Week 4 of NaNoWriMo is about to begin. The home stretch is upon some of us, while others of us are still behind… Anyway, at this point you’re probably either happy with your primary writing computer or are hating it for not being what you need.

Maybe your laptop is too heavy to carry around or too slow to deal with a huge novel file or all the tabs you keep open in Firefox. Is that netbook screen proving too tiny for comfortable editing? That keyboard too shitty for words?

I feel your pain. Trying to find the right computer for writing has consumed much of my writing life. Ever since I started reviewing laptops I’ve become aware of the vast choices available and been exposed to some of the best and most heinous machines in existence.

There is a good laptop for every need. Below are some of my recent favorites. If you don’t see one that fits your needs, let me know what you’re looking for in the comments. You should also check out our Notebook Gift Guide for more favorites.

Ultraportables

These very thin and light laptops fall into two basic categories: affordable ultraportables that don’t cost much and make good companion laptops and traditional ultraportables that are powerful enough to be your only computer and have hefty price tags.

Having a laptop dedicated to just writing is nice, and for that I look to the affordable models. However, if you need a new notebook and have the budget, why not go for one you can carry around everywhere on top of everything else?

HP Pavilion dm1

My top affordable ultraportable right now is the dm1. It has an AMD Fusion processor inside, which means that it performs better than a netbook but won’t be happy with too many heavy duty tasks.

The 11.6 inch display is big enough to fit a good amount of text on screen so both writing and editing will be comfortable. It weighs 3.3 pounds, which is just light enough to carry around all day if you pack light. It’ll last you that long as well.

One nice bonus is the inclusion of Beats Audio, so when you fire up the playlist your music will sound rich, full, and motivating.

Starts at $399 at HP.com.

Ultrabooks

Recently the Windows PC world has decided to join Apple in making super slim and light laptops called Ultrabooks. Right now we’re really liking the Toshiba Portege z835 and the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s. Both are very light and thin, weighing a little more or a little less than a netbook, depending on the configuration, but both bearing 13.3-inch displays.

The Portege has an ultra low voltage Intel Core i5 processor inside, which can handle mainstream tasks easily. If you do something very resource-intensive like edit videos or rock Photoshop for more than just cropping and minor adjustments, then you may be more comfortable with the IdeaPad and the Core i7 CPU inside. But for normal use, the Portege should be plenty of oomph.

Another hallmark of ultrabooks is long battery life. The Toshiba claims 9 hours, the Lenovo 8. We’re still testing them, but it’s been my experience that you can shave about 2 hours off the claimed battery life to calculate what you’d get under normal usage.

Both have comfortable keyboards, but the Portege has an extra that may appeal to those who don’t touch type: backlit keys.

The Toshiba Portege z835 is available for $799 at Best Buy, which is a good price for something this thin and speedy. The Lenovo IdeaPad U300s is hovering around $1,000 – $1,200 right now, but will likely come down as the holiday season gets in full swing.

Samsung Series 9

If a 13.3 inch screen is too big for you, check out this sleek little guy from Samsung. The 11.6-inch Series 9 comes with a Core i3 processor and either a 64GB or 128GB SSD. This ensures you’ll get speedy performance, though if you’re a heavy multitasker it may not be quite powerful enough for your needs.

The Series 9 is made from a strong metal called duralumin that is sturdy but light. The keyboard offers decent tactile feedback and the touchpad won’t get in your way. Due to the size you won’t get a lot of ports. You will get a nice 5 hours of battery life.

This sweet number costs quite a bit of money. However, it comes with a 3 year warranty out of the box, so it’ll be with you that long, at least. If you like the look but need more power, there’s a 13-inch version with better specs.

$1,049 and up at Samsung.com.

Business Notebooks

Don’t skip over this section just because you’re not a corporate type. So-called business laptops are often better for consumers than the stuff you’ll find on the shelf at Best Buy. They’re sturdy, have good keyboards and touchpads, come with a ton of ports, give you robust security options out of the box, and often have useful pre-loaded software.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1

If there’s one thing writers should know about Lenovo’s business laptops it’s that they have the best keyboards around. Even though it looks different from the Lenovo keyboards of old, the new style found on the ThinkPad X1 is just as easy and comfortable to type on as it is attractive. It offers strong tactile feedback, good travel, and just enough dip in the center to keep fingers on the right keys.

The X1 isn’t quite an ultraportable as it weighs 3.8 pounds. Not too heavy, but not super light. It’s also pretty thin, measuring just 0.8 inches thick.

Performance-wise, this is a workhorse machine that can handle Scrivener, MS Office, Firefox, iTunes, and way more without breaking a sweat. Well, not heavy duty games, but you’re here to write, not play WOW.

The only downside to this notebook is a short battery life: around 4 hours of real life usage. You can get an optional battery slice for $150 that will make it last twice as long. However, it adds weight and thickness.

Configurable at Lenovo.com, the ThinkPad X1 starts at $1,199.

HP Probook 5330m

HP has produced some really worthwhile business laptops lately. The ProBook 5330m looks pretty slick for a corporate type thanks to the brushed aluminum casing.

The backlit keyboard is really comfortable to type on and even has a trackpoint, so you can manipulate the mouse without having to move your hands from the keyboard. Inside you’ve got guts powerful enough for mainstream tasks and even some heavy duty stuff.

If you’re concerned about security, this laptop has some heavy-duty options for you. You can register your face for facial login, any of your fingers for one-swipe login, plus add a password. On top of that, you can set it so that not only do you need one or more of these logins, but also a registered Bluetooth device nearby, such as a phone.

It starts at $799 at HP.com.

Mainstream Notebook

Sony VAIO SE

This is another laptop that isn’t an ultraportable, but is designed with portability in mind. It has a 15-inch screen but doesn’t have a 15-inch bulk. For a laptop with this size screen it’s very thin and light, measuring just under an inch thick and weighing 4.4 pounds, making it reasonably mobile.

The screen is not only big, it also has a full HD resolution (1920 x 1080), so you can fit a lot of text on one screen or keep all the different little windows and panels in Scrivener open and still have enough room for your text. It’s also useful for looking at two different windows side by side.

The keyboard is comfortable, though doesn’t have the really strong tactile feedback of a Lenovo. Inside there’s a processor powerful to handle everything up to light video and photo editing and heavy multitasking.

Since it’s such a big system, it probably won’t last more than 5 hours on a charge. However, you can pick up a battery slice that covers and integrates with the bottom of the notebook. This adds some thickness and raises the entire notebook to 5.8 pounds. It’ll get you to 9 hours, though.

It starts at $999 at the Sony store.

MacBooks

You may have noticed a distinct lack of MacBook in any of the categories above. That’s because they deserve their own section.

Many writers swear by their MacBooks and say they can’t write without them. If you’re contemplating a new one or making the switch over from the PC, which should you pick?

MacBook Pro

Don’t be fooled by the “Pro” in the name. The 13-inch model is a pretty basic mainstream laptop at this point, though it is plenty powerful enough for most people.

Thanks to the aluminum casing it’s heavy enough that you will notice it if you carry it around a lot. But it’s not so heavy as to be prohibitive.

The flat keys are well-spaced but don’t dip enough for my tastes. Still, they have a snappy return. And the touchpad is one of the best I’ve ever used, hands-down.

If portability isn’t a concern and you just want a solid, powerful laptop, consider the 15-inch model. Again, because it’s all aluminum it’s going to be on the heavy side. But you’ll get a good keyboard, and nice big screen for editing and writing, and good performance for all your other tasks.

Starts at $1,199 at Apple.com.

MacBook Air

If portability is your main concern then you’re probably eying the MacBook Air. It is wonderfully thin and light and has the same good keyboard and excellent touchpad as the Pro line. You won’t get very many ports, but you will get most of the important ones.

The 11.6-inch model makes a good, but expensive, companion computer. It’s not going to deliver stunning performance, but it’s more powerful than a netbook or even an affordable ultraportable.

The 13.3-inch model is good enough to be a primary computer as it has a good processor and at least a 128GB SSD inside.

You’re going to pay for that power, though. It’s a Mac, so you knew that.

Starts at $999 at Apple.com.

These suggestions represent some of my favorite computers, but I’d love to hear what computers my fellow NaNoWriMo writers are using to get their daily wordcount. Tell us what you love or hate about your computer. What’s your ideal writing machine?

Looking for more tech suggestions for writers? Check out the NaNoWriMo tag over on GottaBeMobile.

NaNoWriMo: Best Notebooks For Writers is a post by K. T. Bradford from Notebooks.com.

Sony announced a couple of updates to their VAIO line aimed at tempting holiday shoppers into the Sony fold. The VAIO S Series boasts a new 15.5-inch model and VAIO F laptops get updated CPUs plus new software for media creation. These powerhouse systems start at $999.

The VAIO S ultraportable line offered HD+ displays and Blu-ray drives in a sleek and thin form factor. Formerly available only with a 13.3-inch screen, now Sony is bringing the same design sensibility to the more mainstream 15.5-inch size dubbed the VAIO SE.

Available with a full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution display, a number pad, Core i5 and Core i7 CPU choices, and AMD Radeon Hybrid HD graphics, this VAIO will make multimedia-loving hearts go pitter patter.

Still less than an inch thick (by a hair), the laptop weighs around 4.4 pounds. Sony claims that the optional sheet battery, which integrates into the bottom of the laptop instead of jutting out, will double battery life.VAIO SE notebooks start at $999.

The 13-inch models have some new options as well. The VAIO SA, SB, and SE now come with second-gen Intel Core i processors. Consumers can choose from Core i3 up to i7. And if you’re feeling patriotic, you can now get a red VAIO SB in addition to white, blue, and pink.

Sony’s VAIO F Series also now comes with second gen Core i processors. Shoppers looking for a laptop to encourage creativity should also take a look at this line as now all models will come with Sony Imagination Studio software, which includes Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum, Sound Forge Audio Studio, and ACID Music Studio. Sony is banking that this suite offers a counter to Apple’s iLife for the Windows market. VAIO F laptops start at $1079.

These refreshed specs are available today in Sony’s online store.

Sony Refreshes VAIO S and F Series Laptops For The Holidays is a post by K. T. Bradford from Notebooks.com.

Sony unveiled the VAIO S notebook this week, a new ultraportable designed to meet the needs of demanding mobile users that don’t want to make the typical sacrifices to get a 13” notebook that’s less than .95” thick and weighs just 3.8 pounds.

The new Sony VAIO S notebooks use 2^nd Gen Intel  Core i5 or Core i7 processors and are designed to compete with the growing number of 13” notebooks like the ThinkPad X1, Portege R830 and MacBook Pro 13”. While the base model doesn’t differentiate too much from the crowd, the inclusion of up to a 1600×900 resolution display and Blu-Ray drive options in the VAIO S models starting at $1,349 sets the VAIO S apart from the competition.

The VAIO S is made with aluminum and magnesium in order to provide a high end look and offer more strength than plastic notebooks. These materials also help the VAIO S weigh in at 3.8 pounds, almost a pound lighter than the MacBook Pro

The Sony VAIO S notebook is also designed keep you productive in a dimly lit setting with a backlit keyboard and a webcam with an Exmor sensor that is designed to work well in low light settings. Additionally, the camera will track your face to keep the image in focus.

On higher end models enjoy the AMD Radeon HD 6630 GPU with 1GB of VRAM. Select configurations allow you to use Hybrid graphics, which will use the integrated Intel GPU when power isn’t needed in order to save battery life. When you are using the integrated graphics, the notebook can send HD content to your TV without any wires thanks to Intel Wireless Display 2.0.

Another nice feature, which we are seeing on more notebooks, like the ThinkPad X1, is the inclusion of an optional sheet style battery that Sony claims will bump your battery life up to 15 hours on one charge. Right now Sony is offering the Sheet battery for $99 at checkout, a pretty good deal.

The Sony VAIO S notebooks start at an affordable $999 for the base model which packs in a Core i5 2^nd Gen processor 4GB RAM and a 500GB hard drive. The entry level specs offer a decent value for the price considering the size and extra features, but the real tantalizing models start at $1,349 with AMD Hybrid graphics options and the 1600x 900 display option.

If you want to go all out, check out the dual SSD Sony VAIO S configurations and the ultra-high-end Sony VAIO Signature Collection S Series which is $2,499.

Sony VAIO S Packs High Res Display an Optical Drive into Tiny Package is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Sony just announced two new tablets, but now a leaked slide indicates that Sony has some interesting plans in line for the VAIO line including an Ultra Mobile PC and a VAIO Slider which could arrive in October.

The Sony VAIO “Ultimate Mobile PC” could be the rumored Sony VAIO Hybrid Notebook which is rumored to include a fast Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge processor and Thunderbolt connectivity. The rumored VAIO Hybrid Notebook is said to connect to an external dock via Thunderbolt to connect an external AMD GPU and a Blu-Ray Drive.

If this Hybrid VAIO Comes to market it will be competing with the MacBook Air, likely in a more powerful Core i5 and Core i7 model, as well as the Samsung 9 Series.

The Sony VAIO Slider looks like it will directly compete with the Samsung 7 Slider as a Windows 7 tablet and may also draw the attention of Eee Pad Transformer fans. This sliding notebook is rumored to have a 9.4″ display and run on the Intel Atom Pine Trail CPU. Rumors point to a $800 pricepoint and an October launch. This device looks like it will compete with the Samsung 7 Slider. If rumors are true, the Freestyle Hybrid PC will run Windows 7.

Sony Slide Leaks MacBook Air Competitor and Sliding Vaio PC is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Taking a page out of the Apple playbook, Sony is redesigning the Sony Retail stores to be more open and inviting. The Los Angeles Sony store is the first to receive the new look with a completely open front of the store and a  new brighter open floor plan. The walls can be slid around and reconfigured so that you have a new experience each time you visit.

More important than the layout, is the fact that you will be able to go hand son with all of the Sony notebooks from the 3D Sony VAIO F, to the bright VAIO CB notebooks; they are all there for you to play with. On top of the various notebooks, there will also be a wide selection of accessories, keyboard skins and colors for you to see.

Sony Store VAIO Display

The ability to touch, feel and test drive the high end, and expensive, Sony notebooks is a big plus since Sony relies on standing out with premium materials and looks. With the prices easily jumping over the $1,000 mark and higher the need for retail stores is stronger for Sony.

Sony Store Headphone Demo Station

In addition to notebooks, we were overjoyed to see the wall of headphones which Sony has installed. When you visit, you can listen to any Sony headphone on a Walkman, or on your own device, to see if it is music to your ears.

The new look launches today in Los Angeles and Sony is celebrating with over 100 prizes including a Sony VAIO notebook. The design will eventually roll out to other Sony Style stores, giving Sony faithful a place to go and try ou the latest goods.

Via Sony Blog

New Sony Stores Let You Play with Notebooks, Try Out Everything is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Sony is looking to take on Apple, Asus and Samsung with several new notebooks and gadgets later his year including a Chrome Notebook and a hybrid notebook with Intel Thunderbolt technology.

Sony Vaio Hybrid with Thunderbolt and external graphics – One of the most interesting additions to the VAIO line could be the yet un-named VAIO Hybrid Notebook which would give current notebooks, including the MacBook Pro, a run for their money.

Sony Insider reports that this unannounced VAIO is an ultraportable weighing in at 1.3kg and packing in a new Intel Core i7 processor, Thunderbolt connectivity, SSD, HDMI, Intel Wireless Display 2.0 and 3D support. Additionally this thin and light would deliver between 8 and 16.5 hours of battery life.

But that’s not what excites us. No, it’s the one more thing that sets this notebook apart and earns it the hybrid label. Reportedly this new VAIO would come with a dock that connects via Intel Thunderbolt and adds an external AMD GPU and a Blu-Ray drive in addition to other common ports in order to extend your functionality and graphical power while at your desk.

Sony VAIO Chrome Notebook – Sony is also working hard on a new VAIO Chrome Notebook which should likely launch later this summer when a full selection of low powered, cloud connected, Chrome notebooks hit. This notebook will look similar to the 11.6″ cr-48 notebook which Google sent out to users in late 2010 with 8 hours of battery life and a weight of 2 pounds. The notebook will come with 3G connectivity and may have Bluetooth and GPS enabled at a later date.

Sony VAIO Google Chrome Notebook Specs:

• Nvidia Tegra 2 (250) platform
• 11.6″ (1366×768) LCD display
• 1 GB of Memory
• 16 GB eMMC (electronic multimedia card)
• Ultra-low power GeForce GPU
• Wireless WAN
• Wide Keyboard (18mm) will be pretty similar to the Google Chrome Cr-48 laptop keyboard
• Dimensions: less than an inch thick at around 19.9 mm; width is at 11.7″ (298 mm) and it is 21.5 cm (8.46″) deep

While we wouldn’t recommend that you hold off on a new computer purchase based on these rumors and the fact that Sony just released a collection of new VAIO notebooks, the prospect of a Chrome Powered VAIO is good since we expect to see numerous offerings this summer, some pre iced as low as $200. As for the Hybrid, we’ll have to wait and see if Sony can bring it to market at a sensible price.

Sony Planning VAIO with Thunderbolt And External GPU, Chrome Notebooks is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

If you’ve been waiting to get a new Sony VAIO notebook until the latest models and processors came out, you’re in luck. Sony has announced that the Sony VAIO F, VAIO S and VAIO C notebooks are now available for purchase in the Sony Style store. Theses new Sony notebooks come in a wide array of colors and include the latest INtel 2nd Generation “Sandy Bridge” processors.

The new notebooks come in an array of sizes and include the incredibly bright neon colors of the Sony VAIO CA and VAIO CB notebooks which were announced juts recently. The new VAIO notebooks available for purchase include the following models. You can click on the links to get more info on each model from our previous coverage, including easy to read features, specs and capabilities.

• Sony VAIO S – 13.3″ – Starting at $969
• Sony VAIO CA – 14″ – Starting at $899
• Sony VAIO CB – 15.5″ Starting at $879
• Sony VAIO F – 16″ 3D – Starting at $1,659

All of these new Sony notebooks use the latest Intel 2nd Generation Core i family of processors which include the graphics chip as a part of the main processor. This means that users get a much nicer graphics and multimedia experience without upgrading to a separate graphics card.

With the new Intel Core i 2nd Generation processors, you should be able to play many mainstream games on these notebooks as well as convert video to playback on your iPhone or other device much faster. Select models have WiDi 2.0 which will allow you to stream tot he big screen without any wires, as long as you have a Wireless Display 2.0 Adapter which retails for about $99.

The Sony VAIO F 3D notebook is a new entrant into the 3D notebook market and in addition to playing back 3D Blu-Ray movies, it can convert 2D HD video into 3D with a push of the 3D button on the VAIO F. This notebook comes with one pair of 3D glasses to get you started.

The Sony VAIO S notebook is a new ultraportable from Sony that packs in Blu-Ray options, high end Intel processors, WiDi and USB 3.0 into a small package. The battery can last up to 15 hours with the optional slice battery.

The Sony VAIO CA and VAIO CB notebooks include capable processors and graphics cards as well as the extras like WiDi 2.0 and can even be configured with an HD screen if you want the option. These notebooks are most well known for the bright orange and bright green finishes, though you can opt for a more toned down black or white.

All of these notebooks area available in the Sony Style store today. Some of these notebooks are still listed as pre-order, but should be available to ship shortly.

Sony VAIO F S and C Notebooks Now Available w/ new Intel Processors is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Sony VAIO S Lands w/ Sandy Bridge & 15 Hr Battery Option, Starts at $970 is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

The Sony VAIO Y series just launched in the US with the latest AMD Fusion processors, but now the Y series has gone global and gained support for an INtel processor option in Italy.

Notebook Italia is reporting that the Sony VAIO YA is essentially the same notebook as the Sony VAIO YB sold here, but instead of a Fusion processor it has an Intel Core i3 processor or if you’re feeling the need for power a Core i5 option. These are not the new Sandy Bridge processors.

Additional specs include 2GB RAM, 320GB storage and a standard 6 hour battery life. The RAM can handle up to 8GB and a longer life 12 hour battery is said to be on the way. The 11.6″ display has a 1366×768 resolution which is a nice fit for a screen this size. The mini notebook will run Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional.

The VAIO YA will run at 649 Euros which is roughly $890 USD, but if Sony decides to bring this mini notebook to the states the price will likely be much more affordable.

Sony VAIO YA 11.6″ Intel Powered UltraPortable Arrives in Italy is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Sony has announced a new line of notebooks this week called the VAIO C series which includes the new 14.4″ Sony VAIO CA notebook. The VAIO CA notebooks come in neon orange and neon green and underneath the bright exterior there are a collection of components optimized for delivering a multimedia experience such as the latest intel Core i processors, Intel Wireless Display 2.0 and discrete graphics options.

Sony VAIO CA Specs:

Powering the VAIO CA notebooks are the Second Generation Intel Core i5  processors with TurboBoost 2.0 which can automatically boost your speed when you need extra power so that you don’t get bogged down waiting for a video to finish rendering or when you need the extra power during a game. The Gaming boost can be amplified with the AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics processor with 1GB RAM that is available on select VAIO CA models. Select models can also be configured with a Blu-Ray player.

The Sony VAIO CA notebooks are available with a 14.4″ display and the option of upgrading to a full HD 1080p display for users who desire a high-resolution monitor. For users who want to share what’s on their screen, the VAIO CA is equipped with Intel Wireless Display 2.0 which can stream your content in 1080P to your HDTV with a separate adapter. The WiDi 2.0 adapters will be available from numerous retailers for around $99.

Sony VAIO CA Features:

Another plus for the VAIO CA is the inclusion of the Sony Imagination Studio Suite 2 VAIO Edition software suite which includes numerous tools for users to get started creating multimedia content. This software package is essentially iLife for PCs with a Sony Vegas™ Movie Studio HD Platinum, Acid Music Studio, Soundforge and more. The Sony VAIO CA also comes with the Adobe Acrobat Standard to round out the out of box experience.

Other cool features include the ability to use your VAIO C series notebook to navigate the menus on your Playstation 3 or BRAVIA HDTV. The VAIO CA notebooks will also come with a backlit keyboard standard for ease of use in low light environments and a HD webcam that is optimized for low light settings.

Sony VAIO CA Price and Availability:

The Sony VAIO CA 14.4″ notebook will be available on March 13th with a starting price of $880 from SonyStyle and from select retailers including ABT Electronics, B&H Photo, Fry’s Electronics, J&R Electronics and MicroCenter.

Sony VAIO CA Gallery:

Sony VAIO CA 14.4″ Notebook Announced w/ 2nd gen Core i5 and WiDi 2.0 is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.