Like the calm before the storm, knowledgeable consumers have been holding back their dollars and waiting for the launch of the Windows Vista operating system, released on January 30. This is simply good economics, as one will save significantly when the new OS is bundled with their PC.

But what if you purchased a notebook before Vista's launch? Fortunately, you will not be left out in the Vista wave as most vendors participate in the Express Upgrade to Windows Vista program which allows you to upgrade to the latest OS for a small fee. However, there is a minor caveat. Though most dual-core machines are Vista-capable and allow you to run the Vista Home Basic version, only Vista-ready machines can give you the full eye candy of the higher-end editions.

In order to be given the stamp of approval as a Vista-ready machine, you will need to meet the following specifications:

• 1GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1GB of system memory
• Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDM driver, at least 128MB of graphics memory, Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
• 40GB of hard disk with 15GB free
• DVD drive
• Audio device
• Internet access

If you're looking to purchase a new notebook, fear not. We present the top popular picks for Vista-ready laptops.

1. Dell Inspiron 6400
The Inspiron 6400 is a mid-range notebook with an entry-level price tag. It'll handle most applications nicely, but it's a little on the heavy side and isn't suitable for extensive gaming.

The good

• Affordable
• Impressive general performance
• Great battery life for a desktop replacement
• Bright, high-resolution screen
• Instant-on DVD payback feature

The bad

• Hefty weight and dimensions
• Poor gaming performance
• Some minor design quirks

5. Sony VAIO VGN-TX27GP
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.

The good

• Excellent battery life
• Superb design
• Impressive multimedia features
• Highly portable
• Quality display

The bad

• Relatively slow performance
• A few minor design quirks

3. Dell Inspiron 9400
The Dell Inspiron 9400 packs a solid set of multimedia features, and when configured with Intel's Core Duo processor, it has enough power to speed through virtually any task, from editing video to playing games.

The good

• Excellent overall performance and competent gaming performance
• Complete set of multimedia controls and connections
• Quality speakers
• Runs Windows XP Media Center
• Features double-layer DVD burner

The bad

• Lacks integrated TV tuner, though a PC Card tuner is available

Luke Anderson from ZDNet Australia contributed to this article.