Sony Vaio VGN-S3XP

The Sony Vaio VGN-S3XP may be among the smallest notebooks on the market but its diminutive stature takes nothing away from an impressive list of features.

The first thing we liked was its excellent 12.1in widescreen display. The screen uses Sony's X-Black technology - a special coating that Sony says gives it a visibly brighter picture, rich colours and deeper contrast. The result makes the notebook suitable for watching DVD movies or displaying digital images.

This Vaio may seem a lightweight at just under 2kg but the combination of an Intel Centrino Sonoma processor running at 2GHz and 1Gb of the fastest type of memory available make it a worthy opponent for most desktop computers.

One of its greatest strengths is its use of Sonoma, Intel's latest Centrino processor. This gives it the edge over older Centrino-based notebooks, including the potential for more speed, longer battery life, and compatibility with all current types of wireless network.

We were also impressed by its graphics performance. It uses an nVidia Geforce Go 6200-based graphics card, which is capable of running any modern game. We played Half-Life 2 and Far Cry (two of the most graphically demanding titles available) without any trouble. We were even able to increase the level of graphical detail within the game without significantly affecting performance.

The underside of our review model got rather hot to the touch during tests, most likely because the cramped conditions inside the notebook don't lend themselves well to cooling a fast-running processor.

As a result, it may not be the ideal choice if you plan to use it on your lap. The heat is less noticeable if you're running basic programs, but for optimum comfort we recommend using it on a desk.

Despite the heat it generates, the Vaio VGN-S3XP has a surprisingly long battery life. It lasted two hours during our intensive lab tests and will last e ven longer when running standard applications such as a word processor.

Unfortunately, it has just two USB 2 ports and a single Sony iLink S400 connector, which is incompatible with FireWire devices. Our review model came with a VGP-PRS2 docking station that added extra ports, but this drives the total price of the package up to £1,800.

Fortunately you get a lot of software for your money. Microsoft Works 8.0 will handle all word processing, email, contact book and spreadsheet needs, while Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 will cater to all your image and photo-editing needs.

Security hasn't been overlooked with Norton Internet Security 2005 for protection against viruses and hackers. Those with digital camcorders will appreciate Adobe Premiere Standard for editing digital videos.

The Vaio VGN-S3XP is an excellent all-round notebook for those who need high performance on the move - it looks fantastic and is well equipped. However, those looking for a standard desktop replacement could meet their needs for half the price.