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What's the Best Super Portable Laptop Under $500?

by Chris Morris on December 21, 2009 at 12:48 PM


A reader writes: I've decided to get a secondary computer and want to keep it cheap -- but there are so many netbooks and low-priced notebooks on the market that I don't know where to start. I want something reasonably powerful and comfortable to work with. Just tell me what to get!

Dearest Reader: You're hardly alone in your confusion. While the netbook is red-hot this year and being touted as the "next great thing," new processors from Intel -- dubbed CULV for Consumer Ultra Low Voltage -- have brought ultra-slim, fully featured notebooks, with all-day battery life, down to the same price as a good netbook. Plenty of decent options are available for under $500, but you'd be hard pressed to find a deal that tops Toshiba's T-115, packed with two gigabytes of memory and 250 gigabytes of storage.

What separates the T-115 from a similarly priced netbook is its power. Rather than running Intel's Atom processor, which is adequate for light use (but buckles under even moderately demanding tasks), the T-115 relies on the Celeron, meaning you're able to have multiple windows open without lag and watch YouTube videos stutter-free. Also, if you aren't an inordinate multi-tasker, the T-115 can run for seven hours or more -- significantly longer than most netbooks. (The Web site boasts a nine-hour plus battery life, but that's under ideal -- not real world -- conditions.)


Just as importantly, the T-115s aren't cramped. A netbook with a 9-inch or 10-inch screen sounds good when you don't want to lug around a heavy machine all day -- but the price of that portability often translates to a cramped keyboard, typo-infused work, and sore hands. The touchpad is spacious, allowing you to navigate the screen without having to pick up your hand as you move the cursor around (as you often have to do on smaller models).

The T-115 has an 11.6-inch screen that delivers crisp colors and dark blacks powered by an integrated Intel graphics chip, supporting 32-bit Windows 7. It doesn't come with a DVD drive (though, you can opt for one), so you'll need a USB add-on to watch a film or rip it to your hard drive.

It's not a perfect machine, but most of the complaints are minor. Fingerprints are noticeable and the lack of Bluetooth is somewhat annoying. The most aggravating factor, though, is the bar under the touchpad, which is less responsive than one would expect.

It's worth noting that if processor speed is your most important configuration, Acer's Aspire 1410 is in the same price range and clocks a bit faster. The new, low price of the stylishly rugged Samsung Go makes it an attractive, lightweight, low-power option as well. And there are certainly $250-to-$300 options available if you're just looking for a system to use occasionally. But if you're looking for a good overall package, the T-115 line is your best choice.

Tags: features, justtellmewhattoget, top, toshiba, toshiba t115, ToshibaT115

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