Radically overhauled last year, Apple’s MacBook line of laptops moved to aluminum construction, edge-to-edge glass over LED displays, and oversize multitouch trackpads (with the exception of the lone $999 white plastic model). The latest round of updates is more of a refinement than another revolution, but it adds some much-sought-after features, while lowering prices on many configurations.

Most notable, the 13-inch aluminum unibody MacBook has been promoted to join the MacBook Pro family. It’s a move that makes sense, as the differences between the two lines were becoming increasingly blurred. To complete the transformation, the 13-inch Pro regains its missing FireWire port, making it even more useful for creative professionals on the go.

New to the Pro line is something we never thought we’d see on a MacBook: an SD card slot. Standard on the 13- and 15-inch Pro laptops, this corrects one of our main MacBook annoyances. We’re also pleased to see the backlit keyboard–previously found in only the more expensive 13-inch versions–filter down to even the $1,149 base model (which is a nice discount from the previous $1,299 entry price).

Some have strong feelings about the nonremovable battery–similar to those already found on the MacBook Air and 17-inch Pro. It’s a legitimate concern, but we think the promise of better battery life (Apple claims up to a 40 percent improvement), and three times as many recharge cycles as older batteries is just as important.

Apple Macbook Pro Summer 09

There are still a few items on our 13-inch wish list–matte screens, mobile broadband options, Blu-ray–but Apple has done an admirable job filling in some of the major missing pieces. By offering more features for less money, the 13-inch MacBook Pro remains one of the most universally useful laptops available.

Though most laptop shoppers may be laser-focused on value, snapping up $300 Netbooks and $600 ULV systems, there’s always a little room at the top of the heap for a high-priced, full-featured showpeice. In the 13-inch category, HP has the Envy 13, Dell has the Adamo XPS, and Sony has the Vaio Z series.

In this latest refresh, the Vaio Z has a very fast Intel Core i5 processor, an Nvidia GT 330M GPU, which can be switched off to save battery life, a DVD drive (something missing from those other high-end 13-inch laptops), and a huge 256GB SSD hard drive, which is no doubt a big part of the $2,299 price (although it’s not yet available for sale at the time of this review).

Price aside, the Vaio Z may be our new 13-inch laptop of choice, as it breezed by many other recent 13-inch systems we’ve tested, which all use older Intel CPUs (or slower low-voltage ones). The trade-off is in battery life, even with the system automatically changing power profiles as needed with its Dynamic Hybrid Graphics System (which is a fancy name for the integrated/discrete graphics switch).

Unfortunately, the Vaio Z116 priced out of range for most consumers, but if you get an opportunity to test-drive one, we I recommend it.

As the sequel to one of our favorite all-around Netbooks, the HP Mini 5102 has some pretty big shoes to fill. It wasn’t HP’s choice in components that we liked about its business line 10-inch system–after all, most 2009 Netbooks shared a very uniform set of parts–it was the overall design and build quality of the Netbook we liked

With a body made of aluminum and magnesium alloy, the 5101 felt significantly more rugged than many of the plastic Netbooks it was competing with, and its excellent keyboard layout made typing a breeze. The new version, the 5102, offers only minor cosmetic tweaks, but also more configuration options, including a touch screen.

That means you can create a fairly compelling Netbook using HP’s online configurator, but it’ll also be an expensive one, as anything above the baseline adds significant cost. At a time when HD displays are becoming the norm, our $424 review unit has only a standard 1,024×600-pixel resolution 10-inch display, along with a single-core Intel Atom N450 processor, Windows 7 Starter Edition, and 1GB of RAM.

With the competition (including HP’s own Mini 311 line) regularly offering HD displays and Nvidia Ion graphics for very reasonable prices, we would have liked to see the Mini 5102 make some bolder steps with its new version. As it is, this sequel to our favorite 2009 Netbook feels like just that–a 2009 Netbook.

At this year’s CES, one of the technologies that captured interest was Intel’s Wireless Display technology, or WiDi. Presented as a simple plug-and-play way of transmitting a laptop’s video signal to any TV with the help of a small Netgear-made box, WiDi presents a tempting solution to the often messy methods currently available to those who want to get their Hulu on the big screen. (For more on Intel’s Wireless Display, check out our hands-on report and video.)

WiDi, however, needs to be built into a compatible laptop. One of the first notebook computers to include WiDi at retail is the $899 Toshiba Satellite E205-S1904, a model that’s exclusive to Best Buy. Though having WiDi included makes the E205-S1904 intriguing enough, we’re also excited because the last Best Buy exclusive design that Toshiba made, the E105-S1802, was one of our favorite Satellite laptops. We particularly liked it for incorporating a more comfortable keyboard and touch pad than are available in most mainstream Satellite models.

The new E205 changes the look of the E105 considerably. Gone is the boxy but clean look, replaced with a sleek curved blue design. A new Intel Core i5 processor replaces the previous Core 2 Duo, offering some performance upgrades and power-management advantages. A slot-loading DVD/CD drive is also included. The keyboard is still backlit, and speaker volume is improved over the E105. At a price of $899, it’s only $50 more than last year’s E105 Blue Label offering. For the improved CPU and wireless display functionality alone, however, it’s arguably worth it.

With both educational and entertainment value the Annabel Karmel kitchen is the latest offering from Step2, who are consistent producers of high quality children’s toys.

Now it is plain to see that such a well renowned figure like Annabel Karmel, the nations leading child nutrition author, would never dream of putting her name to a product that was anything short of top quality and her endorsement lets us all know that it is a product to be trusted in.

So what makes the Annabel Karmel Kitchen such a good children’s toy:

• Appeals to children from both the sexes.

• Features an exclusive Annabel Karmel cookbook to direct play and amplify learning potential.

• Realistic cooking sounds activate through the use of pots and pans on hobs and stoves.

• Functional, electronic microwave keypad.

• Includes an extensive 27 piece play kitchen accessory kit

• Highly durable construction means that it will last through even the most demanding of play sessions.

All in all the Annabel Karmel toy kitchen will make for an ideal gift for children aged 2 years and up. Melding fun and education together in a seamless manner is something which is seldom seen in toys of today’s generation, so for an extra special gift this may well be what every parent has been searching for.

Not only is it guaranteed to be non-malarial, it’s also Deet-proof - although a heavy dose of spray could, and probably would, royally screw up the finely tuned electronics.

The control you can achieve with this top flier is truly superb due to its exceptionally smooth motor system, allowing for very smooth take offs and landings, and precise forward and reverse control.

CLICK HERE TO BUY £24.99 ONLY

It comes with a helicopter launch pad that doubles as a charger, and a half hour charge will give you a full seven minutes of flying time before it needs refuelling.

The controls are so good that you can take it off from your hand, fly it round the room and land it back on your hand again - if you’re any good of course.

It’s really quite the most fun bit of indoor flying kit we’ve ever had the privilege to play with.

Couple of tips for novices:

Always take off and land in a clear area; make sure there are no draughts where you are flying as it’s a light machine and is therefore adversely effected by wind (like the broccoli eaters of Kent)

Ensure the machine is fully charged before flying; send all your children and pets to another solar system while you practice. Ok, that’s more than a couple of tips.

Features:

• A 6 legged, super stable RC mosquito.
• Glowing LED eyes.
• A twin coaxial rotor for an easy and stable flight.
• Ready to fly straight from the box.
• A full function 3-channel digital radio control.
• A portable field charger.
• A 30 minute charge is equal to a 7 minute flight.
• Suitable for indoor use only.
• Suitable for ages 12 years+.
• Requires 1 x 9V Battery for the transmitter (not included) and 6 x C Cell Batteries for the charger (not included).

Size:-

• Mosquito: 20 x 16.5 x 9cm
• Launch pad: 14.5 x 14.5 x 4cm.

And now they’re available in three different colours: Pink, White or Black.

CLICK HERE TO BUY £14.99 ONLY

Wearing a hat with headphones is a near impossibility, and ear buds (aside from being fairly uncomfortable) have a tendency to fall out or tug at your lugs in a very uncomfortable manner.

These top hats cure all the woes of listening to music on the go, and just to add icing to the cake, other people can’t hear that horrifying squeaky wail of whatever it is you’re listening to.

So no more dirty looks on the bus from people who simply don’t understand the importance of shutting yourself off from the world on public transport. Plug in and chill out without the chill.

• A cosy hat with inbuilt speakers resting over your ears.
• Available in White, Pink or Black (each sold separately).
• The lining of the hat is fleecy for extra warmth softness.
• A 98cm wire with a 3.5mm jack is tucked into the internal lining but can be unravelled to plug into your MP3 (or other music playing device with a headphone jack).
• The wire gives enough freedom to have your player in your pocket/bag and still be very comfortably listening within your hat.
• The hat is made from 100% polyester and can be hand-washed warm (make sure to remove the speakers).
• Suitable for ages 8 years+.
• Size: 27 x 18 x 2cm (when flat).

If you’ve got a teenager in the house who loves BMXing or skateboarding then this is a great gift idea for them! It’s something a little off the usual present ideas list, but it’s amazing.

This flybar 800 will allow to you leap 4ft off the ground. Yes, four feet!

Ok you’re definitely not going to leap that on your first go, but it’s got an adjustable piston length which you can alter between  9”-15” and it’s this that dictates how high it’ll bounce.

Once you’ve mastered the basic art of balancing and bouncing - and it’s got some really good grip pegs to stand on, then you can move up a notch to allow you to work towards that amazing four feet.

Obviously it’s an outdoor toy, so not one they’ll be able to play with indoors, or out if it’s snowy or icy, but it will be one of the favourite gifts your intrepid teenager gets this year.

The Flybar 800 will horrify watching adults, but be the best gift a teen could get this year. The tricks that can be done are amazing - and include full flips if you’re really proficient!

There’s loads of moves you can do that involve moving round midair on the stick and touching the pegs with your hands. In the same way that there’s tons of invention allowed with a skateboard there’s the same scope with this extreme  pogo stick.

It’s an amazing extreme sport to watch and taking a leap on a Flybar stick will give your life added meaning! Learn to fly almost on the flybar 800!

It’s made from a high quality aluminium which is strong and is only suitable for ages 9 upwards. There’s also a weight restriction on it of 180lbs! This is an expensive toy but would make a great main present for a child who loves extreme sport action!

Now your kids can experience the thrill of night manoeuvres in your back garden.

These goggles will allow them to see up to 15 metres ahead of them in absolute darkness. They look pretty darn cool too.

Who hasn’t wanted to wear a pair of Night Vision Goggles? Not that anyone will be able to see them of course.

CLICK HERE TO BUY £99.99 ONLY

The goggles work using infra-red light and at full power the light is still barely visible to the naked eye. Whether you’re spotting badgers, owls, or the kids are playing “terrify the bejesus out of each other”, these are a heap of fun.

They’re designed for kids, but we firmly believe that just means the young at heart!

Main Features

• A pair of night vision goggles for playing “soldiers” in the garden.
• The goggles emit infra-red light allowing you to see up to 15 metres in absolute darkness.
• The infra-red light settings can be adjusted for close quarter combat.
• An adjustable head strap.
• Unsuitable for real combat (but you knew that already… we hope).
• Suitable for ages 8 years +.
• Requires 5 x AA batteries (not included).
• Size: 20 x 19.5 x 15.5 cm.

If you have small boot in your car or have to use public transport frequently then the Maclaren Techno XT pushchair is for you.

A lightweight aluminium frame combined with four large sturdy wheels, you will be able to tackle any number of every day obstacles with ease, no more waking the baby when trying to go up the kerb, The Maclaren Techno Xt has front and rear suspension ensuring a smooth ride for baby and excellent control for parent.

It’s easy to fold, so if you need to get it down in hurry, you won’t have a problem.

You will be reassured to know that the Maclaren Techno Xt covers are machine washable, a god send with a little one of any age and the large hood also offers UV protective sun visor and viewing window, so you can keep check on baby whilst he is taking a nap.

The Maclaren Techno Xt comes in two up to date colours Charcoal Grey and Black, It’s up to you what statement you make, but whatever you decide with a large shopping basket and rain cover included there will be no stopping you rain or shine you can be out and about with your baby in style and comfort.