ASUS is getting set to jump on the Chromebook bandwagon, even if company CEO Jerry Shen admits that consumer demand for the Chrome-powered notebooks hasn’t been very high. During an earnings call held Monday morning, Shen said ASUS will launch its Chromebook in the second half of 2013, PCWorld reported.

While Chromebooks are still trying to get their footing in the marketplace, Shen said that “market momentum” could build up enough for the Chrome-powered notebooks by 2014. Shen also pointed out that the consumer market for Chromebooks is still relatively shallow, saying, “Chromebook is good, not on the consumer side, but it’s good in the education and government side, and some for the commercial side.”

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As Windows 8 struggles to gain traction, Intel certainly isn’t tying its fortunes to Microsoft’s OS. During a recent interview, an Intel executive told CNET that the company will soon begin selling its own line of Intel Atom-powered Android notebooks for around $200. That’s the same price of the cheapest Android tablets, such as the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7. Read the rest of this entry »

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Samsung is looking to breathe new life into its PC business by merging Windows PCs and Android devices with its new SideSync technology. The feature, which is available on Samsung’s new ATIV line of notebooks, lets you switch from working with Windows to working with your Android device simply by connecting the two via a USB cable.

So how does that help you? Well, Samsung says SideSync will let you answer text messages sent to your phone using your notebook’s  keyboard, transfer photos and videos between the two devices, check maps from your phone and edit files. SideSync is available with all Windows 8-powered ATIV notebooks, laptops, tablets and All in One PCs, as well as all Android-powered Samsung devices. Read the rest of this entry »

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Acer is prepping to launch a new Windows 8 notebook (or notebooks) on May 3 with the release of new teaser video tied to the upcoming movie “Star Trek: Into Darkness.” The video, which features more scenes from “Star Trek” than anything about the notebook, appears to show a Windows 8 notebook with a display that folds backward, giving you a tablet-like interface. Truth be told, when it’s being unfolded in the video, it takes on the look of the Enterprise, which is pretty cool. Read the rest of this entry »

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Just when you think a notebook can’t get any slimmer or lighter, here comes the Inhon Blade 13 Carbon notebook. According to Engadget, this Taiwanese laptop weighs in at a barely there 1.9 pounds with a waifish 0.39-inch profile. This deposes last year’s champ, the NEC LaVie Z  The latest MacBook Air is 0.68 inch thick and weighs 3 pounds.

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Security. Durability. Reliability. These are the hallmarks of a good business notebook. Generally speaking, these machines tend to sport sturdy, metal cases and feature comfortable, backlit keyboards (most of which are spill-resistant) along with a pointing stick for more precision. Business notebooks also tend to come with security software to help protect your data and the ability to dock your system for the best desktop computing experience.

But selecting the right system has a lot to do with your business and personal style. With all of the above in mind, we present the top 10 business notebooks.

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Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E430

Aimed at small businesses, the highly affordable Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E430 starts at less than $500, yet has a brushed aluminum lid and comfortable keyboard and pointing stick. We also like Lenovo's Solutions for Small Business suite, helpful for companies that don't have a large IT department.

MORE: Top Laptops Under $500

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• Top 25 Windows 8 Apps
• Best and Worst Notebook Brands 2013

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While tablets get all the attention these days, there’s a reason why laptops continue to be the computing device of choice for most people. Laptops offer real keyboards for faster typing, they’re better at multitasking, and they offer a lot more power for everything from editing video and creating PowerPoints to playing the latest games. So what type of laptop should you get?

There’s a wide variety of sizes, features and prices, which makes choosing the right laptop a challenge. That’s why you need to figure out what your needs are. To make the right call, just follow these eight tips.

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It might seem like the once-prolific netbook is already extinct, but the category won’t finish fading away for a couple more years, if a forecast by IHS iSuppli proves to be correct. The research firm expects netbook shipments to total 3.97 million units this year, down a whopping 72% from last year’s 14.13 million units. In 2014, netbook shipments might total a measly 264,000 units before the netbook market fizzles out completely in 2015. 

“From the supply end of production, the major original equipment manufacturers of notebooks will have already terminated netbook production at this point. Whatever production is left is expected to be limited, or manufacturers will simply be shipping last-time builds to satisfy contractual obligations to customers,” iSuppli wrote.  Read the rest of this entry »

Samsung has unveiled the latest version of its 13-inch Series 9 Premium Ultrabook, and this time the diminutive notebook is packing a slick 1080p display. The $1,399 Series 9 , which is available now through Samsung.com, weighs in at 2.5 pounds and measures 12.4 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches. 

Under the hood, high-end versions of the Series 9 will include a 2-GHz, quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB of RAM and Intel HD Graphics 4000 integrated GPU and a 128GB SSD. Samsung says the unit will be to power on in less than 10 seconds and resume from sleep instantly.  Read the rest of this entry »

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What’s the difference between a good notebook and the best ones money can buy? They deliver a great combination of design, comfort and performance for your money, but also satisfy your specific needs. For example, the best Ultrabooks should boost fast and be easy to carry, while a superior business laptop offers extra durability and security. Then there are budget notebooks, which should deliver snappy performance for everyday tasks while costing less than $500.

At LAPTOP, we review dozens and dozens of laptops each year, putting each and every model through a series of rigorous tests. From screen brightness and heat to speed and battery life, our writers and editors evaluate every aspect of a given system to arrive at a rating. This list of 4-star notebooks represents the best of the best in every category.

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Best Ultraportable: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (2012)

Apple makes the quintessential ultraportable notebook even better by giving the MacBook Air faster performance and longer battery life. The 3rd Generation Intel Core i5-powered notebook now lasts for over 8 hours on a charge.
Basic Configuration: $1,199

Apple MacBook Air Review