Tags: laptop, network, observation, record

HP Mini 210

HP's Mini 210 combines style and battery life in a combination that makes it genuinely compelling.

The R580 combines attractive design and performance grunt, but you can't take this desktop replacement too far away from a power source for long.

MSI Wind U135

MSI's latest netbook impresses us with a quality keyboard.
HP Mini 311

HP's Mini 311 adds a larger, high-definition display and advanced graphics to a basic netbook, while keeping the price very appealing.
HP Mini 5102

HP's sturdy and stylish Mini 5102 is a slight upgrade to one of our favourite netbooks, but we had hoped for a little more fresh thinking for 2010.
Asus Eee PC Seashell 1201N

As one of the few netbooks with a dual-core Atom processor and Nvidia Ion graphics, the 12.1-inch Eee PC 1201N has superior performance compared with most Atom-based machines, but any higher-level ULV thin-and-light will still do better.
Lenovo ThinkPad Edge (13-inch)

With a relatively affordable starting price and a new design, the ThinkPad Edge loosens up the ThinkPad look — but losing an optical drive keeps it a yard short of being a top-choice compact business laptop.
Sony Vaio VPCCW15FG

Sony's latest vibrant Vaio has plenty of grunt, but nowhere near enough power.
Samsung Q320

Samsung's Q320 impresses us on most levels, except for the critical issue of battery life.
Samsung R519

Samsung's R519 brings entry-level pricing and sensibilities to the market in a notebook that won't wow anybody, or send them broke either.

Wireless networking demystified

With so many options, which network set-up is best for you?
Network buying guide

Here's what you need to know about networking, from the standards and technologies to the best products for your home or office.
What is a network?

At its heart, a network is simply a way of connecting two or more computers together.
What equipment is used to connect to a network?

We look into the sort of equipment or infrastructure that you may find being used to create a home network.

The iPad is Apple's netbook

The iPad fits in the market between smartphones and computers. It does more than a phone, less than a full computer, at a cost in between those products.
Some non-tablet announcements we'd love to see from Apple

If Steve Jobs and company are paying attention, we've got a handful of requests for the upcoming Apple press event.
Telstra boosts Melbourne cable to 100Mbps

Telstra has announced an upgrade to its HFC broadband network within Melbourne as well as its Velocity fibre-to-the-home network and will begin trailing a new TV set-top box.
PlayStation Network cards coming this month

Sometime later this month, retailer Game will begin selling cards with prepaid PlayStation Network credit.

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.
Record audio with your computer

Learn the basics of recording voice and music onto a computer using microphones, audio cables and USB adapters.
Upgrade your laptop's hard drive

Give your notebook a little more breathing room with a bigger hard drive.
Password-protect user accounts

The first step to laptop security is making sure it's not easy to get logged on.