The backlit, Chiclet-style keyboard recessed into the upper deck of the VAIO E15 is large, covering nearly the entire width of the laptop. The spacing and layout are top-notch, including the 10-key numeric keypad, though Sony has yet to emulate the magical "feel" of a Lenovo laptop. It's easy to set up a typing rhythm on the E15's keyboard, but the short key travel is apparent, and you'll never feel quite as secure on it as with a Lenovo.

The one-piece rocker touchpad is responsive, perhaps too much so. I had a difficult time avoiding accidental taps and had to turn the feature off. Less clumsy individuals will probably be fine. Design flourishes include an Assist button that turns on the laptop and initiates the software recovery software, a Web button that does the same but with Windows and your favorite browser, and the Vaio button that launches the application of your choice.

Sony loves to load software onto its laptops. Some of it is useful, powerful, and/or necessary such as the Arcsoft Webcam Suite, Cyberlink PowerDVD, and Sony's own ACID, Sound Forge Audio Studio, and Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11. A lot of it such as the VAIO Gate launch application, VAIO Messenger, and VAIO Smart Network look nice but are really there to remind you which company's laptop you bought. Ditch the applets that duplicate functionality already present in the Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (Windows 7 Pro is an option), and it's remarkable how much quicker the E15 responds.

Sony's laptops are always more than the sum of their parts--a sense of style will do that for you. The VAIO E15 is no exception and will undoubtedly turn a lot of heads in the major electronics outlets. It's a great unit overall. Still, it would be even better if Sony offered a faster hard drive option.