• Screen 14-inch
• OS Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Processor Intel Core i5-2410M Processor 2.30GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.90GHz
• Graphics Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System Storage 500GB (Serial ATA, 7200 rpm)

The VAIO C series by Sony comes in a bright range of zesty colours, with a premium design constructed with a new light-emitting material. With a 500GB HDD and a speedy Intel core i5-2410 chip, it’s perfect for everyday computing. The C series also features a HD Web camera powered by Exmor, and Quick Web Access allows instant online browsing.

Click for more: Sony VPCCA15FG VAIO C Series Notebook

• Screen Standard HD (720p) WLED (1366×768)
• OS Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Intel Core i5-2450M
• Graphics 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M
• Storage 500GB HD, 256GB SSD
• Memory 4GB dual channel DDR3
• Connectivity Wireless 802.11 A/G/N and Bluetooth 3.0
• Other features USB 3.0 (1), USB 2.0 (1), HDMI 1.4 (1), RJ-45 (1), Mini display-port and microphone/audio connectors, built-in 1.3megapixel HD Webcam

The Dell XPS 14z is among the slimmest 14-inch laptops on the market. Thin doesn’t mean weak however, and this feature-packed machine won’t leave techies disappointed. The laptop can be equipped with second-generation Intel multi-core processors and up to a 1GB NVIDIA graphics card designed to help extend battery life.

The Dell XPS 14z is equipped with USB 3.0, which allows for fast file transfers and features an elegant anodized aluminum finish. It even has a back-lit keyboard so you can stay productive in the dark.

Click to order Dell XPS 14z from Amazon now.

• 2.3GHz processor
• 4GB DDR3 memory
• 32GB memory
• Intel HD graphics 3000
• Six-cell battery

The Dell Vostro V131 exudes a distinctively masculine style, which makes it stand out from the rest of the notebook pack.

For a start, this Dell Vostro V131 13.3-inch workhorse has an angular hinge that lets you rotate the screen.

Like its predecessor, the Vostro 3450, the Dell Vostro V131 retains the brushed aluminium lid and chrome edges that surround its recessed keyboard and touchpad. Media controls are also baked into the function keys.

While the chiclet-style keyboard provides good tactile response, it is not illuminated with backlights like the Vostro 3450.

At the top right corner of the laptop’s base are two buttons for launching Windows mobility settings and utility tools. A third button can be programmed to fire up any program on the computer.

Dell Vostro V131
The laptop’s matte display is bright and sharp enough for viewing documents and watching high-definition videos. Colors are more vibrant and saturated compared to the Vostro 3450.

Dell users who loath the Vostro 3450′s bulk will welcome the Vostro V131, which is half a kilogram lighter. As it does not have an optical drive, the V131 is also half an inch thinner.

With a skinnier frame, the Dell Vostro V131 is in a much better position than the Vostro 3450 to compete with Lenovo’s ThinkPad Edge E420, a rival machine that has been riding on its ThinkPad traditions and stylish design.

In terms of performance, the Vostro V131 holds its own against the Vostro 3450 and ThinkPad Edge E420.

In the PCMark Vantage test of computing mettle, the Vostro V131 notched a score of 6,751 points, while the Vostro 3450 and ThinkPad Edge E420 scored 6,226 and 6,222 points respectively.

Like almost all business laptops, the Vostro V131, which uses Intel HD integrated graphics, is not apt at running 3-D graphics.

Click for more Dell Vostro V131 now.

• Intel Core i5-2430M 2.4GHz processor
• 4GB DDR3 memory
• 500GB hard drive
• DVD writer
• Nvidia GeForce GT520M

With a luxurious design featuring clean lines and Dell’s signature recessed hinge, the Dell XPS 14z is aimed at creative types looking for an alternative to the Macbook Pro.

With a thickness of 23mm, Dell claims the XPS 14z is one of the slimmest 14-inch laptops with an optical drive.

Still, the laptop is not all that anorexic if you compare it to ultrabooks which can be as thin as 3mm.

Despite its 14-inch panel, the Dell XPS 14z shares the same footprint as a 13.3-inch notebook.

The chiclet-style keys offer great tactile response and, along with the responsive touchpad that supports two-finger scrolling gestures, the XPS14z is one of the most ergonomic notebooks I have reviewed.

In the PCMark Vantage test of computing mettle, the Dell XPS 14z notched a score of 7,114 points, a performance that is not too far from that of laptops powered by more powerful Core i7 chips.

In the 3DMark06 graphics processing benchmark, it turned in a score of 5,344 points, which trails the performance of machines with faster graphics chips such as the AMD Radeon HD 6770.

Nonetheless, the Dell XPS 14z still offers a good 30.5 frames per second in the Resident Evil 5 benchmark test that grills PCs on gaming performance.

Above all, the benchmark scores mean the Dell XPS 14z can handle everyday computing tasks and multimedia workloads with decent performance.

However, the audio quality of the speakers is nothing to shout about.

While they belted out tunes with sufficient volume, they lacked tonal quality and went into distortion when cranked to the maximum volume.

Click to order Dell XPS 14z from Amazon now.

Not to be left out is Lenovo. Instead of black, graphite or even white, the Lenovo U300s is available – as an option – with an orange cover that shouts ‘check me out’.

It looks very much like the MacBook Air but the maker of the venerable Thinkpad has other practical tools up its sleeves.

It promises that the battery will be half full after 30 minutes of charging. So, you will have time to juice it up before you rush off to another meeting. The keyboard is ‘breathable’, enabling the circuit board to keep cool more efficiently.

Click to order Lenovo U300s now.

The Toshiba Portege Z830 weighs just 1.12kg and is 1.5cm thick. With a 13.3-inch screen, it has a Core i5 or Core i7 chip doing the heavy lifting.

Toshiba is selling the Portege‘s solid heritage. So, its honeycomb structure comes wrapped in magnesium that is said to withstand impact or rough use better than regular laptops.

A 128GB SSD and a whole host of connection ports – VGA, USB 3.0, HDMI and even Gigabit Ethernet – are packed into its small frame.

Start click on the Toshiba Portege Z830 now

The Asus ZenBook are not just ultra-slim and light, these 11.6- and 13.3-inch models come with an attractive metallic cover that reflects light interestingly.

Then there is the Bang & Olufsen ICEpower audio technology, which offers clear vocals and deep bass.

Of the four models sold here, the eye-catcher is the top-end 13.3-inch model. It comes with a 1,600 x 900 pixels resolution screen for sharper text and images. Most of its rivals offer just 1,366 x 768 pixels.

It also has a Core i7 processor and a useful 256GB SSD drive.

Check the Asus ZenBook now

This Taiwanese PC maker was among the first to ship an ultrabook. The Aspire S3 lives up to the ultra-book tag by being just 1.8cm thin. All three models come with 13.3-inch screens, the most popular size for many thin and light laptops.

Both Core i3 and Core i5 models have only a standard 320GB hard disk and a very small 20GB SSD.The only S3 ultrabook that has the looks and capabilities of a serious competitor is the one with a Core i5 chip and a handy 240GB SSD. All three models have two USB 2.0 ports, and an HDMI port.

Click to order Acer Aspire S3 for special price now.

The ‘Gamer’ member of Samsung’s Series 7 laptop family sports a full gaming keyboard with backlights in different colours. This 17.3-inch gaming rig is endowed with the most powerful graphics chip available – the AMD Radeon HD 6970M with 2GB of video memory.

Its impressive hardware ensures high-end video quality and performance in 3-D games.

Featuring Beats Audio and four built-in speakers to pump up the grooves, the 15.6-inch HP Pavilion dv6 promises to be an entertainment powerhouse. It packs a punch, too, with powerful components like an Intel Core i7-2670QM processor, 4GB of DDR3 memory, 750GB hard drive, AMD Radeon HD 6770M graphics and a DVD writer.

With high-end specs at mainstream prices, what more can you ask for?

Get it for special price, HP Pavilion DV6 now.