My laptop just hit the floor. You won't believe what happened

<h1 itemprop="name" style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin:0px 0px 12px;line-height:1.13;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-size:25px;font-weight:500"><span style="line-height:1.7em;font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:15px">Out of all the computing hassles you can face, nothing quite compares to dropping your laptop on a hard floor. Because, typically, that's the end of your laptop.</span></h1> <span itemprop="articleBody description text" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Or maybe not.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> What happened was this: I had my backpack on my kitchen table (it's a "gathering table," and therefore higher than most). I went to slip my laptop into the zippered side pocket as I've done a hundred times, but just at that moment, something distracted me.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Milliseconds later, I heard a terrible<em style>thunk</em>. Not realizing I'd missed the pocket, I'd released my grip on the machine, and it went tumbling to the floor. Landed right on its corner, too.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">I'm sure you can guess the rest: the casing cracked, the screen splintered. My laptop lay broken, bleeding. Oh, the humanity. I envisioned a difficult data-extraction process and an expensive visit to Amazon or my local computer store for a replacment system.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Except none of that actually happened. When I picked up the unit, I was shocked to discover it looked fine. Like, 100-percent fine. Not a nick or ding or anything on it. And it booted right up, no worse for the wear.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Let me pause right here to note that when it comes to buying computer gear, I'm as cheap as they come. I typically buy the least-expensive hardware I can find, my rationale being that it's usually just as good as the pricier stuff, at least for my needs.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">But earlier this year I found a great deal on a Samsung Series 9 ultrabook, one that was too good to pass up. It had exactly the features I wanted--thin, lightweight design, SSD storage, backlit keyboard, etc.--so I splurged.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">What never entered my mind was the value of an aluminum chassis, which is what enabled the system to survive its fall. So tough is the Series 9, in fact, that it <em style>dented the floor</em>. My Pergo-covered kitchen floor, which has withstood every form of punishment two children can exact, showed a small divot where the laptop landed.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Ultrabook 1, floor 0.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">The moral of the story is this: it may cost extra, but a metal laptop is much better at withstanding sudden bursts of gravity than a plastic one. That's something to consider the next time you go shopping.</p> </span>

My laptop just hit the floor. You won't believe what happened

Out of all the computing hassles you can face, nothing quite compares to dropping your laptop on a hard floor. Because, typically, that'...

Read more »

My laptop just hit the floor. You won't believe what happened

<h1 itemprop="name" style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin:0px 0px 12px;line-height:1.13;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-size:25px;font-weight:500"><span style="line-height:1.7em;font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:15px">Out of all the computing hassles you can face, nothing quite compares to dropping your laptop on a hard floor. Because, typically, that's the end of your laptop.</span></h1> <span itemprop="articleBody description text" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Or maybe not.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> What happened was this: I had my backpack on my kitchen table (it's a "gathering table," and therefore higher than most). I went to slip my laptop into the zippered side pocket as I've done a hundred times, but just at that moment, something distracted me.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Milliseconds later, I heard a terrible<em style>thunk</em>. Not realizing I'd missed the pocket, I'd released my grip on the machine, and it went tumbling to the floor. Landed right on its corner, too.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">I'm sure you can guess the rest: the casing cracked, the screen splintered. My laptop lay broken, bleeding. Oh, the humanity. I envisioned a difficult data-extraction process and an expensive visit to Amazon or my local computer store for a replacment system.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Except none of that actually happened. When I picked up the unit, I was shocked to discover it looked fine. Like, 100-percent fine. Not a nick or ding or anything on it. And it booted right up, no worse for the wear.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Let me pause right here to note that when it comes to buying computer gear, I'm as cheap as they come. I typically buy the least-expensive hardware I can find, my rationale being that it's usually just as good as the pricier stuff, at least for my needs.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">But earlier this year I found a great deal on a Samsung Series 9 ultrabook, one that was too good to pass up. It had exactly the features I wanted--thin, lightweight design, SSD storage, backlit keyboard, etc.--so I splurged.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">What never entered my mind was the value of an aluminum chassis, which is what enabled the system to survive its fall. So tough is the Series 9, in fact, that it <em style>dented the floor</em>. My Pergo-covered kitchen floor, which has withstood every form of punishment two children can exact, showed a small divot where the laptop landed.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Ultrabook 1, floor 0.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">The moral of the story is this: it may cost extra, but a metal laptop is much better at withstanding sudden bursts of gravity than a plastic one. That's something to consider the next time you go shopping.</p> </span>

My laptop just hit the floor. You won't believe what happened

Out of all the computing hassles you can face, nothing quite compares to dropping your laptop on a hard floor. Because, typically, that'...

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Speed up a slow PC without buying new hardware

<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">If a once-fast computer has slowed to a crawl, you can't really blame the hardware. Sure, you may be able to improve speed by adding RAM, upgrading the CPU, or replacing the hard drive with an SSD. But none of those solutions--all of which cost money--address the underlying problem. Your hardware isn't underpowered. It's overloaded.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Cleaning out Windows will very likely speed up a PC. And no, I'm not suggesting reinstalling the operating system. There are less drastic fixes.</p> <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Look for hog processes</h3><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-processes-100066210-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="315" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-processes-100066210-medium.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"></a>Click for full size<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Your computer may be running a poorly-written process that's hogging a lot of resources. To find out, right-click the taskbar and select <em>Start Task Manager. </em>Click the <em>Processes </em>tab, then the <em>CPU </em>column header. The top items will be the ones hogging the CPU.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">If you see an obvious culprit, close the program that's running the process (it's pretty easy to figure out what it is). If that doesn't work, click the <em>End Process </em>button and confirm that you really want to kill this process.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Should that fix the problem, avoid using that program in the future. Or find a better-written replacement.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Otherwise, back on the Process tab, click the <em>Memory </em>column header and see if you can find the culprit there.</p> <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Clean out autoloaders</h3><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> When Windows boots, it automatically loads additional programs--sometimes a lot of them. One big autoloader--or a lot of little ones--can slow the PC down.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> The trick is to bring up Windows' list of autoloaders, and by disabling and re-enabling them, and rebooting, figure out which ones are causing the problem.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> In Windows XP, Vista, or 7, click <em>Start</em>(<em>Start>Run </em>in XP), type <code style="font-family:monospace,serif;font-size:1em"><strong>msconfig</strong></code>, and press <strong>ENTER</strong>. Once System Configuration comes up, click the<em>Startup </em>tab. You can disable items by unchecking them.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="391" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-msconfig-100066212-orig.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="585"><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> If you're using Windows 8, right-click the taskbar and select <em>Start Task Manager.</em> If you see a <em>Startup </em>tab, click it. If you don't, click <em>More details, </em>then<em>Startup. </em>To disable an item, right-click it and select <em>Disable.</em></p> <em><img alt="" border="0" height="600" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-win8-startup-100066223-orig.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="660"></em><em></em><h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Check for malware</h3><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">I doubt an infection is causing your problem--successful malware doesn't draw attention to itself that way. But just to be on the safe side, scan for it, anyway.</p> <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Do less multitasking</h3><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> The more programs you run, the slower they will all be. Consider changing your working habits to have less programs up at the same time.</p><h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Turn off Aero</h3><img alt="" border="0" height="242" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2012/12/122020example-100016426-medium.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Windows 7 and Vista use a technology called <em>Aero </em>to improve the esthetic look of the screen. It's not necessary, and  it slows down the PC a bit.</p>

Speed up a slow PC without buying new hardware

If a once-fast computer has slowed to a crawl, you can't really blame the hardware. Sure, you may be able to improve speed by adding RAM...

Read more »

Speed up a slow PC without buying new hardware

<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">If a once-fast computer has slowed to a crawl, you can't really blame the hardware. Sure, you may be able to improve speed by adding RAM, upgrading the CPU, or replacing the hard drive with an SSD. But none of those solutions--all of which cost money--address the underlying problem. Your hardware isn't underpowered. It's overloaded.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Cleaning out Windows will very likely speed up a PC. And no, I'm not suggesting reinstalling the operating system. There are less drastic fixes.</p> <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Look for hog processes</h3><a href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-processes-100066210-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="315" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-processes-100066210-medium.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"></a>Click for full size<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Your computer may be running a poorly-written process that's hogging a lot of resources. To find out, right-click the taskbar and select <em>Start Task Manager. </em>Click the <em>Processes </em>tab, then the <em>CPU </em>column header. The top items will be the ones hogging the CPU.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">If you see an obvious culprit, close the program that's running the process (it's pretty easy to figure out what it is). If that doesn't work, click the <em>End Process </em>button and confirm that you really want to kill this process.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Should that fix the problem, avoid using that program in the future. Or find a better-written replacement.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">Otherwise, back on the Process tab, click the <em>Memory </em>column header and see if you can find the culprit there.</p> <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Clean out autoloaders</h3><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> When Windows boots, it automatically loads additional programs--sometimes a lot of them. One big autoloader--or a lot of little ones--can slow the PC down.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> The trick is to bring up Windows' list of autoloaders, and by disabling and re-enabling them, and rebooting, figure out which ones are causing the problem.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> In Windows XP, Vista, or 7, click <em>Start</em>(<em>Start>Run </em>in XP), type <code style="font-family:monospace,serif;font-size:1em"><strong>msconfig</strong></code>, and press <strong>ENTER</strong>. Once System Configuration comes up, click the<em>Startup </em>tab. You can disable items by unchecking them.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="391" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-msconfig-100066212-orig.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="585"><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> If you're using Windows 8, right-click the taskbar and select <em>Start Task Manager.</em> If you see a <em>Startup </em>tab, click it. If you don't, click <em>More details, </em>then<em>Startup. </em>To disable an item, right-click it and select <em>Disable.</em></p> <em><img alt="" border="0" height="600" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/1104-win8-startup-100066223-orig.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="660"></em><em></em><h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Check for malware</h3><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">I doubt an infection is causing your problem--successful malware doesn't draw attention to itself that way. But just to be on the safe side, scan for it, anyway.</p> <h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Do less multitasking</h3><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> The more programs you run, the slower they will all be. Consider changing your working habits to have less programs up at the same time.</p><h3 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"> Turn off Aero</h3><img alt="" border="0" height="242" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2012/12/122020example-100016426-medium.jpg" style="border-width:0px;vertical-align:middle;width:auto;min-height:auto;max-width:100%;float:left" width="300"><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Windows 7 and Vista use a technology called <em>Aero </em>to improve the esthetic look of the screen. It's not necessary, and  it slows down the PC a bit.</p>

Speed up a slow PC without buying new hardware

If a once-fast computer has slowed to a crawl, you can't really blame the hardware. Sure, you may be able to improve speed by adding RAM...

Read more »

Let go of that laptop: the ultimate guide to making a tablet your main computer

<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">The "laptop killer" of tablets has yet to emerge, but you can still configure a slate that puts <em style>your</em> laptop out to pasture. With the tablet's lighter weight, longer battery life, and near-instant boot-up, the building blocks of a productivity engine are already there.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">When it comes to getting things done, Microsoft's <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058526/surface-2-review-cautious-upgrades-dont-help-a-tablet-in-desperate-need-of-relevance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Surface 2</a> and <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058685/surface-pro-2-review-this-is-the-windows-tablet-youre-looking-for.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Surface Pro 2</a> tablets have one big advantage over the iOS and Android competition: namely, the Office productivity suite, which comes free with every Surface 2 and is, of course, available for the Surface Pro 2 as well. Both also have roomy (compared with other tablets) 10.6-inch displays. The Surface Pro 2, with its full Windows OS and ability to run desktop applications, just needs a Touch or Type Cover to make a mighty fine hybrid.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">But for the vast majority of us who have iOS and Android tablets rather than Surface slates, other productivity options are available. With the right apps and accessories, plus a few changes in how you work, your trusty tablet just might replace a conventional laptop.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Pick your tablet</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> If you don't already own one, two great choices are Apple's iPad and <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2013567/review-googles-nexus-10-is-the-android-tablet-weve-always-wanted-almost.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Google's Nexus 10</a>. The latter has a slightly larger screen, built-in NFC (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">near-field communication</a>), and a lower starting price: $399 for the 16GB model, or $499 for 32GB.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">The iPad starts at $499 with 16GB of storage. But the brand-new <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad-air/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">iPad Air</a>weighs less (just 1 pound to the Nexus 10's 1.3 pounds), and all models offer optional 4G LTE, a huge perk for frequent travelers and a feature you don't see on most laptops. (Given that Google's recently updated Nexus 7 offers a 4G option, it's a good bet that the <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2045185/android-boss-promises-a-refreshed-nexus-10-tablet-is-coming-soon.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">forthcoming update to the Nexus 10</a> will do so as well.)</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">One thing to acknowledge from the outset: Working on a tablet does involve a few compromises, most notably a smaller screen. An iPad gives you just 9.7 inches of work area, while Google's Nexus 10 affords only a hair more (10 inches). That's considerably less space than you get from even a 13.3-inch laptop, something to consider if you work with a lot of spreadsheets or just need to accommodate less-than-stellar eyesight.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">On the flip side, both the iPad and the Nexus offer sky-high screen resolution: 2048 by 1536 pixels on the iPad 3 and later, and 2560 by 1600 pixels on the Nexus 10. You're not losing the capability for ultra-detailed work, you're merely doing it in a smaller area.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-nexus-10-100066983-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="341" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-nexus-10-100066983-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Google's Nexus 10 can connect to a wired mouse and keyboard for a more laptop-like experience.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Your choice of tablet will also dictate which accessories you can get, and that's an important consideration. For example, the Nexus 10 supports USB On-The-Go (aka USB OTG), which allows you to connect a wired keyboard or mouse or even a flash drive. The mouse in particular gives the Nexus 10 a huge advantage over the iPad, as it makes the tablet seem significantly more laptop-like. In word processing and spreadsheet apps in particular, it greatly eases the transition.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">On the other hand, third-party accessories abound for the iPad, most notably cases and keyboards. Speaking of which…</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Add a keyboard</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> It's a given that you'll need a keyboard. Both Android and iOS devices provide onscreen keys that suffice for quick notes, emails, and the like, but they consume nearly half the screen and lack tactile feedback. For any serious data entry, you'll want a physical set.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">iPad users can choose from a variety of third-party keyboards, many of which double as covers and carrying cases. Belkin and Logitech recently announced keyboard cases (in their<a href="http://www.belkin.com/us/ipad-air-keyboard-cases/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Qode</a> and <a href="http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-keyboard-folio-for-ipad?wt.mc_id=global_news_ultrathin-keyboard-folio-for-ipad" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Folio</a> series, respectively) for the iPad Air, and various other manufacturers offer similar options for earlier models. These keyboards connect via Bluetooth and typically conform to the iPad's design, effectively creating a very seamless and laptop-like package.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="340" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/logitech-folio-ipad-100066986-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Logitech's Folio keyboard for the iPad Air connects via Bluetooth.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> <br style>Nexus users will find fewer options. The <a href="http://www.minisuit.com/p-1723-google-nexus-10-keyboard-stand-case.aspx" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">MiniSuit Bluetooth Keyboard Stand Case</a><a href="http://www.minisuit.com/p-2016-bluetooth-keyboard-stand-case-for-google-nexus-7-fhd-2013-rubberized-non-slip-grip.aspx" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"> </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Cover-silvery/dp/B00BP4QGUI?tag=vglnk-c43-20" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">VSTN Aluminum Nexus 10 Keyboard Case</a>, for example, both provide a hard-shell cover for the tablet and serve up QWERTY keys and a slot for propping the tablet at a comfortable viewing angle. If you don't need a form-fitting cover, just about any Bluetooth keyboard will work with the Nexus or any other tablet.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Find apps for that</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> For many users, software represents the biggest challenge in suiting up a tablet for work. Indeed, you'll need to take stock of the programs you run daily and figure out how many can be supplanted by app equivalents.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Let's start with the biggie: Microsoft Office. Microsoft still doesn't offer the suite for Android or iOS (though CEO Steve Ballmer recently hinted that <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2049060/ballmer-strongly-hints-at-office-for-ipad-and-android-tablets.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">it's in the works</a>), but plenty of ways to tackle documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on a tablet are available.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">For example, <a href="http://www.google.com/drive/apps.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Google's Quickoffice suite</a>—for both Android and iOS—offers basic document creation and editing, and it's file-compatible with Microsoft Office. It was originally priced at $15 (a steal compared with Microsoft Office on the desktop), but back in September, Google made Quickoffice free. The only catch is that you have to sync your documents with your Google Drive account. Quickoffice no longer supports Dropbox or any other cloud-storage service.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-quickoffice-for-android-100066985-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="363" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-quickoffice-for-android-100066985-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>No Office? No sweat. Google's Quickoffice suite brings document creation and editing to iOS and Android.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> If you'd prefer (or really need) Microsoft Office proper, <a href="http://www.cloudon.com/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">CloudOn</a> provides a virtualized copy of Office 2010, allowing you to create, edit, and share Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents using the Office interface you're accustomed to. It's available in app form for both Android and iOS, and the basic service is free. However, it requires a live Internet connection—you can't run it offline.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">As for other desktop programs, you might be surprised how many apps can stand in. Adobe Reader, Dropbox, DocuSign, Evernote, Photoshop, RoboForm, Skype, Twitter—all have app counterparts for Android and iOS. Cisco's AnyConnect can help you get connected to your company VPN, and LastPass can make your desktop passwords accessible on your tablet.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="760" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/cisco-anyconnect-for-ipad-100066984-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Connect your tablet to your company VPN with Cisco's AnyConnect.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Can't find an app solution for some vital program? Consider keeping your laptop PC in the picture. Just leave it running back at the office, then use a remote-access app like <a href="https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">LogMeIn</a> to connect to and take control of the system from afar. Now you can run whatever programs you need to, just as if you were sitting back at your desk.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><strong style>Migrate your data</strong></h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> The final piece of the puzzle: data. Resist the idea of actually copying all your Office files, PDFs, and the like from your laptop to your tablet. If you're mostly working online anyway, you're better off leveraging a cloud-storage service like Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, or SugarSync. In short order they'll sync any and all of your desktop files, then make them available via their companion apps on your tablet. And if you know you're going to need access to certain documents when you're offline, it's a simple matter to download them ahead of time.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">You'll definitely want to migrate your browser bookmarks as well. This is a cinch for Google Chrome users, as once you sign into the Chrome browser on Android or iOS, you'll find your favorites immediately synced. In fact, that could be the path of least resistance even if you use a different browser on your PC: Install Chrome, import your bookmarks from, say, Internet Explorer or Firefox, then run Chrome on your tablet and sync those bookmarks.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/pst-mail-big-100067022-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/pst-mail-big-100067022-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Pst Mail transfers Outlook files to your iPad.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> As for email, it might be as simple as adding, say, your Gmail or Yahoo account to the stock Mail app in Android or iOS, or it might involve some monkeying with Exchange settings and perhaps even importing an Outlook PST file. <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.virtualmanila.apps.pstreader" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">PST Reader</a> (Android) and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id408374049?mt=8" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Pst Mail</a> (iOS) help you with the latter option, allowing you to view and search your messages. That said, if your company has an IT department, it may have solutions and/or policies in place for dealing with email on mobile devices. Start there.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><strong style>Other considerations</strong></h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> It's important to remember that a tablet can be more than just a replacement for your laptop—it can be an improvement. For example, with an app like <a href="https://www.camscanner.net/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">CamScanner</a>, you can use your tablet like a scanner, snapping photos of printed documents, converting them to raw text or PDFs, and filing them electronically.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/audiolio-big-100067021-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/audiolio-big-100067021-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Audiolio captures meetings and presentations through notes, recorded audio, and bookmarking.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2042234/evernote-adds-reminders-extending-task-management-options.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Evernote</a> can be an incredibly powerful tool for tablet users, offering basic word processing and robust information capture and management, all coupled with simple syncing and sharing of data. <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/251161/archive_meetings_and_presentations_like_never_before_with_audiolio_for_ipad.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Audiolio</a> (iPad) lets you take notes and capture audio, creating time-synced bookmarks along the way, with an ease no laptop can match.<a href="http://www.phatware.com/index.php?q=page/writepad/ipad" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">WritePad</a> can turn notes scribbled on your tablet screen (using a finger or stylus) into text, and the new <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/2058299/livescribes-latest-smartpen-draws-heavily-on-ios.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Livescribe 3</a> pen can likewise send notes scribbled on actual paper directly to your iPad.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">It may take a little time to get accustomed to working on a tablet, especially for things like word processing and image editing. But once you start enjoying the benefits, you may never want to touch a laptop again.</p>

Let go of that laptop: the ultimate guide to making a tablet your main computer

The "laptop killer" of tablets has yet to emerge, but you can still configure a slate that puts  your  laptop out to pasture. With...

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Let go of that laptop: the ultimate guide to making a tablet your main computer

<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">The "laptop killer" of tablets has yet to emerge, but you can still configure a slate that puts <em style>your</em> laptop out to pasture. With the tablet's lighter weight, longer battery life, and near-instant boot-up, the building blocks of a productivity engine are already there.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">When it comes to getting things done, Microsoft's <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058526/surface-2-review-cautious-upgrades-dont-help-a-tablet-in-desperate-need-of-relevance.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Surface 2</a> and <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2058685/surface-pro-2-review-this-is-the-windows-tablet-youre-looking-for.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Surface Pro 2</a> tablets have one big advantage over the iOS and Android competition: namely, the Office productivity suite, which comes free with every Surface 2 and is, of course, available for the Surface Pro 2 as well. Both also have roomy (compared with other tablets) 10.6-inch displays. The Surface Pro 2, with its full Windows OS and ability to run desktop applications, just needs a Touch or Type Cover to make a mighty fine hybrid.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">But for the vast majority of us who have iOS and Android tablets rather than Surface slates, other productivity options are available. With the right apps and accessories, plus a few changes in how you work, your trusty tablet just might replace a conventional laptop.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Pick your tablet</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> If you don't already own one, two great choices are Apple's iPad and <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2013567/review-googles-nexus-10-is-the-android-tablet-weve-always-wanted-almost.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Google's Nexus 10</a>. The latter has a slightly larger screen, built-in NFC (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_field_communication" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">near-field communication</a>), and a lower starting price: $399 for the 16GB model, or $499 for 32GB.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">The iPad starts at $499 with 16GB of storage. But the brand-new <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad-air/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">iPad Air</a>weighs less (just 1 pound to the Nexus 10's 1.3 pounds), and all models offer optional 4G LTE, a huge perk for frequent travelers and a feature you don't see on most laptops. (Given that Google's recently updated Nexus 7 offers a 4G option, it's a good bet that the <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2045185/android-boss-promises-a-refreshed-nexus-10-tablet-is-coming-soon.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">forthcoming update to the Nexus 10</a> will do so as well.)</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">One thing to acknowledge from the outset: Working on a tablet does involve a few compromises, most notably a smaller screen. An iPad gives you just 9.7 inches of work area, while Google's Nexus 10 affords only a hair more (10 inches). That's considerably less space than you get from even a 13.3-inch laptop, something to consider if you work with a lot of spreadsheets or just need to accommodate less-than-stellar eyesight.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">On the flip side, both the iPad and the Nexus offer sky-high screen resolution: 2048 by 1536 pixels on the iPad 3 and later, and 2560 by 1600 pixels on the Nexus 10. You're not losing the capability for ultra-detailed work, you're merely doing it in a smaller area.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-nexus-10-100066983-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="341" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-nexus-10-100066983-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Google's Nexus 10 can connect to a wired mouse and keyboard for a more laptop-like experience.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Your choice of tablet will also dictate which accessories you can get, and that's an important consideration. For example, the Nexus 10 supports USB On-The-Go (aka USB OTG), which allows you to connect a wired keyboard or mouse or even a flash drive. The mouse in particular gives the Nexus 10 a huge advantage over the iPad, as it makes the tablet seem significantly more laptop-like. In word processing and spreadsheet apps in particular, it greatly eases the transition.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">On the other hand, third-party accessories abound for the iPad, most notably cases and keyboards. Speaking of which…</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Add a keyboard</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> It's a given that you'll need a keyboard. Both Android and iOS devices provide onscreen keys that suffice for quick notes, emails, and the like, but they consume nearly half the screen and lack tactile feedback. For any serious data entry, you'll want a physical set.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">iPad users can choose from a variety of third-party keyboards, many of which double as covers and carrying cases. Belkin and Logitech recently announced keyboard cases (in their<a href="http://www.belkin.com/us/ipad-air-keyboard-cases/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Qode</a> and <a href="http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-keyboard-folio-for-ipad?wt.mc_id=global_news_ultrathin-keyboard-folio-for-ipad" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Folio</a> series, respectively) for the iPad Air, and various other manufacturers offer similar options for earlier models. These keyboards connect via Bluetooth and typically conform to the iPad's design, effectively creating a very seamless and laptop-like package.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="340" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/logitech-folio-ipad-100066986-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Logitech's Folio keyboard for the iPad Air connects via Bluetooth.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> <br style>Nexus users will find fewer options. The <a href="http://www.minisuit.com/p-1723-google-nexus-10-keyboard-stand-case.aspx" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">MiniSuit Bluetooth Keyboard Stand Case</a><a href="http://www.minisuit.com/p-2016-bluetooth-keyboard-stand-case-for-google-nexus-7-fhd-2013-rubberized-non-slip-grip.aspx" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"> </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Cover-silvery/dp/B00BP4QGUI?tag=vglnk-c43-20" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">VSTN Aluminum Nexus 10 Keyboard Case</a>, for example, both provide a hard-shell cover for the tablet and serve up QWERTY keys and a slot for propping the tablet at a comfortable viewing angle. If you don't need a form-fitting cover, just about any Bluetooth keyboard will work with the Nexus or any other tablet.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Find apps for that</h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> For many users, software represents the biggest challenge in suiting up a tablet for work. Indeed, you'll need to take stock of the programs you run daily and figure out how many can be supplanted by app equivalents.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Let's start with the biggie: Microsoft Office. Microsoft still doesn't offer the suite for Android or iOS (though CEO Steve Ballmer recently hinted that <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2049060/ballmer-strongly-hints-at-office-for-ipad-and-android-tablets.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">it's in the works</a>), but plenty of ways to tackle documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on a tablet are available.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">For example, <a href="http://www.google.com/drive/apps.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Google's Quickoffice suite</a>—for both Android and iOS—offers basic document creation and editing, and it's file-compatible with Microsoft Office. It was originally priced at $15 (a steal compared with Microsoft Office on the desktop), but back in September, Google made Quickoffice free. The only catch is that you have to sync your documents with your Google Drive account. Quickoffice no longer supports Dropbox or any other cloud-storage service.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-quickoffice-for-android-100066985-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="363" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/google-quickoffice-for-android-100066985-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>No Office? No sweat. Google's Quickoffice suite brings document creation and editing to iOS and Android.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> If you'd prefer (or really need) Microsoft Office proper, <a href="http://www.cloudon.com/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">CloudOn</a> provides a virtualized copy of Office 2010, allowing you to create, edit, and share Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents using the Office interface you're accustomed to. It's available in app form for both Android and iOS, and the basic service is free. However, it requires a live Internet connection—you can't run it offline.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">As for other desktop programs, you might be surprised how many apps can stand in. Adobe Reader, Dropbox, DocuSign, Evernote, Photoshop, RoboForm, Skype, Twitter—all have app counterparts for Android and iOS. Cisco's AnyConnect can help you get connected to your company VPN, and LastPass can make your desktop passwords accessible on your tablet.</p> <img alt="" border="0" height="760" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/cisco-anyconnect-for-ipad-100066984-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580">Connect your tablet to your company VPN with Cisco's AnyConnect.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> Can't find an app solution for some vital program? Consider keeping your laptop PC in the picture. Just leave it running back at the office, then use a remote-access app like <a href="https://secure.logmein.com/products/free/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">LogMeIn</a> to connect to and take control of the system from afar. Now you can run whatever programs you need to, just as if you were sitting back at your desk.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><strong style>Migrate your data</strong></h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> The final piece of the puzzle: data. Resist the idea of actually copying all your Office files, PDFs, and the like from your laptop to your tablet. If you're mostly working online anyway, you're better off leveraging a cloud-storage service like Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, or SugarSync. In short order they'll sync any and all of your desktop files, then make them available via their companion apps on your tablet. And if you know you're going to need access to certain documents when you're offline, it's a simple matter to download them ahead of time.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">You'll definitely want to migrate your browser bookmarks as well. This is a cinch for Google Chrome users, as once you sign into the Chrome browser on Android or iOS, you'll find your favorites immediately synced. In fact, that could be the path of least resistance even if you use a different browser on your PC: Install Chrome, import your bookmarks from, say, Internet Explorer or Firefox, then run Chrome on your tablet and sync those bookmarks.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/pst-mail-big-100067022-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/pst-mail-big-100067022-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Pst Mail transfers Outlook files to your iPad.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> As for email, it might be as simple as adding, say, your Gmail or Yahoo account to the stock Mail app in Android or iOS, or it might involve some monkeying with Exchange settings and perhaps even importing an Outlook PST file. <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.virtualmanila.apps.pstreader" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">PST Reader</a> (Android) and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id408374049?mt=8" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">Pst Mail</a> (iOS) help you with the latter option, allowing you to view and search your messages. That said, if your company has an IT department, it may have solutions and/or policies in place for dealing with email on mobile devices. Start there.</p> <h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><strong style>Other considerations</strong></h2><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> It's important to remember that a tablet can be more than just a replacement for your laptop—it can be an improvement. For example, with an app like <a href="https://www.camscanner.net/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">CamScanner</a>, you can use your tablet like a scanner, snapping photos of printed documents, converting them to raw text or PDFs, and filing them electronically.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/audiolio-big-100067021-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/10/audiolio-big-100067021-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Audiolio captures meetings and presentations through notes, recorded audio, and bookmarking.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif"> <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2042234/evernote-adds-reminders-extending-task-management-options.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Evernote</a> can be an incredibly powerful tool for tablet users, offering basic word processing and robust information capture and management, all coupled with simple syncing and sharing of data. <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/251161/archive_meetings_and_presentations_like_never_before_with_audiolio_for_ipad.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Audiolio</a> (iPad) lets you take notes and capture audio, creating time-synced bookmarks along the way, with an ease no laptop can match.<a href="http://www.phatware.com/index.php?q=page/writepad/ipad" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_blank">WritePad</a> can turn notes scribbled on your tablet screen (using a finger or stylus) into text, and the new <a href="http://www.macworld.com/article/2058299/livescribes-latest-smartpen-draws-heavily-on-ios.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)" target="_self">Livescribe 3</a> pen can likewise send notes scribbled on actual paper directly to your iPad.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif">It may take a little time to get accustomed to working on a tablet, especially for things like word processing and image editing. But once you start enjoying the benefits, you may never want to touch a laptop again.</p>

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Best laptop: 30 top laptops for every budget UPDATED TechRadar's complete guide to the top laptops to buy today

<div dir="ltr"><h1 class="" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Best laptop: 30 top laptops for every budget</h1><h2 class="" style="font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"> <span class="">UPDATED</span> TechRadar's complete guide to the top laptops to buy today</h2><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQr44YYpBCiaqlxqplpF003IY6szRJPKay8w5Z1BwUjkA-QiSCMwRqH_qVifGSiAAek-2nzKBcQRAvuuVBOr8VNqei50Nfb71R6utp7uPDrTOrv1TSSNqWeOa8ll4N-UcRjyVRpt3w-XG/s1600/S200+front-578-80-795908.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5948305920951177442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQr44YYpBCiaqlxqplpF003IY6szRJPKay8w5Z1BwUjkA-QiSCMwRqH_qVifGSiAAek-2nzKBcQRAvuuVBOr8VNqei50Nfb71R6utp7uPDrTOrv1TSSNqWeOa8ll4N-UcRjyVRpt3w-XG/s320/S200+front-578-80-795908.jpg" /></a><br></div><div><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> <em>What's the best laptop 2013? We've got all of today's latest laptops compared and rated.</em></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> Now that <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1093002/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Windows 8</a> is a year old, we've got a huge number of laptop-tablet hybrids appearing as well as plenty of traditional laptops using the new OS.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">And that's before you get to Apple's hugely successful MacBook line as well as Google's Chromebooks.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">No wonder choosing the right laptop can be even more confusing than ever.</p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> Thankfully, things aren't like they used to be, and buying anything but low end laptops will get you a reasonable standard of performance.</p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> Cheap laptops are more powerful and capable than before, while high-end devices are often perfectly good replacements for your desktop computer, able to cope with more intensive programs.</p><p style="width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px"> <font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LkOEyVTKilw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LkOEyVTKilw</a></span></font><br> </p><p style="width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px"><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px"><br></span></font></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> Those after a fast boot up time and a lightweight machine to carry might drool over an Intel <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-ultrabook-18-top-thin-and-lights-1054355" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Ultrabook</a>, which is essentially a marketing name for a thin and light laptop with an Intel Core processor.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Serious gamers will want a machine tailored to their graphical and processing needs, while those after flexibility might fancy a convertible laptop-tablet hybrid.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Here we look at some of the best laptops for 2013 - those that really excel themselves in our extensive testing processes this year. We've arranged them into categories to help you find the best one to suit your needs.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">We also list the current selling prices in the UK, Australia and the US, although in some cases a laptop listed here may not be available in every territory.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">All of the machines listed here are laptops. We have also listed the convertible laptop-tablets that fall more on the side of laptop than tablet, and that includes devices such as Microsoft's Surface Pro.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Similarly, all-in-one touchscreen computers and other desktop PCs are in our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-mac-desktops" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">PC and Mac desktop reviews</a> page.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><strong>PRICING NOTE:</strong> The prices listed here are for guidance only and aren't guarantees of availability at a certain price. Because of the wildly fluctuating availability of certain models, we often review laptops by series. As a consequence it may be that there are tens of models with similar or the same name, vailable at various price points.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">When considering what to buy, think about your needs and your most important factor, be it laptop battery life or screen size. The most important part is to be honest about what you need, and you could save a fortune on getting the best laptop for you.</p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Best laptop-tablet hybrids</h3><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> Since this article seeks to round up the best laptops available, we are only listing those we have fully tested and reviewed in real life situations. More laptop-tablet hybrids will be reviewed as soon as we get them in for testing, so we expect to add more impressive convertible tablets to this list later.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">For now, here are the great machines we have tested and loved so far:</p><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 1. Lenovo Yoga 11S review - £680/AU$889/US$800</h3><div><br></div><div><img alt="Lenovo Yoga 11S review" src="http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Lenovo/Lenovo%20Yoga%2011S/Yoga%2011s%20hero-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><img alt="Top laptops: 25 best laptops in the world" class="" src="http://cdn2.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/techradar/Awards%20Logos%202012/tr_recommended_2012-100-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; clear: none; display: block; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px; float: left;"></p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">While other manufacturers are busy pointing fingers as to why the PC seems to be struggling in the face of competition from that Cupertino-based company and myriad tablets, Lenovo is both pumping out solid<a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1093002/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Windows 8</a> devices while at the same time, turning a profit. Which brings us to the Lenovo Yoga 11S.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><img alt="best in class" class="" src="http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/techradar/Awards%20logos%202013/tr_best_in_class_2013-100-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; clear: none; display: block; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px; float: left;"></p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Of course, this isn't Lenovo's first time on the yoga mat. The <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-ideapad-yoga-1094131/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">13-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga</a> was released last year to very favorable reviews. The appropriately named 11s is a size down. At just 11.6-inches, it's the smallest form factor that can support a full QWERTY keyboard.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-yoga-11s-1124587/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Lenovo Yoga 11S review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">2. Microsoft Surface Pro - £684/AU$889/US$800</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Best laptops" src="http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/tablets/Microsoft/Surface%20Pro/Surface%20Pro%20Press%201-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580">Surface Pro review<p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">We've been waiting quite a while for a tablet like this - and not just since it was announced last year. If you ever saw a Windows tablet PC and wanted one that was done properly, you've been waiting years for Surface Pro with ful <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1093002/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Windows 8</a>.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">What's more, it's now a steal - discounted prices that went into effect in early August are here for good, at least in the U.S., with the Surface Pro, Touch Cover and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/microsoft-surface-rt-1085839/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Surface RT</a> all seeing some slices. What's more, there appear to be price cuts going into effect globally, with the Microsoft <a href="http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msuk/en_GB/DisplayHomePage" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">UK</a> and<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-au/surface-with-windows-8-pro" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Australia</a>websites showing discounted pricing for Surface and accessories.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/microsoft-surface-pro-1123800/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Surface Pro review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">3. Acer Aspire P3 - £700/AU$1,250/US$900</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Acer Aspire P3 review" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Acer/acer%20aspire%20p3/main-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Acer has upped its game in recent years, and it's easy to forget that just two years ago the Taiwanese giant made its money peddling identi-kit budget laptops by their millions.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The company has since turned around its reputation and is responsible for the glorious <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/acer-aspire-s7-1094349/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Acer Aspire S7</a> - one of finest Ultrabooks out there - and has also got chins wagging about the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/acer-iconia-w3-1156426/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Acer Iconia W3</a> - the world's first 8-inch Windows 8 tablet - as well as the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/acer-aspire-r7-1149126/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Acer Aspire R7</a>.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/acer-aspire-p3-1149127/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Acer Aspire P3 review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">4. Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro - £775/AU$1,280/US$930</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Best laptops" src="http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/tablets/Samsung/Samsung%20Ativ%20Smart%20PC%20Pro/full%20review/Samsung_Ativ_Smart_PC_Pro_614_Front_Open_TR-580-90.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">When you have it in its Ultrabook form, the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/samsung-ativ-smart-pc-pro-1094371/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro</a> is maybe not the standout laptop some of its peers are. But when it becomes a tablet, it's a great Windows 8 tab with an excellent screen that's powerful, well balanced in your hands and very responsive to touch. You can go from either mode to the other in seconds, and neither is disappointing. Write on it with a stylus, type on it with the keyboard attachment, navigate with your finger - the Smart PC Pro can do it all.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/samsung-ativ-smart-pc-pro-1094371/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">5. HP Envy x2 - £830/AU$900/US$640</h3><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><img alt="Best laptops" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/HP/Envy%20x2/HPEnvyX2_05-580-90.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The outstanding industrial design in the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-envy-x2-1094171/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">HP Envy x2</a> really shows the potential of a tablet/laptop hybrid, and will leave you with little question that this is the direction laptops are heading in. It combines a full version of Windows 8 with excellent battery life in a compact package, with its superb 11.6-inch screen topping things off.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-envy-x2-1094171/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">HP Envy x2 review</a></p> <ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:19px"><li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px"> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-envy-x2-1094171/price-comparison" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Compare prices for the HP Envy x2</a></li> </ul><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">6. Sony Vaio Duo 11 - £900/AU$1,500/US$1,500</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Sony Vaio Duo 11" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Sony/Sony%20Vaio%20Duo%2011/Sony%20Vaio%20Duo%2011%20front-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">A full Intel Core processor powers the sliding tablet-laptop design of the 11.6-inch Sony Vaio Duo 11, enabling it to run Windows programs as well as Windows Store apps. Its design is a welcome change from the many docking 'transformer' style hybrid devices such as the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/samsung-ativ-smart-pc-1094356/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Samsung Ativ Smart PC</a> and<a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/asus-vivo-tab-1093910/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Asus Vivo Tab</a>.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">While it's not a perfect laptop-tablet hybrid, and certainly won't have mass appeal, Sony has furthered the Windows 8 cause with an exceptionally powerful device that challenges the perceptions of what tablets can achieve. Also check our the Vaio Duo</p> <h1 class="" style="font-size:32px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-1px;vertical-align:top;margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 8px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Best budget laptops</h1><h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> <span class="" style="font-weight:bold;font-size:18px;color:rgb(230,36,138);text-transform:uppercase">UPDATED</span> TechRadar's complete guide to the top laptops to buy today</h2></div><div><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 7. Samsung Series 3 Chromebook - £230/US$330 (around AU$350)</h3><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Samsung/Samsung%20Chromebook%20XE303C12%20Wi-Fi/Press%20shots/MAIN-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><img alt="Top laptops: 25 best laptops in the world" class="" src="http://cdn2.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/techradar/Awards%20Logos%202012/tr_recommended_2012-100-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; clear: none; display: block; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px; float: left;"></p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Cheaper than some tablets, the Samsung Chromebook doesn't run a typical operating system such as Windows, OS X or even Linux. Instead, it is designed just to run Google Chrome, the web browser, and related web apps.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">If you think you could do all your computing using Google web apps, you could well benefit from the good battery life, silent operation, light weight and portability, simplicity and implicit security of the Chromebook, not to mention its low price. However, with no 3G connectivity, it is pretty much limited to use only in Wi-Fi areas.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/samsung-series-3-chromebook-1111354/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Samsung Series 3 Chromebook review</a></p> <ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:19px"><li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px"> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/samsung-series-3-chromebook-1111354/price-comparison" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Compare prices for the Samsung Series 3 Chromebook</a></li> </ul><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">8. Acer Aspire V5 - £310/AU$732/US$400</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Acer Aspire V5 review" src="http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Acer/Acer-v5-2013/Acer%20Aspire%20V5-122P%206-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The Acer Aspire V5-122P is light and very portable and now comes with touchscreen input. As such, it works very well with Microsoft's <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1093002/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Windows 8</a>. You won't need to navigate using the touchpad's frustrating integrated click buttons because you can just reach up and swipe through options on the screen.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Although available in a wide range of specifications, our model arrived with an AMD A6-1460 processor with a clock speed of 1.0GHz and backed by 4GB of DDR3 RAM. While these components handled complex processes well on day one, we're not sure how well the V5-122P will hold up after a year's worth of program installation and software updates.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/acer-aspire-v5-1186594/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Acer Aspire V5 review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">9. Lenovo G505 - £380/AU$533/US$272</h3><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><img alt="Lenovo G505 review" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Lenovo/Lenovo%20G505/DSCF6466-580-100.JPG" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">How much should a laptop cost? A laptop that can handle serious applications, surf like the best of them and also turn its hand to the odd game? How does £350 strike you?</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">That's the price tag that can be found hanging from Lenovo's latest offering, the potentially bargainous Lenovo G505. With the world and his dog jumping aboard on the Ultrabook bandwagon, it's good to see that there's still interest from system builders to manufacture value-focused machines.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/toshiba-satellite-c50-review-1160501/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Lenovo G505 review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">10. Asus VivoBook S200 - £450 (around AU$685/US$715)</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Asus/Asus%20VivoBook%20S200E/S200%20front-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><img alt="Top laptops: 25 best laptops in the world" class="" src="http://cdn2.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/techradar/Awards%20Logos%202012/tr_ed_choice_2012-100-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; clear: none; display: block; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px; float: left;"></p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The Asus VivoBook S200 offers supreme good looks, touchscreen operation, slick performance and excellent portability, all for a reasonable price.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Indeed, it's an absolute steal for the money. This laptop runs on an Intel Core i3-3217U processor, which means it provides more than enough grunt to power Windows 8 through any day-to-day tasks, while keeping power consumption to a minimum.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><img alt="Best in class" class="" src="http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/techradar/Awards%20logos%202013/tr_best_in_class_2013-100-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; clear: none; display: block; margin: 0px 20px 10px 0px; float: left;"></p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">You don't get any fancy graphics – if playing 3D games is on your to-do list, look elsewhere – but again, the integrated Intel HM70 EXPRESS chip is good enough to keep everything on the 11.6-inch screen running creamy smooth without pulling too much juice out of the battery.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The Asus VivoBook S200 is a brilliant little laptop which offers supreme good looks, slick performance and excellent portability, and all for a highly agreeable price.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/asus-vivobook-s200-1111357/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Asus VivoBook S200 review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">11. Asus V550CA - £466 (around AU$650/US$750)</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Asus V550CA review" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Asus/Asus%20V550CA-CJ106H/Asus%20V550CA-CJ106H%20front-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Mid-ranged laptops such as the Asus V550CA-CJ106H can sometimes be a mixed bag. They come with price tags that make it hard to overlook the sort of shortcomings you'd forgive a laptop £300 cheaper. And yet they still can't target the highest-end components for the best possible performance.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Sometimes these laptops can get the balance right, such as the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/samsung-series-9-np900x3d-1148490/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Samsung Series 9 NP900X3D</a>, but more often than not they can end up being rather underwhelming, like the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/msi-cx61-0nf-1140335/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">MSI CX61 0NF</a>. So how does the Asus V550CA-CJ106H fare?</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/asus-v550ca-1183898/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Asus V550CA review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">12. . HP Sleekbook range - £500 (around AU$760/US$780)</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Best laptops" src="http://cdn4.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/HP/HP%20Envy%20Sleekbook%206_1126sa/HP%20Envy%20Sleekbook%2061126sa%20TR-580-90.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-envy-sleekbook-6-1126sa-1128430/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">HP Envy Sleekbook 6-1126sa</a> is a system that anyone looking to buy a budget laptop should check out. Its large screen and decent audio subsystem make it great for enjoying music and movies, while the comfortable keyboard and strong battery life make it a joy to use for everyday tasks. It also looks far more expensive than it is, and offers decent specs for its price too. It's not quite up there in terms of raw power, but in almost every other respect, this is a very tempting machine.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The HP Pavilion Touchsmart Sleekbook 15 is just over 2cm thick, but don't be fooled into thinking it's an ultraportable; it's definitely a little too heavy for that at 2.1Kg - not the best for carrying around every day. Mind you, for moving from room to room at home it really wouldn't pose you a problem - it's hardly a brick.</p> <h1 class="" style="font-size:32px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-1px;vertical-align:top;margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 8px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">High-end laptops</h1><h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> <span class="" style="font-weight:bold;font-size:18px;color:rgb(230,36,138);text-transform:uppercase">UPDATED</span> TechRadar's complete guide to the top laptops to buy today</h2></div><div><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 13. HP Envy TouchSmart 15 - £800/AU$1,100/US$990</h3><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="HP Envy TouchSmart 15 review" src="http://cdn4.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/HP/Envy%20TouchSmart%2015/HP%20Envy%2015%20TouchSmart%20rear%20angle%20copy-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> HP's Envy line is the company's high-end range - the top-class stuff, in theory - but has produced mixed results recently. We were impressed by the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-spectre-xt-touchsmart-1094168/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Spectre XT</a>and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-envy-x2-1094171/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Envy X2</a>, but weren't so sure about the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-envy-6-1091847/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Envy 6</a> or<a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-envy-4-ultrabook-1087367/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Envy 4</a>.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">But the HP Envy TouchSmart 15-j004ea is closer to what the Envy line originally stood for, so we always had high hopes for it. It's simply a highly spec'd machine, fitted into a smart chassis.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Indeed, at 29.9mm thick and weighing 2.56kg, it's far from being an Ultrabook. But what you get in exchange is a superb spec sheet. There's a quad-core Intel processor, a 2GB Nvidia graphics card, a colossal 16GB of RAM and a generous 1TB hard drive.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/top-laptops-25-best-laptops-in-the-world-706673/HP%20Envy%20TouchSmart%2015%20review%20" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">HP Envy TouchSmart 15 review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">14. HP Spectre XT TouchSmart - £1,000/US$1,200 (around AU$1,500)</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Best laptops" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/HP/hp-spectre-xt/HP%20Spectre%20XT%20TS15%204000ea%206%20TR-580-90.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-spectre-xt-touchsmart-1094168/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">HP Spectre XT TouchSmart Ultrabook</a> is a milestone. Watch the Ultrabook market over the next year. Watch as heavyweight chips join incredible screens as the norm rather than the exception. This is a great-looking machine, with a brushed aluminium shell and stunning 15-inch touchscreen, but there's a lot of substance here, too. The keyboard is excellent, the 1080p screen makes it great for working or for movies, the hybrid drive makes it run impressively fast and the touchscreen is a great extra… uh, touch. It's a shame it doesn't have the strongest battery life, but we'll forgive it since it's got that great screen to power instead.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/hp-spectre-xt-touchsmart-1094168/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">HP Spectre XT TouchSmart review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">15. Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch - £1,000/AU$1,350/US$1,200</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/MacBook%20Pro%2013%202011/mbp15_aperture-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> The mid-2012 MacBook Pro 13-inch is a significant step up from its older brother. The new processors and their improved graphical capabilities give it a considerable power boost over its predecessor, and USB 3.0 ports enable it to connect with high-speed storage peripherals.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The 13-inch MacBook Pro is ideal for those who need a little more configurability and storage than the MacBook Air can offer, but also need a very portable machine. Creative professionals and gaming enthusiasts might be better off with a 15-inch MacBook Pro, though.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/apple-macbook-pro-13-inch-1041142/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch review</a></p> <ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:19px"><li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px"> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/apple-macbook-pro-13-inch-1041142/price-comparison" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Compare prices for the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch</a></li> </ul><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">16. Samsung Series 7 Ultra (Samsung ATIV Book 7) - £1,020/AU$1,300/US$1,100</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Samsung Series 7 Ultra review" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/magazines/Windows%208/Issue%2012/WIN12.Desire_REV2.GRsamsung1-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> Pretty much everything about the 13-inch Samsung Series 7 Ultra shouts premium. And so it should, given the price.</p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> The cost alone butts it up against rivals sucha as the<a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/asus-zenbook-u500-1093861/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Asus Zenbook</a>, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-xps-13-1057727/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Dell XPS 13</a> and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/13-inch-macbook-air-1158388/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Apple MacBook Air</a> - remember that the latter model, while running Apple's OS X straight out of the box, can have Windows 7 or Windows 8 installed on it should you wish.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The Series 7 Ultra runs Windows 8 Pro. The main reason for the price is the presence of so many premium features, chief among them an AMD Radeon HD 8500M graphics chip, which Samsung has taken the rather unusual Ultrabook step of including, alongside the 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">That extra graphics chip is why it's among our high end laptops rather than being overleaf with our ultraportables.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/samsung-series-7-ultra-1122653/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Samsung Series 7 Ultra review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">17. Dell XPS 15 - £1,280/AU$2,000/US$1,600</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Dell/Dell%20XPS%2015%20review/Max1A-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">While the Dell XPS 15 doesn't have the skinny credentials to qualify as an Ultrabook, it boasts a huge spec sheet, and an incredible hardware configuration inside a great-looking chassis. We're not sure we've seen anything as impressive on a PC as its Corning Gorilla Glass, Full HD display, though it doesn't quite have the "wow" factor of the MacBook Pro with Retina display.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">If you're looking for a high-end PC that marries good looks and superb performance, and are more Windows than Mac, then you really shouldn't look any further than the Dell XPS 15.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-xps-15-910607/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Dell XPS 15 review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">18. Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display - £1,800/AU$2,500/US$2,200</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display review" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Apple/macbookpro2012/mbp2012-retina3-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> The new Apple MacBook Pro's most exciting new feature is, of course, its <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/why-does-a-retina-display-matter-1082433" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Retina display</a>. With a 2880 x 1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch, it crams over 5.1 million pixels into its 15.4-inch screen. That's over three million more than an HD TV.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">However, it does mean that after-market <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/the-new-macbook-pro-unbelievable-or-unforgivable-1085307" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">upgrades are almost impossible</a>, and sacrifices have been made, such as the lack of a hard drive, optical drive and Ethernet or FireWire 800 ports. Clearly aimed at video editors, photographers and graphics professionals, the Retina screen is beautiful, but the laptop's high price tag will put some off.</p> <h1 class="" style="font-size:32px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-1px;vertical-align:top;margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 8px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Best ultraportables</h1><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 19. Lenovo IdeaPad U410 Touch - £722/AU$915/US$700</h3><h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Lenovo/U410%20Touch/Lenovo%20U410%20Touch%207-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">We first crossed paths with the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-ideapad-u410-1090145/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Lenovo IdeaPad U410</a> around this time last year, finding it to be a very tidy little package, even if it strained the Ultrabook name a little. Its mid-range price belied some rather useful specs, though, such as a dedicated graphics card and an uncommonly large hard drive.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">While the name change from the original Lenovo U410 to the Lenovo U410 Touch here might draw attention to the touchscreen, it's not the special part: it's everything else in it that's noticeable.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-ideapad-u410-touch-1163985/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Lenovo IdeaPad U410 Touch review</a></p> </h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">20. Toshiba Satellite Z930 - £780/AU$1,290/US$1,200</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Toshiba/z930/Toshiba%20Satellite%20Z930%2010X%20review/Toshiba%20Satellite%20Z930%2010X%20front%20graphic-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">The Toshiba Satellite Z930-10X manages balances power with affordability. Thin, light and powerful enough to handle a wide range of tasks simultaneously, it boasts a wide range of connectivity options and an Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge processor.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">If you want an Ultrabook exclusively for entertainment then we'd recommend looking elsewhere, since it lacks a Full HD resolution and has integrated graphics and fairly weak audio compared to other Ultrabooks. But as a mobile workstation for offices, the Toshiba Satellite Z930-10X is an excellent purchase.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/toshiba-satellite-z930-1092590/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Toshiba Satellite Z930 review</a></p> <ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:16px;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:19px"><li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px"> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/toshiba-satellite-z930-1092590/price-comparison" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Compare prices for the Toshiba Satellite Z930</a></li> </ul></h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">21. MacBook Air 2013 - From £849/AU$1,100/US$1,000</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Apple/MacBook%20Air%202012%2011inch/MacBook%20Air-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Apple's often imitated but never bettered ultra-portable laptop puts in a strong, though not faultless, performance with this mid-2013 release, the sixth-generation of the MacBook Air.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">It offers significant improvements in its solid state storage speed, graphical power, battery life and wireless capabilities, but the processor's clock speeds actually take a backward step. But as we'll see, for most real-world applications, the MacBook Air 2013 matches or out-performs its predecessor</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/11-inch-macbook-air-2013-1158387/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">11-inch MacBook Air review</a> and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/13-inch-macbook-air-1158388/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">13-inch MacBook Air review</a>.</p> <ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:16px;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:19px"><li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px"> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/macbook-air-2012-1087300/price-comparison" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Compare prices for the MacBook Air</a></li> </ul></h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">22. Dell XPS 13 - £1,100/US$1,500 (around AU$1,670)</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Best laptops" src="http://cdn4.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Dell/dell-xps-13-580-90.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Dell has really got serious with the internals of the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-xps-13-1057727/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">XPS 13</a>. An Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, an SSD for fast performance and an absolutely staggeringly large battery life all combine to make this pretty much the ultimate road warrior's laptop. It's brilliantly thin and light, and the 13-inch screen still gives you room to work. It's a bit of a shame it doesn't offer a touchscreen, but the Dell XPS 13 is still one of the best laptops you can buy, offering top performance, brilliant battery life and excellent build quality.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-xps-13-1057727/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Dell XPS 13 review</a></p> </h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">23. Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus - £1,300/AU$1,600/US$1,400</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus review" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Samsung/Samsung%20Ativ%20Book%209%20Plus/book9plus%20(11)-580-100.JPG" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Samsung was one of the very first PC manufacturers to jump on the Ultrabook bandwagon. It's done a fine job of representing Intel's baby ever since, with some stunning offerings, including the <a href="http://bit.ly/10ptULJ" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Series 5 Ultra Touch</a> and, more recently, the top of the range <a href="http://bit.ly/16jhtbG" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Series 9 NP900X3D</a>.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Samsung certainly knows its stuff when it comes to <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-ultrabook-18-top-thin-and-lights-1054355" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Ultrabooks</a>, but the goal posts are always moving. So what new trick can it pull out of its sleeve?</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Well, it's new Ultrabook: the Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus, might keep the company ahead of the game for a while, at least if its on-paper abilities are anything to go by.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">It's a wonderful-looking unit. It's thin and carefully crafted, with just a slither of the all-aluminium chassis peaking through the dark outer casing. But its plain black exterior might lend some clues as to its intent: this is an Ultrabook focused as much on the business user as regular Joe on the high street.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"><a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/samsung-ativ-book-9-plus-1160439/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus review</a></p> </h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">24. Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A - £1,350/AU$1,700/US$1,420</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Asus/Asus%20Zenbook%20Prime%20UX31A/Asus%20Zenbook%20Prime%20UX31A%20graphic-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">When Ultrabooks were first introduced by Intel, one of the first models to show us that it could stand up to the gauntlet laid down by the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/macbook-air-2012-1087300/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">MacBook Air</a>was the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/asus-zenbook-ux21-1036586/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Asus Zenbook UX21</a>. The Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A continues the styling of its predecessors, and adds a Core i7-3517U processor, Intel HD 4000 graphics and 4GB of RAM.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">But the most notable change is its screen - a 1080p IPS wonder that dwarfs its competition's resolution. It falls down on battery life, so you should consider if that's a big issue for you. It's also expensive, but its performance is admirable.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A review</p><ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:16px;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:19px"> <li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px">Compare prices for the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A</li></ul></h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 25. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch - £1,779/US$2,139 (around AU$2,538)</h3><h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Lenovo/ThinkPad%20X1%20Carbon%20Touch/Lenovo%20ThinkPad%20X1%20Carbon%20Touch%20back%20display-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">The original 2012 <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-1106778/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Lenovo X1 Carbon</a> was the best ThinkPad money could buy, but now Lenovo has added a touchscreen panel and changed Windows 7 Professional for Windows 8, bringing last year's model right up to date.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">The result is a formidable machine that not only offers the best usability and performance, but also a fantastic Windows 8 experience. However, the eye-watering price tag means this experience doesn't come cheap.</p> </h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">19. Lenovo IdeaPad U410 Touch - £722/AU$915/US$700</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Lenovo/U410%20Touch/Lenovo%20U410%20Touch%207-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">We first crossed paths with the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-ideapad-u410-1090145/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Lenovo IdeaPad U410</a> around this time last year, finding it to be a very tidy little package, even if it strained the Ultrabook name a little. Its mid-range price belied some rather useful specs, though, such as a dedicated graphics card and an uncommonly large hard drive.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">While the name change from the original Lenovo U410 to the Lenovo U410 Touch here might draw attention to the touchscreen, it's not the special part: it's everything else in it that's noticeable.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-ideapad-u410-touch-1163985/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Lenovo IdeaPad U410 Touch review</a></p> </h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">20. Toshiba Satellite Z930 - £780/AU$1,290/US$1,200</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Toshiba/z930/Toshiba%20Satellite%20Z930%2010X%20review/Toshiba%20Satellite%20Z930%2010X%20front%20graphic-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">The Toshiba Satellite Z930-10X manages balances power with affordability. Thin, light and powerful enough to handle a wide range of tasks simultaneously, it boasts a wide range of connectivity options and an Intel Core i5 Ivy Bridge processor.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">If you want an Ultrabook exclusively for entertainment then we'd recommend looking elsewhere, since it lacks a Full HD resolution and has integrated graphics and fairly weak audio compared to other Ultrabooks. But as a mobile workstation for offices, the Toshiba Satellite Z930-10X is an excellent purchase.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our Toshiba Satellite Z930 review</p><ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:16px;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:19px"> <li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px">Compare prices for the Toshiba Satellite Z930</li></ul></h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 21. MacBook Air 2013 - From £849/AU$1,100/US$1,000</h3><h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Apple/MacBook%20Air%202012%2011inch/MacBook%20Air-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Apple's often imitated but never bettered ultra-portable laptop puts in a strong, though not faultless, performance with this mid-2013 release, the sixth-generation of the MacBook Air.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">It offers significant improvements in its solid state storage speed, graphical power, battery life and wireless capabilities, but the processor's clock speeds actually take a backward step. But as we'll see, for most real-world applications, the MacBook Air 2013 matches or out-performs its predecessor</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/11-inch-macbook-air-2013-1158387/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">11-inch MacBook Air review</a> and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/13-inch-macbook-air-1158388/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">13-inch MacBook Air review</a>.</p> <ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:16px;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:19px"><li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px"> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/macbook-air-2012-1087300/price-comparison" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Compare prices for the MacBook Air</a></li> </ul></h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">22. Dell XPS 13 - £1,100/US$1,500 (around AU$1,670)</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Best laptops" src="http://cdn4.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Dell/dell-xps-13-580-90.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Dell has really got serious with the internals of the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-xps-13-1057727/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">XPS 13</a>. An Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, an SSD for fast performance and an absolutely staggeringly large battery life all combine to make this pretty much the ultimate road warrior's laptop. It's brilliantly thin and light, and the 13-inch screen still gives you room to work. It's a bit of a shame it doesn't offer a touchscreen, but the Dell XPS 13 is still one of the best laptops you can buy, offering top performance, brilliant battery life and excellent build quality.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/dell-xps-13-1057727/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Dell XPS 13 review</a></p> </h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">23. Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus - £1,300/AU$1,600/US$1,400</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus review" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Samsung/Samsung%20Ativ%20Book%209%20Plus/book9plus%20(11)-580-100.JPG" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Samsung was one of the very first PC manufacturers to jump on the Ultrabook bandwagon. It's done a fine job of representing Intel's baby ever since, with some stunning offerings, including the <a href="http://bit.ly/10ptULJ" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Series 5 Ultra Touch</a> and, more recently, the top of the range <a href="http://bit.ly/16jhtbG" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Series 9 NP900X3D</a>.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Samsung certainly knows its stuff when it comes to <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-ultrabook-18-top-thin-and-lights-1054355" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Ultrabooks</a>, but the goal posts are always moving. So what new trick can it pull out of its sleeve?</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Well, it's new Ultrabook: the Samsung Ativ Book 9 Plus, might keep the company ahead of the game for a while, at least if its on-paper abilities are anything to go by.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">It's a wonderful-looking unit. It's thin and carefully crafted, with just a slither of the all-aluminium chassis peaking through the dark outer casing. But its plain black exterior might lend some clues as to its intent: this is an Ultrabook focused as much on the business user as regular Joe on the high street.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"><a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/samsung-ativ-book-9-plus-1160439/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus review</a></p> </h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">24. Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A - £1,350/AU$1,700/US$1,420</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Asus/Asus%20Zenbook%20Prime%20UX31A/Asus%20Zenbook%20Prime%20UX31A%20graphic-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">When Ultrabooks were first introduced by Intel, one of the first models to show us that it could stand up to the gauntlet laid down by the MacBook Airwas the Asus Zenbook UX21. The Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A continues the styling of its predecessors, and adds a Core i7-3517U processor, Intel HD 4000 graphics and 4GB of RAM.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">But the most notable change is its screen - a 1080p IPS wonder that dwarfs its competition's resolution. It falls down on battery life, so you should consider if that's a big issue for you. It's also expensive, but its performance is admirable.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">Read our Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A review</p><ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:16px;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:19px"> <li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px"><a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-1085284/price-comparison" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Compare prices for the Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A</a></li> </ul></h2><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">25. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch - £1,779/US$2,139 (around AU$2,538)</h3> <h2 class="" style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;margin:0px;padding:0px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-weight:normal;font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Lenovo/ThinkPad%20X1%20Carbon%20Touch/Lenovo%20ThinkPad%20X1%20Carbon%20Touch%20back%20display-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal"></p><p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">The original 2012 <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-1106778/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Lenovo X1 Carbon</a> was the best ThinkPad money could buy, but now Lenovo has added a touchscreen panel and changed Windows 7 Professional for Windows 8, bringing last year's model right up to date.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);letter-spacing:normal">The result is a formidable machine that not only offers the best usability and performance, but also a fantastic Windows 8 experience. However, the eye-watering price tag means this experience doesn't come cheap.</p> <br><div id="content" style="width:625px;float:left;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:16px;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:19px"></div></h2><h1 class="" style="font-size:32px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-1px;vertical-align:top;margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 8px"> Best gaming laptops</h1></div><div><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">26. Gigabyte P2742G - around £1,000/AU$1,706/US$1,607</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Best gaming laptop" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/Gigabyte/Gigabyte%20P2742G/p2742g7db8-det3-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> Graphics. It's the final frontier for mobile computing. We'll come to the reasons why momentarily. But the bottom line is that it means going after a laptop with 3D grunt is going to cost you. And that makes the new Gigabyte P2742G actually look like something of a bargain.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">It's a big, brash 17-inch portable gaming rig with a full-HD screen, a quad-core CPU and - critically - a dedicated graphics chip.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The problem for mobile gaming goes something like this. CPU performance is stagnating. In fact, Intel bases most of its desktop CPUs on mobile designs these days, so the performance gap is tolerable.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><br></p><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 27. Alienware 14 2013 - £854/AU$1,700/US$1,100</h3><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Alienware 14 review" src="http://cdn1.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/magazines/Windows%208/Issue%2012/WIN12.Desire_REV4.2-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> The Alienware 14 is an attempt to create a serious but portable gaming laptop.</p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">It's been designed specifically for serious gamers - it has a roster of specs to die for and a price to match. This</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Alienware is owned by Dell, and the gaming brand has benefited from the latter's prowess in building robust laptops, as well as its buying power.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">As you'd hope, there's a full HD WLED Full HD anti-glare screen with superb viewing angles. The colours on the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-8-1093002/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Windows 8</a> Start screen still look awesome even when viewed from an extremely acute angle. The anti-glare coating can make pale colours look a little grainy at first glance, but games look superb on it. Sadly, it's not a touchscreen.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><br></p><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 28. Samsung Series 7 Gamer - £1,350/US$1,900 (around AU$2,060)</h3><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Top laptops: 20 best laptops in the world" src="http://cdn0.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net///art/laptops/Samsung/Samsung%20Series%207%20Gamer/TR/Series7hero-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The Samsung Series 7 Gamer laptop has the hardware and performance that gamers care about, and a price tag that we would deem fair. Samsung's custom UI, however, mostly detracts from the overall experience, short of one or two niceties, such as being able to disable the trackpad and Windows keys. It's also quite heavy.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">From a purely processor to pennies perspective, the Series 7 Gamer is worth the money. It's a gaming machine capable of playing the latest titles at respectable settings. All its case lights and fancy UI, though, make it a bit like a party guest who arrives overdressed. You're glad they showed up, but the bow tie they're wearing just makes them look silly.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><br></p><ul style="margin:20px 0px;padding:0px;list-style:none;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:19px"> <li style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc;font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px">Compare prices for the Samsung Series 7 Gamer</li></ul><h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> 29. Asus G750JX - £1,400/AU$2,500/US$1,900</h3><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="Asus GF750JX review" src="http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/magazines/Windows%208/Issue%2013/WIN13.desire_rev3.asus3-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> When you buy a high-end gaming laptop like this, you're not only buying something that's physically large, you're also buying power - and a considerable amount of power at that.</p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> The Asus G750JX boasts top-end components across the board, but nowhere more so than at its hugely capable heart - there's a Core i7-4700HQ processor on board from Intel in there. Launched mere months ago, this 2.4Ghz quad-core processor has plenty to offer gamers.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/asus-g750jx-1184978/review" style="text-decoration:none;color:rgb(0,153,204);font-weight:bold">Read our Asus G750JX review</a></p> <h3 style="font-size:20px;line-height:1em;letter-spacing:-0.5px;width:480px;margin:20px 0px 10px;padding-bottom:10px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">30. MSI GS70 Stealth - £1,600/AU$2,300/US$2,000</h3> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><img alt="MSI GS70 Stealth review" src="http://cdn3.mos.techradar.futurecdn.net//art/laptops/MSI/GS70/msi03-580-100.jpg" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; margin: 0px auto; display: block; height: auto;" width="580"><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> </p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"></p><p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"> The MSI GS70 Stealth breaks away from familiar desktop replacement conventions: instead of being bulky, heavy and ugly, it's little thicker than an Ultrabook and half the weight of some rivals - and it's one of the best-looking laptops we've seen for quite some time.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">The GS70's vital statistics are backed up by great quality. It's mostly made from brushed aluminium, and the gunmetal-grey finish is paired with slick design. The MSI's lid and base gently contour toward subtle curves at each edge, and we like the little details: milled speaker grilles and air vents, discreet status LEDs on the front edge, and the total absence of garish stickers that usually disturb wrist-rests.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif">Build quality is excellent, too - impressive when the GS70's dimensions are considered. The base is sturdy and, while there's a little flex in the lid, it's what we expect from machines with a 17-inch screen.</p> <p style="font-size:14px;line-height:20px;width:480px;margin:10px 0px 0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif"><br></p></div><div class="" style="margin:20px 0px;height:354px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;line-height:19px;overflow:hidden"> <div class="" id="vams_popout_playerLkOEyVTKilw" style="width:580px;height:354px;background-image:url(http://media.vams.futurecdn.net/default/img/vams/spinner.gif);background-repeat:no-repeat no-repeat"></div></div></div> </div>

Best laptop: 30 top laptops for every budget UPDATED TechRadar's complete guide to the top laptops to buy today

Best laptop: 30 top laptops for every budget UPDATED  TechRadar's complete guide to the top laptops to buy today What's the best...

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