Desktop replacements are one of the largest growing segments in the portable market. These system pack in the features and functions that make them competitive with full sized computers. There are even a lot of specialized multimedia and gaming models. Based on my research and experience, here are the top desktop replacement laptops that use 17-inch and larger screens.
1. Gateway P-7805u FX 17-inch
The biggest draw to desktop replacement computers come from those looking for a mobile gaming platform. With the economy down, value is a key driving force and Gateway has answered. The P-7805u FX is an amazing value for anyone looking for a laptop to play games. It costs just over one thousand dollars yet comes with a number of high performance features such as DDR3, 320GB 7200rpm hard drive and a GeForce 9800M GTS graphics processor. While it isn't going to be the fastest for tasks like video editing, it is more than capable of playing today's games at high resolutions. This is where the only real flaw with the P-7805u FX comes out as the 17-inch screen only runs at 1440x900. Still, for the price it is an outstanding deal.
Read Review
2. Sony VAIO VGN-AW235J/B 18.4-inch
The other major force driving desktop replacements is as a portable media station. Sony's VAIO AW235 is a surprising package from a company that is typically known for its very expensive laptops. For an MSRP of $1699.99, the VAIO AW235 packs in a lot of features for those wanting a high definition media platform. The key feature is the Blu-ray writer drive included in it that allows it to not only read Blu-ray movies but to create data or video Blu-ray discs itself. The 18.4-inch screen also features a full high definition 1920x1080 resolution. It also uses a newer 500GB hard drive to allow for more media to be stored on it. Performance is degraded a bit by the use of DDR2 memory but it doesn't impact the media aspects much.
Read Review
3. HP HDX18-1020us 18.4-inch
HP's HDX18-1020us is also a media or entertainment laptop computer similar to the Sony VAIO AW. In fact, most of the features are nearly identical between the two save for the processor and Blu-ray drive. HP's unit uses an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 versus the Sony's P8600 and it uses a Blu-ray Combo drive instead of a writer like the Sony. With the pricing roughly the same as the Sony VAIO AW, it falls just short of my number 2 position. One advantage the HP HDX does have though is in its peripheral ports. It has four USB 2.0 ports along with an eSATA connector while the Sony only has three USB and no eSATA. For those not needing the ability to write Blu-ray discs this could be the deciding factor between the two.
Read Review
4. ASUS G71G-X1 17-inch
ASUS is not very well known as a laptop company in the US but much of that changed thanks to their Eee netbooks. They also make some very high performance laptops such as the G71G-X1. This is a very high performance 17-inch laptop that is designed for gaming but can be used for much more. Much of this is thanks to the high-end Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 processor. This makes it great for anyone looking for a strong general purpose system. The NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GS graphics give it very strong 3D performance for computer games. The 1920x1200 resolution 17-inch screen is great for PC games or those looking to do some PC graphics. It does use slower DDR2 memory in order to help keep the costs down a bit.
Read Review
5. Lenovo ThinkPad W700 17-inch
Lenovo's ThinkPad W700 is very different from most desktop replacement laptops because it is designed for the serious business user as a mobile workstation. Anyone looking to use a laptop for graphics or designs should seriously consider this unit even though it costs much more than any others on this list. Why? First, there is the 17-inch screen that features one of the widest color gamuts on the market that also has a built-in Pantone color calibration system. Second, Lenovo managed to build a Wacom digitizer below the keyboard. Of course, performance is also outstanding as long as you are willing to carry around the huge power adapter to ensure enough power to run all the components.
Read Review