Protect your Android Phone with these Security Apps

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 class="post-title entry-title"></h1><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <br />Your mobile phone is probably your most important digital possession that holds your contacts, emails, text messages, personal photos and other confidential stuff that you would not like anyone else to see. Yet, it is so easy to lose one as you are carrying it everywhere you go.<br />There are a plethora of security apps in the Google Play store that help you safeguard your Android phone and offer options that increase your chances of locating your lost (or stolen) device. The Lookout app was the most popular choice for determining the location of a lost phone but with Google's own Android Device Manager available, Lookout can be skipped (unless your phone is running an older version of Android).<br />The Android Device Manager shows a list of all Android phones and tablets that are connected to your Google Account and helps you locate them on a Google Map. You can ring your phone (in case it is hiding beneath the pillow) from the browser, lock the device with a custom PIN or perform a factory reset which permanently deletes all the data on your phone.<br />Android Device Manager requires that the device is online – connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi – for you to remotely ring, lock or erase the phone. There're however apps like Prey and Where's my Droid app that let you remotely send commands to your phone via text messages.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7855539908230927445" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZUAXzXFbCh1mBuD40Hh23t_F4uP3yjXImXY30Oba8lxkFGu5Rewsnjh-IJpVsUIQu8hZ50uFyKrE0Fq4J908CE23Q4PvRaTy_QA9rVvMxa_aZ3J5vMtP7Lqfa70pu1DGWmPW-5Odg1Fu/s1600/android-security-apps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZUAXzXFbCh1mBuD40Hh23t_F4uP3yjXImXY30Oba8lxkFGu5Rewsnjh-IJpVsUIQu8hZ50uFyKrE0Fq4J908CE23Q4PvRaTy_QA9rVvMxa_aZ3J5vMtP7Lqfa70pu1DGWmPW-5Odg1Fu/s400/android-security-apps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <br />For instance, an SMS command like "GO PREY" to your lost phone from any other mobile phone will ring the phone, record its geo-location and also captures a picture with the front camera. You can also lock your phone, erase the data, show a system notification or take a picture on-demand through <a href="http://preyproject.com/blog/2013/10/command-your-phone-via-sms-with-the-new-prey-for-android" target="_blank">commands</a> sent via text messages.<br />Both Prey and Where's My Droid can be configured to send SMS alerts to another number should someone try to change the existing SIM card of your phone. That said, you should also activate the SIM lock on your Android phone (Settings -> Security -> Setup SIM Card lock) and the device will require a password whenever it is powered on.<br />When you are charging your cell phone at a public station, you either have to watch the device all the time or you can activate the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ralok.antitheftalarm&hl=en" target="_blank">Anti-Theft Alarm</a> app and relax a bit. The app will trigger a siren sound when someone disconnects the charger and your phone screen will flash continuously until the correct pin is entered. You can go a step further and configure the app to trigger an alert when someone moves the phone even a few inches from the original position.<br />Another Android App <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bloketech.lockwatch&hl=en" target="_blank">LockWatch</a> records the phone's location and captures a picture with a front camera when someone attempts to unlock the phone but enters a wrong PIN or password. This information is send to your email address and it happen silently so the intruder would never know that their activity has been recorded.<br />If the device gets lost or stolen, it is important that you report the matter to your carrier and the police and they are likely to ask for details like the device's IMEI number, IMSI, SIM number, etc. It helps if you can keep a record of this information somewhere outside your phone. You can find the IMEI number by dialing *#06# or get the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jaemin.simreader&hl=en" target="_blank">SIM reader</a> app and it will instantly extract the SIM and Device info that you can save to your email account.<br />One more thing. You have protected your Android phone with a numeric PIN or a more complex alphanumeric password but these are obviously inconvenient as you have type the string every time you turn on the screen. A free app called <a href="http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?s=bb36e4e45874593b4c404f9dd711bdfc&p=47365929&postcount=1" target="_blank">SkipLock</a> makes you life a bit easier. <br /><div class="MsoNormal">The app will basically remove the lock when you are connected to one of the recognized Wi-Fi networks and restores the lock as soon as you are on 3G or a non-recognized Wi-Fi network. Thus, the phone stays unlocked when you are home but as soon as you step out, the lock becomes active. Since the SkipLock app isn't in the Google Play Store, you'll have to enable Unknown Sources to install the APK file on your phone.</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://sigads.rediff.com/RealMedia/ads/click_nx.ads/www.rediffmail.com/signatureline.htm@Middle?" target="_blank"><img src="http://sigads.rediff.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_nx.ads/www.rediffmail.com/signatureline.htm@Middle" /></a><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="height: 20px; width: 1px;"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><br /></td><td valign="top"><br /></td></tr><tr><td><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div>

Protect your Android Phone with these Security Apps

Your mobile phone is probably your most important digital possession that holds your contacts, emails, text messages, personal photos a...

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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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