Samsung Series 9 NP900X1A compare (11.6-inch)

Samsung's sharp designs translate well to this more affordable new line, although the Series 3 is still at the high end of the ultraportable price range.

While it's not going to dazzle anyone, the Toshiba Satellite U845T is a great example of exactly how much laptop $799 should buy in 2013.

The smaller, 11.6-inch version of Samsung's excellent Series 9 laptop is thin and light, and has a few features the MacBook Air lacks, but it's more expensive and doesn't trump the competition where it counts.

There have been plenty of 11-inch AMD-powered ultraportables this year, but HP's Pavilion dm1z was the first, and this updated version puts it back in the lead in this crowded category.

Sony ditches the Netbook for this more upscale AMD-powered ultraportable, with good performance and features, but also an upscale price.