Sony Vaio VGN-CR21E review

We see a lot of very similar-looking laptops at Shopper, so it's always refreshing to open a box and see something different.

Sony's Vaio CR21E is a case in point. It's up to Sony's usual stylish standards, with sleek, rounded edges. It sits elegantly on a desk and definitely stands out from the crowd. Our review model was white, but it's also available in blue or pink for the same price, but if you want red or gold it'll cost you an extra £100.

Another reason this laptop stands out is its unusual 14.1in screen, which means it is slightly more compact than the 15.4in models we see every month. At 2.8kg, though, it isn't much lighter than most 15.4in laptops.

Inside the chassis there's a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 processor and 2GB of RAM, which should be fast enough for most applications you care to throw at it. This is backed up by our benchmark results. The video-encoding score of 216 was impressive, but the integrated Intel X3100 graphics failed to run our Call of Duty 2 graphics test, making the CR21E unsuitable for playing modern 3D games. Battery life is above average at four hours and 13 minutes.

There's a 160GB hard disk for storing your files and a two-layer DVD writer for backing them up. Wireless 802.11a/b/g networking comes as standard, but Bluetooth is included only in this £899 CR21E version, not in the cheaper CR21S, which costs £100 less, so be clear about which model you're looking at before you buy. There's also a built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam. Windows Vista Home Premium is preinstalled.

The glossy screen has a 1,280x800 resolution. Although it's marginally lighter at the bottom, it's not a major problem and is bright and otherwise evenly lit. As with most laptops, the internal speakers lack bass but are otherwise good. They have plenty of volume and only distort when both Windows Media Player and Windows itself are at full volume.

The keyboard is robust and has a stylish silver finish, but because the keys are flatter than most laptops and have gaps between them, it took a bit of getting used to. The trackpad is decent, but the buttons need a firmer push than we'd ideally like. Considering the other Vaios that we have seen, the CR21E's ergonomics are a little disappointing.

Sony's Vaio CR21E is a very stylish laptop and it is a decent performer, but the keyboard is an example of style over substance. The other problem is the price. There are lots of alternatives with similar specifications for a lot less than £899; Samsung's Q45, for example, costs just £731.