Buying a notebook on a budget is no mean feat.

While most small- to medium-sized businesses tend to be extremely price-sensitive when it comes to purchasing hardware (or even software), and increasingly, the needs of such users have become more demanding.

For instance, for those who spend a lot of time on the road, size and weight are the two most critical factors in choosing a new notebook -- even if it means sacrificing a little on performance and features.

If you belong to the another group known as "power users" -- those who rely on the same notebook at work, at home, and on the road -- you will need a well-balanced system, and it has to deliver the performance to keep up with a wide range of applications.

In this round-up for small and medium businesses, we feature notebooks in several price bands -- and varying bells and whistles -- ranging from a little over AU$1,500 to just under AU$4,000 for business users who require high performance.

Asus V1J Read review

Part of Asus' security-oriented laptop series, the V1J is A great all-round laptop with good security features. Screen size: 15.4-inch Processor speed: 1.8GHz Memory: 1GB Hard drive: 120GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 331x 272 x 25.4 mm Weight: 2.7kg Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Price: AU$2999

Alienware Area-51 m5550 Read review

The Core 2 Duo-based Alienware Area-51 m5550 can perform as well as larger, more expensive systems, but its short battery life means you won't be very mobile. Screen size: 15.4-inch Processor speed: 2.33GHz Memory: 2GB Hard drive: 100GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 362x 273 x 34 mm Weight: 2.7kg Graphics: GeForce Go 7600 Price: AU$3805

Dell Latitude D420 Read review

The Dell Latitude D420's portability, power and ability to go online at any time from any location makes it perfect for road warriors. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.2GHz Memory: 1.2GB Hard drive: 60GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 295 x 210 x 25mm Weight: 1.5kg Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Price: AU$2,505

BenQ Joybook S61 Read review

There's a lot to love about BenQ's ultra-portable media centre notebook, even if battery life isn't ideal. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.66GHz Memory: 512MB Hard drive: 80GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 303.75 x 222 x 27.5mm Weight: 1.65kg Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Price: AU$2499

Earlier models

HP Compaq Presario v3000 Read review

An attractive multimedia notebook that won't break the bank. Screen size: 14.1-inch Processor speed: 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Memory: 2GB DDR2 Hard drive: Up to 100GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 334 x 237 x 39mm Weight: 2.4kg Graphics: Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 Price: AU$1,699

Apple MacBook (2.0GHz, 13-inch, black) Read review

With the MacBook, Apple has corrected a handful of the iBook's shortcomings, hit a reasonable price point, and delivered a laptop that makes a great compromise between size and portability. Screen size: 13.3-inch (33.78 cm, diagonal) Processor speed: 2GHz Memory: 512MB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM Hard drive: 80GB Serial ATA Dimensions (WxDxH): 325 x 227 x 27 mm Weight: 2.36kg Graphics: Intel GMA 950 graphics processor Price: AU$2,399

Acer TravelMate 3010 Read review

Acer's cheap and cheerful thin-and-light feels more like a high-end offering thanks to its stellar performance and battery life. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.66GHz Memory: 512MB DDR2-533 Hard drive: 80GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 297.5 x 210 x 24.5/32.4 mm Weight: 1.5kg Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphics Price: AU$2,699

Dell XPS M1210 Read review

Though its higher-end configurations are expensive, the Dell XPS M1210 should appeal to everyday users who want a relatively light but still full-featured Media Center computer. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.66GHz Memory: 1GB (4GB max) DDR II SDRAM Hard drive: 60GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 297 x 221 x 30 mm Weight: 1.98kg Graphics: NVidia GeForce Go 7400 Price: AU$2,698

ThinkPad R60 Read review

Businesses seeking a sturdy, secure, portable workhorse should consider the ThinkPad R60. Screen size: 15-inch Processor speed: 1.83 GHz Memory: 512 MB Hard drive: 60GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 332 x 269 x 40.2 mm Weight: 3.1kg Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 Price: AU$2,699

Toshiba Portege M400 Read review

Though inexpensive, the Portege M400 convertible tablet's middle-of-the-road performance and battery life may not be enough for the demanding business user. For basic tasks, however, it's a decent bargain. Screen size: 12.1-inch Processor speed: 1.66GHz Memory: 128MB Hard drive: 60GB 5400RPM Dimensions (WxDxH): 294.64 x 248.92 x 38.1 mm Weight: 2kg Price: AU$3,190

Dell Inspiron 6400 Read review

The Inspiron 6400 is a desktop replacement notebook, offering up the familiar silver and white-accented design that's common to the Inspiron line. It's not exactly a stunner, but you certainly won't be ashamed to tote it around whilst in the public eye. Screen size: 15.4-inch Processor speed: Up to 2GHz Memory: Up to 2GB DDR2-667 SDRAM Hard drive: Up to 100GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 356 x 265.5 x 38.7mm Weight: 2.8kg Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Price: AU$3,189

Sony VAIO VGN-TX27GP Read review

Our new favourite ultra-portable, the Sony VAIO VGN-TX27GP offers up a superb design, brilliant battery life and a great blend of multimedia features. Screen size: 11.1-inch Processor speed: 1.2GHz Memory: 1G DDR2 Hard drive: 60GB Dimensions (WxDxH): 272x195.1x28.5mm Weight: 1.25kg Graphics: Intel GMA 900 Price: AU$3,699