The Best Laptops

Last updated on 06/29/2011

What constitutes the best laptop is different for everybody. Some people want a simple laptop that will handle the basics: word processing, email and Internet access, and other productivity tasks. Others are interested in a multimedia machine that can handle all the video, music, and movies they can throw at it. We've made an effort to find the best laptops for every kind of user, no matter what you want to do with it. Laptops are so versatile and varied, that there's a model for all types of consumers, it can just be difficult wading through them all to find that needle in the haystack. We've done the wading for you this holiday season, and we've found the needles. Just look below and see which category leader suits you or the loved one you're shopping for.

Dell Inspiron 15R 1570MRB 15.6-Inch Laptop
Dell Inspiron 15R
from $629.99

The Basic, Everyday User

The Dell Inspiron line should be familiar to anyone who has shopped for an affordable laptop in the past decade or so. The 15R is another serviceable configuration in a long line of serviceable configurations. It packs an Intel Core i3 processor and 4GB RAM, so it'll handle just about any task you throw at it, including some photo or video editing. The 15.6-inch LED screen is big enough for watching movies, but small enough to move around. For students and casual users, this is a great middle-of-the-road option.

Acer Aspire TimelineX AS1830T-6478 11.6-Inch Laptop
Acer Timeline X 11.6 Inch
from $194.99

The On-The-Go User

If you're always on the go, or just don't want a big laptop cluttering up your desk, you should consider a small machine like the 11.6-inch configuration of the Acer Aspire Timeline X. The netbook fad has run its course and consumers have a new set of demands: Keep screens small, add some more power under the hood. This Acer does just that, packing in an Intel Core i3 processor and Intel HD Graphics for efficient but impressive performance from such a small, affordable machine. The 8-hour battery can last through a trans-Atlantic flight or a workday in the field. Productivity tasks are a breeze, and it’s even capable of some more advanced tasks like HD video streaming and light media editing. It isn’t glamorous, but unlike the previous generation of netbooks, there's no longer a need to have a "real" laptop to complement a travel-oriented model; this Timeline X offers the best of both worlds. 

Toshiba Portege R835-P56x 13.3 Inch Laptop
Toshiba R835
from $766.99

The Demanding User

The 13.3-inch Toshiba Portege R835 is like a PC version of the Apple MacBook: Sleek, smartly designed, powerful, and efficient. Our favorite configuration is packed with an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM, and Intel HD 3000 graphics, so it’s absolutely capable of handling any task that regular users will run across, including movie streaming, media editing, and most gaming. All that power is packed within a thin-and-light magnesium-alloy chassis (of a notably higher quality than the Acer TimelineX above), so it’s easy to bring anywhere, especially with an ample 7-hour battery life. It’s one of the best-rated models over at CNet as well as Amazon, and Best Buy promotes it frequently. The Toshiba R835 is a winner.

Apple MacBook Pro (2011) MC721LL/A 15.4 Inch Laptop
Apple MacBook Pro 2011
from $1,599.88

The Power User

The MacBook is all nice and fine, and can handle all the productivity tasks that most people need from a computer. But the MacBook Pro unleashes the real power of the Mac system. Even some of the more basic MacBook Pro configurations can handle the media editing tasks for which this line has become famous; the more decked-out versions are the machines that pros use for nimble photo, video, and music editing. What’s more, people love them for their designs and user friendliness -- most folks who switch to Mac never go back, and those who do usually don’t have a choice. There are PCs that can handle the same tasks, but MacBook Pros are the industry standard for a reason.

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