Laptops, Netbooks, Notebooks, NetTops, Eee PC, SmartTops, Mobile PC, Tablet PC

The latest TravelMate from Acer doesn’t just look good in its metallic matte-black exterior, it also has a thin bezel that allows for a 14-inch screen in a body that normally holds 13.3-inches of screen real-estate. It has the biggest screen among all the notebooks in this line-up, except its resolution is only 1366×768 pixels. Acer also managed to get the TravelMate 8481G into a nice and slim shell, with a thickness measuring only 22.3mm. This little black machine also features an Nvidia discrete graphics card for added gaming performance. The solid construction of the entire machine is only let down by the incredible amount of flex in its island-style keyboard.

Dell reckons the Alienware M18x is the most powerful gaming laptop on the planet. This 5.4kg beast runs Windows 7 Home Premium and has an I8.4in screen, 8GB of DDR3 RAM (although you get only 4GB with the base £1,699 model), an Intel Core i7-2630M processor, either a terabyte (TB) or 1.5TB of storage and an nVidia GeForce GTX 460M with 1.5GB of video RAM.

The M18x’s huge screen supports a top resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, while an HDMI port makes this laptop ideal for general entertainment duties such as DVD playback as well as frantic gaming sessions. There are two USB 3.0 ports, so you can very quickly archive off everything to a high-speed external drive and free up some space, should the need ever arise. The 1.3Mp webcam is one of few standard specifications on this extraordinary Alienware laptop.

Dell has created a following for its ultraportable Inspiron Z laptops. The 14z has a 1366×768-pixel screen, a choice of Core i3 and i5 processors and focuses on connectedness on the go. In a home Wi-Fi environment, Dell Stage kicks in to automatically synchronize music, photos and messages.

Content can be called up on any Dell Stage-supported device. Bluetooth, USB 3.0, a webcam and a multiformat card reader mark out the Dell as a high-quality home laptop.

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Most of the time, a Fujitsu laptop means a no-nonsense portable computer that gets the job done no matter what. The glossy black Fujitsu SH761 is no different. It looks professional and its build is extremely solid, with no creaking parts whatsoever. It’s small and lightweight at a respectable 1.6Kg, and even then, has space for an optical drive. This slinky little machine also features an Nvidia 520M discrete graphics card for a slight improvement in gaming performance. Another feature which we really like is the touch-enabled scrolling pad that lets you scroll in all directions.

We’re not surprised to see the Lenovo IdeaPad G570 here – only a few issues ago; it earned a thoroughly deserved Best Value award. But whereas last time we reviewed a basic, no-frills model, this time Lenovo has sent us something tastier.

The familiar Core i3-2310M processor takes center-stage, but Lenovo has pushed up the price and added a few extras. There’s now a generous 6GB of memory, and the 640GB hard disk is a welcome sight for the more download-hungry user. Even more impressive, though, is the fact that Lenovo has squeezed in a Blu-ray reader and dedicated ATI graphics.

As well as these additions, all the best features remain intact. The keyboard remains one of the best you’ll find on any budget model: concave Scrabble-tile keys grip the fingers nicely, and the positive action makes for responsive typing. The touchpad is similarly fuss-free, with discrete, clicky buttons, and a wide multitouch surface that makes for accurate cursor control. Read the rest of this entry »

Given its specification, it’s a surprise that the Acer Aspire Ethos 5943G is so affordable. With a Core i5 processor, Blu-ray drive and dedicated graphics, it easily looks the best on paper of all the laptops here. The reason it’s so cheap is simple: unlike the competition, this one’s from Acer’s last-season range.

The first giveaway is the Core i5-460M, one of the first-generation Intel Core processors. Still, that’s no bad thing. While the latest Core i3 chips have come on leaps and bounds, this is still a more powerful chip than the lot of them – as a result of 0.63 in our Real World Benchmarks shows. Read the rest of this entry »

The black-brushed, 1.35Kg-light, Duralumin-clad Samsung Series 9 definitely strikes us as thin, light and sexy from the moment we laid eyes on it. Duralumin is an alloy used primarily on fighter jets to keep them light and tough, just like on the Series 9. Out of all the Windows-powered notebooks tested, its trackpad is also the biggest and the most comfortable to use. Like the MacBook Air it is competing with, it also sports an SSD that supercharges performance. However it’s a pity it only comes in black. Ports are hidden and can easily be accessed on the side of the machine. The one odd addition to this machine: A Micro-SD card slot.

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The very professional-looking HP Elitebook 2560p has everything you need (including DVD-drive) built into a relatively small body. Its metallic exterior and interior doesn’t just look pretty, but makes the machine feel extremely solid and rugged. Like previous generations of HP business notebooks, the Elitebook 2560p is built like a tank, both inside and out. Solid metal lines the palm rest, which also helps with dispersing heat. Our favorite part of the machine is the keyboard. The chiclet-style design not only features wide spacing in between buttons, but also a rigidity in the keys that appeals to us greatly, making this our favorite keyboard out of the whole bunch.

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While Intel’s Sandy Bridge technology faced some obstacles right out of the blocks with faulty hardware that necessitated a recall, the problem’s now fixed, with numerous laptop makers all jumping in with offerings of their own. In this review, we take on Fujitsu’s S-series 13.3-inch LifeBook SH561.

Aesthetically, the SH561 is clad in “Urban White” for the most part, save for its base unit that’s adorned in black. The lid sports pin-striped etchings with Fujitsu’s infinity Mark brandished in silver. Generally, the SH561 offers a durable build with little flex on the wrist-rest. At 1.75kg, this baby is also highly portable considering it packs a DVD drive as well. Read the rest of this entry »

With rivals sporting Blu-ray drives, dedicated graphics and other novelties, the Acer Aspire TimelineX 4830T seems rather ordinary. Spend some time actually using this Min laptop, however, and it’s clearly anything hut.

It’s very good-looking. The blue lid is infused with a hint of turquoise, and crisp lines are complimented by a smattering of silver and black on the inside. For a budget laptop, it’s gorgeous; by any other standards, it’s still smart.

It isn’t quite as light as the other I4in laptop in this group, HP’s Pavilion dm4, but at only 2.03kg we wouldn’t baulk at carrying it around regularly. We only wish it was sturdier. Pressure on the lid quickly shows through onto the LCD panel, and there’s the slightest hint of bounce in the wristrest. We’d invest in a padded laptop bag to keep it in good nick. Read the rest of this entry »

Finished in black and brown, Lenovo’s IdeaPad S205 is unlikely to set anyone’s heart aflutter. It has the same AMD E-350 processor as its 11,6in rivals, backed up by 4GB of memory and a 500GB hard disk.

At 1.42kg, it’s the lightest model in this month’s Labs, but that’s reflected in the build quality. The slender base flexes to and fro when tugged upon, and it lacks the more substantial feel of the others here. Given the excellent stamina – it boasts 6hrs 50mins of light-use battery life – we’d keep it in a padded sleeve when on the move.

While the keyboard is typically excellent, and the little touchpad works well, the display is disappointing. It’s dim, and images look pale and unnatural.

At this price, we’d usually suffer a few faults. As it stands, though, the HP isn’t just prettier; it’s the better all-round choice.

As the largest laptop on test, Samsung’s RV720 cuts an imposing figure. But despite its huge 17.3in display and generous specification, it comes with a much more compact price: a very reasonable £464 inc VAT.

With exactly the same design as the smaller RV520, the RV720 is a lovely looking laptop. The textured black and silver lid is as sleek as ever, and the strip of glossy black pooling around the keyboard adds a flourish on the inside. There’s no getting away from the all-plastic construction, and the size means there’s a little more flex in the chassis, but it isn’t bad for the money.

One glance at the keyboard is all you need to see that Samsung has failed to capitalize on the extra space. It’s exactly the same as that of the RV520, which means the same slightly hollow feel to each tap of the finger, but the light key action and wide expanse of the wristrest more than make amends. Read the rest of this entry »

Lenovo bills the X1 as the thinnest ThinkPad yet. At around 23mm, it’s still a little chunky compared to other ultraportable. It’s built for speed and durability, and the Windows 7 Professional operating system reveals Lenovo’s intended business audience.

Two processor options are on the table, with the XI available with either a 2.1GHz Intel Core 13-2310M or 2.5GHz Core i5-2520M. We tested the latter, with 4GB of memory and a 320GB hard drive.

Using the built-in battery, the ThinkPad XI lasted for 4 hours 6 minutes in MobileMarK 2007; with the extra 36Wh pack, it managed 8 hrs 11 mins. Read the rest of this entry »

HP’S surprising partnership with hip-hop producer Dr Dre has bumped it up in the cool stakes, and brought some much-needed quality to the beleaguered world of laptop speakers. While HP’s mid-range multimedia DV7-6103ea isn’t quite as sleek as the company’s Envy range, it has pilfered the same design finesse and also comes with the superior Beats Audio experience.

Taking a leaf from the Envy range, this laptop is solidly built and looks great. The burnished gunmetal finish gives a great streaky effect, adorning the top of the lid and surrounding the Chiclet keyboard. Shame it’s only plastic but, at 3kg, it feels sturdy enough. Read the rest of this entry »

Advents Monza E1 is an eye-catching machine aimed at first-time buyers. Despite offering a decent specification for the price, though, it is undermined by poor performance and flawed usability.

With its bright red lid and palm rest, the chassis looks great and the textured plastic finish and mock brushed-aluminum panels set it apart from the glut of plain black laptops on the market.

The lid and main panels all feel firm and there are no noticeably weak points on the chassis. At 2.5kg this is a laptop built for use at home, rather than on the move though. This was highlighted by the awful 107-minute battery life, meaning there’s not even enough power to watch a full movie. Read the rest of this entry »

Medion’s Erazer X6815 is a powerful and impressive all-round laptop with more than enough punch for your pound, thanks to the inclusion of Intel’s sophisticated second-generation Core i 7 processor.

Gamers are the intended audience, which is obvious from the included GeForce GT S55M graphics card. Despite the powerful components, Medion has kept the price down to £699, and at this price it’s an absolute steal.

Unfortunately there are some build concessions. For a 15.6-inch laptop, the ERAZER is quite the chubbster. At 2.7Kg and with a 37mm chassis, its heavy compared to other models of the same size, although it’s still compact enough to carry around without breaking your back in the process. Read the rest of this entry »

HP’s Pavilion dm4 is by tar this month’s cheapest laptop at £560, but you wouldn’t know it from the outside. The streaked design makes it a classy affair, and build quality is reasonable – we found little give in the wristrest or the lid, so we’d be happy carrying this laptop around.

We’ve few complaints about the keyboard and trackpad, either. The former mixes a sensible, well-spaced layout with a fine key action, and the latter’s burtons are reassuringly clicky and responsive.

Ami thankfully, when it comes to stamina, price isn’t a huge factor. The HP’s 5,225mAh battery lasted for 7hrs 23mins in our light-use test, putting it in a respectable seventh place. That’s enough for a good stretch away from the mains. Read the rest of this entry »

With a dull-grey plastic exterior, the 5750G doesn’t initially excite, but inside lurks a powerhouse. Acer has crammed in a Core i7 processor alongside 8GB of RAM and a 750GB hard disk. That makes for serious desktop performance, and NVidia’s GeForce GT 540M chipset also delivers enough power to run our test at 33fps.

High-end specs on the cheap take their toll, however. Plasticity build is the first compromise, and the display’s 1,366 x 768 resolution and dim brightness levels make a poor partner for the power on offer. If all you crave is power then the Acer is hard to beat, but others here strike a far better balance.

Among the more stylish laptops lure, the FX720 looks ordinary and feels unremarkable. The textured black pasties give a hollow feel to the base and leave the lid flexing too easily.

The keyboard’s square keys don’t give much in the way of feedback, and the bounce in the base lends a lightweight, rank feel. The loud but rough speakers, meanwhile, are merely competent.

The 17.3tn display improves things, however, with a 308:1 contrast ratio and accurate colour reproduction. Performance is equally sound, thanks to the Core i.5 processor and Nvidia graphics within. It’s undeniably rough around the edges, but at this price the FX720 majors on value.

After a brief trip back to HP’s design team, the dv7 has emerged resplendent. A slick of brushed metal stretches across its lid and keyboard, and the splashes of black and silver look stunning,

HP has also addressed our main complaint by giving the touchpad dedicated buttons. It transforms how the dv7 feels in use and makes a better bedfellow for the spacious keyboard.

The Intel Core i5 processor and AMI graphics deliver healthy power, and a huge 17.3in display, good speakers and a Blu-ray reader make for a formidable entertainment laptop. The only disappointment is the display quality; it literally pales in comparison to some of its rivals.