In management contexts, mathematical programming is usually used to evaluate a collection of possible alternative courses of action on route to selecting one which is best. Using an application of linear programming known as Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA), a method is described to compare products which vary in excellence along a number of dimensions, and for each of which there might be a number of associated "costs". This paper is illustrated by comparing published benchmarks of notebook computers. Potential uses of a DEA analysis of products might be to assist corporate buyers who may need to reconcile a diversity of present and future uses in one standardised purchase; in competitor analysis; and as a normative model of product excellence against which product purchasing behavior could be compared. compared.