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Thanks to the Power Media Dock, the Z bests all of its competitors that top out at integrated graphics, offer fewer ports, and are missing an optical drive. There are no two ways about it: the Z is simply a more powerful laptop.

Sony demonstrates cutting-edge design in this surprisingly powerful but unfortunately expensive laptop.

With slim 13-inch SSD laptops now well under $1,000, Sony's expensive, high-end Z series laptop is a tough sell, although the long-life slice battery and unique GPU/optical dock help make its case.

Sony's high-end Z series laptop lives up to its luxury reputation, with a slim, lightweight body, plenty of processing power, and a highly specialized GPU dock.

At $2,500, the Vaio Z is $900 more expensive than the most expensive MacBook Air. Is there any possible way to justify that kind of outlay? For me, it's an impossibly hard sell. Put it another way: Is it worth it to pay an $100 extra per ounce of computer you don't get?

The VAIO Z offers unparalleled speed and portability along with a first-of-its kind dock that adds discrete graphics--if you're willing to pay the price.

The Sony VAIO Z is the fastest and most expensive 13-inch notebook on the market.

While the Sony Z Series definitely has a 'wow' factor, it's a 'wow' factor that is mostly a reaction to: "so how much does it cost?". But hey, if you can afford it, then you'll end up with a 1.15kg, super-slim laptop that also features high-end processing performance and very fast drive speeds.

As fast as many desktops, but no heavier than many netbooks, it's a testament to what can be achieved thanks to modern hardware and engineering. It's a niche product, of that there's no doubt, but if you need the power and portability it offers then it comes highly recommended.

With its incredible combination of power and portability, this is the best ultra-portable laptop of recent times. It may lack the glamour of some of its rivals, but the Sony VAIO VPC-Z21V9E is worth its high pricetag.

A bold, uncompromising redesign and stratospheric price makes for a truly unique ultraportable.

Intel says the ‘ultrabook’ will redefine the future of computing. But if you want a taste of the future today, Sony’s latest Z series is as close as you’re going to get.

The lightest non-netbook laptop we've tested, the Z Series has a stunning design, with an external dock that boosts the graphics. But only deep-pocketed buyers will consider this luxe model.