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Laptop nightmares: Scary systems with fatal flaws (photos)

We've compiled our own list of the scariest laptops of 2010--the models that either had one or more frightening flaws, or else were just dogs.

Dan Ackerman
Dan Ackerman leads CNET's coverage of computers and gaming hardware. A New York native and former radio DJ, he's also a regular TV talking head and the author of "The Tetris Effect" (Hachette/PublicAffairs), a non-fiction gaming and business history book that has earned rave reviews from the New York Times, Fortune, LA Review of Books, and many other publications. "Upends the standard Silicon Valley, Steve Jobs/Mark Zuckerberg technology-creation myth... the story shines." -- The New York Times
Dan Ackerman
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1 of 6 CNET/Sarah Tew

Sony Vaio P Series P111

Sony's too-expensive, designer, ultramobile PC seems out of touch with today's more-affordable and usable smartphone, tablet, and Netbook offerings, with a package that doesn't best any of the competition.

Fatal flaws: Mediocre battery life; expensive; difficult to navigate.

Read the full review here.

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2 of 6 CNET/Sarah Tew

Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d

One of only a handful of 3D laptops, the Lenovo IdeaPad Y560d skips active shutter glasses for an inferior technology, but keeps the A-list price.

Fatal flaws: Polarized eyeglass 3D system isn't very impressive.

Read the full review here.

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3 of 6 CNET/Sarah Tew

Archos 9 PC Tablet

The Archos 9 PC Tablet certainly looks the part of a full-OS iPad competitor, but hardware frustrations make it a tough sell.

Fatal flaws: Terribly slow CPU; no way to easily rotate orientation; frustrating touch controls.

Read the full review here.

4 of 6 CNET/Sarah Tew

Dell Inspiron iM501R

We'd like the attractive and affordable Dell Inspiron iM501R-1212PBL more if it weren't so slow and squeaky.

Fatal flaws: Squeaky space bar on the keyboard; poor battery life; performance lags behind similarly priced Intel-based laptops.

Read the full review here.

5 of 6 CNET/Sarah Tew

HP Compaq Presario CQ62-215DX

Sluggish performance is usually the deal breaker for an entry-level laptop, and though the single-core Compaq Presario CQ62-215DX is far from a speed merchant, its biggest flaw isn't a lack of power but rather the annoyingly stiff mouse button.

Fatal flaws: Very stiff mouse button is uncomfortable to use; single-core processor lags behind slightly pricier dual-core laptops; no Webcam; no media card reader; touch pad doesn't support multitouch gestures.

Read the full review here.

6 of 6 CNET/Sarah Tew

Acer Aspire AS5532-5535

The entry-level Acer Aspire AS5532-5535 can keep up with neither dual-core laptops that are still moderately priced nor with a competing single-core entry-level laptop from Compaq.

Fatal flaws: Woeful performance, even for a budget laptop; poor battery life; flimsy keyboard; no Webcam; terrible audio output.

Read the full review here.

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