Gateway NV77H05u

Gateway NV77H05u

Budget laptops are made to get you through day-to-day tasks. But in order to keep prices low, budget systems often have to cut out features, add extraneous software to the hard drive, or equip the system with lower-end components. Case in point: the Gateway NV77H05u ($629.99 list at Office Depot). This system comes equipped with an Intel Core i3 CPU, is encased in a plastic chassis, and has few features; for just $20 more, you can upgrade to the Editors' Choice Asus U56E-BBL5 ($649.99 list, 4 stars) with a faster Core i5 processor, sleek aluminum chassis, and features that include Wireless Display 2.0 (WiDi 2.0), WiMAX 3G broadband, and 7 hours of battery life. Despite its plastic chassis, the NV77H05u's exterior really pops: the bold red lid has a pattern of tiny copper diamond shapes that gives the whole design a rather regal look. However, its aluminum-covered counterparts, like the Asus U56E-BBL5 and Lenovo IdeaPad V570-1066A9U ($629.99 list, 4 stars), will offer more protection, a cooler surface, and a sleek, luxurious look. The NV77H05u weighs 6.46 pounds, which is expected for its size. Typically, 17-inch laptops aren't taken on trips, unless by trips you mean you carry it from one spot within your house to another.