Most Powerful Laptop

There are many laptop models and brands available to choose from. But which is the most powerful in terms of functionality? Read on to learn more.

Judging power is never a black or white issue. In the computing world, it becomes even more complicated. You can’t just name a good memory machine and the best processor for a laptop. True computing power is defined by technical hardware and software, matching up to each other. Think about it. However high the processor, if the screen clarity is poor, it becomes unusable. So a perfect blend of features is a good rank of power. But, different uses of the same machine can display its weaknesses. A powerful gaming machine is not a good portable machine and vice versa. So, in our quest to find the most powerful laptop, we look at different categories of usage and which models make the cut.

Most Powerful Laptops – Business Class

Apple MacBook Pro Winter 2011

This Apple offering is loaded with laurels. The best battery life on any laptop. Very powerful CPU makes multitasking and boot up time, super fast. Portable and thin design with impressive screen quality. It is equipped with a backlit keyboard and deep palm rest for good ergonomics. It offers a new Apple technology called Thunderbolt, which allows data transfer between peripherals at a speed of 10 Gbps. Impressed? You should be, it is one most powerful laptop money can buy.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i7 (dual-core)
• 4 GB RAM
• 500GB hard disk
• Intel HD 3000 graphics system
• 13 inch screen
• Weighs 4.5 pounds
• 2 USB 2.0, FireWire 800, SDXC card reader, Thunderbolt
• Price: $1,400

Asus U36JC

A mighty mouse, the U36JC packs a bag of features into a tiny frame. Multitasking and single application performance are excellent, with an average battery life. A thin and all-black design gives it a sleek, angular look.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i5
• 4 GB RAM
• 500 GB hard disk
• Nvidia GeForce 310M + Intel GMA HD (Optimus) graphics
• 13.3 inches screen
• Weighs 3.8 pounds
• 2 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0, SD card reader
• Price: $1,000

Lenovo ThinkPad X201

If you think it, it can be done. This seems to be the ThinkPad X201’s motto. A three-way power combo of processor speed, impressive battery life and a great, ergonomic keyboard system makes it, a most powerful laptop in terms of business and ultra-portability. Then there’s the ThinkVantage, Lenovo’s suite of software and support apps, that are very useful for corporate workers. This machine is worth twice more its price.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i5
• 4 GB RAM
• 320 GB hard disk
• Intel Media Accelerator HD (integrated) graphics
• 12.1 inch screen size
• Weighs 3.8 pounds
• 3 USB 2.0, SD card reader
• Price: $1,000

Toshiba Portege R705

A thin and light shell hides a brainiac of a computing machine. With built in 4G wireless support and the Intel Wireless Display, it has 2 of the latest technology features in the market today. An extremely classy magnesium chassis, gives a business look and feel to this laptop. Weighing just 3.1 pounds, it can easily be the lightest most powerful laptop for corporate use.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i3
• 4 GB RAM
• 500GB hard disk
• Intel GMA HD (integrated) graphics system
• 13.3 inches screen
• Weighs 3.1 pounds
• 3 USB 2.0, SD card reader
• Price: $900

Most Powerful Laptops – Gaming Class

Alienware M17x

The flagship laptop of Alienware packs a mighty gaming punch. It’s considered to be the most powerful gaming laptop available. It has the AlienFx lighting system, which includes a backlit keyboard. At 13 pounds, it is one of the heaviest laptops around. But it has an effective cooling system and good battery life to support its features.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i7
• 6 GB RAM
• 500 GB hard disk
• 17 inch HD screen
• Radeon 1GB graphics system
• 3 USB, 1 firewire port
• Desktop replacement category
• Price: $1,800

Asus G73JH

A simple and clean design hides an mighty gaming engine. Part of the Republic of Gamers series, this model is blessed with a multitude of computing features. Its design is influenced by a stealth aircraft, big in the back, narrowing front. It has managed to bundle impressive hardware into a surprisingly light 7.8 pound body, including a backlit keyboard. Its screen clarity and quiet, running system just add to its favor.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i7
• 6 GB RAM
• 500GB hard disk
• 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics
• 17 inch screen
• 4 USB 2.0, multiformat card reader
• Desktop replacement category
• Price: $1,200

Toshiba Qosmio X505

Toshiba returns to the gaming laptop field with the X505, a high-end heavy performance laptop. It has a Blu-Ray player, a secondary storage drive (64GB) and a 18 inch screen that provides very high resolution and clarity. The powerful processor can handle nearly any computing task and it has a good battery life for its massive 10.4 pounds weight.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i7
• 6 GB RAM
• 320GB hard disk
• 1GB Nvidia GeForce GTS 250M graphics
• 18.4 inch screen
• Desktop replacement category
• 4 USB 2.0, SD card reader, mini-FireWire
• Price: $1800

Most Powerful Laptops – Home and Media Class

Toshiba Satellite A665

Toshiba is a brand that provides features at a competitive price and the Satellite is no exception. It boasts of the Intel Wireless Display, the ability to stream audio and video wirelessly from the laptop to a monitor or HDTV, (Netgear adapter). It has a strong and clean style, with a roomy keyboard and mouse pad. The Harman Kardon sound system on this machine deserves a special mention. Very rarely does a mainstream laptop provide such sound quality. The processor allows for fast and multi tasking performance with an impressive battery life. A good all rounder for home use.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i3
• 4 GB RAM
• 500GB hard disk
• Intel GMA HD graphics system
• 16 inches screen
• Midsize category
• 4 USB 2.0, media card reader
• Price: $800

Sony VAIO EA24

One of the smallest most powerful laptop computers in terms of home use, the VAIO EA offers functionality and performance in a small package. It has a Blu-Ray player and Intel Wireless Display, both good multimedia features. Responsive and spaced out keyboard and mouse system, and Bluetooth connectivity round out its functionality. The RAM is expandable upto 8GB, and at 5 pounds, it is not too heavy to carry out. And all this at a reasonable price!

Specifications:

• Intel Core i3
• 4 GB RAM
• 500 GB hard disk
• Intel GMA HD graphics system
• 14 inch screen size
• Midsize category
• 4 USB 2.0, SD card reader, memory stick reader
• Price: $900

HP Pavilion dm4

This laptop is defined by its speed in performance and multitasking. For those who like quick processing for home use, this is one fast machine. Its physical design seems to back up the whole speed thing, with a sleek and thin metallic body. A strong battery life and an expandable RAM upto 8 GB, is another feather in the dm4’s cap. Some unique points of this HP computer is the fingerprint reader, which is accurate and fast, as well as great screen clarity and brightness.

Specifications:

• Intel core i5
• 4 GB RAM
• 500 GB hard disk
• Intel GMA HD graphics
• 14 inches screen size
• Midsize category
• 3 USB 2.0, SD card reader
• Price: $800

( Prices are approximate and vary according to location and offers available)

Power is also judged by longevity. Whoever lasts the longest, is also the most powerful. Unfortunately, technology doesn’t play by that rule. The attitude in the laptop market can be best summed up as “here today, gone tomorrow”. A powerful laptop today can easily be displaced by the addition of a new technology feature in another laptop. So the lesson here is to give room to growth and carry out good research, before purchasing. Whatever the model or brand, the most powerful laptop for you is one that serves your purpose, and slightly more.