The WinBook N4 2.0 is a strange implementation of the 2.0-GHz P4-M. True, at $2,994 (direct), the system costs significantly less than the Dell unit. But if you're buying a 2.0-GHz P4-M machine, it stands to reason that you're looking for leading-edge performance. Several of the N4's components hold it back.

Namely, the system is hobbled by its 4,200-rpm hard drive and 16MB nVidia GeForce2 Go graphics. The 2.0-GHz Dell bested the N4 on all our tests. Even the 1.2-GHz PIII-M reference machine trounced the N4 on the 3D Graphics WinMark test.

The 15-inch screen is bright but not as crisp as that of the Dell entry. There's no FireWire port and no built-in wireless networking. At least the system comes with Microsoft Windows XP Professional. But pairing the best available CPU with so-so components elsewhere seems to us an unfortunate way to bring the price down. For our money, we'd opt for the 1.6-GHz P4 system that starts at $1,499. You get the same graphics, but the price is more attractive, and you can add the bells and whistles as needed.