eMachines EZ1601-01

The eMachines EZ1601-01 ($399.99 list) is an 18-inch all-in-one nettop PC. Think of it as a somewhat portable PC with a bigger screen than 17-inch notebooks that cost twice as much. The EZ1601-01 got enough computing power for light work (like schoolwork or writing), a desk-friendly size, and it's fairly inexpensive. It's a good choice for the student or writer who doesn't want the expense or bulk of a large-screen notebook, and doesn't mind being "plugged in" all the time.

SPEC DATA:

Price as Tested: $399.99 List
Type: Value, All-in-one
Processor Family: Intel Atom
RAM: 1 GB
Storage Capacity: 160 GB
RAID: No
Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

SOURCE:www.pcmag.com

Samsung Go N310-13GB

Embattled by cutthroat pricing and limited in the parts they can use, netbook makers have to be craftier than ever to come out on top. The Samsung Go N310-13GB ($450 street) is dealt the same Intel Atom parts and basic features as every other netbook, but its looks might pique your interest. The bright orange exterior is one of four colors available with this model, and the edge-to-edge glass screen and "pebble" keyboard are sure to impress. Performance-wise, the 66-Wh battery is not only big, but turned in more than nine hours of battery life. If you're willing to pay a slight premium over top-notch netbooks like the Toshiba mini NB205 and the ASUS EeePC 1000HE, the N310-13GB won't disappoint.

SPEC DATA:

Price as Tested: $447.00 Street
Type: General Purpose, Ultraportable, Value, Netbook
Operating System: MS Windows XP Home
Processor Name: Intel Atom N270
Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
RAM: 1 GB
Weight: 2.9 lb
Screen Size: 10.1 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Storage Capacity: 160 GB
Networking Options: 802.11g
Primary Optical Drive: External

SOURCE:www.pcmag.com

Toshiba Satellite U505-S2930

A full day of classes rarely occurs in one location, so the last thing you want is a laptop that feels like a bigger anchor than your textbooks. The Toshiba Satellite U505-S2930 ($800 street) strikes a good balance between weight and having enough screen real estate to keep you from scrolling incessantly. Though made out of plastic, the lid's textures are reminiscent of a fancy leather case and the parts are current enough to get you through several years of school. Its price tag, however, is a little high for a plastic design and budget parts, but better deals can be found through Toshiba's channel partners (NewEgg and Amazon)—if you look hard enough.

SPEC DATA:

Price as Tested: $800.00 Direct
Type: General Purpose, Media, Value
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T6500
Processor Speed: 2.1 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 4.8 lb
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Storage Capacity: 320 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: DVD+R DL

SOURCE:www.pcmag.com

Lenovo IdeaPad U350

Systems based on Intel's consumer ultra-low voltage (CULV) chipsets—that is, laptops that run on budget-friendly, low-powered processors—are no longer rarities, appearing frequently on store shelves in the form of thin-and-light laptops. In speed, these CPUs rank above netbook processors by a mere grade or two, which isn't a whole lot. In return, though, the power savings can mean a great deal for battery life. The Lenovo IdeaPad U350 ($650 direct) is the latest to join the CULV family. It's a 13-inch ultraportable that deep-sixes the optical drive to achieve super-thin form factor. The U350 can be sluggish at times and the 41-Wh battery is small, but at $650, it's not like Lenovo is ripping you off.

SPEC DATA:

Price as Tested: $650.00 Direct
Type: General Purpose, Media, Ultraportable, Value
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor Name: Intel Pentium SU2700
Processor Speed: 1.3 GHz
RAM: 4 GB
Weight: 3.6 lb
Screen Size: 13.3 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
Storage Capacity: 320 GB
Networking Options: 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive: External

SOURCE:www.pcmag.com

BFG Phobos

The BFG Phobos ($3,450 direct) takes the expensive gaming PC idea to one logical conclusion: It's like a high-powered modern sports car. You may have worked on or even built gaming PCs in the past, but now the Phobos is simply something you take delivery of, and then take out for a spin. Like that new computerized and electronics-heavy sports car, don't even think of getting under the hood: You're not going to be servicing this puppy. Both machines are made for the performance enthusiast who simply no longer wants to get his hands dirty tweaking and rooting around under the hood. While that may be appealing to the late 30-something, early 40-something gamers who are rapidly aging into this demographic, it also means that this system has a pretty narrow niche appeal.

SPEC DATA:

Price as Tested: $3,450.00 Direct
Type: Gaming
Processor Family: Intel Core i7
RAM: 6 GB
Storage Capacity: 1408 GB
RAID: Yes
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 275 SLI
Primary Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

SOURCE:www.pcmag.com