• Apple Mac Mini (Late 2009)
• Apple iMac 24-inch (2009)
• Apple iPad
• Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2009)

The 2010 school year rolls around once more, and we're sure people will be looking for budget laptops. Here are our choices for the new year, servicing netbooks through to full-featured laptops.

Laptops for school need not be high end - as long as they're reasonably light so they can fit in a backpack, pack in at least 2GB of RAM and have wireless networking capability, they should be perfectly fine for school use. As a result, netbooks are actually quite a good choice.

If you want a laptop that has the most flexibility and has a decent amount of future-proofing built in, it's hard to go past the MacBook, although the slightly more upmarket MacBook Pro will be worth the extra cash to some.

• Laptops for Mother's Day
• Apple MacBook (Early 2010)
• Apple MacBook Air 11 (late 2010)
• Targus Armoured Notebook Case

Sure, there's been dozens of attempts at the format before, but it's only just now that things are starting to get serious. Many people are still curious though as to what they can actually use these things for - those who are interested seem to have a unique, specific intent for tablets, whether it be reading comics, showing show reels to potential clients, using them for in-flight entertainment or otherwise - they're far and away the most single, general purpose devices we've seen.

This is a market that's still expanding, especially in Australia - as such we've included products that are available now, and products we expect to see soon. We're still waiting to hear the final word on the Australian release date of some interesting experiments, but rest assured once we know, you'll see it here.

• Hanvon BC10
• Optus looking at Android-based tablets
• Wacom Intuos4
• Optus My Tab

• Apple Mac Mini (Late 2009)
• Apple iMac 24-inch (2009)
• Apple iPad
• Belkin Switch-To-Mac cable

Pioneered by Asus with the EeePC 701, the netbook shifted the way we think about computing.

Of late though, people have realised that netbooks have limitations and the market is fragmenting, with some going to tablets like the iPad or Galaxy Tab, some to smartphones like the Desire HD or LG Optimus 7, others to thin-and-lights like MacBook Air, and yet others opting to go for a budget laptop under AU$1000.

But if the price is right and you're willing to live with the compromises it brings, a netbook can still be a good accessory thanks to its light weight and great battery life. Inevitably they contain Atom processors, the most recent ones with dual-core. Sadly, netbooks running Windows 7 Starter often only come with 1GB RAM, a highly limiting factor - we'd suggest if the option exists to get one with Home Premium at least and 2GB RAM. Screen sizes have mostly settled between 10 and 12 inches these days, falling into one of two resolutions: 1024x600 or 1366x768. The latter is a massive improvement, as the 600-pixel vertical resolution often doesn't fit everything on screen that it needs to.

Most come with 100Mb Ethernet and 802.11g wireless, although the occasional model comes along with gigabit and 802.11n, if you're willing to pay a premium. If you've got a chance, try before you buy, as keyboard comfort is the thing that ultimately defines a good netbook.

• Asus Eee PC 1201N
• Sony Vaio W
• Asus Eee PC 1005PE
• Asus N10 (Intel Atom N270 Processor 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM)

Regardless, if it’s at the top of your feature wish list take a gander at the laptops below, all of which incorporate backlit keyboards. We’re always on the lookout for more though, so let us know in the comments below if there’s something you’d like us to take a look at.

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• Dell Studio XPS 13
• Apple MacBook Pro (2.66GHz, 17-inch)
• Apple MacBook (June 2009)
• Dell Studio XPS 16

Gone are the days where you needed a separate modem, router, firewall, wireless access point and VoIP device. Today's home or small office can take advantage of multitasking devices that can handle all these features and more, minimising the bewildering array of electronic devices we need, cutting down greatly on the spaghetti-like mess of cables, reducing cost, power consumption, wasted space... and confusion!

Below are the top 10 wireless modem/router products we've reviewed recently - take in mind this doesn't include standalone routers without modems! Looking at reader comments, it seems everyone has a horror story about the router they've purchased, so perhaps there's still some way to go for the devices to become the one-click set-up they need to be. If you've had a good or bad experience, jump in and leave your comments under each review.

Find the best broadband internet plan with CNET Australia's Broadband Plan Finder.

• iiNet BoB wireless modem
• Engin oneHub ST790
• Internode MiFi
• Edimax nLite 3G-6200n 3G Broadband Router

If you've got a wad of cash just lying around, and dad's been hinting about updating the old lap-brick, we've got a shortlist of our favourite laptops this year so far, from netbook to mid-weight, to make sure your dad's covered.

For more tech gift ideas, click through to see our Father's Day Gift Guide.

• Best mobile phones for Father's Day
• GPS units for Father's Day
• Father's Day gift guide
• Best laptops for your tax return