Business
SMB: Notebook buying guide
In this round-up for small and medium businesses, we feature notebooks in several price bands -- and varying bells and whistles -- ranging from a little over AU$1,500 to just under AU$4,000 for business users who require high performance.
Buying a notebook on a budget is no mean feat.
While most small- to medium-sized businesses tend to be extremely price-sensitive when it comes to purchasing hardware (or even software), and increasingly, the needs of such users have become more demanding.
For instance, for those who spend a lot of time on the road, size and weight are the two most critical factors in choosing a new notebook -- even if it means sacrificing a little on performance and features.
If you belong to the another group known as "power users" -- those who rely on the same notebook at work, at home, and on the road -- you will need a well-balanced system, and it has to deliver the performance to keep up with a wide range of applications.
In this round-up for small and medium businesses, we feature notebooks in several price bands -- and varying bells and whistles -- ranging from a little over AU$1,500 to just under AU$4,000 for business users who require high performance.
 Asus V1J Read review | Part of Asus' security-oriented laptop series, the V1J is A great all-round laptop with good security features. Screen size: 15.4-inch Processor speed: 1.8GHz Memory: 1GB Hard drive: 120GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 331x 272 x 25.4 mm Weight: 2.7kg Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Price: AU$2999 |
Alienware Area-51 m5550 Read review | The Core 2 Duo-based Alienware Area-51 m5550 can perform as well as larger, more expensive systems, but its short battery life means you won't be very mobile. Screen size: 15.4-inch Processor speed: 2.33GHz Memory: 2GB Hard drive: 100GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 362x 273 x 34 mm Weight: 2.7kg Graphics: GeForce Go 7600 Price: AU$3805 |
Dell Latitude D420 Read review | The Dell Latitude D420's portability, power and ability to go online at any time from any location makes it perfect for road warriors. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.2GHz Memory: 1.2GB Hard drive: 60GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 295 x 210 x 25mm Weight: 1.5kg Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Price: AU$2,505 |
BenQ Joybook S61 Read review | There's a lot to love about BenQ's ultra-portable media centre notebook, even if battery life isn't ideal. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.66GHz Memory: 512MB Hard drive: 80GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 303.75 x 222 x 27.5mm Weight: 1.65kg Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Price: AU$2499 |
Earlier models
HP Compaq Presario v3000 Read review | An attractive multimedia notebook that won't break the bank. Screen size: 14.1-inch Processor speed: 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Memory: 2GB DDR2 Hard drive: Up to 100GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 334 x 237 x 39mm Weight: 2.4kg Graphics: Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 Price: AU$1,699 |
Apple MacBook (2.0GHz, 13-inch, black) Read review | With the MacBook, Apple has corrected a handful of the iBook's shortcomings, hit a reasonable price point, and delivered a laptop that makes a great compromise between size and portability. Screen size: 13.3-inch (33.78 cm, diagonal) Processor speed: 2GHz Memory: 512MB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM Hard drive: 80GB Serial ATA Dimensions (WxDxH): 325 x 227 x 27 mm Weight: 2.36kg Graphics: Intel GMA 950 graphics processor Price: AU$2,399 |
Acer TravelMate 3010 Read review | Acer's cheap and cheerful thin-and-light feels more like a high-end offering thanks to its stellar performance and battery life. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.66GHz Memory: 512MB DDR2-533 Hard drive: 80GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 297.5 x 210 x 24.5/32.4 mm Weight: 1.5kg Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphics Price: AU$2,699 |
Dell XPS M1210 Read review | Though its higher-end configurations are expensive, the Dell XPS M1210 should appeal to everyday users who want a relatively light but still full-featured Media Center computer. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.66GHz Memory: 1GB (4GB max) DDR II SDRAM Hard drive: 60GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 297 x 221 x 30 mm Weight: 1.98kg Graphics: NVidia GeForce Go 7400 Price: AU$2,698 |
ThinkPad R60 Read review | Businesses seeking a sturdy, secure, portable workhorse should consider the ThinkPad R60. Screen size: 15-inch Processor speed: 1.83 GHz Memory: 512 MB Hard drive: 60GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 332 x 269 x 40.2 mm Weight: 3.1kg Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 Price: AU$2,699 |
Toshiba Portege M400 Read review | Though inexpensive, the Portege M400 convertible tablet's middle-of-the-road performance and battery life may not be enough for the demanding business user. For basic tasks, however, it's a decent bargain. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.66GHz Memory: 128MB Hard drive: 60GB 5400RPM Dimensions (WxDxH): 294.64 x 248.92 x 38.1 mm Weight: 2kg Price: AU$3,190 |
Dell Inspiron 6400 Read review | The Inspiron 6400 is a desktop replacement notebook, offering up the familiar silver and white-accented design that's common to the Inspiron line. It's not exactly a stunner, but you certainly won't be ashamed to tote it around whilst in the public eye. Screen size: 15.4-inch Processor speed: Up to 2GHz Memory: Up to 2GB DDR2-667 SDRAM Hard drive: Up to 100GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 356 x 265.5 x 38.7mm Weight: 2.8kg Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Price: AU$3,189 |
Sony VAIO VGN-TX27GP Read review | Our new favourite ultra-portable, the Sony VAIO VGN-TX27GP offers up a superb design, brilliant battery life and a great blend of multimedia features. Screen size: 11.1-inch Processor speed: 1.2GHz Memory: 1G DDR2 Hard drive: 60GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 272x195.1x28.5mm Weight: 1.25kg Graphics: Intel GMA 900 Price: AU$3,699 |