f your head’s spinning trying to choose a new laptop from the myriad offerings currently on the market, then look no further. In an effort to relieve you of the tedious and often madding task of technology research, we’ve done the grunt work for you and compiled a list of the newest and best notebook computers. Rather than numb your mind with a listing of features and specifications, we’ve nailed down the essentials—who makes it, why you need it, what it offers and how much it’s going to cost you. You can thank us later. —Allison Johnston

The Wide Load, Toshiba Qosmio G55-Q802 ($1,549) For those of us tired of squinting while working, investing in Toshiba’s largest-screen laptop might be a good choice. With an 18.4-inch screen, text and images appear larger than life. And while the massive screen is its central feature, the laptop also delivers a surprisingly good battery life (given its size), a unique co-processor system and a superior sound system. The only missing piece? Built in Blu-ray drive.