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Top 10 Ultraportable Laptops

Ideal for the mobile professional, these notebooks stand out for their low weight and small footprint. 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: 84.6PCW Rating: 84.6PCW Rating: 84.6

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

BEST BUY!

1. Thinkpad X200

CPU: 2.4-GHz Core 2 Duo P8600, Display Size (inches): 12.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 160GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 2.95Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The X200 is one super ultraportable with full-featured performance, battery life and a good keyboard to boot.

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Price When Reviewed: $1739 Check Latest Prices
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PCW Rating: 79.4PCW Rating: 79.4PCW Rating: 79.4

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

2. Lenovo ThinkPad X300

CPU: 1.2-GHz Core 2 Duo L7100, Display Size (inches): 13.3" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 64GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 3.4Lbs.,

Bottom Line: This ultralight doesn't look as svelte as the MacBook Air, but it does many things better than Apple's notebook.

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Price When Reviewed: $2057 Check Latest Prices
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PCW Rating: 77.7PCW Rating: 77.7PCW Rating: 77.7

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

3. Micro Express JFT2500

CPU: 2.4-GHz Core 2 Duo T7700, Display Size (inches): 12.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 160GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 4.4Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Overlook the small keyboard and 2-hour battery life, and you have yourself an affordable, ultrafast ultraportable.

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Price When Reviewed: $1199 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 77.6PCW Rating: 77.6PCW Rating: 77.6

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

4. Ideapad U110

CPU: 1.6-GHz Core 2 Duo L7500, Display Size (inches): 11.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 120GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 2.4Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Lenovo's consumer-y ultraportable is rugged -- and different -- enough to earn a loyal following

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Price When Reviewed: $1799 Check Latest Prices
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PCW Rating: 75.1PCW Rating: 75.1PCW Rating: 75.1

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

5. Fujitsu LifeBook T4220 Tablet PC

CPU: 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7300, Display Size (inches): 12.1" Display, Wide Screen: No, Total HD Size (GB): 60GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 4.3Lbs.,

Bottom Line: If you need a tablet that you can use outdoors, this unit's nonglare screen fills the bill.

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Price When Reviewed: $1789 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 74.7PCW Rating: 74.7PCW Rating: 74.7

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

6. Toshiba Portege R500-S5002

CPU: 1.2-GHz Core 2 Duo U7600, Display Size (inches): 12.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 120GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 2.4Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The R500 is one of the lightest notebooks with its screen size that we've tested, but its overly flexible screen worries us.

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Price When Reviewed: $2149 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 74.3PCW Rating: 74.3PCW Rating: 74.3

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

7. Sony VAIO VGN-TZ295N

CPU: 1.33-GHz Core 2 Duo U7700, Display Size (inches): 11.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 64GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 2.6Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The TZ295N's screen is awesome, but the notebook as a whole is evidence that beauty does, in fact, have a (steep) price.

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Price When Reviewed: $3500 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 74.0PCW Rating: 74.0PCW Rating: 74.0

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

8. Lifebook P8010

CPU: 1.2-GHz Core 2 Duo L7100, Display Size (inches): 12.1" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 120GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 2.6Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The tiny mousepad on this business model is tolerable only for those with tiny fingers; it'll aggravate everyone else.

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Price When Reviewed: $1859 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 73.1PCW Rating: 73.1PCW Rating: 73.1

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

9. Panasonic Toughbook W7

CPU: 1.06-GHz Core 2 Duo U7500, Display Size (inches): 12.1" Display, Wide Screen: No, Total HD Size (GB): 80GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 3Lbs.,

Bottom Line: Tough enough to tackle the real world, but not enough power to tackle some computing tasks.

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Price When Reviewed: $2099 Check Latest Prices

PCW Rating: 71.3PCW Rating: 71.3PCW Rating: 71.3

Last Rated: October 28, 2008

10. Apple MacBook Air

CPU: 1.6-GHz Core 2 Duo P7500, Display Size (inches): 13.3" Display, Wide Screen: Yes, Total HD Size (GB): 80GB Hard Drive, Min. Weight (lbs.): 3Lbs.,

Bottom Line: The Air's looks can't be denied. Its performance and expandability are whole other matters, though.

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Price When Reviewed: $1898 Check Latest Prices
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