The new Samsung N150 is one of the first netbooks to hit the Australian market carrying the Intel Atom N450 processor chip, extending the unit’s battery life significantly.

The new chip, which was designed specifically for netbooks and entry-level desktop PCs, comes with its graphics processor built directly into the Central Processing Unit (CPU), eliminating the need for a second chip and thus extending the battery life. This results in a power reductions of around 40% over previous Intel Atom processors. Basically, this means that the Samsung N150’s battery can last up to 12 hours when the netbook is used in low-power modes. Unfortunately the new chip doesn’t really offer any other significant performance advantages.

Aside from this innovation, nothing else about the Samsung N150 is terribly groundbreaking. It has a relatively common-looking chassis, fashioned from black plastic, with a slightly cramped keyboard - this may prove to be a dealbreaker for anyone with larger hands and fingers.

It features a 10-inch matte display, which excels at eliminating glare and reflection, with 1024×600 resolution. Connectivity options include three USB ports, as well as Ethernet, VGA video output plus the standard microphone and headphone jacks.

Samsung has also equipped the N150 with 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but unfortunately no 3G connectivity.

The Samsung N150 is available in Australia now with a recommended retail price of $599.

Buy a cheap netbook on sale in Australia

By Caroline Warnes

If you’re looking for the latest and greatest luxe notebook to brandish as a status symbol, look no further than the HP Envy 15.

HP has obviously spent a long time fine-tuning the Envy 15’s (also known as the Envy 151015TX) design in order. It boasts a sleek and sexy chassis and is surprisingly lightweight for a laptop of this size - thanks largely to the omission of an internal optical drive. If you want an optical drive, you’ll have to settle for an external attachment.

The high-end design elements continue when you open the case. The keys are wide and metal-topped, which adds a distinctly luxurious feel.

The HP Envy 15 is best suited for anyone looking for a gaming and multimedia laptop. HP has included its MediaSmart software, which offers an easy way to organise and play all your media files - photo, music and video. The software can be accessed using the quick-launch buttons next to the laptop’s keyboard. The 15.6-inch screen offers Full HD resolution (1920×1080p), making it ideal for viewing high-definition video.

It’s suitably powerful to handle most multimedia and gaming functionality. HP has equipped the Envy 15 with the very powerful 1.6GHz Intel Core i7 720QM processor - which basically means you should expect speedy and powerful performance.

But as is always the case, luxury doesn’t come cheap. The HP Envy 15 carries a recommended retail price of $2699, which is most definitely on the expensive side for a 15-inch notebook.

Buy a cheap HP Envy notebook on sale in Australia

By Caroline Warnes

As the name suggests, the new BenQ Joybook Lite U121 Eco is being billed as a netbook that is more environmentally friendly than the competition.

Ben Q claims that it uses less power than most other netbooks, thanks to the Intel Atom Z530 processor which only requires a maximum of 2 Watts of thermal design power (TDP). 2.5 Watts is the average for other netbooks.

The BenQ Joybook Lite U121 Eco is also sold in recycled material, with minimal packaging used.

The other main “green” feature of this netbook is the 11.6-inch screen, which BenQ says is mercury-free and uses a low-energy LED backlight.

This netbook comes in two versions, Windows XP Home and Linux. Both versions are equipped with Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11b/g/n wireless and 10/100 Ethernet.

The BenQ Joybook Lite U121 Eco sells in Australia for $899.

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By Caroline Warnes

The upcoming Samsung N310 is yet another netbook that is a combination of basic functionality and slick design.

The fact of the matter is that netbooks are by definition basic, compact laptops that are used for tasks such as email and web browsing, so there isn’t a lot of wiggle room when it comes to features. One of the main areas in which netbooks can distinguish themselves is in terms of design, and that’s the route Samsung has taken with the N310.

The Samsung N310 was designed by renowned Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa and comes in black, orange, dark blue and light blue. It’s not the lightest netbook you’ll come across, but is still fairly portable, weighing in at just under 1.3kg.

Specifications of the Samsung N310 include a 10.1-inch screen with 1024×600 resolution, 802.11g Wi-Fi and three USB ports. It’s powered by an Intel Atom N270 processor.

Australian pricing for the Samsung N310 netbook will be confirmed closer to the release date.

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By Caroline Warnes

The Asus Eee 1008HA Seashell is a stylish netbook that will appeal to anyone looking for an ultra portable unit.

It’s clear that Asus has designed the Eee 1008HA Seashell with style in mind. As the name so obviously suggests, the design is inspired by the seashell, and it comes in either glossy white or black. It’s the small details that really make this such an appealing netbook, including the bevelled keys and tapered edges of the chassis as well as the 10-inch glossy screen (1024×600 resolution).

Portability is another key factor. Netbooks are by definition meant to be more portable than full-sized notebooks, but some models recently have been getting bigger. Not so the Asus Eee 1008HA Seashell. It weighs in at just over 1kg and is around 2.5cm across at its thickest.

Stylish looks and portability aside, the technology behind this netbook isn’t anything groundbreaking. Asus has equipped the Eee 1008HA Seashell with an Atom N280 processor and Windows XP as well as 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-FI (802.11n) and an SDHC port. All this is sufficient for basic web browsing and email. Life of the integrated lithium polymer battery is claimed at six hours, but this figure will be significantly less if you’re performing more intensive tasks, such as watching movies.

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By Caroline Warnes

Apple has updated its MacBook Pro range of notebooks, with the new range including 13-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models.

The 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro is perhaps the most significant addition to the series. This basic aluminium unibody notebook was originally branded MacBook but has now been promoted to the Pro series, thanks to the sturdier metal construction and the addition of GeForce 9400M graphics.

It also includes a seven-hour built-in battery, an SD card slot, a FireWire 800 port and an improved LED-backlit display with 60% greater colour gamut, according to Apple.

The MacBook Pro 13-inch comes in two versions. The first features a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive and is priced at $1899. The second comes with a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. This model is priced at $2399.

Changes to the 15-inch MacBook Pro have been minimal. It also features a seven-hour built-in battery and an SD card slot has been included. It comes in three models with Australian pricing ranging from $2699 up to $3699.

Meanwhile, the 17-inch MacBook Pro has also has some minor changes, most notable of which is a $500 price drop (down to $3999). Apple has decided not to swap the ExpressCard slot for an SD slot.

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By Caroline Warnes

If you’re looking for a portable and inexpensive notebook to be used primarily for accessing the Internet, then you need a netbook, such as the HP Mini 2140.

A netbook is ideal for light online activities like email and web browsing and the HP 2140 Mini doesn’t disappoint. Based on the popular HP Mini 1000 netbook, the Mini 2140 features a 25cm screen and an extremely intuitive keyboard, especially for anyone with bigger fingers - you’ll love the generous key size, despite the 2140’s compact form factor.

The HP Mini 2140 also boasts some features you’d expect to see on a fully fledged notebook rather than a netbook, especially when it comes to connectivity. HP has included an ExpressCard slot as well as two USB 2.0 ports as well as a VGA video connection, not to mention Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The Mini 2140 comes with a 160GB hard drive, which is protected froom bumps and shocks by the 3D accelerometer.

The HP Mini 2140 netbook’s Australian pricing is $799.

Buy a cheap HP Mini netbook

By Caroline Warnes

The Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 is the manufacturer’s latest tablet notebook PC and although it’s an outstanding performer, many will be deterred by the $3899 price tag.

Tablet notebooks - which are operated via a touchscreen and a stylus so you can write on the screen rather than by a keyboard and mouse, allowing greater portability and ease-of-use - are still not that common and thus do tend to be more expensive than traditional laptops and notebooks, however the Fujitsu LifeBook T2020 is still on the pricey side, even for a tablet.

What does recommend the T2020 at this price point is its built-in 3.5G functionality, offering even faster access to the Internet at speeds up to 7.2Mbps. However if you don’t require 3.5G connectivity you can save yourself $500 and pick the Fujitsu T2020 up for a more palatable $3399.

Other features include a screen that swivels both clockwise and anti-clockwise as well as excellent battery life, both necessities if you’re out and about a lot. It boasts an impressive 1.2-inch TFT screen which displays well in most environments, although you may have issues with glare in direct sunlight.

Fujitsu has also equipped the LifeBook T2020 with Windows Vista Business as well as some impressive behind-the-scenes grunt: an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of DDR3 800 SDRAM as well as a range of connectivity options. These include a D-sub port, two USB 2.0, FireWire, a 3-in-1 flash card reader and more, but unfortunately no HDMI.

Buy notebooks and laptops from shops in Australia

By Caroline Warnes

Apple has just unveiled its updated consumer desktop line, with improvements to the iMac and Mac Mini products.

All the new iMacs now come with a faster Intel Core 2 Duo processsor. The line starts with the 20-inch model, which comes with a 2.66 GHz processor, 2GB of memory, a 320GB hard drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics card. It retails for $1999.

The new 24-inch iMAc features a 1920×1200 pixel display, a 3.06GHz processor, 4GB of memory, a 1TB hard drive and graphics technology from NVIDIA and ATI. It retails for $2499.

Meanwhile, the tiny Mac Mini desktop (it measures just over 16cm square by 5cm deep) now comes in two models, with pricing starting from $1049. Specifications include a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of memory, up to 320GB hard drive, five USB 2.0 ports, FireWire and SuperDrive as well as shipping with an NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics card.

All the new models are available now.

Click here to find offers on Apple products from retailers near you.

By Caroline Warnes

Apple has unveiled an updated version of its largest laptop, the 17-inch MacBook Pro, which will be available in Australia at the end of the month.

The most significant improvement to the model is the extended battery life. Apple claims the new MacBook Pro will last for up to eight hours of use on a single charge, with each battery capable of 1000 recharges. The improvement was achieved by using lithium-polymer cells. This is more in line with comparable models from rivals such as HP and Dell.

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro is faster than its predecessor, having been upgraded to the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors. It’s also more suitable for multimedia work since it is equipped with the Nvidia GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor and Nvidia 9600M GT processor, not to mention the glossy 1920×1200 display, built-in iSight video camera, three USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire port.

Apple claims the new MacBook Pro is the world’s thinnest and lightest 17-inch notebook. It measures less than 25mm in width and weighs just under 3kg.

It will retail for $4499 when it launches at the end of January.

Click here to search offers and buy Apple products from retailers near you.

By Caroline Warnes