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Top 15 Notebook PCs

This month sees a new entry in each category: Chem USA's desktop replacement features a camera in its lid; Micro Express's all-purpose model offers stylish looks and a stellar screen; and WinBook's ultraportable has a fine keyboard.

Kalpana Ettenson

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NC6000 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: March 29, 2004

1. 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: $1824

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

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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: $2705

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

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

Last Rated: December 01, 2004

3. 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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ChemBook 2037 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: January 25, 2005

4. Chem USA ChemBook 2037

2-GHz Pentium M 755 processor, 15.4-inch wide-screen, 8.7 pounds, 80GB hard drive, DVD-RW drive, Price when ranked: $1899

Bottom Line: This well-rounded desktop replacement features an 800-by-600-pixel camera in its lid and a high-performance battery.

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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: $2269

Bottom Line: Slide fingerprint reader is a bit finicky, but this laptop has an industry-leading 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 screen, 7.4 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $1549

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: $2150

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

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CL5620 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: January 25, 2005

9. Micro Express CL5620

2-GHz Pentium M 755 processor, 15-inch screen, 7.2 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD±RW drive, Price when ranked: $1599

Bottom Line: Elegant-looking portable offers a beautiful high-resolution screen and an ultrafirm keyboard.

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Lifebook S7010 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 24, 2004

10. Fujitsu Lifebook S7010

1.7-GHz Pentium M 735 processor, 14.1-inch screen, 5.1 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $1999

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

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Latitude X300 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 25, 2004

11. Dell Latitude X300

1.4-GHz Pentium M LV 738 processor, 12.1-inch screen, 4.0 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD+RW drive, Price when ranked: $2364 (price includes extra-cost docking station)

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

12. Fujitsu Lifebook P7010D

1.1-GHz Pentium M ULV 713 processor, 10.6-inch screen, 4.1 pounds, 60GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $2099

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

13. 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 has a cramped keyboard.

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

Last Rated: July 27, 2004

14. IBM ThinkPad X40 Notebook

1.2-GHz LV Pentium M processor, 12.1-inch screen, 5.6 pounds, 40GB hard drive, DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, Price when ranked: $2299 (price includes extra-cost docking station)

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

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X Series PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: January 25, 2005

15. WinBook X Series

2-GHz Pentium M 755 processor, 12.1-inch screen, 5.5 pounds, 80GB hard drive, DVD±RW drive, Price when ranked: $1699

Bottom Line: You can watch DVD movies, home videos, and slide-shows without having to turn on this lightweight laptop.

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

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