Editor's Note

This week, PC Authority were visited by the review fairy and we were the first in the world to review the ultra-thin and ultra-light Sony Vaio X Series notebook. Daniel Long gives us his first look thoughts on what could well be the world's thinnest notebook.

Yesterday, the PIPE Pacific cable that connects Guam with Sydney was finally put into operation. How does this change broadband in Australia and will your ISP be likely to improve your current data plans? Daniel Long investigates.

In other news on the site, we have more 'Amazing' app suggestions for your iPhone, talk of the next world war being online (see Die Hard 4 if you don't believe us) and Adam Turners excellent analysis of the new Foxtel 'Download' service.

If you're into Pay TV and want more bang for your buck, the optional service might be worth checking out.
In addition, there's more great netbook reviews, and another handy installment in our 'Pick a Flat TV' series.

Enjoy your weekend,

PC Authority

Top Stories This Week

• The multitouch mouse: is this the future of mice?
• Picking the Perfect Home Entertainment Box: Is Foxtel Download worth getting excited about?
• Exclusive First Look Review: Sony's Vaio X might be the thinnest and lightest notebook ever
• Amazing Apps For Your Phone: Score a shopping bargain
• UN warns the next world war will be online
• Orchestra in a SoundDock? Bose's new speaker system rocks to new beat
• Gmail and Yahoo addresses also affected in "industry wide" phishing attack
• Undersea cable ushers in hope for new era of bigger data allowances for Internet users
• How to Pick a Great Flat Screen TV, And Not Get Sucked In By Marketing Hype - HDTV: Resist the need for speed
• Nvidia's best kept secret: Why Intel's Atom CPU may end up redundant

Most Read This Week

• Fake Antivirus: 5 software titles you should definitely NOT install
• Undersea cable ushers in hope for new era of bigger data allowances for Internet users
• Why Samsung's N110 is our new A-List netbook
• Web's Best 50 Free Downloads
• Is the HTC Touch Pro2 the ultimate business smartphone?
• 32 Reasons why PCs are Better than Macs
• Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3
• XP vs. VISTA
• Naked DSL Buyer's Guide
• The 30 best features of Windows 7

News

Top 10 Downloads

1. Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3
2. Apple iTunes 7
3. Adobe Flash Player 9.0.28
4. Adobe Flash Player 9.0.45
5. Camfrog 5.1
6. Everest Ultimate Edition 4.6
7. Codec Finder 5.1
8. Adobe Flash Player 9.0.124
9. vLite 1.1.6
10. LogMeIn Hamachi 1.0.3

Reviews

Kogan's Agora netbook lacks real innovation - but at least there's Linux by Staff writers | October 9, 2009 As one of Australia's few locally designed netbooks, the Kogan Agora lives up to some lofty netbook ideals, but it's sadly ho-hum in too many aspects to be seen as a real netbook contender.		HP's Mini 5101 is another stylish netbook let down by poor battery life by Staff writers | October 9, 2009 Sleek and professional, the Hp Mini 5101 is another attractively pitched netbook that can't shake its very poor battery life. When will manufactuers learn that battery life is all-important to netbook success?
Exclusive First Look Review: Sony's Vaio X might be the thinnest and lightest notebook ever by Daniel Long | October 8, 2009 In a world first, we've managed to get our hands on a review unit of Sony's stunningly thin ultraportable. Most surprisingly, it sports the newest Atom chip from Intel - the Z550 2.0GHz and GMA 500 graphics.		Seagate's FreeAgent Theater is let down by clunky interface and lack of file support by Sasha Muller | October 7, 2009 While it might seem like a good idea, the Seagate FreeAgent Theater is more novelty than useful. And the price point is not as competitive as others in this range.
HP's Pavilion s5180a proves that cheap and cheerful isn't everything by Zara Baxter | October 6, 2009 The HP Pavilion s5180a punches above its weight and provides a welcoming entry point for a starter or low-end upgrade system.

Group Tests

The Nehalem-based xeons are a landmark release, with exceptional performance married to great power.

From Celerons to Core i7s, Semprons to Phenom IIs, David Bayon tests Mainsteam desktop processors and finds the best budget, mid-range and enthusiast (gaming) choice for you.