• Best Ultraportable
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• Best Thin-and-Light
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• Best Performance
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• Best Fashion Notebook
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Apple MacBook-Core 2 Duo

The good: Cheaper than the MacBook Pro, with nearly comparable performance; great design; built-in Webcam and remote control; can run Windows XP via Boot Camp.

The bad: No ExpressCard slot or FireWire 800; lacks media card reader; only 90 days of toll-free technical support.

The bottom line: The new MacBook, updated to Intel's Core 2 Duo CPU, compares very favorably with Apple's high-end MacBook Pro line, offering premium performance at a reasonable price.

» Read full review of the Apple MacBook-Core 2 Duo

Sony VAIO VGN-SZ483N

First take

When the Sony SZ series was first launched, it broke new ground as being the only notebook in the market to incorporate both an integrated and discrete graphics solution (GPU) in one package. There are two ranges available: The cheaper magnesium-alloy models and the more costly carbon-fiber units. With its slim design and strong performance, it is more than a match for the Fujitsu LifeBook S6410 premium, a magnesium-clad notebook which costs almost as much as the VAIO SZ carbon-fiber laptops. However, if you can do without the integrated GPU module, then the Dell XPS M1330 is a much cheaper alternative (not to mention that the XPS has a choice of colors as well).
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» Read more on the Sony VAIO VGN-SZ483N

Fujitsu LifeBook S6410 premium

The good: Decent battery life; bright, crisp screen; good performance

The bad: Build quality; LED backlight lacks contrast

The bottom line: The Fujitsu LifeBook S6410 boasts a brilliant screen, good performance, and useful features--but we've seen better from the company.

» Read full review of the Fujitsu LifeBook S6410 premium