Toshiba Satellite P25-S607 (Pentium 4 2.8 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 60 GB HDD)

CNET editors' take

Toshiba was the first to release a notebook with Windows XP Media Center Edition, and now the company has become the second, as well. Though the Satellite 5205-S705 is barely out the door, the company just unveiled its second 17-inch wide-screen model, the Satellite P25-S607. Designed for the dorm room as well as the living room, it updates the Satellite P25-S507 launched on July 1.

Upside: The big, 1,440x900-pixel screen is a great complement to a portable entertainment system with a DVD-R/RW drive, an Nvidia GeForceFX Go5200 accelerator, and Harman Kardon speakers. With a 2.8GHz Pentium 4, 512MB of memory, a 60GB hard drive, and integrated dual-band Wi-Fi, the $2,699 Satellite P25-S607 isn't a half-bad computer, either.

Downside: Like most desktop replacements, the 10-pound P25-S607 is more at home in an entertainment center than on the road. It lacks the subwoofer found on the higher-end Satellite 5205-S705. Finally, Microsoft is still ironing out some of the kinks in its Media Center OS, making it a gamble for now.

Outlook: Available in late July, this convergence notebook may not be a ratings blockbuster just yet. But ultimately, the combination of a big, wide-screen display, a DVD burner, a TV tuner, and the Media Center OS together in a capable desktop replacement could be an enticing option.