Thanks to its superior design, excellent software bundle, and approachable price, Apple's MacBook tops our list for those matriculating this fall. The MacBook isn't the only laptop we suggest for students looking for an affordable machine that'll stand up to four years of abuse. The 14-inch Gateway T-6836 offers a compelling mix of features and performance for the price. The Lenovo IdeaPad U110 is head-turning and actually fairly priced for an ultraportable, but you'll still need more than a few graduation checks to line up a purchase. The Fujitsu LifeBook P8010 is a cheaper ultraportable, while the clumsy among us should check out the rugged Averatec Voya 6494.
Editors' top pick
The bottom line: Apple has been content to issue minor periodic hardware updates to the 13-inch MacBook, but the modest performance gains and new Leopard OS keep it in our top tier of laptop recommendations.
Price:
$1,185.73 - $1,776.60
The bottom line: A standout among budget midsize laptops, the 14.1-inch Gateway T-6836 marries strong performance and battery life with a compact, well-designed case.
The bottom line: The HP Pavilion dv2915nr is an attractive and affordable 14.1-inch laptop that will serve your needs through four years of study. The disappointing battery life gives us pause, however, on this otherwise well-rounded laptop.
The bottom line: Adding some features missing from its 14-inch cousin, the Dell Inspiron 1525 is the textbook example of a midsize, mainstream laptop--a basic workhorse with few surprises. It may be a bit large for daily campus travel, but it should last you the full four years.
Price:
$504.00
The bottom line: As perhaps the most affordable ruggedized laptop, the Averatec Voya 6494 is a tempting choice, even if you don't work in the field under harsh conditions.
The bottom line: The 11.1-inch Lenovo IdeaPad U110 is the most beautiful laptop we've seen in years, and behind those good looks is a well-appointed, fairly priced ultraportable. Despite a few minor nitpicks, we recommend the IdeaPad U110 to those who want a lightweight, eye-catching laptop for frequent travel.
Price:
$1,699.00
The bottom line: Toshiba's thin-and-light Satellite U405 is a sleek alternative to the 13-inch MacBook, but is weighed down by excessive out-of-the-box bloatware.
The bottom line: Call it the unassuming ultraportable. The Fujitsu LifeBook P8010 shuns attention-grabbing thinness and solid-state drives for a solid feature set for business travelers.
Price:
$1,699.97 - $2,067.25
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