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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

The new model in Benq's V series may just be an evolution, but under the skin there's a power revolution.

Great ergonomics are let down by a few mediocre components and limited portability. But some features will tempt many.

A new Core2 Duo based laptop has found its way into the labs, and from the outset, we like it.

Good features for the price. It’s just not very exciting.

Core 2 Duo laptops are on the way to the top.

The sweet taste of AM2, in the form of an ultraportable powerhouse.

An excellent mid-range laptop for work, but not fun.

Everybody, who hasn’t already got one, wants a decent laptop.

Apple and style are synonymous and the rounded lines and gloss white plastic chassis add to its durability and looks. Its slot-mounting combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW means there are no moving parts to break off in accidents, and serve to provide additional storage space should the comparatively small 30GB hard disk not be enough room for your files.

Dell's reputation at providing reasonably priced capable 'books shines through in the 510M - the cheapest notebook on test this month.