The good: Beautiful, sleek design; big, bright display; dual-core CPU; robust software package, including Mac OS X Tiger; illuminated keyboard and scrollable touch pad; DVD burner; built-in Webcam; remote control; can run Windows XP using Apple's free Boot Camp utility. The bad: Lacks media card reader and some other ports; only 90 days of toll-free technical support. The bottom line: With a solid array of components, a terrific set of features, and the lightest weight of any laptop its size, Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro is a power user's dream, but it doesn't come cheap. Read full review of the Apple MacBook Pro
The good: Bright, crisp display; complete set of A/V controls, ports and connections; built-in TV tuner and high-end audio features; Core Duo CPU delivers powerful performance; slot-loading, double-layer DVD burner. The bad: Subpar gaming performance; display resolution could be higher; small touch pad and mouse buttons; no separate number pad; no touch pad on/off button; bulky and heavy, even for a desktop replacement. The bottom line: With the Qosmio G30, Toshiba delivers a best-in-class multimedia experience that's built on a state-of-the-art set of components and includes virtually every feature under the sun. Read full review of the Toshiba Qosmio G30
The good: Sleek, attention-getting design; high quality, adjustable 20-inch LCD; speakers offer crisp, rich audio; detachable Bluetooth keyboard and Media Center remote will work well from the couch or during a presentation; top-of-the-line components deliver high overall performance and competent gaming capability. The bad: Absurdly expensive; TV tuner and some other A/V connections aren't built in; too heavy to be truly portable. The bottom line: A striking feat of engineering that's sure to garner attention in a stylish home or on a multimedia-intensive sales call, the Dell XPS M2010 is simply too expensive and impractical to be anything more than a curio for the rest of us. Read full review of the Dell XPS M2010
