Can Sony's netbooks keep up with its reputation?

A very impressive machine that is packed full of great features

Sony has struck gold with this excellent all-round laptop

A stylish machine with decent office performance, but 3D power is lacking

Powerful and has a great screen, making for an impressive, if expensive, laptop

A fantastic all-round laptop that's ideal for the home, office and commute alike

An Atom-based ultraportable laptop that sets a new standard in mobility

A good specification on offer for the money, but little here to excite

Is there an Apple in Sony's eye?

Sony's ultraportable laptop has had some upgrades

Sony's high-end laptop is aimed at professional photographers

Will Sony's VAIO W series netbooks fill the hole that the VAIO P didn't?

The Sony FW41E's excellent multimedia abilities and a good design make it hard to beat

Budget price and components in a premium chassis make this a great laptop

Sony's VAIO VGN-BX61VN (£650 inc. VAT) is one of the more affordable machines in the VAIO range and is aimed at the corporate user. Where lots of business laptops are smaller than average, the BX Series is a full-sized 15.4-inch machine weighing in at 2.9kg.

Laptop manufacturers are queuing up to release products featuring Intel’s Centrino 2 platform, with Sony at the front of the line. The VAIO VGN-SR19VN is one of the first Centrino 2-based laptops to hit the shops.

Sony’s VAIO range has traditionally comprised high-end laptops with equally high price points. This is no longer the case, with several affordable models now available, one of which is Sony’s VAIO VGN-NR21Z/T (£699 inc. VAT).

The Sony VAIO VGN-TZ31VN/R (£1499 inc. VAT) is one of the smallest and lightest laptops in this group test. Its usability, battery life and specifications are excellent, and although performance falls short of expectations, this is an outstanding ultraportable.

Sony’s VAIO range is one of the world’s best known laptop brands. The VAIO VGN-FZ38M (£849 inc. VAT) is a stylish and impressively specified laptop ideal for most home users. Performance is a mixed bag, however, and this may deter more power-hungry users.

The Sony VAIO VGN-TZ31VN/R is one of the slimmest and lightest laptops around. While pure power is below average, its feature-packed specification is outstanding for such a small laptop, making it a great choice for a life on the move. The 1.3kg chassis is truly ultraportable, so you'll barely notice the weight when travelling.

In the past few months, Sony’s AR-series has proved a solid performer for those seeking a high-end multimedia machine. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get one either, and the VAIO VGN-AR51J can be yours for £799 (inc. VAT).

While consumers drool over Apple's MacBook Air, Sony has come up with a PC equivalent in the Vaio VGN-TZ21WN. It's much the same price as the standard hard disk-based MacBook Air and is designed as an ultraportable that's high on connectivity and low on bulk.

The VAIO VGN-TZ21WN/B (£1799 inc. VAT) is an expensive laptop aimed at the mobile user. It provides great mobility, a stunning screen and wireless broadband.

At one time, it seemed that if you wanted a Sony laptop, you had to pay a premium price. Increasingly, the company is offering machines at lower price points, with the Sony VAIO VGN-NR11S (£599 inc. VAT) being the latest mid-range offering.

Sony’s VAIO range is one of the world’s best known laptop brands. While the VGN-FZ21M (£799 inc. VAT) isn’t the cheapest or most portable system in this group, it’s a well-specified and usable laptop, ideal for multimedia use.