Engadget's back to school guide: Netbooks and laptops
By Joanna Stern 
posted August 2nd 2010 2:57PM
posted August 2nd 2010 2:57PM
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got laptops and netbooks in our sights -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month.
You didn't think we'd let back to school season roll around without rounding up the latest gear, did you? Good, because here at Engadget we understand that not only is heading off to college nerve wracking, but picking out the best gadgets can as equally scary. We couldn't think of kicking off our back to school guide with anything but our top netbook / laptop choices since, you know, a good performing and well-rounded machine is absolutely essential for those hours of Facebook stalking, err of homework and studying. No matter what your budget, we've got you covered with recommendations and loads of mobile computing options. Now, on to the laptops...
On the cheap: Netbooks
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A netbook probably won't suffice as a primary system, but it's ideal for taking notes in class or as a complement a clunky laptop or desktop. Thanks to its comfortable keyboard, wide touchpad and six hours of battery life, the 10.1-inch Toshiba Mini NB305 is still the best on the market. See our full review. |
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ASUS Eee PC 1018P This 10-incher may have the typical netbook specs (Atom CPU, Win 7 Starter), but its brushed aluminum lid makes it one of the best looking mini-laptops. Full review, $379.99 at Best Buy |
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Acer Aspire One 721 The 11.6-inch Aspire One 721's AMD Neo II processor gives it more power than the other Atom netbooks and it can handle 1080p video. Full review, $437.95 at Amazon |
On the cheap: Laptops
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Considering that there was once a day where most ThinkPads cost over $1,000, it's pretty amazing to even think that we can recommend the Edge series as our number one pick in the budget category. The 13- and 14-inch portables blend those stellar ThinkPad features with value, and if you look hard enough, you can find a plus-$900 config for under $600. They're not gaming machines, but the base AMD / ATI combo will provide good-enough graphics, and you can't get better than the chiclet keyboard for cranking out papers. See our full review. |
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Gateway NV Series Acer and Gateway offer an overwhelming amount of laptops under $600, but the 15.6-inch Gateway NV series is available with a Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 320GB hard drive. Full review, $550 from NewEgg |
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Dell Inspiron 14R The Inspiron line has always been a very popular low-price option for students thanks to its plentiful color and configuration options. The 14-inch Inspiron R starts at $579 with a Core i3 CPU. $479 from Dell |
Mid-range: Laptops
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You don't need to look any further than our review of the 13.3-inch Toshiba Portege R705 to understand why we love this laptop for students -- or really anyone under the sun. The 3.2-pound, inch-thick machine is made out of magnesium-alloy, but is light enough to carry to the library, packs a Core i3 processor and has a DVD drive. Also, it's got Intel's wireless display technology for streaming |
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Apple MacBook Apple's 13-incher is a little pricier than the others, but it's hard to look past its NVIDIA graphics, plastic unibody chassis and long battery life -- and you can't really beat the student discount and the free iPod touch! $999 from Apple (not including discount) |
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HP Touchsmart Tm2t College ruled notebooks are so two-thousand and late. The Tm2's capacitive, Wacom-enabled 12.1-inch display is perfect for taking notes, but its also got Core i3 power and ATI graphics. Full review, $830 from HP |
Money's no object: Laptops
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Sure, the MacBook Pro 15 topped our list last year too, but there's no doubt this rig continues to be worth the cash. The all-aluminum chassis isn't only tough, but there's no beating the Macbook's backlit keyboard and wide multitouch touchpad. It's also got a speedy new Core i5 processor and NVIDIA graphics to boot. And like the MacBook, Apple's student discount and free iPod touch with purchase sweetens the deal. See our full review. |
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Envy 14 / 17 HP's new and improved Envys are available with 14- or 17-inch displays, Intel's Core 2010 CPUs, ATI graphics and etched aluminum shells. Need we say more? Starting at $999 from HP |
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Alienware M15x Game as much as you study? We figured, which is why we have the 15.4-inch M15x on the list. Oh also, you can turn your dorm room into a rave with the different color backlights. Starting at $1,199 from Dell |
Hooray another invitation to an Apple v PC flamewar!
@crawcraw Not really.
@crawcraw Hooray for downranking! LOL
@crawcraw How do you know?! Maybe it will turn into a screen size versus processor war!
@crawcraw
Alienware m15x is much better spec-wise than the Macbook Pro 15 for the money. That is fact.
@Mike10010100
And I've always wanted that HP tm2...
@crawcraw: Yeah, screw you because your opinion is different from mine.
It's completely irrelevant that Macs and Windows-based machines both have pros and cons, and that this "argument" comes down to personal preference. That's completely irrelevant. We need to hate each other because our opinions differ! That hate makes the world turn.
Don't you just love the internet?
@Joanna Stern I agree with the placement of the Macbook's in this article, the 15'' is by far the best option if you haven't got a budget and don't want a Gaming laptop (which seems silly for school anyway.)
The Macbook isn't the best choice at its price range unless you take into account the iPod Touch, at which point it becomes a really nice option.
Where is the iPad? It's as powerful as any laptop and tops all those listed other than the MB/MBP.
@Mike10010100 Alienware became average shit when Dell bought them. Poor design, with inflated prices. I will take a solid metal chasis long before a crappy plastic one. The HP envys, however, have finally matured into a decent product line. Might consider one of those in the future, but since my MBP 17 is only a few months old I don't have to make any of those decisions for a few more years.
@Joanna Stern
Why not the EEE PC 1215n?
@1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CA
Shut up you fanboy. Go back to drinking that Apple kool-aid.
This completes the typical engadget comments conversation.
@dmgabe
The m15x hasn't suffered from the issues that the m17x has. Macbook's failure rates are no more or less than any other laptops. What do you do to your computer that you require metal over plastic? I mean, it's personal preference, I get that, but just out of curiosity.
@1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CA Nice one, flamer.
Should have picked a 15'' MBP, got the 17 and I'm feeling maybe it's too big...
@1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CA
*sigh* That's fanboys v. fanboys. There are many nuanced conversations on here involving specs, hardware, screens, etc. But yes, anyone who says that the iPad is an equivalent to a full function computer (for normal use, not for browsing and media consumption) is deluded. Plus, you already get a free iPod Touch with your Macbook, why would you want a bigger one?
@Prodks
You know, I had not realized until I looked up the specs recently, but the Macbook Pros only have a dual core i7, not quad core. I could have sworn that they had a quad core, due to the overheating issues the 17 inchers had.
@crawcraw
I dont know why, but it feels nice to have your laptop on that list.
@Squalor Welcome to America
@crawcraw
If you want Mac get a refurb. They are in perfect condition and come with new battery, power supply ec.. Makes it a much better deal.
I got a macbook (2.26 core 2 duo) for $760. Was a little concerned about it having a core 2 duo instead of an i3, but its super fast. Cold boot in 18sec.
@dmgabe
You do realize that Alienware laptops are made with magnesium and are built like tanks. In fact my 15" Alienware weights more than most 17" laptops.
@ok old news again
How in the heck is OSX ugly? I know everyone has an opinion, but thats a first. OSX is one the most innovative os's out there and most of the features in windows 7 are inspired from OSX. The only issue with a mac in my eyes is the price of the hardware, Not the software. Thats the whole reason people pay the extra money for macs.
to each his own way I guess.
@Mike10010100 Only up for pre-order right now on Amazon.
@ok old news again
Lol, good point:P
@Firewave Indeed! MBP 15" FTW!!!
@Mike10010100 But not nearly as reliable unfortunately. If it is owned by Dell or made by Dell I am wary of ever purchasing it.
@Joanna Stern
Why don't I have the option to uprank editors?
@crawcraw
Apple and Windows both suck!
Go Trapper Keeper!
With pencil and paper kept safely inside how can you go wrong?
Use the money you save to buy beer or whatever tickles your fancy!
Wooooo!
@crawcraw
i cannot stress how awesome my HP TouchSmart tm2 is, even though it the first gen with only the Core 2 Duo. I recommend this laptop to everyone I talk to. I take EVERY SINGLE NOTE on it (i got to college full time, Computer Science major) and even use it during meetings at my software dev. internship
@dmgabe yeah, my friend got an Envy 15 - I think it's nicer than my 13" MBP. It sure has nicer specs for the $
@doyleman7 downranked for asking questions you shouldn't ask! shhh. quiet! engadget might find out you're thinking about their posts!!
@Mike10010100 Also much heavier, and for school, too heavy to carry around.
@ok old news again Aren't Apple products sold at a premium? Doesn't that HP laptop have a lot more competition in the Windows OS field below that price than the Macbook? And does the HP laptop have a $200 iPod given away with it for free?
You're nitpicking, sir.
@SarnGate So this is my first time commenting, and I do not wish to start some huge argument, but I am a University of Michigan student who is using an iPad as my only computer/tablet/laptop this year. I bought the Bluetooth keyboard, and an ePrint printer which let's me print. I've already submitted papers and i have found that it does 99% of what I need to do splendidly. I'm just offering a legitimate first hand account of it working for me.
@ok old news again
i like what you've been saying.. until you said 66% of the suggested laptops are macs.
there are 9 portable computers here, of which 2 are macs. if you're being pedantic, then there are 6 suggested 'laptops', of which 2 are macs.. my maths makes that 11% or 33%..
@benwb
22% or 33%.. my bad
@ok old news again So because the market share is something different that automatically makes it better ?
Oh Toyota have a huge amount of the marketshare, that must mean they make the best cars right ?
Right ?
@Gdog
What exactly is so "innovative" about a Unix kernel with a flashy GUI that rips Linux off?
Is it magical?
What about the new Acer Aspire?
C2D SU9600 + 4GBDDR3
ATi 5450 (switchable) + 500GB
13.3" (or +) LED screen + DVD
Alumin case + multi-touchpad
~6h (ave use, or 8+hrs advertised) on 6-cell/66W battery
HDMI + Bluetooth + Wifi + etc
Priced between $1,000 and $1,999.00
It is a "No moneys object PC" with the best features at the best battery life.
@Kangal
Oh forgot to mention it is same/slightly slimmer than a Macbook at
@Kangal
Yeah I was really surprised that there weren't any ULV laptops with switchable graphics on the list. I'd buy the Asus UL80VT (SU7300 1,7ghz; 4GB ddr3; g210m/gmh 4500) or the ASUS U30JC with core i3 and optimus.
@crawcraw I don't really know the reason there is such a fight.
@crawcraw The iPad should have got a mention in the netbook category - I don't think it should win that one, just get a mention as College kids (me) find it an excellent device for media consumption as well as for taking quick notes. Plus, with a ClamCase, the iPad IS a netbook.
@crawcraw
If these are being organized by price, why is the hp envy 14 same price as the macbook, when the envy is in "money is no object", and the macbook is in "mid-range"?
Screw you, Engadget, for reminding me I have to go back to school in a month!
Kidding, college is awesome.
@Squalor Where's my back to work sale?
@Squalor
... and damn you, Engadget, for reminding me I'm not in college anymore :(
You can get the trapper keeper at the top of the page for the rock bottom price of $5.25. It even has a calculator built into it.
Get the Tm2t!!!
also mac sucks
It's that time of year already!??!!
Back to school? Already?! o_O