(Oct 30, 2009)
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
Excellent
Read full review
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
Excellent
Read full review
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
Very good
Read full review
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
Very good
Read full review
