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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.

Wipe your hard drive clean

Get out your virtual scrub brush and let's get busy.

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Reviews

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.
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.

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Features

MacBook Pro vs. the PC competition

Mac or PC? The war rages on. We've thrown the most recent 13-inch MacBook Pro and the closest PC to a Mac we've seen, the Asus U80V, into the ring for an all out brawl.
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.
Contrasting Windows: New feature comparison

Since 2002 when Microsoft introduced Windows XP, its operating system upgrades have caused a wide range of reactions. In this chart, we compare the major features in each OS and look at Windows' progress over the years.

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News

Microsoft's plan to get back in the phone game

The company's long-rumoured "Pink" plans will start revealing themselves next year, as a long delayed overhaul of Windows Mobile hits the market.
Microsoft hikes Win7 prices for Australia

Australian buyers of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 operating system will pay between AU$50 and AU$150 more in real terms than US residents for the software, the company revealed this morning.
Apple devices hit cafe sweet-spot

Nearly 50 per cent of devices used to access free wireless across inner city Melbourne and Sydney run Apple operating systems, according to ISP Unwired.
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.

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DIYs and How-to

Security Starter Kit: Apps to protect your PC

Viruses, spyware, rootkits, hackers — a new PC can be susceptible to the most insidious of plots. We've devised a list of essential and free security programs to protect your computer and your sanity.
XP to Vista: How to transfer your data

In this quick guide we'll show you how to transfer your files and settings from an aging Windows XP computer to a new Vista machine.
101 software tips, tweaks and tricks

Our insider secrets will help you master your PC and its most important applications.
File sharing between XP, Vista and OS X on a local network

You've got a Mac and a PC hooked up to a local network, and you'd like to share files between them. Thing is, file sharing isn't easy. No sweat! CNET.com.au walks you through setting up file sharing on OS X, Vista and XP.

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Downloads

Wise Registry Cleaner

Scan and clean Windows registry from errors and obsolete entries.
Typing Assistant (English)

Display possible word list and complete words automatically as you type.
Exterminate It

Protect your computer from virus and malware.
Virtual Drives Manager

Create a symbolic link to folder and present it as drive.

Get (laptop) smart before you buy

Win the numbers game and get the laptop that's perfect your needs as well as your budget!
Microsoft Windows® 7. Your PC, simplified.

Windows® 7 has been designed to be more reliable, more responsive, and to make the things you do every day easier.
Whereis® maps

If you’d like to get to know more of Australia, and do it safely, then check out Whereis® maps.