The trend these days is towards smaller and smaller computers - but that doesn't mean big is now bad.
If you're not too fussy about having an ultra-portable netbook, there are still some traditional notebooks, or laptops as they were once called, that offer lots of screen space while still affording portability.
The Compaq Presario CQ61-106TX gives you 16 inches of screen and a BrightView LED display, and some impressive performance specifications, all at a price that is comparable to some high-end netbooks.
It's powered by an Intel Core 2 Due processor running at 2 GHz, which is a little faster than most netbooks. It also gives you 4GB of RAM and a hard disk with 250GB of storage. You also get built-in SuperMulti DVD rewritable drive, and built-in Wi-Fi, including the latest 'n' version.
One feature lacking in many netbooks is the Presario's dedicated graphics platform. While netbooks do come with a basic graphics chip, mostly the Intel GMA950, this Presario is equipped with Nvidia's GeForce G 103M graphics chip with 512MB of onboard RAM for those 3D games that just won't run smoothly on basic netbooks.
So the choice is yours - small and ultra-portable with limited performance, or big and chunky with gaming. The Presario CQ61-106TX costs HK$6,980 with a 17-inch carrying case if you buy it from the HP online store.