Toshiba’s Qosmio F50 is ideal for multimedia, but it is also well suited as an all-purpose notebook. If you can live with the glossy display, there is plenty to like about this unit and it has performance to match its looks.

This notebook ticks pretty much every box: style, speed, connectivity (including Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth and 802.11a/g/n Wi-Fi) and usability. It packs in plenty of business-friendly features, including a smartcard reader and a fingerprint scanner. It isn't cheap, but if you're after a business notebook and aren't in the market for an ultraportable the Latitude E6400 may well be worth it. Besides, Accounts will pay for it right?

If you can't fork out the extra $500 for the fully featured ASUS F8Va and still want decent performance in an attractive design then the BenQ Joybook S42-PE01 is worth looking at. It might not have all the bells and whistles, but for this price point it certainly has a lot.

Although it isn't a bad unit in its own right, the Fujitsu doesn't shine as well as it should given its budget competitors and high price point. If you're looking for a unit that has a great touch screen, a fast Intel Atom processor and great connectivity, you're probably better off waiting a month until the upgraded 3G model reaches Australia.

This is a powerful mid-range all-purpose notebook that is well worth looking at, as long as you can stand carting around a 3kg laptop.

The Toshiba Satellite Pro A300 is a unit that sits comfortably between the entry-level and mid-range notebook categories, featuring an excellent range of expansion ports and decent performance when balanced against its price tag. What lets it down is the dull design.

It's fast and not overly expensive compared to other gaming laptops, but almost everyone who saw this thing commented on how ugly it looks. Take a look at the pics and judge for yourself.

For users wanting more than just a notebook, this tablet-convertible PC is well-priced and does a very good job of recognising handwriting, whether cursive or printed. But its battery life is no good at all.

A big screen resolution, fast performance and a stylish design make this notebook a fine choice for home and business use — and even for some gaming.

They've finally done it — the Sony VAIO VGN-Z16GN/B is a great mix of power and style for those who can swallow the $2999 price tag. Users will just have to make sure they treat it carefully, especially when dealing with the screen.

Apple’s greenest notebook ever is also one of its best. The MacBook Pro is overpriced, but you certainly get a powerful and exquisitely designed machine for your hard-earned cash. It’s not perfect, but using it is a largely positive experience on the whole.

The U400 is a good size for travellers, has plenty of connectivity and good speed, and it's also well priced, but its battery life is short.