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Back to school laptops and tablets
#284 | 23:20 |
Monday August 15, 2011
Lab Rats
Monday August 15, 2011
It's that time of year again, when the young and impressionable return to school to have their minds molded and instincts sharpened. Technology has come a long way in assisting kids with their school work; as computers become smaller and more compact they become an integral part of the experience, much like a three-ringed trapper-keeper was decades ago.
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These days, it's the notebook that proves most valuable in class, but which is the best? Our rundown is as follows:
Dell Alienware M17x
$1499 and up
Alienware has always specialized in performance PC. Gamers love them. People drawn to neon lights love them. Lately, they've been doing a lot of good in the mobile space. Although their laptops tend to lean on the "big and bulky" side, they pack a mean punch. For a student looking for power and a small footprint in a tiny dorm room, this might be just the answer... though you might want to avoid lugging it to class.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/m17x
Lenovo ThinkPad X1
$1299
According to Lenovo, it's as thin as the MacBook Air. While that's slightly exaggerated, the machine is thin and very portable, which is perfect for the student on the go. Also, this machine is more rugged than most, a definite perk for the accident-prone. The machine packs enough power for most tasks, though some may lament the lack of an optical drive.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/thinkpadx1
Dell Inspiron Duo
$649.99
Undecided between a tablet or laptop? Why not the best of both words, which is exactly what the Duo straddles. On the one hand, its a fully functioning laptop running Windows 7. On the other, thanks to a unique swivel feature, the lid flips around, converting the device into a fully functioning touch tablet.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/inspironduo
MacBook Air
$999 and up
A recent refresh has breathed new life into the Air. A faster processor, back-lit keyboard, more RAM and Apple's latest OS X Lion operating system, combined with the bafflingly thin design and lightning quick boot times puts this machine in a league of its own. If you're looking for ultra portability and performance, look no further, just be prepared to pay more.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/macair
iPad 2
$499 and up
What more can be said about the iPad 2. It's thin. It's fast. It's got great apps. It's probably made of magic. And it might very well be the best way to take quick notes in class, or pass the time on your commute to school. If you're in the market for a tablet solution, the iPad 2 pretty well sets the standard.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/iPad2
Dell Alienware M17x
$1499 and up
Alienware has always specialized in performance PC. Gamers love them. People drawn to neon lights love them. Lately, they've been doing a lot of good in the mobile space. Although their laptops tend to lean on the "big and bulky" side, they pack a mean punch. For a student looking for power and a small footprint in a tiny dorm room, this might be just the answer... though you might want to avoid lugging it to class.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/m17x
Lenovo ThinkPad X1
$1299
According to Lenovo, it's as thin as the MacBook Air. While that's slightly exaggerated, the machine is thin and very portable, which is perfect for the student on the go. Also, this machine is more rugged than most, a definite perk for the accident-prone. The machine packs enough power for most tasks, though some may lament the lack of an optical drive.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/thinkpadx1
Dell Inspiron Duo
$649.99
Undecided between a tablet or laptop? Why not the best of both words, which is exactly what the Duo straddles. On the one hand, its a fully functioning laptop running Windows 7. On the other, thanks to a unique swivel feature, the lid flips around, converting the device into a fully functioning touch tablet.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/inspironduo
MacBook Air
$999 and up
A recent refresh has breathed new life into the Air. A faster processor, back-lit keyboard, more RAM and Apple's latest OS X Lion operating system, combined with the bafflingly thin design and lightning quick boot times puts this machine in a league of its own. If you're looking for ultra portability and performance, look no further, just be prepared to pay more.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/macair
iPad 2
$499 and up
What more can be said about the iPad 2. It's thin. It's fast. It's got great apps. It's probably made of magic. And it might very well be the best way to take quick notes in class, or pass the time on your commute to school. If you're in the market for a tablet solution, the iPad 2 pretty well sets the standard.
Get it here: labratsonline.com/iPad2
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