Sony may have been a step slow in catching up to Apple in the portable MP3 player market, but it's been out in front when it comes to turning the laptop from a boring gray slab of plastic into a chic travel accessory. It's been offering its VAIO laptops with different color cases for a while now, with the just-announced VAIO CR line being the latest set of rainbow-hue portables. At 5.5 pounds, the new notebook isn't as ultraportable as some of Sony's offerings, but it's definitely lighter than a typical laptop. Available in five different color choices—blue, pink, red, white, and black—the VGN-CR120E's pricing starts at $1,369.99. Classified as an Intel Centrino Duo (or "Santa Rosa") laptop, the VGN-CR120E features a new 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo T7100 processor, Intel's new X3100 integrated graphics, and 802.11n wireless networking support. The base config has 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a double-layer DVD burner, and Windows Vista Home Premium. To keep the size down, Sony has given the system a smallish 14.1-inch LCD. Fashionistas will appreciate the optional color-coordinated laptop case and external mouse. Sony says the VAIO CR series will be available at the end of June.