The iPad may have arrived with authority, but laptops and netbooks are still very much alive. As Microsoft and its hardware partners prepare for the back-to-school buying season, here's a slideshow of the latest Windows 7 machines for work and play, from slim netbooks to big honkin' gaming laptops. Asus Eee PC 1008P – Karim Rashid CollectionFor the fashionably inclined, Asus’ Eee PC Seashell Karim Rashid Collection will make you feel like taking a stroll on the catwalk. Industrial designer Rashid’s style is all over these ultra slim netbooks that come in Hot Pink and Coffee Brown. Key features: • 10.1-inch LED Backlight WSVGA Screen (1024×600) • Windows 7 Home Premium • Intel Atom N450 processor • 1GB DDR2 memory • 250GB SATA2 HDD 5400rpm + 500GB WebStorage • 1.3M pixels camera • 2.5 lbs • Price: $492 pink, $499 brown [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Asus G51JX-A1Asus G51JX-A1 is a muscular machine that offers physical gaming interaction. It is powered by Intel Core i7-720QM processor, a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTS 360M graphics card and NVIDIA’s PhysX Technology. The machine boasts 3-D Vision and 3-D surround sound. You can also harness all this power for work projects. Key features: • Intel Core i7-720QM processor • 2.8GHz CPU speed • 3-D Vision and 3-D surround sound • Altec Lansing speakers and Dolby Home Theater • Nvidia GeForce GTS 360M graphics card • 6GB RAM, DDR3 • 15-inch screen (1920×1080) • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit • 7.3 lbs • Price: $1,368 – $1,598 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s Windows 7 OS see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Alienware M11xThe Alienware M11x laptop is another powerful machine that lets you play anything. It can handle the latest games, and proves that sub-15-inch laptops can do gaming. Its bold design is eye-grabbing, and you can change the color of the glowing keyboard in one click. It’s also good for heavy data crunching and productivity, in case your boss is watching. Key features: • Intel Pentium SU4100 processor • 4.4 lbs • 2GB RAM, DDR2 • 11.6-inch screen • 1.3GHz CPU Speed • NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M graphics card • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit • Price: Starts at $800 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Lenovo IdeaPad S10-3TLenovo’s IdeaPad S10-3T is a multi-touch convertible tablet netbook that aims to redefine the netbook category with its swivel-screen design and Lenovo NaturalTouch responsive fingertip touch-screen technology. This 10.1-inch machine converts from a netbook to a tablet that responds to the lightest of touches, has HD audio and weighs in at 3.5 pounds. Key features: • Intel Atom N470 processor • 1.83 GHz CPU speed • 2GB RAM, DDR2 • 10.1-inch multi-touch screen • LED-Backlit LCD • Windows 7 Starter • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 graphics card • High-definition audio • 3.5 lbs • Price: $550 – $650 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s Windows 7 OS see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Toshiba Satellite E205This all-purpose laptop includes features such as a powerful Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost Technology, Intel HD Graphics, a backlit keyboard and a recordable DVD drive. But its most noteworthy feature is the Intel Wireless Display technology that allows you to wirelessly connect the laptop to your HDTV to view online media, videos and photos on a bigger screen. Key features: • Intel Core i5-430M processor • Mobile Intel HD Graphics • 4GB DDR3 memory, 500GB HD • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit • 14.1-inch HD screen • Price: $899 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Sony Vaio EBThe Sony Vaio EB notebook is a colorful and affordable machine with multimedia features like HD audio and real-time video conferencing (cut back on business travel!). A built-in numeric pad and an edge-to-edge keyboard gives the feeling of a larger computer, and a touchpad integrated into the palm rest will stave off Carpel Tunnel. Key features: • Intel Core i3-330M processor • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD graphics card • Intel High Definition Audio • 4GB RAM, DDR3 • 15.5-inch (1368 x 768) screen • 100 percent HDMI output • 5.9 lbs • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit • Price: From $799 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] HP Pavilion dv7t Quad EditionThe Pavilion dv7t Quad is a large-size laptop for power users featuring Quad-core performance, 1GB of discrete graphics, and a 17.3-inch widescreen. The Intel Core i7 processor with multitask processing and great cache size automatically speeds up when your PC needs extra performance. Color choices are Espresso Black or Moonlight White. Key features: • Intel Core i7-720QM processor • 17.3-inch screen (16:9 aspect ratio) • 1.6GHz CPU speed • 6GB RAM • Nvidia GeForce GT 320M 1GB graphics card • Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit • 7.7 lbs • Price: Starts at $1,150 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Asus UL50VsDesigned with road warriors in mind, the Asus UL50Vs features the Asus FastBoot technology, which enables you to boot up in less than 17 seconds. It also features Turbo33 technology that boosts system performance, a 160GB solid-state drive and 12-hours of battery life. The elegant design sports a strong and stylish exterior made of brushed aluminum. Key features: • 15.6-inch HD screen (1366 x 768) • HDMI Port • Altec Lansing and SRS premium sound • Switchable graphics • 12 hours battery life • Windows 7 Professional 64-bit • 4.6 lbs • Price: Starts at $1,299 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Dell Studio XPS 16The Studio XPS 16 is a high-performance multimedia laptop, with full 1080p HD support and premium ATI HD graphics for killer video presentations. A backlit keyboard, a 16-inch LED display and HD audio add to the rich multimedia experience. Key features: • Intel Core i5-430M • 4GB RAM DDR3 • ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3670 graphics card • Intel 5100 WLAN Wireless-N • Soundblaster X-Fi Hi Def Audio • Windows 7 Home Premium • Price: Starts at $1,999 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Dell Latitude ZThe Dell Latitude Z is one of the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptops, with features such as business-proven security, wireless docking and charging, and support options to help you work or play from anywhere. The question is: Can your company afford a new Latitude? Key features: • Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 • 16-inch HD (1600 x 900) screen • Wireless docking and inductive charging • LED-Backlit LCD • 2GB RAM, DDR3 • 4.5 lbs • Windows 7 Professional 32-bit • Price: Starts at $1,799 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] iBuyPower Battalion Touch CZ-10The iBuyPower Battalion Touch CZ-10 is the world’s first multi-touch gaming notebook. It responds precisely to fingertip gestures on its 15.6-inch multi-touch screen. Its DDR3 memory and discrete ATI Radeon HD 4000 series graphics create a low heat, high performance environment with life-like visuals. This machine is mostly for gaming, but could be used for stunning video and graphics presentations at work. Key features: • Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile P8700 • 2GB RAM, DDR3 • 15.6-inch (1366×768) screen • ATI Radeon HD 4650 graphics • Multi-touch screen • Intel Pro/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n • Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit • Price: Starts at $999 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Sony Vaio ZThis three-pound, inch-thick notebook from Sony sports the powerful specs of a larger machine: a speedy Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GT 330M graphics card, and as much as 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. All of this shows up in the hefty price tag ($2,440), but if you’re a power user with a loose budget and like your notebooks light, the Sony Vaio Z may be for you. Key features: • Intel Core i7 processor • 2.66GHz CPU • 512GB SSD storage • 8GB RAM max • 3 lbs • 13.1-inch screen • Windows 7 Professional 64-bit • Price: $2,440 [ For complete coverage on Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system see CIO.com’s Windows 7 Bible. ] Related content feature The CIO’s new role: Orchestrator-in-chief CIOs have unique insight into everything that happens in a company. Some are using that insight to take on a more strategic role. By Minda Zetlin Dec 04, 2023 12 mins CIO CIO CIO opinion Fortifying the bridge between tech and business in the C-suite To be considered a tech-forward company today, there has to be a focus on tech fluency across the C-suite, which creates a unique opportunity for CIOs to uplevel their roles and expand their footprint across the enterprise. 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