Acer TravelMate 3273WXMi

Despite these slight drawbacks, there isn't a single thing about the Acer that fails it outright: it's a perfectly serviceable laptop with more than capable performance. What makes it stand out is the price - costing less than £600, this is a great choice for those looking for a budget machine for general use. As ever, it's possible to spend a little more money and get something better - for our money, we'd spend another £100 and buy the HP Compaq nx7400. In return for the extra cash, you get a system that's more solid, as well as offering more than four hours' battery life and much improved looks. But if going over £600 simply isn't an option, the TravelMate is a great system.

Author: Dave Stevenson