Asus U1-3002E

There's plenty of competition for your money in the ultraportable market - just look at the UMPCs on p54; tiny, fully fledged Windows systems complete with touchscreens and keyboards. But neither has a high-enough resolution TFT to make Windows a practical proposition, and using Windows primarily via a finger and a touchscreen can be frustrating. The U1 is cheaper than either of the UMPCs and far easier to use.

It can't quite work its way to the top of the A List, though: the Dell Latitude D420 is faster and has a larger screen. The Dell is heavier but, at 1.5kg, is still a fairly negligible addition to a shoulder bag. Its internal HSDPA adapter means you can get online at broadband-like speeds throughout Europe, and it's also £142 cheaper, besides coming with Dell's solid three-year on-site warranty. The Asus does come very close to tripping up the Sony VAIO VGN-TX3XP, though. The Asus is smaller, lighter and cheaper, but the VAIO beats it on the grounds that it has a built-in optical drive and a stunning nine-hour single-battery life. If you need an ultraportable for work, the Dell D420 is the place to stop looking. If you simply want to save every last gram, there's plenty to recommend the U1.

Author: Dave Stevenson