Computers

New models offer a host of choices

We have just finished testing dozens of the newest desktops, laptops, and netbooks, many of them the first equipped with Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system. The change in operating system, our tests show, had little effect on overall performance compared with Vista-equipped systems. Prices haven't changed noticeably, either.

Here are the details of our tests:

You can get more for your money

Not long ago, desktops based on quad-core processors commanded premium prices. No more. Our Ratings include the HP Pavilion p6210y, which is based on an AMD Athlon II X4 620 quad-core processor, with 6 gigabytes of memory for less than $600.

Still, if cutting-edge power is what you want, you'll pay a premium. The top-rated Dell Studio XPS 8000, based on Intel's Core i7 processor, includes a 1-terabyte hard drive, 8GB of memory, and 1GB of video memory. Its $1,120 price is hundreds more than most of the other desktops tested.

We also noticed a new feature in several desktops: built-in Wi-Fi capability, which lets you use your desktop throughout the house without paying extra for an add-on wireless adapter.

Good laptop choices abound

We found an unusually high number of models to recommend, from a $530 16-inch CR Best Buy to a 13-inch featherweight that fetches $1,500. The lower-ranked laptops were either equipped with less-capable processors, such as the Athlon TF-20, or had shorter battery life than models that were highly rated.

Netbooks offer new options

No longer do almost all new netbooks run Windows XP. Many use Windows 7 Starter Edition, a version of the operating system that doesn't include the 3D features of the Aero interface found in the full Windows 7. We didn't find significant performance differences between Windows 7 and XP netbooks. Choosing a Windows 7 model might future-proof you against new software that's compatible only with Windows 7, but that's a speculative benefit. The main differentiators to consider among netbooks are ergonomics, battery life, and price, not the operating system.

We're also seeing more netbooks with larger displays; some manufacturers are calling those models laptops. They offer better performance than smaller netbooks but at a higher price and greater weight. For example, the 11.6-inch Acer Aspire Timeline AS1810TZ-4013 was the first excellent performer of the netbooks tested, with a remarkable 9¾ hours of battery life but a stiff $550 price tag.

There's a new crop of Apples

The newest iMac has a 27-inch display; it's the largest all-in-one we've tested. If your wallet groans at the $1,700 price or your desk has too little space, there's also a 21½-inch version. Also updated: The Mac mini and the 13-inch MacBook. The iMac's new Magic Mouse has a touch-sensitive top surface for multitouch gestures similar to those on many laptop touchpads. The latest version of OS X boots up faster than its predecessor, performs slightly better, and eats up less hard-drive space.