Notebook Shopping Guide: Our recommendations for Christmas

Asus Eee PC 1015P

Dual core netbooks are advancing with more performance, but they all can't dislodge the 1015P from the Throne of 10 Inchers. No wonder, since the 1015P hangs on to the 1^st place with its 7:30 hour battery life, the bright and matt display and the solid workmanship. The used chiclet keyboard provides good ergonomics, although the shift keys have been kept disagreeably small. The generous touchpad with multi-touch support is a novelty. The application performance can't impress us, but is on a typical netbook level.

Asus Eee PC 1015PN

Smooth HD rendering, a certain amount of gaming capabilities and a good, matt 10 inch display are the 10.1 incher's advantages. The combination of Intel's Atom N550 and the dedicated Nvidia ION 2 graphics solution, as well as the option of switching to the internal processor graphics is impressive. In spite of the increased performance, the battery life of 6:30 hours (WLAN test) is still very good. If you want maximum performance for little money, you won't get around the 1015PN.

Samsung NF310 A01

The AR coated HD Ready TFT hasn't only got a manageable resolution (1366x768), but also a very good brightness of up to 246 cd/m². It's ready for next summer. The performance gain (57% CPU benchmark, 31% total performance) provided by the Atom dual core N550 (2x1.5 GHz) is impressive in comparison with the N450/N455. It makes work smoother. The perfect ergonomics is typical for Samsung and the inputs can be used very effortlessly. If you're looking for a high resolution, but aren't interested in 1080p videos, the NF310 would be perfect.

HP ProBook 6550b WD703EA

You should get to know the ProBook 6550b when looking for a not too expensive business notebook with extensive security features. Made for small to medium sized business (SME), the 6550b supplies a very good display (matt (1600x900), professional inputs and a vast connectivity. Beyond that, it offers a solid construction and workmanship that will hopefully bestow the notebook a long life.

Lenovo IBM ThinkPad T510

Optimus Technology has been implemented in Lenovo's Thinkpad 510. It allows a considerably longer battery life to be achieved in low load than the T510 – 4349-4JG model. Another bonus point is the bright Full-HD screen with a large color spectrum (RGB LED), as it's used in the Thinkpad W510. The business apt, matt display also scores with good brightness, homogeneous illumination and an excellent contrast.

Samsung R530 Nolan

Samsung designs a 15.6 inch device, equipped for office tasks, at an attractive price called R530 Nolan in time for Christmas. The Pentium-T4500 processor (2x2.3 GHz) provides good performance above the low-end single core configurations. The non-slip and resistant case convinces with grainy surfaces. The ergonomics are great and the input devices (keyboard) are suitable for prolific typists. Beside an extremely quiet system noise, due to silent mode, the case always stays cool. The display isn't AR coated and presents low contrasts.

Sony Vaio VPC-EB3Z1E/BQ

Outside, a plain plastic cover, inside, premium consumer technology. Not everything shines golden on the Vaio VPC-EB3Z1E/BQ, but the plain notebook, with its resistant surfaces, has a few remarkable benefits. In terms of performance, entertainment fans and gamers are adequately provided for with Intel's Core i5 460M and ATI's HD 5650 (450 MHz). A lot of interfaces (eSATA, ExpressCard34, HDMI, two cardreaders) and a good, clearly arranged keyboard make work easy. A real bonus point is the Full-HD screen with 1920x1080 pixels. The Vaio VPC-EB3Z1E/BQ is perfect for demanding consumers, with its good contrast (551:1), the almost complete coverage oft he sRGB color spectrum and the stable horizontal viewing angles.

13.3 inch Apple MacBook Pro

The Apple MacBook Pro MC375D strengths are mobility, an outstanding case, quiet system noise and excellent input devices. The 13.3 inch has gained significantly in graphics performance due to the Geforce 320M. The processor performance, supplied by the old Core 2 Duo P8800, still is behind the latest Core i5s. The battery life of 4:30 hours could be increased due to the somewhat larger battery and more economical GeForce 320M. The drawbacks are still the poor connectivity, omitted UMTS/WiMax and lack of matt display option.

Acer Aspire TimelineX 5820TG

Acer provides a swift 15.6 incher with the Aspire TimelineX 5820TG-5464G75Mnks. It has a lot of power inside. Once again, the fast midrange ATI HD 5650 supplies good frame rates in the gaming field. The base unit's, lid's and input devices' workmanship is very good, or at least adequate. The latter applies to the feedback poor mouse pad keys and the keyboard's somewhat imprecise typing feel. The battery life struggles to achieve 3:33 hours with the HD 5650 that can be deactivated (WLAN surfing). A good result, even if Acer's forecasted eight hours remain unreachable in practical use.

Apple MacBook Air 11.6-Zoll (MC506*/A)

Case, input devices and graphics performance are still looking for their equals in the 11.6 inch category. The obsolete Core 2 Duo SU9400 is considerably slower in comparison to cutting edge Core i5 ULV processors. Nevertheless, you won't find notebooks with faster processors at the moment. Even the almost inaudible system noise without high load is definitely a bonus point. The insufficient upgrade possibilities and omitted UMTS modem have to be noted on the con side. It's also a pity that Apple doesn't use AR coated displays.

Sony Vaio VPC-Z12M9E/B

There is strong, standard equipment in the device: a strong Core i5-520M (2x2.4 GHz, Turbo Boost, Hyperthreading) and the Geforce GT 330M (but downclocked). But first and foremost, the Raid 0 configuration of two 64GB Toshiba SSDs makes it to a performance master. The Z12M9E/B placed itself in the top range of the system benchmark, PCMark Vantage and PCMark05. The docking port, high-end input devices, the installed 4G module, the excellent matt display and high-end manufacturing backs the business category. The battery life of three hours (WLAN surfing) is adequate, but not especially good.

ASUS PL30JT

If you want a strong battery life without sacrificing viable performance, you should look at the Asus PL30JT-RO080X. All positive features of the new Core i5 generation is available with its ultra low voltage processor (Intel HD incorporated, Turbo Boost (only i5-520UM), Hyperthreading). While the Asus PL20JT bids good subnotebook performance on the one hand, it can be very mobile with well 6 hours of battery life on the other (WLAN test). The stable case, the matt display, the feasible input devices make it to a good office companion. Unfortunately, the LED display from AUO is too dark. The second significant drawback is the high waste heat under load. The slim case heats up selectively up to 50 degrees during gaming or in the stress test.

Schenker XMG P500 PRO

Not only the fast dual core processor, a Core i7 640M, the high-end graphics card, a GeForce GTX 460M, and a lavish RAM of eight gigabytes provide abundant performance. The hybrid hard disk also contributes a significant part. The XMG P500 Pro's display doesn't only score with its matt display, but also with its brightness, the fairly even illumination and excellent contrast.

ASUS G73JW-TZ181V

Asus has succeeded in making an excellent gaming notebook with the G73JW. With an excellent performance (GeForce GTX 460M), the very good display, the good input devices, the impressive sound and the relatively low temperature, respectively noise development, the G73 can be called a full-fledged desktop replacement. The user can be sure of many envious glances attracted by its unique looks and plain lighting elements.

If you should take the alternative with the Radeon HD 5870 or with the GeForce GTX 460M is unexceptionally dependent on personal preferences. Users who want the highest possible (gaming) performance, are currently a bit faster with the G73JH (HD 5870). In return, users who find the supported features (e.g. PhysX) more important are likely better off with the G73JW (GTX 460M).

MSI GX660R

The MSI GX660R proves to be a strong gaming computer that can easily render even the latest tracks. The positive overall picture is dimmed by the clattery keyboard. The extremely loud cooling system also ruins the notebooks shine a bit. And not least, the turbo mode seems to be superfluous in this regard. In return, the MSI GX660R can score with its good performance, good sound system and the pleasant design. With the GX660R, you are equipped for upcoming games for the moment and should also attract attention at every LAN party.