Berlin  - Laptops are now available in bright red, yellow and mixed colour, artists editions.

They can be spotted daily in WLAN cafes from Hamburg to Berlin, making time spent on the computer feel a bit more invigorating.

"To each his own," is the rule of thumb, fashion expert Bernhard Roetzel of Berlin said. The twill-suit-sporting banker is best paired with a black, silver or white laptop, while young professionals go for colourful computers.

However, Roetzel says the trend is not exceptional.

"There's nothing new here. Apple has had them for years, but they haven't achieved full acceptance," he said, adding that they are overrated as an intentional style accessory. (dpa)