Dell Inspiron 9100

There was a time when notebooks described as 'desktop replacement' systems simply featured the most powerful mobile technology of the day, along with a big screen, a built-in optical drive, perhaps a floppy drive too, and plenty of I/O ports. Nowadays, though, manufacturers really mean it when they talk about desktop replacement, using desktop-class CPUs and graphics accelerators to deliver uncompromising performance and functionality. Dell's Inspiron 9100 is a case in point: a very sturdy 15.4in.-screened behemoth weighing over 4kg, this system delivers the goods, and at an attractive price too: the base model comes in at just £869 (ex. VAT), although our top-of-the-range review configuration will set you back around £400 more than this.