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High level of ruggedness • High-resolution screen option • Multi-touch touch pad • Large amount of upgrades

Battery life could be better

The breadth of upgrades alone make the Latitude 2110 a compelling buy, and the rugged rubber casing will tempt some further. While the battery life isn't on par with the likes of the competition from Asus and Samsung, those who want a throw-about ...

Compact form for a Core i7 system • Lots of included software

Ordinary performance for a Core i7 system • Battery life could be better • Lots of included software

Fujitsu's tiny Core i7 system is all business. Don't expect flashy graphics performance or shiny case designs, but as a spreadsheet-crunching machine with good portability it's highly suitable.

Great performance • Huge screen • Media scroll button on trackpad • Integrated Blu-ray and TV tuner • Massive home entertainment opportunities

Weighs as much as a small hippo • Hinge dropped off during unpacking

There's a lot to the Aspire 8943G; a lot to pay and a lot to like.

Touchscreen • Large comfortable keyboard • Solid performance

Predictably low battery life • TouchPortal is terribly gimmicky

The 5738PZG is a solid enough workhorse of a machine at the asking price. Just don't buy it for the touchscreen ability or the battery life.

Exceptional battery life • Comfortable keyboard

32-bit Windows means the 4GB RAM can't be fully utilised • Touch Portal is still a slow gimmick • Ordinary graphics performance

Acer's 1820PT brings portability and excellent battery life firmly into the convertible tablet space.

Core i5 for under AU$1000 • Good connectivity • Great value

32-bit Windows • 100Mb Ethernet • Battery life could be better

MSI's CR620 is decent. It manages to cram Core i5 into the sub-AU$1000 bracket, something we haven't seen before. Though the battery life could be better, and the choice of 32-bit Windows is just plain odd.

Decent battery life for a sub-AU$1000 laptop • Crapware kept to a minimum • Dual-input system

Vexing red status light • 32-bit Windows • The Core 2 Duo model will get you more flexibility

The ThinkPad Edge 13 is the perfect laptop if all you want is something simple with a decent screen size to get you online. It may be modestly specced, but it's also modestly priced, which makes it a good choice for those who don't expect their laptop ...

Great specs for the price • Good connectivity • Battery life manages to hold up despite the discrete 5470

Build quality feels a little cheap • Hot-air vent on left-hand side • Two USB ports on the rear • Multi-touch touch pad doesn't include right-click tapping

The Dell Inspiron 15R is a fantastic value proposition. While we're a little bit concerned about the plastic-feeling build quality, the amount of power crammed into the machine for the price is impressive.

Fantastic value

Uses 32-bit Windows • No gigabit Ethernet • No Bluetooth • Lid flexes a bit

Samsung has offered a laptop of phenomenal value. The R530 is pleasant to use, although some small niggles like 32-bit Windows and the lack of dedicated home/end keys gets in the way of total enjoyment. Still, we're quite sure anyone who picks up the ...

The Presario CQ62 is a decent, but unexciting laptop that doesn't stand out enough to make it a must-buy system.

Comfortable keyboard

Trackpad sits flush with the wrist rest • Bland style • Average battery life • Better alternatives exist near this price point

The Presario CQ62 is a decent but unexciting laptop that doesn't stand out enough to make it a must-buy system.