With stacks of features and plenty of connectivity, the F8Va is the perfect choice for the home user who wants a mid-sized desktop replacement unit. Its battery life is poor, and we think its design could be better, but it's a solid unit overall.

The Compaq 6730s (FV305PA) is the Dunlop of business notebooks. Like the famous shoe, it's plain, workmanlike and reliable, yet also incredibly dull. If you're on the lookout for a basic business laptop with some gaming capabilities, it will get the job done.

If you don’t mind your laptop attracting more attention than you, the HP DV5-1010TX_01 is a fast but heavy unit that comes with a built-in TV tuner and Blu-ray player for a reasonable price.

This is a solidly built unit that's a joy to use and has plenty of grunt for most applications. It also has versatile networking options, including the ability to connect to 5GHz 802.11n routers.

If you can fork out the cash and don’t mind the design, then the Sony Vaio VGN-FW17GU is a well-performing unit that features a Blu-ray burner.

If you’re looking for a desktop replacement with processing power, plenty of storage, an excellent screen and great connectivity options then the Dell Studio 17 (1735) is a hard product to beat.

The NEC Versa P9210-2500DR offers great performance and excellent connectivity at a reasonable price. If you can stand the large size, heavy weight and occasional typing difficulties, then this device should make you very happy.

The Toshiba Satellite M300 (PSMD4A-023008) is a good value, feature-packed device. If you’re looking for a well-connected notebook that has plenty of storage and will work well on the road, the M300 is worth considering.

The ASUS X55SV-AS081C has an excellent range of ports and networking connections and doesn't cost the world. If you can stand the drab design and can't spend more than $1800, this notebook should be seriously considered.

With plenty of power under the hood, the 8510p is perfect for pretty much any type of office work. It's very comfortable to use, has plenty of ports and long battery life. It's squarely aimed at the business market.