Notebooks - Reviews

BenQ Joybook S42-PE01

BenQ notebooks have usually been quite attractive to look at. However, as other notebook vendors step up their game in the design stakes, BenQ has had to notch up its performance to stay competitive.

When many people think of 'netbooks' they often picture devices like the ASUS EeePC. Cheap and simple to use, ultraportable notebooks have proven to be a hit thanks to their convenient size, despite their frequent lack of high-end features.

Intel X25-M

Solid-state drives have long been the ‘novelty’ cousin of conventional hard disks thanks to exorbitant prices and inadequate capacities. While Intel’s new X25-M is certainly a killer in terms of performance, the inherent economic issues remain and wi...

Dell Latitude E6400

Dell's Latitude E6400 is a notebook that means business.

Toshiba Qosmio F50

Sporting an attractive gloss black design with chrome edges, Toshiba’s Qosmio F50 simply screams style. It isn’t all about looks, though, as under the hood is a very capable multimedia entertainment machine that is also suited to occasional gaming.

Logitech V450 Nano

Designed specifically for notebooks, the V450 Nano boasts laser precision for smooth curser control and an ergonomic design with rubber side grips. Best of all, this compact mouse has a USB receiver barely larger than a coin.

Toshiba Portege M800 (PPM80A-01900P)

Toshiba has refreshed its Portege M800 with an upgrade following the launch of Intel’s Centrino 2 platform. Its performance and features make it a desirable unit for any mobile professional or student, although at 2.1kg it is slightly heavier than ot...

Toshiba Satellite Pro P300 (PSPCDA-00L00D)

As the desktop replacement notebook market fills up, the Toshiba Satellite Pro P300 (PSPCDA-00L00D) finds itself either matched or outpaced in almost every respect: from aesthetics and performance to multimedia features and value. In fact, the Pro P3...

ASUS M51VA-AS045G

If you’re not looking for a Blu-ray capable unit and you don’t mind a screen that is only average, the ASUS M51VA-AS045G is a notebook that has "future-proofing" written all over it, thanks to an excellent variety of expansion options and strong hard...

Dell Inspiron Mini 9

Weighing only slightly more than 1kg, and measuring only 23.2cm wide and 17cm deep, the 8.9in Inspiron Mini 9 ultraportable "netbook" sure is small. Its dimensions and weight are perfect for travellers and commuters who don't want to lug around anyth...

Parrot PMK5800

Boasting Bluetooth connectivity and the ability to stream mobile phone calls via FM transmission, Parrot’s PMK5800 is a worthwhile solution for hands-free calling in the car. In addition to being a regular hands-free speakerphone, this unit plays mus...

Fujitsu Lifebook E8420

Fujitsu's Lifebook E8420 is a business tool with plenty of useful hardware and software features, and, most importantly, it's fast!

Ultraportable challengers to the MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is Apple's first foray into a crowded ultraportable market that has seen its share of very light, very capable products from companies including Sony, Lenovo, and Fujitsu, among others. Here's a fast look at how they stack up.

BenQ Joybook S41 V18

Alongside the [[prodid:4034]], BenQ's new Joybook S41 (V18) is a pleasant improvement over the previous generation of BenQ notebooks. The new design is considerably more stylish, the components are in the same ilk as any other top-quality vendor on t...