Everex StepNote LM7WE

For those users on a budget, this Everex machine offers a decent level of performance at a very reasonable price.

It has a minimalist black-and-silver design, with an impressive 15.4-inch widescreen display. Some keys on the keyboard are a little strangely shaped, and the lack of a FireWire port might be inconvenient in some cases, but this $600 machine is all one needs to perform basic office and entertainment functions.

Perhaps most surprising of all for this price range is the dual-layer DVD burner, which is great for making and viewing videos, or backing up a lot of data.

The tinny-sounding speakers and lack of 3D graphics capability prevent this from being a multimedia machine by any stretch of the imagination, but its very low price makes it a great option for the basic user looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.

Processor: 1.5-GHz Intel Celeron M 390
Hard Drive: 60GB (5,400 RPM)
RAM: 512MB (Expandable to 2GB)
Display: 15.4-inch 1290×800
Built-in Wireless: 802.11b/g

Weight: 5.9 lbs.

Price: $598*