The Sony Vaio SA21GX packs a lot of computer into a light and thin frame, without setting the price too high. A high-res display, optional Blu-ray, and AMD graphics round out a complete package.

The screen hinge feels too wobbly for our tastes, and the throwback, slightly angular design might not appeal to everybody.

Sony's revamped Vaio S series laptops have slimmed down, but still offer plenty of high-end features, creating an affordable alternative to the attractive-but-expensive Vaio Z.