When the idea for a portable computer emerged in the mid-seventies, it was thought that these smaller computers would fill a niche within a small market. The military, the IRS, sales reps, and others who needed data on the go would use these, but they'd be largely ignored by the general public. This prediction failed to come true, though, and today, more laptops are sold each year than desktops. This is good news for our data-centric and on-demand society, but it also means that we have an overwhelming variety of laptops and brands from which to choose. How do you know which is the best laptop brand for you? What does this model offer that another doesn't? How much should you pay? What exactly are you paying for? We'll take you through some of the top rated laptops with 17-inch screens so you can make a better decision for your needs and your budget.
What to Look for in a 17-Inch Laptop - Besides a 17-inch screen, there are a lot of things to keep on the lookout for so you can be sure that you are getting the right computer for your needs, whether you are a college student or a professional. Budget is one of the most important considerations: for instance, if you're a college student, you're likely not going to have the money to drop $1500 on a laptop. While you can get decent laptops for lower prices, you do end up sacrificing a bit of quality. Let's take a look at some other features to look for before we discuss price in more depth.
*The Operating system and CPU. Depending on your computing needs, you may want to make sure that the laptop you buy comes with the OS that will meet your needs. For instance, someone who is using the laptop at home will be perfectly fine with Windows 7 Home Premium; a professional may need Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate to meet his needs. The CPU also should meet your usage needs. Again, if you're just using your computer to check your email, browse the internet, or write papers for school, a lower-end CPU should be fine. But if your needs are greater, you will need one that is more powerful, such as the Intel Core 2 Duo. This will give you greater battery time, meet your needs, and keep heat to a minimum.
*RAM. Depending on your OS, you'll need more than the standard 1GB of RAM. If you want to run a few applications at the same time and work smoothly, opt for an upgrade to 2GB. That should be the least you should consider; look also for at least 128MG of onboard RAM.
*Look for USB and other ports. Most budget laptops come with 2 USB ports; if you need more, or if you need VGA or DVI ports, make sure you review the specs and get a model that offers those. It may be a bit more expensive, but what good is a computer that cannot do what you need it to?
*Make sure you get an integrated Wi-Fi adapter. This is a must, but it is not standard on all laptop computers. If you want built-in Bluetooth, make sure that your laptop has that capability. That is far from standard fare these days.
*Battery life. This will depend on your other features, like price and CPU. But if you need a computer to last through work meetings or a long college class, make sure you're getting the best laptop for your purposes. You don't want to run out of juice before your professor's done (and chances are that you'll run out just before he says something profound - that will also be on the exam).
*Price. This is a biggie for many consumers, and understandably so. Prices have been lowering, and now laptops are more easily accessible. You know the annoying saying, "You get what you pay for"? In this case, it's true. For a sub-$500 computer, you will get one that will accommodate your needs with data processing, browsing, and other basic applications. But you may also get one that runs a little slower, generates more heat, and is more prone to noise. We'll take a look at the top rated laptops for your budget and needs.
We found lots of great reviews posted online on sites like CNET and About.com as well as in depth expert reviews at Consumer Reports. Amazon.com lists dozens of laptops with plenty of owner feedback and comments that should help you make an informed buying decision. You can browse the best selling 17 inch laptops online here.
Best 17-inch Laptop Computers for Smaller Budgets:
Toshiba computers have a reputation for solidity and reliability; for small budgets, the Toshiba L355 17-inch Laptop is a good choice. ABC News reported that this was a great budget model, and though you give up some features, you also get a very capable computer. The L355 offers a 2.2GHz Celeron 900 CPU, Vista Basic OS, 3GB of RAM, 250GB hard drive, 8x DVD writer, GMA 4500M integrated graphics, and 6 cell battery for 2.5 hours of battery life. EndGadget calls the Satellite L355 "suprisingly awesome." Laptop Mag reviewers were surprised at how well the budget laptop performed. You can find the Satellite L355 at retailers like Walmart for $450. Toshiba laptops are very reliable and have a lighter price tag than other models. If you need a computer for school, home, or basic work, the L355 is an excellent choice. (See top selling Toshiba laptops here).
Another good budget choice is the Gateway NV7802u. TechnoTalks says it offers the best variety of features, performance, and value for the money. The NV7802u offers a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor, 4GB DDR3 memory, 500GB 5400 SATA hard drive, 8x DVD SuperMulti Double-Layer Drive, 17.3-inch HD widescreen with ultrabright LED-backlit display, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator, Windows Home Premium, built-in web cam and microphone, built-in Intel Wi-Fi link, HDMI port, and up to 5 hours of battery life. You can find this for about $650.
Best Midrange 17-inch Laptop Computers - Another Gateway makes it to the list. The P-7908u FX is About.CompReviews' choice for best value among 17-inch and larger laptops. It features a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 Processor, 4096MB DDR3 1066MHz memory, 500GB 5400RAM SATA hard drive, 8x DVD SuperMulti double layer drive, 17-inch HD widescreen with ultrabright LED-backlit display, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M with 1GB of dedicated GDDR3 video memory, Windows 7 Home Premium OS, and up to 3 hours of battery time. About.CompReviews noted it’s excellent, "high performance" graphics. It costs about $1160 (see all Gateway 17" laptops here).
Another solid choice is the Asus G71GX-RX05. Asus makes some of the best notebooks on the market, and their G71GX-RX05 is geared towards a budget-minded buyer who also wants flashy performance. The G71GX-RX05 delivers with a 2.53 Intel Core 2 Duo P8700 Processor, 6GB, 800MHz DDR2 memory, 500GB 5400RPM hard drive, Mobile Intel P43 Express +ICH10, 1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M graphics, VGA, HDMI, and Vista Premium OS. CNET calls it a very capable computer for general use and gaming if you're using BIOS. It is a good choice for a midrange desktop replacement. You can find the G71GX-RX05 for $870.
High End 17-inch Laptops:
The MacBook Pro 17-inch is a great choice for a desktop replacement that has a bit more mobility than other 17-inch models. This is why About.CompReviews rated it as one of the best larger screened laptops. The MacBook offers a high resolution LED-backlit widescreen, 700:1 contrast ratio, glass trackpad, MultiTouch technology, 8-hour battery life, 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 video processors, Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, Nvidia 9600M GT discrete graphics, 500GB hard drive, 4GB of installed RAM, 8x combo Superdrive, built-in Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, FireWire 800 port, Mini DisplayPort video output, ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard OS, iLife 09, and a thinner, lighter, durable design. The MacBook Pro reviews very well with consumers on Amazon, one of whom called it the best computer he'd ever owned. You can find the MacBook for about $2300.
The Alienware M17X is another top notch choice. This pricy beauty was named as ConsumerSearch's Best Gaming Laptop. It has a 2.0GHz Intel Core2 Quad Q900 Processor, 4GB system memory, 320GB hard drive, dual layer DVD burner, Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M - SLI enabled, and Windows 7 Premium OS. ConsumerSearch loves its excellent performance for gaming, as well as the expansion port options. Not so well-loved is the price and the weight. The Alienware M17X is a bit of a beast when it comes to weight, but if you are looking for a desktop replacement, that may not be a factor in your decision. You can find the M17X for a bit under $2400. When choosing your computer, make sure to read through not only the specs and features, but the consumer laptop reviews. Often, you can glean important information from these that will help make your decision easier. Take a look at the top rated 17-inch laptops and remember to stay in budget while getting the features that are important to you.
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BUYING GUIDES
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is a great choice for a desktop replacement that has a bit more mobility than other 17-inch models. This is why About.CompReviews rated it as one of the best larger screened laptops. The MacBook offers a high resolution LED-backlit widescreen, 700:1 contrast ratio, glass trackpad, MultiTouch technology, 8-hour battery life, 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2 video processors, Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, Nvidia 9600M GT discrete graphics, 500GB hard drive, 4GB of installed RAM, 8x combo Superdrive, built-in Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, FireWire 800 port, Mini DisplayPort video output, ExpressCard/34 expansion card slot, Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard OS, iLife 09, and a thinner, lighter, durable design. The MacBook Pro reviews very well with consumers on Amazon, one of whom called it the best computer he'd ever owned. You can find the MacBook for about $2300.
The Alienware M17X is another top notch choice. This pricy beauty was named as ConsumerSearch's Best Gaming Laptop. It has a 2.0GHz Intel Core2 Quad Q900 Processor, 4GB system memory, 320GB hard drive, dual layer DVD burner, Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M - SLI enabled, and Windows 7 Premium OS. ConsumerSearch loves its excellent performance for gaming, as well as the expansion port options. Not so well-loved is the price and the weight. The Alienware M17X is a bit of a beast when it comes to weight, but if you are looking for a desktop replacement, that may not be a factor in your decision. You can find the M17X for a bit under $2400. When choosing your computer, make sure to read through not only the specs and features, but the consumer laptop reviews. Often, you can glean important information from these that will help make your decision easier. Take a look at the top rated 17-inch laptops and remember to stay in budget while getting the features that are important to you.