Sony VAIO T260P/L (Pentium M 1.2GHz, 1GB RAM, 60GB HDD, XP Pro)

All models in the ultraportable, 3-pound VAIO T series feature the exact same form factor and a standard set of core components: Intel Pentium M processors, a 10.6-inch wide-screen display with a fairly fine 1,280x768 native resolution, built-in Bluetooth and 802.11b/g wireless technologies, and--with the exception of the VGN-T150's small, 40GB drive--a midsize, 60GB hard drive spinning at a sluggish 4,200rpm. The $1,799 (as of August 2005) VGN-T150 includes a 1.1GHz processor, 512MB of somewhat slow 333MHz RAM, and a multiformat DVD burner. The VGN-T250, which costs $1,999, offers a 1.2GHz processor, 512MB of 333MHz RAM, and a DVD burner; you can upgrade to 1GB of RAM for an additional $50. The VGN-T350, available in configurations ranging from $1,949 to $2,499, includes a 1.2GHz processor, RAM from 512MB to 1GB, either a single- or double-layer DVD burner, and an integrated cellular radio that lets you tap into cellular data networks (with a paid subscription, that is). With all three models, you can choose between Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional and among exteriors in silver, midnight-blue, or burgundy. In the end, the Sony VAIO T series offers a lot of good features for the traveling professional, but its small size and high cost aren't for everybody.