This does not quite add up to twice the speed, as the two still have to share resources such as the main memory, graphics card and hard drive. But it does make computing-intensive tasks far more practical than on single-core laptops.The fast processor, along with the wide screen, makes the N100 a good bet for business users working with complicated spreadsheets or other analytical tools.Businesses buying laptops have tended to dismiss wide- screen models as useful only for entertainment, but anyone who has enjoyed trying one out for a few days will find it hard to go back to a conventional screen.The N100 also has some other features that will boost its appeal to the business market, including a fingerprint recognition system for security and software that automatically takes backups of the hard drive.Unfortunately, the N100’s features are let down by its rather clunky industrial design. The keyboard is sturdy and has a good feel, but the rest of the machine is a little flimsy and feels less solid than a Thinkpad.The N100 is also rather large. Manufacturers such as Apple and Sony have succeeded in building widescreen laptops with slimline cases, but the Lenovo is a hefty piece of kit.As such, it will suit buyers who need a powerful and feature-rich replacement for a desktop computer. But it is harder to recommend for the frequent traveller.RATING: 3 out of 5.PROS: wide screen, good feature set, good price.CONS: too bulky for a road warrior.COST: £930 plus VAT.CONTACT: www.lenovo.co.uk. For the Ty Croeso hotel and restaurant near Crickhowell in Powys, a remote location is a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, being set high on the hillside surrounded by spectacular scenery means that people who go there fall in love with it. The problem lies in getting them there in the first place, particularly to the restaurant. “Our wonderful location is a bit of a curse,” says owner Linda Jarrett. “There are many well-established restaurants in the town half a mile away that take good trade from the local community and surrounding areas. Because we’re out of the way, we share a very small part of this custom.

We also miss out on passing trade.”
Ms Jarrett has a small budget but a big need to drive customers up Ty Croeso’s remote road. Not helping her quest is that until she took over the establishment last year, it had no track record in filling its tables. “The previous owners said they only had 10 to 15 people in some weekends. So when we arrived, a major focus was developing the business.”Her first job was to change the menu.”They had a long ?a carte menu, so we cut back to a very focused one, which is changed each month to keep it seasonal.