Samsung’s Q35 is the most expensive laptop in this group.

It is also the only laptop to boast an Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 2GHz. It nudges ahead of its rivals in terms of Ram, boasting 1.25GB (256MB on the motherboard plus a separate 1GB Dimm module) and a healthy 120GB hard disk.

Oddly, we couldn’t get it to run our PCmark test, but it was the clear winner in most of our other benchmark tests. The only exception was its 3D graphics performance, where the superior graphics chip in the Mesh Pegasus took first place.

The Q35 won’t be much of a games machine, but in all other respects it’s a capable performer and will handle business software and more demanding audio and video work with ease. It’s also got a Firewire port and memory card slot for quickly transferring photos and video clips.

We were impressed by the Q35’s battery life. Because it features the most powerful processor in this group you might expect it to consume battery power more quickly.

In fact the opposite is true and the Q35 provides impressive battery life – a massive five hours when running productivity software and almost three hours' worth of DVD playback (pipped at the post in this test only by Fujitsu-Siemens’ Amilo notebook).

Our only small criticism is that, as with several of these lightweight laptops, the Q35 could be a bit more solidly built. The screen panel is fairly flexible and bends more than we would have liked.

At just over £1,000, the Q35 is the most expensive laptop reviewed here, but its performance, compact design and outstanding battery life mean that it will earn its keep when you’re on the road.

This article is part of a group test of lightweight laptops.
See also Fujitsu-Siemens
HP Compaq
Mesh Pegasus
Packard Bell
Sony Vaio
Evesham Lightbook
Graphs and table of features can be read via our pdf downloads above.