Best family PC

Dell Dimension E510
The Dell Dimension E510, like its progenitor the Dimension 5100, is a well-priced, decently powered option for family computing. Like the Dimension 5100, the E510 adds modern essentials such as a BTX motherboard and a 64-bit CPU that should keep you from having to replace your system for a few years. Plus it's part of Dell's new XPS line of systems with expanded support.

Best gaming PC

Hypersonic Cyclone OCX Limited Edition
The PC-as-sports-car analogy has never been more fitting than with the $4,585 Hypersonic Cyclone OCX Limited Edition. It has the looks, the horsepower, and the price (relatively speaking) of a sexy, souped-up roadster. Indeed, this machine was practically built for racing--or any other games you fancy, even if it ends up as a reach on your wish list.

Best affordable gaming PC

Velocity Micro Gamers' Edge DualX T1300 
Want to take care of the gamer on your gift list while at your local big-box electronics brick-and-mortar store? The Gamer's Edge DualX T1300 represents Velocity Micro's entry into the electronics retail channel. Available in Best Buy retail outlets and online through BestBuy.com, the $1,991 T1300 is a serious gaming machine with an Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT video card and an AMD Athlon 64 3800+ CPU.

Best Media Center PC

Creature Scylla S301

Aptly named for the sea creature of Greek mythology, the Scylla S301 from Creature HTPC is the best high-end home-theater PC we've seen all year. It's a monster of a Media Center system with an equally monstrous $5,400 price tag. But for your money, you get more gear than that in many high-end systems, with bonuses that include a GeForce 7800 GTX video card and 1TB of hard drive space.

Best home desktop-replacement laptop (if money is no object)

Toshiba Qosmio G25 

With a bright 17-inch, wide-screen display; a double-layer DVD drive; and a TV tuner, as well as a full complement of ports and connections, a rocking set of stereo speakers, and a terrific set of multimedia controls, the Toshiba Qosmio G25 delivers the most complete multimedia experience of any laptop we've seen. It's expensive, but we think the Qosmio G25 is well worth the money if you're looking for a premier, all-in-one digital entertainment system that's portable enough to move from room to room.

Best desktop replacement for business

Dell Latitude D810

With excellent performance, very good battery life, and a fairly complete set of business ports and connections, the Latitude D810 is a smart choice for businesses in search of a well-rounded desktop replacement.

Best convertible tablet PC

ThinkPad X41 Tablet  
The ThinkPad X41 Tablet is one of the best ultraportable notebooks on the market, and adding tablet functionality just makes it better. We like the ThinkPad X41 Tablet's small size, corporate-level security features, and lengthy battery life, as well as the comfortable stylus and great screen for handwriting.

Best ultraportable notebook for business

Sony VAIO VGN-TX670P  
The eminently portable VAIO VGN-TX670P gives business users everything they need to stay in touch with the office, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and built-in cellular, in a 2.8-pound notebook. Add to that an 11.1-inch wide-screen display, an integrated double-layer DVD burner with an instant-on player, and extralong battery life, and you have one of the best equipped (and one of the most expensive) ultraportables for business users.