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Back to School Buyers Guide: Top 20 Laptops
Getting ready to go back to school can be a stressful time. Rushing around to get clothes and school supplies can be pressing enough without having to hunt down the perfect laptop in a sea of thousands. Luckily we've got you covered. We've compiled a list of some of the best new full-featured laptops so you can study with style and speed.
Our list is based on the laptops that our editors have thoroughly tested in the lab and reviewed. You won't find every notebook and netbook on this list, but you can rest assured that every laptop meets or exceeds the requirements needed for a school computer.
It is a common misconception that you have to break the bank to get a laptop that can truly perform. These systems are designed to not only take care of your basic computing needs, but also act as a media hub for all of your pictures, movies, and music too.
We've ranked our Top 20 list by screen size to help you fit these laptops into your backpack.
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1. The HP Mini 210 HD is one of the newest netbooks on the market, offering a full 720P-compatible 1366x768 resolution on a compact 10.1-inch display. This model includes the 1.66GHz Intel Atom N455 processor standard--with the faster 1.83GHz N475 for $25 more---as well as Intel GMA 3150 integrated graphics and an optional Broadcom CrystalHD decoder card for watching HD video. View NotebookReview.com Review for the HP Mini 210 HD |
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2. The ASUS Eee PC 1005PE isn't the newest netbook on the market but it's still one of the best. The 1005PE was the first 10.1” Intel Pine Trail netbook on the market featuring the Intel Atom 450 processor and Intel GMA 3150 integrated graphics. Claiming up to 50 percent better battery life than the previous generation, this model delivered more than 12 hours of continuous use in our lab before the battery needed to be recharged. |
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3. The Alienware M11x notebook is an 11.6" portable gaming notebook with up to an Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia dedicated graphics. The Alienware M11x is the most portable gaming laptop on the planet, or universe for that matter! Why use a gaming notebook for school? Because it is fully capable of handling any sorftware you need, it's relatively small and lightweight, and has a great LED backlit keyboard for typing in dark classrooms or dorms. Purchase the Dell Alienware M11x |
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4. The Lenovo ThinkPad X100e is an 11-inch notebook packed with a low-voltage AMD processor, powerful ATI integrated graphics, and one of the best keyboards we've tested on an ultraportable laptop. It may potentially be the ideal companion for students on the go. That said, if you're shopping for the X100e be sure to buy the model with the dual core processor and not the single core model. Purchase the Lenovo ThinkPad X100e View NotebookReview.com Review for the Lenovo ThinkPad X100e |
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5. The new 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro brings a lot of new features to the table from the previous generation. Users now get a large battery that gives pretty amazing life, a better display, faster processor, FireWire, SD-card slot, and best of all a lower starting price. If your student is a "Mac" and not a "PC" then this is the notebook to consider. |
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6. The Sony VAIO Y series is a 13.3-inch screen laptop designed to be more affordable than the luxury Sony VAIO Z. An Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3 or Core i5 ultra-low voltage processor and 4GB of RAM help ensure that this PC delivers the fighting power necessary to meet your computing demands. Whether you're running multiple programs while writing a paper or streaming a movie over a wireless connection, it can handle whatever you throw its way. |
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7. The HP Envy 13 is the smallest member of the HP Envy family of notebook PCs. This 13-inch notebook offers high-performance, power-efficient processors, ATI switchable graphics, lightweight aluminum and magnesium construction, and features a bright screen with amazing color depth for exceptional picture viewing and video playback. On paper, the Envy 13 promises to be everything you want in a laptop. |
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8. The Sony VAIO Z is a 13.1-inch ultra-portable powerhouse. Features like Core i5 and i7 processors, RAID0 hard drive arrays and 1080P displays never end up describing a 13-inch notebook, but with Sony it does. The VAIO Z also offers switchable graphics with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M to give users solid gaming performance one second and low-power consumption the next. This is an extremely nice notebook ... if you can afford the hefty price tag. |
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9. The Dell Inspiron 14 goes by many names: the Inspiron 14, Inspiron 1440, Inspiron 1464 and more. When you need to strike the balance between a desktop-replacement notebook and a laptop for frequent travel you will probably end up shopping for a 14-inch notebook. The Dell Inspiron 14 is one of the most popular laptops in this class and comes packed with the latest Intel processors and a nice range of options at an affordable price. View NotebookReview.com Review for the Dell Inspiron 14 |
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10. The Dell Vostro 3400 combines the latest Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors, good battery life and range of security options for business, in an affordable 14-inch laptop. This business notebook was designed for small business owners looking for a good value, but it makes perfect sense for students as well. |
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11. The ThinkPad T410 is still one of the greatest evolutions of the popular T-series ThinkPad from Lenovo. This model brings a new line of dedicated and integrated graphics cards, the Intel Core-series processor line, and a completely redesigned chassis. Our lab tests showed the ThinkPad T410 provides roughly twice the processor power of the previous T400 and twice the graphics performance to boot. Purchase the Lenovo ThinkPad T410 View NotebookReview.com Review for the Lenovo ThinkPad T410 |
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12. The Toshiba Satellite M640 and M645 offer a 14-inch laptop with solid performance and an attractive design at a modest price. Starting at around $700, this notebook certainly has an appealing price. Bottom line, despite a few minor issues, the Toshiba Satellite M645 makes a great choice for students who are looking for a 14-inch laptop and want the "best bang for their buck." Purchase the Toshiba Satellite M645 View NotebookReview.com Review for the Toshiba Satellite M645 |
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13. The HP ProBook 4520s is a small and medium business notebook that replaces the older 4510s from last year. The new model bumps the configuration from the older Intel Core 2 Duo family of processors to the newer Intel Core line, including the Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. Again, this business notebook makes a nice school laptop for serious students. |
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14. The Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 15 is the biggest notebook in the Edge family that also includes 13 and 14-inch models. The Edge series is known for its stylish looks that set it apart from other models in the ThinkPad series as well as its chiclet style keyboard. If a 15-inch notebook is too large for your needs then be sure to take a look at the ThinkPad Edge 13. Purchase the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 15 View NotebookReview.com Review for the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 15 |
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15. The new Lenovo G550 is an update to the Value Line G530 with the primary difference being the shift from a 16:10 to a 16:9 screen. This 15-inch laptop offers your choice of Intel Pentium or Core 2 Duo processor and up to 4GB DDR3 installed memory. The G550 is a solid notebook without much flare. The fact that many online retailers sell this notebook for a bargain price is main reason the G550 remains popular on this website. |
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16. The HP Pavilion dv6z promises to deliver great performance at a low price and continues to be a popular seller for HP. The Pavilion dv6z features the latest AMD processors, your choice of integrated or discrete graphics, and all the ports and features you need. At a starting price of just $579.99 it might just be the most competitive desktop replacement notebook on the market. Please note that this notebook was recently refreshed and our current review is for the old model.
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17. The Dell Studio XPS 16 is designed for those who want power, cutting-edge features, and style. If you're someone who likes to make a statement with your notebook, the metal and leather looks of the Studio XPS 16 will help you in that area too. Sleek design combined with a 1080p display and powerful components come together to make for an awesome notebook. |
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18. The Studio 17 is a 17-inch multimedia and gaming desktop-replacement notebook from Dell. This system can be configured with Intel Core i7 processors as well as high-end ATI Mobility Radeon graphics cards to compete against powerhouse systems like the Acer Aspire 8940G or Asus G51J. Dell has one trick up its sleeve with the Studio 17: it's the first large consumer notebook to offer an optional multitouch display. |
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19. The ASUS G73JH is the latest gaming notebook in the successful G-series product line. This 17.3-inch monster has a Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and the most powerful mobile video card available, the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870. View NotebookReview.com Review for the ASUS G73JH |
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20. The Acer Aspire 7740 series is a 17.3-inch multimedia notebook designed for people who want a lot of features for not a lot of money. This notebook costs $749 while still offering an Intel Core i3-330M processor, Intel GMA HD graphics, Blu-ray drive, and a HD+ LED-backlight display. |
Please keep in mind that this list does not cover all of the laptops on the market today that would make fantastic notebooks for students. This list was merely designed to highlight a few laptops that we thought might appeal to a wide range of both students and parents alike.
Remember to get advice on which laptop you buy instead of just going with what is popular, visit our What Notebook Should I Buy For School? discussion forum to find the perfect system to suit your specific needs.
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