Review: Sony VAIO N170GT

The Good: portable; affordable; stylish and modern exterior; solid structure; elegant, minimalist look; comfortable, full-sized keyboard; DVD burner; fast internet surfing; battery life comparable with other mid-size models and adequate for movie watching; LCD with high native resolution; wireless connectivity; use of Xbrite technology for readable display with antireflective coating; adequate multitasking performance; with three USB 2.0 ports and a mini FireWire port.

The Bad: bulky; available only in white and brown colors; noisy mouse buttons; a little bit heavy for traveling; no quick-launch buttons; insufficient for 3D gaming; lack of PC Card slot; low speaker sound.

The Bottom Line: suitable for budget-conscious individuals with discriminating style; usable for basic productivity; not for the more demanding buyer.