TechReport takes a look at the Dell's XPS M1210 laptop PC:

As configured, our review system packs the fastest mobile version of the Core 2 Duo processor, the 2.33GHz T7600, which has a 4MB L2 cache and rides on a 667MHz front-side bus. By contrast, the top desktop Core 2 processor runs at 2.93GHz, and all desktop parts get a 1066MHz bus. Still, the T7600 isn't far off the pace. The other heavy hitter in the M1210's specs list is in the hard drive department. The Travelstar 7K100 from Hitachi GST spins its platters at a brisk 7200 RPM, just like most desktop drives. Laptops with 7200-RPM drives are still quite rare, despite the fact that we found little power consumption penalty associated with 7200-RPM mobile drives. Hard drive performance often seems to be the major bottleneck in laptop performance, so I'm pleased to see Dell mating the M1210's fast processor with a hard drive that is its spiritual peer.

Compared to the older laptops we tested, the M1210 offers better performance, with similar battery life, in a smaller package. Partial credit for that accomplishment goes to the latest version of the Centrino Duo platform and the CPU code-named "Merom," whose offshoots have already propelled Intel back into the performance lead in the desktop and server CPU markets, as we've cataloged here and here. The M1210 easily outperformed the Core Duo-based ThinkPad T60 across the board in our tests, despite having the exact same Intel 945GM chipset and slower memory than the T60. Its 7200-RPM hard drive deserves some of the glory, but the star of the show is undoubtedly the Core 2 Duo. Even the Intel integrated graphics core's performance was enhanced thanks to the Core 2 Duo's vertex shading prowess.

The one big drawback of the M1210 is its LCD's limited color contrast. Like I've said, you may not notice it in everyday use, but if you do a lot of photo editing or graphic design work on your PC-or if you're just picky and inordinately visually oriented like me-you may want to look elsewhere. Many laptop displays have similar limitations, though, so shop around.