The addition of an HD-DVD-ROM puts this new P200 in a whole new class, and the implementation of the latest Centrino platform gives it a touch more power and battery life, too.

It may call itself a gemstone, but the 5920G (302G20N) more closely resembles a diamond in the rough. Those who are willing to chip away at the ugly exterior will be pleased by what they find inside.

Sturdy, speedy and yet simple, the F3Sv has some perks, but mainly it just gets the job done. The TV tuner is a nice addition and so is the DVI port. If you're after a unit that will run a wide array of applications without too much pizzazz, the F3Sv is a good choice.

We don't feel that SideShow is the be all and end all of what this LG R200 has to offer, but it is a handy device if you set it up well. Beyond that the R200 is an incredibly portable unit with good battery life and enough grunt to get you by.

All up, the S430 is an inexpensive option for users who want to run simple tasks. Its performance was sluggish in our tests, and we found the keyboard to be a little hit-and-miss, but it's a suitable unit for browsing the Web and working on not-too-CPU-intensive office documents.

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.

While it might not quite resurrect a dying breed, the A9 (PTS52A-00V00F) proves that big old-fashioned business notebooks still have a worthy place in the ultra-mobile world. Worth investing in.

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.

As a multi-purpose business notebook, the Lenovo 3000 V200 performs admirably well in almost every area. However, those after a highly portable unit are likely to find themselves a little weighed down.

Although the Panasonic Toughbook CF-W5 is not the most stylish or powerful machine, it does offer some good battery life and should take a few knocks without any trouble. However, for the premium price it is short on ports and other features, a disappointment despite the advantages of its rugged design.

The VAIO VGN-CR13G is a reasonably solid, if unspectacular, notebook that features a lovely design and reasonable specifications. A decent choice if you are after an all-purpose machine.

A worthy alternative to Toshiba's flagship G40, the Qosmio F40 is a well built and useful entertainment machine.