Laptop test: ultras from Samsung, Toshiba, Lenovo and a 15'' from MSI

Today we’re bringing you a roundup of some recent ultraportable laptops, the 16:9 format Samsung Q320, the Satellite U500-11C multimedia allrounder from Toshiba, the compact Lenovo U350 and the slim and sexy 15-inch from MSI.

Sometimes 15 inches is too much without going for something ultra-thin, but then you lose out on performance. Here we have two 13-inch machines and a slimline 15-inch that nevertheless retain relative all-rounder status. We’ve also included a third ultra from the 13-inch class that puts the accent on lightness and longer battery life.

The Samsung Q320 has a 13.4 inch screen in 16:9. Nicely finished and sobre, it allows you to play HD films and do some light gaming.

The Toshiba Satellite U500-11C is equipped with a 13.3 inch screen (1280 x 800). With an original but sobre design, it looks good and will be ideal for those looking for a laptop that does it all. Gaming and HD video are no problem.

Same screen size for the Lenovo U350 (13.3 inches), but in a 16:9 format (1366 x 768). With a different philosophy to the Toshiba, the U350 has been designed for those looking for something light and compact, with good battery life. No gaming here and just a single core processor.

While too big for the ultra class, the MSI X-Slim X600 is nevertheless impressively slim. With all the adavantages of a dual core CPU and a dedicated graphics card, it gives good performance but retains decent battery life.

Read the tests here:

Samsung Q320

Toshiba Satellite U500-11C

Lenovo ideapad U350

MSI X-Slim X600


Product survey: Laptops