The laptop has moved from being a rep’s stand-by and an executive’s toy to a useful piece of kit for everyone from schoolchildren upwards. And for university-bound students a laptop (also known as a notebook) is as essential as daytime TV or subsidised beer.

The main reason for the surge in popularity is that prices have plummeted – a basic notebook costs as little as £300 and indeed the average UK selling price in August this year was £475 according to GFK, the retail analyst. However, as with most things, there is a compromise between price and quality and these super-cheap laptops often promise more than they will deliver. But spend just a little more and buyers can expect a sub£700 machine that a strutting young exec would be proud to own, with decent performance, good battery life and a crisp, clear screen.

Before splashing out, think carefully about how you intend to use the laptop. Most current models can cope admirably with the basics – word processing, e-mail and web browsing. However, to play the latest 3-D games requires a model with a proper graphics chip built in. Of the models tested, only the Toshiba and, to some extent, the MSI are capable of reasonable 3-D gaming.

College goers will be keen to spend their funds on a model that will also act as a mobile entertainment centre for videos, music, and potentially even television (a Freeview digital tuner can be added to the USB socket of most laptops for about £30). In which case, the capacity of the hard drive and the size or calibre of the screen become crucial. The swanky Toshiba model offers a full 200GB of hard disk storage but the HP and MSI are close behind with 160GB each. The Gateway and Lenovo models deliver a decent 120GB but the Apple is surprisingly limited to 80GB unless you pay extra.

Apart from the workmanlike Lenovo, all of the laptops tested here have a glossy widescreen that will make movies or photos look good. Be aware, though, that glossy screens can pick up annoying reflections from overhead lights in offices or libraries.

If you intend to work on the train or an internet cafe, then size, weight and battery life are priorities. Smaller-screen laptops often weigh less but this is of little comfort if you are struggling with an essay or report because the screen is cramped. As a general rule a 15.4in widescreen is considered a good working compromise, as these machines are not overly heavy yet are able to display movies or documents well. Models with a larger screen also tend to have more comfortable keyboards, especially apparent when typing for long periods. Good keyboards have solid, evenly spaced keys, but tastes vary so try any laptop with your own hands before purchase.

Obviously a laptop that runs out of juice after an hour is no good when on the road, and having to keep the battery charger plugged in is annoying. The battery figures cited here are with light usage, and these could well halve with more arduous tasks such as playing a movie.

Even a modest budget of £700 need not mean a slowcoach machine. All of the laptops here boast a dual-core processor (see jargon buster) and these are able to run background tasks, such as a virus scan or ripping a CD, without slowing down performance. Laptops with AMD processors – including the Toshiba and MSI models reviewed – usually lack the punch of those with the latest Intel Core 2 Duo chips. This, however, is counterbalanced by the amount of Ram (see jargon buster) that the computer contains. If you run Windows Vista, which is supplied with all of the laptops on test except the Apple, you should opt for 2GB of Ram. This kind of memory can, however, be upgraded at any time after purchase, whereas the processor cannot be improved. When choosing, weigh up the relative importance of size, storage capacity and power. Then factor in the value of extra features. All of these machines offer a DVD burner, apart from the Apple, and also built-in wi-fi. You may decide that a built-in webcam or wireless Bluetooth ability have appeal too. However, the value of reliability and build quality should not be underestimated. Only the Toshiba comes with a three-year warranty, though the others can all be extended apart from the Gateway. But always check if this covers accidental damage.

JARGON BUSTER

Clock speed
The operating speed of a processor in gigahertz (GHz). No longer a reliable gauge of performance

Dual core
Latest generation of processors; far better for multitasking or handling routine background jobs

Graphics chip
Drives the display; vital for playing recent 3-D games properly as these are technologically demanding

Hard drive/hard disk
Where software and data are stored. Capacity measured in gigabytes (GB)

Ram
Live memory. Vista needs 1GB but 2GB is far better

Vista
Latest variant of Windows intended to replace XP

FAMILY VALUE

HP Pavilion dv6558ea
Typically £699
www.hp.com/uk

Solid all-rounder at a reasonable price
This laptop has a distinctive well finished chassis and a decent keyboard. The sharp 15.4in glossy screen proved ideal for movies and its speakers produced crisp, clear sound. The generous 160GB drive can house a fat music library and the built-in webcam is handy too. A 1.5GHz Core 2 Duo processor may sound modest but, in conjunction with the 2GB of Ram, proved powerful enough for most office tasks. However, the lack of a proper graphics card means it is no gaming machine. The battery lasted only 2hr 30min, and at 3.1kg this HP is too heavy to lug far. Nevertheless, for the money, it rocks.

STYLE GURU

Apple MacBook 2GHz
Typically £699 (as reviewed)
www.apple.com/ukstore

Workmanlike, yet still exudes cool
Apple’s budget laptop range contains much the same technology as its pricier Pro brethren and the neat plastic chassis shows few obvious signs of corner cutting. The 13.3in screen is compact but bright, clear and colourful. The large keys proved capable and the battery lasted 5hr 34min. Its Intel Core 2 Duo processor handled the Apple software well and it can also run Windows, though that must be bought separately. The MacBook weighs just 2.3kg but its value is eroded by a skimpy 80GB hard drive, only 1GB of Ram and no DVD writer on the model as tested. The older iPod-white style case is overdue a redesign too.

BUDGET CUT

Lenovo 3000 C200
Typically £399
www.lenovo.co.uk

Well made and ready for business
Lenovo (formerly IBM) laptops have a reputation for reliability and this model is solidly constructed with a firm keyboard. The battery lasted an impressive 3hr 56min and though this Lenovo contains a slightly older Intel Core Duo processor, and 1GB of Ram, it tackled several office tasks simultaneously without slowing. However, it looks drab and there are almost no 3-D gaming capabilities. The 15in matt display is competent and unaffected by reflections, but the brightness needed a boost before use outdoors. At 2.8kg, it’s none too light. Nevertheless, for a solid laptop that can take its knocks, this Lenovo is a bargain.

MR PORTABILITY

MSI PR210-016UK
Typically £699
www.msicomputer.co.uk

Lightweight, yet exeptional stamina
This was the lightest laptop tested at just 2.1kg. Despite this, the battery lasted 4hr 3min from one charge. The price of such portability is a tiny 12.1in screen that needed to be set at max brightness to give a sharp image. Also, the battery protrudes from the rear, leaving it exposed to damage. The keyboard proved effective, with well-sized keys. A webcam and fingerprint scanner (for security) also add value, and there is an optional TV tuner. The MSI’s 160GB hard drive is generous, its AMD processor is competent, and the laptop coped with basic 3-D gaming. However, 1GB of Ram is less impressive.

THE ENTERTAINER

Toshiba Satellite A21011P
Typically £699
uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com

Suavely entertaining and fine value
Toshiba makes decent laptops and the swish Satellite A21011P is no exception. Movies looked vibrant on the 15.4in widescreen and its 200GB hard disk won’t fill up in a hurry. Other nice touches include a built-in webcam and a touchpad that can quickly launch a program. The AMD processor is not as powerful as the Intel ones in rivals; however, combined with its 2GB of Ram, the Tosh proved extremely competent on everyday tasks and even handled 3-D games. The biggest problem is the 2.9kg weight, and the battery lasted a mere 1hr 49min. Nevertheless, given its three-year warranty, it’s a steal.

BIG BIRD

Gateway MX8716b
Typically £549
www.uk.gateway.com

Large screen and decent performer; heavy
For some laptop lovers there is no substitute for a big screen. In which case, the 17in display on this Gateway, sold exclusively by Tesco, is a bargain. The screen offered impressive colour and contrast and its size also means a fuller-sized keyboard, even though this did flex a little. The Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of Ram handled most everyday applications but the Gateway lacks the 3-D power for proper gaming. It’s not particularly portable either and if the 3.4kg weight doesn’t put you off taking it out for the day, the modest 2hr 52min battery life will. The one-year warranty, unusually, cannot be upgraded.