Laptops are diversifying. You'll find models that are the ultimate in mobile computing as well as models that make fine replacements for desktop PCs. (Check our computer buying guide for helpful information on how to choose the right computer for your needs.)
These recent arrivals did well in early testing. All have a DVD burner and a webcam. But tech support was also a factor in our selections. Apple has the best tech support among laptop brands. Sony's tech support was undistinguished, while Lenovo's support was above average for problem-solving among laptop brands. So, if you're thinking about giving a laptop as a gift this year, consider:
Sony Vaio VGN-Z540, $1,800
This 13.1-inch slim-and-light weighs 3.3 pounds and has a 6-hour battery life. Its LED-backlighted display was excellent. It has a power-saving feature that lets you switch between higher-performance discrete graphics and battery-saving integrated. There's also an HDMI output for connecting to an HDTV.
Apple MacBook 13-inch, $1,300
MacBook Pro 15-inch (shown), $2,000
These weigh 4.5 and 5.5 pounds, respectively. The 15-inch model has a power-saving graphics feature, and both have a body built of a single piece of aluminum. Touchpads are glass; instead of using buttons, you can click anywhere on the pad. You can also use multitouch gestures, such as rotating a photo with your fingertips.
Lenovo ThinkPad T500, $1,255
This 15.4-inch model weighs 5.9 pounds. It has a 4-hour battery life, lighted keyboard, dual pointing devices, Core 2 Duo processor, and 250GB hard drive.
These previously tested models are also worth considering:
Apple MacBook Air, $1,800
Dell XPS M1330, $1,130
HP Pavilion dv4t, $875
Dell Studio 15, $975
HP Pavilion dv5t, $925
HP Pavilion dv7t, $1,190
Dell Studio 17, $975
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