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Top 10 Power Laptops

These laptops are on the heavy side and have large screens (17-inches or higher) -- that makes these powerhouses ideal replacements for desktop PCs. 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: 82.1PCW Rating: 82.1PCW Rating: 82.1

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

BEST BUY!

1. HP HDX 18

CPU: 2.8-GHz Core 2 Duo T9600, Display Size (inches): 18.4" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 640GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 9.1Lbs.,

Bottom Line: As a desktop replacement, it not only performs well, it makes your actual desktop look snazzier.

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Price When Reviewed: $1890 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 80.5PCW Rating: 80.5PCW Rating: 80.5

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

2. Acer Aspire 8930

CPU: 2.53-GHz Core 2 Duo T9400, Display Size (inches): 18.4" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 8.8Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The Aspire 8930 is that great combination of price and purpose, providing good gaming for under two grand.

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Price When Reviewed: $1699 Check Latest Prices

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

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

3. MSI GT 725

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Quad Q9000, Display Size (inches): 17" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 7.7Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The MSI GT 725 satesfies gamers, but even though it has ample power, it'll leave other users hungering for more.

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Price When Reviewed: $1699 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.3PCW Rating: 79.3PCW Rating: 79.3

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

4. Asus W90

CPU: 2.8-GHz Core 2 Duo T9600, Display Size (inches): 18.4" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 13.2Lbs.,

Bottom Line: While high-res gaming frame-rates on the Asus W90VP boom, moderate overall performance and weak sound disappoint.

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Price When Reviewed: $2199 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 79.1PCW Rating: 79.1PCW Rating: 79.1

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

5. Micro Express N570

CPU: 2.53-GHz Core 2 Extreme QX9300, Display Size (inches): 17" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 9.2Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Micro Express' power-hungry -- but feature-starved -- desktop replacement delivers gaming goods but little else.

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Price When Reviewed: $2899 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 78.0PCW Rating: 78.0PCW Rating: 78.0

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

6. Lenovo ThinkPad W700ds

CPU: 2.53-GHz Core 2 Extreme QX9300, Display Size (inches): 17" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 400GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 11Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The idea of a second screen latched onto a huge desktop replacement notebook sounds good on paper, but it's not fully-baked.

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Price When Reviewed: $4764 Check Latest Prices
Customize at Lenovo

PCW Rating: 77.4PCW Rating: 77.4PCW Rating: 77.4

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

7. Gateway P7808u

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Quad Q9000, Display Size (inches): 17" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 500GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 8.9Lbs.,

Bottom Line: A great desktop replacement that is ironically undercut by an almost identical but significantly cheaper model from Gateway.

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Price When Reviewed: $1799 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 77.4PCW Rating: 77.4PCW Rating: 77.4

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

8. Eurocom D901C Phantom-x

CPU: 3-GHz Intel Xeon X3370, Display Size (inches): 17.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 12Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The Phantom-X packs plenty of power and versatility, but suffers from a lackluster layout and design.

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Price When Reviewed: $5950 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 77.1PCW Rating: 77.1PCW Rating: 77.1

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

9. Apple Macbook Pro A1297

CPU: 2.66-GHz Core 2 Duo T9550, Display Size (inches): 17" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 320GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 6.5Lbs.,

Bottom Line: This 17-inch MacBook Pro boasts better design and a big battery life improvement (so long as you don't install Windows).

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Price When Reviewed: $2799 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 75.0PCW Rating: 75.0PCW Rating: 75.0

Last Rated: July 09, 2009

10. Alienware M17

CPU: 2.26-GHz Core 2 Duo P8400, Display Size (inches): 17" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 160GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 9.5Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Alienware, best-known for high-priced performance, delivers a good gaming power at a reasonable value.

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Price When Reviewed: $1999 Check Latest Prices
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