A formidable notebook choice with a classy design. Although it's aimed at the casual user in both price and performance, we still feel that an extra $100 can get you a more powerful Intel-based machine.

The MSI MegaBook EX600 is a solid, but far from outstanding unit. It will handle most basic tasks with ease, but will struggle with more demanding applications.

This system is intended to be a value system when compared to HP's Pavilion range, offering fewer features and slower performance. Unfortunately it isn't priced accordingly.

It's hard to agree with this format as there is little benefit for a lot of work and considerably more noise. It's not that it hasn't been well engineered or that it doesn't produce good results, it's just that it doesn't seem worth it. For the same price you can get an equal performer with less of a heating issue and less bulk. As a desktop replacement it's fine, but as a notebook we're not impressed.

It's a shame to have to minus points from this notebook because of the HD-DVD player, but its limited utility is unavoidable. Otherwise it's a powerful and functional desktop replacement with plenty of media features.

A mixture of smartphone and notebook, this stylish ultraportable from HTC lacks the strengths of either category and will not satisfy business users on the go.

This unit's interesting design and user-friendly Sound FLOW package are let down by a lack of the latest ports.

The Compaq 6730s (FV305PA) is the Dunlop of business notebooks. Like the famous shoe, it's plain, workmanlike and reliable, yet also incredibly dull. If you're on the lookout for a basic business laptop with some gaming capabilities, it will get the job done.

Although the Toshiba Satellite Pro P300 (PSPCDA-00L00D) is a fast system with Toshiba's noteworthy Sleep and Charge USB ports and plenty of hard drive space, the unattractive design and lack of features when compared to similarly priced units mean that you're better off looking elsewhere.