The design is impeccable, the build superb and the screen extraordinary, but the price is a huge barrier. We ponder the icon that is the Macbook Pro 17in

It’s not the most powerful, but its games performance and features help the Toshiba A350 stand out in the price bracket for mid-price laptops

Incredibly powerful laptop system, with a few small issues that hold it back from true glory.

It's very, very thin, and very light. MSI’s X340 somehow manages to be sleek, sexy and undesirable all at the same time.

Smells like green spirit, and offers performance at a budget price. The ASUS F6V Green is a laptop with something a little different

Looks and feels great, but a hefty price – once you’ve tweaked its specs – means that rivals offer better value

MSI's Prestige laptop comes with a whole bunch of goodies: how does a wireless mouse, 4GB USB key, leather carrybag and leather stitched lid sound, for starters? And that's before you look under the lid.

Neither fish nor fowl, the N10J nonetheless manages to command both graphics and portability

Another good laptop from Toshiba, but the 12.1in Portégé M800 struggles in such fine company.

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

Lenovo’s diminutive business portable packs in high performance, great battery life and top build quality.

An extremely well built and comfortable machine, blessed with striking looks and a great price.

Apple has given its MacBook Pro a thorough makeover but, for all its charm, it’s still overpriced.

A new design and a fantastic new graphics chip, but this latest offering is as flawed and overpriced as ever.

Sony’s Z-Series is an ultraportable to aspire to, even if there are a couple of areas where it could improve.

Fantastic 3D performance makes the M1730 ideal for gamers – but only those with capacious wallets.

Superb battery life and features, but poor build quality and an uncomfortable keyboard scupper the Lifebook

Great performance, but variable quality and poor battery life harm the U6’s business ambitions

Impressive in several areas, but other laptops offer better features and more performance for less cash.

In a world filled with gorgeous Sony, Apple and even Dell laptops, a sober, matte black machine aimed at consumers has to be truly special to turn heads. The IdeaPad Y430 is a well-built Centrino 2 machine that lacks nothing in the way of features, speed or value