Digital Trends

Compaq C700T $479.99 

Compaq’s cheapest notebook doesn’t stand out too far from the crowd, but it makes a nice option for those who don’t want to be bothered filling out rebates, using coupons, or chasing sales. You get a no-nonsense machine with a 1.73GHz Intel Dual-Core Processor, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB hard drive. Spectacular? Not really, but you can snag one any time, and Compaq will allow you to round it with whatever options you need. The only drawback would be the machine’s 6.4-pound weight, which makes it even more of a desk anchor than Dell’s cheaper (and slower) Vostro 1000. (www.hp.com)