The Best Laptops
Of 2008


 

If you’re in the market for a new laptop, you might be confused by the different models out there. The different features and categories might also baffle you.

Well, you’re in luck. I managed to compile a list of what I think are the best laptops of 2008.

Use this list as a reference point for your laptop shopping. Most of the models in this list will give you solid functionality and performance.

 
1. Overview

Ok, in traditional Oscar style, we will look at the best laptops of 2008 in the following categories:

  • Best Laptop for Power and Features
  • Best Laptop for Business
  • Best Laptop for Value
  • Best Ultraportable Laptop
  • Best Netbook/UMPC
  • Best Family Laptop
  • Best Student Laptop

Those categories just about cover every type of laptop out there. Curious to check out the winners? I’m sure you are. Read on and find out more.


2. Best Laptop For Power And Features

We looked at some of the best laptops in 2008 which are renowned for their power and feature set. These guys are the heavy computing laptops that can handle any game or application you throw at them. And the nominees are:

  • Dell XPS M1730
  • Rock SL Pro
  • Acer Aspire 8920G
  • Asus M70SA

My choice? I’d pick the Dell XPS M1730 for sheer popularity, customer service support and brand strength.


3. Best Laptop For Business

The following laptops are well known for business users. They are the laptops you’d want to carry along to the office and tot around with your business proposals and client presentations. And the nominees are:

  • HP Compaq 2710p
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X300
  • Toshiba Portege M700
  • Dell Latitude D630c

And the winner (in my opinion) is the Lenovo ThinkPad X300 – for brand strength, solid product feature set and price.


4. Best Laptop For Value

If you’re on a budget, the following best value laptops of 2008 should be the ones you want to check out. Here are the nominees:

  • Sony VAIO VGN-NR11S
  • HP 530
  • Fujitsu Siemens Amilo Si 2636
  • Samsung R60 Plus

I’d go with the Sony VAIO VGN-NR11S due to its looks and features. But your mileage may of course vary.


5. Best Ultraportable Laptop

Looking for sleek and sexy designs? Ultraportables are the answer. In 2008, we had a whole of slew of new ultraportables on the market. The nominees are:

  • Toshiba Portege R500
  • Sony VAIO VGN-TZ31
  • Asus U6
  • Apple MacBook Air

The Toshiba Portege R500 wins my vote because it has a great price and has all the features you need in a laptop, while maintain a svelte and thin design.


6. Best Netbook/UMPC

Ah, netbooks or UMPCs. The smaller laptop cousins who just arrived in the block. The best netbooks have been selling like hotcakes ever since the ASUS EE PC first came out.

The nominees in this category are:

  • Asus Eee PC 901
  • HP Mini-Note 2133
  • Acer Aspire One
  • MSI Wind
The winner? In my opinion, the best value for money netbook / UMPC has got to be the MSI Wind.
 

7. Best Family Laptop

Looking for a good family laptop for the whole family to enjoy? Well, a good family laptop should have solid multimedia features and a pretty big screen. It should also manipulate stuff like photos and videos very well.

  • Apple MacBook
  • Samsung R700
  • Dell Inspiron 1525
  • Toshiba Satellite P200
The winner? The Apple MacBook for its solid multimedia capabilities and amazing design.
 

8. Best Student Laptop

A student laptop should ideally handle word processing very well and is easy to lug around school. And here are the nominees:

  • Lenovo ThinkPad X61
  • HP Pavilion dv6700t
  • Toshiba Satellite Pro A210-EZ2202X
  • Sony VAIO VGN-FZ290 CTO
  • Apple MacBook
  • Dell Inspiron 1525

My preference? It’s the ThinkPad X61 for the best balance of form, function and price for the student.


Conclusion

I hope the above has given you a good idea of the best laptops of 2008. Check out the above models if you’re in the market for a laptop. You will definitely not go wrong with the models above – but do your research and consider your needs first. Good luck and happy shopping!



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