Sony Vaio VGN

This is the point in proceedings when your normally level-headed guide (ignore the fake diamonds) starts getting wobbly at the knees. The sky is the limit for functionality and price when you start looking at Vaios and MacBooks, but this entry model in Sony's FW range promises a 16-inch wide screen with Blu-Ray-compatible optical drive - making it an obvious choice for watching self-improving media. The roomy, "isolated" keyboard gets high marks - but sadly has no integrated numeric keypad. A 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo with 3GB RAM, 250GB hard drive and webcam packed into a 3kg case.