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Windows 7 means new laptops

While most vendors are simply installing Windows 7 across their existing range, a number of new laptops will be available for purchase now that Microsoft's new operating system has hit the market.

Craig Simms
Craig was sucked into the endless vortex of tech at an early age, only to be spat back out babbling things like "phase-locked-loop crystal oscillators!". Mostly this receives a pat on the head from the listener, followed closely by a question about what laptop they should buy.
Craig Simms
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1 of 19 HP

HP Envy 13

While most vendors are simply installing Windows 7 across their existing range, a number of new laptops will be available for purchase now that Microsoft's new operating system has hit the market.

HP's Envy 13 and 15 finally hit Australia last week, along with its Mini 311 and Pavilion dm series. Toshiba's Satellite U500 has a touchscreen built in, whereas Asus' M60J and G60J (complete with Core i7 processor) should be available soon. Asus also has its UL series out-featuring ultra low voltage processors, including the UL20A, UL30A, UL50Vt and UL80Vt.

MSI's Wind 12 U200 should be released shortly, and in the last few weeks Sony's new X series has set hearts aflutter, although they won't talk about what CPU is inside — leading to speculation it's yet another low powered machine based on Intel's unannounced new Atom.

Speaking of not talking about internals, Dell has been showing off its crazily thin Adamo XPS, at an awe-inspiring 9.99mm thick. It's also released a raft of updated Inspirons, and one 17-inch Studio model. Not to be left out, Acer has also hit the market with its touch-enabled Aspire Timeline 1820PT and Aspire 5738PG, and its 3D notebook the Aspire 5738DG, which with the help of 3D glasses is more impressive than we initially gave it credit for — although you do have to sit directly in front of the screen or the image de-interlaces.

Click through for more information on each of the new Windows 7 ready laptops.

Voodoo's Envy series finally hits Australia under the HP brand. While it's thin and stylish, we have a feeling that the upcoming Dell Adamo XPS may take the wind out of its sails.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 13.1-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo SL9400 or SL9600
GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330 (switchable)
RAM: Up to 3GB
HDD: 250GB 5400rpm or 160GB SSD
ODD: External DVD+-RW
Weight: 1.67kg
Dimensions: 320(W)x215(D)x20.5(H)mm

RRP
AU$3199 (2GB RAM, 250GB HDD)
AU$3799 (3GB RAM, 160GB SSD)

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2 of 19 HP

HP Envy 15

The 15-inch Envy adds more powerful components and the choice of two types of LED backlit screen.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 15.6-inch, 1366x768 or 1920x1080
CPU: Intel Core i7 720QM or 820QM
GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4830 (switchable)
RAM: Up to 8GB
HDD: 500GB 7200rpm
ODD: External DVD+-RW
Weight: 2.35kg
Dimensions: 380(W)x244(D)x26.5(H)mm

RRP
AU$2799 (720QM, 4GB RAM)
AU$3299 (820QM, 8GB RAM)

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3 of 19 HP

HP Pavilion dm1

HP's new ultraportable is fairly standard fare, but for a compelling price.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 11.6-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Pentium SU4100
GPU: Intel GMA 4500MHD
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 250GB 5400rpm
ODD: None
Weight: 1.46kg
Dimensions: 289(W)x204(D)x30.6(H)mm

RRP
AU$999

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4 of 19 HP

HP Pavilion dm3

Hitting the new 13-inch sweet spot, the dm3 packs quite a bit of punch for its form factor.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 13.3-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300 or Core 2 Duo SP9300
GPU: Intel GMA 4500MHD, Nvidia GeForce G105M
RAM: 4GB
HDD: 320GB 7200rpm, 500GB 7200rpm or 160GB SSD
ODD: None
Weight: 1.91kg
Dimensions: 326(W)x230(D)x31.3(H)mm

RRP
AU$1299 (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300, Intel GMA 4500MHD, 320GB HDD)
AU$1599 (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300, Nvidia GeForce G 105M, 320GB HDD)
AU$1899 (Intel Core 2 Duo SP9300, Nvidia GeForce G 105M, 500GB HDD)
AU$1999 (Intel Core 2 Duo SP9300, Nvidia GeForce G 105M, 160GB SSD)

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5 of 19 HP

HP Mini 311

Coming in black or white, the Mini 311 is ion powered, meaning more graphics grunt than your standard netbook. Now if only they'd get GPU acceleration of Adobe's Flash into the public's hands...

Vital statistics
Screen size: 11.6-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Atom N280
GPU: Nvidia Ion
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 250GB 5400rpm
ODD: None
Weight: 1.36kg
Dimensions: 289(W)x204(D)x30.6(H)mm

RRP
AU$899

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6 of 19 CBS Interactive

Toshiba Satellite U500

Toshiba's Satellite U500 now has a touchscreen option, which might mean worse things for its battery.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 13.3-inch, 1280x800
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo P8700
GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4500
RAM: 4GB
HDD: 300GB 5400rpm
ODD: DVD+-RW
Weight: 2.15kg
Dimensions: 317(W)x236.6(D)x38.2(H)mm

RRP
AU$1999

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7 of 19 Asus

Asus M60J

Asus' M60J is the first Core i7 laptop we've seen, and things are looking good on the performance front. It'd also make a compelling gaming laptop, were it not for the existence of the G60J.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 16-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Core i7 720QM
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GT 240M
RAM: 4GB
HDD: Dual 500GB 7200rpm
ODD: Blu-ray
Weight: 3.3kg
Dimensions: 375(W)x265(D)x40.6(H)mm

RRP
AU$2499

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8 of 19 Asus

Asus G60J

The G60J is the gamer version of Asus' i7-based laptop, sporting an Nvidia GTX 260M, a Blu-ray drive and the option of a 1920x1200 screen.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 16-inch, 1366x768 or 1920x1200
CPU: Intel Core i7 720QM
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M
RAM: 4GB
HDD: Dual 500GB 7200rpm
ODD: Blu-ray
Weight: 3.3kg
Dimensions: 375(W)x265(D)x40.6(H)mm

RRP
AU$2999

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9 of 19 Asus

Asus UL20A

Asus' 12-inch ultraportable still manages to cram in Core 2 Duo performance and a 320GB hard drive.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 12.1-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
GPU: Intel GMA 4500MHD
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 320GB 5400rpm
ODD: None
Weight: 1.56kg
Dimensions: 296(W)x210(D)x30.9(H)mm

RRP
AU$1299

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10 of 19 Asus

Asus UL30A

The UL30A is a screen size increase on the UL20A, adding an HDMI port, giving a bigger keyboard and allowing a larger battery as a result.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 13.3-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
GPU: Intel GMA 4500MHD
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 320GB 5400rpm
ODD: None
Weight: 1.5kg
Dimensions: 322(W)x233(D)x24.6(H)mm

RRP
AU$1399

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11 of 19 Asus

Asus UL50Vt

Asus' new mainstream laptop, the 15.6-inch UL50Vt is one of the few new laptops to actually include an optical drive.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 15.6-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
GPU: Nvidia GeForce G 210M
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 320GB 5400rpm
ODD: DVD+-RW
Weight: 2.3kg
Dimensions: 386(W)x259(D)x26.4(H)mm

RRP
AU$1499

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12 of 19 Asus

Asus UL80Vt

Featuring all the specs of the UL50Vt, the UL80Vt has a smaller screen, allowing a more svelte profile for travel.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 14-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300
GPU: Nvidia GeForce G 210M
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 320GB 5400rpm
ODD: DVD+-RW
Weight: 2.0kg
Dimensions: 338(W)x240(D)x26.8(H)mm

RRP
AU$1499

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13 of 19 MSI

MSI Wind 12 U200

MSI's Wind 12 U200 is expected in October — although by the time it arrives it may be sporting a completely different spec than what we've seen already. The version we saw wasn't a netbook, but rather a ULV processor crammed into a small chassis, offering greater power.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 12.1-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Celeron ULV 723
GPU: Intel GMA 950
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 320GB 5400rpm
ODD: None
Weight: 1.3kg
Dimensions: 297(W)x190(D)x31(H)mm

RRP
AU$999

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14 of 19 Sony

Sony Vaio X series

This hot little laptop is only as thick as the VGA port attached to it, and Sony execs like showing off its toughness by standing on it, Lenovo style. Unfortunately it's also yet another overpriced Atom-based machine from the vendor, making it only worth it to those who like throwing money away.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 11.1-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Atom Z540 or Z550
GPU: Intel GMA500
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 64GB or 128GB Solid State Drive
ODD: None
Weight: 0.655 - 0.760kg
Dimensions: 278(W)x185(D)x14(H)mm

RRP
AU$1699 (Atom Z540, Windows 7 Home Premium)
AU$1899 (Atom Z540, Windows 7 Professional)
AU$TBA (Atom Z550, 128GB SSD, Windows 7 Professional)

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15 of 19 Dell

Dell Adamo XPS

Yep, at 9.99mm thick, the Adamo XPS sure is an impressive bit of kit, so thin you have to rub on it to open it. It's apparently surprisingly sturdy too, and while the lion's share of specs aren't yet known, this is one laptop we're definitely looking forward to getting our hands on.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 13-inch
CPU: Intel ULV (nothing more given)
GPU: Unknown
RAM: Unknown
HDD: Unknown
ODD: None
Weight: Unknown
Dimensions: 340(W)x9.99(H)mm

RRP
AU$TBA

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16 of 19 Dell

Dell Inspiron Z series

Slightly less exciting than the Adamo XPS, but more likely for people to buy is Dell's update Inspiron range, in 11-, 13-, 14- and 15-inch varieties.

Vital statistics
Screen size:
11.6-inch, 1366x768
13.3-inch, 1366x768
14-inch, 1366x768
15.6-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core, Celeron and Core 2 Duo processors
GPU: Intel GMA 4500MHD or ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330
RAM: Up to 6GB
HDD: Up to 500GB
ODD: DVD+-RW or Blue-ray
Weight:
1.385kg
1.79kg
2.08kg
2.64kg
Dimensions:
292.0(W)x214.0(D)x25.8(H)mm
340.0(W)x242.5(D)x32.3(H)mm
340.0(W)x242.5(D)x29.2(H)mm
373.5(W)x244.0(D)x37.8(H)mm

RRP
From AU$899 (11z)
From AU$1199 (13z)
From AU$1299 (14z)
From AU$749 (15z)

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17 of 19 Dell

Dell Studio 17

An update to Dell's big screen Studio series will include Intel's new i7 processors to bring it up-to-date with the latest desktop replacements.
Screen size: 17.3-inch, 1600x900
CPU: Intel Core i7 720QM or 820QM
GPU: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
RAM: Up to 8GB
HDD: Single or dual 500GB 7200rpm
ODD: Blu-ray
Weight: 3.2kg
Dimensions: 413.6(W)x280.6(D)x39(H)mm

RRP
From AU$2499

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18 of 19 Acer

Acer Aspire Timeline 1820PT

Like a few vendors, Acer is hoping that the tablet format takes off again with the advent of Windows 7's touch technology.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 11.6-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel core 2 Duo SU7300
GPU: Intel GMA 4500MHD
RAM: 4GB
HDD: 320GB 5400rpm
ODD: None
Weight: 1.72kg
Dimensions: 285(W)x208.9(D)x34.5(H)mm

RRP
AU$879

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19 of 19 Acer

Acer Aspire 5738

While the PG version is a multi-touch notebook, the DG version of this laptop includes a polarising filter and glasses that enables watching of 3D content. You can either watch content that's been created with 3D in mind (surprisingly good), or use Acer's built in technology to make 2D images 3D (varying success). Either way, you have to sit directly front on or the image starts de-interlacing.

Vital statistics
Screen size: 15.6-inch, 1366x768
CPU: Intel core 2 Duo T6600
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 4570
RAM: 4GB
HDD: 320GB 5400rpm
ODD: DVD+-RW
Weight: 2.79kg
Dimensions: 383(W)x250(D)x37(H)mm

RRP
AU$1399 (5738PG)
AU$1999 (5738DG)

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