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