A superb small laptop that offers plenty of features, power and value for money

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

Is Apple good at design? Usabilty? Both or neither? Also, where has all the Firewire gone? Alex Kidman has been testing Apple's new Macbook and gives his first impressions.

Designed to sit between the low-end Inspiron and high-end XPS families, it comes in 15in and 17in flavours and its target audience could be pretty much anyone: few laptops are as customisable as this.

Despite some odd feature choices, this is an affordable powerhouse of a laptop. A great value mid-range Centrino 2 laptop, as long as you're not worried about battery life.

Sony’s new laptop sports a Blu-ray writer and one of Intel’s latest Penryn processors, but it’s overpriced.

Form and function meet in the middle in one supremely well-made package

Like Volvos of old, Lenovo was a solid, reliable and unexciting name. Up until now. The business-masters have turned out a very desirable, stylish and powerful laptop.

This notebook has been designed with classic Sony style: rounded edges, hidden IO inputs and a sleek widescreen footprint. From a connectivity point of view, this 'book has it all, boasting front-mounted Memory Stick Pro port, iLink 4-pin FireWire port and three USB ports.

While we wait with bated breath for the imminent (or was that eventual?) release of Microsoft Media Centre into Australia, the number of companies cashing in on the media functionality of next generation consumer electronics is growing quickly.

A blisteringly fast processor, strong build and stylish design make this an extremely attractive laptop

With the exception of the badge on the lid, PC Club's Highlander is almost identical to both ModTech's and Targa's offerings.

Solid, but not flashy. However, a great price and decent battery life give it an edge.

A versatile and compact tablet PC with stunning battery life, but we do have a few usability complaints.

One of the cheapest Vista SSD notebooks we've seen yet, though we're surprised by the benchmark results.

An inexpensive laptop that, when it comes to style and quality, more than punches above its weight

A superb package for the price, with plenty of power. Only the unambitious battery life lets it down.

Still one of the best examples of laptop design in the market, but there are compromises

A decent notebook but too expensive for the features on offer.

A decent machine with plenty of power, but it’s not earth shattering in terms of features and value.