Laptops

Samsung R520

The 15.6-inch R520 desktop-replacement laptop is well worth a look if you're seeking a budget machine primarily intended for handling productivity tasks at home. Its graphics capability could be better, but it offers decent overall performance, a great keyboard and good battery life

Editor's rating 7.2

HP Pavilion dv3-2230ea preview

The 13.3-inch Pavilion dv3-2230ea entertainment laptop could probably do with a more powerful GPU, but it compensates for this with a feature that, for the moment, makes it unique: its multi-touch display. It's also relatively portable and should prove a solid performer, offering decent value for money overall

User rating 8.0

Toshiba Satellite A500

The 16-inch Satellite A500 caters well to those who have a limited budget but still want a machine that will let them watch movies, listen to music and play the odd game. Its screen could do with a higher resolution, but it feels bomb-proof, it's pretty speedy and it looks fairly attractive

Editor's rating 7.0

Dell Inspiron 11z

The mid-range Inspiron 11z ultra-portable laptop that we were given to review proved a capable machine. Its trackpad was poor, but its ultra-low-voltage processor delivered better performance than that of more expensive ULV laptops, and its 11.6-inch screen was great

User rating 3.0

Editor's rating 5.0

Sony Vaio CW series (VPCCW1S1E)

The 14-inch Vaio VPCCW1S1E is an excellent entertainment laptop. It looks stylish, its screen handles movies well, and, as usual with Sony machines, its keyboard is very good. It's no slouch in the performance stakes either, offering enough power to satisfy all but the most demanding gamer

Editor's rating 8.0

Apple MacBook (multi-touch white 2009)

Apple has given its plastic entry-level MacBook laptop a small spec bump and a 'unibody' makeover, making it lighter and sturdier than before. The battery isn't user-replaceable now, but will last longer, while the trackpad has been upgraded to the same glass multi-touch design as the MacBook Pros'

Editor's rating 8.5

Samsung R720

With a stylish design and good all-round specification, the 17.3-inch R720 desktop-replacement laptop represents excellent value for money. Its 3D graphics performance isn't particularly brilliant, but it can still handle older titles, so casual gamers will probably be satisfied

Editor's rating 7.7

Toshiba Satellite L550-113

Few heads will be turned by the drab design of the 17.3-inch Satellite L550-113 desktop-replacement laptop, but it's a very capable machine that represents great value for money. Its one relative weak spot is 3D gaming, but you'll be hard-pressed to find better performance at this size and price

Editor's rating 8.0

MSI X600

If you like ostentatious laptops, the 15.6-inch X600 probably isn't for you. This thin-and-light laptop is about as conspicuous as a stealth bomber, but it's a gorgeous specimen nonetheless, and its ultra-low-voltage CPU delivers surprisingly good performance

Editor's rating 8.0

Advent Altro

The 13.3-inch Altro is an unashamed attempt to emulate the MacBook Air. Considering it's almost half the price, it doesn't do too bad a job. Offering 3GB of RAM, strong wireless capabilities and a good keyboard, it's worth a look for those after a relatively cheap thin-and-light laptop

Editor's rating 6.0

MSI GX723

The GX723 desktop-replacement laptop won't thrill your socks off, but it's a solid all-rounder nevertheless. Packing loads of connections, a gaming-capable GPU, and an instant overclocking feature that boosts the laptop's speed by a significant amount, it's worth considering

Editor's rating 6.8

Sony Vaio VGN-FW41E/H

You'll have to fork out a sizeable wad of cash for it, but, if you do, the 16.4-inch Vaio VGN-FW41E/H desktop-replacement laptop will reward you with a swish design, good all-round performance and a large, high-resolution screen. It's an impressive lump of laptop

Editor's rating 7.5

HP Compaq 6735s

Whether its sober design will appeal depends on your tastes, but there's no denying that the 15.4-inch Compaq 6735s is a well-built machine. Its full-size keyboard is comfortable to type on, the matte finish on the screen means it's legible in all lighting conditions, and it's a capable performer too

Editor's rating 6.5

Acer TravelMate Timeline 8371

You'll want to spatter your brains all over the wall if you try playing games on the 13.3-inch TravelMate Timeline 8371, but it's a good laptop in almost every other regard. With an attractive, understated design, a capable ultra-low-voltage CPU and good battery life, the 8371 has won us over

Editor's rating 7.4

Dell Inspiron 15

The 15.6-inch Inspiron 15 is a highly customisable laptop, but you'll get a solid chassis and good keyboard no matter which configuration you opt for. Adding on the extras will make the cost rise quickly, but it's possible to build a capable machine for an affordable price

User rating 2.5

Editor's rating 7.1

Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T

The 13.3-inch Aspire Timeline 3810T boasts a slim, attractive design and a lightweight body, although we'd like to see an optical drive included. Compared to other slim 12- and 13-inch laptops, it also offers decent performance, but it's the extra-long battery life that really makes this machine stand out

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 7.9

Asus UX50V

The thin and light, 15.6-inch UX50V is an absolutely gorgeous-looking machine, with a stunning screen and excellent keyboard. Your mind won't be blown by this laptop's processing power, but its battery life is impressive and it will definitely inspire jealousy among your friends

Editor's rating 7.5

Acer Timeline Aspire 4810T

Those who want an Apple MacBook Air, but can't stomach the price, should check out the 14-inch Timeline Aspire 4810T. Compared to most laptops, it's incredibly thin and light, and, while it's not the best-looking or fastest machine, it's a bargain at its current price

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 9.0

Apple MacBook (white 2009 edition)

The last MacBook left in Apple's lineup has had a worthwhile update. It offers specs and performance on a par with the higher-end MacBook Pros but for significantly less money. It's a sturdy machine and the keyboard is excellent, but the white plastic design is starting to look dated

Editor's rating 8.0

Apple MacBook Pro (13-inch, summer 2009)

Apple has promoted its basic 13-inch, aluminium unibody MacBook to the Pro series, adding more features while reducing the price of the base configuration. The end result is one of the most universally useful laptops available, although there's still some features we'd like to see included

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 8.6