A genuine step forward for the laptop, with unbelievable capabilities for the price, plus an ultra-low weight.

So, the last big name has fallen. HP gave out in April 2008, and both Dell and Toshiba's resistance crumbled by the autumn. But it's taken Sony until the middle of 2009 to produce what it confesses to be a netbook, the VAIO Mini W Series.

Intriguing styling makes this near-silent media-centre PC stand out, but it has its foibles

Great for executives on the move thanks to size and decent battery life, but the missing optical drive disappoints

Great for executives on the move thanks to size and decent battery life, but the missing optical drive disappoints.

Our full guide to saving cash-saving secrets is here, from how to get discounts on PCs, to SIM only phone contracts, the best DSLR cameras deals, and discount licensing from Adobe, Microsoft and others.

Sony 3D TV to go into mass production next year – brace yourselves for an extra dimension to home theatre

Not quite the consumer/business crossover it aims to be, but there’s a lot to like in this clever mix of old-style business laptop and feature-packed modern machine

Since the release of the Eee PC 701, the 'Notebook' has dominated. Easy to use, cheap and able to be left on the coffee table next to the remote, Notebooks are true appliance computing. The choice of which one to buy comes down to personal preference, but it's hard not to prefer those with the best usability. Our rundown of your options covers their performance, battery life, and design.

Gorgeous, expensive and exasperating in equal measure, and yet still desirable despite its myriad faults