100 Expert Windows Tips
Climb the steps all the way to Windows guru status with our invaluable selection of tips and shortcuts for XP and Vista.
Acer TravelMate TM6292-302G16N
This notebook is the winner of our Light Laptops roundup. It's solid in every area rather than outstanding in one, and very attractively priced.
Asus P5E-VM HDMI
An HDMI-equipped board ideal for small media-centre systems
Asus U6S-2P025G
A great set of features and plenty of power, but the price is very high for this ultraportable.
BitDefender Total Security 2008
A highly usable all-round security suite, but ultimately a strong runner-up rather than a new champion.
Broadband diagnostic tools
Find out how fast your broadband connection really is – and how to get the most from it – with these essential tools.
Buffalo DriveStation TurboUSB
Buffalo Ministation TurboUSB
BullGuard Internet Security 8
A friendly suite for the less-experienced user, but technical types may find it limiting.
Can you be arrested for "online" theft or murder?
Can 'crimes' committed online, such as theft or murder, get you in trouble with the police? Davey Winder investigates.
Canon Digital Ixus 960 IS
A superbly easy-to-use and feature-laden compact camera that’s well worth the price. Same titanium shell as before, with a lowlight ability.
Canon Digital Ixus 960 IS
A superbly easy-to-use and feature-laden compact camera that’s well worth the price.
Canon HG10
Canon’s first hard disk-based AVCHD camcorder gets it mostly right, with a good level of features and the best image quality we’ve yet seen from the format.
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite x4
Improved handling of templates, tracing, text and layers along with new table support, but ultimately X4 disappoints
Dell UltraSharp 3008WFP, sutnning big screen for games, movies
A stunning and feature-rich LCD, but there are a few issues with the panel itself
External Hard Disks
External hard disks are a great way to add storage. We test 13, from sub-$130 portable drives to mighty terabyte desktop units.
Freecom HardDrive Pro
Freecom HardDrive Pro
Gears of War for Windows
A much-hyped console epic comes to the PC, but unlike others that have made the move this deserves its press.
Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT, is new ultimate mid-range card
The 9600 GT redefines the mainstream graphics market, offering high-end power at a mid-range price. At this price we want one.
HP Compaq 2510p
A light and well-built business choice, but despite the low-voltage CPU the battery life disappoints
Iomega Desktop Hard Drive
Iomega Red eGo
JVC Everio GZ-HD3
A great value camcorder that’s capable of some decent results.
LaCie Hard Disk
LaCie Little Disk
Lenovo IdeaPad Y510-200, not like a Volvo
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.
Lenovo ThinkPad X300
A new way forward for ultraportables, combining an incredible low weight with unrivalled ergonomic excellence
Light Laptops Group Test
Portability is key for these light laptops. We test six featherweights from just $1486 to more than $2500.
Linksys Media Center Extender DMA2200
It's a close race between this draft-n Vista Media Extender and the Xbox 360 for getting HD video to your TV. If you watch video from your Vista PC, read on.
Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini
A clever, convenient little drive that you can carry around with you in your pocket.
MSI PR200
Disappointing ergonomics, but the blend of power and battery life makes it very good value.
MSI X48 Platinum
Big, brash and versatile, but for top-end PCs only. Enthusiasts will love it.
Net Meter
This recommended broadband tool earns our respect and takes labs honours.
Nokia N810 Internet Tablet
A stylish mobile way to access the web, but it’s crying out for mobile data capability.
Penumbra: Overture & Black Plague
A creepy, original and innovative horror adventure. Also, Frictional Games has fixed the weird control system.
Seagate FreeAgent Go
We were unconvinced by the orange and brown livery of Seagate’s towering desktop drive, but for the miniature version the company has toned things down. It’s still brown, but the orange glow is restricted to the front of the unit and its simple low-profile shape is far easier to like.
Seagate FreeAgent Pro
Several manufacturers this month have sought to distinguish their products through design. None, however, has gone so far as Seagate to challenge our expectations of an external hard disk.
Sennheiser PXC 350 NoiseGard Advance
Sound quality is crisp, with a deep, tuneful lower end and, despite questionable looks.
SG TCP Optmizer
Optimize your broadband connection with this handy freeware application, even if you use Vista.
Smokeping
A latency monitor that can generate handy graphs about your broadband connection.
Sony VAIO VGN-SZ56GNB
Fast, stylish and crammed with features, but you’ll need a fat wallet to afford it
Speedtest.net
Use the power of servers scattered all over the world to your advantage.
Tabula Rasa
The man behind Ultima tries to reinvent the online RPG and partially succeeds with this robust MMO.
Thecus N299
A useful little NAS box with plenty of features and a compelling price.
Toshiba Satellite U300
Powerful and well featured, but the ergonomics and battery life let it down.
Toshiba USB Mini Hard Drive
VoIP Test
A handy application that simulates a real VoIP call to diagnose your broadband problems.
Wacom Cintiq 12WX
A splendid bit of design that will please the most commited enthusiast, and a godsend for artists on a budget.
Western Digital MyBook Studio Edition
A solid, assured drive with plenty of interfaces and enough style to justify the price.