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.

Because of that initial bloat I have a hard time recommending the VAIO S to any end user that can't fix it (including but not limited to just plain physically upgrading the hard drive) or doesn't know someone who can. This is an otherwise fantastic notebook with a lot of potential.

The Sony VAIO S' impressive performance, light weight, and powerful graphics make it a solid contender in the ultraportable laptop category.

This ultraportable notebook is ready to be your general work machine all day long. Once again I must mention that it’s unassumingly styled, certainly not made to make anybody turn their heads in massive appreciation for the aesthetics of the casing itself, but it is ready to get the job done.

If you want a highly portable laptop that still has enough grunt to run all of your applications, as well as a DVD drive and plenty of storage space, then the Sony VAIO ... is a fantastic option.

The Vaio S Series is classic Sony. It’s not the best value, but makes up for its higher price with superior design, some worthwhile options, and a premium model with a high-resolution display.