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 |
I'm picking up myself a System 76 system for school. I'm done with Apple and Windows for now.
Actually, MacBook has an education discount which knocks off 100 bucks or so. Plus, free iPod touch.
What about the Acer Aspire 1830T-3721??
i5 processor, mid-range price, very thin and light, perfect for school.
I'm loving the 17'' i7 MBp. It's perfect.
Caint nothin compare to my Lamborghini Countash Trapper Keeper.
How about a Money's no object: Netbooks and add the HP Mini 5102. Great little machine!
Why the hell is engadget suggesting computers that will only give students problems and get frustrated and not to mention get viruses by what they go on their computer, but whatever, go ahead its your choice.
Thinkpad X201 > Apple MacBook Pro 13 unless you are desperate for OSX.
I am sorry but I can trust no list that recommends a Gateway computer and does not recommend anything from ASUS. Asus and Toshiba are the most reliable brands of notebook. Followed by Apple and Sony.
Tisk Tisk
@SlickVic According to you?
How about the Acer TimelineX series?
Specifically the Acer Aspire 4820TG-434G64Mn
The specs on the machine is a Core i5-430M processor, the Radeon HD 5650 graphics chip, four GB DDR3 RAM and two hard disks, which offer a total storage space of 640 GB.
The thing that makes it really special is the fact that it on the battery, using the graphics in the processor, can deliver battery time beating those of the 13 inch MacBook Pro. If you need more power you just plug it in and you can switch to the more powerful Radeon HD 5650 graphics.
Check out http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Acer-Aspire-4820TG-Timeline-X-Notebook.30281.0.html for more info
No Vaio Z? It's one of the best laptops money can buy.
Please do an all convertible/tablet version of this.
My sis is going to uni soon so we're of course picking up a MacBook Pro. Still have to decide on a 13" or a 15".... hmmmm!
With the free iPod Touch, the MacBook/Pro is a very attractive offer.
I took advantage of it last year and really enjoy my MacBook and iPod Touch
I'm disappointed you left out MSI--great laptops and great prices.
I am planning on buying Lenovo thinkpad edge 14, Is that a good choice?
Or should i buy something like Sony Vaio EA or Dell Studio 14?
I want this laptop to last 3-4 years.
Thanks
@ramanmilan Buy a thinkpad. If you can, by an actual thinkpad not an edge. Take a look at the T400 or the x201. If you want your laptop to last that long, stay away from consumer laptops and buy a business laptop.
@Matt314 Okay.
so consumer laptops like Dell studio 14 wont last long?
Also, do you think Thinkpad T400 is worth the money?
thanks
For no budget limits, I'd recommend Sony VAIO Z series, specwise, they are as good as Apple Powerbook, yet it is as light as Macbook Air.
I've had it for sometime now and I'm pretty happy with the system (yet I hate their customer support -- which is pretty much what you get with any of them- right engadget?- personally I like dell CS more...)
Go and see the specs and you'll see what a beast it is...
What a surprise. Recommendation: Get a Macbook or MBP.
While I'm happy to see a Toshiba laptop pick up mid-range category there's still no competing with Apple. It upsets me :(
@Doomtomb
It also said get a Toshiba, HP and Alienware.
Apple makes good laptops, but saying theres no competing with Apple is just pure BS. People have different needs. My Alienware has magnificent, build quality, and can eat that macbook pro alive in terms of computing power. Those are the things that are important to me. If someone wants to settle for something lighter with longer battery life, thats great. But that doesn't mean their computer is better than mine. Especially, since its not nearly as powerful.
Alienware for school?
@dickmwong
Two words. HELL YEAH!!!
Students need to blow off some Steam with a few well placed head shots ya know??
Almost all PC makers have Student discount programs, so why are the Apple notebooks the only ones with discount disclaimers?
CONSPIRACY!!!
no, but seriously, maybe fix that?
@Addyct
Shall I replace your hat with one made of tinfoil?
But seriously, your right. They shouldn't mention student discounts if their not going to mention them for all the companies.
@Firewave But then that would make it seem like Apple doesn't have the best deals. Is that what you want? Think before talking jeez.
the macbook pro is not right for me is all I can say, I get a new laptop almost yearly to keep up with the best....it would get real expensive real fast to have a new MBP every year.....not to mention the lack of an i7 :/
@EvanSei
MBP's definitely rock i7's http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html, but if you buy every year you are throwing your money away anyways, 90% of people will never need all the power in an i7, it's all just marketing to get you to spend more money, they must love you
I've been using the Envy 14 for about a week now and absolutely love it. If you want/need a Windows machine but love the build of the MBP's, get an Envy. you wont be disappointed.
(and the trackpads aren't THAT bad, I like them)
I would rate the Asus G73 over all of those in the money's no object lineup. It's a really killer system for the money!
It will be a TABLETS World , that the focus will shift to
@KMGLOBAL Probably eventually. At the moment they're not quite powerful enough I don't think.
Nice.
i just got my mbp 15" i5 today and its an amazing machine! but after a few hours of use i found out the botton gets really heat up! so i'm thinking about getting a cooling pad. any recommendations? thanks
I was thinking of getting an Acer TimelineX 3820t for school. Is that a good choice?
@timg123 The TG model is reviewed at http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Acer-Aspire-3820TG-Timeline-X-Notebook.30294.0.html
Personally I would go for the 4820 model, for the extra battery life and better graphics.
I have the Toshiba NB305 with Windows XP on it... I love it(!)... I think Windows XP is great for netbooks(!)...
Um ... did anyone notice that Engaget is rocking out a Trapper Keeper. I wish Engaget would get with the Trapper Keeper company and make a new / retro version. Anyone else agree?
An Asus G73 beats the M15x for $1200, shock-factor.
It requires a certain patience to find a suitable bag, but I haven't been disappointed with mine on campus, yet.
And hp 2730p???