The lightest 12" notebook with a CD is the Panasonic Toughbook W2, at about 2.7lbs. It runs about six hours. I support two, purchased a year ago - its not a new model, but it beats all the others hollow. In comparison, the new Sony has just a 10" screen, and the Toshiba, Dell, and IBM 12" competitors don't have a CD. Although the W2 has a slow processor and hard drive, applications load fast and are very responsive, in comparison to typical desktop experience. Panasonic also makes extensive claims of durability. This expensive notebook should be at the top of any road warrior's list, still way ahead of the competing models more than a year after introduction.

The Voodoo ENVY a:228 is also very light and powerful but, extreamly expensive!!!