4. Ultra Light Laptops And DVD Drives

Of the four laptops included in this comparison, only the Editors Choice winning Sony VAIO VGN-TX670P at 2.77 pounds (1260 g) doesn't meet our 2.5 pound (1135 g) ultra lightweight laptop criterion. However, when the weight of the DVD drive is factored in, the TX670P, with its built-in DVD drive, is actually the lightest of the three laptops with included or optional DVD drives.

The Toshiba Libretto U100-S213 with its DVD drive docked.

The Toshiba Libretto U100-S213 with its DVD dock sitting atop Dell's Latitude X1 with its optional DVD drive to the left.

The Libretto's docking drive is much easier to use than Dell's drive. It connects electronically to the laptop through a solid plug (on the DVD dock) and receptacle (on the laptop). A three point locking system secures the dock firmly to the computer. So once the laptop and dock are mated you handle them as a single unit. On the other hand, the Latitude X1's DVD drive is a separate unit that plugs into the computer using a special USB/power receptacle. Nothing secures it to the computer so you have to deal with the laptop and DVD drive separately when placing them on a surface or moving them.

The top of the Toshiba Libretto U100-S213's DVD drive dock. For more on how the dock and the U100 are mated see the text immediately below.

The docking plug is on the right side of the dock about two-thirds up. The projection in the center on the bottom of the dock and the two metal posts at the top corners of the dock hold the drive in place. The levers at the top of the dock rotate the metal posts to lock the dock to the computer.

The larger laptop-DVD footprint of the Dell makes it awkward to use in certain situations. If you're just working on a desktop all is fine. The Latitude X1 takes up a little more space, but if you need to use your laptop and DVD drive on your lap or on an airplane tray table, the Latitude's footprint is too large and trying to wrangle the computer and DVD drive becomes almost impossible.

Of course, the Sony TX670P with its built-in drive beats both the Toshiba U100 and the Latitude X1. You'll remember that the Sony laptop's is the lightest in weight when a DVD drives are taken into consideration. And, unlike the U100 the DVD drive is there all the time. There's no need to attach or remove it. Yes, you can trim the Toshiba to 2.2 pounds (978 g) by removing the DVD dock, but is the Sony's extra .57 pounds (2.59 g) really going to break your back? And, don't forget when the U100's DVD drive is in place it is more difficult for the laptop to dissipate heat