One of few things you can count on in life in the 21st century is the constant, rapid improvement in technology and computing power. Laptops and PCs are the perfect example of an industry sector that just keeps getting better. Prices continue to fall while hardware continues to get faster and more powerful. If you’re in the market for a new laptop PC, you may be surprised at how much has changed in the last few years. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best laptops available in 2011.
Toshiba Satellite L755-S5271
For years, Toshiba has been the most consistently underrated laptop maker out there. But that’s starting to change, and their updated styling might have something to do with it. Sleek, modern good looks aside, the Toshiba L755 has got it where it counts. A nimble 2.1 GHz Intel Core i3-2310M processor with integrated graphics backed by a stock 4 GB of DDR3 RAM allow this system to throw up impressively sharp picture quality on its 15.6” widescreen LED. And with 640 GB of onboard storage, there’s plenty of room for all your media in one place.
Dell Inspiron 15R 1570MRB
It’s easy to knock Dell. Their customer service and quality haven’t always been top-notch. Lately, they’ve been on their game and have been putting out some terrific PCs at an affordable price. The Inspiron 15R is a sturdy, everyday workhorse that packs a speedy 2.53 GHz Intel Core i3-380M CPU, the defacto standard 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, and over half a terabyte of storage space. The webcam is arguably one of the best around, and the media playback quality is phenomenal to boot.
Apple MacBook Pro MC700LL/A
Hardly a year goes by when Apple doesn’t make a “Top Five” list somewhere. The latest MBP features many of the tweaks and incremental upgrades you’d expect by now. The entry-level Macbook Pro has a gorgeous 13.3” screen, a 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and a 320 GB hard drive. One of the biggest selling point of Macs for many is the superb operating system. Mac OS X Snow Leopard doesn’t disappoint, as it provides easily the slickest Apple experience on a laptop ever to users.
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E520
The venerable ThinkPad line of laptops has deep roots, going all the way back to when IBM actually made their own hardware. The latest Thinkpad Edge E520 serves up the same tank-like resiliance and quality. With an Intel Core i5-2410M clocked at 2.30GHz, 4GB PC3-10600 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM, and a 500 GB HDD running at 7200 RPM, the Thinkpad Edge is more than a match for any other laptop out there in its category. And you don’t have to worry about dropping, either.
ASUS K73E-A1
In the desktop replacement category, the Asus K73E is the one to beat for performance and quality. Statistically tied with Toshiba for overall hardware reliability, Asus has built a reputation for delivering the goods lately. This little number boasts a peppy Intel Core i3-2310M CPU clocked at 2.1 GHz, 6 GB of DDR3 RAM, a 640 GB HDD, and a spacious 17.3” widescreen display to top it off. Featuring 4 USB ports and HDMI output, there’s practically no reason to bother with a full desktop PC if you opt for the K73E.
In Conclusion
These may not be a cheap or free laptop but for what they give you it’s not a bad deal. You could arguably add a dozen more models to this list and still not fully cover the best of what’s available this year for laptops. But it’s a good place to start looking. With so many laptop deals out there, it’s tough to make up your mind as to which is the right one for you. Whatever your profession or your personal interests may be, any of the above models ought to be more than enough PC for just about any user imaginable.