best
computers
Laptops shrink, and so do desktops
C
omputers are going lean,
mean, and green, with
space-saving profiles, more
efficient chips and operating systems, and environmentally friendly designs. They’re also
increasingly security-conscious, offering
features designed to keep your machine
and your data out of harm’s reach. Here
are some of the latest trends:
Desktops downsize. Many desktop
computers are still boxy and bulky, but
slimmer models are coming on strong.
Dell’s 530S, $630, for example, is the
smallest conventional desktop in our
Ratings. Its tower has a 4x16-inch footprint, compared with the more usual
7x18 inches. Other models, including
Dell’s Studio Hybrid, starting at $500
without display, are even smaller. (See
First Look, below.) This compact desktop
uses less metal and plastic than a typical
desktop and consumes less energy—70
percent less, according to Dell. (Our tests
of a non-entry-level model showed that
it used about 60 percent less.)
All-in-ones, which integrate the disk
drives, sound card, memory, and more
with the display rather than in a separate
tower, are also on the rise. Most major
brands now have at least one. Five all-inones from Apple, Dell, Gateway, and Sony
are in our Ratings. A new HP all-in-one,
the TouchSmart IQ504t, arrived too late
for the Ratings, but you’ll find our initial
impression in the First Look.
Smaller, more efficient laptops.
Netbooks, also called subnotebooks, have
7- to 9-inch displays (10-inchers are
Innovative desktops have a lot to offer
FIRST
LOOK
Dell’s Studio Hybrid (starting at
$500) reflects the trend toward
small, environmentally friendly PCs.
In our tests, this Energy Star
4.0-compliant desktop used about
60 percent less electricity than a
typical desktop. That didn’t seem to
affect its performance. The Dell is a
bit larger than the Apple Mac Mini,
but it’s much smaller than most
desktops. It’s claimed to be free of
lead, mercury, and other environmentally harmful substances. The
model we tested includes a built-in
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 (which allows
it to link to a wireless keyboard and
mouse), 2 gigabytes of RAM, Intel’s
Core 2 Duo processor, a 250GB hard
drive, a DVD burner, five USB ports,
and DVI and HDMI ports for a highdefinition television. It sells for $750.
CR’s take. This mini marvel is a
good choice for those who prefer a
desktop to a laptop but want a small,
sleek unit. On the downside, it can’t
be upgraded.
The first thing you’ll notice about
a machine from the all-in-one HP
TouchSmart desktop series is its
bright, colorful 22-inch display. It’s
actually a giant touch screen that
provides quick access to your calendar and e-mail, music, photos, and
more with a poke or swipe of your
finger. You can drag files into folders, flip through your music collection, and even crop photos. All this
takes some practice, however. The
glossy surface attracts smudges but
is easily cleaned with the included
cloth. Standard hardware includes
Intel’s Core 2 Duo ­processor, 4GB of
memory, a DVD burner, 802.11n Wi-Fi,
and a wireless keyboard and mouse.
The IQ504t, $1,300, has a 320GB
hard disk. The IQ506t, $1,500, adds
an NTSC TV tuner, a 500GB hard
disk, and an Nvidia graphics card.
CR’s take. They offer a compelling computer interaction, and
they’re easier on your pocketbook
than some all-in-ones.
SEPTEMBER 2008
Dell Studio Hybrid
HP TouchSmart
Z www.ConsumerReports.org
37
coming) and weigh about 2 to 3 pounds.
They aim to be your second computer,
the one you use to surf the Web and
check e-mail while traveling, or a child’s
first system. But their small size imposes
trade-offs. We checked out the 2.2-pound
Asus Eee PC 900, $550, and the 3.2-pound
HP 2133 Mini-Note, $750, both with
8.9-inch screens. Both systems were
sluggish but adequate for e-mail and
Web browsing. (Note that neither has an
integrated-cellular-modem option, so
you’ll have to buy a USB cellular modem
if you want to connect to a cellular network.) The Asus is smaller, but it has a
cramped keyboard, better for kids than
for adults. The HP’s keyboard was much
more usable. It’s a good choice for a system smaller than a budget laptop and
lower-priced than a slim-and-light.
Processors for a wireless world.
Intel and AMD have introduced new
chips for laptops and other mobile devices that emphasize energy efficiency
and better performance. AMD’s mobile
chipset, known as Puma, has a faster
Turion X2 Ultra CPU and ATI Radeon
HD 3000 graphics, plus integrated support for 802.11n wireless networks. Intel’s
answer to Puma is the Centrino 2, called
Montevina. It has a Core 2 Duo (known
as Penryn) CPU, Intel GMA X4500
graphics, and integrated support for
802.11n and WiMax. Intel’s new Atom
processor is slated for smaller mobile
devices such as netbooks. Both sets of
chips were introduced too late for us to
test for this report.
New operating systems on deck.
Windows Vista’s successor, Windows 7, is
scheduled for release in 2010. Little is
known about it, but rumors suggest it will
be an “enhanced” version of Vista. Mac
users can expect a new version of OS X
next summer. Called Snow Leopard, it
promises to focus more on performance
and efficiency than on new features.
Security features. Eleven of the laptops in our Ratings use biometric technology, such as fingerprint readers and
facial recognition, as a handy alternative
to entering a password. However, those
features don’t provide a second layer of
protection; anyone can still use a passContinued on page 40
38
Consumer reports
1 Sony
4 Dell
12 Gateway
31 Toshiba
CR Quick Recommendations
The Ratings list models strictly by performance in our tests. Quick Picks also considers
value and tech support. Apple was best for tech support. Lenovo was a standout, and Dell
was above average at problem-solving. We picked some HP, Gateway, and Toshiba models,
although their tech support has been disappointing. We don’t have enough data to rate
Acer’s support. Laptop reliability has been mostly undistinguished.
Quick Picks
Best lightweight laptops:
1 Sony $1,660
3 Apple $1,800
4 Dell $1,100, CR Best Buy
The Sony weighs only 4 pounds, and its battery life is excellent. The Apple is great for
travel, weighing just 3 pounds, but it has no
optical drive (an external USB drive costs
$100), and the battery is not removable. Its
pricier sibling (2) has a solid-state drive
instead of a conventional hard drive. The
economical Dell is quiet and loaded with
features, but it’s heavier than (1) and (3).
Best laptops for basic needs:
7 Dell $890
9 Lenovo $745
12 Gateway $700, CR Best Buy
13 Lenovo $950
15 Acer $650
16 Dell $750
The Dell (7) is suitable for most users,
with its long battery life and good mix of
features and performance. The Lenovo
(9) has very good features and ergonomics. The Gateway and Lenovo (13) outperformed their competitors with their
long battery life. The Gateway is a better
choice for multimedia uses, the Lenovo
(13) for home offices. The Acer is a very
good performer, if a tad heavy, and a
bargain. The Dell (16) has decent battery
life for a good price. Best for more features and performance:
23 Apple $2,000
24 Toshiba $1,250
25 HP $1,215
The 15-inch Apple and its 17-inch sibling had
the highest scores in our tests. It also
weighed the least and had the best battery
life among 15-inchers. The Toshiba is best
for gamers, with its 512MB of video graphics, 3GB of RAM, and dual hard drives. The
HP is fast and more portable than the Toshiba, and it costs much less than the Apple.
Best desktop replacements:
28 Apple $2,900
29 HP $1,200
31 Toshiba $985, CR Best Buy
Like the smaller MacBook Pro, the Apple
topped our laptop Ratings, offering bestin-class performance and battery life,
lightest weight, and best tech support. But
it’s also one of the most expensive laptops
we tested. Choose the HP if you’re on a
budget and plan on playing games. If
you’re not a gamer, save even more with
the Toshiba.
Guide to the Ratings for laptops and desktops
Overall score reflects all the factors below. Displayed scores are rounded; models are listed in
order of precise score. Ergonomics is how easily you can access features, plus the absence of
noise, heat, and display glare. Performance reflects speed while running productivity and multimedia software, plus power consumption. For laptops, it also covers 3D-gaming speed; for
desktops, such speed is listed separately. Features includes hardware, such as memory-card
slots and A/V connections; software, such as productivity and security programs; and support
and warranty provisions. For laptops and all-in-one desktops, display is our judgment of clarity,
color, brightness, viewing angle, and for laptops, uniformity. Speakers covers fidelity, bass
response, and loudness. Laptop battery life is while running productivity software. The Toshiba (24) and Gateway (32) were tested with extended batteries. Laptop weight includes optical
drives (except MacBook Air) and one battery (no AC adapter). Price is approximate retail.
Z SEPTEMBER 2008 • Exper t • Independent • Nonprofit
Ratings
laptop computers
Z BX BC BV B
• Availability Most models at stores through September 2008.
Excellent Very Good
good
Fair
Poor
Within types, in performance order. Blue key numbers indicate Quick Picks.
Price
Overall score
Test results
Features
13.3-INCH SLIM-AND-LIGHT Easiest to carry but screens are small and prices are high. Have integrated graphics card.
1
Sony Vaio VGN-SZ780
Core 2 Duo T8100
2
Apple MacBook Air
1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo Intel X3100
3
Apple MacBook Air
1.6 GHz Core 2 Duo Intel X3100
Intel X3100
160
$1,660
74
64 ⁄
2,600
73
80
1,800
71
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4
Dell XPS M1330
Core 2 Duo T7100
Intel X3100
120
1,100
65
5
Apple MacBook
2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo Intel X3100
160
1,300
64
6
Lenovo ThinkPad X300
Core 2 Duo SL7100 Intel X3100
3,370
60
14.1-INCH BUDGET A bit larger but still relatively light and easier on the eyes and the wallet. Have integrated graphics card.
64 ⁄
7
Dell Inspiron 1420
Core 2 Duo T7100
Intel X3100
120
890
65
8
Lenovo ThinkPad T61
160
965
63
9
Lenovo ThinkPad R61 ‹
160
745
62
10 Gateway T-1628 (3GB RAM)
Core 2 Duo T8100 Intel X3100
Pentium Dual-Core Intel X3100
T2370
Turion 64 X2 TL-60 ATI X1270
250
700
58
11 Acer Aspire 4520-5950
Turion 64 X2 TL-58 Nvidia 7000M
120
600
55
Speakers
Display
Features
100
pfg vge
Performance
0
Ergonomics
All tested models, unless noted,
have 2GB of RAM and a DVD
burner.
Key number
Similar models, in small type, are
comparable to tested model.
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5/1 4 4.0 2
5/1 4 3.0 1
4/1 2 3.0 1
4/1 2
4.5 2
43/4 5.0 2
23/4 3.2 3
4 5.7 4
3 5.2 3
23/4 5.3 3
2/1 4 5.4 3
2 5.5 4
15.4-INCH BUDGET A good balance of screen size, portability, and price. Have integrated graphics card.
12 Gateway M152S
Core 2 Duo T5550
Intel X3100
160
700
65
13 Lenovo ThinkPad T61
Core 2 Duo T7100
Intel X3100
120
950
65
14 Toshiba Satellite A305D-S6831 (3GB RAM)
Turion 64 X2 TL-64 ATI X1250
250
950
62
15 Acer Aspire 5920-6864 (3GB RAM)
Core 2 Duo T5450
160
650
62
16 Dell Inspiron 1526
Turion 64 X2 TL-60 ATI X1270
250
750
62
17 Lenovo ThinkPad R61 ‹
Core 2 Duo T7100 Intel X3100
Pentium Dual-Core Intel X3100
T2330
160
870
61
160
840
61
18 Dell Inspiron 1525
19 Sony Vaio VGN-NR290 VGN-NR498
Core 2 Duo T5450
Intel X3100
Intel X3100
250
850
59
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4/1 4 6.2 3
4/1 4 6.1 3
23/4 6.2 4
3 6.6 4
33/4 6.0 4
4 6.4 3
3/1 2 6.1 4
33/4
6.2 4
59
Turion 64 X2 TL-60 Nvidia 7150M 160
700
&X &C &X &C &C 3/1 4 5.9 3
Pentium
Dual-Core
54
21 Lenovo IdeaPad Y510
Intel X3100
160
700
&C &C &X &C &V 3/1 2 6.4 3
T2330
Pentium Dual-Core Intel X3100
53
22 Compaq Presario C700T
120
580
&X &C &C &C &B 23/4 5.7 3
T2310
15.4-INCH WORKHORSE A faster processor and discrete graphics card make these suitable for gaming but add to the cost.
Nvidia 250
79
23 Apple MacBook Pro
2.4GHz Core 2 Duo 256MB
2,000
&X &Z &X &X &C 4/1 2 5.3 2
8600M GT
ATI HD 400
68
24 Toshiba Satellite A305D-S6845 (3GB
Core 2 Duo T8100 512MB
1,250
&X &Z &X &C &C 3/1 2 6.8 4
3650
RAM) A300-ST4004
Nvidia 250
68
25 HP Pavilion dv6700t
Core 2 Duo T9300 256MB
1,215
&X &Z &X &C &C 3 6.1 3
8400M GS
Nvidia 250
66
26 Sony Vaio VGN-FZ4000
Core 2 Duo T9300 256MB
1,350
&X &X &X &C &V 2/1 4 5.7 3
8400M GT
256MB
Nvidia
63
27 Dell XPS M1530
Core 2 Duo T7250 8600M GT
160
1,375
&C &Z &X &C &B 3 5.9 3
17-INCH WORKHORSE The large screen makes these suitable as desktop replacements but heavy to lug around. Have discrete graphics card.
Nvidia 250
79
28 Apple MacBook Pro
2.5GHz Core 2 Duo 512MB
2,900
&X &Z &X &Z &X 5/1 2 6.6 3
8600M GT
256MB
Nvidia
70
29 HP Pavilion dv9700t
Core 2 Duo T9300 8400M GS
250
1,200
&X &Z &X &C &V 3/1 2 7.5 4
512MB
Nvidia
68
30 Sony Vaio VGN-AR770
Core 2 Duo T9300 8600M GT
240
1,710
&X &Z &X &Z &C 13/4 8.2 2
67
31 Toshiba Satellite L350-ST2121
Core 2 Duo T5750 Intel X3100 € 250
985
&X &X &X &C &C 3 7.1 3
Nvidia 320
65
32 Gateway P-172X FX (4GB RAM) P-173XL FX
Core 2 Duo T8300 512MB
2,000
&C &Z &X &Z &C 2 9.2 3
8800M GTS
63
33 Toshiba Satellite P305D-S8818
Turion 64 X2 TL-62 ATI X1250 € 250
900
&X &C &X &C &X 2 7.5 4
⁄ Has a solid-state drive instead of a conventional hard drive. €Has integrated graphics. ‹Matte display.
20 HP Pavilion dv6700z
Memory-card
reader
FireWire port
Built-in webcam
Facial recognition
Fingerprint reader
Docking port
Video adapter Hard
drive
(GB)
USB ports
Processor
Weight (lb.)
Brand & model
Battery life (hr.)
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• • • • • • • • • • word instead to hack in. You can add both
features to almost any laptop or desktop.
Facial recognition, primarily available
on Lenovo and Toshiba laptops, uses a
built-in webcam to scan your face and
compare it with images you’ve stored in
the system. While it generally worked in
our tests, it wasn’t always accurate, particularly in dim lighting.
Fingerprint scanners are commonly
built into laptops but can be added to any
computer as a USB plug-in for as little as
$35. They’ve generally worked in our
tests, though some needed a few swipes
to recognize a print.
File encryption is built into the
Business and Ultimate versions of
Wi n d o w s Vi s t a ( B i t L o c k e r ) , t h e
Professional edition of Windows XP
(Encrypting File System), and Mac OS
X version 10.3 and later (FileVault).
With each, you must enable the encryption, which can thwart thieves or snoops
who try to get into your system by requiring them to enter a password.
Unless they enter the correct one, your
confidential information looks like gibberish. There are also third-party encryption options, including free software from TrueCrypt.org.
The same people who claim they can
help police find your stolen car want to
protect your laptop. The LoJack $50-peryear service consists of software you can
download from the Web or buy at retail
outlets. If your laptop is stolen, the LoJack
monitoring center can detect the IP address of the router when the computer
connects to the Internet. The police can
contact the Internet service provider to
obtain the physical location of the router.
If all goes well, you might find the thief.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Make sure you need a new PC. If
you’re considering a new system because
the old one is sluggish or out of storage,
see if your current model is salvageable.
Defragmenting the hard drive can speed
file access, and deleting programs and
files you don’t want or no longer use can
free up disk space. Adding external hard
drives can give you unlimited expansion.
You can buy a lot more gigabytes for the
money than you could a few years ago.
40
Consumer reports
Choose a type and size. In laptops, a
bigger screen size comes at the expense
of portability, battery life, and price. For
many users, a 14- or 15-inch screen offers a good balance. A 17-inch screen is
probably better if you use the laptop as a
desktop replacement and don’t frequently carry it around. You’ll pay more
for a slim-and-light model with a 13-inch
screen, but you’ll have less weight to tote
around and longer battery life.
With desktops, there’s also a trade-off
between size and price. A desktop with a
tower case and 17- to 22-inch LCD monitor costs less than a comparable all-inone but takes up more space.
Decide on power. Make sure any new
computer has at least 2GB of RAM, espe-
cially if it’s running Windows Vista. As
long as the processor is dual core, don’t
worry too much about it if you run mostly
typical productivity software. But if you’ll
often use your computer for gaming or
editing photos or video, get a faster dualcore processor and a discrete graphics
card with more memory, as found in our
workhorse category. Only serious gamers
and video buffs need a high-end desktop
with a quad-core processor and an even
more powerful graphics card.
Consider tech support. Tech support
quality has varied widely, according to
our user surveys. Factor those differences into your choice, as we have in our
recommendations. Apple has been the
best by far for both laptop and desktop
CR Quick Recommendations
The Ratings rank models by test results. Quick Picks also take into account brand reliability, tech support, and value. Tech support was best for Apple, and Dell was above average
for problem-solving. We picked some Gateway and HP models, although their tech support
has been disappointing. We don’t have tech-support data for Sony or eMachines. Apple
desktops have been more reliable than other brands in our user surveys.
Quick Picks
Best low-priced desktops:
1 Gateway $550
3 eMachines $400, CR Best Buy
Both are good performers that should be
fine for basic tasks. Each has room for an
additional optical drive. The Gateway’s
ergonomics are very good; its keyboard has
a built-in padded wrist rest, and it comes
with an optical mouse.
If you want more features and
performance:
4 HP $970
5 HP $825
Both are fast performers. (4) is ­featureladen, with a TV tuner, HDMI (­high-definition
multimedia interface) output, and excellent
speakers. (It has been succeeded by the
faster m9300t.) (5) has many of the same
features and good speakers but no tuner or
HDMI output. (It has been succeeded by the
similar a6560t.)
Best overall, especially for multimedia
and games:
7 Dell $1,995
9 HP $1,610
10 Gateway $1,500
With Blu-ray players and TV tuners, all
Z SEPTEMBER 2008 • Exper t • Independent • Nonprofit
three of these will provide a great multimedia experience. The Dell has two 500GB
hard drives, the HP has a free memory slot,
and the Gateway is well-priced considering
its feature set.
Best all-in-ones:
12 Sony $2,000
13 Apple $1,800
The Sony has the largest hard drive of
the all-in-one machines we tested, as well
as a television tuner and a Blu-ray drive.
It’s a very good performer with 3 gigabytes of RAM. The excellent display
makes it an attractive system for family
entertainment, although the beveledglass edges make it wider than its 22-inch
screen. The Apple is a lower-priced alternative with excellent performance and
display and very good ergonomics.
If you prefer to spend less on an
all-in-one:
15 Dell $1,550
The Dell offers the best combination of performance, features, and price among the
Windows all-in-one models. But it’s not a
great choice for serious gamers.
support. Lenovo was outstanding at solving laptop problems; we have insufficient
data to report on Lenovo desktops. Dell
w a s a b o v e av e r a g e a t p r o b l e m solving for desktops and laptops. HP and
Compaq were among the lower-scoring
brands for desktops. In laptops, HP
scored lower than most, and Toshiba, 1 Gateway
Gateway, and Sony were disappointing.
Computer reliability hasn’t varied much
by brand, according to our user surveys. As
a whole, computers haven’t been especially
reliable. Roughly one in five have needed
repairs within a few years of purchase.
Ratings
3 eMachines
4 HP
desktop computers
• Availability Most models at stores
through September 2008.
Z BX BC BV B
Excellent
Very Good
good
Fair
Poor
15 Dell
7 Dell
Within types, in performance order. Blue key numbers indicate Quick Picks.
1
Gateway GT5670
Phenom 8400
3
320
Nvidia 6150 SE
$ 550
54
2
Dell 530S
Pentium E2180
2
320
Intel G33/31
630
53
3
eMachines T5254
Athlon X2 BE-2350
2
320
Nvidia 6100
400
4
5
WORKHORSE Faster and more powerful for multimedia needs. Have a DVD burner and three-piece speakers.
Nvidia
71
Core 2 Duo E6750 2 500 256MB
970
HP Pavilion m9100t ⁄ m9300t
8400
256MB
Nvidia
67
Core 2 Duo E4500 2 400 8400 GS
HP Pavilion a6250t a6560t
825
6
Gateway DX441S DX442S
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Pentium E2180
3
500
Intel GMA 3100
550
48
59
Free memory slot
Memory-card
reader
FireWire port
Digital audio out
Remote control
Optical mouse
BUDGET Should suffice for basic tasks. Have a DVD burner and two-piece speakers.
Free USB ports
100
pfg vge
Speakers
0
Features
Display
Test results
3D-gaming speed
Overall score
Performance
Price
Features
RAM Hard Video adapter
(GB) drive
(GB)
Similar models, in small type,
are comparable to tested
model.
Key number
Processor
Ergonomics
Brand & model
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HIGH-END Optimal for graphic design and gaming. Have a Blu-ray drive, TV tuner, and three-piece speakers.
Nvidia
84
Core 2 Quad 6600 3 1000 512MB
1,995
Dell XPS 420 ⁄
&X &Z &Z
8800 GT
512MB
Nvidia
80
Core 2 Quad 6600 3 1000 8800 GT
2,075
Dell XPS 630 ⁄
&Z &X &Z
Nvidia
78
HP Pavilion Elite d5000t ATX
Core 2 Quad 9300 3 500 512MB
1,610
&X &X &Z
8800 GT
Nvidia
76
Gateway FX541X
Core 2 Quad 9300 3 500 512MB
1,500
&X &X &X
8800 GT
512MB
Nvidia
72
HP Pavilion Elite d5000z ATX
Phenom 9600
3 500 8800 GT
1,580
&X &X &C
All-in-one Sleek and space-saving. Most components, including disk drives, webcam, and speakers, are built into display.
Nvidia
Sony Vaio VGC-LT28E (22 in.) €
69
Core 2 Duo T8100 3 500 256MB
2,000
&X &X &X
8400M GT
VGC-LT35E
ATI HD
68
Apple iMac 24-inch
2.8GHz Core 2 Duo 2 320 256MB
1,800
&X &C &Z
2600
2.66GHz Core
256MB ATI HD
66
Apple iMac 20-inch
2
320
1,500
&X &C &Z
2 Duo
2600
ATI
65
Core 2 Duo E6550 2 320 256MB
1,550
Dell XPS One (20 in.) €
&X &X &Z
HD2400
ATI
64
Gateway One ZX190 (19 in.)
Core 2 Duo T5250 2 400 256MB
1,500
&C &X &X
HD2600
⁄Tested with five-piece speakers; others tested with three-piece. €Has TV tuner.
SEPTEMBER 2008
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