Netbook vs notebook vs portable powerhouse

Portable PCs are definitely not created equal, with netbooks, notebooks and ultra-mobiles confusing many buyers.

Laptops, netbooks, desktop replacements, ultra low voltage notebooks, whatever they're called, they're massively popular, outselling their old school desktop counterparts by a huge margin.

Not only are they incredibly versatile, but they're also available in a massive range of shapes and sizes, ranging from affordable and petite netbooks through to muscular desktop-killers, each sporting its own bewildering array of features. With such a boggling amount of notebook PC choices available I've put in the hard yards and selected three of the best available.

Netbook – HP Mini 5102
RRP$ $1,195.00

Netbook PCs are designed to give you all the good bits of a notebook PC (such as portability) without the bulk or hefty sticker price. Unfortunately, many netbooks are a poor trade-off between price and quality, with many feeling more like Tupperware than a notebook. HP's design wonks have taken this issue to heart with the Mini 5102, which manages the rare feat of being stylish and extremely well-built.

The 320GB Mini 5102 might not have a consumer friendly name, but it does cram a lot of performance into its petite metal finish case (which can be had in black, red or blue) with a surprisingly, comfy keyboard and trackpad. Thanks to its Intel Atom N450 CPU, the 5102 - with 4GB of RAM runs on the digital equivalent of the smell of an oily rag, delivering up to 10 hours of life from a single charge.

Connectivity wise, the Mini 5102 sports all the usual goodies. On its left there is a VGA port (handy for connecting a projector or external screen) and two USB 2.0 ports.

On its right there is an Ethernet port, a third USB 2.0 port, headphone and microphone sockets plus an SD/MMC Card slot (which is useful for transferring photos off digital cameras), and a Kensington lock. Its 2.0-megapixel screen bezel-integrated webcam also performed well when paired with Skype.

The 5102's 10.1" LED-backlit screen hinted at its rock solid build by not flexing when opened, and offered up a usable 1024 x 600 resolution. Just as impressive are the 5102's speakers, which managed to belt out a surprising amount of sound. While most netbook speakers are at best feeble, the 5102's front-firing speakers easily filled a small room with passable audio. Last but by no means least, the 5102 also runs Windows 7, which felt way snappier than Windows XP. About the only thing missing is an optical drive, but then the 5102 is a netbook so that's only to be expected.

Accessories

Transporting any netbook requires a decent bag and STM's XS Micro (RRP$69.99) which is attractive and designed for netbooks with up to 10.1" sized screens. Looks aside, it's a practical beast, featuring padding to protect netbooks, a swivel shoulder strap and a tuck away handle/removable shoulder strap, plus storage for other bits and bobs.

The HP 5102 may have a usable keyboard, but packing something a little more roomy for prolonged typing isn't silly. Thankfully Microsoft have come up the elegant Arc keyboard (RRP$99.00) which manages the Tardis like feat of cramming full keyboard functionality into a package small enough to slip into the S™ XS Micro bag, whilst still being big enough to be usable.

Also petite is Microsoft's Mobile Mouse 4000 (RRP$64.95) which is to the arc keyboard what peanut butter is to jam. Using Bluetrack technology, it'll work on surfaces that a normal laser mouse just won't. It'll also work with the bundled USB "Nano Transceiver" that pops out from the underside of the mouse, which also houses an AA battery slot (Microsoft claims it'll last for up to 10 months on a single battery). Both will work with the tiny USB Transceiver dongle that can also be stowed into a magnetised slot on the keyboard.

Low Voltage Notebook: Acer TravelMate 8471
RRP$1,999

If you're looking for a good workhorse notebook with processor grunt to go, a roomy hard disk and an impressive battery life, you'll be hard pressed to beat Acer's TravelMate 8471.

Spec-wise the TravelMate ticks all the right boxes and is equipped with an energy efficient Intel Core 2 Duo 1.4Ghz SU9400 CPU, allowing it to run for just over eight hours (which is that proposal plus several movies during a flight to Singapore) and also packs 4GB of RAM plus a capacious 320GB hard disk. Add to this a roomy LED backlit 14.1" LED display and six cell battery, and you've got enough horsepower for work, light gaming and multimedia.

Measuring a mere 3 cm thick when closed, the TravelMate manages to be skinny without feeling flimsy. Weighing in at just 1.93kgs, the TravelMate is a great travel companion and at 341.9W x 235D x 25.9H mm that is easily stowable. Luggage friendly size aside, it also packs a plethora of connectivity options. There are three USB 2.0 ports, gigabit ethernet LAN, a VGA-out (but no HDMI-out), a DVD Super Multi dual-layer burner as well as a 5-in-1 memory card reader, and built in 3G wireless to compliment its WiFi.

The TravelMate also sports an almost-full-sized keyboard with scrabble tile style keys that proved more than up to the job of knocking out long documents as well as a big roomy touchpad that proved was surprisingly accurate.

The combo of its Intel® GMA 4500MHD GPU and 14.1" 1366 x 768 resolution screen also makes it ideal for in flight HD entertainment.

Last but by no means least, Acer has also bundled a smart power supply with the TravelMate which according to Acer can consume up to 40 per cent less power compared to typical notebook power supplies and will give you up to 66 per cent power savings while your notebook is in sleep mode.

Accessories

STM's sports2 laptop backpack (RRP$129.95) is a handy addition for transporting 15" laptops. Big enough to accommodate accessories, cables and gym gear, the Sports2 doesn't look like a laptop traditional laptop bag, an added bonus especially as laptop theft is on the rise. It's padded cell will also keep your laptop safe.

If like a growing number of people you use your notebook on your lap at home and at a desk at work, The Logitech MK605 Notebook Kit (RRP$199.00) is pretty hard to beat. T

he MK605 bundle gives you a compact fold out riser dock that elevates your laptop to eye level, a wireless mouse, and keyboard, both of which are built to Logitech's usual high standards. Nicer still, both the keyboard and mouse use a unifying wireless USB dongle that's small enough to leave permanently plugged into your notebook so it won't get lost.

Desktop Replacement Powerhouse: Alienware M17x
RRP$3,499

On planet Zog, the natives get their dose of gaming goodness using Alienware's rather lusty Mi17x. Packed with the fastest and gruntiest hardware able to be crammed into to a notebook (how does two Nvidia's GeForce GTX 280M graphics cards and a 2.53Ghz Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9300 CPU grab you?), it is truly awesome to behold. Playing games such as Mass Effect is nothing short of awesome and is what the M17x is made for.

At 32.7mm H x285.7mm W x 233.3mm D, and weighing in at 5.7Kgs, the M17x is a hernia inducing beast of a notebook that is really designed to sit on a desk rather than being lugged about.

The model I received was done out in a Nebular red anodised aluminium finish, which was pretty easy on the eye. Resembling the lovechild of the Batmobile and Tron, the M17x's keyboard was easily the equal of a high-end desktop keyboard, complete with a full number pad. The keyboard and trackpad were also bordered with a backlit strip, whose colours can be customised.

Stylish looks aside, the M17x also has a wide assortment of connectivity options. On its left are HDMI and VGA outputs, an ethernet port, two USB 2.0 sockets as well as an eSATA, DisplayPort and FireWire sockets plus a Kensington lock slot.

On its right hand side there are two additional USB 2.0 ports, an 8-in-1 memory card reader, an ExpressCard slot. Bizarrely, its audio connectors are located on its rump which annoyingly meant I had to snake a headphone cable around the M17x's body.

The M17x's 17" display sports a crispy, 1920 x 1200 HD resolution which is definitely the business for movie watching and gaming. Whilst its high-gloss finish caught some glare, it was however sufficiently bright enough that reflections were rarely an issue. Its speakers were also loud yet crisp, easily filling my dining room with audio.

Accessories

The ultimate add-on for the Ultimate muscle notebook has to be Dell's 3008WFP 30" Monitor (RRP$2,999.00). Big doesn't begin to cover it, 30" will easily immerse you in gameplay and give you acres of on screen real estate for umpteen bazillion windows.

The 3008WFP is capable of 2560 x 1600 resolution and is able to pump out sun tanning clinic brightness levels. Its 2560 x 1600 resolution also means HD video with room to spare. The 3008WFP also comes with HDMI, Display Port, DVI, and USB connectivity, making it a complete multimedia display.