Dell Inspiron 14z

The good: A clean, slim design, a backlit keyboard, very good battery life, strong performance, and an affordable price make the Dell Inspiron 14z more useful than most thinned-down laptops.

The bad: Limited upgrade options and no dedicated graphics might turn off some who need more flexibility, and flip-down port doors are a minor annoyance.

The bottom line: The Dell Inspiron 14z thins down the bulky look of the average Inspiron laptop while sacrificing none of the performance or battery life, adding up to an affordable mainstream notebook that's an excellent late consideration for back-to-school shopping.

Best 5 laptops

Here's a list of what I consider as the top 5 laptops

reviewed here at 

best laptop ever

Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, Summer 2011)

The latest version of the 13-inch MacBook Air vastly outperforms its predecessor, and can finally be called suitable for mainstream use, instead of relegated as a niche product.

Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, fall 2010)

 It's a hefty investment, but the combination of new high-end Intel processor options and AMD graphics makes the 15-inch MacBook Pro an all-around powerhouse, with the new Thunderbolt I/O port as an added bonus.

Alienware M11x (spring 2011)

Don't be fooled by its unchanged looks: the 2011 Alienware M11x makes big leaps forward in performance, graphics, and battery life, while keeping a reasonable price. Anyone looking for a portable gaming-ready laptop will have a hard time resisting the urge to pick one of these up.

  

Dell XPS 17 3D

The good: The Dell XPS 17 3D is a sharp-looking desktop replacement that can handle 3D content, as well as output 3D movies and games to a compatible 3DTV. Highly configurable, the more-expensive options are powerful indeed.

The bad: Some wonky stereoscopic 3D issues make this less plug-and-play than a 3DTV, and the 17-inch version of the XPS has not gotten the same slim makeover the 15-inch version has.

The bottom line: Dell's XPS 17 3D is for those who want a powerful media and gaming 17-inch laptop, but in a more aesthetically upscale package than offered by Dell's Alienware brand. The stereoscopic 3D is gimmicky, but a certain breed of PC gamer will love it.

Dell Latitude 2120 Review

The good: The Dell Latitude 2120 packs a standard set of Netbook components into a rugged body with a rubberized finish. Welcome options include an HD display and a touch screen.

The bad: With more powerful ultraportables available for less, any Netbook over $400 is a tough call.

The bottom line: The standard Netbook platform is feeling pretty stale these days, and this too-expensive Dell Latitude 2120, while capable, doesn't do much to stand out.

Dell Latitude 2120 Laptop Computer (Intel Intel Atom Dual Core N550 250GB/2GB)

 

Dell Vostro 3300 Review

Dell Vostro 3300

A Sleek and Compact Small-Business Laptop

Dell's Vostro 3300 inherits its svelte design and thin esthetic from the original Dell Adamo design, though the 3300 isn't quite as skinny or light as the Adamo. Even so, Dell's new small-business laptop offers combination of hardware and support options well tuned to its target market. With Dell's current discounts, the Vostro 3300 starts at $599 . The price of the configuration we tested is $913.

Dell Inspiron 14 Review

Dell Inspiron 14

The Dell Inspiron 14 laptop computer is one of Dell’s many fine entries in this category. It represents an exceptional balance of the most needed laptop features with reasonable cost. Our review is based on what we believe to be an optimal configuration for a wide array of consumers but just about everything on this computer can be customized to the individual user’s needs and desires. Some of those choices add to the cost while others will actually reduce the final unit cost. We appreciate the Build It Your Way feature of Dell’s web site precisely because it makes customization simple and lets the consumer know exactly what effect any given choice has on the purchase price.e

Dell Inspiron 15 Review

Dell Inspiron 15

 

A laptop computer that gives you the everyday features you need can be difficult to find. The Dell Inspiron 15 gives you what you need and a little bit more. The overall design, processor, and entertainment features add up to create a computing device that helps accomplish your to-do list. The Dell Inspiron 15 is designed with an attractive display and multimedia features.

Dell Inspiron 17 Review

Dell Inspiron 17 

The Dell Inspiron 17 is a laptop computer that takes the user on a journey through the 17.3-inch display screen, fast processor and a vast selection of features. With the ability to customize and personalize this computing device to fit your needs, this Dell product is ideal for the user who has numerous tasks to accomplish and little time to do it.