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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.

  • Asus Eee PC 1008HA

    Asus reinvents its iconic netbook with the slim, attractive Eee PC 1008HA, a bold experiment that largely works.

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Features

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  • Qantas to deploy faster check-in technology

    Qantas says it is aiming to halve check-in times for customers at CityFlyer ports with new technology to be rolled out across Australia.

  • NAB rolls out contactless terminals

    National Australia Bank has announced that it will roll out systems to over 500 Melbourne merchants this month, which will enable them to take customers' payment when they hold their cards up to a reader, but has stopped developing technology for payments via mobile phone.

  • 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.

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DIYs and How-to

  • Top 10 FAQs for Notebooks

    Buying a laptop can be a daunting experience -- lucky CNET is here to help you through!

  • How to clean up your laptop

    In this project, we'll show you how to get inside and clean the guts of your laptop, and how to keep it looking spiffy on the outside, too.

  • Notebook shopping checklist

    Processors, memory, hard drives, screens, graphics cards, optical drives, connectivity. What should you be looking out for?

  • All about laptop batteries: Updated

    Ever wondered why your laptop's battery doesn't last longer? We explain the technology behind battery power, and provide tips on how to maximise it.

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Downloads

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The Explain Series

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Videos

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