Coming from a graphics and illustration background, I have always felt much more comfortable with the tools I use in real media (ie: pens, markers, watercolours on paper, cardboard, etc) than with the hardware interfaces I was presented with when desktop publishing swept the industry.

TrueSpace has always led the pack in terms of features as far as Windows 3D animation packages under $2,000 are concerned. Recently, however, the market has become rather crowded, with a powerful upgrade to Ray Dream (reviewed issue 9, p100) and the cut-down version of LightWave 3D (Inspire 3D) both challenging it on features and price.

The HP Mini 1001TU lid has a silver spiraling pattern across the piano black surface, making it the most attractive netbook we’ve seen.

When it comes to cooling, it's all about conductivity and surface area – and these are features the MSI FX5900 has in spades.

The Qbic's front panel is covered in an attractive, although not totally flattering, mirrored surface that conceals all the drives and inputs.

Printer manufacturers have steadily been increasing the number of ink cartridges in their top of the range photo printers on the basis that the more basic colours they have to work with the more precise the overall result.

With its cosmetically enhanced menus and toolbars, Word 2003 is now smoother and prettier, but the bulk of Microsoft's efforts are hidden under the surface. There are a quite a number of enhancements that will appeal to everyone, but the majority of Word's new features are aimed at the corporate market, with support for XML, Smart documents and IRM (Information Rights Management).

The look of the HP Compaq NC6000_106 is pure business with its black casing and silver trim. It's also one of the heavier laptops at 2.9kg.

Cleverly extends Photoshop Elements’ appeal to both digital photo novices and the more experienced

You could fit four of these in the same dimensions of a gargantuan desktop replacement 'laptop'.

Fine for schools, but its protective surface and price limit its appeal

A veritable Swiss Army Knife of a NAS drive, the QNAP TS-119 Turbo NAS has every feature under the sun

The USB port is a great feature, but we’d still choose the Squeezebox.

The Asus U6V simply can’t compete with the new breed of Centrino 2 ultraportables

An older model, but in its day, everything about this set is big and clever. If you’re big and clever too, then you’ll want to get your wallet out

The acclaimed Razer series gets an unconventional design upgrade - different, but it gets our thumbs up.

The mouse from gaming nirvana gets an update.

A phone that's bursting at the seams with extras; possibly too many for its own good.

Sci-fi strategy with a killer twist. Imagine any creature, make it, and send it into battle.