It's small, affordable and easy to use. Business users will appreciate the fast networking options and the ExpressCard slot. Travellers and students will love its large hard drive capacity and the fact that it's compact but still easy to use.

A capable and solidly built ultraportable that's worth considering. It could use some refinement, but its strong case, built-in DVD burner and long battery life are major positives.

Even if you've never used Linux before, the Linux version of the Eee PC 900 is worth considering. It's more expensive than the Windows XP version, but it does have a larger internal storage capacity, and we feel that it's easier to use.

Physically, it's the same as the Linux version, and it has less storage space, but it does feel a little faster and it's much better suited to playing videos.

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.

The screen may have a poor viewing angle, but the rest of this portable business option is pleasant to use. The LifeBook P8010 may not be as thin as some of its closest competitors but it's still a very portable unit.

The Vostro 1200 is a good choice at a smart price for the travelling business user with good processing power, Wi-Fi connectivity and battery life, despite being let-down by some design issues.

While Ferrari fans are going to want to splurge for the luxury of a true Ferrari sponsored notebook, unlike the cars we can't justify the cost for the performance. The feature-set isn't bad and will get you by if you've got to have the Ferrari name, but the rest of us have no sensible reason to buy this machine at this price.

The Fujitsu Lifebook U1010 3.5G is a great example of the increasingly popular ultra mobile PCs. It's easily held and is comfortable to use while also being extremely portable. If the size and weight weren't enough to get you excited then the addition of 3.5G HSDPA speeds of up to 7.2Mbps should help.

The U3 offers HDMI and eSATA ports, integrated HSDPA and GPS and features a dual graphics setup. Whether or not you are willing to sacrifice an internal optical drive for these features will determine if this stylish ultraportable is for you.

The Acer Aspire 2920-302G25Mn is an ultraportable 're-imagining' of the all-purpose Gemstone series; offering a similar performance in a lightweight package. Provided you can overlook its garish interior, there's plenty to love about this little gem of a performer.

The MacBook Air is a superbly crafted notebook, but this niche product isn't for everyone. Its lack of optical drive, FireWire and Ethernet ports deem it inadequate for power or everyday users. Regardless, it functions well as a secondary device for frequent travellers, or those who require basic, hassle-free computing.