New Sony Laptop Is Sleek, Inexpensive, but Slow Essex Junction VT

The sub-$1000 laptop category gets a prettier--but not faster--alternative in a new model from Sony.

The sixth-ranked VAIO VGN-NR160E/T has the distinction of being the cheapest and slowest model on this month's all-purpose laptops chart. It's nearly 40 percent slower than the fastest model, the MPC E-295C. If comfort and style are more important to you than speed, however, the VAIO's wide keyboard keys and the subtle shimmer on its chocolate-brown case might win you over. The $830 price tag also includes an ample 160GB hard drive, and you can reprogram the mute and A/V buttons above the keyboard to launch your choice of applications. But be warned: Out of the box, this portable's Windows Vista desktop heavily advertises software trials.

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