Usually when I'm introduced to a new laptop, it's when it arrives in our office for review. But I first encountered the Sony VAIO VGN-TZ150N ($2,299 direct)—and Sony's TZ Series—when I and a handful of other journalists toasted the line with champagne at a press gala at the top of New York City's Rockefeller Center. This 2.7-pound ultraportable's design is all about luxury. Little expense was spared on its gorgeous LED screen, its carbon-fiber frame, and a new keyboard that's reminiscent of the Sony VAIO VGN-X505ZP. But although the TZ150N's exterior is magnificent, more attention should have been paid to what's inside. Its slow processor and a bloated software suite can put a damper on productivity.