Sony VAIO VGN-BX197XP

Battery life isn't the only warning - for such an expensive, business-targeted machine, the one-year RTB warranty is a real disappointment. Sony offers the VAIO Professional Premium Service warranty, a three-year next-business-day on-site service for £239 (inc VAT), but we expected better.

With these two cautions in place, the BX197XP is a great business notebook. It isn't as portable as the A-Listed Dell D610, but for users who just want a machine to keep in a drawer when not in use it offers outstanding processing power and ample storage for virtually any application. Another positive note is that the BX197XP is only the first of a series of new business laptops from Sony, so watch this space for more portable machines in the near future.

Author: Dave Stevenson