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It's been awhile since since the days that computers were either desktops or laptops. We've seen convertibles, detachables, and all-in-ones expand into the market the past few years.
At CES 2015, companies are showing innovation in all those categories. These new machines will be worth a look if you're shopping for a new computer in 2015.
With the latest version of the XPS 13, Dell manages to squeeze a 13.3-inch computer into an 11-inch chassis. The trick: using a nearly borderless display. To do that, Dell placed all of the interior cables, the camera, and antennas into one edge of the screen.
That design required a more durable body, so the company used a combination of carbon fiber (which also helps dissipate heat), magnesium (to keep the weight down), and aluminum.
New battery chemistry meant the battery could be smaller while gaining a longer life, of up to 15 hours. Also notable is the weight: just 2.6 pounds. Retail prices start at $800.
Take a look at Consumer Reports' computer buying guide for lots of info on laptops, desktops, and Chromebooks.
When you pick up the 13-inch LaVie Z laptop, your first thought might be, "This is impossibly light." It weighs in at just 1.72 pounds.
Built by NEC but branded by Lenovo, the LaVie is also available as a convertible. That version is just barely heavier, at 2.04 pounds.
Of course, there are trade-offs. It's an expensive laptop that starts at $1,299 (the convertible version starts at $1,499). And battery life isn't so hot. Lenovo says to expect about five hours.
The value of a curved television, according to manufacturers, is that it offers a more immersive viewing experience. Samsung wants consumers to feel immersed in computing as well, be it for gaming, video streaming, or even working on a spreadsheet.
To that end, it's offering the ATIV One 7 Curved, a 27-inch desktop with the latest Intel Core i5 processor, a 1TB hard drive, and an HD display. It'll retail for $1,299.
Desktop manufacturers find themselves facing low-cost Chromebooks and consumer demand for ever-smaller computers. HP's response in 2015 is a mini desktop for just $180.
The Stream Mini has enough power to stream video as well as get through basic tasks such as word processing and e-mailing.
It has only 32GB of memory, but there's an SD slot so you can expand the storage. There are also four USB 3 ports and HDMI. HP tosses in a wireless keyboard and mouse for good measure.
If you want a bit more power, there's the Pavilion Mini. For $319, you get a higher-end processor, 8GB of memory, and 1TB of storage.
—Donna Tapellini
Click on the image above to find all of Consumer Reports' coverage from CES 2015.
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