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Laptop lowdown: 25 things you need to know to buy the perfect notebook

In the market for a new notebook? Check out our list of 25 things you need to consider before you hit the shops.

Upgrade Windows Vista to Windows 7

In most cases you can do an in-place upgrade of Vista to Windows 7. Here's how.

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Reviews

  • Acer Extensa 5635Z

    The Extensa is a business laptop with no particular frills. That's not a bad thing per se, but it's tough to get too excited about it, either.

  • Corel Digital Studio 2010

    A majority of home users will appreciate Corel Digital Studio's feature set, its interactive projects, and wide support for photo and video formats.

  • Dell Studio One 19

    There's a decent but not great PC hiding behind the Studio One 19's touchscreen gimmickry.

  • Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010

    Going by older detection and removal numbers, Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware offers competent if basic security protection. However, so do many free competitors. This year, we recommend giving Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2010 a pass.

  • Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium)

    Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been — it's where Microsoft needed to go. How much damage Vista did and whether Windows 7 is enough for people to finally abandon Windows XP are questions that nobody has the answers to right now.

  • Microsoft Windows 7 (Professional)

    Windows 7 looks like the operating system that we've all been waiting for. Despite its imperfections, it shows a lot of promise for the future while presenting a stable platform that can compete comfortably with OS X.

  • Microsoft Windows 7 (Ultimate)

    Windows 7 looks like the operating system that we've all been waiting for. Despite its imperfections, it shows a lot of promise for the future while presenting a stable platform that can compete comfortably with OS X.

  • HP Pavilion DV2 1001AU

    For a 12-inch laptop we'd expect more performance and features than we're getting, but there are obviously compromises to be made in making ultrathin affordable.

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Features

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  • Touch in Windows 7: Just for show?

    Support for multi-touch input is one of the most tangible ways that Windows 7 differs from its predecessors. But will many people actually get their hands on the technology?

  • NZ, Australia to get Win7 first

    The first retail sales of Windows 7 will take place in New Zealand and Australia on 22 October, Microsoft confirmed this week.

  • Late Vista buyers may get Windows 7 for free

    Want Windows 7 for free? Buy yourself a copy of Windows Vista after 1 July, and you could qualify for a free upgrade when Microsoft's new operating system ships.

  • CES 2009 preview: Computers and hardware

    The annual consumer electronics show isn't always a hotbed of new laptops, desktops and accessories. That being said, there are several big trends in the computer industry that will be prevalent on the show floor.

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The Explain Series

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