Low price ; decent-looking case ; beautiful screen ; comfortable keyboard ; solid performance for the price

Ho-hum design ; lacks dedicated media keys, Webcam ; can't play media without booting up ; fixed config includes just 1GB of RAM

Sony's first budget notebook delivers the entry-level performance you'd expect, but its design and feature set are lacking compared with low-cost systems we've seen from Dell, Gateway, and HP.

Easy to upgrade ; uses fast, inexpensive desktop CPUs ; top-notch screen, keyboard ; includes eSATA, HDMI ports ; supports user CPU overclocking

Overclocking often caused crashes ; Intel 945G chipset precludes using new Penryn CPUs ; short battery life ; upgradable MXM graphics cards are hard to come by ; noisy fan

The easily upgradable Asus C90s has the ability to use a desktop CPU, and its overclocking support gives it excellent performance potential, but its short battery life and hot operation make it best for nonmobile use.

Bargain-basement price ; big, beautiful screen ; solid performer ; built-in Webcam ; HDMI port

Integrated graphics limit gaming and video potential ; no FireWire port ; flaky Webcam performance ; available only at Best Buy

Though not a multimedia champ, the P-6825 scores with its attractive design, mammoth screen, well-rounded feature set, and amazingly low price.

Affordable ; RAM comes in single DIMM ; good day-to-day performance ; built to order

Poor 3D performance ; no graphics-card upgrade option ; uses older Intel 945GM chipset ; generates a lot of heat ; noisy fan

Despite a few design problems, the built-to-order Systemax Assault T72212P is a good bet for small-business users who need a portable that can take some knocks.

Bright 14.1-inch screen ; weighs just 4 pounds ; good performance and battery life

Weak audio and 3D graphics performance ; not budget-priced

This 4-pound business portable is easy to carry, yet packs a 14.1-inch screen usually reserved for larger, heavier models.

Eye-catching case with LED lighting ; dual-SLI graphics support DirectX 10 games ; integrated Logitech GamePanel LCD ; high-end component options ; excellent gaming frame rates ; highest productivity scores we've seen

Expensive ; very heavy ; gaming scores fell short of the top

It's not the fastest gaming notebook we've ever tested, but the SLI-equipped Dell XPS M1730 is still a very worthy choice for forward-looking gamers who value design, features, component options, and DirectX compatibility.

Full 1080p HD screen ; HD DVD player/recorder ; impressive sound system ; HDTV tuner

Expensive ; TV tuner is external ; merely adequate for gaming ; too much preloaded trialware ; components not configurable

This high-end multimedia "portable" wants to be master of your A/V domain. In fact, it can be your

Low price for a gaming notebook ; customizable case ; excellent screen ; good port selection ; stellar gaming scores ; gaming performance in line with pricier single-graphics-card systems

No VGA port ; limited upgrade options ; subpar productivity performance

Stellar gaming scores and a low price make the Vigor Artorius Pro Lite worth considering over pricier gaming laptops that have only a single graphics card.

Attractive, lightweight design ; solid performance ; competitive price ; comes bundled with extended battery pack, wireless mouse, and carrying case ; two-year warranty comes standard

Only one upgradable DIMM ; generates substantial heat ; cramped keyboard

It might not look as good as an Apple MacBook, but the thin-and-light Asus W7S still shines with its pearly white (or black) case. Plus, it offers excellent features and performance.

Classy design for a budget notebook ; better-than-average built-in speakers ; decent port assortment ; roomy hard drive ; dual-core CPU

Middling performance from older components ; fixed configuration ; no dedicated media keys ; skimpy memory

If you have only $600 to spend on a laptop, we wholeheartedly recommend the Acer Aspire 4710-2013, despite its use of older components (and a few other drawbacks).