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laptop : Just like netbooks, slim laptops in the 13-inch to 14-inch range tend to be slightly underpowered compared to their larger 15-inch siblings. However, this is certainly not the case with the HP Envy 14 as it offers the ability to scale all the way up to a quad-core processor. Even its standard components are better than other laptops in its class, with an Intel Core i5 450M processor and a larger 14.5-inch glass covered display. With 4GB of memory and 500GB of storage it is very stable.

However, what really marks it apart from the rest is its ATI Radeon HD 5650 discrete graphics that is mid-range gaming model in its own right. Coupled together with an upper scale 1600 x 900 pixel resolution and the larger glass covered display and you get awesome graphics both for 720p HD video as well as excellent gaming performance. Rounding up great graphics and a fast processor with a Beats Audio system, the laptop sounds as good as it looks.

In terms of design, the HP Envy 14 is a bit larger than the average 14-inch laptop but this means that there’s a lot more space for the LED back-lit keyboard. This makes it much more comfortable to use. Using an anodized aluminum chassis, the laptop is slim and tough. The chassis is silver gray while the cover has a textured pattern for better grip. At 5.2 pounds it does weigh a bit more than other 14-inch laptops but it makes up for it by adding in a whole array of features. This includes a slot-load DVD burner, two USB ports, one eSATA/USB combo port, a HDMI port, a mini-DisplayPort and the option for embedded 3G.

Performance-wise the HP Envy 14 definitely packs a punch as it can handle practically any application you throw at it. In terms of battery life, it can last about four hours using the standard graphics and about three hours with the discrete graphics that is quite impressive considering the premium components.

Overall, the HP Envy 14 is an excellent premium-class 14-inch laptop with competent gaming capabilities. Its great display, awesome power and extensive features means that it is mostly unmatched within its class making it ideal for those looking for a great looking premium laptop.

laptop : Sony’s products have always been about premium quality. This usually translates to awesome design and excellent performance at a premium price. However, there are a few Sony products that are the exception to this, featuring the same premium quality design at a more affordable price. The Sony Vaio VPCF12AFM/H thankfully falls into this category as it features Sony’s great sense of design in a 16.4-inch desktop replacement laptop.

Design-wise there’s little to fault the Sony Vaio VPCF12AFM/H with as it features the same thin-and-light form factor with clean-cut lines that other Sony Vaio laptops have. The keyboard follows Sony’s flat-topped chiclet-style keys and has plenty of space including a numeric keypad. The typing experience is very comfortable, as good as any Macbook and should serve number crunching as well as any writer. The keyboard keys are also backlit so you can type in comfort even in the dark. The touch pad is equally comfortable with some multi-gesture support as well.

The Sony Vaio VPCF12AFM/H is powered by an Intel Core i3 processor with 4GB of DDR3 memory allowing you to run any office application or spreadsheet with ease. However the laptop only offers an NVIDIA GT 310M discrete graphics so you are limited to light to mid-range gaming but this should be enough for most of the newer games with some tweaking. The laptop also comes with a Blu-ray combo drive which when coupled with the 16.4 inch screen’s 1600 x 900 pixel resolution allows smooth 720p HD movies. The laptop is loaded with Sony software along with Microsoft Office so you can start using the laptop straight out of the box. The laptop lasts for about two hours and 30 minutes unplugged which is more than enough for most movies and gaming sessions.

All in all, the Sony Vaio VPCF12AFM/H is an impressive ‘value’ Vaio for the desktop replacement crowd as it integrates good performance components into a Sony Vaio laptop without costing too much. It should serve most mainstream users and gamers well, especially those looking for a nicely designed laptop to replace their aging or broken desktop computers.