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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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1. Sony VGN-Z598U/B

CPU: Core 2 Duo P9500; CPU speed: 2530MHz; Display size: 13.1 inches; Hard drive size: 256GB; WorldBench 6 rating: Superior

Bottom Line: Sony's high-powered business multimedia machine is compelling and yet with all the extras it costs as much as a used car.

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2. Lenovo ThinkPad X200

CPU: Core 2 Duo P8600; CPU speed: 2400MHz; Display size: 12.1 inches; Hard drive size: 160GB; Weight (min): 3 pounds; WorldBench 6 rating: Very Good

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

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3. HP EliteBook 2530p

CPU: Core 2 Duo SL9400; CPU speed: 1860MHz; Display size: 12.1 inches; Hard drive size: 80GB; WorldBench 6 rating: Very Good

Bottom Line: Pricey but worth it, the HP EliteBook 2530P lives up to its name with extras not ordinarily found on an ultraportable.

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4. Samsung X360-34P

CPU: Core 2 Duo U9400; CPU speed: 1400MHz; Display size: 13.3 inches; Hard drive size: 128GB; WorldBench 6 rating: Fair

Bottom Line: Samsung's reentry into the US provides solid competition for Lenovo's X200 -- but with slicker looks and a crisper image.

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5. Acer Timeline 3810T

CPU: Core 2 Duo SU9400; CPU speed: 1400MHz; Display size: 13.3 inches; Hard drive size: 500GB; WorldBench 6 rating: Fair

Bottom Line: This Intel-powered portable, which camps between netbook and notebook, delivers decent performance and style in spades.

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6. Fujitsu LifeBook T2020

CPU: Core 2 Duo U9400; CPU speed: 1400MHz; Display size: 12.1 inches; Hard drive size: 160GB; Weight (min): 3.5 pounds; WorldBench 6 rating: Fair

Bottom Line: Fujitsu's underpowered tablet PC, the T2020, is at least light and long-lived enough to get you through the work day.

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7. Toshiba Portege R600-ST520W

CPU: Core 2 Duo U9400; CPU speed: 1400MHz; Display size: 12.1 inches; Hard drive size: 160GB; WorldBench 6 rating: Fair

Bottom Line: The Toshiba R600 is best suited for those seeking the lightest ultraportable around that can handle office documents.

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8. Lenovo IdeaPad U350

CPU: Intel U2700; CPU speed: 1300MHz; Display size: 13.3 inches; Hard drive size: 320GB; WorldBench 6 rating: Poor

Bottom Line: The U350's feature set seems average, but it's all integrated into a tight, classy package with a great keyboard.

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9. Toshiba Portege A605-P210

CPU: Core 2 Duo U9400; CPU speed: 1400MHz; Display size: 12.1 inches; Hard drive size: 320GB; WorldBench 6 rating: Fair

Bottom Line: The Portege A605 offers an ultraportable with fantastic battery life and great screen for an extremely competitive price.

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10. Apple MacBook Air

CPU: Core 2 Duo SL9400; CPU speed: 1860MHz; Display size: 13.3 inches; Hard drive size: 128GB; WorldBench 6 rating: Good

Bottom Line: Apple's second stab at the Air adds a better GPU but keeps the same shape--and the problems that come with it.

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