CES 2008: Slick, New Laptops

Toshiba has updated its flagship gaming and multimedia laptop. The $3199 Qosmio G45-AV690, available now, will feature Intel's new Penryn mobile processor and the first HD DVD writer (previous models could read but not write to HD DVD discs). This full-featured, 1080p system has an HDMI port to connect to an HDTV as well as an HDTV tuner for viewing and recording content. It's the first laptop to support Toshiba's Regza Link, which allows it to be controlled by other Regza Link devices such as TVs and remote controls. And nVidia's GeForce 8600M GT GPU2 supports Microsoft's DirectX 10 technology for the latest in gaming.

If this laptop doesn't have enough storage for you, then we just can't help you. Asus's M series of laptops--which includes the M50 (shown here), the M50S (with a TV tuner), and the M70--comes with two Hitachi Travelstar 5K500 drives for a total of 1 terabyte of storage. The M50 also has a 15.4-inch screen with a light sensor that automatically adjusts for brightness, an nVidia GeForce 8600M GT graphics card, an HDMI port, and a 240-degree swiveling Webcam.

According to the company, this convertible tablet with a 12.1-inch backlit LED display will be one of the first laptops to have integrated support for AT&T's BroadbandConnect High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) network. This model is also light at 3.5 pounds, and Fujitsu says that battery life--with an extended battery--is a whopping 11 hours. Built-in security includes a fingerprint reader, a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip, and a smart-card slot. Pricing starts at $1599; it is immediately availabile without the AT&T BroadbandConnect support and availabile with it in March.

Lenovo's IdeaPad Y710 breaks the company out of its traditional ThinkPad business market and into the consumer space. With a glossy 17-inch wide screen, this gaming-friendly desktop replacement has a 4.1 speaker system, a row of touch-sensitive media controls, an ATI Radeon HD graphics card, an HDMI port, and an option for a Blu-ray Disc drive. It also sports an integrated Webcam that can be used with the built-in facial recognition software to log you in to your laptop. The model is available now and starts at $1199. A 15-inch Y510, also available, starts at $799.

Fujitsu's 1.56-pound LifeBook U810 is an uber-small convertible tablet with a 5.6-inch backlit LED touch screen display and integrated support for AT&T's BroadbandConnect High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) network. That translates to fast cellular broadband for when you're not near a Wi-Fi hotspot. Lenovo claims 5.5 hours of life for the four-cell battery. The U810 comes with a fingerprint reader and is available now without the AT&T BroadbandConnect support for prices starting at $999; the AT&T BroadbandConnect models will be available in March.

If a tablet PC makes you think of employees taking inventory or doing fieldwork, then HP is hoping to change your mind with its entertainment-focused Pavilion tx2000, which is currently available for $1299. Its 12.1-inch wide-screen display rotates 180 degrees and lies flat on the keyboard so you can work and watch movies on a slate-like setup. For entertainment, this AMD Turion-driven model comes with HP's QuickPlay one-touch media-playing software and a remote control that tucks into the ExpressCard slot. For work, it comes with a fingerprint reader and a rechargeable pen that both writes and erases.

Lenovo's beautiful red U110--with a tendril-style graphic on the outside lid and on the touch-sensitive controls above the keyboard--is a lightweight (2.3 pounds), compact laptop with a Webcam built into the 11.1-inch screen. Hard-drive options include a 64GB solid-state drive or a 120GB hard disk. It lacks a built-in optical drive, so you'll have to get a USB external alternative. Pricing for the U110 hasn't been announced, but expect to see it in late March.

HP recently refreshed its 20-inch behemoth of a laptop, which it calls Dragon, with new processors, support for 1080p video, and an nVidia GeForce 8800M GTS graphics card that supports Microsoft's DirectX 10 for the latest in gaming. For more information on the HDX, read our recent review.