Gallery: Buying Guides: Choosing a Notebook
01BG-laptops.jpg
Our notebook computer used to be our second machine -- the one we'd take with us on the road, then stick in our desk drawer under our "real" computer when we got home. But now, they're our primary workhorses. The Basics __Ultrabooks__ "Thin and light" -- the guiding principle of mobile electronics makers as long as we can remember -- is currently driving all the innovation in the notebook PC market. The white hot category at the center is the so-called "ultrabook," amazingly light, super-slim laptops with features like new Intel processors, integrated graphics, and solid-state storage drives. Price-wise, most are right in the middle of the laptop field: between $900 and $1,500. They're scarce, though -- not everyone makes an Ultrabook, and those who do only have a few configurations to pick from. __Netbooks__ Netbooks are small, light and basic laptops with cheaper components. They have integrated graphics and slower processors, so they aren't great for gaming or for serious video work. But netbooks are a great choice for those who want to save some cash, or for kids and students who really just need something to send e-mail, write papers and surf the web. Budget travelers also like them -- at $400 or $500, they won't cause as much of a headache if they get banged up or lost. __Full-Featured Laptops__ Nestled between ultrabooks and netbooks are regular, old, full-featured laptops. They're pricier ($1,200 to $2,300), and, of course, heavier. But they have more muscle in almost every department. People who need a portable machine that's as powerful as their desktop should look at this category. Every PC manufacturer makes a laptop in this class, so there are dozens of options, but their popularity is fading as more slimmed-down models take over. __Chromebooks__ If a web browser is really all you need, check out a Chromebook. The notebooks in this budding category are powered by Google's ChromeOS. There's no Windows OS, and no native apps, just a web browser. All your apps and data live in the cloud. Chromebooks are only $400 or $500, as they're bare-bones and don't have much power or storage space. But if your Chromebook breaks or gets stolen, you don't lose any data -- it's all saved up there in the cloud, where you can access it from any other computer. Buying advice: Ultrabooks really are the best choice for almost everyone. Sure, you lose some performance when you join the "thin and light" party. Ultrabooks also have fewer expandability options, some are missing DVD drives, and battery life can vary. But the truth is, most Ultrabooks have everything 90 percent of the people out there need, so we'd recommend almost start there. Bottom line, go for a computer that's comfortable to carry and comfortable to type on, and with the screen you like the best. Don't fret too much over the interior specs -- unless the machine is intended for serious production work, the feel of the keyboard and the quality of the screen almost always have more of an impact on your overall satisfaction than the speed of the processor or the number of USB ports. Netbooks can sometimes fit the bill, but their smaller keyboards can feel cramped, making them less comfortable to work on. Choose a netbook only if cost is your main concern. *Photo by Ariel Zambelich/Wired*
02apple-macbook-air
Apple MacBook Air ----------------- Apple's [MacBook Air](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/07/macbookair/) is a true winner in both style and function, and inside the ultraportable case lie guts powerful enough for almost everybody to use it as their daily computer. It earns our highest recommendation. Price ranges from $1,000 to $1,600. There's no integrated optical drive, which Apple seems set on writing the obituary for. Each model only measures 0.68 inches in height, and their respective weights are 2.96 pounds for the 13-inch, 2.38 pounds for the 11-inch. The 13-inch model comes with a handy SD card slot on the right side. Best Notebook Apple MacBook Air $1,000-$1,600 [Apple.com](http://www.apple.com/macbookair/) What makes this year's refresh particularly noteworthy is that Apple, as it is long famous for doing, has taken a solid product and rounded the rough edges, so to speak, to make it even better and more appealing to a wider audience. On the outside, there's still a FaceTime cam built in, two USB 2.0 ports (one on each side), and a standard headphone jack on the left, but there are two noteworthy changes. One is that the MiniDisplay Port on the right side has been removed in favor of a Thunderbolt port, which is capable of transfer speeds 20 times faster than traditional USB 2.0. The other is the reintroduction of the backlit keyboard, which was shockingly absent from last year's MacBook Air refresh. Apple may have killed the MacBook line in introducing these new Airs, but they may have also sounded the death knell for the MacBook Pro, which no longer holds such a commanding lead when it comes down to internal specs and exterior features. __WIRED__ Thunderbolt port, Sandy Bridge CPU provide unprecedented zip. Backlit keyboard a welcome re-addition. Unsoldered Flash chips make storage upgrade easy. __TIRED__ Optical drive RIP. No SD card slot on 11-inch model. Windows license costs extra. Extreme lightness causes frequent tip-backs when opening closed lid. [Read Our Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/07/macbookair/) __Rating: 9 out of 10__*Photo by Jim Merithew/Wired*
03lenovo-ideapad-u300s
Lenovo IdeaPad U300s -------------------- Maybe it's a cliché that big things come in small packages, but with its [IdeaPad U300s](http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/laptop/ideapad/u-series/u300s/), Lenovo proves that there's truth in them there words. The company's ultrabook takes the high (end) road, offering a well-thought-out feature set while keeping costs -- if not exactly cheap -- at a reasonable level. As expected, the U300s is a stunning performer. While the [Sony Vaio Z Series](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/11/sony-vaio-z/) has more power, it's only 10 percent faster... and $1,000 more expensive. Lenovo IdeaPad U300s $1,500 [Lenovo.com](http://www.lenovo.com/)The U300s is actually quite eye-catching, taking its design cue from a hardcover book, complete with "covers" that slightly overhang the rest of the unit on the top and bottom. The cute design idea is also surprisingly functional, making it really easy to open the LCD one-handed. Adding to the plus column is the U300s's keyboard, one of the best-designed and most thoughtfully laid-out ultrabook keyboards we've encountered from this recent bumper crop. The only issue: No backlighting. Two demerits: the display, which is by far the dimmest ultrabook LCD we've encountered; and the clickpad, which is spacious but skittish. Gestures are erratic, and, more importantly, clicks are frequently missed. All of this clocks in at $1,500, which is a $100 price cut in comparison to the highest-end MacBook Air, with which it shares a lot of DNA. For the record, that's probably still more than most people want to pay, but if you're not interested in the MacOS and want a metal-chassis design, this good-looking Lenovo is a really compelling machine. __WIRED__ Solid construction, solid performance, solid feature set. Keyboard is as good as it gets on an ultrabook. OneKey rescue button to restore/rebuild the laptop is a neat idea -- but do we really need a standalone, physical button on the side for this? It's the only ultrabook available in beautiful orange today. __TIRED__ What's up with the backlighting? Minimal port selection, with USB ports on opposite sides of the machine. Weak clickpad. Battery life only hits the four hour mark. [Read Our Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/11/lenovo-u/) __Rating: 8 out of 10__
04hp-pavilion-dm1
HP Pavillion dm1 ---------------- If you're in the market for a netbook -- an inexpensive, bare-bones, pint-sized laptop you can take anywhere -- we wholeheartedly recommend the [HP Pavillion dm1](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/10/hp-dm1/). The specs are shockingly good for a $450 laptop. And it isn't just great on paper -- we were impressed by its performace as well. Best Netbook HP Pavillion dm1 $450 [HP.com](http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/series/category/notebooks/dm1z_series/3/computer_store) This dm1 is actually a refreshed version of the netbook HP released earlier in the year, the [dm1z](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/06/hp-pavilion-dm1z/). Both netbooks earned high marks, but the newer dm1 has a better design overall, both in ergonomics and in aesthetics. Curiously, the newer dm1 saw a slight drop in performance (about 10 percent across the board) but battery life was improved, the audio quality is better, and it's slightly lighter. Whichever model you can find -- the dm1 or the dm1z -- both are capable machines, and both are bargains. Both give you plenty of computer for under $500. __WIRED__ Still one of the best netbooks on the market. An all-around solid unit that looks better than ever. Upgraded webcam and audio. Improved battery life. __TIRED__ Screen is significantly dimmer than the dm1z and viewing angles aren't great. Slight performance drop. [Read Our Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/10/hp-dm1/) __Rating: 8 out of 10__*Photo by Jim Merithew/Wired*
05samsung-series-9
Samsung Series 9 ---------------- Samsung's [Series 9](http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/laptops/NP900X3A-A03US) was one of the first Windows-based ultrabooks out of the gate during the 2011 revival of the category, and little has changed since its launch early this year. And who can blame Samsung for its unabashed focus to out-design the [MacBook Air](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/07/macbookair/) with a different, snazzier, curvier, blacker look? Samsung Series 9 $1,650 [Samsung.com](http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/laptops/NP900X3A-A03US)At its core, the machine doesn't wander far from its inspiration: Same 2.9-pound weight, nearly the same dimensions and a near-identical keyboard layout. Under the hood, the Series 9 comes in a variety of configurations. Our setup included a 1.4GHz Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD -- almost the same as the lower-tier Air but with a slightly slower CPU. For the most part, Samsung gets the equations right. The laptop looks good (especially the ultra-bright display) and stays both cool and quiet, the feel and action of the keyboard are solid, and the audio is plenty loud. All of this brings us down to what has to be the true Achilles' heel of the Series 9: the price. At $1,650, the Series 9 costs $350 more than the similarly-equipped Air, even though Samsung's laptop is substantially slower and lower in resolution than Apple's. __WIRED__ An all-around capable ultrabook, with thoughtful features and a quality design. Dazzlingly bright screen. Average battery life (about 4.5 hours). __TIRED__ Much too expensive. Surprisingly lackluster performance, particularly at graphical tasks. SOL if you need a full SD card reader. Bummer clickpad problems. [Read Our Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/11/samsung-series9/) __Rating: 6 out of 10__*This review was updated on November 16, 2011* *Photo by Jon Snyder/Wired*
06lenovo-thinkpad-x220
Lenovo ThinkPad X220 -------------------- Lenovo really wowed us earlier this year with its own ultra-light, slim and compact laptop, the [ThinkPad X220](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/03/thinkpad-x220/). Lenovo ThinkPad X220 $900-$1,300 [Lenovo.com](http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087¤t-category-id=20E990072AB74EA5EA87218BF129CC11&action=init)It has the same i5 processor as other PCs in its class, and the rest of the machine's specs are: 4GB of RAM, 320GB hard drive, SD and ExpressCard slots, and three USB ports (one chargeable). There's no optical drive and while there's no HDMI port, there is a DisplayPort socket, so plan your cabling accordingly. The keyboard is outstanding and typical of the ThinkPad brand. Audio isn't particularly inspiring but it's good enough for a machine of this stature. The touchpad needs work, and at $1,250 for the model with the i5 processor, it's certainly on the higher end price-wise. Though that isn't obscene -- we've seen higher price tags for bulkier machines that didn't come close to performance like this. __WIRED__ Insane battery life flirts with five long hours. Blazing performance outdoes your kid's gaming laptop. Super-lightweight, but solidly built. Milspec tested (though not yet certified). __TIRED__ Half-baked touchpad design. Please, Lenovo, please swap the Fn and Ctrl keys once and for all. [Read Our Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/03/thinkpad-x220/) __Rating: 8 out of 10__
07TOSHIBA-057edit.jpeg
Toshiba Portege Z835 -------------------- At first blush, [Toshiba's Portege Z835](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/11/ultrabooks-for-everyone-toshiba-joins-the-fray/) looks like just another knock-off of the [MacBook Air](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/07/macbookair/), stripped down, all plastic, and price-slashed to bring it down to a super-cheap $900, exactly in line with the new [Acer Aspire S3](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/10/acer-aspire-s3/). And yet the Portege is compelling. Toshiba Portege Z835 $900 [us.Toshiba.com](http://us.toshiba.com/computers/laptops/portege/)Even though it is configured with just a 1.4GHz Core i3 CPU and 4GB of RAM, it's very speedy, probably due to the 128GB SSD drive, a feature you rarely see on machines this inexpensive. Connectivity is also better than usual. You get both VGA and HDMI output, three USB ports instead of the usual two (one is USB 3.0 and one is chargeable), plus Ethernet, separate headphone and microphone jacks, and an SD card reader. The 13.3-inch screen (1366 x 768 pixels) is also substantially brighter than both the Aspire and the [Sony Z Series](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/11/sony-vaio-z/) ultrabook. Also, at 2.4 pounds this is the lightest ultrabook we've seen to date. The keyboard isn't too pretty, with nearly no travel keys and uneven backlighting that comes off looking cheap. The trackpad is nice, but the buttons are tiny and hard to press. The Z835 also lacks stability, with inexplicable crashes during our tests. But aside from the keyboard, the Z835 looks good -- and professional -- and feels impossibly lightweight. If the crash issues can be remedied (driver updates, perhaps?), Toshiba's got a surprisingly near-perfect and world-class ultrabook on its hands. __WIRED__ Gorgeous display, great performance, ultra-cheap price, and dazzlingly light weight. More port options than most ultrabooks. Sleek and sophisticated looks despite the plastic construction. Above-average battery life at over 5 hours. __TIRED__ More crashes than you can shake a MacBook Air at. Screen flexes ominously. Weak keyboard with ugly backlighting. Ports (almost all in the rear) are difficult to reach. [Read Our Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/11/ultrabooks-for-everyone-toshiba-joins-the-fray/). __Rating: 8 out of 10__*Photo by Ariel Zambelich/Wired*
08sony-vaio-z
Sony Vaio Z ----------- If the battle of laptop supremecy is based solely on specs, Sony has this round won with the new [Vaio Z Series](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/11/sony-vaio-z/). Versus the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air, the Vaio Z is faster (with a 2.7GHz Core i7 versus a 1.8GHz CPU on the Air), has better screen resolution (1600 x 900 versus 1440 x 900), and -- the critical measure for ultrabooks -- is a half-pound lighter (2.5 pounds versus 3 pounds). Sony Vaio Z $2,500 [Sony.com](http://store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&identifier=S_Z_SERIES_PAGE)Those aren't trivial differences, but man does not live on specs alone, and the Vaio Z does have its share of problems. The keyboard buttons have almost no travel, and the touchpad is a disaster. The hinge design is highly questionable. Finally, at $2,500, the Vaio Z is $900 more expensive than the most expensive MacBook Air. Is there any possible way to justify that kind of outlay? It's an impossibly hard sell. Put it another way: Is it worth it to pay an $100 extra per ounce of computer you don't get? __WIRED__ Awesome display: Great resolution and brightness, and very vivid colors. Truly impressive performance. Unrivaled combination of musclebound power with feather weight. Fair battery life (4.5 hours). __TIRED__ Very loud fan under load. Invasive Vaio software suite bundle is simply unnecessary. Cost equivalent to feeding thousands of starving children for a month. [Read Our Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/11/sony-vaio-z/). __Rating: 7 out of 10__*Photo by Jim Merithew/Wired*
09samsung-series-5-chromebook
Samsung Series 5 ---------------- For the uninitiated, the most astonishing about the [Samsung Series 5 Chromebook](http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/chromebook) isn't what it's got; it's what it's missing. No operating system, no hard drive, no function keys, no caps lock. Insanity. Best Chromebook Samsung Series 5 $430 Wi-Fi Only $500 Wi-Fi + 3G [Samsung.com](http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/chromebook) What it does have is a web browser -- Google Chrome, to be exact, the thing that makes it go. You sign in to your various web accounts and do all your e-mailing, writing, tweeting, streaming and all your other -ings right there in the browser. Sounds limiting? You'd be surprised how much you can get done in a browser-only environment, and how little you miss Microsoft Entourage. Both Wi-Fi-only and 3G-equipped models are available. Though it's mostly plastic, the Series 5 isn't janky like most netbooks in the $400 price range. At 3.3 pounds, it's not terribly heavy, and it's fairly thin when closed -- 0.79 inches, to be exact. And unlike other netbooks around $450, the Series 5 has a full-sized keyboard. Typing on Samsung's Chromebook feels just like using a regular laptop keyboard. But without caps lock -- genius! __WIRED__ Primed for cloud dwellers. SD card reader accepts multiple types of cards, including HCSD. Handles HD web video just fine. Battery lasts about seven or eight hours. Great for travel. Cheap. __TIRED__ No operating system? Pfft! Can't use it to sync your iPhone. The tight association with Google may creep some people out. All-plastic construction will creep out everyone else. __Rating: 6 out of 10__[Read Our Full Review](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/reviews/2011/06/samsung-chromebook/).
