These are portable single-piece computer system that are capable of being operated on an integrated battery pack or on external power. ThToshiba Satellite L750 laptopey are typically designed as a “clamshell” that can be folded away and stored in a bag when not in use, but there is an increasing number of computers in this class that are described as “2-in-1s” that can become a tablet or a laptop either through swivelling or folding the screen or unclipping the keyboard.

I also do review tablets that can work as a notebook when used with a supplied keyboard accessory and are designed to be mainstream regular computers.

Premium / Multimedia These are either computers marked to the top-end of the market or to people who value multimedia functionality.
Typically they will have high-grade graphics and sound or have design where no expense is spared.
Business Typically sold through value-added resellers or independent computer specialists, these are pitched at corporations who want computer equipment for the business life.
They provide business-grade operating systems and manageability systems but place less emphasis on multimedia abilities. They also are conservatively finished in a dark colour to suit the downtown office.
Consumer Typically sold through a department store, or consumer-electronics chain, these are pitched at home users although small businesses do buy them. They have a consumer-grade operating system and consumer-grade desktop security software and place significant emphasis on entertainment abilities. Typically these computers would he finished with beauty in mind.

Large-screen laptop computers

Sony VAIO EJ Series laptop - VPC-EJ15FGBLarge laptop computers that are fit for use as the main or sole computer in your home or business – as part of the “new computing environment”.

Desktop Replacement Larger laptops equipped with features that would be expected from a desktop computer.
These typically have hard-disk capacity, RAM and graphics that match desktop standards as well as a 17” screen
Standard A thick laptop with integrated optical drive and battery
Thin and Light A laptop which is designed to be easy to travel with. Typically has a very thin chassis and may not have functions like an integrated optical drive

Premium, Multimedia and Gaming Laptops

Desktop Replacement.

  • Dell XPS L702x – A 17″ multimedia laptop computer that can become an ideal desktop replacement computer.
    (1Tb hard disk, 8 Gb RAM, integrated Blu-Ray ROM / DVD burner, NVIDIA dedicated graphics)
  • HP Pavillion DV7-6000 Series (DV7-6013TX) – Another 17″ desktop replacement multimedia computer that can suit most people’s needs.
    (2Tb hard disk, 8Gb RAM, integrated Blu-Ray burner, AMD dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • Toshiba Satellite P870 Series (Part No: PSPA-01C001): A Blu-Ray-equipped 17″ multimedia desktop-replacement laptop that runs Windows 8 and can serve as a household or college-dorm laptop.
    (1 Tb hard disk, 8Gb RAM, integrated Blu-Ray reader / DVD burner, NVIDIA dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)

Standard Size

  • Dell Studio 15 – A multimedia notebook that can work effectively as a work-home computer.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated Blu-Ray ROM / DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics)
  • Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming – The high-performance gaming variant of the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series of mainstream laptop computers
    (1 Tb hard disk, 128Gb solid-state drive as system disk, 16Gb RAM, NVIDIA dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • HP Envy 15-3000 Series Beats Edition – The latest regular-size HP Envy laptop that stands up in coolness and functionality to the uber-chic Apple MacBook Pro.
    (750Gb hard disk, 8Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • Sony VAIO E-Series – One of Sony’s multimedia-enhanced work-home laptops with a numeric keypad
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics)
  • Toshiba Satellite P750 – A 15″ laptop that has the current multimedia expectations including 3D, Blu-Ray and TV-viewing capabilities.
    (750Gb hard disk, 8Gb RAM, integrated Blu-Ray burner, NVIDIA dedicated graphics)

“Thin and light”

  • Hewlett-Packard Envy 15 – If you have seen the Adsense ads appearing on my blog about this computer or read my mention of this computer in some articles in my blog around the time Windows 7 launched, here is my review for this specific machine. Do you really ENVY it?
    (640Gb hard disk, 8Gb RAM, external DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics)

Business Laptops

Standard Size

  • Dell Vostro 3550 Business Laptop – a durable business-class “work-home” laptop that is driven by the Intel Sandy Bridge chipset and properly supports the dual-mode graphics.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • Hewlett-Packard ProBook 4520s laptop – A business-class laptop computer that can work well as a “work-home” computer or a desktop replacement computer.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics)
  • Toshiba Tecra R850 – Another “work-home” business laptop from Toshiba. This time it is the first standard-size business laptop that I have reviewed which is driven by the Intel Sandy Bridge chipset, has dual pointing interfaces and an anti-shock hard disk.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • Toshiba Tecra R950 – A “work-home” business laptop from Toshiba that is based on the latest Intel “Ivy Bridge” specifications and design. It has the dual pointing devices and anti-shock hard disk of the previous model and is competent with the graphics.
    (640Gb hard disk, 8Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner)

Consumer Laptops

Desktop-Replacement

  • Sony VAIO EJ Series laptop (EJ15FG/B) – A 17″ large screen consumer laptop that has desktop-replacement credentials but could benefit from extra RAM and hard-disk capacity.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, NVIDIA dedicated graphics)

Standard Size

  • Compaq Presario CQ42 entry-level notebook – An entry-level Celeron-powered large-screen notebook that can be useful as a secondary computer.
    (250Gb hard disk, 2Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner)
  • Dell Inspiron 15R laptop computer – A value-priced laptop computer that can be a stylish “only computer” option for most users.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics)
  • Lenovo (Thinkpad) G50-70 laptop – Another of the value-priced family laptops that can offer what a family or a student wants.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • Sony VAIO E-Series (SVE1512CG) – An entertainment-optimised mainstream laptop computer that is the latest iteration in the Sony VAIO E-Series lineup. Another that is best used as a work-home or household laptop.
    (750Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics)
  • Sony VAIO Fit 15e (SVF1521JCG) – The latest iteration of the VAIO E Series of mainstream laptops but still holds its own on the dining room table as a “family” laptop.
    (750Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, touchscreen, NVIDIA dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • Toshiba Satellite L750 laptop computer – Toshiba’s latest answer to a value-priced “only computer” for a household that has headed to the laptop-based “new-computing environment”. Also works well as a “kids’ computer” for most secondary-school students.
    (750Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, integrated DVD burner, NVIDIA dedicated graphics)

Travel-Friendly Secondary Notebook Computers

Sony VAIO Z Series ultraportableSmall notebook and netbook computers for people who own desktop or large notebook computers to use while travelling. These typically will have lesser capabilities than typical large-screen laptop computers.

Laptop Bridge A small notebook computer that serves a highly-mobile person who wants the big-laptop functionality.
Typically these will have a 14” screen and have features equivalent to larger standard laptop like a large hard disk, optical disc drive or discrete graphics.
Standard A small thick notebook which isn’t designed to he very thin and light. This will typically have an integrated optical drive and a mechanical hard drive.
Thin and Light (including Ultrabooks) A very thin small notebook that is very light. These typically may prefer a solid-state drive and there is a strong chance they may not have an integrated optical drive.

Highly-Portable Notebooks (up to 14” screen)

Large-but-portable notebooks

  • Dell Inspiron 14 5000 2-in-1 convertible notebook – a 14″ convertible notebook that provides the ability to become a tablet yet has a larger screen without trading off the portability associated with this class of computer. Even large enough to comfortably enjoy a bit of Netflix binge-watching.
    (256 solid-state storage, 8Gb RAM, convertible, touchscreen)
  • Fujitsu LifeBook LH772 notebook – A large-but-portable notebook that is equipped with the latest hardware specifications – Intel Ivy Bridge chipset, all USB ports being USB 3.0 and Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Ready infrastructure. It is an example of what a “bridge” notebook computer can be about by offering large laptop functionality in a small notebook form factor.
    (640Gb hard disk, 8Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner, NVIDIA dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation, fingerprint reader)
  • HP Pavilion dm4 BeatsAudio Edition Series notebooks (Model: dm4-3015tx) – “Full” sound, dual graphics and a large hard disk makes for a compact notebook suitable for college or similar activities.
    (500Gb hard disk, 8Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • HP Envy 4 Sleekbook: A 14″ lifestyle ultraportable notebook with similar expectations of an Ultrabook but is also equipped with the full sound of the Beats Audio treatment.
    (320Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM)
  • HP Pavilion dm4 Beats Audio Edition notebooks (Model: dm4-3114tx) – The latest “Ivy Bridge” iteration of the all-rounder HP Pavilion dm4 Series of 14″ notebooks. Still is a compact notebook suitable for the college student or similar user.
    (640Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • HP Envy 4 Touchsmart Ultrabook: The latest touch-enabled iteration of the Envy 4 lifestyle ultraportable notebooks, this time meeting the Ultrabook specifications and taking advantage of what Windows 8 has to offer.
    (320Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, touchscreen)
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Ultrabook: Lenovo’s 14″ carbon-fibre Ultrabook in the Thinkpad business-portable family.
    (128Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, fingerprint reader)

Standard Size Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 Intel 8th Generation CPU at QT Melbourne hotel

  • Dell Inspiron 13z notebook – a 13″ highly-portable notebook for use as an alternative to a netbook when travelling.
    (320Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner)
  • Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 convertible notebook – an example of a Yoga-style convertible notebook that pitches the idea of a single device being a laptop computer or a tablet. There is also the Inspiron 13 5000 Series 2-in-1 convertibles that omit a few bells and whistles like the Intel RealSense camera and the USB-C connector.
    (256Gb solid-state drive, 8Gb RAM, convertible, touchscreen)
  • Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 convertible notebook (Intel Kaby Lake R silicon) – the newest take of the Inspiron 13 7000 Series but kitted out with the newer silicon that makes it able to perform better. Could this be a convertible notebook that can satisfy a lot of tasks including playing some games?
    (512Gb solid-state drive, 16Gb RAM, convertible, touchscreen)
  • Fujitsu Lifebook SH771 – A highly-durable business ultraportable computer which ticks the boxes as far as a lightweight full-function business computer goes.
    (640Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner, fingerprint reader)
  • HP Elitebook 2560p – A military-standard highly-durable notebook computer which ticks the boxes for an ideal enterprise-grade or high-stakes data-handling notebook computer.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner, fingerprint reader)
  • Sony VAIO S Series – A 13″ consumer-focused highly-portable notebook that has the full functionality; including an “overdrive switch” for when you want to do intense graphics work or gaming.
    (500Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics – dual-mode operation)
  • Toshiba Satellite L730 – A 13″ consumer-focuesed ultraportable notebook with the full functionality for the traveller.
    (640Gb hard disk, 4Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner)

Thin And Light including Ultrabooks

  • Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook on tray table

    Acer Aspire S3 Ultrabook – suits air travel very well

    Acer Aspire S3 Series Ultrabook – The first of the new “Ultrabook” slimline notebook concept to be reviewed on this site and an example of a secondary notebook computer suitable for creating content while travelling
    (320Gb hard disk + 20Gb solid-state cache drive, 4Gb RAM)

  • Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook – Dell’s current foray in to the Ultrabook slimline notebook market. This one is another example that is pitched definitely as a secondary computer for use while travelling.
    (256Gb solid-state drive, 4Gb RAM)
  • Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook (Kaby Lake version) – The updated version of the Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook family, fitted out with Intel seventh-generation processors and with the new Thunderbolt 3 over USB-C connection.
    (256Gb solid-state drive, 8Gb RAM, touchscreen)
  • Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook (9360 8th Generation Intel silicon) – A newer version of the Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook family still with the Thunderbolt 3 over USB-C connection, showing that Dell hasn’t lost sight of its goals with this Ultrabook series.
    (256Gb solid-state drive, 8Gb RAM)
  • Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 Ultrabook – The time has come for Dell to offer a convertible version of the XPS 13 Ultrabook
    (512Gb solid-state drive, 16Gb RAM, convertible, touchscreen)
  • Lenovo Yoga2 Pro convertible notebook – Lenovo’s latest Yoga-series convertible notebook that has the keyboard fold over the back of the screen to become a tablet. It is still pitched as a secondary computer for those of you who still want to create content on the road.
    (256Gb solid state drive, 8Gb RAM, convertible, touchscreen)
  • Lenovo Yoga3 Pro convertible notebook – Lenovo’s latest Yoga-series 13″ convertible notebook with the “watchband hinge” that also isn’t at risk of overheating. This also folds over to become a tablet and, again, is a secondary computer.
    (256Gb solid state drive, 8Gb RAM, convertible, touchscreen)
  • Sony VAIO Z Series (VPC-Z217GG/W) – Sony’s latest “Cartier-grade” ultraportable with Blu-Ray docking station module
    (256Gb solid-state drive, 8Gb RAM, External Blu-Ray ROM / DVD burner, AMD dedicated graphics in supplied expansion unit)
  • Sony VAIO Fit 13A convertible laptop (SVF13N12CGS) – Sony’s 13″ convertible ultraportable which folds in to a tablet or viewer.
    (128Gb solid-state drive, 4GB RAM, convertible, touchscreen)
  • Toshiba Portege R830 – A 13″ business-inteded ultraportable that is powered by Intel Sandy-Bridge infrastructure and is equipped with a DVD burner.
    (128Gb solid-state drive, 4Gb RAM, Integrated DVD burner, fingerprint scanner)
  • Toshiba Satellite Z830 Ultrabook – Also available through business channels and independent computer retailers as the Portege Z830, this is an Ultrabook that excels on connectivity.
    (128Gb solid-state drive, 4Gb RAM)

Netbooks and Small Notebooks (up to 11″ screen)

  • HP Envy X2 Hybrid Tablet – A Windows-8-driven detachable-keyboard tablet computer that can work as a bridge between the likes of the detachable-keyboard Android tablets such as the ASUS EeePad Transformer Prime and a regular small notebook that runs Windows.
    (64Gb solid-state drive, 2Gb RAM, detachable, touchscreen)
  • Dell Inspiron Mini netbook – one of the netbook computers that can be used as an auxiliary or traveller computer.
    (160Gb hard disk, 1Gb RAM)
  • HP Mini 210 netbook – another of the netbooks but this time equipped with a 250Gb hard disk and a pre-boot shell for quick-start computing.
    (250Gb hard disk, 1Gb RAM)
  • Lenovo ThinkPad Helix 2 business detachable tablet – A detachable tablet pitched at the business community with the security features that would be expected for this class of equipment.
    (256Gb solid-state drive, 8Gb RAM, detachable, touchscreen, pen)
  • Sony VAIO P-Series netbook – an 8″ netbook pitched at the busy-lifestyle girl
    (64Gb solid state drive, 2Gb RAM)
  • Sony VAIO Duo 11 slider-convertible notebook – an 11″ Windows 8 notebook that slides between a tablet and a small notebook computer.
    (128Gb solid state drive, 4Gb RAM, convertible, touchscreen)
  • Fujitsu Lifebook TH550M – A netbook-sized convertible notebook that can work as a tablet computer.
    (500Gb hard disk, 2Gb RAM, convertible, touchscreen)