Laptop shopping made easy: Retail laptop review roundup, Q1 2009

We've scoured the retail shelves of big box electronics stores, searching for the specific laptop configurations and models you'll find boxed up and ready to go, or listed in Sunday newspaper sales circulars (be on the lookout for Presidents' Day sales on many of these).

Bookmark this page and check back regularly to follow these links to the full reviews, which we'll be publishing over the next several weeks. We'll also be picking our favorite in each category, showing you who offers the very best bang for your buck.

Some of the exciting laptops we'll be reviewing in this roundup.

Entry level ($599 or less)
Compaq CQ60-215DX [Reviewed: 2.5 stars]
Dell I15-156B [Reviewed: 2.5 stars]
Gateway MD2614u [Reviewed: 3 Stars]
Toshiba L305D-5934 [Reviewed: 3 Stars]
HP G60-235DX [Reviewed: 3.5 Stars]
Toshiba L355D-S7901 [Reviewed: 3 Stars]

Budget ($600 - $899)
Dell I15-157B [Reviewed: 3 Stars]
Toshiba A305-S6905 [Reviewed: 3 Stars]
Asus X83VB-X2 [Reviewed: 3.5 Stars]
Gateway MD7818u [Reviewed: 4 Stars]
HP Pavilion dv7-1245dx [Reviewed: 3 stars]
HP Pavilion dv5-1235dx[Reviewed: 3.5 Stars]
Sony Vaio NS240E/W [Reviewed: 3 stars]
Dell S17-162B [Reviewed: 3.5 Stars]
HP Pavilion dv4-1275mx [Reviewed: 2.5 Stars]
Sony Vaio CS215J/W [Reviewed: 3 stars]
Toshiba A305-S6916 [Reviewed: 3.5 Stars]

Mainstream ($900 - $1,200)
Dell SX13-163B [Reviewed: 3.5 stars]
Sony FW351J/H [Reviewed: 3.5 stars]
Asus G50VT-X5 [Reviewed: 3.5 stars]
Gateway FX P-7805u [Reviewed:4 Stars]
HP dv7-1285dx [Reviewed: 3.0 Stars]

[Mindstyle06]

It will be really good if cnet makes a page where all these laptops could be compared side by side for specifications.
Thanks in advance.

[romodoc]

Looking forward to see the list complete!!
Just in time
Thanks

[Mindstyle06]

Is there any chance that you guys can give European equivalent of these machines?

[romodoc]

It wold be nice to have a netbook list as well. I have a question too, I just saw the vaio lifestyle PC review, I wonder how come if it rated worst of the list in most performance parameters it stills gets 3.5 starts and a "very good" rating. Doest the size and looks overcomes everything else?
Just curious about how you guys give the star rating.

[joshua.goldman]

@ romodoc:
If you hover over the star rating with your cursor, you'll get a breakdown of the rating and a more granular overall rating for the laptops. Despite it having a 3.5 star rating, the Sony is actually rated higher for design and features than performance and battery life. However, as the review says, if you're looking for the best performance you'll want to go with the Gateway or Asus since they have better processors/graphics.

[romodoc]

Hey Joshua, thanks for the reply.
I still think the performance was overrated and the the overall score can be misleading. I am not looking for the best performance but I want a good performance and from the user reviews it seams its a poor performance, I wast clicks away from pre-order the vaio P but at the end decided to wait, now after reviews I will definitely wait for a 2nd generation. and maybe go for the hp mini 2140 which looks great. (not awesome like the "P" but still great)

[romodoc]

Hey Joshua, thanks for the reply.
I still think the performance was overrated and the the overall score can be misleading. I am not looking for the best performance but I want a good performance and from the user reviews it seams its a poor performance, I wast clicks away from pre-order the vaio P but at the end decided to wait, now after reviews I will definitely wait for a 2nd generation. and maybe go for the hp mini 2140 which looks great. (not awesome like the "P" but still great)

I must add that my opinions are only based on user reviews which by itself is prone to be biased

[joshua.goldman]

Here's the problem: The Sony's performance is where it should be for the components it has. It's the price-to-performance ratio that is out of whack, and that's why it doesn't rate as high as others. You can get a laptop that performs on the same level for a few hundred dollars less. And you are absolutely correct that the overall score is misleading.
The hp mini 2140 is an entirely different beast for sure, but a solid netbook choice and for the money is tough to beat.

[Demi_OC]

Why didn't you guys review the Acer brand? I own an Acer 5515 laptop that I paid $339 for at the checkout counter with no rebate at Micro Center. While it won't light up your benchmark tests, it works just fine for me.

[hugojose]

i followed this recommendations all in all i had a good experience i bought the hp G60 235DX, its overall nice, i think this retailers guide should be monthly or bimonthly at least, thats my suggestion.

thanks cnet

[Arizona_Cardinals]

I really would like to get suggestions on the Asus X2 under the budget category??

I might buy it from best buy today any recommandations?.....

..

I really want a good laptop with good procesor, decent graphic card not integrated, 4g RAM, easy to carry, good for students, durable LOL......any suggestion and with in $700 ^_^

[light_karthik]

Hi Joshua,
Thanks for the reviews. I have been considering buying the Toshiba A305-6916,however, best-buy has put it under Outlet centre which makes me wonder whether there is a newer model coming or is there some other issue with this model.
I am also considering waiting for the next laptop review round up will be and will keep an eye out !

Karthik

[light_karthik]

p.s
I meant Thanks to Dan and Joshua !

[fauxcephus]

I actually used this article to take a friend and her daughter laptop shopping.
The ratings were an excellent source of information and the laptops that they bought have been great so far.

It's REALLY tough to keep up with the comings and goings of retail SKU's (I used to work at a retailer) which makes me appreciate these articles all the more.

Keep up the great work!