Asus K42F

ASUS K42F

It blows away most other notebooks in every category when it comes to performance, and yet it weighs only five pounds. That’s the power of Intel’s Core i5 processor, the new chip inside the ASUS K42F (starting at $999). This CPU literally provides a turbo boost for mainstream laptops, along with technology that makes this quad-core machine ideal for serious multitasking. And with Intel’s new Graphics Media Accelerator HD inside, this 14-inch machine can easily handle Blu-ray playback and many mainstream games. The K42F picks up fingerprint smudges too easily, and we’re not fans of the narrow touchpad button, but overall it offers incredible power for the price without sacrificing battery life. The first thing you’ll notice about the 13.6 X 9.8 X 1.4-inch K42F is its attractive lid; it features a black finish with a subtle wavy pinstripe pattern. Upon lifting the lid, you’ll find that the finish extends to the base of the system (except for the strip directly north of the keyboard) for a unified look. As with other glossy notebooks, the K42F collects fingerprints and smudges, which detracts from this system’s initial appeal. Some may also be turned off by the plastic casing in an age where metal finishes are becoming all the rage.