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Best mainstream laptops

(Oct 30, 2009)

Dan Ackerman Dan Ackerman
Senior Editor
Mainstream used to mean the standard, 15.4-inch laptops everyone lugged around in backbreaking shoulder bags before ultraportable systems became popular. For general household computing, both 15- and 14-inch laptops will work fine, but we're seeing more people turning towards 13-inch and smaller laptops for travel, and larger desktop replacements for home use.

Toshiba Satellite E105-S1602

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.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Jul 29, 2009

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

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Asus K50IJ-RX05

As long as you won't need more than what it already has, the budget-friendly Asus K50IJ-RX05 is money well spent.

Price: $479.97 (check prices)

Review date: Jul 8, 2009

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

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Sony Vaio NW160J

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.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Jul 29, 2009

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)

Very good

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Dell i1545-012B

The Dell Inspiron i1545-012B is one of the better deals you'll find for a mainstream laptop priced less than $500.

Price: Sorry, pricing not available

Review date: Jul 10, 2009

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.5 (3.5 stars)

Very good

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