Head-turning design ; roomy 15.6-inch screen with 16:9 aspect ratio ; keyboard is exceedingly comfortable and features backlighting ; dedicated graphics offer some 3D-gaming capability

Core 2 Solo processor can't keep up with dual-core competition ; highly uncomfortable mouse button ; merely average battery life, despite energy-efficient processor

With its low-end single-core processor, dedicated GeForce graphics, and 16:9 display, the unquestionably sleek, entertainment-minded Asus UX50V-RX05 is a good fit for a specific user profile: the movie lover/sometime gamer.

Upscale look ; strong overall performance ; integrated graphics provide some semblance of gaming power ; backlit keyboard ; attractive edge-to-edge glass on the display

Poor battery life ; runs hot ; on the heavy side for a 13-inch laptop

The Dell Studio XPS X1340-024B is an attractive 13-inch laptop and a capable performer, but it tends to run hot and its poor battery life will leave you cold.

Nearly day-long battery life ; compact design ; includes small Media Center remote control ; imprint finish helps it stand out from the laptop crowd

Massive 9-cell battery is awkward and uncomfortable ; lacks 802.11n Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet ; glossy touch pad is uncomfortable

Its massive battery extends awkwardly from the bottom of the laptop, but the HP Pavilion dv3-2155mx is an otherwise compact thin-and-light laptop that should get students to class and back on a single charge.

Compact, lightweight design ; great battery life ; full version of Microsoft Office and 15 months of Norton Internet Security ; wonderfully roomy keyboard ; GeForce graphics provide some 3D power ; shockingly decent audio output from integrated ...

No optical drive

If you can forgo a DVD burner on your laptop, the Dell Studio S1440-022B offers a ton of features and a slick design that should make it a frontrunner for any student doing their back-to-school shopping.

Blu-ray drive for less than $1,000 ; discrete graphics ; excellent keyboard and touch pad ; attractive design

Lacks top-of-the-line Core 2 Duo processor ; mediocre speakers

Although it's expensive for a 15-inch multimedia laptop, the Blu-ray and game-playing capabilities of the attractive 15.4-inch Sony Vaio NW160J make it a worthy portable entertainment system.

Sturdy construction and pleasing overall design ; comfortable keyboard and touchpad ; backlit keys ; lengthy battery life without bulky battery ; a twice-as-nice two-year warranty

Uses integrated graphics while other laptops at this price feature dedicated graphics ; poor speakers, even for integrated standards

Toshiba improves on last year's excellent Best Buy Blue Label laptop by slashing the price while serving up a nearly identical machine. Long battery life, a lengthy warranty, and a backlit keyboard highlight Toshiba's winning Satellite E105-S1602.

Attractive design ; Blu-ray combo drive ; nice, large keyboard ; great sound quality

Average performance, battery life ; multimedia laptop without multimedia controls ; huge

It's not an ideal multimedia laptop, but the Asus N90Sv A2 is a good-looking, well-appointed desktop replacement.

Excellent keyboard, bright, crisp screen ; ExpressCard slot

Same old Atom N270 processor

If you're looking for a comfortable Netbook with a 12-inch screen, the Lenovo IdeaPad S12 feels comfortable and light--but it's no ultralow-voltage laptop.

Good speakers ; decent screen for music/video playback

Uncomfortable touch pad and keyboard ; outdated processor

Equipped with great speakers and a good screen but an inferior processor and keyboard, the Toshiba M505-S4940 just isn't a good enough buy for the money.

Good speakers ; decent all-around performance ; included 3G antenna

Uncomfortable touch pad and keyboard ; no Bluetooth

Positioned as an affordable design-conscious Core 2 Duo laptop for less than $700, Toshiba's Satellite M505-S4945 is better for media than it is for all-day office work.