(Credit: HP)
When the history of laptops in 2011 is written, it will be said that this was the year of the ultraportable (not to be confused with the Ultrabook). We've seen more 11.6-inch laptops than ever before, along with a handful of 12.1-inch and 12.5-inch alternatives.
The latest news on this front is HP's announcement of an updated version of the Pavilion dm1, the very first 11-inch ultraportable we reviewed this year. That new version of an old favorite is getting some design tweaks and more CPU options, and we look forward to checking it out later this fall.
The rest of the 11-inch lineup isn't bad, either (well, most of it, anyway). The majority of these systems use AMD's E-350 CPU to create a laptop significantly more powerful than a Netbook, and slightly more expensive, from $400 to $600. We've also seen a handful of Intel Core i3 variations, but those tend to be at the higher end of the price scale (or completely out in left field, as in the case of the 11-inch MacBook Air).
Below you'll find a quick roundup of some of the best ultraportables of this year, along with a few high-profile near-misses. We're still partial to the HP dm1z, for doing it right early on in 2011, but other systems, such as the MacBook Air and Samsung Series 3, also have their fans.
As a less-expensive version of the snazzy Series 9 (or Samsung's just-announced Series 7 laptops), the Series 3 fills a need for an 11-inch ultraportable that has a sharp design, and also breaks the typical 11-inch AMD E-350 mold. Instead the Series 3 uses an Intel Core i3 processor, but can otherwise be seen as competing with systems such as the Lenovo IdeaPad S205 and HP Pavilion dm1z.
Lenovo IdeaPad S205
Combining AMD's excellent ultraportable Fusion platform with Lenovo's consumer-friendly IdeaPad designs, the S205 is a solid, if unexciting, 11-inch laptop ideal for on-the-go Web surfing.
Read the full review.
Combining AMD's excellent ultraportable Fusion platform with Lenovo's consumer-friendly IdeaPad designs, the S205 is a solid, if unexciting, 11-inch laptop ideal for on-the-go Web surfing.
Read the full review.
Apple MacBook Air (11-inch, Summer 2011)
This year's 11-inch MacBook Air improves on last year's model in several significant ways and is by far the fastest ultraportable you're likely to find, though some users will consider the limited flash storage space to be a hindrance.
Read the full review.
This year's 11-inch MacBook Air improves on last year's model in several significant ways and is by far the fastest ultraportable you're likely to find, though some users will consider the limited flash storage space to be a hindrance.
Read the full review.
Acer Aspire One 722-BZ608
The Acer Aspire One 722-BZ608 is a budget-priced 11-inch laptop that's more powerful than a Netbook, but not as fast as some higher-priced 11-inch alternatives. Better options are out there for a little more money.
Read the full review.
The Acer Aspire One 722-BZ608 is a budget-priced 11-inch laptop that's more powerful than a Netbook, but not as fast as some higher-priced 11-inch alternatives. Better options are out there for a little more money.
Read the full review.
Samsung Series 9 NP900X1A
The smaller, 11.6-inch version of Samsung's excellent Series 9 laptop is thin and light, and has a few features the MacBook Air lacks, but it's more expensive and doesn't trump the competition where it counts.
Read the full review.
The smaller, 11.6-inch version of Samsung's excellent Series 9 laptop is thin and light, and has a few features the MacBook Air lacks, but it's more expensive and doesn't trump the competition where it counts.
Read the full review.
Sony Vaio VPC-YB15KX/S
The Vaio YB is similar to HP's Pavilion dm1, but adds more RAM and a bigger hard drive, along with a more high-end chassis. That also leads to a more high-end price, and the Vaio YB, in its single currently available configuration (with either pink or silver lids), is $599 versus $449 for the HP.
Read the full review.
The Vaio YB is similar to HP's Pavilion dm1, but adds more RAM and a bigger hard drive, along with a more high-end chassis. That also leads to a more high-end price, and the Vaio YB, in its single currently available configuration (with either pink or silver lids), is $599 versus $449 for the HP.
Read the full review.
HP Pavilion dm1z
The first laptop to offer AMD's power-efficient Fusion platform delivers on much of its promise, combining great battery life, decent performance, and basic graphics for less than $500
Read the full review.The first laptop to offer AMD's power-efficient Fusion platform delivers on much of its promise, combining great battery life, decent performance, and basic graphics for less than $500
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