Dell XPS M140
The good: Low starting price; very good
mobile performance and long battery life; bright, wide-aspect screen; built-in multimedia controls; can play CDs and DVDs
without booting to Windows; double-layer DVD burner.
The bad: Loaded configurations get pricey;
on the heavier side for a thin-and-light; mediocre speakers.
The bottom line: Quite portable for a
Media Center laptop, the Dell XPS M140 offers a worthy set of multimedia and entertainment features, great performance, and
good battery life.
Company Price: $1,248
Toshiba Satellite M55-S325
The good: Reasonable price; double-layer
DVD burner; multimedia controls; can play music and videos without booting up the operating system; exceptionally quiet, comfortable
keyboard.
The bad: Colored lids are a bit garish;
small mouse buttons.
The bottom line: The colorful Satellite
M55 will satisfy your craving for a well-rounded, affordable thin-and-light.
Company Price: $1,399
Gateway M320
The good: Upgraded design; solid performance;
small overall size but big keyboard; broad range of configurations; four-in-one card reader; good software bundle.
The bad: Short battery life; lower-end
graphics chip; large screen has low resolution.
The bottom
line: The Gateway M320's scant battery life undercuts its status as an otherwise decent, all-around thin-and-light
laptop.
Company Price: $599 (product no longer sold)
