

2-GHz Pentium M 755 processor, 15.4-inch wide-screen, 8.3 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD+RW drive, Price when ranked: $2480

Bottom Line: Convenient design touches and good sound make up for this speedy laptop's thick case.

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NC6000 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 29, 2004

3. HP NC6000

1.6-GHz Pentium M 725 processor, 14.1-inch screen, 6.6 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $1874

Bottom Line: Lightweight corporate notebook comes with dual wireless capabilities and has longest battery life here.

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Dell Latitude D600 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 01, 2004

4. Dell Dell Latitude D600

2-GHz Pentium M 755 processor, 14.1-inch screen, 6.4 pounds, 80GB hard drive, DVD+RW drive, Price when ranked: $2125

Bottom Line: Fast and light, this full-featured notebook offers a multipurpose bay and dual pointing devices.

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ThinkPad T42 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: December 23, 2004

5. IBM ThinkPad T42

1.8-GHz Pentium M 745 processor, 14.1-inch screen, 6.3 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $1879

Bottom Line: Slide fingerprint reader is a bit finicky, but this laptop has an industry-leading animated electronic manual.

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TravelMate 8000 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: July 26, 2004

6. Acer TravelMate 8000

2-GHz Pentium M 755 processor, 15-inch screen, 7.6 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD±RW/-RAM drive, Price when ranked: $2499

Bottom Line: This business laptop boasts elegant design, moderate weight, and a flexible DVD burner.

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ThinkPad R51 Notebook PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: July 28, 2004

7. IBM ThinkPad R51 Notebook

1.5-GHz Pentium M 715 processor, 15-inch wide-screen, 7.4 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $1699

Bottom Line: The slim R51 suits users who don't require many bells and whistles. Excellent keyboard.

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PolyNote 3015AW PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 04, 2004

8. Polywell PolyNote 3015AW

2-GHz Pentium M 755 processor, 15.4-inch wide-screen, 7.6 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD+RW drive, Price when ranked: $2499

Bottom Line: This fast laptop has a firm keyboard, a swappable DVD burner, and audio buttons.

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Lifebook S7010 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 24, 2004

9. FUJITSU Lifebook S7010

1.7-GHz Pentium M 735 processor, 14.1-inch wide-screen, 5.1 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $1919

Bottom Line: The light S7010 is a good choice for business travelers, but its hard drive is not user-upgradable.

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TransPort T2200 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 24, 2004

10. MPC (Micron PC) TransPort T2200

1.7-GHz Pentium M 735 processor, 14.1-inch screen, 6.9 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $2002

Bottom Line: This handsome notebook offers the extra security of a fingerprint reader but has hard-to-hit mouse buttons.

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M320XL PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 25, 2004

11. Gateway M320XL

1.7-GHz Pentium M 735 processor, 15-inch screen, 6.5 pounds, 80GB hard drive, DVD±RW drive, Price when ranked: $1349

Bottom Line: Lightweight but loaded with an 80GB hard drive, the stylish M320XL is an uncomplicated road machine.

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Latitude X300 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 25, 2004

12. Dell Latitude X300

1.4-GHz Pentium M Low Voltage 738 processor, 12.1-inch screen, 4.0 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD+RW drive, Price when ranked: $2364

Bottom Line: This relatively fast Latitude is expandable, thanks to the best docking station we've seen in this class.

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Lifebook P7010D PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 25, 2004

13. FUJITSU Lifebook P7010D

1.1-GHz Pentium M Ultra Low Voltage 713 processor, 10.6-inch screen, 4.1 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $2149

Bottom Line: Light unit with a fingerprint reader lasts ages on a battery charge and has extra card slots.

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Inspiron 700M PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 25, 2004

14. Dell Inspiron 700M

1.8-GHz Pentium M 745 processor, 12.1-inch wide-screen, 4.8 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD+RW drive, Price when ranked: $1916

Bottom Line: This strongly built, lightweight laptop offers a wide-aspect screen but a cramped keyboard.

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ThinkPad X40 Notebook PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: July 27, 2004

15. IBM ThinkPad X40 Notebook

1.2-GHz Low Voltage Pentium M processor, 12.1-inch screen, 5.6 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $2299

Bottom Line: Ultraportable ThinkPad boasts the finest keyboard for its size. Optical drive is USB- or dock-based.

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All systems are tested or retested under our WorldBench 5 test suite.

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