Campus Technlology's January 2001 Sub-$500 Laptop Roundup: 5 lbs.-6 lbs. -- Campus Technology

Mobile Computing | January 2011 Product Roundup
Laptops for the Price of an iPad

Sure, those tablets are adorable, but for less than $500 you can get a whole lot of computing power and a real keyboard to boot.

This laptop guide is a companion piece to the January 2011 product roundup in the print edition of Campus Technology. All laptops are consumer models released in 2010, and prices are the suggested retail price. Product descriptions are based on manufacturers' specifications; CT has not done any product testing to verify manufacturers' performance claims.

BROWSE LAPTOPS

Processor

List Price

Weight

5 lbs. to 5.9 lbs.

Screen Size

Misc

Manufacturers

Dell Inspiron 15
$399.99
Dell's base Inspiron 15 model sports a single-core 2.2 GHz Intel Celeron 900 processor (1 MB level-2 cache, 800 MHz frontside bus) and comes configured with a 15.6" (1,366 x 768) LED display, 250 GB internal SATA drive, and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Features
Graphics: Intel X4500HD
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 3 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 7-in-1 media card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Secure Digital High Density, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, xD Picture Card)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery
Other: 1.3 megapixel Webcam; HD audio 2.0; one year LoJack for Laptops standard theft protection

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium; Roxio Burn 1.0

Gateway NV55C03u
$479.99
Powered by a dual-core 2 GHz Intel Pentium P6100 (265 MB level-2 cache per core, 3 MB shared level-3 cache), the NV55C03u offers a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 3 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs in at 5.72 lbs.

Features
Graphics: Intel HD
Networking/Wireless: 802.11n Wi-Fi; gigabit Ethernet
Connectivity: 3 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: HDMI, VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 2-in-1 media card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 4 hrs., 34 mins.
Other: 1.3 megapixel Webcam; 10-key number pad; multi-gesture touchpad

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Gateway NV55C35u
$449.99
Powered by a dual-core 2 GHz Intel Pentium P6100 (265 MB level-2 cache per core, 3 MB shared level-3 cache), the NV55C35u offers a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 250 GB internal SATA drive, and 4 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs in at 5.72 lbs.

HP G62M
$429.99
The G62M is built around a single-core 2.2 GHz Intel Celeron 900 processor (1 MB level-2 cache, 800 MHz frontside bus) and comes configured with a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display; 250 GB, 7,200 RPM internal SATA drive; and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Features
Graphics: Intel 4500M
Networking/Wireless: 802.11n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 3 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: HDMI, VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 5-in-1 media card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, xD Picture Card)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3 hrs., 34 mins.
Other: Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655-S5041
$445.99
Built on a single-core 2.2 GHz AMD V Series V120, the Satellite C655-S5041 offers a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 250 GB internal SATA drive, and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs in at 5.51 lbs.

Features
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 2 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 4-in-1 shared memory card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Mini SD, MultiMediaCard) (adaptor may be required)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3.4 hrs.
Other: 10-key number pad; multi-gesture touchpad; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5048
$484.99
Sporting a dual-core 2.1GHz AMD Athlon II P320 processor (512 KB level-2 cache per core), the Satellite C655D-S5048 offers a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 3 GB DDR3 memory. Weight: 5.51 lbs.

Features
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 2 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 4-in-1 shared memory card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Mini SD, MultiMediaCard) (adaptor may be required)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3.8 hrs.
Other: 10-key number pad; multi-gesture touchpad; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5043
$449.99
With its single-core 2.2 GHz AMD V Series V120 chip (512 KB level-2 cache), the Satellite C655D-S5043 offers a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 3 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.51 lbs.

Features
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 2 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 4-in-1 shared memory card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Mini SD, MultiMediaCard) (adaptor may be required)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3.8 hrs.
Other: 10-key number pad; multi-gesture touchpad; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5046
$459.99
With its single-core 2.2 GHz AMD V Series V120 chip (512 KB level-2 cache), the Satellite C655D-S5046 offers a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 3 GB DDR3 memory. Weight: 5.51 lbs.

Features
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 2 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 4-in-1 shared memory card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Mini SD, MultiMediaCard) (adaptor may be required)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3.8 hrs.
Other: Integrated Webcam with digital microphone; 10-key number pad; multi-gesture touchpad; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5079
$489.99
Built on a single-core 2.3 GHz AMD V Series V140 chip, the Satellite C655D-S5079 includes a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 250 GB internal SATA drive, and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5080
$426.99
Sporting a single-core 2.3 GHz AMD V Series V140 chip, the Satellite C655D-S5080 includes a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 250 GB internal SATA drive, and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Features
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi; 10/100 LAN; modem
Connectivity: 2 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 4-in-1 shared memory card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Mini SD, MultiMediaCard) (adaptor may be required)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3.4 hrs.
Other: Integrated Webcam with digital microphone; 10-key number pad; multi-gesture touchpad; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655-S5082
$458.99
The C655-S5082 is powered by a single-core 2.2 GHz Intel Celeron 900 processor (1 MB level-2 cache, 800 MHz frontside bus) and comes configured with a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display; 250 GB internal SATA drive; and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Features
Graphics: Intel 4500M
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 2 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 4-in-1 media card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, MultiMediaCard, Mini SD)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3 hrs., 34 mins.
Other: Multi-gesture touchpad; 10-key number pad; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5085
$459.99
Running on a single-core 2.3 GHz AMD V Series V140 chip, the Satellite C655D-S5085 includes a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5086
$469.99
With its single-core 2.3 GHz AMD V Series V140 chip, the Satellite C655D-S5085 includes a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Features
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 2 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 4-in-1 shared memory card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Mini SD, MultiMediaCard) (adaptor may be required)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3.4 hrs.
Other: Webcam with intrgrated digital microphone; 10-key number pad; multi-gesture touchpad; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5087
$474.99
With its single-core 2.3 GHz AMD V Series V140 chip, the Satellite C655D-S5085 includes a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 3 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S5088
$479.99
Sporting a dual-core 2.2 GHz AMD Athlon II P340, the Satellite C655D-S5088 offers a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 500 GB internal SATA drive, and 4 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Toshiba Satellite C655-S5090
$479.99
The C655-S5090 runs on a single-core 2.2 GHz Intel Celeron 900 processor (1 MB level-2 cache, 800 MHz frontside bus) and comes configured with a 15.6" (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 3 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Features
Graphics: Intel HD
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 2 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 4-in-1 media card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, MultiMediaCard, Mini SD)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery, up to 3 hrs., 34 mins.
Other: 1.3 megapixel Webcam; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 64-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium

Toshiba Satellite C655D-S50851

$459.99
Running a single-core 2.3 GHz AMD V Series V140 chip, the Satellite C655D-S50851 includes a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 320 GB internal SATA drive, and 2 GB DDR3 memory. It weighs 5.5 lbs.

Toshiba Satellite L455D-S5976
$426.99
The Satellite L455D-S5976 is powered by a single-core 2.1 GHz AMD Sempron SI-42 chip. Weighing in at 5.78 lbs., it offers a 15.6" HD (1,366 x 768) widescreen display, 250 GB internal SATA drive, and 2 GB DDR2 memory. It weighs 5.78 lbs.

Features
Graphics: ATI Radeon 3100
Networking/Wireless: 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, 10/100 LAN
Connectivity: 3 USB 2.0 ports
Display Ports: VGA
Optical Drive: CD/DVD±R DL
Card Reader: 5-in-1 shared memory card reader (Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, MultiMediaCard) (adaptor may be required)
Battery: 6 cell lithium ion battery
Other: Webcam with integrated digital microphone; Energy Star

Software
Operating System: 32-bit Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium