Laptops of tomorrow, today

Payton H. Wilmott, Gleaner Writer

As technology advances, laptops are becoming more and more powerful, to the point that most are comparable to ordinary desktop PC these days. Today, we will be looking at three laptops that are appealing to the eye and the pocket.

The products mentioned in this article were provided courtesy of Royale Computers & Accessories; telephone 906-1067, 906-1068 or 754-5048. Email feedback to saturdaylife@gleanerjm.com.

Dell Alienware M15X (for the professional mad scientists out there)

OK, this isn't a laptop. It's, it's, it's Alienware. When you see the words Alienware on a device, make sure you are wearing diapers, because you will wet yourself once you see what's in that device. The Dell Alienware M15X is a monster of a device that will satisfy all your psychotic urges for technology.

Dell Alienware M15X Specification

2.53-GHz Intel Core i5-540QM with turbo boost

4GB Of RAM

SATA 250GB hard drive 7,200 rpm

BD (Blu-Ray) drive

15.6-inch display

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M with 1GB VRAM (graphics card)

Main Advantage

Unique design and lighting

Superior processing power

Amazing screen quality

Remarkable graphics card

Windows 7 Ultimate

Main Disadvantage

Weighs 9 pounds

Astonishing price tag

Conclusion

The Dell Alienware M15X can handle anything you throw at it with ease, but the question is: Can you handle the price tag it throws at you?

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 0197-26u

(for the beginner with training wheels)

No matter how grand a plan you may have in life, if you don't take the right, small initial steps, everything else will crumble. With that said, the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 0197 is the best move you can make towards owning your first laptop. It has everything you'll need to get your work done, but you may need to forget the fun and games with this baby. Let's see why.

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 0197 Specification

13.3-inch display

AMD Athlon Neo X2 dual-core L325 1.50GHz processor

3GB PC2-5300 676MHz DDR2 RAM

250GB (5400RPM) SATA hard drive

Main Advantages

Very low retail price (price is the best advantage a product could have).

Durable and sturdy enough for everyday hassle.

Comes with Windows 7 installed (laptops are still out there being sold with Windows XP and Vista, which are older versions).

Main Disadvantage

Not a very attractive laptop.

Conclusion

This laptop is geared towards the work-oriented person who doesn't have much money to burn but doesn't want to buy a cheap piece of crap either.

Dell Studio 1558 (for the growing mind)

Ahh, the middle ground ... the safest place to be when you're not sure what you want. If you're confused about the reasons for getting a laptop, you need to buy one that's flexible enough to bend to your will. The Dell Studio 1558 is the middle ground for your laptop needs, also on the matter of price. But let's see why this machine is going to be your safe haven.

Dell Studio 1558 specification

2.4GHz Intel Core i5 520M processor

Intel GMA HD 4500M HD graphics card

320 GB HDD at 7200 RPM

4GB DDR3 RAM

15.6-inch LED display

2 mega-pixel web cam

Main Advantage

Powerful processor

Stylish and slim design

Windows 7

Main Disadvantage

Slot-loading DVD drive (If or when a disc in that mechanism, you'll have an expensive headache on your hands)

Conclusion

As I said before, this is the safest choice you could make when choosing a laptop. The Dell Studio 1558 packs enough power to run FEAR 2 (graphically demanding game) and still be able to get your school or office work done in style.

Final thoughts

Without a doubt, if I had the money I would buy myself the Dell Alienware M15X - then laugh at you weaklings with your puny computers. Freaking fantastic!