By Dappered Technology Correspondent Paul Olson
Read More of Paul’s work at pauldavidolson.com/blog. You’ll probably learn something. I always do.
Apple used to own high-style tech. They were one of the first to wrap a laptop in titanium, they got rid of desk clutter with their iMac line, and they shocked the world with the iPhone. Things have changed. Lately, the big news at Apple is that their new iPhone 4 is cursed. It’s tough to be king.
Not only is Google taking on the iPhone with its Android OS, everybody wants a piece of the stylish laptop market. Here are a few good-looking options:
There’s a lot to like about this HP Pavilion laptop: 4 GB memory, 500 GB hard drive, Windows 7, 14.1-inch screen, and 4 hours of batter life. But the big news is its plaid skin. It’s subtle enough to be awesome, and only $620.
.
I like Acer a lot. They offer great value and great specs. The Acer Aspire TimelineX has similar specs to the HP (just a smaller hard drive – 320 GB instead of 500 GB), but it boasts 8 HOURS of battery life and it’s less than 1 inch thick (the HP above is 1.6″ thick). It you prefer to stay disconnected longer, this Acer laptop has one of the best batteries around. And the brushed aluminum? Hot, but slightly more expensive at $720.
.
Last in the list is this new bamboo-clad laptop from Asus. Note the lack of a cool name. U43JC-X1? Makes no sense. Again, slightly more money to get fairly similar specs. $999 gets you better battery life than the Acer, a big hard drive like the HP, and higher resolution screen. Bad news? It’s currently out of stock. Bamboo, however, is a fast-growing renewable resource. Expect more soon.
What do you think? How do these stack up against the shiny new MacBooks?
It's a smaller select items event, but it's a good selection. True wheelhouse/bestsellers. Shoes, suits,…
On sale outerwear in moleskin, corduroy, and UNIQLO's Pufftech.
Orient's toothy diver just got a GMT addition.
Updated for Fall/Winter 2026. Cost-conscious building blocks of a well dressed wardrobe.
Supporting your team without looking like the fan shop barfed on you. (And saving a…
In person with Nordstrom's foundation blazer from their own tailoring line. Ships and returns for…