Sony VAIO VGN-TZ12MN/N.CEK

But the TZ12 has to keep company with another beautifully designed and made ultraportable - the Sony G11 (web ID: 107297). The G11 offers a significant saving, and while the TZ11 may be better looking, the G11 is no ugly stepsister. When it comes to price, take note that the business-class G11 costs £1,300 inc VAT, leaving the TZ12 looking distinctly private jet at over £2,000.

The TZ12 is undoubtedly an aspirational machine, and the SSD hard disk adds some tangible benefits in terms of battery life. But the storage capacity also borders on the impractical. The G11 might not be quite as jaw-droppingly attractive, but it offers better battery life and similar performance in a slightly lighter package, besides having far more hard disk space while offering a spectacular saving of more than £650 even before VAT.

Author: Dave Stevenson