Multimedia and Desktop Replacements

Laptops that fall into this category usually pack the virtually complete set of features. In terms of operation they won't match a loftier stop desktop organisation, just can deliver enough computing ability for things like multimedia authoring and gaming. Desktop replacements also offer large screens going from 16-inches and up, as well as comfortable full-sized keyboards with dissever number pad. As you lot might look, still, they are not the easiest to carry around.

You tin expect a desktop replacement to weight in around 6.five pounds or more, sport a dual or quad-cadre processor, at to the lowest degree 4GB of RAM and 500GB of storage chapters, and enough of connectivity options. Unfortunately battery life is not i of their potent points due to the large brandish and powerful hardware, so nearly of the fourth dimension you lot'll be looking at around 3 hours of autonomy. Laptops in this category first at effectually $1,000 but fully-loaded models can fetch upwards of $i,500.


Asus N61Jv-X2

The Asus N61Jv-X2 has a scrap of everything for multimedia junkies looking for a new notebook that won't intermission the banking company, including a 16-inch LED-backlit widescreen driven past Nvidia GeForce GT325M graphics, Altec Lansing speakers, a large, comfortable multi-affect trackpad, eSATA and USB iii.0 support for faster transfer rates with uniform devices, 2.0-megapixel webcam, HDMI connectivity, and a fairly spacious 500GB 7200 RPM hard drive.

The dual-cadre, ii.26GHz Intel Core i5 430M processor and 4GB of RAM (upgradable to 8GB) brand the N61Jv an excellent performer, and Nvidia'due south Optimus graphics switching technology volition help extend battery life to around 3.5 hours -- which may not sound dandy simply it'due south in a higher place boilerplate for a desktop replacement. Also this, its weakest point has to exist the 1366 ten 768 resolution of its panel, but information technology is hard to mutter with everything the N61Jv-X2 offers at $920. For around $xx to $30 more the N61Jq-X1 is too worth checking out. Basically you'll get a faster Cadre i7 920QM processor and Mobility Radeon HD 5730 graphics, in exchange for a smaller 320GB hard bulldoze and no Optimus graphics switching technology.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Full specs Starting price: $920
Processor: Intel Core i5 430M 2.26GHz Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 325M 1GB
Memory: 4GB DDR3-1066 (2 DIMMs) Storage: 500GB seven,200RPM HDD
Brandish size: 16" (1366x768) Optical: DVD-RW
Weight: 6.2 lbs (six-prison cell) Battery: 6-cell (~3.5 hours)


Toshiba Qosmio X505

Powered past Intel'due south latest Quad Core processors and Nvidia GeForce graphics, the Qosmio X505 delivers solid gaming performance and a gorgeous multimedia experience. The serial actually starts at $i,199 featuring a ii.26GHz Cadre i5 430M processor, GeForce GTS 360M graphics and 4GB of RAM. But if y'all truly desire to enjoy a full HD 1920×1080 resolution on its large 18.4-inch LCD console, which is the best characteristic of this multimedia powerhouse, it'll cost you up of $i,600.

The X505-Q890 has all the high-end specs you can imagine, including a 1.73GHz Core i7 740QM processor, 6GB of RAM, Blu-ray drive, the same Nvidia GeForce GTS 360M graphics, and a fast 64GB solid country drive to complement the big 500GB hard drive. This model volition set y'all back $1,700, but y'all tin save a few bucks with the X505-Q888, which sells for effectually $1,550 and basically drops the SSD bulldoze and offers 4GB of RAM instead of 6GB. Otherwise you'll find plenty of connectivity options on all of them and good quality speakers made past audio specialists Harman Kardon.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Total specs Starting price: $1,700 (X505-Q890)
Processor: Intel Core i7 740QM 1.73GHz (quad-cadre) Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTS 360M 1GB
Retentiveness: 6GB DDR3-1066 (3 DIMMs) Storage: 500GB 7,200RPM HDD + 64GB SSD
Display size: 18.4" (1920×1080) Optical: BD Combo
Weight: 9.seven lbs (12-cell) Bombardment: 12-cell (~three hours)


Samsung R780

This notebook was really discontinued in the U.Due south. market place by mid-June and brought back due to pop demand. And we tin see why -- information technology'southward non often that y'all meet an $850 notebook sporting the looks of a luxury system and very solid performance. Samsung hits many correct spots with the R780. Starting with a 17.3-inch screen, Intel Core i5 430M dual cadre processor running at 2.26GHz, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a 500GB difficult drive, and Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics.

On the exterior the R780 features a stylish red-and-black design that looks and feels more expensive than its price tag would suggest, and despite its relatively big footprint information technology doesn't look indigestible or feels excessively heavy. It has a large trackpad and the island manner keys are well sized and spaced. Samsung didn't skimp on the connectivity front, either. You'll discover a total of 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 of which supports eSATA and standby ability charging, HDMI and VGA-out, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, amongst other options. Its roughly 2.5 hours of battery life will come as a thwarting to some, just being a desktop replacement it'll probable be about an outlet almost of the time. The only other letdown is the native 1600x900 resolution, which is better than the Asus N61Jv-X2, but a full HD (1920x1080) resolution would have done better justice to its large 17-inch brandish.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Total specs Starting price: $850
Processor: Intel Core i5 430M ii.26GHz Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 330M 1GB
Retentivity: 4GB DDR3-1066 (2 DIMMs) Storage: 500GB 5,400RPM HDD
Display size: 17.3" (1600x900) Optical: DVD-RW
Weight: 6.3 lbs (half dozen-cell) Battery: 6-jail cell (~2.5 hours)

Other noteworthy options in this category

Acer Aspire 8943G

The Aspire 8943G is a 18.four-inch multimedia notebook featuring a fast Core i7 processor, decent speakers, discrete Nvidia graphics, and Blu-ray at a price that won't send your bank business relationship into the blood-red.

Price range: $1,380

Toshiba Satellite E205

This 14-inch notebook delivers strong Core i5 performance and offers nice features like a backlit keyboard and Intel'south latest Wireless Display tech, which will let you to wirelessly stream any form of media to an external LCD.

Toll range: $900