Sony Vaio VPC-F236FM

Sony VAIO VPC-F236FM

The Sony VAIO VPC-F236FM ($1,459.99 list at Best Buy) is a multimedia machine, built with the power user in mind. Its Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GT 540M discrete graphics chip make a powerful component tag team that means you can rely on this laptop to run almost any application (including games). Features like Blu-ray and a 1080p screen will delight video enthusiasts, allowing the VAIO to double as a home entertainment system. However, if gaming performance is high on your list, the Editors' Choice Acer Aspire AS8950G-9839 ($1,499.99 street, 4 stars) includes a beefier AMD chipset with all the other features listed above. The VPC-F236FM is a mammoth of a computer, weighing 6.58 pounds. Its black plastic chassis is slightly heavier than the Sony VAIO VPC-F226FM/B ($1,389.99 list, 4 stars) (6.54 pounds), and lighter than the 18-inch Aspire AS8950G-9839 (8.3 pounds). It measures 1.25 inches in the front, but becomes thicker toward the back (2 inches). This design puts the full-size backlit chiclet keyboard at a sloping angle, providing a more natural typing experience. There's also a full numeric keypad. Sony should have paid more mind to the textured touchpad and mouse button.