By Darius Chang
13/11/2009
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050495,62044141,00.htm

The laptop market has just added a new category of machines, one which we like to call portable ultrathins. With pioneers in the form of the Dell Inspiron 11z, Gateway EC1403 and Acer Aspire AS1410, these laptops come with either single-core Celeron or dual-core Pentium chips and the latest Intel GMA X4500 integrated graphics chipsets. We think this new range of machines will change the low-cost laptop game, as they have similar computing and graphics performance as larger CULV notebooks such as the Acer Timeline series while offering the portability and affordability of Netbooks (granted the latter's battery life is still generally superior). It may be early days, but the impact on the budget market will be real once more portable ultrathins start popping up.

Netbooks

Budget laptops

Performance notebooks

Price lists Previous price lists

Highlights:

Latest reviews

Windows 7: What's in it for me?

Asus FastBoot reduces 64-bit Windows 7 boot time

HP Mini by Studio Tord Boontje launches in Singapore

Acer upgrades Aspire 8900 series to Core i7 performance

Choiix 3-in-1 notebook stand

Atom chipset getting a refresh at CES 2010

Netbooks

Netbooks will be facing a serious threat from portable ultrathins, which offer a much better performance for a slightly higher price. But there is one key advantage this category has (besides better battery life), which is a choice of screen sizes ranging from 7 to 11.6 inches that will appeal to those who consider portability above all else.

Our top three picks

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
Acer Aspire One AOD250	Intel Atom processor (1.66GHz); 1GB RAM; 160GB HDD; 10.1-inch screen; integrated graphics card; Windows 7 Starter/Android	S$699	All Acer dealers
	Selling point: One of the first Netbooks based on Windows 7, this Aspire One offers a double whammy by also allowing Google Android as an alternative quick-start operating system.

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
Dell Inspiron Mini 10v	Intel Atom processor (1.6GHz); 1GB RAM; 160GB HDD; 10.1-inch screen; integrated graphics card; Windows 7 starter edition	S$669	Dell online store
	Selling point: Dell's Mini 10v keeps a lot of the features of the more expensive Mini 10 at a more affordable price. It is also one of the first Netbooks to come with Windows 7.

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
MSI Wind U100+	Intel Atom processor (1.66GHz); 1GB RAM; 160GB HDD; 10.1-inch screen; integrated graphics card; Windows XP Home	S$599	Cybermind
	Selling point: One of the more popular Netbooks with an excellent keyboard. This model also comes bundled with a larger six-cell battery for longer uptimes.

Budget

With consumers wising up to the fact that Windows 7 has already become the norm, most vendors are offering a free upgrade to Windows 7 for their earlier Vista stock without any shipping or handling charges. Still, make sure this is the case if you are eyeing a Vista notebook deal by ensuring that you do not get saddled with any upgrading fees.

Our top three picks

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
Acer Aspire AS1410	Celeron processor (1.2GHz); 2GB RAM; 320GB HDD; 11.6-inch screen; integrated graphics card; Windows 7 Home Premium	S$899	All Acer dealers
	Selling point: Despite its Netbook-like pricing, this machine not only has a superior computing and graphics performance, but also comes with a free external DVD drive to sweeten the deal.

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
eMachine D725	Pentium Dual-Core processor (2.1GHz); 2GB RAM; 250GB HDD; 14.1-inch screen; integrated graphics card; DVD writer; Windows Vista Home Basic	S$699	PA Mart
	Selling point: Possibly one of the cheapest dual-core portables in the market, this notebook comes with a basic feature set for the entry-level user.

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
Compaq Presario CQ40	Pentium Dual-Core processor (2.1GHz); 2GB RAM; 320GB HDD; 14.1-inch display; integrated graphics card; DVD writer; Windows Vista Home Premium	S$999	MC2
	Selling point: A popular entry-level machine with strong multimedia capabilities, this Compaq can be used with the XB3000 docking station that not only offers more ports, but superior sound and wireless keyboard/mouse combo.

Performance

With SITEX just around the corner, we advise those looking for an expensive desktop replacement to wait for the fair. From past experience, these high-margin laptops tend to get significant discounts and/or attractive freebies thrown in during the show. So hang on to your wallets till then.

Our top three picks

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
Alienware M15x	Core i7 processor (1.6GHz); 3GB RAM; 320GB HDD; 15.6-inch screen; Nvidia GeForce GT240M graphics card; DVD writer; Windows 7 Home Premium	S$2,799	Alienware online store
	Selling point: Decked out with the latest Core i7 processor and Windows 7 operating system, this Alienware still managed to come in at a very affordable price. If the Nvidia G240M graphics is too anemic for you, have no fear as it can easily be bumped up to the G260M version for an additional S$273.92.

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
Gateway P7809G	Core 2 Duo processor (2.53GHz); 4GB RAM; 640GB HDD; 17-inch screen; Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS graphics card; DVD writer; Windows Vista Home Premium	S$2,988	MC2
	Selling point: It may not have the latest Core i7 chip or Nvidia graphics card, but for its price this is one affordable gaming laptop with enough performance to tackle all but the most demanding titles.

Model name	Specs	Price	Vendor
Toshiba Qosmio X300	Core 2 Duo processor (2.8GHz); 4GB RAM; 640GB HDD; 17.1-inch screen; Nvidia GeForce 9800M GTS graphics card; DVD writer; Windows Vista Ultimate	S$3,999	All Toshiba dealers
	Selling point: The Toshiba X300 not only impresses with a flaming design and an excellent audio quality, but it also provides an outstanding graphics performance despite its single GPU setup.