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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.

Gigabyte Booktop M1022M

The Booktop may be on the costly side, thanks to the bundled docking station, but it still falls below "premium" netbook costs. Plus the excellent battery life and ability to switch from a desk-bound PC to a portable mini-laptop captured our attention.

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Reviews

  • Samsung NC10

    The NC10 betters previous Samsung netbooks with a built-in HSDPA SIM card reader and the portability this provides. Optus wireless broadband bundles seem like excellent value.

  • Asus RT-N13U Wireless N Router with All-In-One Printer Server

    Asus' inexpensive 802.11n router is a bit of a bargain, although it does also bring with it some bargain basement sensibilities.

  • 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.

  • MSI Wind12 U200

    The MSI Wind12 U200 sits in that comfortable space between netbook and laptop — if you have modest needs, but still want a decent screen size and a bit more power than Intel's Atom offers, the U200 might be the laptop you're looking for.

  • HP Mini 5101

    HP's biz-minded Mini 5101 is a successor to the Mini 2140 (one of our all-time favourite netbooks). It looks and feels great, but for a premium-price netbook, we expect to get more features, not fewer.

  • Lenovo ThinkPad T400

    Lenovo's ThinkPad T400 is another fine entry into its portfolio, but be prepared to spend extra to get the features you need.

  • Linksys WRT160N Wireless-N broadband router

    The Linksys WRT160N Wireless-N broadband router has consistent performance, good range, a helpful software application, and a good set of networking features. Its lack of gigabit and USB support are the only major knocks against it.

  • Netgear EVA9150

    While the Netgear EVA9150 is far from perfect, it offers an easy way to access the widest array of digital audio, photo and video files for the do-it-yourself crowd.

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Features

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DIYs and How-to

  • Watch downloads on your TV

    Media wants to be free, but it should be accessible everywhere in your house too, especially on your TV. Find out how to play the files on your PC on a bigger screen.

  • How to build a wireless network

    CNET.com.au's step-by-step guide to using a wireless router to share an Internet connection and build a wireless network at home.

  • How to make your smart phone smarter

    You don't have to be a brain surgeon to boost your smart phone's IQ. Downloadable software offers maps and directions, an instant messenger, and the latest news to go.

  • CNET.com.au's quick guide to handheld operating systems

    In this quick guide, we take a look at the functionality and applications of the four main handheld operating systems -- Palm, Windows Mobile, Symbian and BlackBerry.

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Downloads

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The Explain Series

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Image Galleries