Heckendorn's business card says he makes a living in design consultation and prototyping. In practice, he's an independent contractor whose clients hire him to build custom machines, often to make them portable.

He starts with off-the-shelf consumer products and, if the circuitry is simple -- as with an Atari 2600 video game console (released in 1977) -- the end product might be a handheld device with a built-in screen and cartridge slot. More modern hardware, such as a Sony PlayStation 3, could end up looking like a laptop batteries.

First, a netbook is a cheap portable computer that fits the definition of an ULCPC (ultra-low cost personal computer), under which Microsoft provides a cheap version called Windows XP Home Edition ULCPC, optimised for small machines. Since we're not Microsoft customers, we don't know exactly what this definition entails. However, looking at netbooks Dell Inspiron 6000 battery on the market, it clearly allows for an Intel Atom processor (there are alternatives), 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard drive and a 12-inch screen.

While consumers haven't been buying docking stations in great numbers, businesses have embraced them as a way to quickly make and break notebook connections in the office. Last year, companies outfitted 63% of Samsung R45-K004 battery with docks, a proportion that has increased from 35% in 2006, according to figures from analysis firm The NPD Group Inc.

ThinkPads A20 battery are the three-piece power suits of the laptop world, delivering sturdy hardware and high-end components in an unassuming black chassis. The new T400 is no exception. Excellent battery life and useful productivity applications are wrapped in a sturdy shell, offering business travelers an efficient platform for getting things done.

One screen wasn't enough for Fujitsu  BTP-B5K8 battery. The company just had to tack on a second, smaller screen and create a sort of odd mashup with its LifeBook N7010 laptop. The main screen is a fairly crisp 16-inch, 16:9 aspect-ratio screen (new for the LifeBook maker). The other panel is a 4-inch touch screen that serves as a shortcut-heavy zone. Interesting, yes--but does that tiny secondary screen make this machine worth the US$1500 asking price ?

Toshiba Corp. recently sent in its new 500GB USB external disk drive for review. While the 2.5-in. device is a slick-looking drive with its diminutive size and shiny-black plastic case, I took issue with a couple of things after using it.

So how does it perform? Well, that's a question best answered after the PC World Test Center gets its hands on this laptop. But Dell  Inspiron 1100 battery spokespeople seemed genuinely scared that we'd try to stack this machine up against other notebooks. Why? They cautioned that they are positioning the Adamo as a fashion statement. Couture computing, if you will.