Sony Vaio VPCZ114GX/S

Experts say the Sony Vaio VPCZ114GX/S (*Est. $2,100) is a top pick for business professionals and mainstream users who want a fast and portable laptop. It features a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5-520M processor, 4 GB of memory, a high-resolution 13.1-inch display and both a 128 GB and a 64 GB solid-state drive (for 192 GB of storage in all). Other models in this Sony Vaio Z series laptop are also available. For example, the Sony Vaio VPCZ116GX/Sinfo (*Est. $2,300) replaces the dual solid-state drives with a single 256 GB solid-state drive, while the entry level Sony Vaio VPCZ1190X (*Est. $1,900) has only a single 128 GB solid-state drive. Otherwise, these Sony Vaio Z series laptops are essentially identical.

Testing shows that the Sony Vaio VPCZ114GX/S has excellent performance, and some reviewers say it's the fastest 13-inch laptop they've ever tested. The sleek design is stylish and portable, weighing only 3 pounds. The display is crisp and has excellent viewing angles, so you don't need to be sitting directly in front of the screen to get a good view. Reviewers are also impressed with the Vaio's graphics prowess. The Sony Vaio VPCZ114GX/S has discrete Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics, so it can handle casual gaming. Unfortunately, battery life is poor, lasting less than four hours during intensive use. If you only use the laptop for surfing the web or checking email, battery life can be stretched to five hours. Some reviewers also complain about the speakers, which they say lack volume and richness. If gaming is your primary reason for getting a laptop, the Alienware M17xinfo (*Est. $1,800 and up) is your best bet. That laptop is much heavier than the Sony Vaio VPCZ114GX/S, but it's the best laptop for handling intensive 3-D games.

A number of credible reviewers test and rate the Sony Vaio VPCZ114GX/S and other members of the Sony Vaio Z Series. The best coverage comes from Laptop Magazine, ComputerShopper.com and PCMag.com. These websites conduct extensive hands-on testing and compare the laptop to others in its category when appropriate. Useful reviews can also be found at CNET and Engadget.com.