Assuming most people have already crossed off the things on their check list for the upcoming holiday, but for those who are a little late due to complications, I have listed some laptops worth looking at for your loved ones. Let’s just say it’ll be worth the wait. The items are not sorted to any particular criteria, but based on your needs as a consumer. You can purchase any of these laptops at Amazon.com.
Apple MacBook Pro MD313LL/A
First on the list is the new generation 13-inch. Apple Macbook Pro with OS X Lion, the latest release of the most advanced operating system that features Multi-Touch gestures, full-screen apps, Launchpad, and MissionControl. The Multi-Touch gestures that is buttonless gives you more room to track, click, swipe, pinch, rotate, and four-finger swipe. Now also supporting inertial scrolling, an intuitive way to scroll through large photo libraries, lengthy documents and long web sites. The full-screen app allows users to swipe through all apps while remaining in full-screen. Launchpad centers everything for an easy access and MissionControl gives the user a bird’s eye view of programs running on the Mac.
In collaboration with Intel, the 2nd generation state-of-the-art dual core Intel i5 processor with its new Thunderbolt technology that offers up to twice the speed of its previous macbook for its peripherals and lightning fast transfer speeds, we’re talking 10 Gbps transfer speed in both directions. Thunderbolt offers up to 20x the speed of the standard USB 2.0 and 12x that of FireWire 800. Not only that, users can now have HD video calls with the bulit-in FaceTime HD camera.
Rating/Reviews 4.5/5*
Price: $1,129.00*
Specs
- 13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with edge-to-edge, uninterrupted glass (1280 x 800-pixel resolution).
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor with 3 MB shared L3 cache for excellent multitasking.
- Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory.
- 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM)
- 4 GB installed RAM (1333 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
- 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- Built-in FaceTime HD camera for video chatting
- Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
- Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000)
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice and cell phones
- Two USB 2.0 ports, one FireWire 800 port
- SDXC card slot
- Thunderbolt port with native Mini DisplayPort output plus support for DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI, and HDMI (requires adapters, sold separately)
- Multi-Touch trackpad for precise cursor control with support for inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
- Full-size backlit keyboard
- Stereo speakers with subwoofers
- Dimensions: 12.78 x 8.94 x 0.95 inches (WxDxH)
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Up to 7 hours of battery life
- Meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements
Toshiba Satellite L735
This next laptop is ideal for students, on-the-go small business owners, or the family that needs a small laptop for travel, this portable Toshiba Satellite L735 (model L735-S3375) offers power, style and affordability. Featuring a brilliant LED-backlit 13.3-inch HD display and a premium sound system alongside its high-gloss Fusion Finish in Matrix Silver brings together the sound quality and the look you will love.
Powered by the same second-generation Intel Core i5 dual-core processor as the Macbook Pro mentioned above, the i5 provides breakthrough digital media management, content creation, and 3D gaming capabilities. With updated Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, the latest Core i5 increases speed automatically for whatever you’re doing. It’s complemented by the integrated Intel HD Graphics processor for up to 1696 MB of dynamically allocated graphics memory shared with the processor.
This Satellite comes pre-installed with the 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Rating/Reviews 4.9/5*
Price: $499.99*
Specs
- 13.3-inch widescreen HD TruBrite LED-backlit display with native HD 720p resolution (1366 x 768, 16:9 aspect ratio)
- 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5-2430M dual-core processor (3.0 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology; 3 MB L3 cache)
- 4 GB of installed DDR3 RAM (1333 MHz; 8 GB maximum capacity)
- 500 GB Serial ATA hard disk drive (5400 RPM) with Toshiba 3D hard drive impact sensor
- Intel HD Graphics with 64 MB – 1696 MB dynamically allocated shared memory
- 8x SuperMulti DVD drive plus Labelflash printing
- Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n)
- Built-in stereo speakers with MaxxAudio LE enhancement
- Up to 6 hours of battery life (6-cell battery)
- Touch pad with multi-touch control and premium keyboard
- 4.6 pounds; 12.95 x 8.7 x 1.45 inches (WxDxH)
Acer Aspire AS3830TG-6431
The AS3830TG has all of the essential features, including three USB ports, one of which is implanted with USB 3.0, Ethernet, VGA, and HDMI. A multi-format card slot is located in the front bezel, and a 1.3-megapixel webcam is situated above the screen. The speaker system is a pleasant surprise while sound on most ultra-portables is an afterthought, listening to music and watching HD videos on the AS3830TG was better than most.
The more appraising features of this laptop is its performance and battery life. It was able to measure up against its rivals when compared with Photoshop CS5 runtime and also came out on top with faster frame rate per sec when it comes to gaming. Many high and positive reviews were handed out for this laptop as it’s a force to be reckon with.
Rating/Reviews 4.5/5*
Price: $949.99*
Specs
- Intel Core i5-2410M 2.30GHz Processor
- 4GB DDR3 RAM
- 500GB SATA Hard Disk Drive (5400 RPM)
- 13’1-Inch,
- NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M Graphics Card, 1024 MB Graphics RAM
- Windows 7 Home Premium
- 9 Hour Battery Life
- USB ports: 3
- USB 2.0 ports: 2
- VGA video output: 1
- Size: 8.98 inches, 12.64 inches, 1.15 inches (L x W x H)
- Weight: 4.12 pounds
- LCD Native Resolution: 1366 x 768
ASUS A53E-EH31
Powered by an Intel Core i3-2330M Processor with built-in Intel GMA HD Graphics, the ASUS A53E-EH31 delivers responsive multi-tasking and rich, built-in visuals on its brilliant 15.6″ LED-backlit HD display. HDMI ready, supersize your high-definition media to an HDTV up to 1080p and 8 channel surround sound support. With the SuperSpeed USB 3.0, users can now experience data transfer speed 10x faster than USB 2.0. ASUS Infusion Technology gives this notebook a scratch-resistant coat with eye-catching style. ASUS IceCool technology with hairline brushed aluminum helps maintain a low temperature on the keyboard and palm rest area for comfortable computing even after the long sessions.
Rating/Reviews 5/5*
Price: $$449.99*
Specs
- Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
- Display: 15.6-inch HD display (1366 x 768) (LED)
- Processor: Intel Core i3-2330M Processor (2.2 GHz)
- Graphics: Intel GMA HD Graphics
- WLAN: 802.11 b/g/n
- LAN: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
- Memory: 4GB DDR3 SDRAM,2 x SODIMM Sockets (up to 8GB)
- Storage: 500GB 5400RPM hard drive
- Optical Drive: DL DVD±RW/CD-RW
- Camera: 0.3 megapixel
- Speakers: Altec Lansing Speakers
- Microphone: microphone
- Card Reader: 5-in-1 card reader (SD, MMC, MS, MS PRO SDHC (SD2.0)
- Input / Output: 1 x Mic-in, 1 x Headphone-out, 1 x VGA port/Mini D-Sub 15-pin for external monitor, 1 x RJ-45 LAN, 2 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x HDMI
- Dimensions: 15.12 x 10.12 x 1.4 –inches (W x D x H)
- Weight: 5.72 lbs (with 6 cell battery)
HP Pavilion dv6-6116nr
The HP Pavilion dv6-6116nr Entertainment Notebook PC is more for your everyday entertainment use, it has the capability to sync to smartphones and print wirelessly using integrated Bluetooth. Its TrueVision webcam and microphone allows for video chat in low-light environments and with its CoolSense technology, keeps the laps of the users cool by directing heat away from the laptop.
You can also enjoy music in premium audio plus edit photos and high-definition videos effortlessly. The integrated Intel HD video graphics helps run your favorite games. Work in multiple applications at the same time and easily navigate this laptop PC using the large touchpad and full-size, island-style keyboard with integrated numeric keypad.
Rating/Reviews 4.4/5*
Price: $549.99*
- Intel Core i5-2430M Processor 2.40GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 3.00GHz
- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
- 15.6-inch diagonal High-Definition BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768)
- 4GB of installed DDR3 RAM
- 640GB 5400RPM hard drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
- SuperMulti DVD burner
- Intel HD Graphics 3000 with up to 1696MB total graphics memory
- Built-in Webcam-video chat in low-light environments using your HP Pavilion dv6-6116nr Entertainment Notebook PC
- Digital Media Reader-transfer photos from a digital camera to your laptop PC without using cables
- Bluetooth-save time with wireless synching and printing
- 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth
- 5.59 lbs; 14.88″ x 9.71″ x 1.23″–1.39″ (W x D x H)
- Up to 6.5 hrs of battery life
- HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection-help prevent data loss due to bumps or short drops
Hope this page was of help to those seeking the perfect gift, I wanted to make sure I laid out the major brands to choose from. But for those looking for intense gaming specific laptops, I would recommend looking into Alienware, unfortunately they are quite costly and bulky. Happy Holidays!
*In accordance with Amazon.com, special holiday pricing may be in effect
