The Dell Inspiron 9400 packs a solid set of multimedia features, and when configured with Intel's Core Duo processor, it has enough power to speed through virtually any task, from editing video to playing games.
Sony's desktop-replacement VGN-FE15GP is impressively light and has great battery life, although its overall performance trails behind its dual-core competition.
The Optima Centoris KN offers top performance and above-average battery life. It's a great notebook, if you can live with the lack of certain features and its added bulk.
The LG S1 Express Dual sits at the high end of the new range of Intel Centrino Duo powered notebooks, and it features some decent specs to match its high price.
With a solid array of components, a terrific set of features, and the lightest weight of any laptop its size, Apple's 17-inch MacBook Pro is a power user's dream, but it doesn't come cheap.
If you are planning on buying a new notebook in 2006, you'll more than likely be looking at one with a new computing platform from Intel known as Centrino Duo. Here's what you need to know as well as a first look at some of notebooks that are using the platform at launch.