HP Pavilion HDX9004tx

HP's first 20-inch notebook is designed for entertainment enthusiasts and users seeking a home-theatre experience. It is designed to deliver rich multimedia performance with a 20.1-inch diagonal display. The HDX is designed for multimedia use such as watching movies, editing videos and playing games. It also features an Ultra BrightView widescreen display and Altec Lansing audio supported by four integrated speakers and a subwoofer. The HDX also comes with HD DVD and a built-in TV tuner capable of capturing over-the-air HD content. Complementing this feature set, HDMI output eliminates the need for a separate HD DVD player. The HDX design features a dual hinge that allows consumers the flexibility to move or tilt the screen for optimal viewing plus a dockable full-function media centre remote control.
Distributed by This model is being sold through retailers include Harvey Norman, Dick Smith, Bing Lee and Officeworks. There are no plans to sell it through IT resellers.
RRP: From $4999

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Lenovo 3000 N200

This 15.4-inch widescreen notebook provides more viewing area than standard LCD screens, with the extra space allowing users to optimize their multimedia experience. Stereo speakers are located on both sides of the keyboard for more robust sound and better listening range and volume. An integrated microphone is located at the front edge of the keyboard for easy use and clear sound. For additional convenience, side audio ports allow quick access for select microphones, headphones or line-in devices. Plus, multimedia function keys are built directly into the keyboard, making it easy to play DVDs and CDs with the touch of a finger. The Lenovo N200 also offers an integrated 1.3 mega-pixel digital camera on select models. With the latest Intel Centrino Duo processor technology and discrete graphics from Nvidia, Lenovo claims the N200 combines performance and usability. It weighs 2.8kg.
Distributed by Ingram Micro, Synnex, Cellnet
RRP: $1998.70

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Toshiba Qosmio G40

The Qosmio G40 is the world's first notebook with an integrated hybrid TV tuner, incorporating the latest Intel Centrino Duo processor and a high-definition (HD) DVD-R optical drive that plays and records in full 1080p resolution. Users can also watch TV on the Qosmio G40, with its Twin DVBT TV Tuner and Dolby surround sound. The Qosmio G40 can burn up to 30GB of data - including home videos, photo albums and music libraries - onto a single HD DVD-R disc. In addition to the storage capacity, the HD DVD-R optical drive also plays HD DVD movies in full 1080p, with six times the detail and sharpness than the standard DVD format. The Qosmio G40 has a 17-inch widescreen LCD TV and includes a virtual surround sound system. The unit includes two integrated analogue and digital TV tuners, which support worldwide TV broadcasting formats. It also means it is simple to record from the both TV tuners at once, which is a feature not previously available.
Distributed by Ingram Micro
RRP: $5400

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Sony VAIO FZ series

With the FZ series notebook, Sony says it aims to put advanced technology in the hands of home users. A 15.4-inch LCD display with Bravia backlight technology enables the screen to reproduce vivid colours with precision for displaying photos and video. Despite the display panel size, the FZ series is compact and portable, with Sony suggesting that viewing and editing full HD content on the road is now a reality. The FZ18 model also has an integrated Blu-ray disc drive. At its simplest, a Blu-ray Disc enables 50GB of general-purpose archival capacity and can be used to store HD personal video. The FZ18 is capable of both editing and outputting full HD video, so it can be used as a personal HD videoediting suite. An HDMI output with HDCP completes the notebook's HD functionality. The unit is just a single-cable connection to any HD-ready TV. Enjoying a film or listening to music is easy with an array of dedicated AV buttons for play control and provision of three USB 2.0 ports delivers connectivity for your peripherals.
Distributed by Ingram Micro, Multimedia Technology, Cellnet, EDsys Distribution and Electronic Concepts
RRP: From $1999

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ASI Amata S96s

Launched just last month, ASI has targeted its Amata S96s at the SME market. It is built on the Santa Rosa Centrino Pro platform and has a 15.4-inch widescreen which, coupled with the notebook's 256MB Nvidia-based graphics engine, enables users to see more detail than on a standard display. ASI claims the Amata S96s has a better battery life than previous models. It has a built-in Web camera which, alongside a DVDRW super multi drive, gives the user a complete multimedia experience. Hard drives of different sizes can be slotted into the unit, ranging from 80GB to 160GB in size. Bluetooth is an option, but the notebook supports A, G and N wireless connectivity as well as Turbo RAM. For those users who wish to expand in the future, the Amata S96s supports up to a maximum of 4GB RAM. Platforms supported are Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista and Linux.
Distributed by ASI Solutions
RRP: From $1795