Laptop group test (£800+)

There was a time when all laptops cost well over a grand, but that was back when they were seen purely as business tools or toys for the affluent. Now, it seems you only need to turn to such a price point when you want your notebook to feature something extra, such as a Blu-ray player, a High-Definition screen or just the best gaming abilities in the business.

Sure, you’ll pay extra for all these premium features but they bring with them a higher level of future proofing, so you won’t be forced to buy a new machine two years down the line. It’s also the attention to detail that counts at this price point, as the use of magnesium-alloy and piano-lacquer shells add a more tactile feel to your laptop.

Then there is the age-old problem of performance versus portability. It’s at this price-point that we start to see these problems disappear, as state-of-the-art engineering allows for thin and light devices that don’t compromise on power. Some of the laptops we’ve brought together here have designs we feel are as close to modern-day classics as you’re likely to find. They offer a great snap shot of what’s on offer both in terms of size and functionality and cutting-edge performance.

Toshiba Qosmio G50-10H

The build quality and the design may entice you in, but it’s the little touches that you;ll stay for, such as the Harmon Kardon speakers, separate remote control and built-in hybrid digital TV tuner. If you’re worried about performance, the use of an Intel quad-core CPU and 3GB of RAM should alleviate your fears and with twin 320GB hard drives for storing all your movies and music, set up in a RAID 1 configuration, there is also little fear of losing your data. Simply put, if you ignore the lack of Blu-ray, you won’t find a laptop at this price with such an impressive feature list.
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Go to the Toshiba Qosmio G50-10H homepage

Acer Aspire 8920G

The first laptop on the market to sport the 18.4-inch true widescreen panel, this machine should have gone down as a design classic. However, Acer’s CineDash interface for controlling your movies and music is something of a love/hate feature and takes some getting used to. The 4kg chassis is well built but it’s cumbersome and the battery life of less than three hours means you’ll have to plug it in for most uses. It’s not without its merits, as performance is quick and the keyboard comfortable to use. It’s hard not to like this laptop, but it already feels as though it’s starting to date badly.
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Go to the Acer Aspire 8920G homepage

Asus G50v

The Asus G50V is a gaming machine that can be used for multimedia use, as the built-in speakers offer better than expected quality. The 15.4-inch Super-TFT screen may lack Full HD support but everyday tasks look great and games have real depth of colour to them. It’s not just performance where this laptop scores points, as it’s a good-looking machine. What’s more, it’s the first Asus laptop with ExpressGate, media centre software that can be booted up in less than seven seconds. With a usable battery life and a build quality designed for life on the move, the G50v is something of a flawed classic.
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Go to the Asus G50v homepage

Dell XPS M1330

If one ultra-portable laptop can be thought to be a design classic, this has to be it. From the wedged shape that measures a mere 24mm at the front tip, to the magnesium-alloy and high-gloss finish, this laptop oozes style. You can also choose from eight different colours, which gives it a personalised feel. The fact it’s also 2.1kg light but still manages to pack in a hefty amount of performance and all the usual array of ports and connections every user needs, simply makes it one of the most sought-after laptops in recent times.
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Go to the Dell XPS M1330 homepage

PriceRunner recommended
Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B

Compact ultra-portable laptops tend to throw up as many compromises as solutions but the VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B is simply an amazing laptop. The keyboard can feel cramped at times but the individually mounted keys, which punch their way through the body of the chassis, have a fantastic typing action. When on the move you can switch between dedicated and integrated graphics, with the difference being an extra three hours in battery life. It has everything the average traveller needs, including a DVD rewriter built into its compact frame. Sony has set a new benchmark in ultra-slim laptops and one it may find difficult to beat itself.
Click to read the full review
Go to the Sony VAIO VGN-Z11WN/B homepage

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