Product Reviews

While there are several small laptops in the Labs this month, only one can truly be considered ultraportable. The Sony VAIO VGN-TZ21WN weighs just 1.2kg thanks to its carbon-fibre lid, and at its widest point is just 30mm thick. Add to this a battery capable of lasting nearly seven hours under light use, and it's clear the Sony is in a league of its own.

The petite frame leaves room for only an 11.1in display, but its vivid colours and 1,366 x 768 resolution make it just as usable as the larger models here. The feel of the keyboard split opinion in the Labs, but it's sensibly laid out and the separated-key styling adds to the overall appeal. A VGA webcam faces you from above the screen,

ADVERTISEMENT

a fingerprint reader sits between the mouse buttons, and there's a TPM 1.2 chip for security.

We didn't expect a massively rigid chassis, but this one feels more vulnerable than previous VAIOs; the hinge is a little wobbly and the power cord isn't too secure when plugged in. Treat this VAIO carefully when on the move.

And while the Sony website may give the TZ series the label of "exquisite mobility, extravagant performance", a benchmark score of 0.51 shows just how little you can expect from the low-power Core 2 Duo U7500, despite 2GB of RAM. That said, we still found it nippy in use.

And raw speed isn't the point. It's a feather-light, thin notebook with an integrated DVD writer and a 100GB hard disk, and if that's what you're after you won't be put off by the lack of processing muscle. Entertainment isn't ignored, either: the InstantON AV mode lets you play music and video without Windows to save power.

It isn't short on connections, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FireWire and an ExpressCard/34 slot. There's even a built-in 3G adapter, giving internet access wherever there's phone reception. The single-year return-to-base warranty is disappointing and there's no denying it's expensive, but such portability comes at a premium that many are willing to pay.