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Hold-out shoppers: We just rated a new batch of computers and found several worthy of consideration as holiday gifts, including family computers, ultra-light laptops, and the latest round of MacBooks. Here's a summary of some of our findings.
At a featherweight 2.4 pounds, the lightest laptop in our Ratings weighs less than most netbooks: the 13-inch Toshiba Portege Ultrabook Z835-P330. Ultrabooks are a new category of computer combining light weight, a thin profile, and long battery life with a target price of $1,000 or less. This one hits that last mark and then some, at $800. Despite its size, it doesn't skimp on performance. But heavy typists beware: The small keyboard is cramped.
Other ultrabooks in our Ratings include the 11-inch Asus Zenbook, an excellent performer. And Apple recently bumped up its MacBook Pro line with the latest Intel processors; all were excellent performers with long battery life.
With Windows 8, which will include a new touch interface, likely about a year away, more computers are getting touch screens. All-in-one desktops with touch displays make great family computers. We looked at seven touch-screen desktops, from HP, Sony, Acer. But many of the displays were prone to glare and not ideal for a bright-lit room.
For more details on the latest laptop and desktop computers, take a look at our newest Ratings (available to subscribers).
—Donna L. Tapellini
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