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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.

Lenovo ThinkPad X200

It lacks some basic features you may require — touch pad, optical drive — but the 12.1-inch ThinkPad X200 offers strong performance and the longest battery life we've seen.

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Reviews

  • Asus Lamborghini VX5

    Asus' Lamborghini VX5 is a luxury laptop, with a luxury price to match — thankfully justified by the quality of the laptop and package. If you've got a wad of cash burning in your pocket, and don't mind a little luxury, the VX5 might be for you.

  • 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.

  • Sony Vaio W

    Attempting to create a premium-priced version of a netbook, Sony has added an HD display to the Vaio W. It's an attractive step-up package, but the internal components are the same as are in cheaper models.

  • Dell Mini 10v

    Dell's Mini 10v keeps a lot of the features of the more expensive Mini 10, while dropping the price to AU$549. It's one of only a handful of AU$600 netbooks that doesn't look and feel especially cheap.

  • Acer Aspire 5536

    The Acer Aspire 5536 is a little light on battery, but it's a good all-rounder for anyone seeking an affordable laptop with a big screen and keyboard.

  • ViewSonic VNB101

    The netbook market is so tight, you need some sort of competitive advantage to stand above the crowd. ViewSonic brings a standard netbook with two negatives instead — poor battery life and a bad touchpad.

  • Asus UX30

    The UX30 gets oh so close to what it strives to achieve, but small design choices like the stippled touchpad and port covers, and large issues like the low battery life prevent it from achieving greatness.

  • Belkin Switch-To-Mac cable

    Belkin's Switch-To-Mac package performs adequately, but at a high price for what's likely to be a single use cable.

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Features

  • How to network your home

    We tackle one of the most complex tasks for a home user — how to set up a network in your own home.

  • Laptops with long battery life

    Unless you're buying a desktop replacement, battery life is arguably the key consideration in any notebook purchase. CNET.com.au gives you our top long-lasting models.

  • Is Apple behind the laptop curve?

    As good as Apple laptops are, Windows-based PCs do have a few leading-edge features not found in MacBooks.

  • Will the NBN kill digital TV as we know it?

    As the NBN bypasses the airwaves and offers a new pipe into 90 per cent of Australia's homes, could long-languishing IPTV services spell the beginning of the end for TV as we know it?

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  • What's behind Seven's Foxtel hunt?

    Seven has made no secret of its expansion ambitions, but buying into pay-TV monolith Foxtel lends even greater clarity to the network's long-term vision. With wireless distribution and solid content channels under its belt, can Seven bring IPTV into the mainstream?

  • The gap in Apple's MacBook line-up

    After this week's announcements, there are no longer any unibody MacBooks, only MacBook Pro models. It raises questions about the future of the company's laptop line-up.

  • New Apple MacBooks demystified

    We round up the key specs, pricing and features of the current MacBook family in one handy spot.

  • New HDMI standard brings internet to TV

    The latest HDMI specification will offer networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity and add an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable.

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DIYs and How-to

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Downloads

  • Exterminate It

    Protect your computer from virus and malware.

  • ShowGPS

    Bring a GPS/POI/Map/Tracking tool to your PC.

  • Efficient Notes

    Manage your memos, notes, and desktop sticky notes.

  • DriveCrypt

    Protect all proprietary data on notebooks and desktops with real time hard disk encryption.

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The Explain Series

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Videos

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