Multimedia and Desktop Replacements

Laptops in this category usually pack the nearly complete set of features. They won't lucifer a high-finish desktop in terms of functioning, but they tin deliver enough computing power for things like multimedia authoring and gaming. Desktop replacements also offer large screens from sixteen-inches and upward, every bit well as comfortable full-sized keyboards with a divide number pad. As y'all might expect, however, they are not the easiest to carry around.

The average desktop replacement weighs around vi.v pounds or more than, sports a dual or quad-core processor, at least 4GB of RAM and 500GB of storage, and plenty of connectivity. Unfortunately battery life is not i of their potent points due to the large display and powerful hardware, so most of the time you lot'll be looking at around three hours of autonomy. Laptops in this category first at around $1,000 but fully-loaded models can easily fetch upwardly of $ane,500.


HP Envy 17

HP'southward Envy laptops earned some praise and criticism when they debuted terminal year for their similarity to Apple tree'due south MacBook Pro lineup. Indeed, the keyboard pattern, quality aluminum construction and glossy full size display are all reminiscent of an Apple product, but unfortunately so where the sky-high prices. The new 17-inch variant builds on some of the stiff points of this upscale line while also bringing several new hardware options to the tabular array and more than reasonable price points.

This feature-packed multimedia monster includes a Blu-ray drive, HDMI and DisplayPort outputs, a 1920x1080-resolution 17.three-inch display, an Intel Core i7 720QM, a 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon Hd 5850, a massive 8GB of memory, USB 3.0 support, and a triple bass subwoofer. With a starting price of $one,299, the Envy 17 is 1 impressive motorcar.

Additional views:

Quick specs | Full specs Starting toll: $i,299 ($1,599 every bit configured)
Processor: Intel Cadre i7 720QM 1.6GHz Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon Hard disk 5850 1GB
Retentivity: 8GB DDR3-1066 (2 DIMMs) Storage: 640GB seven,200RPM HDD
Display size: 17.3" (1920x1080) Optical: Slot-loading Blu-ray / DVD combo
Weight: 7.5 lbs Battery: ~ii hours


Toshiba Qosmio X505

Powered by Intel'south latest Quad Cadre processors and Nvidia GeForce graphics, the Qosmio X505 delivers solid gaming performance and a respectable multimedia feel. The series starts at $1,199 featuring a two.26GHz Core i5 430M processor, GeForce GTS 360M graphics and 4GB of RAM. Merely if y'all truly want to relish a total Hard disk 1920×1080 resolution on its large xviii.iv-inch LCD panel, which is the best characteristic of this multimedia powerhouse, information technology'll cost you upwards of $1,600.

The X505-Q890 has all the high-terminate specs you tin can imagine, including a 1.73GHz Core i7 740QM processor, 6GB of RAM, Blu-ray bulldoze, the same Nvidia GeForce GTS 360M graphics, and a fast 64GB solid land drive to complement the big 500GB hard drive. This model will set up y'all back $1,700, only you can save a few bucks with the X505-Q888, which sells for around $1,550 and basically drops the SSD drive and offers 4GB of RAM instead of 6GB. Otherwise you'll detect enough of connectivity options on all of them and speakers by sound specialists Harman Kardon.

Boosted views:

Quick specs | Full specs Starting price: $1,700 (X505-Q890)
Processor: Intel Core i7 740QM one.73GHz (quad-core) Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTS 360M 1GB
Memory: 6GB DDR3-1066 (3 DIMMs) Storage: 500GB 7,200RPM HDD + 64GB SSD
Brandish size: xviii.4" (1920×1080) Optical: BD Combo
Weight: 9.7 lbs (12-cell) Battery: 12-cell (~iii hours)


Dell XPS 17

Dell recently overhauled its XPS notebooks with Nvidia's new GeForce 400M series of graphics cards that come up standard with Nvidia'southward Optimus technology. Sporting a brushed aluminum casing and Hard disk drive WLED display, the Dell XPS 17 is a desktop replacement notebook that'due south primed for use as a gaming laptop, a media middle or a mobile workstation. You get Core i3/i5/i7 processor options, a DVD or Blu-ray drive, support for up to 16GB of RAM, a Skype-certified 720p webcam, JBL designed and certified speakers, a ix-in-1 card reader and a few other niceties.

Dell has done abroad with many older connectivity options, such equally VGA, only included both Mini DisplayPort and HDMI, as well equally USB 3.0 ports and an optional TV tuner. Overall the automobile feels well congenital; information technology has a large multi-touch trackpad and a sturdy backlit keyboard. The 17-inch model starts at $949, but as usual, yous tin can configure it to your liking on the manufacturer'southward website.

Boosted views:

Quick specs | Total specs Starting toll: $950 ($1,250 as configured)
Processor: Intel Core i5 560M 2.66GHz Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 435 1GB
Retention: 6GB DDR3-1066 Storage: 640GB 7,200RPM HDD
Brandish size: 17.3" (1600x900) Optical: Blu-ray disc combo
Weight: ~8 lb Bombardment: ~2.5 hours

Other noteworthy options in this category

Asus N61JQ-XV1

The Asus N61JQ-XV1 has a fleck of everything for multimedia junkies looking for a new notebook that won't break the bank, including a xvi-inch LED-backlit widescreen driven by ATI Mobility Radeon Hard disk 5730 graphics and a couple of USB 3.0 ports.

Price range: $one,000

Sony Vaio VPC-F136FM/B

The F Series VPC-F136FM/B looks uncharacteristically plain for a Vaio arrangement just packs plenty of dial to make up for it. That includes a 16.iv-inch display, Blu-ray drive, a couple of USB 3.0 ports, discrete Nvidia graphics, and even WiMAX on-board.

Price: $i,300 (at Best Buy only)