The Finest Collection – PC Site’s Christmas 2011 shopping guide

The finest collection

A tech shopping guide for Christmas 2011, put together
by the PC Site experts.

The finest collection 2011
PC Site's Xmas 2011 tech guide

It's been a hectic year. Laptops and tablets have been getting launched and re-launched on an almost weekly basis and the competition has never seemed fiercer. While this might be good for techie innovation it doesn't make life for shoppers like you any easier. But relax, that's why we're here, and to help we've compiled the ultimate tech consumer guide for Xmas 2011. Enjoy!

John Hillman, PC Site Editor

the fashionista

Dell Inspiron 15R
Youthful. Versatile. Compact.

This is the pick of Dell's consumer laptop range. It's powered by top-end Intel Core i3/i5 processors, but the real kicker is the variety of exchangeable lids that were designed by a number of professional artists.

the music lover

HP Pavilion dv6
Sophisticated. Muscular. Stylish.

HP has been making computers since 1966 - and this is one of their best. In the dv6, the globally renowned Beats Audio speakers (exclusive to HP and developed by Dr Dre) are combined with peerless design.

on the move

Asus Eee Pad Transformer
Professional. Inexhaustible. Lithe.

Don't believe the iPad hype: this is one of the best tablets released in 2011. The Transformer is portable yet sturdy, with splendid visual capabilities as well as long-lasting battery life. Eat that, Apple.

the culture vulture

Sony Tablet S
Stylish. Immersive. Cool.

This tablet has a perfectly balanced, folded design and delivers the high-end desirability you expect from a Sony device. A dedicated multimedia tablet with a high level of connectivity, optional 3G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, it will even sync all your other Sony devices, making it a universal remote in the home.

the game changer

Dell Alienware Aurora R3
Conquer. Expand. Dominate

This desktop has the raw power needed to crush all enemies. It is simply the badest kid on the block when it comes to gaming. A liquid cooling system stops it from overheating, allowing you to overclock to the max, and it comes with more upgrade options than any other desktop out there.

the smooth operator

Acer Aspire Ethos
Smooth. Slick. Sharp.

The Acer Aspire Ethos has a premium capacity for entertainment: screen, speakers and general aesthetic get full marks from us. Its 18.4 inch display offers some great viewing angles and makes watching movies with friends easy. It comes with a whopping 1TB Hard Drive- which is a marvel on such a portable device - and it plays Blu-ray discs.

for the family

Sony VAIO J Series
Fun. Interactive. Playful.

A PC that will keep the whole family entertained. It comes with great apps like YouPaint that combine with touchscreen functionality to bring hours of fun for the kids. The family noticeboard is brilliant for leaving messages, while dads and older kids will love its powerful multimedia capabilities.

the protector

Kaspersky Internet Security 2012
Vigilant. Reactive. Trusted.

One of the most up-to-date internet security systems available. Kaspersky have pulled out all the stops, implementing cloud technology to update your protection from the latest threats. Their proactive approach to online defence is one of the easiest ways to keep your computer safe.

the profectionist

Corel PaintShop Pro X4
Logical. Fluid. Essential.

Photographers, you have found your new favourite tool. Corel's photo editing software is clear in its interface, plausible in its workflow and lucid in its layout. Photo layering, blurring, blending etc. has never been easier.

the organiser

Nero 11
Comprehensive. Tidy. Intuitive.

The multimedia editor's dream: a software package that organises, converts and plays back video, audio and photo content smoothly and without fuss. A load of cheeky and useful add-ons rounds off this software package.

What do you make of our selection?

Any laptops or tablets that should have been included but weren't?
What were your tech highlights of 2011? Let us know!

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