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Top 10 All-Purpose Laptops

These laptops can do it all and are a great choice for most notebook users. Ratings and rankings can change due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.

Edited by Darren Gladstone

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PCW Rating: 82.6PCW Rating: 82.6PCW Rating: 82.6

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

BEST BUY!

1. Lenovo Ideapad Y530

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7350, Display Size (inches): 15.4" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 250GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 6.7Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The Y530 isn't going to break any speed records, but for everyday work and rocking out in the off-hours, it's a solid choice.

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Price When Reviewed: $829 Check Latest Prices
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PCW Rating: 82.6PCW Rating: 82.6PCW Rating: 82.6

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

2. Acer Travelmate 6293-6889

CPU: 2.26-GHz Core 2 Duo P8400, Display Size (inches): 12.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 160GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 4.6Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Acer's TravelMate 6293 thrills corporate bean counters with a long battery life.

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Price When Reviewed: $949 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 82.1PCW Rating: 82.1PCW Rating: 82.1

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

3. Micro Express JHL9050

CPU: 2.66-GHz Core 2 Duo T9550, Display Size (inches): 15.6" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 5.9Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Micro Express proves that looks aren't everything, delivering a solid notebook that burns past attractive competitors.

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Price When Reviewed: $1199 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 80.6PCW Rating: 80.6PCW Rating: 80.6

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

4. HP Pavilion DV3

CPU: 2.3-GHz Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile ZM-84, Display Size (inches): 13.3" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 4.7Lbs.,

Bottom Line: HP's head-on competitor to the Gateway UC7807u scores style points but stumbles with both performance and some functionality.

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Price When Reviewed: $888 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 80.6PCW Rating: 80.6PCW Rating: 80.6

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

5. Gateway UC7807U

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T6400, Display Size (inches): 13.3" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 250GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 5.3Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The UC7807u is a notebook with a unique sense of style that offers good performance at a surprisingly decent price.

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Price When Reviewed: $799.99 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.7PCW Rating: 79.7PCW Rating: 79.7

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

6. Acer Aspire 3935-6504

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7350, Display Size (inches): 13.3" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 250GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 4.2Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Good overall performance and a thin case make this an attractive mid-range system that doesn't feel cheap.

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Price When Reviewed: $899 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.6PCW Rating: 79.6PCW Rating: 79.6

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

7. Samsung R610-64G

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T5800, Display Size (inches): 16" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 250GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 6.1Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The R610 is a nice looking laptop, but with a low-resolution subpar display it's a hard sell.

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Price When Reviewed: $899 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 77.8PCW Rating: 77.8PCW Rating: 77.8

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

8. Gateway MC7803U

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T5800, Display Size (inches): 16" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 7.7Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Gateway's new notebook is an entertainment tease. While the price is right, some of the performance isn't.

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Price When Reviewed: $999 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 76.7PCW Rating: 76.7PCW Rating: 76.7

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

9. Samsung X460-44P

CPU: 2.26-GHz Core 2 Duo P8400, Display Size (inches): 14.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 4.2Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Samsung's US reentry provides solid competition - even for ultraportable laptops - but with slicker looks and more features.

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Price When Reviewed: $1600 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 76.7PCW Rating: 76.7PCW Rating: 76.7

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

10. Lenovo Thinkpad T400

CPU: 2.53-GHz Core 2 Duo T9400, Display Size (inches): 14.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 16GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 5.7Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The Thinkpad T400 couples long battery life with useful features for an efficient workhorse in a simple black shell.

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Price When Reviewed: $1419 Check Latest Prices
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