For under $600 the Gateway M-6750 notebook computer comes with a nice shiny finish combined with polished aluminum looking edge around the keyboard. The looks are good, and that’s not bad for a nicely priced laptop.

The Core2 Duo processor, although a mobile version, will give enough power for office type applications, web browsing, listening to music or playing videos. The processor is combined with 3GB of RAM and the Windows Vista operating system.

Some of the main features are

• 1.66GHz Intel Core2 Duo CPU
• 3GB of RAM
• Windows Vista Home
• DVD writer
• Memory card port
• Speakers
• Webcam
• Network port
• 802.11n wireless

These features together will do well for a home office or personal use.

The 3GB of memory is good for Windows Vista as it needs more memory than previous operating systems, which is usually true anyway I guess. The dual core processor helps too.

Networking features are good, and having 802.11n wireless, which supports up to 300MB/s transfer speeds allows the fastest possible speeds over wireless networks.

The graphics uses up to 384MB of main memory. This is good for increasing the graphics quality, but not so good as it uses up more of the memory that could be used by other programs on the computer. With that said however, there is plenty of memory to go around and programs won’t be left wanting with still 2GB of memory after the graphics and Windows’ needs.

There are three USB slots and an Express Card slot for system expansion.

Finally, the 15 inch monitor supports up to 1280 x 800 screen resolution. This is spot on for a monitor of this size and gives enough extra room to squeeze two web browsers side-by-side, but keeps them at a readable size.

The screen is a around 14 inches and offers 1280 x 800 screen resolution. I always find this a little disappointing. The screen resolution doesn’t allow much more than a standard amount of desktop space, that is to say it will fit a document or a webpage, but struggle to fit both. I suppose that’s reasonable for the size, but even if the text is small, I like to be able to fit two windows comfortable beside each other. On the other hand, I do use a 1280 width monitor for work and it’s usually enough.

The dual-core processor gives a bit of punch, and allows multiple programs to be run simultaneously, whilst the load is spread over the two cores.

Here are some of the main specs for the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510:

• Intel Centrino Core2 Duo
• 3GB of memory
• 250GB hard drive
• DVD writer
• Windows Vista Home
• 3 USB ports
• Wireless 802.11b/g/n
• Fast Ethernet
• Up to 4 hours battery life

A major plus is the amount of memory and hard drive space. 250GB of hard drive space is enough to store plenty of photos, songs and videos. 3GB of memory gives a lot of memory for Windows Vista to play around with. Windows Vista needs at least 1GB and this gives it more than it needs.

Wireless connectivity supports up to 300Mb/s, faster than most internet connections. The Ethernet port only supports up to 100Mb/s, which is a little strange, because the wired networks usually support much faster speeds than the wireless. However, there are probably more fast wireless networks around than Gigabit wired networks.

At a tad under 3kg, this is not a light notebook, but makes up for the extra weight with a full house of features. Add to these Lenovo’s VeriFace security software, which verifies users by their facial features and you get a very capable machine quite worthy to be a desktop replacement laptop.

Personally, I love litte, ultraportable computers. That’s probably because I do the vast majority of my work at a desktop and have little need for a regular laptop. However, modern laptops have improved so much that they provide more than enough power for what most users require. My five year old desktop computer still does everything I want it to do, and laptops now do better, for even less than what I originally paid.

This Acer Aspire does give what’s necessary to be a desktop replacement notebook. Here are some of the main features:

• 1.9GHz AMD Turion 64 X3 Dual-Core processor
• 15.4″ wide screen (1280 x 800)
• 2.0 GB of DDR2 memory (supports up to 4.0 GB)
• 160 GB hard drive
• DVD writer
• Media reader
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Wi-Fi (b/g)

This is a refurbished notebook though, so you get a computer that has been used before, but fixed up. With all the features I would still say that this is a good bet and offers everything necessary to be a desktop replacement computer.

The Eee PC from Asus is heading up this movement to smaller, more portable computers, that tend to fit somewhere between a laptop, which is meant to cover as a full-time computer, and a PDA with a traditional operating system.

The Surf model has a few more features than the standard Eee PC.

Here are some of the features:

• 7″ screen
• 2 pounds
• 3 USB ports
• 1 VGA port
• Audio out / Mic in
• Intel Mobile CPU
• 512 MB RAM
• 4 GB solid state drive
• 10/100 Mb/s LAN
• Wireless connectivity (up to 54 Mb/s)

Personally I have quite an affinity for these little PCs. They offer everything that most people would want from a computer nowadays. Network connections are taken care of thanks to wireless and wired networking support.

The advantages of this computer lie mostly in it’s size and portability. It’s extremely light, and extremely small, not small enough for a pocket, but small enough to fit in a briefcase. The built-in operating system offers a web browser, document editors, messaging, media player and other standard software.

The downsides also have to do with reduced sizes. You’ll need an extra monitor and keyboard for prolonged use. The screen is too small for extended work, and the keyboard is not full-sized like a regular keyboard, it’s around 83% the size, which will make big hands feel cramped. The hard drive is only 4 GB, so no storage of DVDs. Linux OS is harder to upgrade. Although a new OS can be installed if you like, either Windows or another flavor of Linux.

Basically, I really like it. The best part is the price, it is cheap. It is functional and performs specific tasks very well. It lacks in power and storage space, but you can pay more for an 8 GB model or wait till more powerful ones are released in the future.

2.0 GB gives more than enough for efficient running of Vista. The difference should be noticeable if upgrading from 512 MB or even from 1.0 GB. This is surely not the cheapest RAM on the market, but it is a quality product. At $120 it is a fair bit of cash to spend on an upgrade. However, the benefits would far outweigh those of a newer processor.

So far, DDR3 is only supported on Intel’s P35 motherboards, so you will most probably get these along with a motherboard upgrade.

Here are some of the basic specs:

• 2 x 1.0 GB
• 1333 MHz
• 9-9-9-26 timings
• DDR3
• 240-pins

I really can’t overstate the importance of memory in making your computer run smoothly. This pair make a great choice for memory and most likely won’t need an upgrade for quite a while to come.

Gone are the days when mice were little more than blobs of plastic, and wired to the notebook. A mouse with good features can increase the comfort with which a computer is used and give little extras like extra buttons to automate common tasks.

There are a number of different buttons on this cordless laser mouse. The scroll button can be set for various degrees of resistance, making the notches more or less distinct, at the least, just being a smooth scroll.

The small lip on the left hand side solves a problem that older models have had. When using the older model there was a tendency for it to catch the skin slightly between the mouse and the surface of the table. This has been an insistent niggle with the one I use at home. The lip keeps the hand off the surface of the table, making it a little easier to use, and keeps the skin from getting pinched.

A compact size and comfortable grip make this a great portable mouse to take around with your laptop, it’s at a size that kids can also use it, and it connects wirelessly.

Core2 Duo is not really a hot topic anymore, but the advantages are still there, and the maturity of the Core2 Duo line of processors means that lower speed versions are now available for greatly reduced prices.

In a nutshell, dual core processors like the Intel Core2 Duo offer two little “brains” inside the CPU allowing work load to be spread amongst the two cores, allowing much more efficient processing of information, and therefore, better performance.

Here are some of the other notable features:

• 1.8 GHz Intel Core2 Duo processor
• 1 GB of system memory
• 320 GB hard drive
• PCIe x16 expansion slot
• PCIe x1 expansion slot
• Two PCI expansion slots
• Six USB slots
• On-board audio
• Memory card port
• DVD burner
• Windows Vista Home Premium included

Windows Vista is included in this package, which means that you will not have to install your own operating system unless you really want to. A retail version of Vista can cost a few hundred bucks, so this is a good saving.

Lots of memory is a necessity when running any version of Windows Vista and this Gateway desktop computer comes with 1 GB of DDR2 memory, which is the recommended amount for Vista. It won’t just benefit Vista though. More memory allows more programs to remain within system memory, speeding up system responsiveness and allowing programs to run faster, and allowing more programs to be run at the same time.

There is a host of the usual suspects for system expansion. There are six USB ports, there is a DVD burner, which is a nice extra and one that more system makers should go for as the difference in price between a DVD burner and a normal CD drive is getting so small that is just wastes consumers time having to upgrade, when it should just be standard. There is a flash media reader that will read a range of flash-based media cards. It can read: CompactFlash, MicroDrive, MemoryStick, MemoryStick Pro, xD, SmartMedia, MultiMedia and SecureDigital memory cards. There are also two USB ports in the same media drive. The drive is located on the front panel at the top.

Storage is great, with 320 GB being able to hold around 30 DVD movies assuming movies are about 8 GB each and that you still need a bit of space for other stuff on the computer.

Expansion options are also a great plus. PCIe x16 allows upgrading to the latest and fastest graphics cards, some of which can cost more than this desktop computer does. There is a further PCIe x1 slot for system expansion, as well as two PCI slots for any cards that need to be transfered from older computers.

There is nothing lacking in this cheap desktop computer. Some possible upgrades might include a RAID array for storage, but otherwise all other needs are taken care of. A well-rounded package with enough expansion options for any extras. Add a 17 or 19 inch monitor and it becomes a great all round package.

Although newer systems have moved on to DDR2 there are still a wide range of computers that use plain old DDR. Many older systems stay around for much longer than expected. Although I always think that my older computers will get put in the trash, they still serve most purposes very well.

For surfing the Internet, writing email and documents on the computer, almost any old computer will do. A lot of the load of modern programs and operating systems comes down to how much memory they require. Often the wrong impression is give and people end up buying a whole new system with some newer, fancier computer. But after a really slow computer, anything new will seem fast, and the reason cannot be pinned down.

Upgrading memory is a viable option as it gives those new programs the stuff they need. For pure computing power, a new processor will always give a little more, but would be lower down on my list of things to get, even if you are only running a Pentium 4 at the moment.

This single 1 GB stick of Crucial DDR memory provides a gigabyte of RAM, which means it meets the minimum for Vista, which requires a great deal more than Windows XP.

A good investment to breathe some life into an old system, and a much better buy than a whole new system.

AMD have had a tough time with Intel’s release of their dual- and quad-core processors. But despite this I still have a little soft spot for the underdog of the processor industry.

The HP Pavilion is based on an AMD chipset, offering fast performance from their tried and tested Turion X2 processor. With a direct connection to the memory from the processor, AMD processors get a boost in performance because the memory can operate at the same frequency as the processor.

Here are some of the main features:

• 1.8 GHz AMD Turion X2 processor
• 17 inch monitor
• 7.8 lbs
• Built-in webcam
• 1 GB of memory
• 160 GB hard drive
• USB
• Firewire
• LAN port
• VGA
• ExpressCard slot

Lets have an overview of the different specifications. As mentioned all ready, the processor gives good performance and does well for power savings, meaning longer battery life.

A 17 inch monitor is fine for anyone that intends to use their laptop computer exclusively. For modern computing this is about the least necessary for continuous use of the computer. Widescreen monitors give that little bit extra width, which is more useful that pure size, but this size is still fine.

Built-in features are very necessary for keeping the size of a laptop down. It is easy to have a small laptop, but which requires a handful of USB devices to accomplish very simple tasks like reading from a CD or DVD. The DVD writer is a bonus which allows DVD to burnt without an external device.

System expansion is handled by three external USB ports, a firewire port and an ExpressCard slot.

Video performance is good, thanks to the onboard video chipset. A built-in webcam allows video conferencing on the increasingly popular Skype of other VoIP networks, or just for taking still pictures.

The mouse pad is placed well, being by the center of the spacebar. Often it is placed at the center of the computer, which means it gets knocked by the ball of the right hand when typing.

Overall, a full set of features, with enough power to do any office work and play some games. There is no need for extra bits, which means the laptop bag, although a little heavy, doesn’t need to be weighed down by other goodies.

There’s not too much difference between DVD burners, usually they just work or they don’t. DVD burners have hit the peak of their speeds and 18x or 20x is the most that you find around nowadays.

The Samsung DVD burner offers up to 18x burning speed, which allows full movies to be burnt in a few minutes and offers burning to all the popular DVD formats. Here are some of the features:

• 2 MB of cache
• DVD+R max write speed: 18x
• DVD+RW max write speed: 8x
• DVD-R max write speed: 8x
• DVD-RW max write speed: 6x
• DVD max read speed: 6x
• CD max write speed: 48x
• CD max read speed: 40x

The biggest plus is to the drive is being able to flip the disc over and burning a cover onto the DVD, handy for getting a nice looking image on the front rather than just a permanent marker.