[IMG]http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/rsrc/i/1/_/recommended_laptops_from_consumer_reportsrecomme_8 78538664/4.gif?f=3dcb3160-01dc-11dc-32a2-0019bbc55f7f&s=AewyNia7NTvDvhaDemju5DEsbnVsbCwwLDA *[/IMG] Recommended Laptops from Consumer ReportsRecommended Laptops from Consumer Reports
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, ,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, ,300 MacBook Pro 15-inch (shown), ,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, ,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, ,800 Dell XPS M1330, ,130 HP Pavilion dv4t, 5 Dell Studio 15, 5 HP Pavilion dv5t, 5 HP Pavilion dv7t, ,190 Dell Studio 17, 5 For more gift options, check out our list of Recommended laptops culled from our complete Ratings of the latest laptops. (Both are available to subscribers.) Posted: December 2008 ? Consumer Reports Magazine issue: January 2009 * Subscribe now!

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