Best Notebook

HP Pavilion dv2

Until very recently, those lusting after a notebook with a 12-inch display, sturdy build, and ultraportable form factor were expected to shell out close to $2,000. And let's face it; many consumers can't afford to spend that kind of money right now. Feel free to send HP a thank you note for its Pavillion dv2, which will start at just $599 (Update: HP informed us that the Pavilion dv2 will start at $699, not $599). While similarly priced 12- and 13-inch notebooks were annouced at the show, the 3.8 pound and less-than-an-inch thick dv2 feels nothing like a budget notebook with its solid lid (available in both black and white) and sturdy construction. It's also quite a looker with a nice glossy surface and attractive etchings on its palm rest.

Enabling it to pull off its affordable price is AMD's new Yukon Platform or Athlon Neo processor which was designed to not break the bank but make notebooks this size exteremely thin (think a netbook type device with a larger screen and more powerful performance). With its 1.6-GHz AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 CPU paired with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3410 graphics the notebook can handle high definition content (an external Blu-ray drive will be avilable) and a good deal of multitasking. Rounding out the impressive notebook is SRS premium sound,  integrated webcam, and support for up to 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drives, and mobile broadband options. HP's dv2 leads the pack of a new type of affordable ultraportable and we expect the other notebook manufacters to follow suit.

Read more » Hands-On Video and Photo Gallery of the HP Pavilion dv2