10. Asus N61 N61Vn-A2
Here are 12 gift ideas for the most generous gifters: people giving computers. From cheapest ($300) to priciest ($1500), these are our picks.
Asus N61 N61Vn-A2
The N61 series from Asus is a true multimedia laptop, and one of the most full-featured laptops in our gift guide this year.
We tested the Windows 7-equipped N61Vn-A2, which seems to be one of the higher-end N61s available. For $1300, you get an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 (2.0 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 6 MB cache), 4 GB of DDR3 memory, a 320 GB 7200rpm hard drive, a Blu-ray drive (BD-ROM), and a GT240 GPU from Nvidia with 1 GB of dedicated DDR3 memory.
The 16-inch N61 comes with a 1366x768 LED-backlit panel. While this is good enough for 720p HD video, a 1080p panel should be the norm for a Blu-ray-equipped machine of this size, however the argument can be made that you might not notice the difference between the two resolutions on a screen this small. Resolution debate aside, Blu-ray playback on the N61 is a breeze thanks to the included WinDVD 8 software. While the software is bare-bones, BD playback looks crisp with nary a hiccup.
[Ed. Note: Our review unit did not have WinDVD 8 completely installed. The disc was included and everything ran as it was supposed to after installation, so keep this in mind if you buy an N61 with a Blu-ray player. Also note that our review unit’s AACS product key was expired. An easy fix: sign up for a free account on Corel’s site to re-up.]
The N61 includes three standard USB 2.0 ports, one USB/eSATA combo, VGA, HDMI, Ethernet, mic/audio jacks, and an 8-in-1 memory card reader. There is also a 3.2 MP webcam.
The design of the N61 reflects some of the more popular notebook trends of 2009: a Chiclet-style keyboard, a rubberized palm rest, and a multi-gesture touchpad all make using the N61 easy, whether it’s sitting on the desk or on your lap. The keyboard is full and generous, and the chiclet design means there is ample spacing between keys. Solid construction means there no flexing when the palm rest is put under pressure, and the Caps/Num/Scroll Locks lights are all easy to find.
Like many other Asus machines, the N61 series comes with Express Gate, a Linux-based OS that boots in roughly eight seconds, and offers quick access to web, VoIP, and email applications. This is convenient if you need to grab directions or an address without waiting for Windows and the rest of the laptop to power on.
While the N61Vn-A2 isn’t specifically meant to be a desktop replacement (see the Alienware M15x also included in this gift guide), its quad-core processor and 1 GB Nvidia GPU certainly make a case for it. The GPU helps with Bu-ray playback, and if you’re a gamer, the N61 will play most new titles without any major snags. This N61 went through many hours of Left 4 Dead 2, Quake Live, and Modern Warfare 2 testing.
Now that Intel has released its mobile Core i7 chips, the case for a Core 2 Quad-based laptop is much weaker than it was a few months ago. If the N61 were to drop in price down to the $1000 mark, it would be a must have. At $1300, this nicely-equipped machine is competes with newer hardware for the same price. Its saving grace: You’ll be hard-pressed to find a BD-ROM-equipped laptop with similar features below $1500. --Devin Connors
Glad to see the Alienware M15x made the list. I've never been particularly fond of Dell or Alienware in the past, but it's really one of the best valued gaming laptops available on the market right now. If I recall correctly, you can configure it with a Core i7, 4GB (or maybe 6GB) od DDR3 RAM, 1920x1080 RGBLED screen, and GTX 260M for just bit more than $1700.
I don't even care about the products... I just like the chick.
She's BEAUTIFUL!
I think she'd look a lot hotter with her hair down.
Is it just me, or am I seeing any article with Sarah have 90% of the comments focused on her?
The Durabook is my kind of laptop! Make it 1920x1200, give it a 4830m, a 80GB intel x18-m (I would think they'd be more durable than standard disk drives), and make both the magnesium and rubber twice as thick.
Then shoot it with a 12 gauge full of bird shot and continue playing crysis on it after buffing the scratches out. =D
Really though, I like the Durabook, as I could leave it around my brothers or nephew without worrying about having to buy a new one.
Does it include accidental damage warranty? What about heat resistance? Does the magnesium have a protective coating on it, or if I just scratch a little paint off and leave a lighter by it, or have a peice of molten steel fly on it while welding, will the thing turn into a firebomb (the heat from magnesium combusting blowin the battery). More importantly, how bullet proof is it?
Happy holidays everyone. =D
I'd go for the ASUS RoG G71Gx. I spec'ed out the M15x vs it (and others) and it ended up being $900 cheaper with virtually the same specs. And not only this but you get the RoG-branded backpack and a customized for Asus/RoG Razor Copperhead gaming mouse as throw-ins. And the model would look even hotter holding up the Asus with it's geeky flashing case-lid LEDs, IMO. :-)
Is it just me, or am I seeing any article with Sarah have 90% of the comments focused on her?
Yeah, she's pretty hot. Didn't even read the article. Ended up wondering if I was the only one and sure enough, I wasn't.
New to Toms...
girl is Hot...Who she??...
and Artical wise , i like that Alienware is included.
But I think For me the best deal is the All in one HP touch monitor , which i am thinkin of givin my mom...She loves to cook different dishes and try all sorts of things..and I think this will make a big difference in keepin all her recieps and search for new ones online as it happens....
Thanks for a Great Artical..
HP Envy 13/15 didn't make the list??? Too bad. I know they're priced high, but they do look sexy, and the Envy 15 has some pretty impressive hardware built in.
damn ugly girl what a turn off
Why does tom's always criticize low end cards like 9400GT/GSs and HD4300 series and HD4500 series. These cards would MOST CERTAINLY get playable frame rates at medium/low settings for COD4-6 @ 1024x768 and low settings for crysis at 800x600... My old ATI X1050 played COD4 at medium settings (low shadows, textures on high) at 1024x768 @ about 28-33 fps. That same rig played crysis at an awful 24fps at 800x600. An HD4300 series card is faster than my old X1050- i know that for a fact.... unless your GFX tiers suck (from the best gpus for the money articles).
A 9400GT/GS? HD4300/4500? Really? Come on man! I've got a machine with a 9600GT that is awesome. A 9400 is for someone who just wants to add on a cheap card so they've got one.
Hell, I've got an older rig running two 7600GT's and they can run Crysis. Not great, but it works. As for straight-up low-end cards, you can do a lot better than a 9400.
Some good suggestions there. I'd rather have a MacBook Pro/Air though, although now's not the time to buy since they're towards the end of product cycles.
Wow, 12 computers and not a single one of them made by Apple! I mean, really, not a single Macbook or MacBook Pro? If you just look at sales figures alone, Tom's Guide is seriously out of touch with what many people percieve as a great computer.
Wow, 12 computers and not a single one of them made by Apple! I mean, really, not a single Macbook or MacBook Pro? If you just look at sales figures alone, Tom's Guide is seriously out of touch with what many people percieve as a great computer.
They probably don't want their Christmas gift guides to turn into Apple bashing threads like many fanatics on this site insist on.
FWIW, the model prefers Apple.
"Do you come with the laptop?"
"ohhh you hehe"
hmmm...i definitely have the $1400us to buy someone a present
but the ultimate question is .... can they play crysis?